Successful percutaneous management of bronchobiliary fistula after radiofrequency ablation of metastatic cholangiocarcinoma in a patient who has a postoperative stricture of hepaticojejunostomy site

Korean J Hepatobiliary Pancreat Surg. 2012 Aug;16(3):110-4. doi: 10.14701/kjhbps.2012.16.3.110. Epub 2012 Aug 31.

Abstract

Bronchobiliary fistula (BBF) is a rare condition that is defined as an abnormal communication between the biliary system and bronchial tree. Furthermore, a BBF is an extremely rare complication of radiofrequency ablation (RFA). A 54 year-old man with a history of extrahepatic biliary cancer had been suffering with a benign stricture of hepaticojejunostomy site and was treated with RFA for metastatic cholangicarcinoma. In this report, we describe a patient with BBF complicated by an abscess which occurred after RFA. He was treated by placement of external drainage catheter into the liver abscess and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) into the right intrahepatic duct. After 6 weeks, a complete obliteration of the BBF was confirmed by a repeated follow-up of computed tomography scan and cholangiography through PTBD.

Keywords: Biliary fistula; Bronchial fistula; Catheter ablation; Cholangiocarcinoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports