Diagnosis and treatment of bronchobiliary fistula

Abstract

To explore the diagnosis and treatment modalities of bronchobiliary fistula (BBF). 2 cases of bronchobiliary fistula were reviewed. The etiology, clinical presentations, diagnosis methods, treatment modalities and prognosis of BBF were studied. BBF can be caused by many diseases, which include liver or lung hydatid cyst, amoebic or bacterial liver abscess, subphrenic abscess and biliary lithiasis. Iatrogenic BBF is increasing in recent days. The characteristic presentation of BBF is recurrent bilioptysis. Diagnosis of BBF is not very difficult with the primary disease,characteristic clinical presentations and image studies. Treatment modalities of BBF include endoscopic drainage, biliary stent or biliary decompression, and surgery. Bilioptysis is the characteristic presentation of BBF. Treatment of BBF should be immediately and appropriated while the diagnosis confirmed. Key words: Bronchobiliary fistula; Radiofrequency ablation; Liver metastasis carcinoma; Biliary lithiasis