Primary Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Originating from The Common Bile Duct: a case report and literature review

Extranodal lymphomas may arise anywhere outside the lymph node region. Malignant lymphomas involving the bile duct are usually secondary manifestations of disseminated disease, while primary malignant lymphoma of the bile duct is rare. Chemotherapy is the appropriate treatment choice for lymphoma, and extensive surgical intervention may not be necessary where such surgery may just cause additional complications. In these situations, pre-surgical diagnosis is extremely beneficial. Here, we report a case of primary lymphoma in the common bile duct causing obstructive jaundice and mimicking cholangiocarcinoma. We also reviewed the English literature and compared the results of previous case studies with those of our case. We concluded that if the imaging studies showed smooth surface in the stricture site, mass with homogenous intensity, and other intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy, a lymphoma-like medical condition should be suspected. Moreover, if the pre-surgical biopsy or intra-operative frozen section diagnosis is chronic non-specific inflammation, primary non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma should be suggested.