biliary fistula

A biliary fistula is a type of fistula in which bile flows along an abnormal connection from the bile ducts into nearby hollow structure. Types of biliary fistula include:

bilioenteric fistula: abnormal connection to small bowel, usually duodenum.

thoracobiliary fistula: abnormal connection to pleural space or bronchus (rare).These may be contrasted to a bile leak, in which bile escapes the bile ducts through a perforation or faulty surgical anastomosis into the abdominal cavity. Damage to a bile ...