Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and hepatolithiasis: an unusual association in Western countries

Hepatolithiasis is uncommon in Western countries and the relationship with cholangiocarcinoma is unusual. We report the association of hepatolithiasis and a cholangiocarcinoma in a Caucasian patient with a 17-year history of recurrent pancreatitis associated with hepatolithiasis. We discuss work-up and surgical treatment, and stress the need to keep in mind the possible association between hepatolithiasis and cholangiocarcinoma even in Western countries. (C) 2002 Lippincott Williams Wilkins.