Obstructive jaundice caused by a blood clot--an unusual complication following endoscopic papillotomy

Endoscopic papillotomy as therapeutic procedure of first choice for common bile duct stones is related with a relatively low complications rate and exhibits a very low method-related mortality. Major complications are cholangitis, pancreatitis, retroduodenal perforation and hemorrhage. In rare cases minor bleedings after papillotomy may lead to coagulation with consecutive obstruction of the papilla. Jaundice without major clinical symptoms will occur. Diagnosis is established by repeated retrograde cholangiography; conservative management is satisfactory and efficient.