Emergency case of spontaneous common bile duct (CBD) perforation

Abstract

Spontaneous or non-traumatic common bile duct (CBD) perforation in children is a rare condition leading to difficulty and delay in diagnosis and resulting in high mortality. Presentation can vary significantly. Patients usually present with sudden obstructive jaundice, acholic stools, and abdominal pain and distension. Treatment tends to be surgical, consisting of CBD exploration, and possibly, repair. We report the case of a 22-month-old female with spontaneous CBD perforation. She presented with a 1-month history of increasing abdominal distension, abdominal pain, and jaundice. On exploratory laparotomy, a large amount of bile-stained ascitic fluid was drained. She was managed conservatively with 3 weeks of external intra-abdominal drains. Follow-up at 6 months showed complete recovery. Due to the rarity of spontaneous bile duct perforation, delayed diagnosis and intervention is common. Physicians must consider this diagnosis in a child with abdominal pain in order to prompt timely surgical management for a successful outcome.