Late obstruction of the intrahepatic common bile duct after seat-belt injury.
A patient is reported in whom obstructive jaundice developed 10 weeks after seat-belt injury to the abdomen. Laparotomy at the time of injury revealed extensive lacerations of the liver and haematoma in the head of the pancreas. The patient's presentation with jaundice led to a diagnosis of an intrahepatic haematoma, falsely substantiated by radio-isotope studies. At operation, complete obstruction of the intrapancreatic portion of the common bile duct was found. This, most likely a result of vascular damage with subsequent cicatrization, was treated satisfactorily by choledochoduodenostomy.
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D002780:Cholestasis, Intrahepatic / Q000209:etiology*; D003137:Common Bile Duct Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000009:adverse effects*