Fascioliasis: a report of five cases presenting with common bile duct obstruction

Fascioliasis is a zoonotic infection caused by Fasciola hepatica. It is rarely seen with icterus caused by obstruction of the common bile duct. We report five patients with obstructive jaundice due to Fasciola hepatica, who were diagnosed and managed with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). All cases were admitted to hospital with complaints of icterus and pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen; their biochemical values were interpreted as obstructive jaundice. Ultrasound and computer tomography (CT) revealed biliary dilatation in the common bile duct, but did not help to clarify the differential diagnosis. ERCP showed the presence of Fasciola hepatica in the common bile duct. After removing the flukes, the symptoms disappeared and the biochemical values returned to normal. Biliary fascioliasis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of obstructive jaundice. This report confirms the diagnostic and therapeutic role of ERCP in patients with obstructive jaundice caused by biliary fascioliasis.     

肝片形吸虫病1例

报道1例胆管结石嵌顿患者, 术中发现4条肝片形吸虫。对患者进行了感染源追溯, 该病例可能由于生食或半生 食含有囊蚴的水生植物茭白而感染。     

CASE OF FASCIOLIASIS: EXTRACTION WITH ENDOSCOPIC RETROGRADE CHOLANGIOGRAPHY

Fascioliasis is a worldwide zoonotic infection with fasciola hepatica and fasciola gigantica. The zoonoses are particularly endemic in sheep‐raising countries and are also endemic in Turkey. Clinical features of fascioliasis relate to the stage and intensity of infection. Fasciola hepatica infection comprises two stages: hepatic and biliary, with different signs and symptoms. Cholestatic symptoms may be sudden, but, in some cases, they may be preceded by a long period of fever, eosinophilia and vague gastrointestinal symptoms. We reported a case with fever and upper‐quadrant abdominal pain since 3 months that comes from an area endemic for fasciola hepatica, with suspected imaging about fasciola hepatica in common bile duct on ultrasonography. After that, fasciola hepatica was extracted with endoscopic retrograde cholangiography.     

Natural history, clinicoradiologic correlates, and response to triclabendazole in acute massive fascioliasis

Fascioliasis is highly endemic in the Andean region of South America. Newer serological assays have improved our ability to diagnose acute fascioliasis. The diagnosis was established by Fasciola hepatica serology (Fas2-ELISA or Western blot) in 10 patients. Identifiable exposure included ingestion of watercress (N = 8), alfalfa juice (N = 5), and lettuce (N = 1). Computed tomography of the abdomen showed hepatomegaly (N = 9), track-like hypodense lesions with subcapsular location (N = 8), and subcapsular hematoma (N = 2). Radiologic sequelae included cyst calcifications detectable at least 3 years after treatment. Stool examinations were negative for F. hepatica eggs; serology was positive (Arc II [N = 2], Fas2-ELISA [N = 6], Western blot [N = 2]). The syndrome of eosinophilia, fever, and right upper quadrant pain, elevated transaminases without jaundice, hypodense liver lesions on CT, and an appropriate exposure history suggests acute fascioliasis. Fascioliasis is specifically treatable with a single dose of triclabendazole.     

Fascioliasis of the common bile duct: endoscopic ultrasonographic diagnosis and endoscopic sphincterotomy]

Two cases of biliary fasciolasis are reported. The patients presented with biliary pain and/or acute pancreatitis. Pre-operative ultrasound endoscopy showed main bile duct dilation and linear elongated echogenic structures in the common bile duct lumen. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and endoscopic sphincterotomy were performed. Parasites were endoscopically removed resulting in disappearance of symptoms and biological abnormalities. Serological tests and pathological examination confirmed the presence of Fasciola hepatica. During follow-up, stool examination failed to show any Fasciola hepatica eggs, and in one case, serology became negative. This report emphasizes the value of ultrasound endoscopy in the diagnosis of unsuspected biliary fasciolasis. This report also confirms the therapeutic role of endoscopic sphincterotomy in patients with obstructive biliary fasciolasis.     

Fasciola hepatica infestation as a very rare cause of extrahepatic cholestasis

Fasciola hepatica, an endemic parasite in Turkey, is still a very rare cause of cholestasis worldwide. Through ingestion of contaminated water plants like watercress, humans can become the definitive host of this parasite. Cholestatic symptoms may be sudden but in some cases they may be preceded by a long period of fever, eosinophilia and vague gastrointestinal symptoms. We report a woman with cholangitis symptoms of sudden onset which was proved to be due to Fasciola hepatica infestation by an endoscopic retrograde cholangiography.     

