Looks can be Deceiving: A Case Report on the Clinical Value of CA 19-9 in Obstructive Jaundice

Carbohydrate antigen CA19-9 is a marker that has been used for the diagnosis of pancreatic and biliary malignancies, but it can also be present in benign conditions. Herein, we present the case of an 82-year-old female admitted for sepsis secondary to cholangitis, with a CA19-9 level of 12,838.3 U/mL. Initial imaging suggested a potential cholangiocarcinoma, but after multiple studies and biopsies, she was found to have a benign biliary stricture which triggered the cholangitis, explaining the increased CA19-9 levels. Clinicians should keep an open mind when assessing significantly elevated CA19-9 levels.