Digestive Disease Interventions 2017; 01(01): 003-007
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1599798
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Imaging of Biliary Infections

Onofrio Catalano
1   Division of Abdominal Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
,
Ronald S. Arellano
2   Division of Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Address for correspondence

Onofrio Catalano, MD
Division of Abdominal Imaging
Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, White 270, Boston
MA 02114   

Publication History

12 November 2016

30 January 2017

Publication Date:
17 March 2017 (online)

 

Abstract

Biliary tract infections cover a wide spectrum of etiologies and clinical presentations. Imaging plays an important role in understanding the etiology and as well as the extent of disease. Imaging also plays a vital role in assessing treatment response once a diagnosis is established. This article will review the imaging findings of commonly encountered biliary tract infectious diseases.


#

Infections of the biliary tree can have a myriad of clinical and imaging manifestations depending on the infectious etiology, underlying immune status of the patient and extent of involvement.[1] [2] Bacterial infections account for the vast majority of infectious cholangitides though parasitic, fungal, and viral infections can also affect the biliary system. Clinically, the range of clinical manifestations of bacterial infections extends from an acute medical emergency with clinical symptoms of right upper quadrant (RUQ) pain, fever, and jaundice to indolent and chronic, low-level infections.

Bacterial Cholangitides

Bacterial cholangitis is a clinical syndrome that arises when infected bile enters the circulatory system.[3] [4] [5] Cholangitis typically manifests as fever, jaundice, and RUQ pain (Charcot's triad) and may or may not result in biliary sepsis. Reynolds pentad describes the combination of fever, jaundice, and RUQ pain with hypotension and confusion/lethargy. Commonly encountered microorganisms include Escherichia coli, Enterococcus, Klebsiella, and Pseudomonas, as well as anaerobes.[4] [6] The combination of microbiological contamination of bile in the setting of increased biliary pressure can lead to the clinical manifestation of acute cholangitis.[5] [7] Elevated biliary pressures directly impact the severity and mortality of acute cholangitis.[8] Interruption of normal flow of bile into the duodenum can lead to a cascade of changes to the host immune defense mechanisms of chemotaxis and phagocytosis.[7] The resultant lack of bile and secretory immunoglobulin A from the gastrointestinal tract lead to changes of the normal bacterial flora, disrupted mucosal integrity, and diminished inactivation of endotoxins resulting in sepsis.

Imaging Features of Acute Cholangitis

Diagnostic cross-sectional imaging of the liver and biliary tree is necessary for evaluation of the patient with clinical features of cholangitis.[9] [10] [11] Ultrasound (US) is a valuable diagnostic tool for the evaluation of the liver and bile ducts and is associated with high sensitivities and specificities for evaluation of biliary obstruction.[10] Although it is widely available, noninvasive, and cost-effective, it has limited evaluation of the distal common bile duct, a common site for stones. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offer improved anatomic resolution and assessment of extrahepatic structures than US and therefore are more frequently utilized to assess biliary obstruction and its potential causes ([Fig. 1]).[12] [13] [14] [15] [16] Biliary obstruction can be diffuse or only involve segmental or centrally located ducts and is frequently associated with enhancement of the bile duct wall.[9] CT offers the ability to assess the extent of obstruction and parenchymal changes that may be associated with cholangitis.[17] Arai et al compared hepatic parenchymal patterns on dynamic CT of patients with cholangitis to those without and found that inhomogeneous enhancement was significantly higher in patients with cholangitis and that this finding resolved following treatment.[11]

Zoom Image
Fig. 1 (a) Axial unenhanced CT scan of the liver in a patient who is s/p liver transplant with fever and sepsis. White arrows point to intrahepatic biliary ductal dilatation. (b) Axial unenhanced CT scan of the liver in a patient who is status post liver transplant with fever and sepsis taken 12 hours after scan obtained in (a). White arrows indicated new pneumobilia within dilated intrahepatic bile ducts, consistent with ascending cholangitis. CT, computed tomography.

#
#

Parasitic Infections

Parasitic infections have a spectrum of clinical manifestations depending on their underlying etiology. When combined with bacterial infections, there is much overlap with bacterial cholangitis. Eosinophilia is a common clinical manifestation of parasitic infections and can be helpful in the diagnostic evaluation of suspected biliary inflammation.

Fascioliasis

Fasciola hepatica is the causative parasite responsible for fascioliasis. Fasciola hepatica is a liver fluke that is commonly encountered in underdeveloped countries. The pathway to human infection is somewhat circuitous that results from accidental ingestion of vegetables or water sources that are infected with metacercariae. Once ingested, the metacercariae penetrate the upper gastrointestinal tract and eventually migrate into the peritoneal cavity. From the peritoneal cavity, they penetrate the liver capsule and infect the liver where they can remain for extended periods of time. CT imaging during the hepatic phase shows irregular areas of hypoattenuation, often in the periphery of the liver ([Fig. 2]). Eventually, the flukes enter the biliary tree where they cause inflammation, ductal thickening, and localized obstruction.[18]

Zoom Image
Fig. 2 Contrast material-enhanced axial CT scan of the liver that demonstrates segmental biliary duct dilatation (white arrows) in the periphery of the liver. CT, computed tomography.

