Abstract

Hemobilia is defined as the presence of blood in the biliary tract and gastrointestinal lumen, which is caused by a communication between the biliary tract and blood vessels. Most cases of hemobilia originating in the gallbladder are related to gallstones, or rarely related to acalculous cholecystitis. A 48-year-old woman presented to the hospital secondary to epigastric pain and melena, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed hemobilia originating in her gallbladder. After laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed, pathologic examination of the gallbladder revealed chronic acalculous cholecystitis. Hence, we report a case of hemobilia caused by chronic acalculous cholecystitis. (Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 2008; 37:71-75)

• Keywords: Hemobilia, Acalculous cholecystitis