Introduction
Bilio-bronchial fistulization is an abnormal communication of the bile ducts with the tracheobronchial tree. In most cases, bilio-bronchial fistulas (BBF) complicate hepatic hydatidosis; however, they can also be seen, but rarely, in other hepato-biliary conditions [1–3]. It is a dreadful complication of liver hydatid cysts ruptured in the thorax because of the broncho-pleuro-parenchymal and hepato-biliary lesions that it can cause with a high perioperative mortality.
The problem is above all that of the “highly infected” terrain and the choice of an adequate approach to treat the various pulmonary, diaphragmatic and hepatic lesions in a single step. Thoracotomy seems to be the best approach to control these lesions.
Epidemiology
The frequency of ruptured liver hydatid cysts in the thorax varies between 2% and 11% [4–8]. BBF by concomitant rupture of the liver hydatid cyst into the bile ducts and bronchi is seen in between 2.1% and 16% of all ruptured liver hydatid cysts in the thorax [6, 9, 10].
Pathological anatomy
Anatomical lesions secondary to BBF were first described by Devé; these lesions involve two stages with different pressure gradients separated by the diaphragmatic septum [11]:
Hepato-biliary lesions are the consequence of the natural evolution of the hydatid cyst, which most often sits at the level of the dome of the liver or at its posterior aspect. The content of the cyst is most often multivesicular and the pericyst is constituted by the surrounding hepatic tissue, which becomes dense and fibrous [12]. These hepatic lesions can range from simple erosion of the bile ducts to fistulization in the main bile duct or in a hepatic duct.
Diaphragmatic breach: the diaphragmatic breach is usually quite regular, highly variable in diameter, may be radial or roughly round, and is the starting point for pleuropulmonary lesions.
The fistulous pathway: the fistulous pathway communicates a hepatic cavity and a pulmonary and/or pleural collection which contain a real putrid “bouillie” made of bile, infected hydatid debris and pus [13].
Thoracic level: in the majority of cases, lesions involve the right lower lobe with or without involvement of the middle lobe, rarely the middle lobe alone or the left lower lobe. The lingula is exceptionally involved. The lesions observed are variable according to the state of the pleura:
In the case of symphyseal pleura, the hepatic cyst will rupture into the bronchi through a fistulous pathway or lead to an intra-pulmonary collection, or even total destruction of the affected parenchyma,
More rarely, the rupture occurs in the free pleura, resulting in a biliothorax or a secondary hydatidothorax. These pleural effusions may rupture secondarily into the bronchial tree or fistulate to the wall, constituting an “empyema of necessity” [14–16].
Pathophysiology
After implantation of the cyst in the liver, it will progressively increase in volume and asymptomatically over several months or years [17]. Several factors contribute to the development of bilio-bronchial fistulization (Figure 1):
The intrathoracic evolution of hepatic cysts, especially those in the convexity of the liver that are in contact with the diaphragmatic dome,
The pressure gradient between the abdomen and the thorax, which contributes to the aspiration of the liver cyst into the pleural cavity,
The mechanical compression of the diaphragm by the cyst and the respiratory movements causing repeated rubbing which leads to ischemia and then erosion of the diaphragmatic muscle, the infection of the hydatid cyst of the liver and the surrounding inflammatory reactions participate actively in the process of perforation of the diaphragm,
Sclero-inflammatory adhesions form, which eventually lead to fibrosis and subsequent atrophy of the diaphragmatic muscle fibers,
The bile in the cysts open in the bile ducts also plays a role through the chemical corrosion that it can cause in the diaphragm.
The BBF thus formed has no tendency to close spontaneously. The bile fluid also has a detrimental effect on the pleura and bronchial epithelium, causing irritation which promotes and maintains infection.
Classifications
Several classifications have been proposed; classification of Freixenet [18], of Yuste [19], of Dévé [11], of Mestiri [12] and of Gomez [20].
Mestiri’s classification
It distinguishes 4 lesion types and 9 subgroups:
BBF type I: direct fistula of the cyst into the bronchi:
BBF type II: intrapulmonary cavern:
BBF type III: intrapleural intermediate pocket with encystment:
This classification underlines the importance of bronchial fistulas without neglecting biliary fistulas, and deserves to be taken into consideration, because from the bronchial fistula follows the superinfection of the intermediate pocket and the original cyst, as well as the superinfection of the lung and the tracheobronchial tree.
