Malignant biliary obstruction: complications of percutaneous biliary drainage

The medical records of 161 patients who underwent percutaneous biliary drainage (PBD) for malignant biliary obstruction were reviewed with attention to the complications resulting from this mode of drainage. Observed was a higher incidence of complications--particularly of cholangitis--than that generally reported in the literature. Although PBD is an effective method of biliary drainage, it carries a high risk of cholangitis in patients with cancer, who frequently receive myelosuppressive agents that predispose them to infections.     

Silicone biliary stents for percutaneous management of biliary obstruction

Silicone tubes in 2-F increments from 12 to 20 F were developed for long term external-internal drainage of benign and malignant biliary obstructions. Passed coaxially over Teflon catheters and a guidewire, the silicone stents were softer and had larger sideholes than conventional drainage tubes. Once the acute track had matured (two weeks or longer), a silicone stent, 2 F larger than the preceding one, could be placed at each succeeding tube change. We have placed these tubes in 50 patients, 24 of whom had initially placed percutaneous catheters and 26 of whom had surgically placed stents. These tubes remain patent at least as long as conventional catheters and all patients have reported increased comfort using these catheters compared with standard ones.     

经皮胆道引流术治疗恶性梗阻性黄疸

目的　回顾性分析恶性梗阻性黄疸的介入性经皮胆道引流治疗方法及其疗效。方法　对4 7例患者采用经皮肝穿刺胆道引流术治疗恶性梗阻性黄疸。先行PTC后探查通过阻塞段 ,如不能越过阻塞段 ,则直接进行外引流 ;如能越过阻塞段 ,则置入内外引流管作内外引流或置入金属支架或塑料内涵管作内引流。结果　内引流组 18例 ,15例置入金属支架 ,共 18枚 ,3例置入塑料内涵管 ,共 4根 ;内外引流组 15例 ,置入 18根内外引流管 ;外引流组 14例 ,置入 17根外引流管。术后 1周总胆红素从术前的 (5 14 .1± 2 0 4 .3) μmol/L降至 (2 38.4± 14 2 .8) μmol/L(P <0 .0 0 1) ,碱性磷酸酶与丙氨酸转氨酶均下降明显 (P均 <0 .0 0 1)。 4例于术后 1个月内死亡。跟踪随访 37例 ,平均随访 5 .3个月 ,8例仍存活。随访期内 18例 (48.6 % )总胆红素降至正常范围。结论　经皮肝穿刺胆道引流术是对恶性梗阻性黄疸的一种安全、有效的姑息性治疗方法 ,可明显缓解黄疸、减轻痛苦、提高生存质量 ,并可改善肝脏功能 ,有限地延长生存时间。     

Acute cholecystitis, biliary obstruction, and biliary leakage

The use of cholescintigraphy to diagnose acute cholecystitis, biliary obstruction, and biliary leakage dates back to the late 1970s. Today, despite the many advances in imaging instrumentation, radiopharmaceuticals, and methodology over these years, cholescintigraphy still plays an important role in confirming or excluding these diagnoses in acutely ill patients. Acute calculous and acalculous cholecystitis, gallbladder perforation, biliary obstruction, and biliary leakage often present as acute abdominal pain, and must be differentiated from other surgical and nonsurgical etiologies with similar symptoms and presentation. Understanding the pathophysiology of acute hepatobiliary diseases is vital for deciding on the most advantageous imaging work-up and for interpretation of the studies. To optimize the value of cholescintigraphy, up-to-date methology, proper use of appropriate pharmacologic interventions, and recognition of characteristic image findings are critical.     

Percutaneous management of biliary leaks: biliary embosclerosis and ablation

Biliary leaks after hepatobiliary surgery are not uncommon. In certain situations minimal invasive percutaneous techniques may result in avoidance or reduction of the extent of surgery. Minimal invasive percutaneous techniques include (1) percutaneous bile collection (biloma) drainage, (2) percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage, (3) biliary leak site embolization/sclerosis, and (4) leaking biliary segment ablation. There are two clinical applications for biliary ablation. The first is actual bile leak site ablation or embosclerosis to reduce an aperture or ablate a fistula (block a hole). The second is ablating an entire biliary segment to cease bile production and induce hepatic segmental atrophy (cease bile production). This article discusses the techniques used for biliary leak site embosclerosis/ablation (including biliary-cutaneous tract ablation) and biliary segmental ablation.     

