 |
|
Image of the Month—Diagnosis
Corresponding author: Rabih M. Salloum, MD, Department of Surgery, University of Rochester School of Medicine, Box SURG, Rochester, NY 14642 (e-mail: Rabih_Salloum{at}urmc.rochester.edu).
Arch Surg. 2004;139:450.
Answer: Mirizzi Syndrome
Figure 1. Computed tomographic scan of the abdomen.
Figure 2. Classification of Mirizzi syndrome.
The CT scan of the abdomen revealed a large complex cystic mass 13 x 12 x 10 cm in the area of the porta hepatis and gallbladder fossa (Figure 1A, B, and C). At closer inspection, the mass was displacing the duodenum and pancreatic head to the left, and a clear plane between the mass and pancreatic head was visible (Figure 1D). Biliary ductal dilatation was also visible, and a normal portal vein was seen (Figure 1D, arrow).
The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy through a right subcostal incision. Findings at the time of surgery were a large cyst of the gallbladder with multiple stones and copious sludge. An intraoperative cholangiogram demonstrated normal biliary anatomy, and cholecystectomy was performed. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and was discharged home on the fourth postoperative day with a normal serum bilirubin level. At follow-up, the patient was doing well 1 year postoperatively, tolerated a regular diet, and had normal serum liver function test results.
Biliary obstruction may result from benign or malignant strictures of the bile ducts,1 gallstones within the biliary tree,2 or extrinsic biliary compression such as swelling of the pancreas.2-3 In 1948, P. L. Mirizzi4 described an unusual cause of biliary obstruction secondary to extrinsic compression of the common bile duct in patients with chronic cholecystitis. Mirizzi syndrome has since been redefined to encompass a spectrum of acquired biliary anomalies, which also include cholecystocholedochal fistulas.3, 5 In type I Mirizzi syndrome, the cystic duct lies parallel to the hepatic or common bile duct, and an impacted gallstone in the cystic duct or neck of the gallbladder leads to intermittent obstruction of the bile duct (Figure 2). Chronic inflammation and compression from cholecystitis may result in the development of a cholecystocholedochal fistula (Mirizzi type II to IV) (Figure 2).2-3 Intraoperative cholangiography aids in avoiding common bile duct injury in the often severely inflamed porta hepatis associated with Mirizzi syndrome.1 Patients with more advanced disease frequently require a choledochojejunostomy or hepaticojejunostomy because lateral repair of the common bile duct with a T tube may result in biliary stricture. A select group of small type II biliary fistulas have been successfully managed with choledochoplasty by using a cuff of gallbladder remnant. Mirizzi syndrome occurs in fewer than 1% of patients with cholelithiasis undergoing cholecystectomy.1, 3 Nevertheless, it should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of obstructive jaundice, especially in patients with an unclear cause of disease.
Accepted for publication March 15, 2003.
REFERENCES
| |
1. Gomez G. Mirizzi's syndrome. Curr Treat Options Gastroenterol. 2002;5:95-99.
PUBMED
2. Abou-Saif A, Al-Kawas FH. Complications of gallstone disease: Mirizzi syndrome, cholecystocholedochal fistula, and gallstone ileus. Am J Gastroenterol. 2002;97:249-254.
PUBMED
3. Pemberton M, Wells AD. The Mirizzi syndrome. Postgrad Med J. 1997;73:487-490.
ABSTRACT
4. Mirizzi PL. Sidrome del conducto hepatico. J Int Chir. 1948;88:737-777.
5. Johnson LW, Sehon JK, Lee WC, et al. Mirrizzi's syndrome: experience from a multi-institutional review. Am Surg. 2001;67:11-14.
PUBMED
SECTION EDITOR: GRACE S. ROZYCKI, MD
RELATED ARTICLE
Image of the Month—Quiz Case
Rabih M. Salloum and Leonidas Koniaris
Arch Surg. 2004;139(4):449.
EXTRACT
| FULL TEXT
|
