Implantation metastasis of colorectal cancer following percutaneous biliary drainage

Abstract

Introduction Malignant biliary obstruction represents a poor prognostic sign of metastatic colorectal carcinoma. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) is the procedure of choice for palliative biliary decompression, and this method has both diagnostic and therapeutic values. One of the well-known complications following this procedure is the development of catheter tract metastases that occur in 0.6–6% of cases post-PTBD. In this case report, we present a patient with implantation metastases of colorectal cancer following PTBD.

Case report In the last six years, 89 patients underwent PTBD procedure at the Oncology Institute of Vojvodina. Among these patients, catheter tract implantation metastasis developed in one patient (1.1%). In this report, we present a patient who underwent right hemicolectomy in January 2015 at the Oncology Institute due to colon cancer located in the transverse colon. In January of 2018, a computed tomography scan of the abdomen showed metastatic disease and chemotherapy was initiated. However, 29 months following the start of chemotherapy, the patient developed jaundice, and as a result, PTBD procedure was performed. A control computed tomography scan of the abdomen in March of 2021 showed a de novo subcutaneous nodule 20 mm in diameter located at the level of ninth right rib. The nodule had been considered a part of the scar that formed at a place of catheter entry, and was still present eight months after PTBD procedure. Biopsy of the subcutaneous mass and pathohistological analysis confirmed well differentiated colon adenocarcinoma.

Conclusion Catheter tract implantation metastasis is not a rare complication following PTBD for malignant biliary obstruction. It generally has a poor prognosis. Nevertheless, literature review shows that radical surgical excision of the catheter tract tissue with hepatectomy can prolong survival in select group of patients.

Keywords: colorectal cancer; malignant biliary obstruction; implantation metastasis; percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage