Case Reports in Clinical Medicine
Vol.3 No.9(2014), Article ID:49563,3 pages DOI:10.4236/crcm.2014.39114

A Rare Cause of Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Cholecystoenteric Fistula

Iliass Charif1*, Hossam Benhammane2, Dafr-Allah Benajah1, Said Ait Laalim2, Khalid Mazaz2, Adil Ibrahimi1, Mounia El Yousfi1

1Department of Gastroenterology, Hassan II University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Fez, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco

2Department of Surgery, Hassan II University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Fez, Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, Morocco

Email: *iliass82@yahoo.fr

Copyright © 2014 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY).

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Received 10 July 2014; revised 8 August 2014; accepted 3 September 2014

Abstract

A 60-year-old woman presented to the emergency department of our university hospital for several episodes of upper gastro-intestinal bleeding (hematemesis and melena). The endoscopic examination (Figure 1) showed a large ulcer at the front of the bulb, with a calculation within it and a visible vessel on the banks of the ulcer treated by putting two clips. Computer tomography (CT), demonstrated a sclerotic, atrophic and multi gallstone gallbladder, with a calculation protruding in the duodenum. The patient underwent surgery which consisted on partial cholecystectomy with duodenal suture and closing of cystic duct.

Keywords:Gastrointestinal Bleeding, Cholecystoenteric Fistula

1. Introduction

Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a common medical emergency that could involve the vital prognosis. The etiologies are many: some are common, others are rare. Among the very rare etiologies, the fistulas whose diagnosis can be done by endoscopy and imaging and treatment is usually surgical.

2. Case Report

A 60-year-old woman presented to the emergency department of our university hospital for several episodes of upper gastro-intestinal bleeding (hematemesis and melena), the first of which dated to 3 days. On examination, hemodynamic parameters were correct. At admission, her haemoglobin was 6.9 g/dl, platelet count 213.000/mcl, prothrombin time 87% and liver test didn’t show any abnormality. The endoscopic examination (Figure 1) showed a large ulcer at the front of the bulb, with a calculation within it and a visible vessel on the banks of the ulcer treated by putting two clips to prevent bleeding reccurence.

Computer tomography (CT), demonstrated a sclerotic, atrophic and multi gallstone gallbladder, with a calculation protruding in the duodenum (Figure 2). Several mechanisms have been reported in the literature explaining

Figure 1. Large ulcer at the front of the bulb with a calculation within it.

Figure 2. Sclerotic, atrophic gallbladder, with a calculation protruding in the duodenum.

the appearance of this kind of fistula, including pseudoaneurysm and haemobilia [1] -[3] . The patient underwent surgery which consisted on partial cholecystectomy with duodenal suture and closing of cystic duct.

3. Conclusion

Via this case, we want to attract attention to this rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding, and we emphasize the importance of careful endoscopic examination in upper gastrointestinal bleeding to be able to reveal this kind of causes. CT performed by an expert can help in diagnosis. Surgery is the standard treatment for this cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Ÿ  4. Study Highlights

Ÿ  Bilio-digestive fistula as rare disease.

Ÿ  Bilio-digestive fistula as a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding.

Ÿ  The importance of careful endoscopy.

Ÿ  The importance of imaging (CT).

Ÿ  Surgery as the standard treatment.

References

  1. Saluja, S.S., Ray, S., Gulati, M.S., Pal, S., Sahni, P. and Chattopadhyay, T.K. (2007) Acute Cholecystitis with Massive Upper Gastrointestinal Bleed: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. BMC Gastroenterology, 7, 12.http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-230X-7-12
  2. Nana, G.R., Gibson, M., Speirs, A. and Ramus, J.R. (2013) Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A Rare Complication of Acute Cholecystitis. International Journal of Surgery Case Reports, 4, 761-764. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijscr.2013.05.016
  3. Glaysher, M.A., Cruttenden-Wood, D. and Szentpali, K. (2014) A Rare Cause of Upper Gastrointestinal Haemorrhage: Ruptured Cystic Artery Pseudoaneurysm with Concurrent Cholecystojejunal Fistula. International Journal of Surgery Case Reports, 5, 1-4. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijscr.2013.11.005

NOTES

*Corresponding author.