[Hemobilia from pancreatic arteriovenous malformation: successful treatment with transportal coil embolization of draining veins]

Pancreatic arteriovenous malformations (AVM) are extremely rare diseases frequently complicated by gastrointestinal hemorrhage. While surgical resection of affected lesion is preferred for the treatment of pancreatic AVM, angiographic intervention can be used as an alternative treatment, especially in surgically high-risk patients. We experienced a patient with pancreatic AVM manifested by hemobilia and biliary sepsis. Superior mesenteric and common hepatic arteriography showed pancreaticoduodenal AVM composed of nidus supplied by numerous fine feeding arteries and of draining veins encircling the common bile duct (CBD). Hemobilia was controlled by transportal coil embolization of draining veins of AVM around the CBD. Herein, we report this case with the review of literatures.

Percutaneous liver biopsy complicated by hemobilia-associated acute cholecystitis

Liver biopsy is generally considered a safe and highly useful procedure. It is frequently performed in an outpatient setting for diagnosis and follow-up in numerous liver disorders. Since its introduction at the end of the 19^th century, broad experience, new imaging techniques and special needles have significantly reduced the rate of complications associated with liver biopsy. Known complications of percutaneous biopsy of the liver include hemoperitoneum, subcapsular hematoma, hypotension, pneumothorax and sepsis. Other intra-abdominal complications are less common. Hemobilia due to arterio-biliary duct fistula has been described, which has only rarely been clinically expressed as cholecystitis or pancreatitis. We report a case of a fifteen year-old boy who developed severe acute cholecystitis twelve days after a percutaneous liver biopsy performed in an outpatient setting. The etiology was clearly demonstrated to be hemobilia-associated, and the clinical course required the performance of a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The post operative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged home. Percutaneous liver biopsy is a safe and commonly performed procedure. However, severe complications can occasionally occur. Both medical and surgical options should be evaluated while dealing with these rare incidents.

Haematochezia in Crohn's disease caused by late-onset haemobilia following percutaneous liver biopsy

The case of a patient with Crohn's disease and who presented 4 days after a percutaneous liver biopsy with haematochezia suggestive of an exacerbation of his inflammatory bowel disease is described. Subsequent abdominal ultrasonography revealed free fluid in the peritoneal cavity and around the gallbladder. Haemobilia was suspected. Selective hepatic arteriography demonstrated a fistula between the hepatic artery and the portal venous system, with the presence of a hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm. Bleeding was stopped by arterial embolisation using titanium microcoils. Haemobilia is a very rare complication of percutaneous liver biopsy, but it should not be overlooked as a potential late-onset cause of rectal bleeding following this procedure. Selective hepatic arterial embolisation is an effective and safe treatment for this serious complication.

Heterotopic gastric mucosa in intrahepatic bile duct, presenting with hemobilia: a case report

We present a 66-year-old man with unique heterotopic gastric mucosa in the intrahepatic bile duct causing hemobilia. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography showed irregular stenosis of the left intrahepatic bile duct, and a provisional diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma was made. Therefore, partial hepatic lobectomy and cholecystectomy were performed. Histological examination of the liver showed the presence of ectopic gastric mucosa in the intrahepatic bile duct containing mucous glands with parietal and chief cells and bile. Heterotopic gastric mucosa in the intrahepatic bile duct is a rare cause of hemobilia.

Pancreaticobiliary arteriovenous malformation with common bile duct dilation in a patient with hemobilia

Arteriovenous malformation of the pancreas is a very rare entity. We describe a case involving the head of the pancreas associated with progressive hemobilia bleeding from the lower part of the common bile duct. The patient was a 50-year-old man with acute epigastralgia. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed hemobilia and cystic dilation of the common bile duct. Angiography demonstrated increased blood volume in the head of the pancreas and early filling of the superior mesenteric and portal veins. Abdominal pain and progressive anemia caused by hemobilia required surgical treatment. Histologic examination of the resected specimen revealed marked proliferation of the blood vessels in the pericholedochal area and the exact point of bleeding from the pancreaticobiliary arteriovenous malformation.

