Caroli´s disease incidentally discovered in a 16-years-old female: a case report

Abstract

Caroli´s disease is a congenital hepatic disorder characterized by nonobstructive saccular or fusiform dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts with the absence of congenital hepatic fibrosis. Caroli´s disease is rare, with few reported cases in the literature, making it hard to distinguish from other liver abnormalities. We present a case of Caroli´s disease discovered indecently in a 16-year-old female who presented with recurrent abdominal pain and intermittent jaundice in the last three years. Abdominal Computed tomography (CT) showed mild liver enlargement with multiple cystic dilatations of the intrahepatic saccular bile ducts cystic dilatations without hepatic fibrosis. The patient was treated conservatively with ursodeoxycholic acid and antibiotic therapy and discharged with regular follow-up. In conclusion, Caroli´s disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with recurrent abdominal pain and cholangitis without risk factors or relevant history.