Bronchobiliary fistulae as a complication of hepatic cystic echinococcosis

Cystic hydatid disease or cystic echinococcosis (CE) rarely occurs in the Czech Republic. In 2005 - 2009, eleven cases were recorded, mostly among immigrants from the Balkans. Presented here is a case report of a 38-year-old patient with hepatic CE complicated by bronchobiliary fistulae. Ten days before surgical removal of the hydatid cysts, treatment with mebendazole was started. During surgery the affected part of the lungs was resected and the liver cysts were drained using transthoratic access. The follow-up was complicated by leakage of bile into the pleural cavity. The leakage was associated with continued communication between the liver cyst and the pleural cavity which did not close spontaneously after removal of the drain. Endoscopic nasobiliary drainage decreased pressure in the bile duct and within 14 days, it led to the spontaneous closure of the communication between the liver cyst and the pleural cavity. Seven months after the operation, the patient was in a very good clinical condition.