HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Personal Folders Download to citation manager Author home page(s): Kalliopi Athanassiadi Permission Requests Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Gerazounis, M. Articles by Kalantzi, N. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Gerazounis, M. Articles by Kalantzi, N. Related Collections Lung - other

Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2002;22:306-308
© 2002 Elsevier Science NL

Bronchobiliary fistulae due to echinococcosis

Department of Thoracic Surgery, General Hospital of Nikea – Piraeus, Hellas, Konstantinoupoleosstrasse 34A, 15562 Holargos, Athens, Greece

Received 8 January 2002; received in revised form 16 March 2002; accepted 18 April 2002.

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +30-10-651-0388; fax: +30-10-654-7695
e-mail: kallatha{at}otenet.gr

Objective: A bronchobiliary fistula (BBF) is a rare complication of echinococcosis due to rupture of hydatid cysts located at the upper surface of the liver to the bronchial tree. We present our experience in treating this uncommon and dangerous entity. Material: During the last 20 years, 21 patients, ten men and 11 women ranging in age from 26 to 83 years with a BBF were treated in our department. They presented dyspnea, biloptysis, cough or fever. Diagnostic imaging studies have been very helpful in identifying the communication and in delineating its location. The disease was limited to the liver in 11 cases, whereas in the rest ten cases, both liver and lung were involved. Results: Right thoracotomy was the approach of choice. Our strategy consisted of adequate evacuation of the intrahepatic cysts, obliteration of the cyst space, freeing the adherent lung, dissection and closure of the BBF. Two deaths occurred due to anaphylactic shock and cardiac insufficiency. Follow up at 7–12 years did not reveal any recurrence. Conclusion: Although the incidence of echinococcosis has been decreased, the BBF still remains a serious complication with a high morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis and management of septic associated complications are essential.

Key Words: Bronchobiliary fistula • Echinococcosis • Complications • Thoracobiliary fistula

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B. C. Lucey and E. Kuligowska Radiologic Management of Cysts in the Abdomen and Pelvis Am. J. Roentgenol., February 1, 2006; 186(2): 562 - 573. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Anthi, C. Katsenos, S. Georgopoulou, and K. Mandragos Massive Rupture of a Hepatic Hydatid Cyst Associated with Mechanical Ventilation Anesth. Analg., March 1, 2004; 98(3): 796 - 797. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]