Massive hemobilia in childhood

Abstract

Hemobilia is very rare in the pediatric population, and so it continues to be a diagnostic challenge. Hemobilia is an abnormal communication between a vessel of the splanchnic circulation and the biliary system. Treatment planning for hemobilia in children should be performed; therefore, the differential diagnosis is very important in order to find the cause of the upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Awareness of potential causes and the management of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and hemobilia should enable physicians to treat their patients more effectively. This study is a review of potential etiologies of hemobilia and the challenges involved in the diagnosis and surgical management of massive hemobilia, especially in children.