Open AccessBronchobiliary Fistulas in Adults
Author(s) -
Jean Gugenheim,
M Ciardullo,
Oscar Traynor,
H. Bismuth
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
annals of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.153
H-Index - 309
eISSN - 1528-1140
pISSN - 0003-4932
DOI - 10.1097/00000658-198801000-00017
Subject(s) - medicine , jaundice , biliary fistula , cholestasis , sepsis , cholangiography , biliary drainage , fistula , surgery , biliary ducts , radiology , gastroenterology
Reported herein are 16 cases of nontraumatic bronchobiliary fistula in adults observed over 32 years. The fistulas were due to either biliary obstruction or infectious diseases involving the liver. All patients had biloptysis and other respiratory symptoms, and most had cholangitis, jaundice, and/or sepsis. The diagnosis was established by fistulography or cholangiography. All patients except one were treated surgically by relief of biliary obstruction and drainage of intra-abdominal abscesses. All 15 surgically treated patients had a successful outcome. Rapid diagnosis and early treatment of septic complications are necessary, but careful assessment and surgical relief of the biliary obstruction are essential in successfully treating this condition.