Cholecystitis caused by hemocholecyst from underlying malignancy

Massive hemobilia is a well recognized clinical entity, particularly when it presents with jaundice, GI bleeding, and biliary pain. However, occult hemobilia is more difficult to diagnose and has seldom been reported because of its clinically silent nature. In fact, this is usually overlooked until complications arise. Hemocholecyst or clot within the gallbladder may rarely occur in this setting, leading to cystic duct obstruction and cholecystitis. Most previous reports describe cholecystitis resulting from hemocholecyst after iatrogenic trauma. We describe two cases in which hemocholecyst occurred from underlying malignancies, both resulting in cholecystitis (acute or chronic).

Hemobilia caused by a giant benign hemangioma of the liver: report of a case

We report herein the extremely unusual case of a 39-year-old woman in whom a giant cavernous hemangioma caused hemobilia. Cavernous hemangioma is the most common benign neoplasm of the liver and rarely causes any clinical symptoms or signs, while hemobilia usually occurs secondary to accidental operative or iatrogenic trauma, vascular disease, inflammatory disorders, gallstones, or tumors of the liver. Although invasive or malignant hepatic tumors often result in a communication between the biliary tract and the blood vessels, only one case of hemobilia caused by a benign cavernous hemangioma has ever been reported, but with no details about the patient. Our patient presented to a local hospital with severe melena as the initial main symptom, where ligation of the right hepatic artery was performed. This failed to relieve her symptoms, and she was subsequently referred to our department where a right hepatectomy was performed. Histopathological examination revealed no malignancy combined with the tumor; however, the hemangioma was exposed to the bile duct in segment VIII, which was presumably the cause of the hemobilia. This patient remains in good health almost 6 years after her operation. To the best of our knowledge this is the first case report of hemobilia caused by a cavernous hemangioma, and is accompanied by a detailed analysis.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt: effect of bile leak on smooth muscle cell proliferation

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of bile on smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation in vitro and in vivo in a porcine transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In vitro, SMCs explanted from porcine thoracic aorta were cultured with standard techniques. After initial pilot studies, they were subcultured in one of three groups: 1% porcine serum plus 1% bile, 10% porcine serum plus 1% bile, and 10% porcine serum. Cells were harvested at 3, 10, or 14 days, and DNA, protein, and disintegrations per minute (an indicator of proliferation) were measured. In vivo, TIPS creation was successful in 45 swine. All pigs were euthanized at 10-16 days. The proliferative response within the stent was histologically quantified and correlated for evidence of bile leak.

RESULTS

In pilot studies, 2.5%-10.0% bile solutions caused 100% SMC mortality by 3 days. In the presence of 1% bile (with or without porcine serum), both DNA and protein production decreased significantly compared with that in porcine serum alone (P < .05). In vivo, 13 of 45 specimens (29%) showed bile leak at gross or microscopic examination. SMC proliferation was less overall in animals with versus those without bile leak (difference not significant).

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that the proliferative response in a TIPS is not primarily due to bile leak. Bile leak may promote thrombosis, but it appears to inhibit myointimal proliferation.

[Aneurysm of the cystic artery as a rare cause of hemobilia]

A 52-year old woman was admitted to the hospital because of upper abdominal pain and hematemesis. Laboratory parameters showed marked cholestasis. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) lead to the diagnosis of hemobilia. CT-scan and angiography revealed an aneurysm of the cystic artery as the cause of hemobilia. Cholecystectomy was performed because of concomitant cholecystitis. Anatomical examination confirmed clinical diagnosis.

[Concealed perforated aneurysm of an aberrant right hepatic artery: papillary bleeding. Case report and review of the literature]

A rare case of spurious aneurysm of an aberrant right hepatic artery is reported. Endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreaticography, computed tomography and selective angiography of the coeliac trunc are diagnostic. Resection of the aneurysm and interposition of saphenous vein is the preferred procedure. In selected cases ligation of the common hepatic artery is possible. Intrahepatic aneurysms are preferably treated interventionally.

