Pneumobilia, chronic diarrhea, vitamin K malabsorption: A pathognomonic triad for cholecystocolonic fistulas

Abstract

Cholecystocolonic fistula (CF) is an uncommon type of internal biliary-enteric fistulas, which comprise rare complications of cholelithiasis and acute cholecystitis, with a prevalence of about 2% of all biliary tree diseases. We report a case of a spontaneous CF in a 75-year-old diabetic male admitted to hospital for the investigation of chronic watery diarrhea and weight loss. Massive pneumobilia demonstrated on abdominal ultrasound and computerized tomography, along with chronic, bile acid-induced diarrhea and a prolonged prothrombin time due to vitamin K malabsorption, led to the clinical suspicion of the fistula. Despite further investigation with barium enema and magnetic resonance cholangio-pancreatography, diagnosis of the fistulous tract between the gallbladder and the hepatic flexure of the colon could not be established preoperatively. Open cholecystectomy with fistula resection and exploration of the common bile duct was the preferred treatment of choice, resulting in an excellent postoperative clinical course. The incidence of biliary-enteric fistulas is expected to increase due to the parallel increase of iatrogenic interventions to the biliary tree with the use of endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography and the increased rate of cholecystectomies performed. Taking into account that advanced imaging techniques fail to demonstrate the fistulas tract in half of the cases, and that CFs usually present with non-specific symptoms, our report could assist physicians to keep a high index of clinical suspicion for an early and valid diagnosis of a CF.

INTRODUCTION

Internal biliary-enteric fistulas (IBFs) are very rare, comprising 0.4%-1.9% of all biliary tract diseases[1–3]. IBFs are detected in only 0.2%-0.9% of all biliary tract operations[4–6]. Depending on the site of communication with the extrahepatic biliary tree, several types of fistulas are recognized (cholecystoduodenal, choledochoduodenal, cholecystogastric, cholecysto-choledochal, cholecystocolonic, cholecystoduodenocolic)[1,2]. Peptic ulcer and malignancies of the stomach, gallbladder, pancreas, duodenum, colon and bile ducts have been identified as etiologic factors, with cholelithiasis being the predisposing factor[2]. Iatrogenesis may be responsible for an increasing incidence of IBFs in the near future[2], as the use of endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) and the rate of cholecystectomies performed annually increase.

A cholecystocolonic (otherwise cholectystocolonic) fistula (CF) is an uncommon type of IBF, which forms a communication between the gallbladder and the hepatic flexure of the transverse colon (Figure 1)[7]. Theoretically, fistula formation was part of the natural history of acute cholecystitis prior to the era of cholecystectomy and antibiotics[8]. Its frequency among other types of IBF ranges between 8% and 13.6%[1,9,10]. CFs are associated with several severe complications, such as acute cholangitis, biliary peritonitis and biliary cirrhosis[3,11,12], leading to a global mortality rate between 10% and 15%[4,9,10].

Figure 1.

Schematic demonstration of a cholecystocolic fistula (modified from Benage et al[7]). GB: Gallbladder; CBD: Common bile duct; RHD: Right hepatic duct; PD: Pancreatic duct; CF: Cholecystocolic fistula.

Since Courvoisier first discussed spontaneous biliary fistulas in 1890[3], several authors have described interesting case-reports of CF in the literature[13–38]. However, diagnosis still remains a challenge, mainly because: (1) CF presents with varying and non-specific symptoms; (2) CF is very rare and is kept last in differential diagnosis; and (3) even advanced imaging techniques fail to demonstrate the fistulas tract in almost half of the cases[1,2,13].

In this paper, we report a case of a spontaneous CF and review the literature. The aim of this paper is to elaborate on the clinical manifestation of a CF and describe the pathophysiological mechanisms. In conclusion, we suggest that the triad of pneumobilia, chronic diarrhea and malabsorption of vitamin K could assist physicians to keep a high index of clinical suspicion for CF, leading to an early and valid diagnosis.

CASE REPORT

A 75-year-old male patient was referred to our university hospital for the investigation of chronic diarrhea and weight loss. The patient reported suffering from watery diarrhea of 3-4 bowel movements daily, lasting longer than 18 mo, and weight loss of 15 kg. The patient reported having no fever, nausea, vomiting, jaundice or abdominal pain. Medical history revealed the presence of mild diabetes mellitus type 2, which was controlled by diet, and a long-lasting smoking habit. The patient had already been subjected to colonoscopy prior to his admittance. Biopsies, including the terminal ileum, had been unrevealing. Routine laboratory tests of total white blood cell (WBC) count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), aminotransferase levels and electrolytes had also been found within normal.

