title: Spontaneous perforation of the common bile duct.
abstract: An 18-week-old baby boy suffered an episode of acute abdominal symptoms followed by a silent period with mild obstructive jaundice, abdominal distension and failure to thrive. During the clinical work-up he deteriorated suddenly, with progressive abdominal distension and ascites. At laparotomy a perforation of the common bile duct with bile peritonitis was found. Spontaneous perforation of the common bile duct is seldom listed as a cause of obstructive jaundice. The clinical picture is characteristic. Awareness of this diagnosis may help to avoid time-consuming and unnecessary investigations and to lead to surgical treatment in good time.
mesh_terms: D001660:Biliary Tract Diseases / Q000150:complications; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000209:etiology*; D003135:Common Bile Duct / Q000002:abnormalities; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000209:etiology; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous