A biliary fistula is suspected in people who have had a history of cholelithiasis, peptic ulcer disease, Crohn's disease, biliary infections (e.g. hydatid disease), malignancies of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or in those who have recently been surgically operated upon. Most patients are asymptomatic with overt clinical manifestations visible only in 20-30% of cases [1]. Symptoms are usually non-specific and are noticed in a variety of GI disorders. The diagnosis is thus, easily missed in the early stages of the disease.

Amongst individuals who do present with symptoms, abdominal pain may be a frequent finding if the fistula tracts are infected. Other complaints that may be seen include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, flatulence and weight loss. Cholangitis may lead to systemic manifestations like sepsis and peritonitis. Ascites may be observed in a few people.

Jaundice secondary to common bile duct obstruction or due to strictures of the bile duct (Mirizzi's syndrome) may be recorded [2]. Gallstones may pass into the gastrointestinal tract via these abnormal connections and may cause small bowel obstruction, especially in the terminal ileum (Bouveret's syndrome) [3]. Abdominal pain, vomiting, and constipation ensue in such patients.

In rare instances, fistulas may form between the biliary tree and the pleural/ bronchial spaces with pulmonary complaints occurring in such individuals.

• Soft Tissue Mass

  After antibiotic treatment and surgical opening of both lesions, abdominal computed tomography demonstrated a soft tissue mass cephalad to the umbilicus. We excised the mass, and found it to be associated with a fistula through the linea alba. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Chronic Diarrhea

  A pathognomonic triad consisting of pneumobilia, chronic diarrhea, and vitamin K malabsorption was recently suggested by Savvidou and colleagues (2009) to aid in the diagnosis of cholecystocolonic fistula. [clinicalgate.com]

• Biliary Colic

  The hydatid cyst can rupture into the biliary tract, and cyst fluid escapes into the biliary tract with daughter cysts discharged into the common bile duct, causing biliary colic, obstructive jaundice and possibly liver abscess. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Interestingly, one third of the patients are absent of prior symptoms of biliary colic and up to 50% have no history of gallbladder disease. [scielo.org.pe]

  colic 胆石仙痛 biliary liver cirrhosis胆汁性肝硬変 biliary tract 胆道 bilirubin ビリルビン boaｒd-like abdomen 板状硬 bougienageブジー拡張術 bowel movement便通 bowel preparation腸管洗浄 brushing cytology擦過細胞診 c cancer of stomach (stomach cancer)胃癌 carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9CA 19 [tokyo-med.ac.jp]

• Back Pain

  Right hepatectomy was performed, but on postoperative day 14, the donor developed fever and right back pain, and enhanced CT showed a 6 cm intra-abdominal abscess at the site of cutting, and we diagnosed it as an isolated biliary fistula since the isolated [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Patients presenting with clinical features suggestive of a biliary fistula are often diagnosed via surgery, with preoperative confirmation occurring only in 8-17% of all affected cases [4]. In such a scenario, most investigations are geared towards determining the type of surgery that needs to be conducted. This, in turn, is dependent on the likely etiology of the fistula, the presence of biliary tree obstruction/ erosion and the coexistence of a bilioenteric fistula.

Gallstones, the most common cause of a biliary fistula, are easily diagnosed by a transabdominal ultrasound (US) with a sensitivity of 96% [5]. Similarly, Mirizzi's syndrome can be detected via the transabdominal US with a sensitivity of 29% [4]. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) may offer a higher accuracy in the evaluation of this disorder. It can be used to delineate other abnormalities seen in the biliary tract.

A computed tomography (CT) scan may help in locating the level of biliary tree obstruction. Aerobilia, a frequent sign of a bilioenteric fistula, may be easily observed via US or CT. A CT scan may help to rule out the presence of intestinal obstruction due to biliary stones and/or hepatic neoplasms.

The evaluation of these lesions may be determined by certain invasive studies [6]. Although the usage of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) for recognizing biliary fistulas is still uncertain, some reports have shown that Mirizzi's syndrome can be reliably confirmed with EUS with 97% sensitivity and 100% specificity [7] [8] [9]. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) shows up to 90% accuracy in diagnosing primary biliary fistulas and it may also have a therapeutic role in such cases, assisting in stone retrieval and biliary tract drainage via stents [10].

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy may be used to identify the site, size and potential cause of biliary leaks. A percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography is reserved for people with a completely stenosed biliary tree.

