Pneumobilia following blunt abdominal trauma.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pneumobilia is the presence of gas within the biliary tree. It is an important diagnostic sign in spontaneous biliary enteric fistulae, classically in gallstone ileus. There are a number of other causes including surgically created biliary enteric fistula, instrumentation of the bile duct at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, emphysematous cholecystitis and pyogenic cholangitis. Pneumobilia has also been reported following blunt abdominal trauma. The significance of isolated pneumobilia following abdominal trauma has not been conclusively established. METHODS: We present a patient with traumatic pneumobilia following blunt trauma to the abdomen which was managed conservatively. CONCLUSION: Pneumobilia following blunt abdominal trauma is not an absolute indication for laparotomy.