Indirect evidence of ectopic pancreatic fascioliasis in a human

Fascioliasis is not common in humans and, furthermore, its ectopic migration into the pancreas is extremely rare. A definitive diagnosis of ectopic fascioliasis is based on the demonstration of flukes in the affected organ. If the flukes invade the parenchyma, however, imaging studies are limited in the detection of worms and surgical identification is required. We encountered a clinical case of probable ectopic pancreatic fascioliasis diagnosed through indirect evidence. A 46-year-old Korean woman was admitted with left upper quadrant pain. She had taken praziquantel for hepatic fascioliasis, which had been diagnosed at another hospital, and then developed abdominal pain. Peripheral eosinophilia, hyperamylasemia and hyperlipasemia were documented. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed multiple, hypodense foci which had coalesced, forming irregular nodules in the medial and lateral segments of the left lobe of the liver, and similar 2- to 3-cm sized, hypodense lesions in the body and isthmus of the pancreas. IgG antibody against Fasciola hepatica was positive. Bithionol was given orally, and the patient's symptoms and biochemistry then improved, with reversal of eosinophilia. Radiological studies showed normalization of the liver and pancreas at the 10th week, and the serology for Fasciola hepatica was negative at the fifth month.     

Massive infection with fasciola hepatica in man

The six year clinical course of a patient who acquired a massive infection with the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica, is described. A peripheral blood eosinophilia was an almost constant finding throughout the illness. The patient may well have been infected with a multiple of 40 adult flukes as his fecal ova count (1,000/g) was 40 times greater than that of a subject with an asymptomatic infection. During the illness, cholecystectomy was carried out. The surface of the liver was studded with greyish white hard nodules. Microscopy of the gallbladder revealed a nonspecific chronic cholecystitis; a liver biopsy disclosed florid changes of large duct biliary obstruction, granulomas, patchy periductular fibrosis and an ovum morphologically similar to an ovum of Fasciola hepatica surrounded by a granuloma. Three exacerbations of symptoms were associated with severe microcytic hypochromic anemia, possibly due to blood loss into the biliary tract. A course of bithionol was associated with rapid amelioration of symptoms and disappearance of ova from feces. No evidence of recurrence of infection occurred during the following two and a half years. The infection was probably acquired by eating wild watercress (Nasturtium officinale) containing encysted metacercariae at a campsite frequented by the patient in the Lake District of England. At this site, a habitat suitable for the life cycle of F. hepatica was found, including snails of the genus Limnaea truncatula, which were shown to contain cercariae. The site is in a region with a high rainfall, a factor known to favor the life cycle of F. hepatica. Infection with this parasite should be considered whenever a clinical picture suggestive of biliary tract disease is associated with an eosinophilia.     

Fascioliasis: 3 cases with three different clinical presentations

Fascioliasis, which is a zoonotic infestation caused by the trematode Fasciola hepatica (liver fluke), is primarily a disease of herbivorous animals such as sheep and cattle. Humans become accidental hosts through ingesting uncooked aquatic plants such as watercress. It presents a wide spectrum of clinical pictures ranging from fever, eosinophilia and vague gastrointestinal symptoms in the acute phase to cholangitis, cholecystitis, biliary obstruction, extrahepatic infestation, or asymptomatic eosinophilia in the chronic phase. However, it may often be overlooked, especially in the acute phase, because of vague symptoms. As a result of newly introduced serological assays facilitating the diagnosis, there has been an increase in the number of reported cases. Here, we report the clinical and laboratory assessment and therapeutic approach of a series of three cases diagnosed (in order of) one week, three months and one and a half years after presentation of the first symptoms of the disease.     

Fascioliasis: diagnosis, epidemiology and treatment

Fascioliasis is a trematode, disease of liver and bile ducts of sheep, cattle, and other ruminants throughout the world that is caused by the fluke, Fasciola hepatica. Human infection has been reported in Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, the US, Europe, eastern Africa, Japan and Australia. The parasite's miracidium invades one of the various Lymnaea water snail hosts. Infection results from ingestion of encysted metacercariae attached to raw watercress (Nasturtium officinale). Symptoms recorded from human cases included irregular fever, epigastric pain and abdominal tenderness, obstructive jaundice and leucocytosis with eosinophilea up to 60%. Specific diagnosis is based on recovery of the eggs in the patient's stool or from biliary tract drainage. Treatment is with emetine hydrochloride given intramusculary. Bithionol is given orally at a dosage of 30-50 mg/kg but on alternate days from 10 to 15 doses. Praziquantel is probably effective. Preventive measures include education of the public on mode of transmission of life cycle of the parasite, and dipping fresh watercress into boiling water for a few sec, or drying suspected watercress.     

