Cholelithiasis and the risk of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a meta-analysis of observational studies.

BACKGROUND: The etiological factor for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is not clear. Although it has been widely accepted that intrahepatic biliary tree stone is associated with increased risk of ICC, the role of extrahepatic biliary tree stone in the incidence of ICC is controversial. In the present study we aim to evaluate the association between pre-existing choledocholithiasis and cholecystolithiasis and the risk of ICC. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched to identify cohort and case-control studies on the association between choledocholithiasis or cholecystolithiasis and the risk of ICC. Studies that met the inclusion criteria were subjected to a meta-analysis performed with Stata statistical software. Either a fixed or random effect model was used, depending on the heterogeneity within the studies. Egger's test was performed to assess publication bias. RESULTS: Seven case-control studies met our inclusion criteria. Of the 123,771 participants, 4763 (3.85 %) were patients with ICC, and 119,008 were tumor-free controls. The presence of pre-existing bile duct stones (choledocholithiasis alone or choledocholithiasis accompanied by hepatolithiasis) was associated with the risk of ICC (odds ratio [OR] 17.64, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 11.14-27.95). Even the presence of choledocholithiasis alone (in the absence of hepatolithiasis) was associated with a high risk of ICC (OR 11.79, 95 % CI 4.17-33.35). Cholecystolithiasis may possibly contributed to the incidence of ICC (OR 2.00, 95 % CI 1.16-3.42), with large heterogeneity within studies (I (2) = 78.5 %). CONCLUSIONS: Bile duct stones including choledocholithiasis are important risk factors for ICC. Careful surveillance of patients with extrahepatic biliary tree stone should be considered.

Laparoscopic hepatectomy for the treatment of Caroli's disease: a case report.

Caroli disease is a rare congenital disorder characterized by nonobstructive dilatation of intrahepatic ducts. In cases with symptomatic intrahepatic manifestations, treatment should correspond to the type with hepatic resection for localized disease and transplantation for diffuse forms. If possible, complete resection of the cysts can cure the symptoms and avoid the risk of malignancy. A 66-year-old woman presented to Wuxi Xishan People's Hospital with recurrent intermittent upper quadrant abdominal pain. Further examinations suggested the diagnosis of Caroli disease limited to the left hepatic lobe. She underwent laparoscopic hepatectomy. Pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of Caroli disease, and no malignancy was found. There were no immediate complications and no long-term complications after one and one-half years of follow-up. Laparoscopic hepatectomy could be a feasible, safe treatment option for localized Caroli disease.