Biloma

Changed by Daniel J Bell, 18 Mar 2019

Updates to Article Attributes

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Bilomas refer to extrabiliary collections of bile. They can be either intra- or extrahepatic. 

Terminology

There is a slight discrepencydiscrepancy in the reported literature in the use of the term "biloma". Many authors have used it exclusively to refer to intrahepatic bile collections or other bilious collections which are discretely organised rather than free biliary leak into the peritoneum (choleperitoneum: a rarely used term).

Clinical presentation

Although usually asymptomatic, they may present with symptomatic bile peritonitis 7.

Pathology

They can result from a number of causes:

Seventy percent of bilomas are localized to the right upper quadrant, whereas the remaining 30% develop in the left upper quadrant. A biloma may wall off or may continue to demonstrate active bile leakage.

Radiographic features

The goals of imaging in the assessment of biloma are:

  • confirm the presence of a bile leak
  • determine if it is extrahepatic or intrahepatic
  • describe its extent
  • assess for associated biliary obstruction
CT

Bilious fluid is water attenuation, usually seen collecting in the right upper quadrant. CT intravenous cholangiography can demonstrate a communication between the biliary tree and the biloma, localising the leak. 

MRI

Bilious fluid demonstrates variable signal intensity on T1-weighted imaging, and high signal intensity on T2-weighted imaging, similar to the signal intensity of gallbladder fluid.

Both gadolinium and manganese-based MRI contrast agents that  are excreted through the biliary system are available. A delayed enhanced MRI examination using one of these agents may be useful to confirm that a localised fluid collection is composed of bile and to identify the site of bile leak 7.

Scintigraphy

A Tc99 diisopropyl iminodiacetic acid (DISIDA) scan is useful for confirmation of an active bile leak.

Treatment and prognosis

Treatment options include:

  • pigtail drainage (under USGUS/CT guidance)
  • surgical drainage

Management of bilomas can also involve treating any associated biliary tract obstruction which can both complicate and cause bilomas. Surgical repair of the source of underlying biliary tract bile leak may also be required.

Differential diagnosis

General imaging differential considerations include:

  • -<p><strong>Bilomas</strong> refer to extrabiliary collections of bile. They can be either intra- or extrahepatic. </p><h4>Terminology</h4><p>There is a slight discrepency in the reported literature in the use of the term "biloma". Many authors have used it exclusively to refer to intrahepatic bile collections or other bilious collections which are discretely organised rather than free biliary leak into the peritoneum.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Although usually asymptomatic, they may present with symptomatic bile peritonitis <sup>7</sup>.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>They can result from a number of causes:</p><ul>
  • +<p><strong>Bilomas</strong> refer to extrabiliary collections of bile. They can be either intra- or extrahepatic. </p><h4>Terminology</h4><p>There is a slight discrepancy in the reported literature in the use of the term "biloma". Many authors have used it exclusively to refer to intrahepatic bile collections or other bilious collections which are discretely organised rather than free biliary leak into the peritoneum (choleperitoneum: a rarely used term).</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Although usually asymptomatic, they may present with symptomatic bile peritonitis <sup>7</sup>.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>They can result from a number of causes:</p><ul>
  • -<li>
  • -<a href="/articles/transcatheter-arterial-chemoembolisation">transcatheter arterial chemoembolisation</a> (TACE)</li>
  • +<li><a title="Transcatheter arterial chemoembolisation" href="/articles/transcatheter-arterial-chemoembolisation">transcatheter arterial chemoembolisation (TACE)</a></li>
  • -<li>post surgical, e.g. injury to duct of Luschka following cholecystectomy <sup>6</sup>
  • +<li>post surgical, e.g. injury to duct of Luschka following <a title="Cholecystectomy" href="/articles/cholecystectomy-1">cholecystectomy</a> <sup>6</sup>
  • -</ul><h5>CT</h5><p>Bilious fluid is water attenuation, usually seen collecting in the right upper quadrant. <a href="/articles/ct-cholangiography">CT intravenous cholangiography</a> can demonstrate a communication between the <a href="/articles/biliary-tree-anatomy">biliary tree</a> and the biloma, localising the leak. </p><h5>MRI</h5><p>Bilious fluid demonstrates variable signal intensity on T1-weighted imaging, and high signal intensity on T2-weighted imaging, similar to the signal intensity of gallbladder fluid.</p><p>Both gadolinium and manganese-based MRI contrast agents that  are excreted through the biliary system are available. A delayed enhanced MRI examination using one of these agents may be useful to confirm that a localised fluid collection is composed of bile and to identify the site of bile leak <sup>7</sup>.</p><h5>Scintigraphy</h5><p>A Tc<sup>99</sup> diisopropyl iminodiacetic acid (DISIDA) scan is useful for confirmation of an active bile leak.</p><h4>Treatment and prognosis</h4><p>Treatment options include:</p><ul>
  • -<li>pigtail drainage (under USG/CT guidance)</li>
  • +</ul><h5>CT</h5><p>Bilious fluid is water attenuation, usually seen collecting in the right upper quadrant. <a href="/articles/ct-cholangiography">CT intravenous cholangiography</a> can demonstrate a communication between the <a href="/articles/biliary-tree-anatomy">biliary tree</a> and the biloma, localising the leak. </p><h5>MRI</h5><p>Bilious fluid demonstrates variable signal intensity on T1-weighted imaging, and high signal intensity on T2-weighted imaging, similar to the signal intensity of gallbladder fluid.</p><p>Both gadolinium and manganese-based MRI contrast agents that  are excreted through the biliary system are available. A delayed enhanced MRI examination using one of these agents may be useful to confirm that a localised fluid collection is composed of bile and to identify the site of bile leak <sup>7</sup>.</p><h5>Scintigraphy</h5><p>A <a title="DISIDA" href="/articles/disida">Tc<sup>99</sup> diisopropyl iminodiacetic acid (DISIDA) scan</a> is useful for confirmation of an active bile leak.</p><h4>Treatment and prognosis</h4><p>Treatment options include:</p><ul>
  • +<li>pigtail drainage (under US/CT guidance)</li>

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