Cholecystoduodenal fistula: An unusual finding at autopsy

A 56-year-old man who collapsed in the street was found at autopsy to have died from mixed drug toxicity. Also present was a cholecystoduodenal fistula with an inflamed gallbladder adherent to an area of duodenal ulceration. The fistula was longstanding with significant fibrous scarring and predominantly chronic inflammation, but also with bacterial colonies, ulcer slough, and a polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration. It is uncertain whether the fistula originated from acute inflammation of the gallbladder with adherence to the duodenum (the most common aetiology) or from a penetrating duodenal ulcer, or from a combination of dual pathologies. Non-specific clinical features and illicit drug usage may have contributed to failure of diagnosis during life This case demonstrates significant rare pathology that may be more completely demonstrated with an internal autopsy examination.