Intracorporeal biliary lithotripsy

Most bile duct calculi can be removed with standard percutaneous or endoscopic techniques. Very large stones are the most common cause for failure. Intracorporeal lithotripsy, and EHL in particular, can be used safely in either the biliary tree or gallbladder to fragment these large stones and allow percutaneous removal or passage. Intracorporeal EHL requires direct vision to prevent damage to the bile duct mucosa. Intracorporeal laser lithotripsy may offer some safety advantages, but the laser requires much more expensive equipment than intracorporeal EHL. Additional studies are needed to determine the technique that is better in each circumstance.     

Metallic biliary endoprostheses

In patients with obstructive jaundice caused by unresectable malignant tumors, biliary endoprostheses insterted percutaneously or endoscopically can provide excellent palliation. Conventional plastic stents are associated with a relatively high rate of occlusion caused by biliary sludge. Migration is another significant problem. Self expandable, metallic stents can be inserted percutaneously via a small transhepatic track but expand to achieve a relatively large internal diameter. This minimizes the problem of occlusion due to encrusted bile and reduces the rate of reintervention. Migration rarely occurs. Metallic stents have also been employed in the management of recurrent benign biliary strictures unsuitable for surgery. In those patients in whom the frequency of radiological intervention is unacceptably high, such endoprostheses can provide a means of preventing restenosis.     

Pediatric biliary interventions

The most common indication for percutaneous biliary evaluation and intervention in children is for the diagnosis and treatment of liver transplant complications, including strictures and bile leaks. Because liver transplants in children are commonly performed using a Roux-en-Y biliary-enteric anastomosis, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is not technically possible; therefore, the first-line procedure for evaluation and treatment of biliary obstruction in this population is percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC). Percutaneous biliary intervention can be challenging in these patients, because ductal dilation may be minimal or altogether absent in pediatric transplant livers even in the setting of severe obstruction. However, with proper technique, including the use of ultrasound guidance, technical success rates for PTC and biliary drainage can be similar to those in adults. Biliary drainage and biliary stenosis management is a long-term commitment that usually takes several months to more than a year and may require multiple repeat cholangioplasties and biliary drainage catheter exchanges. Due to its minimally invasive nature and relatively low morbidity and mortality compared with open surgical alternatives, percutaneous biliary intervention should be considered the first-line treatment option in children with biliary stenosis who have had previous liver transplant, and for those nontransplant patients who cannot be treated endoscopically.     

Silicone biliary stents

Large silicone stents (9-28 French) were placed in the biliary tree of 173 patients over a 3-year period. Their use markedly reduced the incidence of catheter occlusion and sepsis. Only three cases of cholangitis and one case each of excessive bleeding and pleural effusion occurred. No skin irritation or pancreatitis occurred. The large bore of the catheter and the use of biocompatible material improved the safety and efficacy of biliary drainage.     

Interventional biliary radiology

The biliary tract may be approached through surgical drainage tracts, percutaneously through the liver, and perorally through the duodenum. Removal of retained stones through a surgical drainage tract can be performed on outpatients with 90%-95% success in experienced hands. The percutaneous approach through the liver is useful to drain malignant obstructions before surgical or drug treatment and can offer catheter stent palliation for tumors in the porta hepatis. Benign strictures also may be drained and dilated transhepatically. Ascites and multiple intrahepatic obstructions are relative contraindications to transhepatic entry. Hemorrhage is the most frequent serious complication, occurring in about 5% of procedures. Indwelling endoprostheses are preferred to external catheters to reduce the psychologic trauma of the catheter. A new procedure for inserting large endoprostheses by a combined peroral/transhepatic approach has the advantage of requiring only a small transhepatic tract.     

