Etiology, clinical features, and endoscopic management of hemobilia: a retrospective analysis of 37 cases

Rare complications of chronic cholangitis: Pseudoaneurysm of the hepatic artery causing serious gastrointestinal bleeding

Gastrointestinal bleeding due to hemobilia is a rare condition but can be very serious, even life-threatening. The main causes of biliary bleeding are invasive procedures in treatment, trauma, or malignant diseases. Chronic obstruction of the biliary tract can cause inflammation, erosion, and leakage of adjacent vascular structures and lead to pseudoaneurysm or hemorrhage, but this is very rare. In this article, we present a clinical case of upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to a pseudoaneurysm of the hepatic artery believed to have formed due to chronic cholangitis. An 81-year-old female patient with a medical history of chronic cholangitis was admitted to the hospital with recurrent inflammation accompanied by progressive upper gastrointestinal bleeding, potentially life-threatening. Ultrasound images and blood tests confirmed that the patient had anemia and cholangitis caused by stones. Gastrointestinal endoscopy showed bleeding suspected to be from the biliary tract. Hepatobiliary computed tomography confirmed that the common hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm located at the upper end of the common bile duct had active bleeding.

Case report: Recurrent hemobilia due to hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm mimicking gastrointestinal tract bleeding

Hemobilia, a rare form of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB), is a potentially fatal complication that usually occurs after iatrogenic hepatobiliary trauma. However, hemobilia is clinically challenging to diagnose and often gets too late to diagnose. We herein report a case of recurrent hemobilia due to hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm (HAP) that was initially misdiagnosed as gastrointestinal tract bleeding. However, the patient was treated successfully with percutaneous coil occlusion of the pseudoaneurysm. This case illustrates that hemobilia can present as a mimic of gastrointestinal tract bleeding, but this is often difficult to diagnose at first glance and often misleads clinicians, especially emergency physicians, into making an incorrect diagnosis. Familiarity with the clinical features of hemobilia can help raise clinical suspicion and facilitate the early diagnosis and treatment of hemobilia.

Acute cholangitis due to haemobilia complicating percutaneous cholecystostomy: First literature case report

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the standard treatment for acute cholecystitis. Cholecystostomy is a good option in patients with significant comorbidities. We report a case of a patient having had a percutaneous cholecystostomy for acute cholecystitis complicated with haemobilia and acute cholangitis.

PRESENTATION OF A CASE

A woman aged 64 years old, with a history of diabetes, arterial hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was admitted to our institution with acute cholecystitis. We opted for transhepatic percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) and antibiotics. On the fourth day, the patient had acute cholangitis due to haemobilia. We injected physiologic saline serum through the drain of cholecystostomy to dissolve the blood clot. There was a clinical improvement. We performed laparoscopic cholecystectomy two months later. The patient had an uneventful recovery with a follow-up of five months.

DISCUSSION

We report the first literature report of acute cholangitis due to haemobilia complicating percutaneous cholecystostomy in a patient admitted for cholecystitis. We highlight the importance of the injection of saline physiologic serum from the catheter. Medical treatment with antibiotics may be enough knowing that blood clots can disappear spontaneously. In case of failure, ERCP with sphincterotomy should be performed.

CONCLUSION

Haemobilia causing acute cholangitis is a rare complication of percutaneous cholecystostomy. Conservative treatment with antibiotics and injection of saline physiologic serum from the catheter is a good treatment option. In case of failure, ERCP should not be delayed.

Periampullary Clot Causing Biliary Obstruction: A Rare Presentation

Acute cholangitis is an emergency condition that requires an emergency biliary drainage for source control of the infection. Commonly cholangitis is precipitated by biliary obstruction due to causes like stones, strictures, stents, or malignancy of the pancreaticobiliary or ampullary origin. We report a unique case of a man who had acute cholangitis due to a periampullary clot who was fully recovered after clot removal by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).