A case of eosinophilic cholangitis： Imaging findings of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, cholangioscopy, and intraductal ultrasonography

A 38-year-old woman was referred to our institution due to epigastralgia. She presented with obstructive jaundice and eosinophilia. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography showed diffuse narrowing from the distal common bile duct to the bifurcation of the hepatic ducts. An endoscopic plastic biliary stent was inserted; the specimen obtained from the common bile duct wall revealed dense infiltration by eosinophils. Treatment was started with prednisolone 60 mg daily. The patient＇s biliary stenosis and eosinophilia gradually improved. Eosinophilic infiltration in the lungs or stomach is relatively common, but it is rare in the common bile duct. Most of the reported cases of eosinophilic cholangitis presented with eosinophilia; our patient＇s eosinophil count was over 1000/mm^3. Since our patient had allergies to pollen and house dust, a relationship between the allergies and the eosinophilic cholangitis was suspected, but no cause was identified.     

Asymptomatic fascioliasis

A 72-year-old Japanese man displayed asymptomatic eosinophilia for 4 months. Computed tomography showed multiple space-occupying lesions in the liver. Zoonotic liver flukes were suspected based on occupational exposure to cattle, serological and radiological findings. Immunological examination was helpful in diagnosing the disease and laparoscopy was crucial in confirming Fasciola hepatica and excluding the possibility of malignant hepatic tumors. Human fascioliasis was finally diagnosed and praziquantel administered. Blood eosinophilia resolved within 4 months and liver tumors almost disappeared within 12 months. From our experience, laparoscopy with liver biopsy is very important for diagnosing human fascioliasis, particularly for asymptomatic fascioliasis.     

Adenoma arising from the cystic duct and extending to the confluence of the extrahepatic biliary tract

We describe a rare case of adenoma with a few foci of severe atypia arising from the cystic duct in a 68-year-old woman, initially diagnosed by the presence of intracholecystic tumefactive sludge on abdominal ultrasonography. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) disclosed a tuberous filling defect at the orifice of the cystic duct. Pathology examination of the biopsied specimen obtained from ERC disclosed not a cancerous but an adenomatous lesion. Macroscopically, the resected specimen showed a superficially spreading and shallowly elevated lesion extending from the cystic duct to the common bile duct. Although a few sporadic foci of severe atypia were observed, microscopy did not reveal any cancer findings, but confirmed the tumorous lesion as benign adenoma, showing mild-to-moderate atypia. Postoperative immunohistochemistry revealed no expression of p53 protein. We briefly refer to the rarity of adenoma in the biliary tract and discuss the difficulty of differential diagnosis of neoplastic lesions in the extrahepatic biliary tract.     

Fasciola hepatica infection: clinical and computerized tomographic findings of ten patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Fasciola hepatica is the cause of liver infection, fascioliasis. Although rare, it is still a problem even in developed countries. In this study, the clinical and computerized tomographic findings of 10 patients diagnosed with fascioliasis are summarized. METHODS: The medical records of the patients with fascioliasis were retrospectively examined. Clinical, laboratory findings and computerized tomographic results were recorded. RESULTS: Abdominal pain, fever, eosinophilia and abnormal liver function tests were the most commonly encountered symptoms and signs. One patient was human immunodeficiency virus -positive with active tuberculosis. Serologic test for fasciola hepatica was positive in all patients. Nodular masses without prominent enhancement, and branching low-attenuated tubular lesions were the most commonly seen tomographic findings and were supportive for the diagnosis. All except the HIV-positive patient received bithionol therapy; six patients responded well, two lost contact with the clinic and one patient who was unresponsive to bithionol therapy received triclabendazole. During follow-up of the six patients who responded, all the clinical and radiological findings regressed. CONCLUSION: In any patient with peripheral eosinophilia, abdominal pain and elevated liver enzymes, especially when CT reveals tubular and nodular hypodense lesions particularly in subcapsular area, F. hepatica infection should be considered. Either triclabendazole or bithionol can be used effectively for the treatment.     

