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Detection of a suspected bronchobiliary fistula by hepatobiliary scintigraphy

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Abstract

Bronchobiliary fistula (BBF) represents a rare but severe complication in patients affected by liver metastases. Although a clinical suspicion can arise when specific clinical signs, in particular biliptysis, are present, conventional imaging modalities often fail to confirm the diagnosis. We present a case of a patient affected by colon cancer with liver metastases previously treated with partial right-sided hepatectomy and multiple thermo-ablative treatments combined with chemotherapy, who manifested a septic fever associated with productive cough and biliptysis. Diagnosis of BBF was confirmed only by hepatobiliary scintigraphy with 99mTc-heptoiminodiacetic acid.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nuclear Medicine Division, Regina Elena Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi, 53 00162, Rome, Italy

    Alessio Annovazzi, Luisa Romano, Rosa Sciuto & Carlo L. Maini

  2. Digestive Endoscopy, Regina Elena Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy

    Giovanni Viceconte

Authors
  1. Alessio Annovazzi
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  2. Giovanni Viceconte
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  3. Luisa Romano
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  4. Rosa Sciuto
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  5. Carlo L. Maini
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Correspondence to Alessio Annovazzi.

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Annovazzi, A., Viceconte, G., Romano, L. et al. Detection of a suspected bronchobiliary fistula by hepatobiliary scintigraphy. Ann Nucl Med 22, 641–643 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12149-008-0154-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12149-008-0154-z

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