SCINTIGRAPHIC DETECTION OF HEMOBILIA COMPLICATING ANGIODYSPLASIA

A 78-yr-old man underwent Tc-99m-labeled red cell examination for a ga strointestinal bleeding episode. Gallbladder visualization was noted d uring the examination. Hemobilia has been reported in a variety of pat hologic conditions; scintigraphic gallbladder visualization has also b een reported as a result of the unusual radiolabeling characteristics of (TC)-T-99m during red cell scintigraphy. Postmortem examination rev ealed angiodysplasia of the gallbladder and other sites in the gastroi ntestinal tract. Angiodysplasia must be considered in the pathologic s pectrum of causes of hemobilia.