Recurrent sepsis in a patient with biliary hamartomas

  • Maria Beatriz Santos Internal Medicine Department, Hospital de Santo Espírito da Ilha Terceira, Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
  • Magda Ponta Garça Internal Medicine Department, Hospital de Santo Espírito da Ilha Terceira, Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1762-9302
  • Bárbara Vieira General Surgery Department Hospital de Santo Espírito da Ilha Terceira, Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8267-8162
  • Paulo Ávila Internal Medicine Department, Hospital de Santo Espírito da Ilha Terceira, Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0648-219X
  • Alexandra Freitas Internal Medicine Department, Hospital de Santo Espírito da Ilha Terceira, Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12890/2023_003764

Keywords

Biliary hamartoma, von Meyenburg complex, sepsis, hepatic lesions

Abstract

Biliary hamartomas or von Meyenburg complexes (VMCs) are hepatic tumour-like lesions related to congenital malformation of the ductal plate, and are part of the ciliopathy spectrum of disorders. The exact pathogenesis of VMCs is unclear and it remains controversial whether they have the potential for malignant transformation. Patients are often asymptomatic and VMCs are usually encountered as an incidental finding on imaging.
We report a case of recurrent sepsis with an unidentified focus. It was later confirmed that biliary hamartomas were acting as a sanctuary for the persistent pathogenic agent. The authors hope to draw attention to the existence of this unusual focus of recurrent sepsis.

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    • Published: 2023-03-18

    Issue: 2023: Vol 10 No 3 (view)

    Section: Articles

    How to cite:
    1.
    Santos MB, Ponta Garça M, Vieira B, Ávila P, Freitas A. Recurrent sepsis in a patient with biliary hamartomas. EJCRIM 2023;10 doi:10.12890/2023_003764.

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