Transpapillary endoprostheses in malignant and benign bile duct diseases

During the last years the non-surgical drainage of the bile ducts developed to an efficient treatment method and is a real enrichment in the concept of treatment of the malignant obstruction of the bile ducts. In no more radically operable carcinomas in the area of the bile ducts, the pancreas or the porta of the liver it is to be preferred to a palliative drainage operation. In case the drainage of the bile ducts shall not be used therapeutically (through-drainage), an inner drainage in form of an endoprosthesis should always be preferred. As a procedure of the 1st choice the endoscopic retrograde technique is recommended, as procedure of 2nd choice the percutaneous transhepatic technique. Benign basic diseases are more infrequently the reason for the insert of a bile duct drainage. The main indications are general inoperability in non-extractable calculi in the common bile duct. In our own cases patients could be followed up up to 3.5 years. No complications were observed. The occlusion of prostheses does apparently not play a role.     

Eosinophilic cholangitis with obstructive jaundice mimicking bile duct carcinoma

A 55-year-old male who presented with obstructive jaundice and radiographically documented extrahepatic biliary tract obstruction is reported. Eosinophilic infiltration of the gallbladder, common bile duct, intrahepatic bile ducts, and bone marrow was observed. Eosinophilic cholangitis, a rare inflammatory condition that clinically resembles a biliary malignancy, should be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis in the evaluation of presumed neoplasm of the bile ducts.     

对阻塞性黄疸行胆道活检的临床研究

目的探索一条胆道活检新途径，依据病理指导临床治疗阻塞性黄疸。方法在经皮肝穿刺胆管引流术(PTCD)过程中，82例阻塞性黄疸经经皮肝穿刺胆道造影术(PTC)途径向胆道内送入8F鞘管，引入活检钳和毛刷对梗阻段胆道钳夹活检和毛刷刷取获得标本，行组织学和细胞学检查。并进行x^2检验。结果82例胆道钳夹组织块的技术成功率为97．6％，活检中未发生严重并发症。82例钳夹活检中72例获得组织学诊断，钳夹病理学敏感率为87．8％。胆管癌钳夹活检敏感率较非胆管恶性肿瘤高(x^2=4．067，P=0．044)。74例毛刷刷取中56例获得细胞学诊断，诊断敏感率为75．7％；钳夹病理学敏感率较毛刷高，差异有显著性(x^2=3．886，P=0．049)，毛刷活检可作为钳夹活检的一种补充。结论PTC下胆道钳夹活检操作简单，技术成功率高，创伤小且并发症少，病理学诊断敏感性高，是值得推广的胆道病理学诊断新途径。     

Post-cholecystectomy amputation neuroma of the common bile duct with obstructive jaundice

Amputation neuroma of the common bile duct after surgery is a rare and mostly asymptomatic lesion. A 60-year old patient presented with obstructive jaundice three months after a cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstones. Imaging investigations showed common extrahepatic bile duct stenosis. Surgical resection of the stricture with biliodigestive anastomosis was performed. Histological examination of the surgical specimen revealed an amputation neuroma. Despite its rarity, amputation neuroma of the common bile duct should be considered in patients with post-cholecystectomy syndrome following liver or extrahepatic bile duct surgical procedures.     

Octreotide inhibits hepatic fibrosis,bile duct proliferation and bacterial translocation in obstructive jaundice

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The protective effect of octreotide on bacterial translocation, bile duct epithelial proliferation and hepatic fibrosis was studied in an experimental obstructive jaundice model. METHODOLOGY: Forty-five healthy Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three groups. Group I (n = 15): Median laparotomy and common bile duct manipulation performed (Sham group). Group II (n = 15): Laparotomy and common bile duct ligation performed. Group III (n = 15): After laparotomy and common bile duct ligation octreotide (Sandostatin, sandoz) was given. Simultaneously group I and II received 3 cc 0.9% NaCl and group III received 20 micrograms/kg/daily octreotide subcutaneously every 8 hours during 9 days. Two days after the procedure all rats were opened under ether anesthesia and sterile conditions. Group I had simple laparotomy but group II and III also had common bile duct ligation by 5/0 prolene. Seven days after the surgery (9th day after treatment) all rats underwent laparotomy and tests for bacterial translocation, liver biochemical tests and histopathologic analysis of liver and small bowel were carried out. RESULTS: In group II cecal population levels of bacteria were significantly higher than group I and group III (p < 0.05). In group II there was also statistically significant bacterial translocation to the mesenteric lymph nodes. Pathological changes were found in terminal ileum samples in group II which seemed to improve in group III. Hepatocyte function was preserved with octreotide treatment which also significantly decreased bile duct proliferation and periportal fibrosis in response to biliary obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: This experimental study showed that octreotide is effective in preventing bacterial translocation, bile duct proliferation and hepatic fibrosis in obstructive jaundice.     