Benign biliary diseases

Benign biliary diseases include a large spectrum of congenital and acquired disorders, which have different prognosis and require different treatment management. The diagnosis may be challenging since some benign disorders may mimic malignancy. Imaging has an important role in the diagnostic process, for treatment decision and planning and in patient follow up. Magnetic resonance (MR) with magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) sequences is the imaging modality of choice for biliary diseases and has demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy. Moreover, the use of a hepato-specific MR contrast agent allows morphological and functional assessment of the liver and the biliary tree improving the diagnostic performance.     

经皮肝穿刺胆道引流术及胆管内支架植入术在恶性梗阻性黄疸治疗中的应用

目的 评价经皮肝穿刺胆道引流(FTBD)及胆管内支架植入术(PTIBS)治疗恶性梗阻性黄疸的疗效.方法 对56例恶性梗阻性黄疸患者采取PTBD或PTIBS,所有患者均经B超、CT或MRI明确诊断,并确定梗阻部位,其中高位梗阻19例,低位梗阻37例.梗阻原因包括肝癌14例,胆管癌11例,胆囊癌5例,胃癌伴淋巴结转移14例,壶腹部占位1例,胰头癌11例.术中根据造影结果选择合适方案.结果 所有56例均成功完成手术.其中行PTBD 11例,PTIBS 40例,PTBD并PTIBS 5例.TBIL由术前(295.65 ±152.86)μmol/L降至术后(151.05 ± 107.36)μmol/L(P<0.01).术后感染对黄疸消退有影响(P<0.01).梗阻部位与黄疸消退情况比较差异无统计学意义(P=0.063).结论 经皮肝穿刺胆道引流及支架植入术治疗恶性梗阻性黄疸安全有效,可明显减轻黄疸,改善患者生活质量,延长生存期.     

Strategy for the use of biliary scintigraphy in non-iatrogenic biliary trauma

Biliary scintigraphy was used to examine 21 patients who had suspected non-iatrogenic biliary trauma. Seven patients (33%) had scintigraphic evidence of biliary leakage. Ultimately, surgical biliary repair was required for only three of these patients. Visualization of the gallbladder did not occur in eight trauma patients, but only one patient was shown to have cholecystitis. In this series, 16 patients had Tc-99m sulfur colloid scans that offered no significant advantage over cholescintigraphy in the detection of hepatic parenchymal defects. Biliary scintigraphy provides clinically useful information in cases both of blunt and penetrating trauma.     

内镜下置入胆管支架治疗恶性胆道梗阻的临床应用

 目的 探讨内镜下胆管支架置入术治疗恶性胆道梗阻的疗效及应用价值.方法 全部病例经内镜逆行胰胆管造影术(ERCP)确定胆管狭窄部位及程度,选择合适的支架,在透视引导下置入支架.塑料支架组16例,金属支架组12例.观察其操作成功率、黄疸消退效果、并发症发生情况及6~12个月生存率.结果 首次置管成功率83.3%,总置管成功率93.3%,置管成功28例均达到降黄疸目的,临床症状缓解.早期并发症主要为ERCP术后胰腺炎及胆管炎,其中胰腺炎2例,发生率7.1%;胆管炎3例,发生率10.7%;晚期并发症主要为支架堵塞.6个月、12个月生存率分别达78.6 %及39.3 %.结论 内镜下胆管支架置入术治疗恶性胆道梗阻是安全有效的方法.     

胆道支架与十二指肠支架联合应用治疗胆道消化道梗阻

目的评价联合应用双支架治疗胆道及十二指肠梗阻的疗效。方法20例患者实施治疗。16例患者先经过经皮肝穿刺置入胆道支架解决胆道梗阻,患者出现十二指肠梗阻的症状后,14例患者经口腔、2例患者经胃造瘘口置入十二指肠支架。有4例患者同时有胆道和十二指肠梗阻的症状,同时置入胆道和十二指肠支架。结果所有患者都成功置入了双支架,没有出现并发症和再梗阻的表现。生存期1~14个月,平均5个月。结论联合双支架置入是治疗胆道和十二指肠梗阻的有效的方法。