Laparoscopic management of biliary obstruction secondary to sarcoidosis

Abstract

Evaluation of the patient presenting with an elevated bilirubin often involves a study of the biliary tract for potential obstruction. Potential etiologies for obstruction of the common bile duct (CBD) include choledocholithiasis, pancreatic or ampullary neoplasm, cholangiocarcinoma, or extrinsic compression. Extrinsic compression can be from the gallbladder itself (Mirizzi’s syndrome) or a neoplasm in adjacent lymph nodes. We describe an unusual cause of CBD obstruction – sarcoidosis; as well as the workup, and the laparoscopic treatment of regional sarcoidosis.