Liver Transplantation for Caroli Disease

Abstract

Caroli disease is a rare congenital disorder characterized by multifocal, segmental dilatation of intrahepatic bile ducts. Patients with Caroli disease who have recurrent bouts of biliary infection, particularly those who also have complications related to portal hypertension may require liver transplantation. In liver transplant ward of Shiraz University of Medical Science we had 4 patients with Caroli disease who were transplanted. Herein, we describe the demographic characteristics and post-transplant course of the patients. These patients presented with liver failure, recurrent cholangitis and portal hypertension sequelae unresponsive to medical treatment. The mean age of patients was 24.5 (range: 18–36) years, the mean MELD score was 17.5 (range: 11–23), three patients were female; one was male. All of the patients had good post-transplantation course except for one patient who developed post-operative biliary stricture for whom biliary reconstruction was done.