Spontaneous cholecystocutaneous fistula: an uncommon complication of acute cholecystitis

BMJ Case Rep. 2020 Dec 15;13(12):e238063. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2020-238063.

Abstract

A 78-year-old man presented to the hospital with acute right upper quadrant pain, fever and nausea. A focused abdominal ultrasound and abdominal CT scan were performed demonstrating an acute calculous cholecystitis with gallbladder perforation. Although a CT-guided cholecystostomy was performed and a pericholecystic abscess was relieved promptly, the patient developed a cholecystocutaneous fistula in the right hypochondriac region. A cholecystocutaneous fistula is an extremely rare complication that may occur in patients with acute calculous or acalculous cholecystitis, chronic gallstone disease, gallbladder carcinoma or prior hepatobiliary surgery.

Keywords: gastroenterology; gastrointestinal surgery; surgery; ultrasonography.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biliary Fistula / diagnostic imaging
  • Biliary Fistula / etiology*
  • Biliary Fistula / therapy
  • Cholecystitis, Acute / complications*
  • Cholecystitis, Acute / surgery
  • Cutaneous Fistula / diagnostic imaging
  • Cutaneous Fistula / etiology*
  • Cutaneous Fistula / therapy
  • Drainage
  • Gallbladder / diagnostic imaging
  • Gallbladder / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Ultrasonography / methods