[Hemobilia in cholecystolithiasis as a rare cause of massive upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage]

Haemobilia is defined as bleeding into the hepatobiliary system caused by a pathologic connection between blood vessels and biliary ducts. A rare cause of haemobilia is gallstone disease, with only 52 reported cases in the literature. The haemobilia is characterised by the classical triad: jaundice, colicky pain in the right upper quadrant and signs of gastrointestinal bleeding. Diagnosis can be made with endoscopic procedures and with angiography of the coeliac trunk, which has the highest sensitivity in localisation of bleeding source. The therapy of choice is cholecystectomy. We report the case of a patient with massive gastrointestinal haemorrhage caused by a solitary gallstone and present the diagnostic and therapeutic management of this disease, which is accompanied by a high mortality.

Delayed hemorrhage following endoscopic retrograde sphincterotomy for choledocholithiasis

To define the clinical significance of delayed postsphincterotomy hemorrhage, we reviewed 476 consecutive ERCP procedures performed over a three-year period. Of 250 patients who underwent endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES), five (2%) developed postprocedure hemorrhage, two of whom had immediate, self-limited bleeding that resolved after endoscopic injection of epinephrine and did not require transfusion. The other three had delayed hemorrhage characterized by: onset 20-48 hr after the procedure, melena without hematemesis as the index clinical manifestation of bleeding, and atraumatic balloon extraction of common duct stones. Transfusion of 2-6 units of packed erythrocytes was necessary in each and one patient required surgical hemostasis. Delayed hemorrhage following ERS is an important, frequently severe complication to remember when contemplating performing ERS as an outpatient procedure.

[Recurrent hematemesis and hemobilia in ruptured hepatic artery aneurysm--differential diagnostic aspects of acute, upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage]

Aneurysms of the hepatic artery are mostly localized extra hepatic (80%). Today atherosclerosis is the most prevalent etiology (32%), followed by trauma (22%) and inflammatory lesions (10%). Rupture or perforation of the aneurysm is the initial clinical manifestation (60-80%), and occurs with nearly equal frequency into the peritoneal cavity and into the hepatobiliary tract. Rupture into bile ducts is often responsible for characteristic findings of upper gastrointestinal bleedings with hematemesis. The case of a 38 year-old man is presented and the clinical manifestation, the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are demonstrated.

Poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) particles for management of hemorrhage of complicated origin: treatment of hemobilia

Poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) particles of cylindrical and spherical shape were developed as a preparation for tumor treatment or control of hemorrhage by blocking their blood supply. In this report, PHEMA particles were used for the management of hemobilia, that is, bleeding into biliary passages. The origin of hemobilia in 31 patients was localized by selective angiography. With the objective of prophylaxy of hemorrhage, selective embolization with PHEMA particles of the branches of the hepatic artery responsible for the supply of blood to the focus of damage was used in 18 patients. This low-trauma method allowed either a complete control of bleeding or, at least, intraoperative blood loss was reduced more than twice. Histological investigation of the occluded blood vessels showed that the thrombus was attached to the particles and was reinforced by the porous structure of the polymer. A hypercoagulation reaction was observed in the postembolization period. This allowed correction of the hypocoagulation in the hemostasis system.

Massive hemobilia and acalculous cholecystitis due to benign gallbladder polyp

A 37-year-old male with metachromatic leukodystrophy, a congenital cerebroside storage disease strongly associated with benign gallbladder polyps, presented with hemobilia and acalculous cholecystitis due to a long, slender, benign gallbladder polyp. This case report extends the clinical spectrum of gallbladder polyps and demonstrates a novel cause of hemobilia. The unusually long, slender polyp shape may have promoted hemorrhage due to the potential for torsion around a slender stalk. The mechanism of cholecystitis may have been cystic duct obstruction from blood clots or possibly from prolapse by the long, slender polyp into the cystic duct.

