Misidentification of hepatic tuberculosis as cholangiocarcinoma: A case report

BACKGROUND: Hepatic tuberculosis (TB) is uncommon clinically. Because of a lack of specific signs, characteristic symptoms and clinical manifestations and because pathological samples are difficult to obtain, hepatic TB is easily missed or misdiagnosed. CASE SUMMARY: A 62-year-old Chinese man presented with jaundice for 1 wk and no abnormal laboratory tests other than elevated bilirubin, aminotransferases and C-reactive protein. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen showed a mass in the left lobe of the liver and hepatic hilum with striped calcified foci. Mild enhancement was visible at the edges, along with extensive intrahepatic biliary ductal dilatation in the right lobe of the liver. In the arterial phase of both CT and magnetic resonance imaging, the main trunk and right branch of the portal artery were partially visualized. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) indicated that the left lobe of the liver and most of the bile ducts in the hilum were not visible. Pathological examination revealed coagulative necrosis, and granulomatous nodules were seen around areas of necrosis; therefore, TB was considered. CONCLUSION: Hepatic tuberculosis is easily misdiagnosed or missed on imaging. Percutaneous puncture biopsy is the most useful tool for definitive diagnosis.