Gomez classification
This is a simple classification that differentiates 5 evolutionary grades, based on the degree of trans-diaphragmatic extension of the liver hydatid cyst:
Grade 1: adherent cyst: there are adhesions between the surface of the liver cyst and the diaphragm but without perforation of the diaphragm.
Grade 2: Diaphragmatic traversal: the cyst perforates the diaphragm, but there is minimal invasion of the thoracic cavity.
Grade 3: secondary pleural hydatidosis: the cyst perforates the diaphragm and progresses into the thoracic cavity, or presence of daughter vesicles in the pleural cavity.
Grade 4: hydatid pneumonia: there is a cysto-bronchial connection, or there is only compression and atelectasis of the lung parenchyma.
Grade 5: chronic bronchial fistula: this is the stage of chronic bronchial fistula but without associated biliary fistula, which may be related to the natural evolution of a hydatid cyst of the liver or to a postoperative complication of an operated hydatid cyst.
In the light of these classifications, we propose a new classification of these lesions, which is more simplistic and will allow an anatomical distribution but with the need of a large clinical study to approve this proposition.
Type I: bilio-pleural fistula (Figure 2):
type Ia: simple without associated bronchial fistula,
type Ib: complex with associated bronchial fistula,
type Ic: complex with associated parietal fistula (empyema of necessity).
Type II: bilio-bronchial fistula (Figure 3):
Clinical symptomatology
Bronchial fistulization of hydatid cysts of the liver is always manifested by vomiting, which is the main symptom. This hydatid vomiting is almost always preceded by two phases: a prodromal phase and a premonitory phase [11]:
The prodromal phase; made of general signs and physical signs:
fever, altered general condition.
hepato-biliary signs; are not specific, in particular jaundice or sub-icterus which varies between 25% and 35% according to the series [12, 21, 22], right hypochondrium pain, angiocholitis,
respiratory signs: cough, dyspnea, bronchial pneumonitis,
signs of diaphragmatic irritation: hiccups
The premonitory thoracic phase; characterized by:
The hepato-pulmonary phase; characterized by hydatid vomiting. Hydatid vomiting is a suggestive sign of a ruptured hydatid cyst in the bronchi but does not indicate its pulmonary or hepatic location. Its frequency varies according to the series; it is said to range from 11.3% to 79% [21, 22]. It includes two varieties:
hydatidoptysis which is the discharge of a “rock water” fluid or hydatid membranes,
biliptysis or bilious vomiting is the main symptom of biliobronchial fistulization which can evolve into bronchial cholerrhagia. Its frequency varies according to the series; it is seen in between 12.5% and 77.8% of cases [21, 23].
Complementary investigations
Biology
Manifest biological inflammatory syndrome with hydroelectrolytic disturbances and cholestatic and cytolytic hepatic syndrome. Anemia of inflammatory type is almost constant. The search for bile salts in the sputum and/or pleural puncture fluid or bronchial aspiration helps to establish the diagnosis.
Radiology
Chest X-ray; which may show Figure 4:
Hepato-biliary ultrasound
It studies the structure of the liver and the bile ducts in search of a dilatation or an obstacle, it also shows the hydatid cyst and allows it to be implicated in the genesis of this complication by showing the immediate vicinity between the hydatid cyst and the pulmonary lesions. It also allows visualization of the diaphragmatic breach in 70% of cases. It allows visualization of a pleural effusion.
It is of great interest in the diagnosis of bilio-bronchial fistula, by visualizing the diaphragmatic continuity solution as well as the origin, the path and the termination of the fistula, the search for a hepatic collection and a possible dilatation of the bile ducts [24].
Thoracic computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging
Computed tomography (Figure 5) or MRI of the thorax is more efficient for an accurate bronchopulmonary and hepatobiliary lesion assessment.
Retrograde endoscopic cholangiography
Retrograde endoscopic cholangiography allows visualization of the fistula and search for a possible obstruction of the main biliary tract [25].
Bronchial fibroscopy
Bronchial fibroscopy can be useful for diagnosis and also to assess the severity of bronchial lesions, but it is rarely conclusive [26].