#
#

Echinococcal Infections

Echinococcosis results from Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus infestation. Both parasites are cestodes in which foxes and dogs act as definitive hosts. Human infection arises from ingestion of vegetables contaminated with parasitic eggs. After ingestion, embryos release eggs into the intestine, which then penetrate the bowel wall and are delivered to the liver via the portal venous system where they encyst within the hepatic parenchyma.[19] Imaging findings of E. granulosus hepatic infections depend on the different growth stages of the hepatic cyst. Early infections are characterized by a simple cyst on CT or MRI.[20] [21] The development of daughter cysts within the primary cyst gives a characteristic spoke wheel pattern ([Fig. 3]). Without therapy, the echinococcal cysts can enlarge and extend into the biliary tree leading to filling defects and obstruction.[22] [23] [24] [25]

Zoom Image
Fig. 3 (a) Coronal contrast material-enhanced CT scan of the liver demonstrates multiple daughter cysts (black asterisks) within the primary Echinococcus liver cyst (white asterisk). (b) Coronal T2WI of the liver demonstrates multiple daughter cysts (black asterisks) within the primary Echinococcus liver cyst (white asterisk). CT, computed tomography; T2WI, T2-weighted imaging.

Imaging features of E. multilocularis differ from E. granulosis. Echinococcus multilocularis hepatic infection manifests as a multilocular cystic structure that induces intense fibrosis and that can extend out of the liver into surrounding structures, including the biliary tree and hepatic vessels.[20] [21] [26]

Schistosomiasis

The trematodes Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum are venoinvasive parasites that infect humans through contact with contaminated water. The parasites are capable of cutaneous penetration after which they migrate to pulmonary parenchyma and eventually invade branches of the portal venous system via branches of the superior and inferior mesenteric veins.[27] Although in the portal veins, the eggs grow to sexual maturity where male and female worms mate before migrating to the bowel wall. Some eventually infect the liver via the portal vein and once deposited within the liver, the eggs activate an immunologic response that stimulate granulomatous response and eosinophilia that ultimately leads to liver fibrosis.[28] [29] [30] Periportal fibrosis can lead to changes of the biliary tree that manifests as obstruction (rarely) or pruning of distal biliary branches and bile cut proliferation.[30] [31]


#
#

Ascariasis

Ascariasis is a parasitic infection that is caused by the helminth Ascariasis lumbricoides, which is a type of roundworm that afflicts approximately 1 billion people worldwide.[32] Humans become infected when they ingest water or vegetables contaminated by eggs. The ingested eggs subsequently hatch in the small intestine. Ascariasis lumbricoides larvae penetrate the bowel wall and are carried into the liver (and lungs) through the portal vein where they can eventually invade the biliary tree, especially the common bile duct.[33] [34] [35] [36] [37] Stone formation can occur due to dead parasites within the biliary tree and hepatic abscesses can develop.[35] [38] [39]

Clinically, abdominal symptoms include abdominal distention, biliary colic, nausea, and anorexia. US imaging is considered the first-line imaging modality when the clinical suspicion is high. Typical sonographic features include linear echogenic structures within the common bile duct or gallbladder.[40] [41] [42] Posterior acoustic shadowing is not a typical sonographic feature. Although endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is the diagnostic gold standard, cross-sectional imaging with CT or MRI/magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is useful adjuncts to US. CT shows hyperattenuating linear structures within the common bile duct or gallbladder.[37] MRCP findings include low signal intensity on T2-weighted imaging.[43] [44] [45]


#

Biliary Infections in the Immunocompromised

Immunocompromised patients are at risk of hepatobiliary tract infections.[46] [47] The human immunodeficiency virus can involve the hepatobiliary tree, especially in individuals with severe immunosuppression (CD4 counts < 100/mm3).[48] [49] A wide variety of causative organisms have been associated with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related cholangiopathy, including Cryptosporidium, Cryptococcus, cytomegalovirus (CMV), Mycobacterium, and histoplasmosis.[49] [50] [51] [52] [53] Clinically, AIDS-related cholangiopathy presents as RUQ pain, usually in the setting of serologic manifestations of liver function abnormalities. Imaging features of AIDS-related cholangiopathy resembles findings of sclerosing cholangitis.[54] Cholangiographic abnormalities often demonstrate a beaded appearance of the bile ducts with segmental strictures.[55] MRCP shows characteristic ductal abnormalities such as papillary stenosis, intraductal strictures, and extrahepatic long-segmental strictures or a calculous cholecystitis.[56] [57] [58] [59] [60] [61]