Endoscopic-catheter-directed infusion of diluted (-)-noradrenaline for atypical hemobilia caused by liver abscess: A case report

BACKGROUND

Hemobilia occurs when there is a fistula between hepatic blood vessels and biliary radicles, and represents only a minority of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhages. Causes of hemobilia are varied, but liver abscess rarely causes hemobilia and only a few cases have been reported. Here, we present a case of atypical hemobilia caused by liver abscess that was successfully managed by endoscopic hepatobiliary intervention through endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).

CASE SUMMARY

A 54-year-old man presented to our emergency department with a history of right upper quadrant abdominal colic and repeated fever for 6 d. Abdominal sonography and enhanced computed tomography revealed that there was an abscess in the right anterior lobe of the liver. During hospitalization, the patient developed upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a duodenal ulcer bleeding that was treated with three metal clamps. However, the hemodynamics was still unstable. Hence, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed again and fresh blood was seen flowing from the ampulla of Vater. Selective angiography did not show any abnormality. An endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) tube was inserted into the right anterior bile duct through ERCP, and subsequently cold saline containing (-)-noradrenaline was infused into the bile duct lumen through the ENBD tube with no episode of further bleeding.

CONCLUSION

Hemobilia should be considered in the development of liver abscess, and endoscopy is essential for diagnosis and management of some cases.

Rare cause of obstructive haemobilia with recurrent biliopancreatic complications: a paradigmatic case

Haemobilia is an unusual but significant cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Two-thirds of haemobilia cases are secondary to invasive hepato-biliopancreatic procedures. Biliary angiodysplasia is exceptionally unusual, with only three cases reported. Herein, we report the case of an autonomous 80-year-old woman with a history of cholecystectomy 5 years ago and cardiovascular disease-hypertension, heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, stroke and non-valvular atrial fibrillation, anticoagulated with apixaban 2.5 mg two times per day. Since July 2019, she had four episodes of acute cholangitis of mild-to-moderate severity, having undergone broad spectrum antibiotics treatment and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), with sphincterotomy and bile sludge extraction. After 3 months, the patient presented with a new episode of acute cholangitis, this time with haemobilia (Quincke's triad). An abdominal CT angiography showed no evidence of active bleeding, with plastic biliary prosthesis left by ERCP. The patient continued presenting new episodes of acute cholangitis with haemobilia, some of them with associated pancreatitis. A cholangioscopy with Spyglass DS II was performed, showing an angiodysplasia occupying half of the luminal circumference of the middle choledoccus, without active haemorrhage. After a multidisciplinary meeting and given the high haemorrhagic/thrombotic risk (CHA2DS2-VASc 8), closure of the left atrial appendage was considered. However, relapse of the condition after beginning the antiaggregation protocol for cardiovascular intervention made it unfeasible. Another cholangioscopy with an ultra-thin endoscope for argon-plasma coagulation was attempted, without success. The abdominal CT angiography was repeated, this time with identification of dilated ramifications of the gastroduodenal and inferior pancreatic arteries. After embolisation of these aberrant vessels with microcoils, the patient went well, with no recurrence of bleeding or biliopancreatic complications. We present a case of obstructive haemobilia with multiple biliopancreatic complications, secondary to an extremely rare cause-choledochal angiodysplasia. Cholangioscopy had a decisive role in the diagnosis and therapeutic guidance. The diagnostic/therapeutic challenge associated with haemobilia stands out, with the need for a personalised and multidisciplinary approach.

A case of hemobilia caused by pancreatic metastasis of renal cell carcinoma treated with a covered metallic stent

We present the case of an 86-year-old man who had undergone left nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma (clear cell carcinoma) 22 years ago. He visited the emergency department complaining of right hypochondrial pain and fever. He was eventually diagnosed with acute cholangitis. Abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed multiple tumors in the pancreas. The tumor in the pancreatic head obstructed the distal bile duct. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography detected bloody bile juice flowing from the papilla of Vater. Therefore, he was diagnosed with hemobilia. Cholangiography showed extrinsic compression of the distal bile duct; a 6 Fr endoscopic nasobiliary drainage tube was placed. Endoscopic ultrasound showed that the pancreas contained multiple well-defined hypoechoic masses. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration was performed using a 22 G needle. Pathological examination revealed clear cell carcinoma, and the final diagnosis was pancreatic metastasis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) causing hemobilia. A partially covered metallic stent was placed in the distal bile duct. Consequently, hemobilia and cholangitis were resolved.

