Living with Congenital bronchobiliary fistula
A rare condition present from birth in which the windpipe or a bronchus connects to a bile duct of the liver.
Understanding Congenital bronchobiliary fistula
The windpipe (trachea) or a bronchus connects with the left hepatic duct. It can cause breathing difficulty, repeated respiratory infections, and bile in coughed-up material or vomit. It is seen in childhood.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD's summary describes these features:
- Breathing difficulty
- Repeated respiratory infections
- Bile in coughed-up material or vomit
- Narrowed windpipe (tracheal stenosis)
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include digestive system specialists, genetic specialists and lung and breathing specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Digestive system specialists (gastroenterologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists); Lung and breathing specialists (pulmonologists)
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says changes in genes cause this condition, but doesn't list a specific gene or inheritance pattern.
Also known as: congenital respiratory-biliary fistula
Patient organizations
Rare-disease groups that can help
- Global GenesRare Diseases · United States
- National Organization for Rare DisordersRare Diseases · United States
- Genetic AllianceRare Diseases · United States
- RARE FoundationRare Diseases · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Congenital bronchobiliary fistula.
Explore research for Congenital bronchobiliary fistula
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- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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