Published online Aug 16, 2017. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v9.i8.425
Peer-review started: December 31, 2016
First decision: March 27, 2017
Revised: March 30, 2017
Accepted: April 23, 2017
Article in press: April 24, 2017
Published online: August 16, 2017
Presence of Courvoisier’s or double duct signs in a jaundiced patient is suggestive of malignant obstruction of the pancreaticobiliary ductal system. The oncologic impact of the simultaneous occurrence of these signs on the survival of patients with periampullary cancer is unknown. We report a case of obstructive jaundice secondary to an ampullary cancer demonstrating the Courvoisier’s sign on clinical examination and a double duct sign on imaging. The patient underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy which confirmed an ampullary adenocarcinoma.
Core tip: Presence of Courvoisier’s or double duct signs in a jaundiced patient is indicative of obstruction of the pancreaticobiliary ductal system most likely of malignant etiology. This study reports classic clinical and radiologic findings in ampullary adenocarcinoma. The oncologic impact of the simultaneous occurrence of these signs on the survival of patients with ampullary cancer is unknown.