Hemorrhagic Cholecystitis: A Rare Cause of Melena

Hemorrhagic cholecystitis -- a rare cause of hemobilia and melena -- is an atypical presentation of calculous cholecystitis, associated with significant morbidity and mortality. A 75-year-old woman with multiple comorbidities, who was undergoing dual antiplatelet therapy, presented with symptoms of acute cholecystitis. Two days later, she developed melena and symptoms of obstructive jaundice. Following radiological evaluation, a diagnosis of hemorrhagic cholecystitis was made. The patient was managed conservatively with IV antibiotics and blood transfusion in the initial period (clopidogrel was withheld); an interval cholecystectomy was performed six weeks later. Hemorrhagic cholecystitis is a rare complication of acute cholecystitis, and its diagnosis is challenging as it mimics various other hepatopancreaticobiliary diseases. Management options include early surgery or conservative management at the initial stage, followed by interval cholecystectomy.

Massive hemobilia caused by rupture of gastroduodenal artery pseudoaneurysm, a delayed complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a case report

BACKGROUND

Hemobilia is a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding that originates from the biliary tract. It is infrequently considered in diagnosis, especially in the absence of abdominal trauma or history of hepatopancreatobiliary procedure, such as cholecystectomy, which can cause arterial pseudoaneurysm. Prompt diagnosis is crucial because its management strategy is distinct from other types of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Here, we present a case of massive hemobilia caused by the rupture of a gastroduodenal artery pseudoaneurysm in a patient with a history of laparoscopic cholecystectomy 3 years prior to presentation.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 44-year-old Indonesian female presented to the emergency department with complaint of hematemesis and melena accompanied by abdominal pain and icterus. History of an abdominal trauma was denied. However, she reported having undergone a laparoscopic cholecystectomy 3 years prior to presentation. On physical examination, we found anemic conjunctiva and icteric sclera. Nonvariceal bleeding was suspected, but esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed a blood clot at the ampulla of Vater. Angiography showed contrast extravasation from a gastroduodenal artery pseudoaneurysm. The patient underwent pseudoaneurysm ligation and excision surgery to stop the bleeding. After surgery, the patient's vital signs were stable, and there was no sign of rebleeding.

CONCLUSION

Gastroduodenal artery pseudoaneurysm is a rare complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The prolonged time interval, as compared with other postcholecystectomy hemobilia cases, resulted in hemobilia not being considered as an etiology of the gastrointestinal bleeding at presentation. Hemobilia should be considered as a possible etiology of gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with history of cholecystectomy, regardless of the time interval between the invasive procedure and onset of bleeding.

A Case of Hemorrhagic Cholecystitis and Hemobilia Under Anticoagulation Therapy

Patient: Male, 70-year-old

Final Diagnosis: Hemobilia • hemorrhagic cholecystitis

Symptoms: Abdominal distension • abdominal pain

Medication: —

Clinical Procedure: —

Specialty: Gastroenterology and Hepatology

The development of a predictive risk model on post-ablation hemobilia: a multicenter matched case-control study

Objective:

This study aimed to develop a predictive risk model for post-ablation hemobilia.

Methods:

This was a retrospective, multicenter, matched case–control study. The case group comprised patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who developed post-ablation hemobilia (n = 21); the control group (n = 63) comprised patients with hepatocellular carcinoma but no post-ablation hemobilia; for each case, we included three controls matched for age, sex, platelet count, year of ablation therapy, and center. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify the risk factors for hemobilia. A risk score model was developed based on adjusted odds ratios (ORs).

