Non-Traumatic Hepatobiliary Emergencies

Abstract

Hepatobiliary emergencies typically present with a constellation of different symptoms including abdominal pain, fevers, nausea, vomiting, jaundice, coagulopathy, and in some instances, encephalopathy. The differential can be broad and may include infectious, inflammatory, and even iatrogenic etiologies. Workup with appropriate lab and imaging studies can help discern between different pathologies and thus guide their management. Interventions can range broadly from conservative management with medical therapy to endoscopic options or surgery. This article explores the diagnostic workup and evaluation as well as the current therapeutic interventions for a variety of these nontraumatic hepatobiliary emergencies based on the most current literature.

Keywords: Bile duct injury; Cholangitis; Cholecystitis; Hepatic abscess; Liver cyst; Pancreatitis.