On admission, the patient was afebrile. No pathological signs were found on physical examination. Laboratory investigation demonstrated alkaline phosphatase of 228 IU/L (normal range 35-120 IU/L), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase of 120 IU/L (normal: 10-45 IU/L), C-reactive protein of 6.51 mg/dL (normal: 0-0.5 mg/dL) and a prolonged prothrombin time (PT) of 20.3 s (normal: 12.2 s), that was returned to normal after parenteral administration of vitamin K (10 mg subcutaneously). Total and differential WBC counts, haemoglobulin, platelet count, ESR, aminotransferase levels, bilirubin, total protein, albumin and electrolytes ranged within normal values. Fecal examination included negative stool culture and negative examination of stool for ova and parasites. Stool examination for fat was negative, but fat determination of 24 h stool was unavailable.

Ultrasonographic examination of the liver and the extrahepatic biliary tree demonstrated pneumobilia and moderate dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts, with a normal common bile duct and a thick-walled gallbladder (Figure 2). Enhanced CT of the abdomen confirmed massive pneumobilia and absence of common bile duct dilatation (Figure 3A). Furthermore, the presence of air was detected in the gallbladder, which was neighboured to the hepatic flexure of the colon (Figure 3B). Neither the following barium enema nor the MR cholangio-pancreatography were able to detect any fistulous tract between the gallbladder and the colon.

Figure 2.

Ultrasonographic examination revealing pneumobilia and moderate dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts, with a normal common bile duct and a thick-walled gallbladder.

Figure 3.

Computed tomography scan. A: Massive pneumobilia (“air cholangiogram”); B: Presence of air detected in the gallbladder.

The patient was subsequently referred to surgery for diagnostic laparotomy. During surgery a fistulous tract from the fundus of the gallbladder to the hepatic flexure of the colon was detected, along with an impacted large gallstone near Vater’s villa. Cholecystectomy with fistula resection and bilio-enteric anastomosis after gallstone removal was undertaken. The patient had an excellent postoperative clinical course. Diarrhea stopped, and he regained his weight within a 6 mo period.

DISCUSSION

We report a case of a spontaneous CF in a male diabetic patient, due to asymptomatic cholelithiasis. A combined triad of strong clues (pneumobilia, chronic, bile acid-induced diarrhea and malabsorption of fat-soluble vitamin K) provided high clinical suspicion for a CF, which was only confirmed during diagnostic laparotomy.

Several authors have reported their own experience of CFs[2,7,9,13–38]. Table 1 summarizes patients’ demographics, etiological factors, clinical presentation, presence of pneumobilia, means of fistula visualization and treatment option preferred. CF occurs mostly in the elderly, with a female preponderance[3,9]. In our case and in more than 90% of all cases, cholelithiasis is the main etiologic factor. Cholelithiasis may cause either recurrent episodes of acute cholecystitis/cholangitis or asymptomatic chronic calculous cholecystitis. The sequence of events that lead to the formation of the fistula include gallbladder inflammation, mechanical erosion by gallstones and gangrenous changes of both the gallbladder wall and the wall of the adjacent colon[14,17,39]. The gallstone found in the common bile duct in our patient could have affected the formation of the fistula by increasing the pressure in the biliary tree and thus enhancing the mechanical erosion of the gallbladder by another gallstone or gallstones that could easily have escaped through the fistulous tract.

Table 1.

Systematic review of cases of cholecystocolic fistulas reported in the literature

