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SPONTANEOUS PERFORATION OF THE COMMON BILE DUCT
Author(s) -
ENELL H.,
CAVELL B.,
MALMFORS G.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.1979.tb05070.x
Subject(s) - medicine , abdominal distension , laparotomy , common bile duct , perforation , peritonitis , jaundice , ascites , bile duct , distension , surgery , bile duct diseases , general surgery , materials science , punching , metallurgy
. An 18‐week‐old baby boy suffered an episode of acute abdominal symptoms followed by a silent period with mild obstructive jaundice, abdominal distension and failure to thrive. During the clinical workup he deteriorated suddenly, with progressive abdominal distension and ascites. At laparotomy a perforation of the common bile duct with bile peritonitis was found. Spontaneous perforation of the common bile duct is seldom listed as a cause of obstructive jaundice. The clinical picture is characteristic. Awareness of this diagnosis may help to avoid time‐consuming and unnecessary investigations and to lead to surgical treatment in good time.