How are bile duct injuries that happen during gallbladder surgery diagnosed?

How are bile duct injuries that happen during gallbladder surgery diagnosed?

In about 10% to 30% of cases, bile duct injuries are found by the doctor at the time of surgery. He or she might notice leaking bile or a blockage by sight or by using a test called intraoperative cholangiography (IOC). IOC is an X-ray exam of the bile ducts after a dye has been injected to make the flow of bile clearly visible on the X-ray image.

If your injury was not found during surgery, tests your doctor might use to help diagnose a bile duct injury include:

• Transabdominal ultrasound: This test uses sound waves and echoes to create images of the organs in the abdomen.
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): This test uses a lighted, flexible scope inserted into the upper part of the digestive system to look at and take X-rays of the bile ducts. Sometimes, bile duct injuries can also be treated using ERCP.
• Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography: Like IOC, during this test, X-rays are taken after dye is injected into the bile ducts.
• Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP): This test uses magnetic resonance imaging, which uses a large magnet and radio waves to create images of the inside of the body, to view the bile ducts.