Results:

The independent risk factors for occurrence of post-ablation hemobilia were maximum tumor diameter >47 mm [OR = 5.983, 95% CI (1.134–31.551)] and minimum distance from the applicator to the portal trunk ≤8 mm [OR = 4.821, 95% CI (1.225–18.975)]. The risk model was developed using the adjusted ORs; thus a score of 6 was assigned to the former and a score of 5 for the latter. The area under the curve of this risk model was 0.76. Significant hemodynamic instability and inaccurate embolization might increase the risk of recurrence of hemobilia.

Conclusion:

Tumor size >47 mm and distance of the applicator from the portal trunk ≤8 mm are independent risk factors for hemobilia. A predictive risk model for post-ablation hemobilia was developed using these risk factors.

Advances in knowledge:

This is the first study that developed a risk score model of post-ablation hemobilia. Risk factors of the recurrence of post-ablation hemobilia were also been identified.

Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding With Hemobilia Caused by Gallstones

BACKGROUND

Hemobilia refers to bleeding in the biliary tract, commonly due to iatrogenic, traumatic, and neoplastic causes. It is a rare source of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage, but it can be severe and fatal. However, gallstones account for 5%-15% of hemobilia cases.

CASE REPORT

A 60-year-old woman with diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease visited the emergency department with complaints of epigastric pain and vomiting of coffee ground-like content for 2 days. Physical examination revealed epigastric tenderness and hyperactive bowel sounds. Laboratory tests showed anemia with a hemoglobin count of 10.7 mg/dL and elevated liver function tests with total and direct bilirubin levels of 3.6 mg/dL and 2.5 mg/dL, respectively. Panendoscopy showed oozing of coffee ground-like material at the orifice of the ampulla of Vater and second portion of the duodenum, leading to suspicion of hemobilia. After admission, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed common bile duct (CBD) dilatation with choledocholithiasis, biliary sludge, and filling defect at the middle section of the CBD. Endoscopic sphincterotomy with balloon lithotripsy was performed. After biliary decompression and broad-spectrum antibiotic administration, abdominal pain was relieved, and liver enzyme and total bilirubin levels improved. Symptoms of hemobilia depend on the bleeding rate and presence of bile duct obstructions due to clots. Minor and slow bleeding tend to form clots and cause biliary obstruction. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Although minor hemobilia may remain asymptomatic and tends to resolve spontaneously, the cause of hemobilia must be corrected to prevent recurrent bleeding or obstruction.

Dieulafoy lesion of the gallbladder: A rare cause of hemobilia and acute pancreatitis - Case report

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Dieulafoy lesion of the gallbladder is a very rare cause of hemobilia.

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Hemobilia should be considered as a cause of acute pancreatitis.

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Intraoperative cholangiogram is effective in flushing small biliary clots.

Introduction

Dieulafoy lesion of the gallbladder is very rare. It can cause hemobilia and, consequently, acute pancreatitis. After extensive research, the authors found six reported cases of this entity, none of them presenting as acute pancreatitis.

Case presentation

A 78-year-old woman presented to the emergency department a right upper-quadrant pain and nausea. Abdominal ultrasound showed a gallbladder full of a heterogenic content with no signs of lithiasis or acute cholecystitis. Blood lipase was significantly elevated. She was admitted for acute pancreatitis. During hospitalization she developed jaundice and hematemesis requiring blood transfusion. The upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy with side-view duodenoscopy showed blood through the papilla of Vater. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the content of the gallbladder with no changes in the biliary tree. A laparoscopic cholecystectomy with intraoperative cholangiogram was performed. Histology revealed a Dieulafoy lesion. The patient was discharged three days after surgery and had no subsequent episodes.

Conclusion

Hemobilia should be considered as a cause of upper GI bleeding and acute pancreatitis, especially if both are concurrent. Treatment is directed to the cause, with bleeding control and restoration of bile flow, which can be accomplished by a single minimally invasive surgery.