Patients who have undergone liver transplant represent another group at risk of biliary infections. Cholestatic liver disease is the most commonly encountered problem following orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) and can result from several causes. Viral infection, rejection, or ischemic injury to the bile ducts have been reported in OLT patients.[62] [63] [64] [65] Percutaneous biopsy is often necessary to elucidate the etiology of cholestasis, especially when ischemic, rejection, or drug effects are suspected.[66] However, there can be significant overlap with obstructive and nonobstructive causes of cholestatic liver injury OLT patients such that an accurate diagnosis often requires cross-sectional imaging. MRCP and transhepatic cholangiography are more sensitive than US for the assessment of biliary stasis in OLT patients.[67] [68] Liver transplant recipients are also prove to opportunistic viral infections, of which CMV is most common.[69] CMV-infected immunocompetent individuals are usually asymptomatic. In the immunosuppressed liver transplant recipient, however, CMV infection can present with severe clinical symptoms including fever, mononucleosis, gastritis, colitis, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Liver involvement of CMV includes hepatitis with a cholestatic presentation based on liver function abnormalities.[70] Biopsy is often necessary to excluded tissue rejection. In addition, biologic markers of CMV pp65 or CMV DNA by polymerase chain reaction are detectable at very early stages of infection.[70] [71] To combat the effects of CMV infection, aggressive antiviral prophylaxis with valganciclovir or ganciclovir for up to 3 months following liver transplant is often employed. This approach, however, may result in delayed onset CMV disease once antivirals are discontinued.[72] Another approach is to carefully monitor serologic CMV viral loads or pp65 antigenemia for signs of infection and initiate antiviral therapy once infection is detected. This strategy allows very short-term low level of CMV infection, which may act to prime the hosts' immune system to develop CMV immunity. Fortunately, ganciclovir is a highly effective antiviral for CMV infections and most liver transplant recipients show good treatment response after initiation of therapy.


#

Conclusion

Infections of the biliary tree comprise a wide range of etiologies and clinical manifestations. The role of diagnostic imaging is critical to help identify its causes, to determine the extent of disease, and to assess for infection-related complications.


