Percutaneous Balloon Dilatation for the Treatment of Early and Late Ureteral Strictures After Renal Transplantation: Long-Term Follow-Up

We report our experience with percutaneous balloon dilatation (PBD) for the treatment of ureteral strictures in patients with renal allografts. Of the 422 consecutive patients after renal transplantation in our center 10 patients had ureteral strictures. An additional 11 patients were referred from other centers. The 21 patients included 15 men and 6 women aged 16 to 67 years. Strictures were confirmed by sonography and scintigraphy in all cases. Patients underwent 2 to 4 PBDs at 7–10-day intervals. Clinical success was defined as resolution of the stenosis and hydronephrosis on sequential ultrasound and normalization of creatinine levels. Patients were divided into two groups: those who underwent transplantation more than 3 months previously and those who underwent transplantation less than 3 months previously. PBD was successful in 13 of the 21 patients (62%). There was no statistically significant difference in success rate between the patients with early (n = 12) and those with late (n = 9) obstruction: 58.4% and 66%, respectively. No major complications were documented. PBD is a safe and simple tool for treating ureteral strictures and procedure-related morbidity is low. It can serve as an initial treatment in patients with early or late ureteral strictures after renal transplantation.     

Percutaneous Treatment of Benign Biliary Anastomotic Strictures: Retrievable Covered Self-Expandable Metal Stent with Fixation String Versus Large-Bore Catheters

PurposeTo retrospectively compare the safety and efficacy of a covered self-expandable metal stent (CSEMS) with a transhepatic fixation string and a large-bore catheter for benign biliary anastomotic stricture after hepatobiliary surgery.Materials and MethodsFrom March 2012 to June 2017, 49 patients with benign biliary anastomotic strictures, untreatable with endoscopy, were included. Twenty-three patients (catheter group) were treated with a large-bore catheter (with progressive catheter upsizing to 16–18 Fr), whereas 26 patients (stent group) were treated by CSEMS (10-mm stent) placement. Technical success, clinical success, primary patency, recurrent strictures, complication rate, and catheter or stent indwelling time were compared between the groups.ResultsTechnical success and clinical success were achieved in all patients. In the stent group, stent retrieval was successful in all patients. The overall complication rate was 24.5% (catheter group vs. stent group, 30.4% vs. 19.2%; P = .363). Stent migration occurred in 1 patient during follow-up (1/26, 3.8%). The mean indwelling time was 10.3 ± 3.0 months (range, 8–16 months; median, 10 months) in the catheter group and 4.0 ± 1.2 months (range, 3–7 months; median, 4 months) in the stent group (P < .001). Recurrent strictures occurred in 10 (43.5%) patients in the catheter group and 4 (15.4%) patients in the stent group (P = .030). The 1- and 3-year primary patency rates were 82.6% and 69.3% in the catheter group and 92.3% and 84.4% in the stent group (P = .042).ConclusionsPercutaneous placement of a retrievable CSEMS showed superior intermediate-term outcomes over a large-bore catheter in patients with benign biliary anastomotic strictures.     

Treatment of Ureterointestinal Anastomotic Strictures by Diathermal or Cryoplastic Dilatation

