Spontaneous rupture of liver due to cholangitis

Spontaneous rupture of the liver is rare in the Western world and most cases are associated with primary or metastatic tumours. Spontaneous rupture of the intrahepatic biliary tree is not well documented and only two reports have been found in the literature. The authors describe a further case due to ascending cholangitis but presenting with biliary peritonitis. The literature is reviewed and the diagnostic problems discussed.