Usefulness of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the diagnosis of biliary leakage following T-tube removal.

Biliary leakage is a serious complication related to T-tube removal. Identifying the location of the leak is important for accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment. We report a case of biliary leakage in the common bile duct (CBD) following a T-tube removal that was successfully diagnosed with contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). The micro-bubble contrast medium was administrated into the bile ducts through the percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage catheter. The real-time delineation of contrast agent leaking from the CBD was confirmed by percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography. CEUS can be used to detect biliary leakage after T-tube removal. (c) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2010.