Background Ureterointestinal anastomotic strictures (UAS) complicate 10–15% of surgeries for urinary diversion and are the main cause of deterioration in renal function. Treatments are surgical revision, management with autostatic stent, balloon dilatation, endoscopic incision, and percutaneous transrenal diathermy (Acucise). A new option is cryoplastic dilatation (Polar-Cath). Purpose To assess the feasibility, complications, and preliminary results of UAS treatment using the Acucise and Polar-Cath systems. Methods Nineteen UAS, diagnosed by ultrasonography or computed tomography and sequential renal scintigraphy, occurred in 15 cancer patients after radical cystectomy and urinary diversion. Fifteen were managed with balloon diathermy and 4 by balloon cryoplasty in a three-stage procedure—percutaneous nephrostomy, diathermal or cryoplastic dilatation, and transnephrostomic control with nephrostomy removal—each separated by 15 days. All patients gave written informed consent. Results Dilatations were successful in all cases. The procedure is simple and rapid (about 45 min) under fluoroscopic control and sedation. Procedural complications occurred in 1 (5%) patient with UAS after Wallace II uretero-ileocutaneostomy: a common iliac artery lesion was induced by diathermal dilatation, evident subsequently, and required surgical repair. Patency with balloon diathermy was good, with two restenoses developing over 12 months (range 1–22) of follow-up. With balloon cryoplastic dilatation, one restenosis developed in the short term; follow-up is too brief to assess the long-term efficacy. Conclusion Our short-term results with diathermal and cryoplastic dilatation to resolve UAS are good. If supported by longer follow-up, the techniques may be considered as first-choice approaches to UAS. Surgery should be reserved for cases in which this minimally invasive technique fails.     

Percutaneous Biliary Interventions: Inside and Outside the Box: Percutaneous Management of Benign Biliary Strictures

Benign biliary strictures are often due to a variety of etiologies, most of which are iatrogenic. Clinical presentation can vary from asymptomatic disease with elevated liver enzymes to obstructive jaundice and recurrent cholangitis. Diagnostic imaging methods, such as ultrasound, multidetector computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging (cholangiopancreatography), are used to identify stricture location, extent, and possible source of biliary obstruction. The management of benign biliary strictures requires a multidisciplinary team approach and include endoscopic, percutaneous, and surgical interventions. Percutaneous biliary interventions provide an alternative diagnostic and therapeutic approach, especially in patients who are not amenable to endoscopic evaluation. This review provides an overview of benign biliary strictures and percutaneous management by interventional radiologists. Diagnostic evaluation with percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and treatment options, including biliary drainage, balloon dilation, retrievable/biodegradable stents, and other innovative minimally invasive options, are discussed.     

Management of Benign Biliary Strictures

Benign biliary strictures are most commonly a consequence of injury at laparoscopic cholecystectomy or fibrosis after biliary-enteric anastomosis. These strictures are notoriously difficult to treat and traditionally are managed by resection and fashioning of a choledocho- or hepato-jejunostomy. Promising results are being achieved with newer minimally invasive techniques using endoscopic or percutaneous dilatation and/or stenting and these are likely to play an increasing role in the management. Even low-grade biliary obstruction carries the risks of stone formation, ascending cholangitis and hepatic cirrhosis and it is important to identify and treat this group of patients. There is currently no consensus on which patient should have what type of procedure, and the full range of techniques may not be available in all hospitals. Careful assessment of the risks and likely benefits have to be made on an individual basis. This article reviews the current literature and discusses the options available. The techniques of endoscopic and percutaneous dilatation and stenting are described with evaluation of the likely success and complication rates and compared to the gold standard of biliary-enteric anastomosis.     

Soft-Tissue-Anchored Transcutaneous Port for Long-Term Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage

Purpose A transcutaneous port (T-port) has been developed allowing easy exchange of a catheter, which was fixed inside the device, using the Seldinger technique. The objective of the study was to test the T-port in patients who had percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD).Methods The T-port, made of titanium, was implanted using local anesthesia in 11 patients (mean age 65 years, range 52–85 years) with biliary duct obstruction (7 malignant and 4 benign strictures). The subcutaneous part of the T-port consisted of a flange with several perforations allowing ingrowth of connective tissue. The T-port allowed catheter sizes of 10 and 12 Fr.Results All wounds healed uneventfully and were followed by a stable period without signs of pronounced inflammation or infection. It was easy to open the port and to exchange the drainage tube. The patients quality of life was considerably improved even though several patients had problems with repeated bile leakage due to frequent recurrent obstructions of the tubes. The ports were implanted for a mean time of 9 months (range 2–21 months). Histologic examination in four cases showed that the port was well integrated into the soft tissue. Tilting of the T-port in two cases led to perforation of the skin by the subcutaneous part of the ports, which were removed after 7 and 8 months.Conclusion The T-port served as an excellent external access to the biliary ducts. The drainage tubes were well fixed within the ports. The quality of life of the patients was considerably improved. Together with improved aesthetic appearance they found it easier to conduct normal daily activities and personal care. However, the problem of recurrent catheter obstruction remained unsolved.     

