Coroner's Finding: Foster, Stephen John

74y · Male·acute on chronic liver failure complicating common bile duct cholangiocarcinoma (operated)

Stephen John Foster, aged 74, died in hospital from acute on chronic liver failure complicating common bile duct cholangiocarcinoma. He was serving a prison sentence at the time. Initial presentation with jaundice, elevated bilirubin, and constitutional symptoms in April 2022 prompted appropriate imaging and referral. CT and MRCP confirmed bile duct cancer. He underwent percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography in May and right hemi-hepatectomy with hepaticojejunostomy in June 2022. Surgery was completed without complications, but he subsequently developed fulminant liver failure with disseminated intravascular coagulation, hepatic encephalopathy, and decompensation refractory to intervention. The coroner found the medical and surgical care appropriate and made no adverse findings.