Which type of cholangiocarcinoma is associated with the bifurcation of the common hepatic duct?

The type of cholangiocarcinoma associated with the bifurcation of the common hepatic duct is known as Klatskin's tumor. This form of cancer specifically arises at the junction where the right and left hepatic ducts converge to form the common bile duct. The significance of this location is that it leads to the obstruction of bile flow, which can manifest with symptoms such as jaundice, pruritus, and abdominal pain.

Klatskin's tumors are typically of the perihilar variety and have distinctive ultrasound characteristics, often presenting with a mass at the liver hilum and associated biliary dilation upstream. Understanding this pathology is crucial for sonographers and those involved in the management of biliary diseases, as it aids in the diagnosis and helps guide further management options.

Other types listed, such as cholangioma, hepatic adenoma, and gallbladder carcinoma, do not specifically correlate with the bifurcation of the common hepatic duct in the same manner as Klatskin's tumor. Their locations and manifestations differ, emphasizing the unique nature of Klatskin's tumor in clinical practice.