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.
We report a patient with a common hepatic artery pseudoaneurism secondary to pancreatitis treated with direct percutaneous embolization as an alternative when transcatheter embolotherapy cannot be performed. Examination of the specimen revealed that the pseudoaneurism was completely trombosed with signs of embolization of its lumen.
The essential feature of the MIrizzi syndrome is partial common hepatic duct obstruction due to an impacted cystic duct stone. This entity has rarely been reported but is apparently more common than previously thought. Our review of the world literature shows 42 proven cases in 18 publications from 7 different countries. We are adding 11 further cases with surgical proof. The preoperative x-ray diagnosis of the Mirizzi syndrome was established in 10 of the 42 previously reported cases. This diagnostic problem was probably due to limitations of plain film and intravenous cholangiography techniques. The preoperative diagnosis was possible in 8 of our 11 cases, primarily with the use of transhepatic cholangiography. The preoperative diagnosis is important and can lead to a decrease in surgical complications, particularly if stone penetration, fistula formation, and adjacent inflammatory masses are demonstrated.
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