Skip to main content

Life-threatening hemobilia caused by hepatic pseudoaneurysm after T-tube choledochostomy: report of a case

Abstract

Background

Hemobilia is a rare but lethal biliary tract complication. There are several causes of hemobilia which might be classified as traumatic or nontraumatic. Hemobilia caused by pseudoaneurysm might result from hepatobiliary surgery or percutaneous interventional hepatobiliary procedures. However, to our knowledge, there are no previous reports pertaining to hemobilia caused by hepatic pseudoaneurysm after T-tube choledochostomy.

Case presentation

A 65-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of acute calculous cholecystitis and cholangitis. He underwent cholecystectomy, choledocholithotomy via a right upper quadrant laparotomy and a temporary T-tube choledochostomy was created. However, on the 19th day after operation, he suffered from sudden onset of hematemesis and massive fresh blood drainage from the T-tube choledochostomy. Imaging studies confirmed the diagnosis of pseudoaneurysm associated hemobilia. The probable association of T-tube choledochostomy with pseudoaneurysm and hemobilia is also demonstrated. He underwent emergent selective microcoils emobolization to occlude the feeding artery of the pseudoaneurysm.

Conclusions

Pseudoaneurysm associated hemobilia may occur after T-tube choledochostomy. This case also highlights the importance that hemobilia should be highly suspected in a patient presenting with jaundice, right upper quadrant abdominal pain and upper gastrointestinal bleeding after liver or biliary surgery.

Peer Review reports

Background

Hemobilia is a rare but lethal biliary tract complication [1]. Patients with hemobilia usually present with right upper quadrant abdominal pain, jaundice and upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding [2]. There are several causes of hemobilia which might be classified as traumatic [3–12] or nontraumatic [12–19]. Hemobilia caused by pseudoaneurysm might be due to abdominal trauma [2], liver and biliary surgery [8, 9, 11], percutaneous interventional hepatobiliary procedures [7, 10, 12, 20, 21], tumor [16–19, 22] or other infectious processes such as liver abscess [13], cholecystitis [23], cholangitis [17], and pancreatitis [5, 12, 17]. To our knowledge, there are no previous reports pertaining to hemobilia caused by hepatic pseudoaneurysm after T-tube choledochostomy. We describe here a novel case of hemobilia caused by pseudoaneurysm in the proper hepatic artery after T-tube choledochostomy. The probable association of T-tube choledochostomy with pseudoaneurysm and hemobilia is discussed.

Case Presentation

A 65-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of right upper quadrant abdominal pain, jaundice and fever for 2 days. He denied history of any systemic disease. He had no history of previous abdominal surgery. At initial presentation, his body temperature was 38.6°C, blood pressure was 142/82 mmHg, pulse rate was 92/min, and respiratory rate was 22/min. Physical examination revealed jaundice, and tenderness with light palpation at the right upper quadrant of abdomen. Murphy's sign was positive. There was no palpable mass and Courvoisier's sign was negative. The bowel sound was normal in peristalsis and no abdominal bruit was found on auscultation.

Laboratory studies demonstrated a white blood count of 10,800/mm3 (normal, 4,500 to 10,000/mm3), a hemoglobin level of 15.3 g/dL (normal 14-18 g/dL), and a platelet count of 22.3 × 104 /mm3 (normal, 13-40 × 104 /mm3). The liver profile showed total bilirubin = 4.3 mg/dL (normal, 0.2-1.2 mg/dL), direct bilirubin = 3.2 mg/dL (normal, 0-0.4 mg/dL), alanine aminotransferase = 108 IU/L (normal, 4-44 IU/L), aspartate aminotransferase = 103 IU/L (normal, 8-38 IU/L), and alkaline phosphatatse = 327 IU/L (normal, 104-338IU/L). The serum levels of amylase and lipase were 166 U/L (normal, 43-116 U/L) and 208 U/L (normal, 13-60 U/L) respectively. Blood cultures were negative for aerobic and anaerobic organisms. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a distended gallbladder with thickened wall and filled with stones. A small amount of ascites was detected in the Morison's pouch. The common bile duct (CBD) was mildly dilated with some hyperechoic spots, indicating sandy CBD stones.

