Bronchobiliary fistula: A rare complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy

Abstract

Biliary anatomic pathologies are rare disease occurrences that can result from a number of causes, most commonly iatrogenic, infectious and malignant aetiologies. Communications between the biliary and bronchial systems are even rarer and few cases have been documented in the literature. The present study describes a case of a 70-year-old man who underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple Procedure) as a curative procedure for an early stage neuroendocrine tumour. He presented nearly a decade after surgery with a communication between the biliary and bronchial tree initially manifesting as bilioptysis. His underlying medical conditions and poor clinical picture made treatment options limited. Therefore, he was treated conservatively with percutaneous biliary balloon dilation of the anastomotic stricture followed by temporary percutaneous internal/external drain and made a full recovery.