Precise localization of a bile leak with hepatobiliary scintigraphy

Abstract

Hepatobiliary scintigraphy (HBS) is a widely used modality to diagnose biliary injury. In patients with a history of trauma or surgery, the common presentations of bile leaks on HBS are a progressive collection of radiotracer outside the biliary system. However, the precise localization of a bile leak is usually not conveyed by noninvasive techniques including CT or ultrasound or even HBS. This case study of a patient with liver trauma demonstrates a direct bile leak sign leading to recognition of an exact bile leakage site from the left intrahepatic duct. This diagnosis helped clinicians perform less-invasive management.