Case report: Intrahepatic cholangiectasis with Clonorchis sinensis infection

Abstract

Clonorchis sinensis infections persist globally among humans. These pathogens mainly inhabit the intrahepatic biliary system. Most individuals with clonorchiasis exhibit mild symptoms. The absence of distinctive symptoms often results in delayed diagnosis and treatment, potentially leading to chronic infection. We herein report a case of a 29-year-old female presented with a year-long history of abdominal distention and dyspepsia. Imaging revealed intrahepatic bile duct dilatation, intrahepatic bile duct cyst, and associated deposits. One month post-cystectomy, the patient developed massive ascites and a significant increase in eosinophil count. After treatment, multiple worms were observed in the drainage tube. Morphological and DNA metagenomic analyses confirmed the presence of C. sinensis. Clinical manifestations of C. sinensis vary widely. Imaging serves as a valuable diagnostic tool in endemic areas, especially in detecting intrahepatic duct dilation where the flukes reside. In addition to intrahepatic bile duct dilation, abnormal echoes within the bile duct and the presence of floating objects in the gallbladder significantly aid in diagnosis. Clinicians may encounter these parasitic diseases unexpectedly, underscoring the importance of understating such cases in routine practice and contributing to our broader understanding of managing similar cases in clinical settings.

Keywords

• Clonorchis sinensis
• Intrahepatic cholangiectasis
• Imaging diagnosis
• Case report