Department of Internal medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea
ABSTRACT
Backgrounds/Aims: Hemobilia is a rare condition that may be difficult to recognized. However, it is none the less important to include in the differential diagnosis of gastrointestinal bleeding. With the increasing use of percutaneous liver procedures, there has been increased in the incidence of iatrogenic hemobilia. The purpose of this study was to illustrate the present incidence of iatrogenic hemobilia and to identify the etiology, clinical manifestations and therapy of Korean patients with hemobilia. Methods : In this study, we reviewed 53 patients with hemobilia diagnosed definitely, for analyzing recent causes, presentations and treatment. In addition, we investigated prevalence of iatrogenic causes and frequency of taking antiplatelet agents. Results : In result, we found out that the most common cause was iatrogenic hemobilia and malignancy including hepatocellular carcinoma was followed. All symptoms of Quinke’s triad were presented in up to 19 %. In the case of minor bleeding, conservative therapy was enough to recover and severe cases needed angioembolization or surgery. Conclusions: Further investigation should be studied about how to prevent iatrogenic cause, because hemobilia due to percutaneous procedure continues to increase.