Cholecystocolic fistula caused by gallbladder carcinoma: Preoperatively misdiagnosed as hepatic colon carcinoma

Cholecystocolic fistula secondary to gallbladder carcinoma is extremely rare and has been reported in very few studies. Most cholecystocolic fistulae are late complications of gallstone disease, but can also develop following carcinoma of the gallbladder when the necrotic tumor penetrates into the adjacent colon. Although no currently available imaging technique has shown great accuracy in recognizing cholecystocolic fistula, abdominopelvic computed tomography may show fistulous communication and anatomical details. Herein we report an unusual case of cholecystocolic fistula caused by gallbladder carcinoma, which was preoperatively misdiagnosed as hepatic flexure colon carcinoma.     

Cholecystocolic Fistula: A Diagnostic Enigma

Cholecystocolic fistula is a rare biliary-enteric fistula with a variable clinical presentation. Despite modern diagnostic tools, a high degree of suspicion is required to diagnose it preoperatively. Biliary-enteric fistulae have been found in 0.9% of patients undergoing biliary tract surgery. The most common site of communication of the fistula is a cholecystoduodenal (70%), followed by cholecystocolic (10–20%), and the least common is the cholecystogastric fistula accounting for the remainder of cases. These fistulae are treated by open as well as laparoscopic surgery, with no difference in intraoperative and postoperative complications.We report here a case of obstructive jaundice, which was investigated with a plain film of the abdomen, abdominal ultrasonography, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, but none of these gave us any clue to the presence of the fistula was discovered incidentally during an open surgery and was appropriately treated.     

Aorto-duodenal fistula: endoscopic diagnosis

We report the case of a patient with hemorrhage due to secondary Aortoenteric Fistula (AEF), diagnosed by emergency oral endoscopy. We stress the importance of early diagnosis in these patients by virtue of a so-called "warning hemorrhage", which usually occurs hours or weeks before the appearance of a massive hemorrhage which is soon fatal. The importance of emergency endoscopy in the early diagnosis of these cases is emphasized.     

Spontaneous aneurysmal portohepatic fistula: imaging diagnosis

Intrahepatic portosystemic venous shunts not related to trauma or biopsy are infrequent and their etiology is controversial. A congenital or acquired origin due to cirrhosis and portal hypertension has been proposed. Hepatic encephalopathy is present when there is associated cirrhosis. We describe a case of aneurysmal portohepatic venous fistula that was incidentally diagnosed with conventional ultrasonography and was subsequently confirmed by Doppler ultrasonography and computed tomography scan. Because there were no symptoms of encephalopathy, no surgical or vascular percutaneous treatment was provided.     

Aortocaval fistula: diagnosis and treatment: case studies

Two cases of aortocaval fistula were treated successfully with prompt surgical repair and dacron graft insertion in place of the abdominal aortic aneurysm. The first case presented here displayed signs and symptoms characteristic of aortocaval fistula, the second case displayed signs and symptoms characteristic of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. The lack of symptoms of arteriovenous fistula in the second case was due to occlusion of the fistula by laminated clots. The post-operative course of the second case was complicated by an acute renal failure which improved after medical treatment.     

Pancreaticopleural fistula: diagnosis with magnetic resonance pancreatography

Pancreaticopleural fistula secondary to chronic pancreatitis is a rare cause of recurrent pleural effusion. The demonstration of the fistula with endoscopic retrograde pancreatography and CT is invasive or limited. We report in two patients the use of magnetic resonance pancreatography as a noninvasive alternative to endoscopic retrograde pancreatography for the diagnosis of pancreaticopleural fistula.     

High-output heart failure resulting from a remote traumatic aorto-caval fistula: diagnosis by echocardiography

Congestive heart failure (CHF) due to high output states is known to occur in a variety of systemic illnesses and in patients with arterial-venous fistulas. This paper reports the case of a 45-year-old man admitted to the emergency room with a diagnosis of new onset atrial fibrillation and CHF, whose past medical history was not significant except for a gunshot wound to his abdomen 22 years previously. The etiology of his CHF together with the cardiomegaly and hyperdynamic left ventricular systolic function was unknown. A subcostal view routinely done during transthoracic echocardiography revealed a severely dilated inferior vena cava and the presence of an aorto-caval fistula by color doppler. The patient underwent successful corrective repair with dramatic improvement in symptoms and resolution of the atrial fibrillation, and cardiac size returned to normal. This rare case emphasizes that patients with refractory CHF must be closely examined with particular attention to palpation and auscultation over all scars, irrespective of the duration since any traumatic or surgical event.