Congenital Bronchobiliary Fistula: A Case Report and Literature Review

Congenital bronchobiliary fistula (CBBF) is a rare disease. Children with CBBF mostly have atypical clinical manifestations that can be easily missed. We report a case of a child with CBBF who was diagnosed with fistulography with the help of an endobronchial blocker and a fiberoptic bronchoscope. The CBBF was successfully removed by thoracoscopic surgery.

Bronchobiliary fistula: a rare postoperative complication of spilled gallstones from laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Bronchobiliary fistula (BBF) is defined as the abnormal connection between the biliary system and the bronchial tree, which presents clinically as an irritant cough with bilioptysis. Many conditions can lead to its development. We present a case of an acquired BBF in a 61-year-old man with a significant history of spilled gallstones from a prior laparoscopic cholecystectomy and subsequent presentation of intermittent right upper quadrant pain and recurrent pneumonia. Imaging studies revealed a liver and subdiaphragmatic abscess with right middle lobe pneumonia and a BBF traversing the right hemidiaphragm. The patient was surgically managed by takedown of fistula with drainage of the abscess and removal of spilled gallstone, followed by a resection of the right middle lobe. While previous studies indicate spilled gallstones are benign, this case demonstrates its potential for serious complications. Therefore, early diagnosis and proper management is essential as BBF has a high morbidity and mortality rate.

Posttraumatic bronchobiliary fistulae due to foreign body remnants after a road traffic injury: a case report

Background Bronchobiliary fistula is an extremely rare disease that involves abnormal communication between a hepatic segment and bronchial tree. It is mostly caused by untreated hydatid cyst, liver abscess, iatrogenic stenosis, and, rarely, trauma. Case presentation We experienced an extremely rare case of bronchobiliary fistula after motor vehicle accident. A 15-year-old Persian boy visited our clinic with chief complaints of persistent pleuritic chest pain, productive cough, weight loss, and fever for 2 months. Coronavirus disease 2019 reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test was negative. Chest X-ray revealed hazy opacification of right lower lobe. Bronchoalveolar lavage for acid-fast bacillus came back negative. Thoracoabdominal computed tomography scan revealed a collection in segment VIII of the liver communicating with another 13 × 5 cm multiloculated collection in the lower lobe of the right lung, with air foci within the collection. Right posterolateral thoracotomy was performed with the impression of bronchobiliary fistula. Drainage of hepatic collection with debridement, diaphragmatic repair, and open decortication of lung followed by resection of the involved segment of the right lung was performed. Histopathologic evaluations revealed abscess formation in pulmonary tissue, and many multinucleated giant cells were seen that appear to be due to foreign body remnants after previous laparotomy surgery. The foreign body seemed to be the remnants of Surgicel absorbable hemostat. Conclusions Herein, we report an extremely rare case of a posttraumatic bronchobiliary fistula caused by remnants of Surgicel hemostatic agent. Bronchobiliary fistula is mainly caused by untreated hydatid cyst, liver abscess, iatrogenic stenosis, and, rarely, trauma. Migration and erosion of oxidized regenerated cellulose through the diaphragm seems to be the causative factor of bronchobiliary fistula in this patient.