Transhepatic Balloon Dilatation of Early Biliary Strictures in Pediatric Liver Transplantation: Successful Initial and Mid-Term Outcome

Purpose: To evaluate the initial and mid-term outcomes of transhepatic balloon dilatation for the treatment of early biliary strictures in lateral left-segment liver transplants in young children. Methods: Between April 1997 and May 2001, seven children aged 9 months to 6 years with nine benign strictures in left-segment liver grafts were treated percutaneously. Sessions of two or three dilations were performed three or four times at average intervals of 10–20 days. In each session, the biliary stenoses were gradually dilated using balloons of 3–7 mm. Follow-up ranged from 12 to 54 months (mean 27 months, median 12 months). Clinical success was defined as resolution of the stenosis, normalization of liver enzymes and lack of clinical symptoms Results: Technical success was achieved in all nine strictures. Hemobilia occurred in one patient and was successfully treated. On follow-up, all patients had complete clinical recovery with normalization of liver function and imaging of patent bile ducts. Conclusion: Balloon dilatation is an effective and relatively safe method for the treatment of early biliary strictures in left-segment liver transplantation in young children. We recommend this approach as the initial treatment for early strictures. Metal stents or surgery should be reserved for patients with late appearance of strictures or failure of balloon dilatation.     

婴儿食管吻合口狭窄球囊扩张术

目的：本文报告４例婴儿食管吻合口狭窄使用球囊扩张术治疗。材料和方法：４例女婴均为食物闭锁术后２￣１５个月出现吻合口狭窄，狭窄内径３￣６ｍｍ。采用球囊导管分次扩张，球囊直径６￣１５ｍｍ。结果：４例共进行球囊扩张１２次，保持临床无症状期４￣６个月。无食管穿孔并发症。结论：球囊扩张术简单、安全、有效，为婴儿食物吻合口狭窄的首选治疗方法。     

经皮肝穿刺胆道支架置入及引流术治疗梗阻性黄疸

目的 探讨梗阻性黄疸经皮肝穿刺胆道支架置入及引流术的治疗方法与疗效.方法 对44例胆道梗阻患者先行经皮肝穿刺胆道造影(PTC),如导丝不能越过阻塞段,则直接行外引流;如能越过阻塞段,则行支架置入或内外引流术.结果 44例患者中6例单纯外引流;7例单纯内外引流;2例仅行PTC胆道造影而未行胆道引流;29例置入支架32枚,其中19例行支架置入 外引流,10例单纯支架置入.在有完整随访资料的16例中,术后1周血清总胆红素从术前(351±142.4)μmol/L降至(143.5±97.6)μmol/L,13例血清总胆红素1个月降到正常或接近正常水平,3例血清总胆红素1个月无明显下降(＜50%).死亡9例,生存时间3～21个月,中位生存期6.8个月.结论 经皮肝穿刺胆道支架置入及引流术是治疗梗阻性黄疸的一种安全、有效的姑息性方法.     

Newly Designed Y-configured Single-Catheter Stenting for the Treatment of Hilar-Type Nonanastomotic Biliary Strictures After Orthotopic Liver Transplantation

Purpose  

This study was designed to introduce our novel technique of percutaneous single catheter placement into the hilar bile ducts strictures while fulfilling the purpose of bilateral biliary drainage and stenting. We investigated the efficacy and safety of the technique for the treatment of hilar nonanastomotic biliary strictures.     

