Fatal pulmonary bile embolism following acute acalculous cholecystitis

Prominent Pseudo-Angiovascular invasion by benign gallbladder epithelium and bile emboli in a patient with delayed cholecystectomy due to COVID-19 positive test

Lymphovascular invasion is a hallmark of malignant neoplasms, however the presence of benign epithelium within vessels has been reported in benign processes, albeit infrequently. The proposed mechanism to explain this phenomenon entails mechanical displacement of benign epithelium into the vascular spaces during surgical manipulation or diagnostic interventions. We report a case of numerous benign epithelial vascular emboli in a cholecystectomy specimen. A 29-year-old male presented with acute calculous cholecystitis. Surgery was delayed for several weeks due to COVID-19 infection. Histologic examination of the gallbladder showed subacute cholecystitis, widespread vascular epithelial emboli with associated fibrin deposition and bile embolism supporting an in vivo process. The epithelial emboli were localized in small veins and arterioles with D2–40−/CD31+/CD34+ endothelium. The displaced epithelium showed benign cytologic features, was negative for p53 expression, and had a Ki-67 labelling index like the benign background mucosa, supporting a benign process. There was no evidence of dysplasia or malignancy in the specimen after thorough sampling. Persistent inflammation, mucosal ulceration, transmural mucosal herniation (Rokitansky-Aschoff sinuses), and protracted surgical manipulation secondary to adhesive disease are favored to be the underlying causes of this unusual histologic finding. Although we presume an uneventful outcome, clinical follow up was recommended. COVID-19 infection likely contributed to this phenomenon by causing a delay in the surgical management.

Bile pulmonary embolism-related sudden death following an abdominal firearm injury: An autopsy case report and review of literature

Bile pulmonary embolism (BPE) is a rare type of non-thrombotic pulmonary embolism (NTPE). For bile emboli to pass through the bloodstream to the lungs, there must be a connection created between the biliary and the venous vessels. This article reports a fatal BPE in a 12-year-old child who died 14 days following an abdominal firearm injury. The right lobe of the liver had a yellowish-green stained lacerated track along with bile collection. Both lungs were congested with peripheral dark areas in all lobes. Microscopically, many interstitial pulmonary arterioles were occluded by bile emboli along with the presence of hemorrhagic infarcts. Other than the present case, only 21 cases of BPE were published in the literature until the present day. The history of hepatic trauma and/or hepatobiliary disease in association with pulmonary manifestations points to BPE as a possible diagnosis. However, visualization of bile emboli within the pulmonary vessels is pathognomonic for BPE.

Acute acalculous cholecystitis

Acute acalculous cholecystitis (ACC) can develop with or without gallstones after surgery and in critically ill or injured patients. Diabetes mellitus, malignant disease, abdominal vasculitis, congestive heart failure, cholesterol embolization, shock, and cardiac arrest also have been associated with AAC. The pathogenesis of AAC is complex and multifactorial. Ultrasound of the gallbladder is most accurate for the diagnosis of AAC in the critically ill patient. CT is probably of comparable accuracy, but carries both advantages and disadvantages. Rapid improvement may be expected when AAC is diagnosed correctly and cholecystostomy is performed timely.

Acute acalculous cholecystitis

Acute cholecystitis can develop without gallstones in critically ill or injured patients. However, the development of acute acalculous cholecystitis is not limited to surgical or injured patients, or even to the intensive care unit. Diabetes, malignant disease, abdominal vasculitis, congestive heart failure, cholesterol embolization, and shock or cardiac arrest have been associated with acute acalculous cholecystitis. Children may also be affected, especially after a viral illness. The pathogenesis of acute acalculous cholecystitis is a paradigm of complexity. Ischemia and reperfusion injury, or the effects of eicosanoid proinflammatory mediators, appear to be the central mechanisms, but bile stasis, opioid therapy, positive-pressure ventilation, and total parenteral nutrition have all been implicated. Ultrasound of the gallbladder is the most accurate diagnostic modality in the critically ill patient, with gallbladder wall thickness of 3.5 mm or greater and pericholecystic fluid being the two most reliable criteria. The historical treatment of choice for acute acalculous cholecystitis has been cholecystectomy, but percutaneous cholecystostomy is now the mainstay of therapy, controlling the disease in about 85% of patients. Rapid improvement can be expected when the procedure is performed properly. The mortality rates (historically about 30%) for percutaneous and open cholecystostomy appear to be similar, reflecting the severity of illness, but improved resuscitation and critical care may portend a decreased risk of death. Interval cholecystectomy is usually not indicated after acute acalculous cholecystitis in survivors; if the absence of gallstones is confirmed and the precipitating disorder has been controlled, the cholecystostomy tube can be pulled out after the patient has recovered.

Fatal bile pulmonary embolism following percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage: case report and literature review

Bile pulmonary emboli were present at autopsy in a seventy-year-old woman who had undergone percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage for pancreatic carcinoma obstructing the common bile duct. The patient also developed hemobilia following the drainage. In spite of emergency surgery, she died on the third day after the operation. Microscopic findings of the lungs at autopsy disclosed numerous bile emboli in the smaller arteries, arterioles, and capillaries. Review of the literature showed 13 cases of bile pulmonary embolism, 10 of which had an obvious history of marked jaundice and trauma to the liver, like the present case. Bile enters the systemic circulation through a fistulous communication made by trauma between the biliary tree and the hepatic vein.

Acalculous disease of the gall bladder

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