Traumatic hemobilia: a complication of percutaneous liver biopsy

Gastroenterology. 1977 May;72(5 Pt 1):941-4.

Abstract

Two patients with hemobilia are presented. The first patient, with alcoholic liver disease, had a percutaneous liver biopsy. Subsequently he developed jaundice, with an enlarged tender gallbladder, biliary colic, and gastrointestinal bleeding. Hemobilia was demonstrated by superselective hepatic angiography and bleeding was stopped by intraarterial infusion of epinephrine and propranolol. The second patient, with primary biliary cirrhosis at an advanced stage, had a percutaneous liver biopsy followed by gastrointestinal bleeding, severe abdominal pain, and finally death. In both cases hemobilia was suggested by gastroduodenoscopy.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alcoholism / complications
  • Bile*
  • Biliary Tract Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Biliary Tract Diseases / etiology
  • Biopsy, Needle / adverse effects*
  • Blood*
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / pathology
  • Epinephrine / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / diagnosis
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Propranolol
  • Radiography

Substances

  • Propranolol
  • Epinephrine