A Case of an Emergency Laparotomy for Spontaneous Biliary Peritonitis due to Transudation of Bile From the Gallbladder Caused by a Venous Thrombosis

Abstract

We report herein on a case of an emergency laparotomy for spontaneous biliary peritonitis due to transudation of bile from the gallbladder caused by a venous thrombosis. An 87–year–old woman was admitted to our hospital with severe right quadrant abdominal pain, which had occurred before she was admitted. Abdominal Ultra Sonography and CT showed the presence of ascites around the liver. Biliary ascites was found around the liver before the operation. The histological examination revealed venous thrombosis at the site without any perforation and the condition was diagnosed as spontaneous biliary peritonitis. An operation was performed. There were no intestinal or gallbladder perforations, but a part of the gallbladder wall was quite thin and bile had leaked at that point. A cholecystectomy and peritoneal drainage were performed. Transudation of bile from the gallbladder due to a venous thrombosis is quite rare and therefore warrants a case report.