ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the preliminaily clinical efficacy and retrievability of a retrievable hinged covered metallic stent in the treatment of the bronchial stump fistula (BSF). Methods Between April 2003 and March 2005, 8 patients with bronchial stump fistula after pneumonectomy or lobectomy were treated with two types (A and B) of retrievable hinged covered metallic stents. Type A stent was placed in 6 patients and type B in 2 under fluoroscopic guidance. The stent was removed with a retrieval set when BSF was healed or complications occurred. Results Stent placement in the bronchial tree was technically successful in all patients, without procedure-related complications. Immediate closure of the BSF was achieved in all patients after the procedure. Stents were removed from all patients but one. Removal of the stents was difficult in two patients due to tissue hyperplasia. Patients were followed up for 6 - 21 months. Placement of the stents remained stable in all patients except one due to severe cough. Permanent closure of BSF was achieved in 7(87.5%) of 8 patients. Conclusion Use of a retrievable hinged covered expandable metallic stent is a simple,safe, and effective procedure for closure of the BSF. Retrieval of the stent seems to be feasible. (J Intervent Radiol, 2007, 16: 253-257)[ Key words ] Fistula, pulmonary; Bronchialpleural fistula; Stents and prostheses; Computed tomography
ABSTRACT
Bronchobiliary fistulae are rare disorders, with inflammatory diseases of the liver, trauma, previous surgery and biliary obstruction being frequent causative factors. Endoscopic or transhepatic biliary drainage has been used successfully to avoid surgical treatment. We describe a case of a bronchobiliary fistula in a 78-year-old man with biliary obstruction caused by impacted calculi. Without surgical or endoscopic intervention, fistulae were treated by percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage and removal of calculi, in conjunction with balloon sphincteroplasty.