Rare presentation of haemobilia and Loeffler's pneumonia in a child by ascaris lumbricoides

Ascariasis is a soil-sourced, second most common parasitic infection worldwide. Because of its wandering nature, it migrates from the intestine to other organs of the body like the lungs and biliary system. This results in complications such as biliary colic, acute cholecystitis, pyogenic cholangitis, liver abscesses, pancreatitis and loeffler's pneumonia. We report a unique case of an 8-year-old boy who presented with upper gastrointestinal bleed and chest infection. He was diagnosed as haemobilia and loeffler's pneumonia caused by ascaris lumbricoides.

Hemobilia: Historical overview, clinical update, and current practices

Hemobilia refers to macroscopic blood in the lumen of the biliary tree. It represents an uncommon, but important, cause of gastrointestinal bleeding and can have potentially lethal sequelae if not promptly recognized and treated. The earliest known reports of hemobilia date to the 17th century, but due to the relative rarity and challenges in diagnosis of hemobilia, it has historically not been well-studied. Until recently, most cases of hemobilia were due to trauma, but the majority now occur as a sequela of invasive procedures involving the hepatopancreatobiliary system. A triad (Quincke's) of right upper quadrant pain, jaundice and overt gastrointestinal bleeding has been classically described in hemobilia, but it is present in only a minority of patients. Therefore, prompt diagnosis depends critically on a high index of suspicion based on a patient's clinical presentation and a history of recently undergoing hepatopancreatobiliary intervention or having other predisposing factors. Treatment of hemobilia depends on the suspected source and clinical severity and thus ranges from supportive medical care to urgent advanced endoscopic, interventional radiologic, or surgical intervention. In the present review, we provide a historical perspective, clinical update and overview of current trends and practices pertaining to hemobilia.

Hemobilia: Etiology, diagnosis, and treatment☆

Hemobilia refers to bleeding from and/or into the biliary tract and is an uncommon but important cause of gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Reports of hemobilia date back to the 1600s, but due to its relative rarity and challenges in diagnosis, only in recent decades has hemobilia been more critically studied. The majority of cases of hemobilia are iatrogenic and caused by invasive procedures involving the liver, pancreas, bile ducts and/or the hepatopancreatobiliary vasculature, with trauma and malignancy representing the two other leading causes. A classic triad of right upper quadrant pain, jaundice, and overt upper gastrointestinal bleeding has been described (i.e. Quincke's triad), but this is present in only 25%-30% of patients with hemobilia. Therefore, prompt diagnosis depends critically on having a high index of suspicion, which may be based on a patient's clinical presentation and having recently undergone (peri-) biliary instrumentation or other predisposing factors. The treatment of hemobilia depends on its severity and suspected source and ranges from supportive care to advanced endoscopic, interventional radiologic, or surgical intervention. Here we provide a clinical overview and update regarding the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of hemobilia geared for specialists and subspecialists alike.

Hemobilia caused by pancreatic arteriovenous malformation: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE

Hemobilia caused by arteriovenous malformation is extremely rare but could be lethal. To date, most reports have been single-case reports, and no literature reviews are available.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 47-year-old man presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain and fever. He complained of abdominal pain and weight loss for the past 2 months.

DIAGNOSES

Contrast-enhanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a heterogenous lesion located in pancreatic head and tumor was suspected.

INTERVENTIONS

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was performed and bleeding from papilla of Vater could be viewed. Nasobiliary drainage was placed to alleviate the pain and jaundice. Emergency laparotomy was performed due to the recurrence of severe pain and bleeding, and pancreatoduodenectomy was then performed. Macroscopic examination showed the ulceration connected with collected vessels which were located in pancreatic head and microscopic examination confirmed the presence of arteriovenous malformation.

OUTCOMES

The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged 10 days after the surgery. He is asymptomatic on 4-month follow up.

