Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Pneumobilia
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Pneumobilia is air in the biliary tree. It is most commonly seen in patients following surgery in which a biliary-enteric anastomosis has been created or a sphincterotomy (sphincter of Oddi) has been performed. Nonsurgical causes of pneumobilia are uncommon and are usually indicative of serious disease. Possible nonsurgical causes of pneumobilia include infection, neoplasm, biliary-enteric fistula, emphysematous cholecystitis and incompetence of the sphincter of Oddi.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
On imaging, air in the biliary tree is seen. Air is usually central in the liver (as opposed to portal venous gas which is peripheral).
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Pneumobilia
References
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]