Journal of the Belgian Society of Radiology (Nov 2014)

Spontaneous life-threatening hemobilia during acute liver failure successfully treated with transarterial embolization

  • V Boecxstaens,
  • S Heye,
  • G Maleux,
  • Ph Roelandt,
  • D Cassiman,
  • W Laleman,
  • Ch Verslype,
  • W Van Steenbergen,
  • F Nevens,
  • Ph Meersseman,
  • P Verhamme,
  • R Aerts,
  • J Pirenne,
  • D Monbaliu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5334/jbr-btr.126
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 97, no. 6
pp. 361 – 363

Abstract

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A 28-year-old patient admitted with jaundice, vomiting and deteriorating coagulopathy was diagnosed with acute liver failure. After listing for urgent transplantation, he developed Boerhaave’s syndrome and massive hemobilia, two life-threatening complications. Massive hemobilia secondary to a fistula between the right hepatic artery and the right bile duct occurred several days after transjugular biopsy and was controlled with fluid resuscitation, transfusion and arterial embolization. Two days later he was transplanted successfully, and is currently doing well after more than 72 months. Aggressive treatment of potentially reversible complications during acute liver failure whilst awaiting transplantation is mandatory to allow survival of these patients.

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