Residual common bile duct stones on direct peroral cholangioscopy using ultraslim endoscope

AIM:To detect and manage residual common bile duct(CBD)stones using ultraslim endoscopic peroral cholangioscopy(POC)after a negative balloon-occluded cholangiography.METHODS:From March 2011 to December 2011,a cohort of 22 patients with CBD stones who underwent both endoscopic retrograde cholangiography(ERC)and direct POC were prospectively enrolled in this study.Those patients who were younger than 20 years of age,pregnant,critically ill,or unable to provide informed consent for direct POC,as well as those with concomitant gallbladder stones or CBD with diameters less than 10 mm were excluded.Direct POC using an ultraslim endoscope with an overtube balloon-assisted technique was carried out immediately after a negative balloon-occluded cholangiography was obtained.RESULTS:The ultraslim endoscope was able to be advanced to the hepatic hilum or the intrahepatic bile duct(IHD)in 8 patients(36.4%),to the extrahepatic bile duct where the hilum could be visualized in 10 patients(45.5%),and to the distal CBD where the hilum could not be visualized in 4 patients(18.2%).The procedure time of the diagnostic POC was 8.2 ± 2.9 min(range,5-18 min).Residual CBD stones were found in 5(22.7%)of the patients.There was one residual stone each in 3 of the patients,three in 1 patient,and more than five in 1 patient.The diameter of the residual stones ranged from 2-5 mm.In 2 of the patients,the residual stones were successfully extracted using either a retrieval balloon catheter(n = 1)or a basket catheter(n = 1)under direct endoscopic control.In the remaining 3 patients,the residual stones were removed using an irrigation and suction method under direct endoscopic visualization.There were no serious procedure-related complications,such as bleeding,pancreatitis,biliary tract infection,or perforation,in this study.CONCLUSION:Direct POC using an ultraslim endoscope appears to be a useful tool for both detecting and treating residual CBD stones after conventional ERC.     

A snare-assisted peroral direct choledochoscopy and pancreatoscopy using an ultra-slim upper endoscope: A case series study

ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness and safety of a new snare-assisted peroral direct choledochoscopy/pancreatoscopy (PDCPS) technique.MethodsFrom November 2014 through December 2016, 20 consecutive patients with indications for PDCPS were enrolled in this observational study. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography was initially performed using a conventional duodenoscope, and endoscopic papillary balloon dilation was performed. Next, an ultra-slim endoscope was inserted to perform the PDCPS; a snare tightened around the end of the scope’s bending section facilitated its entry into the common bile duct (CBD). The primary endpoint was the overall success rate of the PDCPS procedure (successful biliary intubation and visualization of the area of interest) and the time for biliary intubation with the ultra-slim upper endoscope.ResultsParticipants (11 men and 9 women; mean age, 72.2 years [range, 41–93 years]) had CBD adenoma (n = 1), large CBD stones after failed extraction/lithotripsy treatment (n = 13), CBD strictures (n = 4), pancreatic duct tumor (n = 1) or pancreatic duct dilation (n = 1). The success rate was 95%. The mean intubation time was 18 min (range, 4–57 min). No adverse events were reported.ConclusionsA snare-assisted PDCPS technique appears to be technically feasible, effective and safe for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications.     

Current status of peroral cholangioscopy in biliary tract diseases

Peroral cholangioscopy(POC) is an important tool for the management of a selected group of biliary diseases. Because of its direct visualization, POC allows targeted diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. POC can be performed using a dedicated cholangioscope that is advanced through the accessory channel of a duodenoscope or via the insertion of a small-diameter endoscope directly into the bile duct. POC was first described in the 1970 s, but the use of earlier generation devices was substantially limited by the cumbersome equipment setup and high repair costs. For nearly ten years, several technical improvements, including the single-operator system, high-quality images, the development of dedicated accessories and the increased size of the working channel, have led to increased diagnostic accuracy, thus assisting in the differentiation of benign and malignant intraductal lesions, targeting biopsies and the precise delineation of intraductal tumor spread before surgery. Furthermore, lithotripsy of difficult bile duct stones, ablative therapies for biliary malignancies and direct biliary drainage can be performed under POC control. Recent developments of new types of conventional POCs allow feasible, safe and effective procedures at reasonable costs. In the current review, we provide an updated overview of POC, focusing our attention on the main current clinical applications and on areas for future research.     

