Post-laparoscopic cholecystectomy bilomas--preliminary experience

Etiology, Diagnosis, and Management of Bilomas: A Current Update

A biloma is a well-demarcated collection of bile outside the biliary tree. Traumatic and iatrogenic injuries, most commonly secondary to cholecystectomy, are the usual causes. Although bilomas are relatively uncommon, this pathologic entity may lead to significant morbidity and mortality if not promptly diagnosed and properly managed. As clinical signs and symptoms of bilomas are often nonspecific and laboratory values may be unremarkable, imaging modalities including ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and hepatobiliary cholescintigraphy play a crucial role in the diagnosis of this condition. It is paramount that interventional radiologists not only be well versed in the management of bilomas but also be knowledgeable in the diagnosis as well as key imaging findings that dictate the interventional management. The purpose of this article is to review the etiology, pathophysiology, and clinical presentation of bilomas to primarily focus on the relevant multimodal imaging findings and the minimally invasive management options.

Contrast-enhanced MR cholangiography (MRCP) with GD-EOB-DTPA in evaluating biliary complications after surgery

PURPOSE

We assessed the usefulness of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiography (CE-MRC) with liver-specific contrast agent in evaluating the biliary tree after hepatic surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 142 patients with suspected biliary complications after liver surgery underwent hepatobiliary MR before and after administration of gadolinium ethoxy benzylic diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA). Unenhanced MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and postcontrast MRC were obtained in all patients. Blinded image evaluation and semiquantitative analysis comparing MRCP and CE-MRC were performed by two experienced radiologists.

RESULTS

In all cases, optimal postcontrast visualisation of the biliary tract was obtained. In 22 patients, a postsurgical biliary complication was confirmed. MRCP detected 64% of lesions, but in 36% of cases, an alteration was only suspected but not clearly defined. CE-MRC allowed definite diagnosis in 100% of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Hepatobiliary-specific contrast agents allow for accurate and extensive study of biliary tract alterations, especially in assessing postsurgical complications.

Biloma and pneumobilia in sickle cell disease

Spontaneous biloma and pneumobilia developed in a patient with sickle cell disease (SCD) who presented with acute abdominal pain, jaundice, and fever. Bilomas are fluid-filled cysts that develop from a bile leak and are located outside of the biliary system. Pneumobilia is characterized by gas within the biliary system due to an abnormal connection between the biliary tree and adjacent organs, particularly the gastrointestinal tract. Although hepatobiliary complications are common in SCD, we report on biloma and pneumobilia in a young patient with this condition.

Value of MR Cholangiography in Patients with Iatrogenic Bile Duct Injury After Cholecystectomy

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to determine the diagnostic role of MR cholangiography in the evaluation of iatrogenic bile duct injuries after cholecystectomy.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Nineteen patients (14 women and five men; mean age, 47 years; age range, 24-75 years) with suspected bile duct injury as a result of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (17 patients) and open cholecystectomy (two patients) underwent MR cholangiography. MR images were evaluated for bile duct discontinuity, presence or absence of biliary dilation, stricture, excision injury, free fluid, and collections. Bile duct excision and stricture were classified according to the Bismuth classification. Final diagnosis was made on the basis of findings at surgery in 15 patients, on percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) in one patient, and on endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) and at clinical follow-up until hospital discharge in the remaining three patients.

RESULTS

In 16 patients, injury of the bile duct was observed. Two patients had Bismuth type I injury; one patient, type II injury; 11 patients, type III injury; and one patient each, type IV and V injuries. Three patients showed findings suggestive of leakage from the cystic duct remnant, which were confirmed on ERC.

CONCLUSION

MR cholangiography is an accurate diagnostic technique in the identification of postoperative bile duct injuries. This technique allows exploration above and below the level of obstruction, a resource provided by neither ERC nor PTC, and allows the accurate classification of these injuries, which is essential for treatment planning.

Case report: radiological and endoscopic management of bile leak following laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Due to the ever increasing popularity of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), many radiologists and gastroenterologists have noticed an epidemic of bile duct injuries due to subsequent complications. We report on five cases of post-LC minor bile duct injuries and document our preliminary experience in their management. Although the majority of minor bile leaks resolve spontaneously, particularly if a surgical drain has been left in situ, percutaneous drainage (PD) can be used alone or in addition to endoscopic management to treat symptomatic bile leaks and biloma formation. Bile leaks without associated abdominal collections should be first identified by endoscopic cholangiography followed by sphincterotomy and/or stenting. Surgery should only be reserved for cases of major bile duct injury if PD and endoscopic management have failed initially.

Ultrasound findings following laparoscopic cholecystectomy

This study was set up to find the incidence of fluid collections in asymptomatic patients following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients had an ultrasound scan on the first postoperative day and approximately 1 week later. Seven of 25 patients (28%) had a total of nine collections on the first postoperative day. Five had resolved by the follow-up scan and two patients developed new collections by the 1 week scan. None of the patients had significant postoperative symptoms. We emphasize the high incidence of ultrasonically detectable fluid collections in asymptomatic patients following laparoscopic cholecystectomy, encourage caution in attributing postoperative morbidity to such findings, and suggest that repeat scanning may be helpful in patient management.