Fistulography
This is a simple examination that can quickly establish the etiological diagnosis; it allows visualization of a fistulous pathway communicating with a hepatic cavity and/or with the bronchial tree in the case of a cutaneous-cysto-hepato-bronchial fistula of hydatid origin. This examination is abandoned.
Treatment
The objective of the treatment of BBF is to dry up the fistula and to treat the cause of the fistula. It is a surgical treatment, with preoperative resuscitation [27], which consists of a re-equilibration of the hydro-electrolytic disorders caused by the biliary losses and increased by the infectious state, a fistulization in the pleura and respiratory physiotherapy.
The therapeutic attitude and the choice of the approach depend on the preoperative radio-clinical and biological assessment. The surgical treatment must fulfill the following objectives:
to treat intra-thoracic lesions, which sometimes require parenchymal excision,
to achieve hepato-diaphragmatic disconnection,
treat the hydatid cyst of the liver,
ensure freedom of the bile duct, and
repair the diaphragm,
systematic drainage of the pleural cavity, the intrahepatic cavity and the interhepatic-diaphragmatic space.
Surgical procedure
1. Before the operation
This step is essential to determine the patient’s operability and to anticipate the various operative risks. It includes the preoperative evaluation of the ventilatory function of the lung, the search for associated pathology, and the preparation of the patient for the operation [28, 29].
Evaluation of the respiratory function
Its objective is to search for a pre-existing respiratory impairment (COPD, PAH...).
Two examinations are fundamental: spirometry and blood gas measurements.
Spirometry evaluates alveolar ventilation by measuring pulmonary volumes and flows. The flow-volume curve provides information on both the mechanical and dynamic properties of the ventilatory system.
The measurement of blood gases assesses the efficiency of respiratory exchanges; the PaO2 evaluates the alveolar ventilation-perfusion ratio, the PaCO2 reflects the ventilation efficiency.
Search for an associated pathology
It allows one to foresee the deleterious consequences of perioperative hemodynamic variations and perioperative hypoxia.
Preparation of the patient for the operation
The surgical treatment can only be undertaken after the patient has been put in a condition, both on a general and pulmonary level, on which the postoperative course will depend. It consists of:
correction of the patient’s nutritional and hydrolytic status,
systematic antibiotic therapy adapted and extended to the aerodigestive spectrum,
respiratory physiotherapy,
pleural drainage if effusion.
Preoperative endoscopic sphincterotomy, proposed by the majority of authors to decrease the flow of very productive fistulas (Figure 6) in order to avoid corrosive contact of the bile with the tracheobronchial tree [30, 31].
Figure 6
Operative views (A, B, C) of a low sited thoracotomy with a biliophrenic fistula (arrow) that can be visualized after phrenopulmonary deconnection
2. Anaesthesia
Selective intubation is imperative to protect the contralateral lung from any risk of flooding by bronchial secretions, but especially from bile or hydatid products. The most common are Carlens, White and Robertshaw tubes, which are distinguished from each other by the existence or not of a spur and by the side of the bronchus to be intubated.
Non-selective intubation should be avoided because of the risk of flooding the healthy lung on the side.
3. Choice of approach
The choice of the approach is a matter of preference and circumstance; the main thing is to be able to treat the three lesions by a single approach. There are many different approaches;
Thoracotomy alone
Demirleau [32] recommends complete cure of the pulmonary, diaphragmatic and hepatic lesions in a single step by low thoracotomy (7th intercostal space) (Figures 7 and 8).
Figure 7
Operative views (A, B) of a low sited thoracotomy after repair of the biliophrenic fistula and hepatic lesions
Some authors think that it is the bronchial lesions that maintain the superinfection of the hydatid cyst of the liver, the pleural pouch and the broncho-parenchymal lesions, which therefore justify a thoracic approach [12, 33].
The thoracic approach is also recommended in the case of destruction of a lobe diagnosed preoperatively, or of pulmonary lesions (irreversible bronchiectasis or chronic pulmonary suppurations).
In small communications with little or no function, thoracotomy is sufficient.
Thoraco-phreno-laparotomy
Suggested by some authors [34] but it is mainly indicated in BBF of traumatic origin [35].
Laparotomy alone
In active biliary-bronchial fistulas with a large flow, the fistula can only be dried up by hepato-bronchial disconnection, which can only be carried out if the freedom of the bile ducts has been ensured, and to verify or ensure the freedom of the bile ducts, laparotomy is essential.
