air in the biliary tree in the plain abdominal radiograph

Last reviewed 01/2018

Causes of air in the biliary tree include:

  • ERCP +/- sphincterotomy
  • gas producing infections - emphysematous cholangitis
  • trauma
  • gallstone perforation
  • recent passage of a stone
  • sclerosing cholangitis } processes that hold the
  • cirrhosis with scarring } biliary tree open
  • tumour - cholangiocarcinoma }