Percutaneous Transhepatic Treatment of Benign Bile Duct Strictures Using Retrievable Covered Stents: Long-Term Outcomes in 148 Patients

ObjectiveTo investigate the long-term outcomes of percutaneous treatment of benign biliary strictures using temporary placement of a retrievable expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) covered stent.Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of 148 patients (84 male and 64 female; age range, 11–92 years) who underwent percutaneous transhepatic placement and removal of a retrievable PTFE-covered stent for the treatment of benign biliary strictures between March 2007 and August 2019 through long-term follow-up. Ninety-two patients had treatment-naïve strictures and 56 had recurrent/refractory strictures.ResultsStent placement was technically successful in all 148 patients. The mean indwelling period of the stent was 2.4 months (median period, 2.3 months; range, 0.2–7.7 months). Stent migration, either early or late, occurred in 28 (18.9%) patients. Clinical success, defined as resolution of stricture after completing stent placement and removal, was achieved in 94.2% (131 of 139 patients). The overall complication rate was 15.5% (23 of 148 patients). During the mean follow-up of 60.2 months (median period, 52.7 months; range, 1.6–146.1 months), 37 patients had a recurrence of clinically significant strictures at 0.5–124.5 months after removal of biliary stent and catheter (median, 16.1 months). The primary patency rates at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 years after removal of biliary stent and catheter were 88.2%, 70.0%, 66.2%, 60.5%, and 54.5%, respectively. In the multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, sex, age, underlying disease, relation to surgery, stricture type, biliary stones, history of previous treatment, and stricture site were not significantly associated with the primary patency.ConclusionLong-term outcomes suggest that percutaneous treatment of benign biliary strictures using temporary placement of retrievable PTFE-covered stents may be a clinically effective method.     

Long-Term Results of Percutaneous Bilioenteric Anastomotic Stricture Treatment in Liver-Transplanted Children

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mid- and long-term results of percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) and biliary drainage in children with isolated bilioenteric anastomotic stenosis (BAS) after pediatric liver transplantation. Sixty-four children underwent PTC from March 1993 to May 2008. Nineteen cholangiograms were normal; 10 showed intrahepatic biliary stenosis and BAS, and 35 showed isolated BAS. Cadaveric grafts were used in 19 and living donor grafts in 16 patients. Four patients received a whole liver, and 31 patients received a left lobe or left lateral segment. Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy was performed in all patients. Indication for PTC was based on clinical, laboratory, and histopathologic findings. In patients with isolated BAS, dilation and biliary catheter placement, with changes every 2 months, were performed. Patients were separated into 4 groups according to number of treatment sessions required. The drainage catheter was removed if cholangiogram showed no significant residual stenosis and normal biliary emptying time after a minimum of 6 months. The relationship between risk factors (recipient’s weight <10 kg, previous exposure to Cytomegalovirus, donor–recipient sex and weight relations, autoimmune disease as indication for transplantion, previous Kasai’s surgery, use of reduced liver grafts, chronic or acute rejection occurrence) and treatment was evaluated. Before PTC, fever was observed in 46%, biliary dilation in 23%, increased bilirubin in 57%, and increased gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) in 100% of patients. In the group with BAS, 24 of 35 (69%) patients had histopathologic findings of cholestasis as did 9 of 19 (47%) patients in the group with normal PTC. Of the 35 patients, 23 (65.7%) needed 1 (group I), 7 needed 2 (group II), 4 needed 3 (group III), and 1 needed 4 treatment sessions (group IV). The best results were observed after 1 treatment session, and the mean duration of catheter placement and replacement was 10 months. The primary patency rate was 61.2%, and the recurrence rate was 34.3% (group I). Seven patients (7 of 35; 20%) had their stricture treated with a second treatment session (group II). The average drainage time in group II was 24 months. During a period >20 months, 4 patients (4 of 35; 11.4%) required 1 additional treatment session (group III), and 1 patient (1 of 35; 2.9%) had a catheter placed at the end of the study period (group IV). Drainage time in group I was significantly shorter than those in groups II, III, and IV (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant relation between therapeutic response and the selected risk factors (p > 0.05). The majority of complications, such as catheter displacement and leakage, were classified as minor; however, 2 patients (5.7%) with hemobilia were noted. Complications increased according to the need for reintervention. In conclusion, balloon dilation and percutaneous drainage placement is safe and effective, and it has long-term patency for children with BAS after liver transplantation. Because of prolonged treatment time, reintervention may be necessary, thereby increasing the complication rate. Balloon dilation and percutaneous drainage placement should be considered as the first treatment option because of its minimally invasive nature.     