Author (yr)	No. pts	Age (yr)	Etiology	Main clinical manifestation	Presence of pneumobilia	Means of fistula visualization	Treatment option preferred
Chatzoulis et al[14] (2007)	1M	52	Cholelithiasis (mirizzi syndrome type IV)	Diarrhea, RUQ pain, fever	+ (US, CT)	MRCP, ERCP	Cholecystectomy, fistula excision, Roux-en-Y bilio-enteric anastomosis
Wang et al[15] (2006)	1F	63	Gallbladder and CBD stone	RUQ pain	+	ERCP	Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, fistula closure
Singh et al[16] (2004)	1F	92	Gallstones	Melena	+	-	Conservative
Arvanitidis et al[17] (2003)	1M	72	Acute obstructive cholecystitis	Unexplained pneumobilia, history of RUQ pain	+ (US)	ERCP	Open cholecystectomy, fistula resection, exploration of CBD
Hussien et al[18] (2003)	1M	63	Xanthogra-nulomatous cholecystitis	Fever due to extraperitoneal abscesses	-	-	Cholecystectomy, fistula excision, closure of colon defect
Velayos Jiménez et al[9] (2003)	1F	79	Cholelithiasis	Chronic diarrhea, steatorrhea (?)	+ (US, CT)	BE	Conservative (antibiotics, vitamins)
De Keuleneer et al[19] (2002)	NR	NR	Cholelithiasis (Mirizzi syndrome type I)	Obstructive jaundice	-	ERCP	Cholecystectomy with Roux-en-Y hepato-enteric anastomosis
Ramos-De la Medina et al[20] (2002)	1F	48	Cholelithiasis	Lower gastro-intestinal bleeding	-	-	Open surgery
	1F	60	Gallbladder malignacy	Multiple hepatic abscesses	-	-
Dutta et al[21] (2002)	1F	65	NR	Diarrhea, weight loss, malabsorption (?)	+	BE, ERCP	Fistulectomy, cholecystectomy
Schoeters et al[22] (2002)	1F	81	NR	Incidental pneumobilia, RUQ pain	+ (PAF, US)	ERCP	NR
Fujitani et al[23] (2001)	1F	58	Cholelithiasis, chronic cholecystitis	RUQ pain	-	Intraoperatively	Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and fistula resection
Sam et al[24] (2001)	1F	75	Incidental (Crohn’s disease?)	Diarrhea	- (Air in gallbladder)	BE, Tc-99m chole-scintigraphy	NR
Inal et al[2] (1999)	1F	72	Chronic cholecystitis	Diarrhea, weight loss	+ (US)	BE	Open cholecystectomy, repair of the fistula
Kuo et al[25] (1999)	1F	65	Chronic cholecystitis	Diarrhea, fever, RUQ, jaundice	+ (PAF)	BE, ERCP	Cholecystectomy, fistulas division
Hida et al[26] (1999)	1F	61	Cholelithiasis	Incidental finding (BE screening), RUQ pain	-	BE	Laparoscopic stampling technic
Holst et al[27] (1999)	1F	76	Gallstone disease	Diarrhea, RUQ pain	-	BE	Open cholecystectomy, fistula resection
Reddy et al[28] (1998)	1F	72	History of acute cholecystitis	Incidental finding during laparoscopic cholecystectomy	-	-	Laparoscopic approach, tube caecostomy
Bornet et al[29] (1998)	NR	NR	Gallstone disease	Colonic gallstone obstruction	+ (CT)	CT?	None
Hession et al[13] (1996)	1F	70	Acute or chronic cholecystitis	Diarrhea	-	BE	NR
	1F	78		Diarrhea	-	BE
	1F	69		Diarrhea	-	BE
	1F	73		Diarrhea	-	BE
	1F	77		Colon ileus	+	BE
	1F	85		RUQ pain, diarrhea	+	BE
	1M	43		Melena	-	ERCP
Pérez Morera et al[30] (1996)	2F	NR	Gallstone disease	Colonic gallstone obstruction	+	BE (postoperatively)	Repair of the fistula at a later stage
Ibrahim et al[31] (1995)	1F	68	Cholelithiasis	Incidental finding during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, RUQ pain, diarrhea	-	Operative cholecystogramm	Laparoscopic approach
Gentileschi et al[32] (1995)	NR	NR	Gallstone disease	Severe diarrhea	-	BE	Laparoscopic approach
Prasad et al[33] (1994)	1F	67	NR	Incidental finding during laparoscopic cholecystectomy	-	Operative cholangiography	Laparoscopic approach
Swinnen et al[34] (1994)	NR	NR	Gallstone disease	Colonic gallstone obstruction	+ (US)	Colonoscopy & contrast fistulography	NR
Benage et al[7] (1990)	1F	78	Gallstone obstruction of CBD	Malabsorption (steatorrhea, osteomalacia, hypocalcemia)	-	ERCP	Open cholecystectomy, repair of the fistula, calcium & D3 supplementation
Sing et al[35] (1990)	1M	80	Cholelithiasis, CBD obstruction, (Billroth II?)	Diarrhea, weight loss, fat malabsorption	+ (US)	ERCP	Open cholecystectomy, fistula resection, T-tube in CBD
Caroli-Bosc et al[36] (1990)	2		Gallstones	Steatorrhea	-	ERCP	Open surgery
				Jaundice, fever	-	ERCP, cholescintigram	ERCP sphincterotomy
Patel et al[37] (1989)	1F	NR	Gallstone disease	Colonic gallstone obstruction	-	?	?
Anseline et al[38] (1981)	1F	90	Gallstone disease	Colonic gallstone obstruction	+ (X-ray contrast)	Intraoperatively	None

