Hepatobiliary Surgery Practice Questions

Q: A 45-year-old female has a solitary gallstone, 1.5 cm in size, which was incidentally diagnosed by ultrasound. She is asymptomatic. What is the best line of management?

Cholecystectomy only if she develops biliary colic. **Explanation:** The management of gallstones is primarily dictated by the presence of symptoms. In this case, the patient has **asymptomatic cholelithiasis** (incidental finding). **1. Why Option A is Correct:** The natural history of asymptomatic gallstones is benign; only about 1–2% of such patients develop symptoms or complications per year. Current surgical guidelines (SAGES/IHPBA) recommend **expectant management (observation)** for asymptomatic patients. Prophylactic cholecystectomy is not indicated because the risks of surgery and anesthesia outweigh the low risk of developing gallstone-related complications (like cholecystitis or pancreatitis) in an asymptomatic individual. **2. Why Other Options are Incorrect:** * **Options B, C, and D:** These advocate for surgical intervention (Laparoscopic or Open) regardless of symptoms. Prophylactic cholecystectomy is only reserved for specific high-risk groups (see Clinical Pearls). A 1.5 cm stone in a 45-year-old does not meet these criteria. Open cholecystectomy (Option D) is never the first-line approach for elective cases today. **3. Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** While observation is the rule, **Prophylactic Cholecystectomy** is indicated in asymptomatic patients if: * **Stone size > 3 cm** (increased risk of gallbladder carcinoma). * **Porcelain Gallbladder** (calcified wall; high risk of malignancy). * **Gallbladder polyps > 10 mm** or polyps associated with stones. * **Congenital hemolytic anemia** (e.g., Hereditary Spherocytosis) to prevent future pigment stones. * **Anomalous pancreaticobiliary ductal junction.** * **Bariatric surgery/Gastric bypass:** Often performed concurrently to prevent rapid weight-loss-induced stones. * **Diabetes Mellitus** is *no longer* an absolute indication for prophylactic surgery unless symptoms exist.

Q: What is the common organism causing liver abscess in biliary sepsis?

Enterococci. **Explanation:** Pyogenic liver abscesses typically occur via three main routes: the biliary tract (most common), the portal vein, or hematogenous spread. **Why Enterococci is correct:** In the context of **biliary sepsis** (ascending cholangitis due to stones, strictures, or malignancy), the infection is usually polymicrobial, involving enteric flora. **Enterococci** (specifically *Enterococcus faecalis*) are the most common Gram-positive organisms isolated in biliary-related liver abscesses. They are normal commensals of the GI tract that migrate retrograde into the biliary tree when there is stasis or obstruction. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **Bacteroides:** While anaerobes like *Bacteroides fragilis* are often part of the polymicrobial mix in pyogenic abscesses, they are rarely the primary or most common isolate compared to aerobic enteric organisms in biliary sepsis. * **Staphylococcus:** *Staphylococcus aureus* is the leading cause of liver abscesses resulting from **hematogenous spread** (e.g., endocarditis or skin infections), not biliary sepsis. * **Klebsiella:** *Klebsiella pneumoniae* is currently the **most common cause of pyogenic liver abscess overall** (especially in diabetics and in Southeast Asia), but it typically presents as a monomicrobial infection of cryptogenic origin rather than being specifically linked to biliary sepsis. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Most common route:** Biliary tract (ascending cholangitis). * **Most common organism overall:** *Klebsiella pneumoniae* (replaced *E. coli* in recent years). * **Most common organism in biliary sepsis:** *Enterococci* and *E. coli*. * **Classic Presentation:** Charcot’s Triad (Fever, Jaundice, RUQ pain). * **Investigation of choice:** Contrast-Enhanced CT (CECT) scan. * **Treatment:** Percutaneous drainage + Antibiotics (Metronidazole + 3rd Gen Cephalosporin/Aminoglycoside).

Q: A 43-year-old man presents with continuous vomiting and abdominal guarding on palpation, raising suspicion for acute cholecystitis. Which of the following investigations can exclude acute cholecystitis in this patient?