#
#
  • References

  • 1 Kimura Y, Takada T, Kawarada Y , et al. Definitions, pathophysiology, and epidemiology of acute cholangitis and cholecystitis: Tokyo guidelines. J Hepatobiliary Pancreat Surg 2007; 14 (1) 15-26
  • 2 Lee CC, Chang IJ, Lai YC, Chen SY, Chen SC. Epidemiology and prognostic determinants of patients with bacteremic cholecystitis or cholangitis. Am J Gastroenterol 2007; 102 (3) 563-569
  • 3 Sung JY, Costerton JW, Shaffer EA. Defense system in the biliary tract against bacterial infection. Dig Dis Sci 1992; 37 (5) 689-696
  • 4 Carpenter HA. Bacterial and parasitic cholangitis. Mayo Clin Proc 1998; 73 (5) 473-478
  • 5 Hanau LH, Steigbigel NH. Acute (ascending) cholangitis. Infect Dis Clin North Am 2000; 14 (3) 521-546
  • 6 Tabata M, Nakayama F. Bacteriology of hepatolithiasis. Prog Clin Biol Res 1984; 152: 163-174
  • 7 Navaneethan U, Jayanthi V, Mohan P. Pathogenesis of cholangitis in obstructive jaundice-revisited. Minerva Gastroenterol Dietol 2011; 57 (1) 97-104
  • 8 Csendes A, Hurdiles P, Diaz JC, Maluenda F, Ferrario M, Compan A. Bacteriological studies of liver parenchyma in controls and in patients with gallstones or common bile duct stones with or without acute cholangitis. Hepatogastroenterology 1995; 42 (6) 821-826
  • 9 Bader TR, Braga L, Beavers KL, Semelka RC. MR imaging findings of infectious cholangitis. Magn Reson Imaging 2001; 19 (6) 781-788
  • 10 Karki S, Joshi KS, Regmi S, Gurung RB, Malla B. Role of ultrasound as compared with ERCP in patient with obstructive jaundice. Kathmandu Univ Med J (KUMJ) 2013; 11 (43) 237-240
  • 11 Arai K, Kawai K, Kohda W, Tatsu H, Matsui O, Nakahama T. Dynamic CT of acute cholangitis: early inhomogeneous enhancement of the liver. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2003; 181 (1) 115-118
  • 12 Lardière-Deguelte S, Ragot E, Amroun K , et al. Hepatic abscess: diagnosis and management. J Visc Surg 2015; 152 (4) 231-243
  • 13 Patel NB, Oto A, Thomas S. Multidetector CT of emergent biliary pathologic conditions. Radiographics 2013; 33 (7) 1867-1888
  • 14 Kondo S, Isayama H, Akahane M , et al. Detection of common bile duct stones: comparison between endoscopic ultrasonography, magnetic resonance cholangiography, and helical-computed-tomographic cholangiography. Eur J Radiol 2005; 54 (2) 271-275
  • 15 Håkansson K, Ekberg O, Håkansson HO, Leander P. MR characteristics of acute cholangitis. Acta Radiol 2002; 43 (2) 175-179
  • 16 Katabathina VS, Dasyam AK, Dasyam N, Hosseinzadeh K. Adult bile duct strictures: role of MR imaging and MR cholangiopancreatography in characterization. Radiographics 2014; 34 (3) 565-586
  • 17 Baron RL, Tublin ME, Peterson MS. Imaging the spectrum of biliary tract disease. Radiol Clin North Am 2002; 40 (6) 1325-1354
  • 18 Aksoy DY, Kerimoğlu U, Oto A , et al. Fasciola hepatica infection: clinical and computerized tomographic findings of ten patients. Turk J Gastroenterol 2006; 17 (1) 40-45
  • 19 Czermak BV, Akhan O, Hiemetzberger R , et al. Echinococcosis of the liver. Abdom Imaging 2008; 33 (2) 133-143
  • 20 Marrone G, Crino' F, Caruso S , et al. Multidisciplinary imaging of liver hydatidosis. World J Gastroenterol 2012; 18 (13) 1438-1447
  • 21 Kodama Y, Fujita N, Shimizu T , et al. Alveolar echinococcosis: MR findings in the liver. Radiology 2003; 228 (1) 172-177
  • 22 McManus DP, Zhang W, Li J, Bartley PB. Echinococcosis. Lancet 2003; 362 (9392): 1295-1304
  • 23 Stamm B, Fejgl M, Hueber C. Satellite cysts and biliary fistulas in hydatid liver disease. A retrospective study of 17 liver resections. Hum Pathol 2008; 39 (2) 231-235
  • 24 Yücesoy AN, Poçan S. Secondary gallbladder hydatidosis and nonfragmanted germinative membrane sourced obstructive jaundice caused by intrabiliary ruptured hepatic hydatid cyst (a case report): two rare complication of the intrabiliary ruptured hepatic hydatid cyst. Hepatobiliary Surg Nutr 2014; 3 (4) 209-211
  • 25 Arifuddin R, Baichi M, Ullah A, Maliakkal B. Cystic Echinococcus--a rare presentation of acute biliary obstruction and pancreatitis. J Clin Gastroenterol 2006; 40 (8) 763-764
  • 26 Graeter T, Ehing F, Oeztuerk S , et al. Hepatobiliary complications of alveolar echinococcosis: A long-term follow-up study. World J Gastroenterol 2015; 21 (16) 4925-4932
  • 27 Manzella A, Ohtomo K, Monzawa S, Lim JH. Schistosomiasis of the liver. Abdom Imaging 2008; 33 (2) 144-150
  • 28 Shaker Y, Samy N, Ashour E. Hepatobiliary schistosomiasis. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2014; 2 (3) 212-216
  • 29 Pereira TA, Syn WK, Machado MV , et al. Schistosome-induced cholangiocyte proliferation and osteopontin secretion correlate with fibrosis and portal hypertension in human and murine schistosomiasis mansoni. Clin Sci (Lond) 2015; 129 (10) 875-883
  • 30 Brant PE, Kopke-Aguiar L, Shigueoka DC , et al. Anicteric cholangiopathy in schistosomiasis patients. Acta Trop 2008; 108 (2-3): 218-221
  • 31 Oliveira L, Andrade ZA. Significance of bile-duct changes in schistosomiasis. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2005; 38 (6) 464-468
  • 32 Bethony J, Brooker S, Albonico M , et al. Soil-transmitted helminth infections: ascariasis, trichuriasis, and hookworm. Lancet 2006; 367 (9521): 1521-1532
  • 33 Chakrabarti I, Giri A, De A, Roy AC. Radio-pathological diagnosis of hepatobiliary ascariasis: a rare entity. J Cytol 2011; 28 (3) 114-116
  • 34 Das CJ, Kumar J, Debnath J, Chaudhry A. Imaging of ascariasis. Australas Radiol 2007; 51 (6) 500-506
  • 35 Akata D, Ozmen MN, Kaya A, Akhan O. Radiological findings of intraparenchymal liver Ascaris (hepatobiliary ascariasis). Eur Radiol 1999; 9 (1) 93-95
  • 36 Hwang CM, Kim TK, Ha HK, Kim PN, Lee MG. Biliary ascariasis: MR cholangiography findings in two cases. Korean J Radiol 2001; 2 (3) 175-178
  • 37 Ng KK, Wong HF, Kong MS, Chiu LC, Tan CF, Wan YL. Biliary ascariasis: CT, MR cholangiopancreatography, and navigator endoscopic appearance--report of a case of acute biliary obstruction. Abdom Imaging 1999; 24 (5) 470-472
