En bloc groin node resection reconstructed with external oblique flap for solitary metastatic cholangiocarcinoma: a case report

Cholangiocarcinoma requires complete surgical resection for cure. Even so, the recurrence and metastasis rates are high, and further treatment is typically through palliative systemic chemotherapy. Curative-intent resection of metastatic site may provide survival benefit in selected cases. However, there were no previous reports of groin node dissection in cholangiocarcinoma. We have reported the first case of intrahepatic mass-forming cholangiocarcinoma with isolated synchronous groin node metastasis, successfully treated with resection of the liver mass followed by groin node resection, reconstructed with musculofascial flap. A 73-year-old man presented with right upper quadrant abdominal pain radiating to the right groin for two months. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography revealed a 3.1 × 1.2 cm enhancing mass between hepatic segment 4 and the anterior peritoneum, invading the abdominal wall. Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed a 2.4 × 2.2 cm focal enhancing mass at the anterior aspect of the right lower abdominal wall, just anterior to the right inguinal ligament and iliac vessel. He underwent en bloc resection of hepatic segment 4, gallbladder, and anterior abdominal wall, and the histology result is cholangiocarcinoma. After systemic chemotherapy, he underwent en bloc resection of the right groin mass, reconstructed with external oblique musculofascial flap. The patient was able to achieve a 20-month recurrence free survival after the final operation. This case has demonstrated that in a carefully selected case, resection of distant metastasis cholangiocarcinoma can provide survival benefits, even in the rare site of metastasis.