Radionuclide imaging. **Explanation:** The diagnosis of acute cholecystitis is primarily clinical, supported by imaging. The correct answer is **Radionuclide imaging (HIDA scan)** because of its exceptionally high **negative predictive value (NPV)**. **1. Why Radionuclide Imaging is Correct:** HIDA (Hepatobiliary Iminodiacetic Acid) scan is considered the **gold standard** for diagnosing acute cholecystitis. The underlying mechanism involves the intravenous injection of a radioactive tracer that is excreted by the liver into the bile. In a healthy individual, the tracer fills the gallbladder. In acute cholecystitis, the cystic duct is obstructed (usually by a stone). Therefore, if the gallbladder is **visualized** within 60 minutes, the patency of the cystic duct is confirmed, effectively **excluding** acute cholecystitis. **2. Why Other Options are Incorrect:** * **Ultrasound (A):** While it is the **initial investigation of choice** due to its availability and ability to show gallstones, wall thickening, and pericholecystic fluid, it cannot definitively exclude the diagnosis as it is operator-dependent and may miss functional obstruction. * **ERCP (B):** This is an invasive procedure used primarily for managing choledocholithiasis (CBD stones) or biliary obstruction. It is not a diagnostic tool for acute cholecystitis. * **OCG (C):** Oral Cholecystography is an obsolete investigation. It requires a functioning gallbladder to concentrate dye over 24-48 hours, making it useless in an acute setting. **Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Initial Investigation of Choice:** Ultrasonography (Look for "Murphy’s Sign" on USG). * **Most Sensitive/Gold Standard:** HIDA Scan (Radionuclide imaging). * **Diagnostic Hallmark on HIDA:** Non-visualization of the gallbladder despite visualization of the CBD and duodenum. * **False Positives in HIDA:** Can occur in prolonged fasting, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), or severe liver disease.

Question 1

What is the treatment of choice for extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis?

Accepted Answer

Mesocaval shunt

Answer

Poocaval shunt

Answer

Mesorenal shunt

Answer

Splenorenal shunt

Question 2

A 45-year-old female has a solitary gallstone, 1.5 cm in size, which was incidentally diagnosed by ultrasound. She is asymptomatic. What is the best line of management?

Accepted Answer

Cholecystectomy only if she develops biliary colic

Answer

Immediate laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Answer

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy even if asymptomatic after 2 months

Answer

Open cholecystectomy even if asymptomatic after 2 months

Question 3

What is the initial investigation of choice for a post cholecystectomy biliary stricture?

Accepted Answer

Magnetic resonance cholangiography

Answer

Ultrasound scan of the abdomen

Answer

Endoscopic cholangiography

Answer

Computed tomography

Question 4

All of the following are predisposing factors for gallstone formation, except:

Accepted Answer

Estrogens inhibit hepatic lipoprotein receptors, decrease uptake of dietary cholesterol, and increase biliary cholesterol secretion.

Answer

Weight loss leads to mobilization of tissue cholesterol, increasing biliary cholesterol secretion while enterohepatic circulation of bile acids is decreased.

Answer

Gallbladder hypomotility leading to stasis and formation of sludge.

Answer

Clofibrate therapy increases biliary secretion of cholesterol.

Question 5

What is the common organism causing liver abscess in biliary sepsis?

Accepted Answer

Enterococci

Answer

Bacteroides

Answer

Staphylococcus

Answer

Klebsiella

Question 6

A 45-year-old woman presents with intermittent colicky right upper quadrant pain, lasting about 30 minutes after meals. She also experiences bloating and nausea during these episodes. For the past 2 days, her stools have become very light in color, and her skin has become yellow. What is the anatomical basis for the clinical condition described?

Accepted Answer

Obstruction of the cystic duct by a gallstone.

Answer

Obstruction of the common bile duct by a gallstone.

Answer

Inflammation of the gallbladder.

Answer

Inflammation of Glisson's capsule.

Question 7

Which of the following can be done in obstructive jaundice?

Accepted Answer

Vitamin C injections

Answer

Vitamin K injections

Answer

Dehydration therapy

Answer

External drainage

Question 8

All are indications for surgical intervention in pyogenic liver abscess, EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Right lobe abscess

Answer

Multiple large or loculated abscess

Answer

Thick-walled abscess with loculated pus

Answer

Concurrent intra-abdominal surgical pathology

Question 9

A 43-year-old man presents with continuous vomiting and abdominal guarding on palpation, raising suspicion for acute cholecystitis. Which of the following investigations can exclude acute cholecystitis in this patient?

Accepted Answer

Radionuclide imaging

Answer

Ultrasound

Answer

ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography)

Answer

OCG (Oral Cholecystography)

Question 10

What is true about the Pringle maneuver?

Accepted Answer

The Pringle maneuver is also known as total inflow occlusion.

Answer

Clamping in the foramen of Winslow occludes the portal triad and IVC.

Answer

Controls bleeding from the portal vein, IVC, and hepatic artery.

Answer

All of the above are true.

Hepatobiliary Surgery — MCQs

Hepatobiliary Surgery — MCQs

On this page

Practice by Chapter

Want unlimited practice?