  • 38 Paganelli M, Taglietti L, Di Flumeri G, Giovanetti M. Rare cause of biliary obstruction by ascariasis associated with choledocholithiasis. Chir Ital 2008; 60 (5) 733-738
  • 39 Slesak G, Phanthavong P, Rasphone O , et al. Obstructive biliary ascariasis with cholangitis and hepatic abscesses in Laos: a case report with gall bladder ultrasound video. J Infect 2007; 54 (4) e233 –e235
  • 40 Koumanidou C, Manoli E, Anagnostara A, Polyviou P, Vakaki M. Sonographic features of intestinal and biliary ascariasis in childhood: case report and review of the literature. Ann Trop Paediatr 2004; 24 (4) 329-335
  • 41 Sharma M. Echogenic shadow in the common bile duct. Diagnosis: biliary ascariasis. Gastroenterology 2011; 141 (1) e14 –e15
  • 42 Al Absi M, Qais AM, Al Katta M, Gafour M, Al-Wadan AH. Biliary ascariasis: the value of ultrasound in the diagnosis and management. Ann Saudi Med 2007; 27 (3) 161-165
  • 43 Adaletli I, Selçuk D, Gülşen M, Savaş C, Korman U. MRCP findings of biliary ascariasis before and after medical treatment. Turk J Gastroenterol 2005; 16 (2) 98-101
  • 44 Fitoz S, Atasoy C. MR cholangiography in massive hepatobiliary ascariasis. A case report. Acta Radiol 2000; 41 (3) 273-274
  • 45 Lynser D, Marbaniang E. Hepatobiliary and pancreatic ascariasis-sonographic pictorial essay on four pediatric cases with acute biliary colic. Emerg Radiol 2016; 23 (2) 197-200
  • 46 Seaman DL, Chahal P, Sanderson SO, Baron TH, Topazian MD. Biliary cryptosporidiosis in a patient without HIV infection: endosonographic, cholangiographic, and histologic features (with video). Gastrointest Endosc 2009; 70 (3) 590-592
  • 47 Lefkowitch JH. Pathology of AIDS-related liver disease. Dig Dis 1994; 12 (6) 321-330
  • 48 Ducreux M, Buffet C, Lamy P , et al. Diagnosis and prognosis of AIDS-related cholangitis. AIDS 1995; 9 (8) 875-880
  • 49 Forbes A, Blanshard C, Gazzard B. Natural history of AIDS related sclerosing cholangitis: a study of 20 cases. Gut 1993; 34 (1) 116-121
  • 50 Grumbach K, Coleman BG, Gal AA , et al. Hepatic and biliary tract abnormalities in patients with AIDS. Sonographic-pathologic correlation. J Ultrasound Med 1989; 8 (5) 247-254
  • 51 Hashmey R, Smith NH, Cron S, Graviss EA, Chappell CL, White Jr AC. Cryptosporidiosis in Houston, Texas. A report of 95 cases. Medicine (Baltimore) 1997; 76 (2) 118-139
  • 52 Tyagi I, Puri AS, Sakhuja P, Majumdar K, Lunia M, Gondal R. Co-occurrence of cytomegalovirus-induced vanishing bile duct syndrome with papillary stenosis in HIV infection. Hepatol Res 2013; 43 (3) 311-314
  • 53 Kapelusznik L, Arumugam V, Caplivski D, Bottone EJ. Disseminated histoplasmosis presenting as AIDS cholangiopathy. Mycoses 2011; 54 (3) 262-264
  • 54 Devarbhavi H, Sebastian T, Seetharamu SM, Karanth D. HIV/AIDS cholangiopathy: clinical spectrum, cholangiographic features and outcome in 30 patients. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2010; 25 (10) 1656-1660
  • 55 Yusuf TE, Baron TH. AIDS cholangiopathy. Curr Treat Options Gastroenterol 2004; 7 (2) 111-117
  • 56 Tonolini M, Bianco R. HIV-related/AIDS cholangiopathy: pictorial review with emphasis on MRCP findings and differential diagnosis. Clin Imaging 2013; 37 (2) 219-226
  • 57 Bilgin M, Balci NC, Erdogan A, Momtahen AJ, Alkaade S, Rau WS. Hepatobiliary and pancreatic MRI and MRCP findings in patients with HIV infection. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2008; 191 (1) 228-232
  • 58 Takahashi H, Falk GA, Cruise M, Morris-Stiff G. Chronic cholecystitis with Cystoisospora belli in an immunocompetent patient. BMJ Case Rep 2015; 2015: bcr2015209966
  • 59 Megremis S, Segkos N, Daskalaki M , et al. Gallbladder cryptosporidiosis in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: sonographic evaluation of the disease's course. J Ultrasound Med 2004; 23 (1) 137-140
  • 60 Zar FA, El-Bayoumi E, Yungbluth MM. Histologic proof of acalculous cholecystitis due to Cyclospora cayetanensis . Clin Infect Dis 2001; 33 (12) E140 –E141
  • 61 Nash JA, Cohen SA. Gallbladder and biliary tract disease in AIDS. Gastroenterol Clin North Am 1997; 26 (2) 323-335
  • 62 Nemes B, Gámán G, Doros A. Biliary complications after liver transplantation. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2015; 9 (4) 447-466
  • 63 Karimian N, Westerkamp AC, Porte RJ. Biliary complications after orthotopic liver transplantation. Curr Opin Organ Transplant 2014; 19 (3) 209-216
  • 64 Luo Y, Ji WB, Duan WD, Ye S, Dong JH. Graft cholangiopathy: etiology, diagnosis, and therapeutic strategies. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2014; 13 (1) 10-17
  • 65 Wojcicki M, Milkiewicz P, Silva M. Biliary tract complications after liver transplantation: a review. Dig Surg 2008; 25 (4) 245-257
  • 66 Stine JG, Chalasani N. Chronic liver injury induced by drugs: a systematic review. Liver Int 2015; 35 (11) 2343-2353
  • 67 den Dulk AC, Wasser MN, Willemssen FE , et al. Value of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in assessment of nonanastomotic biliary strictures after liver transplantation. Transplant Direct 2015; 1 (10) e42
  • 68 Civelli EM, Meroni R, Cozzi G , et al. The role of interventional radiology in biliary complications after orthotopic liver transplantation: a single-center experience. Eur Radiol 2004; 14 (4) 579-582
  • 69 Romero FA, Razonable RR. Infections in liver transplant recipients. World J Hepatol 2011; 3 (4) 83-92
  • 70 Koffron A, Stein JA. Liver transplantation: indications, pretransplant evaluation, surgery, and posttransplant complications. Med Clin North Am 2008; 92 (4) 861-888 , ix
  • 71 Linden PK. Approach to the immunocompromised host with infection in the intensive care unit. Infect Dis Clin North Am 2009; 23 (3) 535-556
  • 72 Kim JM, Kim SJ, Joh JW , et al. Early and delayed onset cytomegalovirus infection of liver transplant recipients in endemic areas. Transplant Proc 2010; 42 (3) 884-889

