Biliary necrosis

Last revised by Benjamin Fortson on 8 Mar 2023

Biliary necrosis refers to the death of the intrahepatic bile ducts epithelium commonly seen as a complication of hepatic artery thrombosis. 

Different from the liver parenchyma that has dual supply, portal vein, and hepatic artery, the intrahepatic biliary ducts are exclusively supplied by the peribiliary plexus, which branches from the hepatic artery 1-2. The extra-hepatic ducts have multiple extra-hepatic blood supplies making them less vulnerable to developing necrosis 2.

Therefore, any cause leading to occlusion of the hepatic artery may lead to biliary necrosis:

ERCP may show dilated bile ducts with diffuse wall irregularities with some contrast penetration/cavitation towards the parenchyma 3

Biliary infarct will manifest as wall irregularities and beading dilatation appearances of the intrahepatic bile ducts associated with marked surrounded hypoattenuation. Multiple cavitations/bile lakes are also characteristic in advanced necrosis; however, the presence of gas is frequent and does not necessarily represent infection 1,3

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