HCA Healthcare, Riverside Community Hospital Riverside, CA
Introduction: Mirizzi Syndrome (MS) is a rare complication of gallstone disease, caused by an obstructing stone in the cystic duct or the gallbladder neck, leading to obstruction of the common hepatic duct. This case discusses the utility of EUS in improving diagnostic yield of MS and the importance of cancer screening in these patients.
Case Description/Methods: A 44-year-old male with a history of gastritis presented with right upper quadrant (RUQ) abdominal pain, jaundice, and scleral icterus for one week. On exam, the patient was afebrile with mild RUQ abdominal tenderness. Labs showed a total bilirubin of 5.4 mg/dL, AST of 66 U/L, ALT of 228 U/L, and a total alkaline phosphatase of 159 U/L. Ultrasound demonstrated intra- and extrahepatic biliary dilation with suggestion of a shadowing stone within the common bile duct (CBD). The gallbladder wall was thickened with trace pericholecystic fluid. MRCP showed a 15 mm calculus presumed to be in the CBD, with a 16 mm CBD dilation. ERCP showed a filling defect in the midportion of the CBD, and a CBD stent was placed. Due to these findings, a CA 19-9 antigen was drawn, measuring 3038 U/mL. EUS was then performed, which visualized a cystic duct stone partially extending into the CBD– a finding consistent with MS. An enlarged lymph node was visualized in the porta hepatis region. FNA of the lymph node as well as CBD brushings from the ERCP were both negative for malignant cells. The patient was discharged and underwent a cholecystectomy two weeks later. Surgical findings were consistent with MS and a 20 mm stone was removed with the gallbladder. The intraoperative frozen section of the gallbladder was negative for malignant cells.
Discussion: Initial evaluation for MS should include an ultrasound or CT scan, followed by MRCP. The pooled sensitivity of MRCP for detecting CBD stones is around 87%. While MRCP is often used to diagnose MS, the anatomy may not be well visualized due to the proximity of the cystic duct to the CBD. EUS has a pooled sensitivity of 97% in detecting a CBD stone and can better visualize the biliary tract anatomy, aiding in diagnosis. Diagnosis of MS prior to surgery can be helpful in avoiding biliary tract injuries. MS evaluation should also include screening for malignancy, as MS has an association with gallbladder cancer. While elevated CA 19-9 levels are concerning for malignancy, they can also be seen in chronic benign biliary obstruction. It is important to obtain a CA 19-9 level when suspecting MS, both before and after stone removal.
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