Eosinophilic cholangitis: a self-limited cause of extrahepatic biliary obstruction.

The first case of eosinophilic cholecystitis with radiographically documented biliary tract obstruction is presented. Differences between eosinophilic cholecystitis with and without obstruction in terms of gender predilection and the incidence of associated cholelithiasis suggest these may be two distinct disease processes. The dense eosinophilic infiltration of the porta hepatis seen in the present case has led us to believe that extrahepatic obstruction was due to "eosinophilic cholangitis." The self-limited nature of eosinophilic cholangitis makes it an essential consideration in the evaluation of presumed neoplasms of the porta hepatis.