Because acute calculous cholecystitis and cholangitis were impressed on clinical grounds, he underwent cholecystectomy and choledocholithotomy via a right upper quadrant laparotomy. At operation, an inflamed gallbladder with fibrin coating on the edematous wall was found. The Calot's triangle showed dense adhesion and the CBD was distended. The CBD was explored to remove sandy stones, debris and sticky bile. A temporary T-tube choledochostomy was created and Penrose drains were set in the Morison's pouch.

The patient recovered well after the operation without fever episodes or jaundice. He was discharged on the 14th postoperative days. However, on the 19th day after operation, he suffered from sudden onset of hematemesis and massive fresh blood drainage from the T-tube choledochostomy. Hypovolemic shock developed thereafter. He was sent to emergent department of our institution. Laboratory examination revealed a decreased hemoglobin level of 7.0 g/dL and an increased total bilirubin level of 2.1 mg/dL. Because hemobilia was highly suspected a contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen was arranged emergently, revealing a round and hyperdense lesion abutting the T-tube choledochostomy (Figure 1). The reconstructive CT image further demonstrated a saccular mass protruding from the proper hepatic artery (Figure 2). The angiography disclosed a contrast-filled lesion arising from proper hepatic artery, which suggested a pseudoaneurysm formation (Figure 3). The contrast drained into the T-tube choledochostomy directly (Figure 4), indicating that pseudoaneurysm was the cause of hemobilia in our patient. He underwent emergent selective microcoils embolization to occlude the feeding artery of the pseudoaneurysm and the bleeding ceased thereafter (Figure 5). He recovered uneventfully with normal liver profile after a three-month period of follow up.

Figure 1
figure 1

Contrasted enhanced CT of the abdomen was arranged showing a round and hyperdense lesion (long arrow) abutting the T-tube choledochostomy (short arrow).

Figure 2
figure 2

Reconstructive CT image showing a saccular mass protruding from the proper hepatic artery.

Figure 3
figure 3

Transarterial angiographic view showing a contrast-filled lesion arising from proper hepatic artery. Adjacent to the contrast-filled lesion was the T-tube (arrow).

Figure 4
figure 4

Transarterial angiographic view showing that contrast drained into the T-tube choledochostomy (arrow).

Figure 5
figure 5

Transarterial angiographic view showing that the pseudoaneurym was occluded using selective microcoils emobolization.

Conclusions

Hemobilia, a rare but lethal disaster, was first described by Sandblom in 1948 as the situation of bleeding into the biliary tract following trauma [1]. The classical presentation of hemobilia, also known as Quinckes' triad, includes right upper quadrant abdominal pain, UGI bleeding and jaundice [2]. Blunt and penetrating abdominal trauma, accounting for half of the cases, are the leading causes of hemobilia [2]. Liver and biliary surgery [4, 8, 9, 11], percutaneous liver biopsy [4, 12], percutaneous liver tumor ablation [21], and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage and stent placement [4, 7, 10, 20] contribute to the other causes of traumatic hemobilia. Nontraumatic causes of hemobilia include aneurysm or pseudoaneurysm caused by liver abscess [13], choledocholithiasis and related infection [14, 23], pancreatitis [5, 12, 15, 16, 18], and tumor [16–19, 22]. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are no previous reports in the English literature regarding hepatic pseudoaneurysm associated hemobilia after T-tube choledochostomy. This unusual case could be added to the causal list of hemobilia after surgery.

As for the etiological cause of pseudoaneurysm formation in our case, we propose that mechanical compression of the T-tube on the bile duct mucosa and adjacent proper hepatic artery might have caused erosion of the blood vessel, and induced pseudoaneurysm formation. There are evidences that might support our proposal. Firstly, anatomically speaking, the common bile duct runs along with the proper hepatic artery within the hepatoduodenal ligament. Secondly, the contrast-filled hyperdense pseudoaneurysm found at abdominal CT was just close to the T-tube. The angiographic features further disclosed that the lunar pseudoaneurysm was compressed by the T-tube and the contrast flew directly from the proper hepatic artery into the T-tube.

The diagnosis of hemobilia can be confirmed by endoscopy examination or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography to directly observe bleeding from the ampulla of Vater [12]. Doppler ultrasound can be used to detect the pulsatile mass with blood flow into the biliary tracts [24]. Tumors, abscesses, and the location of aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms can be identified by abdominal CT [25]. Furthermore, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging can be used to demonstrate the correlation of blood flow with bile ducts to support the diagnosis of hemobilia [26]. However, transarterial angiography should be considered as the imaging modality of choice, because it can be used to detect and embolize the bleeders [2, 9, 22, 27, 28]. Surgical ligation, excision of aneurysm and pseudoaneurysm or partial hepatectomy is only conserved for failed embolization or tumor-related hemobilia [2, 22]. Furthermore, recent articles suggest that minimally invasive procedures were offered for treatment of hemobilia, especially for tumor associated hemobilia [18, 19, 22].

