Abstract

Villous adenomas of the common bile duct are rare and accordingly it is difficult to render a firm preoperative diagnosis. They are the unusual cause of bile duct obstruction and can mimic malignant extrahepatic biliary tumors or stones. Until recently, only a few cases had been reported in the medical literature. Although some authors advocate open surgical excision, especially with recurrence or carcinomatous change, an endoscopic resection of a distal common bile duct adenoma is a viable alternative for those patients considered poor surgical risks. We present two cases of villous adenoma of the common bile duct diagnosed by an endoscopic biopsy and endoscopically resected, with review of the relevant literature on the subject. (Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 18: 788-795, 1998)

• Keywords: Villous adenoma , Common bile duct , Endoscopic treatment