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- R J Thompson and T Irwin.
- Colorectal Surgery Unit, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, BT12 6BA, Northern Ireland.
- Ir J Med Sci. 2007 Dec 1;176(4):313-5.
BackgroundPneumobilia 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.MethodsWe present a patient with traumatic pneumobilia following blunt trauma to the abdomen which was managed conservatively.ConclusionPneumobilia following blunt abdominal trauma is not an absolute indication for laparotomy.
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