In conclusion, pseudoaneurym associated hemobilia may occur after T-tube choledochostomy. This case also highlights the importance that hemobilia should be highly suspected in a patient presenting with jaundice, right upper quadrant abdominal pain and UGI bleeding after liver and biliary surgery. Once a diagnosis is established, angiographic intervention should be performed without delay because it is a life-threatening situation.

Consent

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and any accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal.

Abbreviations

UGI:

upper gastrointestinal

CT:

computed tomography

CBD:

common bile duct.

References

  1. Sandblom P: Hemorrhage into the biliary tract following trauma; traumatic hemobilia. Surgery. 1948, 24: 571-586.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Green MH, Duell RM, Johnson CD, Jamieson NV: Haemobilia. Br J Surg. 2001, 88: 773-786. 10.1046/j.1365-2168.2001.01756.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Lygidakis NJ, Okazaki M, Damtsios G: Iatrogenic hemobilia: how to approach it. Hepatogastroenterology. 1991, 38: 454-457.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Curet P, Baumer R, Roche A, Grellet J, Mercadier M: Hepatic hemobilia of traumatic or iatrogenic origin: recent advances in diagnosis and therapy, review of the literature from 1976 to 1981. World J Surg. 1984, 8: 2-8. 10.1007/BF01658356.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. de Perrot M, Berney T, Buhler L, Delgadillo X, Mentha G, Morel P: Management of bleeding pseudoaneurysms in patients with pancreatitis. Br J Surg. 1999, 86: 29-32. 10.1046/j.1365-2168.1999.00983.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Messina LM, Shanley CJ: Visceral artery aneurysms. Surg Clin North Am. 1997, 77: 425-442. 10.1016/S0039-6109(05)70559-4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Rai R, Rose J, Manas D: Potentially fatal haemobilia due to inappropriate use of an expanding biliary stent. World J Gastroenterol. 2003, 9: 2377-2378.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  8. England RE, Marsh PJ, Ashleigh R, Martin DF: Case report: pseudoaneurysm of the cystic artery: a rare cause of haemobilia. Clin Radiol. 1998, 53: 72-75. 10.1016/S0009-9260(98)80041-X.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Napolitano V, Cirocchi R, Spizzirri A, Cattorini L, La Mura F, Farinella E, Morelli U, Migliaccio C, Del Monaco P, Trastulli S, Di Patrizi MS, Milani D, Sciannameo F: A severe case of hemobilia and biliary fistula following an open urgent cholecystectomy. World J Emerg Surg. 2009, 4: 37-10.1186/1749-7922-4-37.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  10. Layec S, D'Halluin PN, Pagenault M, Bretagne JF: Massive hemobilia during extraction of a covered self-expandable metal stent in a patient with portal hypertensive biliopathy. Gastrointest Endosc. 2009, 70: 555-556. 10.1016/j.gie.2009.04.051.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Facy O, Angot C, Fortier S, Guiu B, Krause D, Ortega-Deballon P: Pseudo-aneurysm of the cystic artery: A life-threatening cause of hemobilia after cholecystectomy. Surgery. 2009,

