Biliary cystadenocarcinoma: an unusual cause for recurrent hemobilia

Hemobilia is an uncommon presentation of biliary tract or pancreatic disease. The investigation and management of this clinical problem is challenging. We report on a case of biliary tract hemorrhage from an otherwise asymptomatic right lobe biliary cystadenocarcinoma and review the literature on this unusual presentation. Hemobilia from primary or secondary liver tumors is not frequently reported in the literature. Hemobilia in this setting is usually observed in association with an obvious liver mass or abnormal liver function tests. This is a report of a case of hemobilia as the primary presentation of a small right lobe cystadenocarcinoma. Literature on the incidence and treatment of hemobilia associated with liver tumors has been reviewed. Hemobilia is investigated and definitively treated with angiography. In our case, initial imaging was equivocal and the lesion was only demonstrated after rebleeding, requiring a second angiogram. Surgical resection of the mass was required for definitive control of bleeding. This case illustrates the difficulties of investigating and treating hemobilia caused by primary or secondary liver tumors. Cystadenocarcinoma of the liver is not a common tumor, and biliary tract hemorrhage as the primary presentation of this tumor in the absence of a significant mass or abnormal liver function tests has not been previously described.