Successful occlusion of a bronchobiliary fistula using percutaneous microwave ablation: a case report

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Source: Frontiers Medicine

Original: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2026.1718950...

Published: 2026-02-02T00:00:00Z

Bronchobiliary fistula (BBF) is a rare complication representing an abnormal connection between the bile ducts and bronchi. The article describes the first reported case of successful BBF closure in a 35-year-old woman with primary colon cancer. BBF developed after percutaneous microwave ablation (PMWA) of liver metastases and presented with bilioptysis that did not resolve despite antibiotics and drainage. Under CT guidance, targeted PMWA with a power of 40 W was applied to the fistula tract for 7 minutes. The intervention resulted in complete radiographic closure of the fistula and resolution of symptoms. PMWA is a minimally invasive method compared to surgical, endoscopic or drainage procedures. The technique is suitable for high-risk patients, but its effectiveness may be lower for large or complex fistulas. Further validation is needed to confirm long-term results.