LESSONS

Arteriovenous malformation is a rare cause of hemobilia, but it could lead to life threatening bleeding. Transarterial embolization could be effective to control the bleeding temporarily, however repeated hemorrhage may occur. Surgical resection may be a better option.

Hemobilia: Perspective and Role of the Advanced Endoscopist

Hemobilia refers to bleeding from and/or into the biliary tract and is an uncommon cause of gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Hemobilia has been documented since the 1600s, but due to its relative rarity, it has only been more critically examined in recent decades. Most cases of hemobilia are iatrogenic and caused by procedures involving the liver, pancreas, bile ducts, and/or the hepatopancreatobiliary vasculature, with trauma and malignancy representing the two other major causes. A classic triad of right upper quadrant pain, jaundice, and overt upper gastrointestinal bleeding has been described, but this is present in only 25-30% of patients with hemobilia. Historically, the gold standard for diagnosis and treatment has been angiography and interventional radiologic intervention, respectively. However, the paradigm is shifting, at least in select cases, towards first-line reliance on noninvasive imaging (e.g., computed tomography) and therapeutic endoscopy, owing to advances in and the less invasive nature of both, while saving interventional radiological and/or surgical intervention for refractory or imminently life-threatening cases.

Recurrent Bleeding from a Hepatic Artery Pseudoaneurysm after Biliary Stent Placement

A 78-year-old woman was admitted with benign biliary stenosis. A plastic stent was placed at the left branch to prevent obstructive cholangitis. Two weeks after the procedure, the patient was readmitted with cholangitis caused by hemobilia. However, computed tomography (CT), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), peroral cholangioscopy, and abdominal angiography failed to establish the bleeding source. At the seventh bleeding, CT revealed a hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm for which coil embolization was successfully performed. Hemobilia after plastic stent placement is extremely rare. We urge clinicians to consider the possibility of a pseudoaneurysm near the stent when trying to identify the bleeding source.

Recurrent Hemobilia Due to Right Hepatic Artery Pseudoaneurysm

Hemobilia is a potentially life-threatening clinical issue, the etiology of which iatrogenesis is playing increasingly more prominent role. Nowadays the most frequent etiology of hemobilia has shifted toward iatrogenesis owing to increasingly more frequent performance of liver procedures, either open or minimally invasive. Here we report a rare case of recurrent hemobilia after transarterial embolization. A man, aged 57 years, presented with Quincke's triad after cholecystectomy. Computed tomography imaging revealed a pseudoaneurysm of the right hepatic artery. Transarterial embolization failed, and hemobilia recurred. The patient underwent open ligation of the right hepatic artery. Transarterial embolization is a definitive treatment of hemobilia due to vascular issues. The choice of embolizing agent is crucial in transarterial embolization.

Hemobilia: An Uncommon But Notable Cause of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

GOAL AND BACKGROUND

A literature review to improve practitioners' knowledge and performance concerning the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of hemobilia.

STUDY

A search of Pubmed, Google Scholar, and Medline was conducted using the keyword hemobilia and relevant articles were reviewed and analyzed. The findings pertaining to hemobilia etiology, investigation, and management techniques were considered and organized by clinicians practiced in hemobilia.

RESULTS

The majority of current hemobilia cases have an iatrogenic cause from either bile duct or liver manipulation. Blunt trauma is also a significant cause of hemobilia. The classic triad presentation of right upper quadrant pain, jaundice, and upper gastrointestinal bleeding is rarely seen. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are the preferred diagnostic modalities, and the preferred therapeutic management includes interventional radiology and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Surgery is rarely a therapeutic option.

CONCLUSIONS

With advances in computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging technology, diagnosis with these less invasive investigations are the favored option. However, traditional catheter angiography is still the gold standard. The management of significant hemobilia is still centered on arterial embolization, but arterial and biliary stents have become accepted alternative therapies.

