Cholecystocolic fistula: a pictorial review
摘要
Cholecystocolic fistulas are uncommon, abnormal communications between the gallbladder and colon. These fistulas may occur in the setting of cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, and malignancy. Due to their nonspecific clinical presentation, cholecystocolic fistulas are commonly diagnosed incidentally, often during cholecystectomy. This may delay or complicate definitive surgical management. There are very few imaging-focused descriptions of cholecystocolic fistulas in the literature. This pictorial review illustrates the varying imaging appearances of cholecystocolic fistulas, focusing on the most common etiologies including cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, and malignancy. Key imaging features include pneumobilia, direct visualization of the fistulous tract, and adherence of the gallbladder to the adjacent colon. Increasing radiologist awareness of these characteristic findings is crucial for improving preoperative diagnosis and guiding appropriate surgical management of cholecystocolic fistulas.