Bronchobiliary fistula secondary to biliary lithiasis : treatment by endoscopic sphincterotomy

• Published in: Digestive diseases and sciences Vol. 39; no. 9; pp. 1994 - 1999
• Main Authors: MOREIRA, V. F, AROCENA, C, CRUZ, F, ALVAREZ, M, SAN ROMAN, A. L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 01-09-1994
• Subjects: Biliary Fistula - etiology; Biliary Fistula - surgery; Biological and medical sciences; Bronchial Fistula - etiology; Bronchial Fistula - surgery; Gallstones - complications; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Humans; Liver. Biliary tract. Portal circulation. Exocrine pancreas; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Other diseases. Semiology; Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic; Human; Biliary tract; Bronchobiliary; Treatment; Lithiasis; Digestive diseases; Bronchus disease; Exploration; Fistula; Sphincterotomy; Endoscopy; Biliary tract disease
• ISSN: 0163-2116; 1573-2568
• DOI: 10.1007/bf02088137

Bronchobiliary fistula is a rare condition, defined by the presence of a passage between the biliary tract and the bronchial tree. Many conditions can give rise to the development of such a communication. Biliary lithiasis is one of those and is perhaps the one most amenable to endoscopic management. We describe a case of bronchobiliary fistula secondary to the development of choledocholithiasis in a cholecystectomized patient. The clinical suspicion was raised by the presence of bilioptosis (bile-stained sputum), and the diagnosis established by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. The patient was submitted to endoscopic sphincterotomy and stone extraction, achieving frank clinical alleviation. This case gives us the chance to review bronchobiliary fistulas secondary to biliary lithiasis, placing particular emphasis on the opportunities of endoscopic management.