Selective bronchial occlusion for acquired bronchobiliary fistula caused by treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: A case series

Abstract

Abstract Acquired bronchobiliary fistula (ABBF) is very rare among the complications that occur in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after treatment. Although surgery and drainage have been the main methods for treating ABBF for a long time, they are not entirely suitable for patients with refractory ABBF resulting from HCC therapy. In this study, we present four cases of ABBF caused by HCC treatment, who were treated using selective bronchial occlusion (SBO). Among the 4 patients with ABBF treated with SBO, 3 cases successfully blocked ABBF with SBO, and the treatment success rate was 75%. All successfully treated patients reported disappearance of symptoms of bilioptysis and cough was alleviated. No life‐threatening adverse reactions were reported following SBO intervention, and no deaths occurred. We believe that the use of video bronchoscopy to place a self‐made silicone plug in the bronchus to treat refractory ABBF is a feasible palliative treatment, which can significantly improve the condition of ABBF patients.

Keywords

• acquired bronchobiliary fistula
• biliptysis
• hepatocellular carcinoma
• interventional respiratory disease
• occlusion therapy
• silicone plug