An anatomical case of obstructive jaundice due to the rapid enlargement of hepatic peribiliary cysts in end-stage alcoholic liver cirrhosis

Abstract

A man in his 60s had end-stage alcoholic cirrhosis. About six months before his death, hepatic peribiliary cysts (HPBC) rapidly increased, and he developed jaundice and liver failure. The pathological autopsy performed after his death revealed that his intrahepatic bile duct was pressured due to multiple cysts caused by HPBC, which resulted in liver failure. Some cases of HPBC have been associated with alcoholic cirrhosis;however, no other cases of increased HPBC in a short period of time have been reported. Although identifying the cause of increased HPBC in a short time is difficult in this case, it may be have been caused by continuous alcohol drinking after the onset of HPBC. Most patients with HPBC have liver cirrhosis and obstructive jaundice that may promote liver failure as in this case. Therefore, patients with HPBC should not only be instructed for abstinence but also promptly consider effective treatments in the event of obstructive jaundice to prevent liver dysfunction.