Unusual Biliary Complication following Christmas Eve Dinner

Abstract

We present a case of a fish bone impacted in the papilla of Vater resulting in dyspepsia and mild elevation in liver function tests, that was subsequently treated endoscopically. Fish bones are one of the most commonly encountered of swallowed foreign bodies. However involvement of the biliary tract, such as the one described by us, represents an extremely rare complication of fish bone ingestion. The diagnosis of a foreign body in the biliary tract can be difficult and early endoscopic or surgical extraction may be required to avoid complications such as biliary stone formation, obstructive jaundice, cholangitis or cholecystitis and/or biliary sepsis. Prompt endoscopic treatment can avoid severe biliary complications or surgical therapy.