Hemobilia after percutaneous liver biopsy: role of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and sphincterotomy.

Hemobilia is a rare complication of percutaneous liver biopsy. We present such a case that demonstrates the usefulness of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in establishing the diagnosis, the importance of localization of the bleeding site by angiography, and the therapeutic usefulness of arterial embolization for the control of persistent bleeding. Also, we propose a possible indication for endoscopic sphincterotomy in the rare case where retained intrabiliary blood clot causes progressive obstructive jaundice complicated by severe pain and sepsis.