Tuberculosis of the bile duct: a rare cause of obstructive jaundice.

Tuberculosis of the bile duct is extremely rare. Patients with this condition usually present with a protracted illness and obstructive jaundice, which may be confused with hepatobiliary malignancies. A retrospective review of hospital records of patients who presented with tuberculosis of the bile duct between January 1986 and December 1996 was undertaken, and data were obtained concerning clinical presentation, investigations, treatment, and follow-up. Four patients (one man and three women) with a mean age of 44.8 years had tuberculosis of the bile duct. Diagnostic imaging techniques showed bile duct dilation in all four patients. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) showed a stricture in the proximal common bile duct (CBD) in one patient, a stricture in the distal CBD in one patient, a stricture in the common hepatic duct (CHD) in one patient, and multiple strictures in the CHD and left intrahepatic duct in one patient. Bile cytology and fine-needle aspiration identified correctly the diagnosis in each patient. Two patients underwent laparotomy with the initial suspicion of cholangiocarcinoma; the correct diagnosis was made based on frozen sections taken intraoperatively. One patient was treated with endoscopic stenting and three patients underwent laparotomy for bile duct obstruction. All patients received antituberculous therapy. There were no deaths; all patients remained healthy at a mean follow-up of 36.5 months. It is important to obtain a tissue diagnosis in all patients with obstructive jaundice to avoid missing this rare but curable disease. The treatment of tuberculosis of the bile duct involves relief of the bile duct obstruction and antituberculous therapy.     

Profile of hepatocyte apoptosis and bile lakes before and after bile duct decompression in severe obstructive jaundice patients

BACKGROUND:Excessive hepatocyte apoptosis and bile lakes in severe obstructive jaundice might impair liver functions.Although decompression of the bile duct has been reported to improve liver functions in animal studies,the mechanism of obstruction differs from that in humans.This study aimed to determine the profiles of hepatocyte apoptosis and bile lakes following bile duct decompression in patients with severe obstructive jaundice in the clinical setting.METHODS:We conducted a "before and after study" on severe obstructive jaundice patients as a model of inhibition of the excessive process by bile duct decompression.Specimens of liver biopsies were taken before and after decompression of the bile duct and then stained by terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling(TUNEL) to identify hepatocyte apoptosis and by hematoxilin-eosin(HE) to identify bile lakes.All measurements were independently done by 2 observers.RESULTS:Twenty-one severe obstructive jaundice patients were included.In all patients,excessive hepatocyte apoptosis and bile lakes were apparent.After decompression,the hepatocyte apoptosis index decreased from 53.1(SD 105) to 11.7(SD 13.6)(P0.05),and the bile lakes from 23.6(SD 14.8) to 10.9(SD 6.9)(P0.05).CONCLUSION:Bile duct decompression improves hepatocyte apoptosis and bile lakes in cases of severe obstructive jaundice,similar to the findings in animal studies.     

Metastatic melanoma to the common bile duct causing obstructive jaundice： A case report

Metastatic melanoma to the common bile duct is very rare with only 18 cases reported so far. We report a 46 year old women who, 18 mo after excision of a skin melanoma, developped a painless progressive obstructive jaundice. At operation a melanoma within the distal third of the common bile duct was found. There were no other secondaries within the abdomen. The common bile duct, including the tumor, was resected and anastomosed with Roux-en-Y jejunal limb. The patient survived 31 mo without any sign of local recurrence and was submitted to three other operations for axillar and brain secondaries, from which she finally died. Radical resection of metastatic melanoma to the common bile duct may result in lifelong relief of obstructive jaundice. It is safe and relatively easy to perform. In other cases, a less aggressive approach, stenting or bypass procedures, should be adopted.     

Transpapillary iridium-192 wire in the treatment of malignant bile duct obstruction.

Twenty four patients with malignant bile duct obstruction were treated with intraluminal radiotherapy using iridium-192 wire inserted through an endoscopically placed nasobiliary catheter. Biliary drainage after treatment was maintained by an endoprosthesis. The median dose of intraluminal radiotherapy was 6000 cGy; two patients with cholangiocarcinoma were given a second course because of disease extension; four patients with pancreatic carcinoma received additional external irradiation (3000 cGy). There was one early death from a cerebrovascular accident (30 day mortality, 4.2%). Cholangitis (30%) was the major early complication and stent blockage (40%) the major late complication; there were no complications directly attributable to radiotherapy. The median survival for patients with pancreatic carcinoma was 250 days and for cholangiocarcinoma, 300 days. This method is technically feasible and may prove safer than the transhepatic technique. The ability of intraluminal irradiation to improve palliation or lengthen survival in patients with malignant bile duct obstruction remains uncertain. Assessment by a prospective, controlled trial is essential.     

