Life-threatening hemobilia caused by hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm: a rare complication of chronic cholangitis

World J Gastroenterol. 2003 Dec;9(12):2883-4. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v9.i12.2883.

Abstract

Hemobilia is one of the causes of obscure gastrointestinal haemorrhage. Most cases of hemobilia are of iatrogenic or traumatic origin. Hemobilia caused by a hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm due to ascending cholangitis is very rare and its mechanism is unclear. We report a 74-year-old woman with a history of surgery for choledocholithiasis 30 years ago, suffering from a protracted course of life-threatening gastrointestinal bleeding. A small intestines series and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed a chronic cholangitis with marked contrast reflux into the biliary tree. Angiography confirmed the bleeding from a pseudoaneurysm of the middle hepatic artery. Coil embolization achieved successful hemostasis. We discussed the mechanism and reviewed the literature.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aneurysm, False / diagnosis*
  • Aneurysm, False / diagnostic imaging
  • Aneurysm, False / etiology
  • Cholangitis / complications*
  • Embolization, Therapeutic
  • Female
  • Hemobilia / etiology*
  • Hepatic Artery* / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Radiography
  • Treatment Outcome