Hemorrhagic Cholecystitis in a Patient on Maintenance Dialysis

The present paper describes a case of hemorrhagic cholecystitis in a patient on maintenance dialysis. The patient presented with right upper quadrant abdominal pain. Computed tomography revealed swelling of the gallbladder, high- and isodensity contents of the gallbladder, and high-density stone in the gallbladder neck. He was hospitalized for suspected acute cholecystitis. After hospitalization, his levels of total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase increased. T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging showed low-intensity contents expanded to include a wide area from the common bile duct to the cystic duct and gallbladder neck. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed clotting from the duodenal papilla. After cannulation of the bile duct, old blood and pus began to flow from the mammary papilla, and an endoscopic nasobiliary drainage tube was placed. After his liver function had improved, the patient underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. His sample revealed that the gallbladder was filled with blood clots and stones. His postoperative course was uneventful and he was discharged on day 19 after the procedure. Although hemorrhagic cholecystitis is rare, it should be considered as a differential diagnosis for patients on dialysis who have acute abdominal symptoms.

Spontaneous hemobilia after liver transplantation: Frequency, risk factors, and outcome of endoscopic management

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Spontaneous hemobilia is an uncommon liver transplantation (LT)-related biliary complication. The frequency, etiology, and mechanism of spontaneous hemobilia after LT are not known. This study aimed to assess the outcome of endoscopic management for spontaneous hemobilia after LT, and to investigate its frequency and risk factors.

METHODS

The records of patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography to manage hemobilia after LT at the Asan Medical Center, Korea, between January 2006 and April 2014 were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

A total 2701 cases of LT was performed in the study period, and 33 LT patients with spontaneous hemobilia were included in the study group. Endoscopic nasobiliary drainage was achieved in 33 cases (100%). In 29 of 33 patients (87.9%), hemobilia was improved. The frequency of spontaneous hemobilia was 1.22% (33/2701). On multivariate analysis, United Network for Organ Sharing status I or IIa (odds ratio [OR] 3.095, 95% CI 1.097-8.732, P = 0.033), alcoholic liver cirrhosis (OR 3.942, 95% CI 1.261-12.324, P = 0.018), and body mass index < 24.5 kg/m² (OR 2.329, 95% CI 1.005-5.397, P = 0.049) were significant risk factors for spontaneous hemobilia after LT.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic nasobiliary drainage are feasible methods for the management of spontaneous hemobilia after LT. In patients with United Network for Organ Sharing status I and IIa, alcoholic liver cirrhosis, or body mass index < 24.5 kg/m² , special attention should be paid to the occurrence of spontaneous hemobilia after LT.

Endoscopic Ultrasound as a Diagnostic Tool in a Case of Obscure Hemobilia

Hemobilia represents an uncommon cause of gastrointestinal bleeding that can present both diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. The evaluation of hemobilia typically involves cross-sectional imaging and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). There is limited data regarding the diagnostic utility of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in the evaluation of hemobilia. We present a case of a hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm as the etiology of hemobilia that was detected via EUS only. We conclude that EUS can serve as an important diagnostic tool in the evaluation of obscure hemobilia, especially in cases where imaging, ERCP, and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography have been unsuccessful or inconclusive.

Hemobilia

Hemobilia is a rare source of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, though the incidence is increasing along with the rise in minimally invasive biliary interventions. Prompt diagnosis and treatment rests on having appropriate clinical suspicion which should be based on the patient's presenting signs and symptoms, as well as history including recent instrumentation. Endoscopy should be reserved for cases of upper gastrointestinal bleeding with low suspicion for hemobilia. Interventional radiology may be the first-line diagnostic and therapeutic option for patients with a high suspicion of hemobilia. While embolization is the mainstay of therapy, other options include thrombin injection, stent placement, and/or placement of a percutaneous biliary drain. Surgery should be reserved for failed treatment by interventional radiology.