M: Male; F: Female; NR: Not reported; RUQ: Right upper quadrant; CBD: Common bile duct; PAF: Plain abdominal film; BE: Barium enema; US: Ultrasound examination; CT: Computed tomography; MRCP: MR cholangio-pancreatography; ERCP: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

CF usually has a benign clinical course, remaining asymptomatic for a long time, and can only be found incidentally[24,26,28] or be suspected by the presence of unexplained pneumobilia in patients with a history of episodes of right upper quadrant (RUQ) pain[17,22]. In other cases, varying symptoms are identified like fever, nausea and vomiting, attacks of abdominal pain localized mainly in the RUQ and jaundice[15,19,23,36]. These symptoms are non-specific and cannot be directly attributable to the fistula but rather to the main etiologic factor, cholelithiasis. In these cases, clinical presentations of acute cholecystitis, cholangitis or acute/chronic pancreatitis predominate.

A more specific symptom of a CF is chronic diarrhea[2,9,13,14,21,24,27,32,35]. CFs alter the normal enterohepatic circulation of bile acids, leading to chronic watery diarrhea. This is a type 1, bile acid-induced diarrhea, which results from the stimulation of colonic mucosa by bile acids and the subsequent colonic secretion of water and electrolytes[35,40,41]. In other cases, especially when hepatic synthesis of bile acids is reduced, bypass of the distal ileum allows bile acids to escape absorption, leading to steatorrhea[7,9,35,36]. Bile salts are needed for micelle formation and subsequent absorption of fat and fat-soluble vitamins, while protein absorption is not affected. Fat malabsorption resulting from impaired micelle formation is not as severe as malabsorption resulting from pancreatic lipase deficiency, because fatty acids and monoglycerides can form lamellar structures, which to a certain extent can be absorbed[42]. Theoretically, malabsorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, K and E) may be marked, because micelle formation is required for their absorption. However, malabsorption of fat-soluble vitamins A and E has never been reported in the literature, while malabsorption of vitamin D has only been described in one female patient with CF and osteoporosis/osteomalacia[7]. The deficiency of those vitamins has to be marked to provide clinical symptoms, and laboratory evaluation is difficult and outside routine clinical practice. On the other hand, vitamin K deficiency can easily be detected by a prolonged PT and can be fixed with parenteral administration.

Rare complications of CF reported in the literature are ectopic gallstone in the colon with obstruction[29,30,34,37,38] or hemorrhage of the lower gastrointestinal tract[20], and extraperitoneal abscess with sepsis due to ascending contamination by colon bacteria[18,20,43].

Barium enema[2,9,13,21,24,26,27,32], 99mTc scintigram[24,43], CT[29,44], MRCP and ERCP[7,13–15,17,19,21,22,35,36] have all been used in order to demonstrate the fistula. However, non-visualization of the fistulous tract occurs in almost half of the cases[1,2,13,44], and, subsequently, patients are subjected to exploratory laparotomy. The presence of pneumobilia, detected by plain abdominal films, abdominal ultrasound or CT, may provide presumptive evidence for the existence of a biliary-enteric fistula, but it is non-specific[2,45]. Other radiological features include a small atrophic gallbladder adherent to neighboring organs or a shrunken thick-walled gallbladder around gallstones[2,44].

Open cholecystectomy with fistula resection and exploration of the common bile duct is the treatment of choice mostly preferred in order to avoid attacks of cholecystitis and/or cholangitis. However, successful cases using the laparoscopic approach are increasingly reported in the literature[15,23,26,28,31–33]. In non-surgical patients, either conservative treatment with antibiotics and supplementation of fat-soluble vitamins[9,16], or ERCP sphincterotomy[36,46] to reduce biliary pressure are suggested.

In conclusion, especially in patients with a history of gallstone disease, the presence of chronic watery diarrhea and vitamin K malabsorption, combined with the radiological finding of pneumobilia, form a pathognomonic triad. Either internists/gastroenterologists or surgeons should keep a high clinical index for a valid preoperative diagnosis of CFs.