Synchronous Extrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma and Gallbladder in Australian Patient Without an Abnormal Pancreatico-biliary Ductal Junction

Abstract

Synchronous malignancies of bile duct and the gallbladder are rare. These cases are often associated with pancreatico-biliary maljunction which is characterised by a long-shared duct between the sphincter of Oddi, the branches of the common bile duct and the pancreatic duct. This predisposes the biliary epithelium to pancreatic enzyme reflux and makes the development of neoplasia more likely. We describe the case of a 64-year-old Australian female who presented with new jaundice and severe cholecystitis secondary to an impacted gallstone.