Endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepatogastrostomy to treat a biliocutaneous fistula

We present the case of a 39-year-old woman with a biliocutaneous fistula and a history of surgery for colon cancer. Metastasis to the left lobe of the liver had been detected 3 months before her referral to us and she had been treated with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-guided insertion of an uncovered self-expandable metal stent (SEMS; 8-cm long) for obstructive jaundice caused by the metastasis. Post-procedural swelling appeared in the upper abdominal region and subsequently a fistula developed with bilious discharge from the skin over the right upper quadrant, which persisted for 3 months.

She was referred to our clinic with fever; jaundice, abdominal distension, and tenderness were the notable findings on her physical examination. A computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a fistula tract from the left lobe of the liver to the skin, passing through the anterior abdominal wall, with inflammatory changes in the surrounding tissue. After clinical and radiological evaluation, ERCP was performed for the evaluation of the stent but was unsuccessful owing to migration of the SEMS into the common bile duct.

After she had completed 3 months of ciprofloxacin therapy, an endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided hepatogastrostomy was performed. A puncture was performed from the stomach to the left intrahepatic bile duct using a 19-gauge needle. The tract was dilated with a bougie, and then a drainage catheter to the stomach (7-Fr, 7-cm biliary plastic stent; Boston Scientific, Marlborough, Massachusetts, USA) was placed ([Video 1]). The fistula in the upper abdomen was noted to have healed 3 days after performance of the hepatogastrostomy.

Video 1 Endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepatogastrostomy in a patient with a biliocutaneous fistula.

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Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Publication History

Article published online:
27 February 2020