Address for correspondence

Onofrio Catalano, MD
Division of Abdominal Imaging
Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, White 270, Boston
MA 02114   

  • References

  • 1 Kimura Y, Takada T, Kawarada Y , et al. Definitions, pathophysiology, and epidemiology of acute cholangitis and cholecystitis: Tokyo guidelines. J Hepatobiliary Pancreat Surg 2007; 14 (1) 15-26
  • 2 Lee CC, Chang IJ, Lai YC, Chen SY, Chen SC. Epidemiology and prognostic determinants of patients with bacteremic cholecystitis or cholangitis. Am J Gastroenterol 2007; 102 (3) 563-569
  • 3 Sung JY, Costerton JW, Shaffer EA. Defense system in the biliary tract against bacterial infection. Dig Dis Sci 1992; 37 (5) 689-696
  • 4 Carpenter HA. Bacterial and parasitic cholangitis. Mayo Clin Proc 1998; 73 (5) 473-478
  • 5 Hanau LH, Steigbigel NH. Acute (ascending) cholangitis. Infect Dis Clin North Am 2000; 14 (3) 521-546
  • 6 Tabata M, Nakayama F. Bacteriology of hepatolithiasis. Prog Clin Biol Res 1984; 152: 163-174
  • 7 Navaneethan U, Jayanthi V, Mohan P. Pathogenesis of cholangitis in obstructive jaundice-revisited. Minerva Gastroenterol Dietol 2011; 57 (1) 97-104
  • 8 Csendes A, Hurdiles P, Diaz JC, Maluenda F, Ferrario M, Compan A. Bacteriological studies of liver parenchyma in controls and in patients with gallstones or common bile duct stones with or without acute cholangitis. Hepatogastroenterology 1995; 42 (6) 821-826
  • 9 Bader TR, Braga L, Beavers KL, Semelka RC. MR imaging findings of infectious cholangitis. Magn Reson Imaging 2001; 19 (6) 781-788
  • 10 Karki S, Joshi KS, Regmi S, Gurung RB, Malla B. Role of ultrasound as compared with ERCP in patient with obstructive jaundice. Kathmandu Univ Med J (KUMJ) 2013; 11 (43) 237-240
  • 11 Arai K, Kawai K, Kohda W, Tatsu H, Matsui O, Nakahama T. Dynamic CT of acute cholangitis: early inhomogeneous enhancement of the liver. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2003; 181 (1) 115-118
  • 12 Lardière-Deguelte S, Ragot E, Amroun K , et al. Hepatic abscess: diagnosis and management. J Visc Surg 2015; 152 (4) 231-243
  • 13 Patel NB, Oto A, Thomas S. Multidetector CT of emergent biliary pathologic conditions. Radiographics 2013; 33 (7) 1867-1888
  • 14 Kondo S, Isayama H, Akahane M , et al. Detection of common bile duct stones: comparison between endoscopic ultrasonography, magnetic resonance cholangiography, and helical-computed-tomographic cholangiography. Eur J Radiol 2005; 54 (2) 271-275
  • 15 Håkansson K, Ekberg O, Håkansson HO, Leander P. MR characteristics of acute cholangitis. Acta Radiol 2002; 43 (2) 175-179
  • 16 Katabathina VS, Dasyam AK, Dasyam N, Hosseinzadeh K. Adult bile duct strictures: role of MR imaging and MR cholangiopancreatography in characterization. Radiographics 2014; 34 (3) 565-586
  • 17 Baron RL, Tublin ME, Peterson MS. Imaging the spectrum of biliary tract disease. Radiol Clin North Am 2002; 40 (6) 1325-1354
  • 18 Aksoy DY, Kerimoğlu U, Oto A , et al. Fasciola hepatica infection: clinical and computerized tomographic findings of ten patients. Turk J Gastroenterol 2006; 17 (1) 40-45
  • 19 Czermak BV, Akhan O, Hiemetzberger R , et al. Echinococcosis of the liver. Abdom Imaging 2008; 33 (2) 133-143
  • 20 Marrone G, Crino' F, Caruso S , et al. Multidisciplinary imaging of liver hydatidosis. World J Gastroenterol 2012; 18 (13) 1438-1447
  • 21 Kodama Y, Fujita N, Shimizu T , et al. Alveolar echinococcosis: MR findings in the liver. Radiology 2003; 228 (1) 172-177
  • 22 McManus DP, Zhang W, Li J, Bartley PB. Echinococcosis. Lancet 2003; 362 (9392): 1295-1304
  • 23 Stamm B, Fejgl M, Hueber C. Satellite cysts and biliary fistulas in hydatid liver disease. A retrospective study of 17 liver resections. Hum Pathol 2008; 39 (2) 231-235
  • 24 Yücesoy AN, Poçan S. Secondary gallbladder hydatidosis and nonfragmanted germinative membrane sourced obstructive jaundice caused by intrabiliary ruptured hepatic hydatid cyst (a case report): two rare complication of the intrabiliary ruptured hepatic hydatid cyst. Hepatobiliary Surg Nutr 2014; 3 (4) 209-211
  • 25 Arifuddin R, Baichi M, Ullah A, Maliakkal B. Cystic Echinococcus--a rare presentation of acute biliary obstruction and pancreatitis. J Clin Gastroenterol 2006; 40 (8) 763-764
  • 26 Graeter T, Ehing F, Oeztuerk S , et al. Hepatobiliary complications of alveolar echinococcosis: A long-term follow-up study. World J Gastroenterol 2015; 21 (16) 4925-4932
