Bile leak after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Role of MR imaging

Authors

  • Francesco Mungai
  • Valentina Berti
  • Stefano Colagrande

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3941/jrcr.v7i1.1261

Keywords:

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, bile leak, MR imaging, MR cholangiopancreatography, hepatobiliary contrast agents

Abstract

Increasing hepatobiliary laparoscopic surgeries have lead to a rise in injury to the biliary tree and other complications like bile leak. Ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) cannot reliably distinguish bile from other postoperative fluid collections. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with hepatobiliary agents and MR cholangiopancreatography provide anatomic and functional information that allows for prompt diagnosis and excludes any other concomitant complications. We report a case of post-cholecystectomy bile leak in a 42-year-old female who presented with persistent dull abdominal pain after the intervention; we emphasize the role of MR imaging in achieving the correct diagnosis.

Author Biographies

Francesco Mungai

Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Radiodiagnostic Unit n. 2,  University of Florence - Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, Florence, Italy.

Radiologist.

Valentina Berti

Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Nuclear Medicine Unit,  University of Florence - Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, Florence, Italy.

Nuclear medicine physician.

Stefano Colagrande

Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Radiodiagnostic Unit n. 2,  University of Florence - Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, Florence, Italy.

Associate Professor of Radiology.

Journal of Radiology Case Reports January 2013 issue - Isolated pancreatic tuberculosis: A case report and radiological comparison with cystic pancreatic lesions by Anna L. Falkowski et al.

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Published

2013-01-14

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 1 (2013)

Section

Gastrointestinal Radiology

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