Percutaneous Management of Biliary Strictures After Pediatric Liver Transplantation

We analyze our experience with the management of biliary strictures (BSs) in 27 pediatric patients who underwent liver transplantation with the diagnosis of BS. Mean recipient age was 38 months (range, 2.5–182 months). In all patients percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, biliary catheter placement, and bilioplasty were performed. In 20 patients the stenoses were judged resolved by percutaneous balloon dilatation and the catheters removed. Mean number of balloon dilatations performed was 4.1 (range, 3–6). No major complications occurred. All 20 patients are symptom-free with respect to BS at a mean follow-up of 13 months (range, 2–46 months). In 15 of 20 patients (75%) one course of percutaneous stenting and bilioplasty was performed, with no evidence of recurrence of BS at a mean follow-up of 15 months (range, 2–46 months). In 4 of 20 patients (20%) two courses of percutaneous stenting and bilioplasty were performed; the mean time to recurrence was 9.8 months (range, 2.4–24 months). There was no evidence of recurrence of BS at a mean follow-up of 12 months (range, 2–16 months). In 1 of 20 patients (5%) three courses of percutaneous stenting and bilioplasty were performed; there was no evidence of recurrence of BS at a mean follow-up of 10 months. In conclusion, BS is a major problem following pediatric liver transplantation. Radiological percutaneous treatment is safe and effective, avoiding, in most cases, surgical revision of the anastomosis.     

经皮顺行球囊扩张及内引流术治疗输尿管狭窄

目的：评价经皮顺行球囊扩张及内引流术对良、恶性输尿管狭窄的疗效。材料和方法：良性输尿管狭窄11例，恶性狭窄3例。经皮肾盂穿刺后，行球囊导管扩张术，留置双猪尾多倒孔内引流导管3周至6个月，术后随访3至21个月。结果：14例中治愈50％、有效35．6％、无效14．4％，无重要并发症。结论：经皮顺行球囊扩张及内引流术治疗良、恶性输尿管狭窄成功率高，是一种安全可行的技术，具有较高的临床应用价值。     

Balloon Dilatation for Corrosive Esophageal Strictures in Children: Radiologic and Clinical Outcomes

Objective

We retrospectively evaluated the effectiveness of the esophageal balloon dilatation (EBD) in children with a corrosive esophageal stricture.

Materials and Methods

The study subjects included 14 patients (M:F = 8:6, age range: 17-85 months) who underwent an EBD due to a corrosive esophageal stricture. The causative agents for the condition were glacial acetic acid (n = 9) and lye (n = 5).

Results

A total of 52 EBD sessions were performed in 14 patients (range 1-8 sessions). During the mean 15-month follow-up period (range 1-79 months), 12 patients (86%) underwent additional EBD due to recurrent esophageal stricture. Dysphagia improved after each EBD session and oral feeding was possible between EBD sessions. Long-term success (defined as dysphagia relief for at least 12 months after the last EBD) was achieved in two patients (14%). Temporary success of EBD (defined as dysphagia relief for at least one month after the EBD session) was achieved in 17 out of 52 sessions (33%). A submucosal tear of the esophagus was observed in two (4%) sessions of EBD.

Conclusion

Only a limited number of children with corrosive esophageal strictures were considered cured by EBD. However, the outcome of repeated EBD was sufficient to allow the children to eat per os prior to surgical management.