Delayed Severe Hemobilia after Endoscopic Biliary Plastic Stent Insertion

Hemobilia is a rare gastrointestinal bleeding, usually caused by injury to the bile duct. Hemobilia after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is generally self-limiting and patients will spontaneously recover, but some severe and fatal hemorrhages have been reported. ERCP-related bowel or bile duct perforation should be managed promptly, according to the type of injury and the status of the patient. We recently experienced a case of late-onset severe hemobilia in which the patient recovered after endoscopic biliary stent insertion. The problem was attributable to ERCP-related bile duct perforation during stone removal, approximately 5 weeks prior to the hemorrhagic episode. The removal of the stent was performed 10 days before the onset of hemobilia. The bleeding was successfully treated by two sessions of transarterial coil embolization.

Anticoagulant Therapy-Induced Gallbladder Hemorrhage after Cardiac Valve Replacement

Anticoagulation therapy is essential after cardiac valve surgery. However, spontaneous bleeding remains a major concern during anticoagulation therapy. Spontaneous gallbladder (GB) hemorrhage (hemobilia) is a rare occurrence during standard anticoagulation therapy. This report presents a case of GB hemorrhage that occurred shortly after initiating oral anticoagulant therapy in a patient who had undergone mitral valve replacement surgery.

Identification of risk factors for intraoperative hemobilia and its correlation with early postoperative complications in patients with hepatolithiasis

BACKGROUND

This study intends to determine the risk factor(s) for intraoperative hemobilia in patients with hepatolithiasis and examine whether the occurrence of intraoperative hemobilia influences the rate of early postoperative complications.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 867 eligible patients was performed. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group A (hemobilia, n = 76) and group B (nonhemobilia, n = 791).

RESULTS

The incidence of intraoperative hemobilia was 8.8% (76/867). Independent risk factors of intraoperative hemobilia for patients with hepatolithiasis were interval between surgery and latest attack of acute cholangitis less than or equal to 38.8 days; preoperative attack of acute severe cholangitis; and intrahepatic duct stricture. Group A had a higher incidence of early postoperative complications than group B. Shorter interval between surgery and latest attack of acute cholangitis correlated with intraoperative hemobilia and postoperative complications.

CONCLUSION

The severity and time of onset of preoperative acute cholangitis influence the risk of intraoperative hemobilia, which is positively correlated with early postoperative complications.

Management of bleeding liver tumors

Liver tumors bleed rarely; management has changed radically during the last 20years, advancing from emergency surgery with poor results to multidisciplinary management. The first steps are the diagnosis and control of bleeding. Abdominopelvic CT scan should be performed as soon as patient hemodynamics allow. When active bleeding is visualized, arterial embolization, targeted as selectively as possible, is preferable to surgery, which should be reserved for severe hemodynamic instability or failure of interventional radiology. When surgery is unavoidable, abbreviated laparotomy (damage control) with perihepatic packing is recommended. The second step is determination of the etiology and treatment of the underlying tumor. Adenoma and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are the two most frequently encountered tumors in this context. Liver MRI after control of the bleeding episode generally leads to the diagnosis although sometimes the analysis can be difficult because of the hematoma. Prompt resection is indicated for HCC, atypical adenoma or lesions at risk for degeneration to hepatocellular carcinoma. For adenoma with no suspicion of malignancy, it is best to wait for the hematoma to resorb completely before undertaking appropriate therapy.

Unusual complications of gallstones

Extrinsic compression of the bile duct from gallstone disease is associated with bilio-biliary fistulization, requiring biliary-enteric reconstruction. Biliary-enteric fistulas are associated with intestinal obstruction at various levels. The primary goal of therapy is relief of intestinal obstruction; definitive repair is performed for selected patients. Hemobilia from gallstone-related pseudoaneurysms is preferentially controlled by selective arterial embolization. Rapidly increasing jaundice with relatively normal liver enzymes is a diagnostic hallmark of bilhemia. Acquired thoraco-biliary fistulas are primarily treated by percutaneous and endoscopic interventions.