L'hémobilie

Hemobilia or hematobilia is defined by bleeding inside the bile duct Although rare and misunderstood, it may evolve a life-threatening condition and its frequency is increasing. Clinical presentation commonly includes upper gastrointestinal bleeding, biliary colic and jaundice. The diagnosis must be suggested in a patient with a history of hepatic surgery, trauma or invasive biliary intervention. Key investigation is selective angiogram which allows us to confirm the diagnosis, locate and in most cases treat the vascular lesion responsible of hemobilia. Surgery should remain limited to extra-hepatic or gallbladder bleeding and in case of a failure of intra-vascular embolization.