Some authors advocate an exclusive abdominal approach which allows hepato-biliary disconnection and cure of the cyst(s) and ensures freedom of the bile ducts by drainage of the main bile duct if necessary [28]. Exclusive laparotomy is justified because it is intended for patients in poor general condition with impaired respiratory function.
Some authors think that the problem is essentially and above all hepato-biliary, and therefore they recommend a first laparotomy (right sub-costal), which allows intraoperative cholangiography to be performed, other possible liver cysts to be treated and, if necessary, the bile ducts to be freed by choledocotomy [27, 28].
– First thoracotomy followed by laparotomy.
This is proposed by some authors [22] and is a long procedure that is not well tolerated by patients whose general condition is precarious. It is unavoidable in case of biliary obstruction associated with evolving type II, III or IV thoracic lesions.
Some authors choose laparoscopy to repair abdominal and diaphragmatic lesions.
4. Repair of the lesions
Liver
The thoracotomy is performed in the 7th intercostal space. First, the diaphragmatic fistula path is widened after excision of the sclerotic tissue. Then the periphery of the hepatic pouch is detached from the diaphragm after opening the peritoneal cavity. This detachment considerably reduces the flow of the fistulas held open by the phreno-hepatic symphysis. Before treating the hepato-biliary lesions, the liver must first be freed and the fistulous path and diaphragmatic breach must be located. This release consists of sectioning the right triangular ligament, coronary ligament and falciform ligament, which allows good exposure of the cystic cavity and the diaphragmatic injury. Partial resection of the cystic sac followed by curettage of the remaining sac may be sufficient if there is no bilio-bronchial fistula.
In order to better explore the state of the bile ducts, intraoperative cholangiography and exploration of the main bile duct are the rule [2]; without being sure of the freedom of the bile ducts, it is imprudent to make a suture in order to pretend to close the bilio-cystic communication.
Diaphragm
After hepato-diaphragmatic disconnection, repair of the diaphragm does not generally pose any problems. Dissection of the phrenocostal adhesions allows phrenoplasty to be performed even if the wound is large. It will be done with a slow resorption suture (Figure 8).
Lung
The thoracotomy is performed in the 6th intercostal space. The lung detachment must be performed rapidly in order to control the bronchial pedicle and avoid any risk of tracheobronchial flooding. Release of the lung from the diaphragm allows access to the fistulous path and emptying of the pulmonary and hepatic pockets. In the case of scleroinflammatory tissues irritated by bile, some authors consider that it is unwise to perform extensive pulmonary resections on scleroinflammatory tissues corroded by bile; it is necessary to limit resections to a minimum, especially since the lesions are often reversible [1, 2].
In the case of irreversible parenchymal lesions, segmental or lobar resections are clearly preferable to simple sutures of bronchial fistulas with pocket padding which are the source of repeated interventions in patients with an initially poor general condition [32, 40–42].
The fistula pathway
The diaphragmatic fistula will be closed by an X-stitch. If the fistula is large, the main biliary tract must be drained by a Kehr drain, and the cystic cavity will be drained by an interhepatic-diaphragmatic drain.
At the end of the procedure, the two drains connected by a Y connection are put in gentle suction until the apparent exclusion of the thoracic drain, then the drains are left in siphoning for a few days (3 to 7 days).
Results
BBF of hydatid origin have a very poor prognosis; they are responsible for a high operative mortality rate which varies according to the series between 12.2% and 39.2% [11, 22, 27, 28].
Postoperative complications vary according to the series; a study carried out in our department found a rate of 12.7% of cases, dominated by infectious complications [1]; indeed, BBF surgery is a septic surgery, and the high incidence of postoperative infectious complications is therefore understandable. Therefore, every effort should be made to diagnose and manage these complications early to reduce the postoperative morbidity and mortality rate [22, 43].
Conclusions
The prognosis remains severe despite the improvement in resuscitation and surgical techniques. This shows the importance of early diagnosis and treatment and the establishment of a prophylaxis program based on the cooperation of veterinary services, public health services and the establishment of a special health education program based on prevention.
The choice of the approach and the types of resections must be adapted and discussed on a case-by-case basis. To summarize we present the scheme (Figure 9) and the main points to remember.