Palliative treatment of obstructive jaundice by transpapillary introduction of large bore bile duct endoprosthesis.

The endoscopic techniques for introducing a large calibre (3.2 mm) biliary endoprosthesis to relieve jaundice are described. In 45 patients such an endoprosthesis was successfully introduced. The median survival time in 18 patients was 41 days (range three to 187). Twenty-six patients are still alive after a median of 28 days (range seven to 244). One patient had a surgical bypass after 24 days. Short-term complications were cholangitis and fever in 11 patients. Late complications were recurrent jaundice in four, upward migration of the endoprosthesis in two, and clogging of the endoprosthesis in one patient. The risk of cholangitis, which used to be a major problem with transpapillary introduced prostheses of smaller calibre, seems definitely diminished by using one with a large calibre.     

Acute myeloid leukemia presenting with obstructive jaundice and granulocytic sarcoma of the common bile duct

A 55-year-old man presented with jaundice and edema of the right leg. Tests of the peripheral blood and bone marrow showed leukocytopenia with 6% blasts and 38.3% of myeloperoxidase-positive blasts, respectively. Computed tomography (CT) scanning disclosed thickening of the common bile duct wall. Granulocytic sarcomas were also found at the left chest wall and the pelvic floor. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography confirmed the narrowing of the common bile duct. Biopsy specimens of the common bile duct and pelvic masses revealed myeloblastic infiltration. After placement of a naso-biliary drainage tube, chemotherapy consisting of cytarabine (100 mg/m2/ day for 7 days) and idarubicin (12 mg/m2/ day for 3 days) was commenced. The dose of idarubicin was not modified. No serious complications, including delayed hematopoietic recovery, were observed after chemotherapy, and a complete remission was obtained 35 days later. Jaundice and liver dysfunction also gradually improved. The patient continues to receive consolidation therapy and remains in remission 8 months after the onset of his illness.     

Value of sonography in obstructive jaundice. Limitations of bile duct caliber as an index of obstruction

The diagnostic value of sonography was assessed in 176 patients with jaundice who had a final diagnosis on the basis of surgery, autopsy, liver biopsy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, and serum tests positive for hepatitis A and B. Obstructive (n = 113) versus nonobstructive jaundice (n = 63) was diagnosed with a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 95%. Nine of the 10 false negatives had choledocholithiasis. Application of stricter criteria for common duct (CD) dilatation than the one used of CD greater than or equal to 8 mm to greater than or equal to 12 mm would have lowered the sensitivity from 91% to 84%. On the basis of these criteria the predicted level of obstruction would have shifted from distal to proximal in 36% of the patients. Choledocholithiasis was more often associated with decreasing bilirubin values than malignancy: 55% versus 9% (p less than 0.05). The present study indicates that intermittent obstruction, usually associated with choledocholithiasis, constitutes the main problem in detection of obstructive jaundice. Diameter criteria used for diagnosing dilatation of the CD may greatly influence sonographic accuracy.     

术前胆道引流对低位恶性胆道梗阻患者行胰十二指肠切除术后的影响

目的 评价术前胆道引流(PBD)对低位恶性胆道梗阻性黄接受胰十二指肠切除术(PD)后的并发症、死亡率及住院时间的影响.方法 回顾性总结分析2001年1月至2010年12月期间接受PD术的71例低位恶性胆道梗阻患者的临床资料.术前胆道引流方法包括经皮肝穿刺胆道引流(PTCD)、逆行胰胆管造影术(ERCP)及胆囊造瘘术,71例中行PBD患者19例(26.8%),未行PBD患者52例(73.2%).结果 PBD组总胆红素(TBIL)在引流前为(424.9±129.9)μmol/L,引流后下降为(77.7±48.6)μmol/L,差异具有统计学意义(t=11.1,P＜0.001).PBD组直接胆红素(DBIL)在引流前为(300.7±98.1)μmol/L,引流后下降为(60.0±34.5)μmol/L,差异具有统计学意义(t=10.7,P＜0.001).PBD组谷丙转氨酶(ALT)在引流前为(227.9±275.8)U/L,引流后下降为(90.3±66.5)U/L,差异具有统计学意义(t=2.5,P=0.023).PBD组术中输血量为(589±93)ml,非PBD组为(603±71)ml,差异无统计学意义(t=-110,P=0.913).PBD组术后并发症发生率为52.6%(10/19),非PBD组为55.8%(29/52),差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).PBD组术后住院时间为(33±3)d,非PBD组为(25±2)d,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 对黄疸较重、肝功能严重受损的患者,行PBD可有效改善患者的一般状况,但并未降低PD术后并发症发生率及死亡率,也未减少术后的住院时间.