[Hemobilia after liver biopsy (author's transl)]

Colicky pain in the gallbladder region, hematemesis, melena and jaundice are symptoms of hemobilia. The underlying cause can be an arterio-biliary or a porto-biliary fistula, resulting in hemorrhage into the duodenum. Shunting may be intra- or extrahepatic and may originate from trauma, or from biliary, pancreatic or vascular lesions. Since 1976 liver biopsies were done in 2221 patients; in 3 of these hemobilia occurred. In one case the artery involved could be obturated by transarterial placement of Ivalon particles; the two other cases recovered without special treatment. A review is given of 23 cases of hemobilia after liver biopsy, and treatment is discussed.