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Hepatic abscess due to occult biliary stones
The Journal of Computed Tomography
|January 1, 1987
Summary
Radiologic drainage of abdominal abscesses can reveal unexpected connections to the biliary tree. Abscessograms identified fistulas to obstructed bile ducts containing stones in two patients.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Percutaneous drainage is a key intervention for abdominal abscesses.
- A subset of these abscesses exhibits fistulous communications with adjacent organs.
- The biliary tree is a potential site for such communications.
Observation:
- Two cases are presented involving abdominal abscesses.
- Abscessograms were utilized for diagnostic imaging.
- The imaging revealed unexpected findings in the biliary system.
Findings:
- The abscessograms demonstrated fistulous tracts connecting the abscesses to the biliary tree.
- The biliary tree was incompletely or intermittently obstructed.
- Retained gallstones were present within the obstructed biliary system.
Implications:
- This highlights the importance of considering biliary involvement in abdominal abscesses.
- Abscessography can uncover occult biliary-abscess fistulas.
- Early identification may guide appropriate management of both abscesses and biliary pathology.