title: Asymptomatic cholecystocolonic fistula: a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma.
abstract: Cholecystocolonic fistulas (CCF) are rare complications of gallstones with a variable clinical presentation. Despite modern diagnostic tools, cholecystocolonic fistulas are often asymptomatic and it is difficult to diagnose them preoperatively. Biliary-enteric fistulae have been found in 0.9% of patients undergoing biliary tract surgery. The most common site of communication of the fistula is the cholecystoduodenal (70%), followed by the cholecystocolic (10-20%), and the least common is the cholecystogastric fistula. Herein, we report a case of female patient with multiple episodes of acute recurrent cholangitis due to common bile duct and gallbladder stones in which preoperative imaging studies were negative for cholecystocolonic fistula that was incidentally discovered and treated during surgery and was appropriately treated. A review of the literature is reported too.
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Emergency Surgery, University of Bologna, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Antonacci
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Taffurelli
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Casadei
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ricci
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Monari
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Minni