Bronchobiliary fistulas in adults.

Reported herein are 16 cases of nontraumatic bronchobiliary fistula in adults observed over 32 years. The fistulas were due to either biliary obstruction or infectious diseases involving the liver. All patients had biloptysis and other respiratory symptoms, and most had cholangitis, jaundice, and/or sepsis. The diagnosis was established by fistulography or cholangiography. All patients except one were treated surgically by relief of biliary obstruction and drainage of intra-abdominal abscesses. All 15 surgically treated patients had a successful outcome. Rapid diagnosis and early treatment of septic complications are necessary, but careful assessment and surgical relief of the biliary obstruction are essential in successfully treating this condition.