  • 27 Manzella A, Ohtomo K, Monzawa S, Lim JH. Schistosomiasis of the liver. Abdom Imaging 2008; 33 (2) 144-150
  • 28 Shaker Y, Samy N, Ashour E. Hepatobiliary schistosomiasis. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2014; 2 (3) 212-216
  • 29 Pereira TA, Syn WK, Machado MV , et al. Schistosome-induced cholangiocyte proliferation and osteopontin secretion correlate with fibrosis and portal hypertension in human and murine schistosomiasis mansoni. Clin Sci (Lond) 2015; 129 (10) 875-883
  • 30 Brant PE, Kopke-Aguiar L, Shigueoka DC , et al. Anicteric cholangiopathy in schistosomiasis patients. Acta Trop 2008; 108 (2-3): 218-221
  • 31 Oliveira L, Andrade ZA. Significance of bile-duct changes in schistosomiasis. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop 2005; 38 (6) 464-468
  • 32 Bethony J, Brooker S, Albonico M , et al. Soil-transmitted helminth infections: ascariasis, trichuriasis, and hookworm. Lancet 2006; 367 (9521): 1521-1532
  • 33 Chakrabarti I, Giri A, De A, Roy AC. Radio-pathological diagnosis of hepatobiliary ascariasis: a rare entity. J Cytol 2011; 28 (3) 114-116
  • 34 Das CJ, Kumar J, Debnath J, Chaudhry A. Imaging of ascariasis. Australas Radiol 2007; 51 (6) 500-506
  • 35 Akata D, Ozmen MN, Kaya A, Akhan O. Radiological findings of intraparenchymal liver Ascaris (hepatobiliary ascariasis). Eur Radiol 1999; 9 (1) 93-95
  • 36 Hwang CM, Kim TK, Ha HK, Kim PN, Lee MG. Biliary ascariasis: MR cholangiography findings in two cases. Korean J Radiol 2001; 2 (3) 175-178
  • 37 Ng KK, Wong HF, Kong MS, Chiu LC, Tan CF, Wan YL. Biliary ascariasis: CT, MR cholangiopancreatography, and navigator endoscopic appearance--report of a case of acute biliary obstruction. Abdom Imaging 1999; 24 (5) 470-472
  • 38 Paganelli M, Taglietti L, Di Flumeri G, Giovanetti M. Rare cause of biliary obstruction by ascariasis associated with choledocholithiasis. Chir Ital 2008; 60 (5) 733-738
  • 39 Slesak G, Phanthavong P, Rasphone O , et al. Obstructive biliary ascariasis with cholangitis and hepatic abscesses in Laos: a case report with gall bladder ultrasound video. J Infect 2007; 54 (4) e233 –e235
  • 40 Koumanidou C, Manoli E, Anagnostara A, Polyviou P, Vakaki M. Sonographic features of intestinal and biliary ascariasis in childhood: case report and review of the literature. Ann Trop Paediatr 2004; 24 (4) 329-335
  • 41 Sharma M. Echogenic shadow in the common bile duct. Diagnosis: biliary ascariasis. Gastroenterology 2011; 141 (1) e14 –e15
  • 42 Al Absi M, Qais AM, Al Katta M, Gafour M, Al-Wadan AH. Biliary ascariasis: the value of ultrasound in the diagnosis and management. Ann Saudi Med 2007; 27 (3) 161-165
  • 43 Adaletli I, Selçuk D, Gülşen M, Savaş C, Korman U. MRCP findings of biliary ascariasis before and after medical treatment. Turk J Gastroenterol 2005; 16 (2) 98-101
  • 44 Fitoz S, Atasoy C. MR cholangiography in massive hepatobiliary ascariasis. A case report. Acta Radiol 2000; 41 (3) 273-274
  • 45 Lynser D, Marbaniang E. Hepatobiliary and pancreatic ascariasis-sonographic pictorial essay on four pediatric cases with acute biliary colic. Emerg Radiol 2016; 23 (2) 197-200
  • 46 Seaman DL, Chahal P, Sanderson SO, Baron TH, Topazian MD. Biliary cryptosporidiosis in a patient without HIV infection: endosonographic, cholangiographic, and histologic features (with video). Gastrointest Endosc 2009; 70 (3) 590-592
  • 47 Lefkowitch JH. Pathology of AIDS-related liver disease. Dig Dis 1994; 12 (6) 321-330
  • 48 Ducreux M, Buffet C, Lamy P , et al. Diagnosis and prognosis of AIDS-related cholangitis. AIDS 1995; 9 (8) 875-880
  • 49 Forbes A, Blanshard C, Gazzard B. Natural history of AIDS related sclerosing cholangitis: a study of 20 cases. Gut 1993; 34 (1) 116-121
  • 50 Grumbach K, Coleman BG, Gal AA , et al. Hepatic and biliary tract abnormalities in patients with AIDS. Sonographic-pathologic correlation. J Ultrasound Med 1989; 8 (5) 247-254
  • 51 Hashmey R, Smith NH, Cron S, Graviss EA, Chappell CL, White Jr AC. Cryptosporidiosis in Houston, Texas. A report of 95 cases. Medicine (Baltimore) 1997; 76 (2) 118-139
  • 52 Tyagi I, Puri AS, Sakhuja P, Majumdar K, Lunia M, Gondal R. Co-occurrence of cytomegalovirus-induced vanishing bile duct syndrome with papillary stenosis in HIV infection. Hepatol Res 2013; 43 (3) 311-314
