Spontaneous hepatic subcapsular biloma: Report of three cases with review of the literature

Abstract

A biloma is an encapsulated bile collection outside the biliary tree. Most cases are caused mainly by iatrogenic injury and trauma, and are usually located in the sub-hepatic space. Spontaneous biloma is an uncommon entity. We report three rare cases of spontaneous hepatic subcapsular biloma formation in association with choledocholithiasis in two patients and cholangiocarcinoma in one patient. All the patients presented with extrahepatic biliary obstruction with no previous history of abdominal surgery, instrumentation, or trauma. Ultrasound and computerized tomography of the abdomen documented hepatic subcapsular biloma. The patients were initially managed with antibiotics and radiologically guided pigtail drainage of the collections, followed by definitive treatment of their underlying cause.