The development of broncho-biliary fistula after treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma: a report of two cases

Endobronchial Watanabe Spigot Placement for Hepatic Abscess and Bronchobiliary Fistula Following Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

A bronchobiliary fistula (BBF) is an uncommon but severe complication after radiofrequency ablation (RFA). However, the definitive salvage methods are controversial. We herein report a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma with hepatic abscess and BBF following RFA. We also review previous reports of BBF after RFA. The patient was a man in his 70s who underwent RFA for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma in the subphrenic area. Despite percutaneous transhepatic abscess drainage, bilioptysis persisted. Finally, the BBF was occluded with an endobronchial Watanabe spigot under fiber-optic bronchoscopy. Placing an endobronchial Watanabe spigot should be considered as a salvage therapy for refractory BBF following RFA.

Bronchial-biliary fistula secondary to cholangiocarcinoma: long-term efficacy of biliary self-expandable metal stent

A 77-year-old female with previous medical history of non-cirrhotic chronic hepatitis B and hepatocellular carcinoma treated with sequential partial hepatectomy followed by transarterial chemoembolization complained of pruritus and jaundice. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography revealed a peri-hilar ill-defined stenosing lesion suggestive of malignancy. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with cholangioscopy confirmed a circumferential peri-hilar stenosis with fragile mucosa and tortuous dilated vessels and biopsies of this area were consistent cholangiocarcinoma. After 3 months, she presented with new-onset dyspnea and bilioptysis and abdominal computed tomography revealed a bronchial-biliary fistula. ERCP was performed to place a self-expandable metal stent in the biliary tract, which resulted in rapid clinical improvement. The patient has been followed for 2 years and remains globally stable with two episodes of worsening of bilioptysis secondary to stent obstruction by lithiasis that were easily resolved with Fogarty balloon-assisted extraction, with rapid improvement. This case demonstrates the long-term efficacy of endoscopic biliary drainage with self-expandable metallic stent for bronchial-biliary fistula in the setting of cholangiocarcinoma. .