    Google Scholar 

  12. Hendriks MP, Wanten GJ, Drenth JP: Management of hemobilia and pancreatitis after liver biopsy: a key role for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography. Liver Transpl. 2009, 15: 1653-1654. 10.1002/lt.21807.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Liou TC, Ling CC, Pang KK: Liver abscess concomitant with hemobilia due to rupture of hepatic artery aneurysm: a case report. Hepatogastroenterology. 1996, 43: 241-244.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Kaman L, Kumar S, Behera A, Katariya RN: Pseudoaneurysm of the cystic artery: a rare cause of hemobilia. Am J Gastroenterol. 1998, 93: 1535-1537. 10.1111/j.1572-0241.1998.475_y.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Liu TT, Hou MC, Lin HC, Chang FY, Lee SD: Life-threatening hemobilia caused by hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm: a rare complication of chronic cholangitis. World J Gastroenterol. 2003, 9: 2883-2884.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  16. Manolakis AC, Kapsoritakis AN, Tsikouras AD, Tsiopoulos FD, Psychos AK, Potamianos SP: Hemobilia as the initial manifestation of cholangiocarcinoma in a hemophilia B patient. World J Gastroenterol. 2008, 14: 4241-4244. 10.3748/wjg.14.4241.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  17. Kim JD, Lee KM, Chung WC, Chang UI, Lee BI, Lee JS, Kim HJ, Yang JM, Choi KY, Chung IS: Acute pancreatitis and cholangitis caused by hemobilia from biliary papillomatosis. Gastrointest Endosc. 2007, 65: 177-180. 10.1016/j.gie.2006.07.040.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Paikos D, Katsinelos P, Kontodimou K, Chatzimavroudis G, Pilpilidis I, Moschos I, Soufleris K, Papaziogas B: Acute recurrent pancreatitis complicating hemobilia in a patient with hepatocellular cancer and recipient of anticoagulants successful treatment with metal stent placement (pancreatitis complicating hemobilia). Pancreas. 2007, 34: 168-169. 10.1097/01.mpa.0000236738.62111.15.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Rerknimitr R, Kongkam P, Kullavanijaya P: Treatment of tumor associated hemobilia with a partially covered metallic stent. Endoscopy. 2007, 39 (Suppl 1): E225-10.1055/s-2007-966555.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Cho YD, Cheon YK, Moon JH, Jeong SW, Jang JY, Lee JS, Shim CS: Clinical role of frequency-doubled double-pulsed yttrium aluminum garnet laser technology for removing difficult bile duct stones (with videos). Gastrointest Endosc. 2009, 70: 684-689. 10.1016/j.gie.2009.03.1170.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Goto E, Tateishi R, Shiina S, Masuzaki R, Enooku K, Sato T, Ohki T, Kondo Y, Goto T, Yoshida H, Omata M: Hemorrhagic Complications of Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation for Liver Tumors. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2009,

    Google Scholar 

  22. Takao Y, Yoshida H, Mamada Y, Taniai N, Bando K, Tajiri T: Transcatheter hepatic arterial embolization followed by microwave ablation for hemobilia from hepatocellular carcinoma. J Nippon Med Sch. 2008, 75: 284-288. 10.1272/jnms.75.284.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Lin SZ, Tseng CW, Chen CC: Hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm presenting with Mirizzi syndrome and hemobilia. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2009, 7: e73-10.1016/j.cgh.2009.06.003.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Falkoff GE, Taylor KJ, Morse S: Hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm: diagnosis with real-time and pulsed Doppler US. Radiology. 1986, 158: 55-56.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Foley WD, Berland LL, Lawson TL, Maddison FE: Computed tomography in the demonstration of hepatic pseudoaneurysm with hemobilia. J Comput Assist Tomogr. 1980, 4: 863-865. 10.1097/00004728-198012000-00023.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Lee NK, Kim S, Lee JW, Lee SH, Kang DH, Kim DU, Kim GH, Seo HI: MR appearance of normal and abnormal bile: Correlation with imaging and endoscopic finding. Eur J Radiol. 2009,

    Google Scholar 

  27. Katz MC, Meng CH: Angiographic evaluation of traumatic intrahepatic pseudoaneurysm and hemobilia. Radiology. 1970, 94: 95-99.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Okazaki M, Ono H, Higashihara H, Koganemaru F, Nozaki Y, Hoashi T, Kimura T, Yamasaki S, Makuuchi M: Angiographic management of massive hemobilia due to iatrogenic trauma. Gastrointest Radiol. 1991, 16: 205-214. 10.1007/BF01887347.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Pre-publication history

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sheng-Lei Yan.

Additional information

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Authors' contributions

All authors have read and approved the final version of manuscript. LYT: surgical operation, drafting the manuscript; LH: helped to draft and edit the manuscript; CKY: carried out radiological intervention; WHS: involved in the clinical management of the patient; HMH: revised the manuscript critically and added substantial intellectual content; YSL: final review, supervision of scientific content of manuscript.

Authors’ original submitted files for images

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0 ), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lee, YT., Lin, H., Chen, KY. et al. Life-threatening hemobilia caused by hepatic pseudoaneurysm after T-tube choledochostomy: report of a case. BMC Gastroenterol 10, 81 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-230X-10-81

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-230X-10-81

Keywords