ADVANCED ALCOHOLTOXIC CIRRHOSIS OF THE LI VER WITH UNEXPECTED CAUSE OF DEATH

A 50 year old man, with established alcohol induced cirrhosis of the l iver, was admitted to hospital because of ascites and jaundice for fur ther diagnostic evaluation and therapy. The findings of the diagnostic procedures were consistent with the diagnosis of an alcoholic hepatit is. The patient died 22 days after admission of sepsis based on a live r failure. The autopsy showed on the one hand an alcohol induced cirrh osis of the liver and on the other hand a widespread intrahepatic chol angiocarcinoma with metatasis in the hilar lymph nodes and in the smal l pulmonary arteries. This case report shows, that a cholangiocarcinom a may present clinically with Endings suggestive for an alcoholic hepa titis. The clinical course is discussed with the literature.