  • 53 Kapelusznik L, Arumugam V, Caplivski D, Bottone EJ. Disseminated histoplasmosis presenting as AIDS cholangiopathy. Mycoses 2011; 54 (3) 262-264
  • 54 Devarbhavi H, Sebastian T, Seetharamu SM, Karanth D. HIV/AIDS cholangiopathy: clinical spectrum, cholangiographic features and outcome in 30 patients. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2010; 25 (10) 1656-1660
  • 55 Yusuf TE, Baron TH. AIDS cholangiopathy. Curr Treat Options Gastroenterol 2004; 7 (2) 111-117
  • 56 Tonolini M, Bianco R. HIV-related/AIDS cholangiopathy: pictorial review with emphasis on MRCP findings and differential diagnosis. Clin Imaging 2013; 37 (2) 219-226
  • 57 Bilgin M, Balci NC, Erdogan A, Momtahen AJ, Alkaade S, Rau WS. Hepatobiliary and pancreatic MRI and MRCP findings in patients with HIV infection. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2008; 191 (1) 228-232
  • 58 Takahashi H, Falk GA, Cruise M, Morris-Stiff G. Chronic cholecystitis with Cystoisospora belli in an immunocompetent patient. BMJ Case Rep 2015; 2015: bcr2015209966
  • 59 Megremis S, Segkos N, Daskalaki M , et al. Gallbladder cryptosporidiosis in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: sonographic evaluation of the disease's course. J Ultrasound Med 2004; 23 (1) 137-140
  • 60 Zar FA, El-Bayoumi E, Yungbluth MM. Histologic proof of acalculous cholecystitis due to Cyclospora cayetanensis . Clin Infect Dis 2001; 33 (12) E140 –E141
  • 61 Nash JA, Cohen SA. Gallbladder and biliary tract disease in AIDS. Gastroenterol Clin North Am 1997; 26 (2) 323-335
  • 62 Nemes B, Gámán G, Doros A. Biliary complications after liver transplantation. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2015; 9 (4) 447-466
  • 63 Karimian N, Westerkamp AC, Porte RJ. Biliary complications after orthotopic liver transplantation. Curr Opin Organ Transplant 2014; 19 (3) 209-216
  • 64 Luo Y, Ji WB, Duan WD, Ye S, Dong JH. Graft cholangiopathy: etiology, diagnosis, and therapeutic strategies. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2014; 13 (1) 10-17
  • 65 Wojcicki M, Milkiewicz P, Silva M. Biliary tract complications after liver transplantation: a review. Dig Surg 2008; 25 (4) 245-257
  • 66 Stine JG, Chalasani N. Chronic liver injury induced by drugs: a systematic review. Liver Int 2015; 35 (11) 2343-2353
  • 67 den Dulk AC, Wasser MN, Willemssen FE , et al. Value of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in assessment of nonanastomotic biliary strictures after liver transplantation. Transplant Direct 2015; 1 (10) e42
  • 68 Civelli EM, Meroni R, Cozzi G , et al. The role of interventional radiology in biliary complications after orthotopic liver transplantation: a single-center experience. Eur Radiol 2004; 14 (4) 579-582
  • 69 Romero FA, Razonable RR. Infections in liver transplant recipients. World J Hepatol 2011; 3 (4) 83-92
  • 70 Koffron A, Stein JA. Liver transplantation: indications, pretransplant evaluation, surgery, and posttransplant complications. Med Clin North Am 2008; 92 (4) 861-888 , ix
  • 71 Linden PK. Approach to the immunocompromised host with infection in the intensive care unit. Infect Dis Clin North Am 2009; 23 (3) 535-556
  • 72 Kim JM, Kim SJ, Joh JW , et al. Early and delayed onset cytomegalovirus infection of liver transplant recipients in endemic areas. Transplant Proc 2010; 42 (3) 884-889

Zoom Image
Fig. 1 (a) Axial unenhanced CT scan of the liver in a patient who is s/p liver transplant with fever and sepsis. White arrows point to intrahepatic biliary ductal dilatation. (b) Axial unenhanced CT scan of the liver in a patient who is status post liver transplant with fever and sepsis taken 12 hours after scan obtained in (a). White arrows indicated new pneumobilia within dilated intrahepatic bile ducts, consistent with ascending cholangitis. CT, computed tomography.
Zoom Image
Fig. 2 Contrast material-enhanced axial CT scan of the liver that demonstrates segmental biliary duct dilatation (white arrows) in the periphery of the liver. CT, computed tomography.
Zoom Image
Fig. 3 (a) Coronal contrast material-enhanced CT scan of the liver demonstrates multiple daughter cysts (black asterisks) within the primary Echinococcus liver cyst (white asterisk). (b) Coronal T2WI of the liver demonstrates multiple daughter cysts (black asterisks) within the primary Echinococcus liver cyst (white asterisk). CT, computed tomography; T2WI, T2-weighted imaging.