[Hemobilia. Its clinical presentation and diagnosis]

Hemobilia is a rare cause of upper GI bleeding that must be suspect in order to make an early and precise diagnosis, that permits to decrease the high rate of mortality. We present our experience in three cases and analyze the clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods and follow-up.

[Hemobilia. The echographic findings in a dialyzed patient]

A case of gall bladder haematoma observed echographically in a dialysed patient is reported. The observation was probably related to the administration of anticoagulants during dialysis.

The sonographic aspects of haemobilia. Clinical and experimental study

The sonographic aspect of the gallbladder in seven cases of haemobilia is analysed. The changes include a diffuse echogenic gallbladder content during the initial stage. Later, irregular shaped inhomogeneous non shadowing masses are seen in the dependent parts of the lumen. This variable aspect was studied in an experimental model by percutaneous injection of blood in the gallbladder of Guinea pigs. The hyperechoic gallbladder content, seen early after injection is a transitory phenomenon which seems related to red cell aggregation before coagulation occurs. During the later stage the intraluminal masses were shown by histology to represent bloodclots. In a patient the observation of such a rapid evolution from diffuse hyper-reflectivity to less reflective masses is strongly suggestive of haemobilia.

Hemorrhagic acalculous cholecystitis causing acute pancreatitis after trauma

Hemobilia is an uncommonly recognized entity and postoperative acute acalculous cholecystitis is an uncommon clinical entity. Hemorrhagic acalculous cholecystitis causing pancreatitis has apparently not been reported before. We report the case of a multiple trauma victim who, several weeks after his initial injuries, developed acute pancreatitis secondary to hemobilia caused by postoperative hemorrhagic acalculous cholecystitis.

Difficulty in diagnosing hemobilia from a hepatic artery aneurysm: value of endoscopic retrograde cholangiography

A case of hemobilia due to a hepatic artery aneurysm is described. Despite 2 arteriograms and 2 laparotomies, the cause of the bleeding remained undetected until a further selective cannulation of the celiac axis artery was performed. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography demonstrated that postoperative jaundice was not due to obstruction and outlined the aneurysm within a hepatic duct.

Hemobilia from ruptured hepatic artery aneurysm: angiographic demonstration of arteriobiliary fistula in a successfully treated case

Rupture of a hepatic artery aneurysm into the biliary tree is a rare cause of hemobilia. The dramatic nature of the disease and the difficulties in obtaining a preoperative diagnosis are the main causes of its high mortality rate. Progress in vascular radiology and surgery seems to be an important factor in improving the survival rates in patients with this type of hemobilia. A case of a patient with an aneurysm of the common hepatic artery ruptured into the common bile duct is reported. Preoperative arteriography revealed the aneurysm and the arteriobiliary fistula causing massive hemobilia. The patient was successfully treated by arterial ligation and is symptom free after 2 years.

Death from a sharp stone. A fatal case of haemobilia

A case of fatal gastrointestinal haemorrhage due to haemobilia as a direct result of cholelithiasis is described. Erosion of a branch of the cystic artery by a stone was shown to be the source of the bleeding at post-mortem. The features of the haemobilia syndrome are discussed.

Percutaneous transcatheter control of traumatic haemobilia: A case report

A case of traumatic haemobilia following closed injury is presented. A false aneurysm of the right hepatic artery was successfully treated by inadvertent subintimal stripping of the origin of the right hepatic artery.

Hemobilia: endoscopic diagnosis and association with pancreatitis

Hemorrhage into the biliary tract, known as hemobilia, is discussed almost exclusively in the surgical literature. Internists should also be aware of this entity. Two cases of hemobilia from hepatic artery aneurysm that ruptured into the biliary tract are presented. Both patients developed pancreatitis in addition to the classic symptom triad of melena, right upper quadrant pain, and jaundice. In one paitent, hemobilia was established by endoscopy. The authors adivse endoscopy workup of such patients and emphasize that pancreatitis, secondary to pancreatic duct obstruction, may be more common with hemobilia than has been reported.