Granular Cell Tumor at the Hepatic Hilum Mimicking Hilar Bile Duct Carcinoma

Abstract

We report a case of granular cell tumor at the hepatic hilum mimicking hilar bile duct carcinoma. The patient was a 38-year-old woman. She was admitted to our hospital for investigation of her liver dysfunction. Enhanced CT and MRI showed a soft mass about 2 cm in diameter at the left hepatic duct with intrahepatic biliary dilatation in the left hepatic lobe. Subsequent imaging with MRCP and ERCP revealed a stricture at the left hepatic duct. Endoscopic biopsy of the stricture revealed atypical cells. Suspicion of cholangiocarcinoma prompted surgery. The patient underwent left hemi-hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct excision. The biliary tract was reconstructed with a Roux-en Y choledochojejunostomy. Pathological examination of the specimen revealed a stricture at the left hepatic duct surrounded by a 22-mm mass. The lesion was a benign granular cell tumor. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient has been doing well and recurrence free 1 1/2 years after presentation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documented case of a granular cell tumor of the hepatic hilum in Japan.