Surgical Management of Extrahepatic Biliary Neuroendocrine Tumors A Rare Case Report

Case Overview: Diagnosis and Presentation A 41-year-old woman presented with non-specific abdominal pain and significantly elevated liver function tests (LFTs). Imaging studies revealed a mass in segment 4 of the liver, initially suspected to be a benign hepatic adenoma. However, further diagnostic evaluations, including a percutaneous biopsy, confirmed a neuroendocrine tumor.

Surgical Intervention and Management

  • The tumor was located in the anterior aspect of the liver hilum, involving the proximal common hepatic duct (CHD).
  • A total resection of the common bile duct (CBD) and CHD was performed.
  • A complex lymphadenectomy around the celiac artery was conducted to ensure complete tumor excision.
  • Postoperative pathology confirmed a well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor (NET) with a low proliferation index (Ki-67 <2%).

Broader Implications in Neuroendocrine Tumor Management

  • Challenges in Diagnosis: Many EBNETs are diagnosed intraoperatively due to their non-specific imaging characteristics.
  • Surgical Considerations: Resection with free margins is critical for long-term prognosis.
  • Alternative Treatments: Patients with inoperable tumors may benefit from systemic therapies like somatostatin analogs or peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT).

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