A new peroral mother-baby endoscope system for biliary tract disorders

AIM: To investigate a new mother-baby system, consisting of a peroral cholangioscope and a duodenoscope in patients regarding its feasibility. METHODS: In the study period from January 2007 to February 2010, 76 consecutive patients(33 men, 43 women; mean age 63 years old) were included in this pilot series. Endoluminal images and biopsies were obtained from 55 patients with indeterminate strictures, while 21 patients had fixed filling defects. The diagnostic accuracy of peroral cholangioscopy(POCS) in the visualization of strictures and tissue sampling was evaluated, and therapeutic success was monitored. Followup was performed over at least 9 mo. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients had indeterminate strictures. Using the criteria "circular stenosis" and "irregular surface or margins", POCS correctly described 27 out of 28 malignant biliary strictures and 25 out of 27 benign lesions(sensitivity, 96.4%; specificity, 92.6%, diagnostic accuracy 94.5%). Visually targeted forceps biopsies were performed in 55 patients. Tissue sampling during POCS revealed malignancy in 18 of 28 cases(sensitivity: 64.3%). In 21 patients with fixed filling defects, 10 patients with bile duct stones were successfully treated with conventional stone removal. Nine patients with difficult stones(5 giant stones and 4 intrahepatic stones) were treated with visually guided laser lithotripsy. Two patients in the group with unclear fixed filling defects had bile duct adenoma or papillary tumors and were surgically treated. CONCLUSION: The new 95 cm POCS allows for accurate discrimination of strictures and fixed filling defects in the biliary tree, provides improved sensitivity of endoscopically guided biopsies and permits therapeutic approaches for difficult intrahepatic stones.     

A new peroral mother-baby endoscope system for biliary tract disorders简

AIM: To investigate a new mother-baby system, consisting of a peroral cholangioscope and a duodenoscope in patients regarding its feasibility.METHODS: In the study period from January 2007 to February 2010, 76 consecutive patients (33 men, 43 women; mean age 63 years old) were included in this pilot series. Endoluminal images and biopsies were obtained from 55 patients with indeterminate strictures, while 21 patients had fixed filling defects. The diagnostic accuracy of peroral cholangioscopy (POCS) in the visualization of strictures and tissue sampling was evaluated, and therapeutic success was monitored. Follow-up was performed over at least 9 mo.RESULTS: A total of 55 patients had indeterminate strictures. Using the criteria “circular stenosis” and “irregular surface or margins”, POCS correctly described 27 out of 28 malignant biliary strictures and 25 out of 27 benign lesions (sensitivity, 96.4%; specificity, 92.6%, diagnostic accuracy 94.5%). Visually targeted forceps biopsies were performed in 55 patients. Tissue sampling during POCS revealed malignancy in 18 of 28 cases (sensitivity: 64.3%). In 21 patients with fixed filling defects, 10 patients with bile duct stones were successfully treated with conventional stone removal. Nine patients with difficult stones (5 giant stones and 4 intrahepatic stones) were treated with visually guided laser lithotripsy. Two patients in the group with unclear fixed filling defects had bile duct adenoma or papillary tumors and were surgically treated.CONCLUSION: The new 95 cm POCS allows for accurate discrimination of strictures and fixed filling defects in the biliary tree, provides improved sensitivity of endoscopically guided biopsies and permits therapeutic approaches for difficult intrahepatic stones.     

Comparison of intraductal ultrasonography with percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy for the identification of residual bile duct stones during lithotripsy

BACKGROUND: An imaging modality that can be used to identity small stones after a biliary lithotripsy is required. Intraductal ultrasonography was evaluated by using percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy as the gold standard. METHODS: Lithotripsy, under percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy guidance, was performed in 20 patients. A thin-caliber ultrasonic probe (2.0 mm in diameter and 20 MHz frequency) was inserted into the bile duct through the percutaneous tract after lithotripsy, and residual stones were identified. This was followed by percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy. RESULTS: In the extrahepatic bile ducts, intraductal ultrasonography provided images of all the stones demonstrated on cholangioscopy (n = 11). The sensitivity was superior to that of cholangiography (P < 0.005). However, in the intrahepatic bile ducts, intraductal ultrasonography only visualized the stones located in the cannulated lobe. Extrahepatic stones smaller than 5.0 mm in diameter or in a common hepatic duct larger than 15.0 mm in diameter were missed by cholangiography, but were visualized by the use of intraductal ultrasonography (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Intraductal ultrasonography is equivalent to cholangioscopy in the extrahepatic bile ducts. Cholangiography and intraductal ultrasonography should be used in combination to image intrahepatic and extrahepatic stones.     

