Fasciola hepatica case with hemobilia

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Parasitology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Fasciola hepatica (FH) infections can lead to significant hepatobiliary complications.
• Hemobilia, or bleeding into the biliary tract, is a rare manifestation of parasitic infections.
• Prompt diagnosis and management of biliary diseases are crucial for patient outcomes.

Observation:

• A 41-year-old patient presented with hemobilia requiring surgical intervention.
• During common bile duct exploration, arterial bleeding was identified.
• The source of bleeding was an ulcer in the common bile duct, attributed to a dead Fasciola hepatica parasite.

Findings:

• This case presents a rare instance of hemobilia directly linked to biliary Fasciola hepatica infection.
• The pathological finding was an ulcer in the common bile duct caused by a deceased parasite.
• Arterial bleeding was the direct consequence of this parasite-induced ulcer.

Implications:

• Fasciola hepatica should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hemobilia, especially in endemic areas.
• Understanding rare complications like parasite-induced ulceration and bleeding is vital for clinicians.
• This case underscores the importance of considering parasitic etiologies in unexplained hepatobiliary bleeding.