• Nonvisualization of the Gallbladder

  However, a nonvisualized or shrunken gallbladder seen at US often coexisted in these cases. CT yielded the diagnosis in one case of gallstone ileus, and a Gastrografin meal yielded it in the case of Bouveret's syndrome. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Ischemic Changes

  Arterio-biliary fistula is a rare clinical condition resulting from various causes such as iatrogenic injury and ischemic change of the bile duct. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

[…] duct, and persisting biliary fistulas after treatment with ERCP and ES. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

This rare variant accounts for 3.5% of gallbladder cancers, and is associated with a worse prognosis than adenocarcinoma. The patient is in good condition without any signs of recurrence 42 months after the HPD. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Comorbidity was associated with a worse short-term and long-term prognosis. [scielo.isciii.es]

We have concluded, based on the literature that an early diagnosis associated with appropriate therapy can lead to a better prognosis. Keywords: Ileus; Gallbladder; Intestinal obstruction (source: MeSH NLM). [scielo.org.pe]

Prognosis Prognosis is generally good. However, given that most patients with this condition are elderly, potential coexisting medical problems may complicate surgical intervention. [emedicine.medscape.com]

Prognosis and postoperative period are good. Clinical case: 63-year-old patient with a clinical picture of 15 days of pain in the epigastrium and bilious vomiting. [revistas.unal.edu.co]

The etiologic factors responsible for this complication are discussed. It is speculated that as more aggressive therapy for hepatic metastases is undertaken, this potential complication will be seen more frequently. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Gallstones are the primary etiologic agent in most internal biliary-enteric fistulas. [surgerysearch.blogspot.com]

This case report presents a case of biliary-arterial fistula and discusses the possible etiology, management required and ways to avoid vascular injury. [tropicalgastro.com]

Pathology Etiology A wide variety of etiologies are implicated: congenital acquired surgical post inflammatory e.g. [radiopaedia.org]

It can easily show the fistula orifice, fistula tract, and communication with the biliary tree, as well as the etiology. ERCP has therapeutic potential by endoscopic sphincterotomy and choledocholithotomy[ 14 ]. [doi.org]

It's divided into three sections on anatomy, pathophysiology, and epidemiology; diagnostic and therapeutic approaches including the latest therapeutic modalities; and specific conditions. Includes more than 250 illustrations for rapid reference. [books.google.com]

Epidemiology of Gallbladder Disease: Cholelithiasis and Cancer. Gut Liver. 2012;6(2):172-87. . 11. Sánchez-García M, Tomoiu IG, Reina-Escobar D, Delgado-Casado JA. Causa infrecuente de obstrucción intestinal. Semergen. 2015;41(4):18-20. . 12. [redalyc.org]

Epidemiology of Gallbladder Disease: Cholelithiasis and Cancer. Gut Liver. 2012;6(2):172-87. . 11. S ánchez-García M, Tomoiu IG, Reina-Escobar D, Delgado-Casado JA. Causa infrecuente de obstrucción intestinal. Semergen. 2015;41(4):18-20. . 12. [revistas.unal.edu.co]

[…] can cause chronic cholecystitis and may predispose the patient to spontaneous cholecystocutaneous fistula. [13] Polyarteritis nodosa with gallbladder vasculitis and steroid use causing immunosuppression also may be associated with the condition. [13] Epidemiology [emedicine.medscape.com]

This report describes the utility of this approach in the evaluation of the pathophysiology underlying apparent biliary obstruction in a patient with a large traumatic biliary fistula. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

It's divided into three sections on anatomy, pathophysiology, and epidemiology; diagnostic and therapeutic approaches including the latest therapeutic modalities; and specific conditions. Includes more than 250 illustrations for rapid reference. [books.google.com]

Pathophysiology The cystic duct or gallbladder is almost always obstructed in patients with spontaneous cholecystocutaneous fistula. [emedicine.medscape.com]

Suspicion of IBF should be kept in mind, especially in case of difficult dissection during cholecystectomy and attention should be paid in order to prevent iatrogenic injuries. [doi.org]

This volume offers authoritative, evidence-based recommendations for preventing and managing complications in all current general surgery procedures. [books.google.com]

This catastrophy which is largely preventable, often necessitates repeated surgical intervention and accrues an estimated 5-year mortality rate approaching 30%. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Kosmidis and his friends also covered the cut cystic cavities exposed to the peritoneum surface of the liver with fibrin glue for prevention of bile leakage. [medsci.org]

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9. Wehrmann T, Riphaus A, Martchenko K, et al. Intraductal ultrasonography in the diagnosis of Mirizzi syndrome. Endoscopy. 2006;38(7):717-22.
10. Gomez D, Rahman SH, Toogood GJ, et al. Mirizzi's syndrome--results from a large western experience. HPB (Oxford). 2006;8(6):474-9.