Two Cases of Life-Threatening Hemobilia Following Removal of Biliary Stents Treated with Covered Self-Expandable Metal Stents

Abstract

Biliary stent removal can cause hemobilia due to injury to the adjacent vessel, but it is rarely reported. If significant hemobilia occurs during stent removal, samesession covered self-expandable metal stent (CSEMS) insertion may be useful as a rescue or bridge therapy before angiography. Here, we report two cases of lifethreatening hemobilia following stent removal successfully treated by CSEMS. The first case was a Klatskin tumor bismuth type IV patient who required biliary stenting for resolving malignant biliary obstruction. The second case was a hepatocellular carcinoma patient who had undergone multiple transarterial chemoembolization and required biliary stents for liver abscess. In this situation, inserting a CSEMS at a higher level than the expected bleeding site and recognizing stenting as a temporary therapy with its limitations are important. Also, it is crucial to consider pre-procedural imaging in high-risk patients, and perform post-procedural imaging to evaluate for ongoing bleeding or vascular abnormalities.