Combined Bile Duct Ablation and Fistulous Tract Embolization Using N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate to Manage a Biliary-Cutaneous Fistula Following Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage (PTBD) for Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma

Abstract

Biliary fistula and bile leak are known complications following hepatobiliary surgery, trauma, and percutaneous biliary interventions. In the case of an isolated biliary system with a prolonged indwelling percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) catheter, a biliary-cutaneous fistula (BCF) may develop after catheter blockage or its accidental slippage. Due to the absence of internal drainage, secreted bile flows through the matured PTBD tract to form a fistula. If left untreated, chronic BCF will result in malabsorption, infection, and delayed wound healing. Here, we report a case of left-sided BCF following prolonged PTBD for Bismuth type II cholangiocarcinoma (metastatic disease), which was initially managed by bile duct ablation using N-butyl cyanoacrylate. The patient further needed fistulous tract embolization to obliterate the BCF.