Recurrent hemobilia secondary to extrahepatic biliary tract cholangiocarcinoma. A diagnostic challenge.

Abstract

The etiology of hemobilia has mainly iatrogenic (>50%), followed by traumatic causes. Others are biliopathy due to portal high pressure, or neoplastic or infective biliopathy. In the case of non-clear hemobilia, direct-vision-cholangioscopy can change the management in >34% of cases. Our patient had episodes of obstructive hemobilia with secondary cholangitis without objectifying underlying pathology. When she was referred to our center, SpyGlass®-cholangioscopy identified the suspicious lesion compatible with early-stage cholangiocarcinoma despite the diagnostic delay. In conclusion, it is important to keep in mind the neoformative etiology as a potential cause of hemobilia of unclear origin, in which case, cholangioscopy (SpyGlass®) can contribute to the recognition of the signs of malignancy of the lesion and, therefore, to the diagnosis.