Technical tips for peroral transluminal cholangioscopy using novel single‐operator cholangioscope (with videos)

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the gold‐standard modality for diagnosis and therapy of bilio‐pancreatic disease. In particular, peroral cholangiography (POCS) is a useful modality not only for diagnosing biliary disease, but also for therapeutic procedures such as electrohydraulic lithotripsy. The SPY‐DS single‐operator cholangioscope has recently become available, and offers favorable visualization, a wide view, suction function and a larger accessory working channel. However, if the duodenoscope cannot be advanced into the ampulla of Vater for reasons such as surgical anatomy, POCS cannot be performed. On the other hand, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage (PTCD) has been developed as an alternative endoscopic ultrasound‐guided approach to the biliary tract. Peroral transluminal cholangioscopy (PTLC) using SPY‐DS is a novel approach. Because transluminal interventional procedures under endoscopic ultrasound guidance have recently been developed, our technique may have clinical impact for selected cases.     

Peroral cholangioscopy for non-invasive papillary cholangiocarcinoma with extensive superficial ductal spread

Papillary carcinoma arising from the extrahepatic bile duct often shows superficial ductal spread. We report herein the case of a patient with extensive superficial spread of non-invasive papillary cholangiocarcinoma, which was depicted with peroral cholangioscopy. A 65-year-old woman presented with the sudden-onset of severe epigastric pain. Ultrasonography revealed acute acalculous cholecystitis. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography found small protruding lesions around the confluence of the cystic duct, suggestive of a cholangiocarcinoma. As the contour of the middle and upper bile ducts it was slightly irregular on the cholangiogram, the presence of superficial ductal spread was suspected. Peroral cholangioscopy revealed small papillary lesions around the confluence of the cystic duct and fine granular mucosal lesions in the middle and upper bile ducts and the right hepatic duct, suggesting a superficially spreading tumor. A right hepatectomy with bile duct resection was performed and no residual tumor was found. Histological examination revealed a non-invasive papillary carcinoma arising from the cystic duct with extensive superficial spread. Our experience of this case and a review of the literature suggest that a fine granular or fine papillary appearance of the ductal mucosae on cholangioscopy indicates superficial spread of papillary cholangiocarcinoma, for which peroral cholangioscopy is an efficient diagnostic option.     

Clinical comparison of extracorporeal piezoelectric lithotripsy (EPL) and intracorporeal electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) in difficult bile duct stones

Today, nearly 90% of common bile duct stones are extracted endoscopically. Problems are encountered if there are large stones or a duct stenosis. Extracorporeal piezoelectric lithotripsy (EPL) as well as intracorporeal electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) serve as an alternative to surgical intervention for those few patients in whom endoscopic measures have failed. A total of 35 patients with common bile duct stones in whom conventional endoscopic treatment had failed were selected on the condition that stone visualization through ultrasound was possible and that the papilla was within easy reach of the endoscope. Patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were randomly treated either by EPL or EHL. The average age of our patients was 73 years. The main reasons for failure of conventional endoscopy were due to the large size of the stones (13 patients), impacted stones (16), or the presence of a biliary stricture (6). In the EPL group, visualization of the stones by ultrasound and ensuing treatment were possible in 16 of 18 patients (89%); stones could be fragmented in 15 patients. In 13 patients, the biliary tree could then be completely freed of calculi; the success rate was 72% for all the patients (13 of 18). On average, the patients had 2.3 treatments on the lithotripter, and 3870 shock waves were applied per treatment. In the EHL group stones were successfully fragmented in 13 of 17 patients (76.5%). The average number of treatments was 1.4. Comparing both therapies, there was no difference in stone-free rates. In both groups, additional endoscopic interventions were necessary to clear the bile duct. The mean number of lithotripsy sessions was less in the EHL group (1.4 vs 2.3). There were no major differences in average hospital stay, 30-day mortality was zero in both groups. Combined treatment including EPL, EHL, and intracorporeal laser lithotripsy was finally successful in 32 patients (91.5%). It is concluded that EHL might be the method of choice for smaller, single stones in the more proximal parts of the common bile duct. In these cases, complete duct clearance in one lithotripsy session can be achieved. Multiple and large stones are probably best accessible to EPL. With a combination of the methods described, the bile duct can be cleared of concrements in almost every instance. As a result, surgery for choledocholithiasis has become the absolute exception.This work was presented in part at the 1993 Annual Meeting of the american Gastroenterological Association in Boston and published in abstract form (Gastroenterology 104:A347, 1993).     

Peroral cholangioscopy: Update on the state-of-the-art

Peroral cholangioscopy (POC) is an endoscopic procedure that allows direct intraductal visualization of the biliary tract. POC has emerged as a vital tool for indeterminate biliary stricture evaluation and treatment of difficult biliary stones. Over several generations of devices, POC has fulfilled additional clinical needs where other diagnostic or therapeutic modalities have been inadequate. With adverse event rates comparable to standard endoscopic retrograde cholangioscopy and unique technical attributes, the role of POC is likely to continue expand. In this frontiers article, we highlight the existing and growing clinical applications of POC as well as areas of ongoing research.