Living Fasciola hepatica in biliary tree: a case report

Here we report a rare case of living Fasciola hepatica in biliary tract. The patient was in acute phase of infection and treated successfully with 10 mg/kg oral triclabendazole after the fluke was extracted using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).     

Surveillance of primary sclerosing cholangitis with ERC and brush cytology: risk factors for cholangiocarcinoma

Objective: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease leading to bile duct strictures and fibrosis, and predisposing to cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Biliary dysplasia is a known precursor of CCA. In our unit, PSC patients undergo regular surveillance with ERC and brush cytology (BC), and liver transplantation is an option in case with biliary dysplasia. We evaluated the risk factors for biliary dysplasia and CCA based on ERC imaging, BC and liver function tests.

Patients and methods: Seven hundred and eighty-eight ERCs were performed with BC for 447 PSC patients. ERC images were evaluated using the modified Amsterdam score, neutrophilic inflammation was assessed in BC, and liver function tests were collected. Ploidy analysis with DNA flow cytometry was performed in cases with advanced PSC or previous suspicious BC/aneuploidy. The endpoint was either a benign disease course (follow-up for ≥2.4 years after the latest ERC), benign histology, biliary dysplasia or CCA.

Results: Benign disease course was seen in 424/447 (including 23 cases with biliary dysplasia), and CCA in 17 (3.8%) patients. Gallbladder carcinoma/carcinoma in situ was diagnosed in three patients. Advanced ERC findings, male gender, suspicious BC, aneuploidy in flow cytometry, inflammation, and elevation of ALP, bilirubin, ALT, AST, GGT, CEA and CA19-9 represented significant risk factors for CCA in univariate analysis.

Conclusions: PSC patients with advanced bile duct disease and elevated liver enzymes, CEA or CA19-9, inflammation or suspicious BC are most likely to develop CCA. These patients may benefit from surveillance with BC if early liver transplantation is possible.     

Clinical presentation and management of Fasciola hepatica infection: single-center experience

AIM:To identify the characteristic clinical,laboratory and radiological findings and response to treatment in patients with fascioliasis.METHODS:Patients who were diagnosed with Fasciola hepatica infection were included in this prospective study.Initial clinical,laboratory and radiological findings were recorded.All patients were followed until a complete response was achieved or for 6 mo after treatment discontinuation.RESULTS:Fasciola hepatica infection was diagnosed in 30 patients(24 females;mean age:42....     

Fascioliasis: sonographic abnormalities of the biliary tract and evolution after treatment with triclabendazole

Diagnosis of infection with the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica is usually difficult. Ultrasonography (US) might be a useful diagnostic alternative, and we assessed the value of sequential US in the diagnosis and monitoring of fascioliasis in 76 patients at baseline and for 60 days after treatment with triclabendazole. At baseline, biliary abnormalities were observed in 52 patients. Crescent-shaped parasites were seen in 11 patients; in 2 cases parasites were spontaneously moving and in 4 patients parasites were motionless. Postprandial examination revealed parasites adhering to the gallbladder wall in a further 5 cases. In 3 further cases, gallbladder contents were mobile but did not sediment downwards after patients changed position. Non-specific abnormalities were: impaired gallbladder contractility (n = 23), gallbladder tenderness (n = 19), debris (n = 6), calculi (n = 5), wall thickening (n = 2) and bile duct dilatation (n = 12). During day 1-7, Fasciola-like crescents in the gallbladder or passing through the bile duct were detected in another 15 patients, impaired gallbladder contractility in 16, gallbladder tenderness in 16, and bile duct dilatation in an additional 28 patients. Thirty-two patients with these US abnormalities experienced colic-like abdominal pain accompanied by increased alkaline phosphatase in 25 cases. During day 30-60, abnormalities regressed completely in 45 patients; 2/6 triclabendazole failures were evident by detection of living parasites. Biliary tract abnormalities are frequently observed by US, but the detection-rate of Fasciola hepatica is disappointingly low despite the parasite's relatively large size. US findings must therefore be interpreted together with other clinical measurements. The visualization of parasites being expelled through the dilated common bile duct allowed the causal interpretation of post-therapeutic abdominal pain and increase of liver enzymes. When triclabendazole is given on suspicion, visualization of worm expulsion and bile duct dilatation by US may be used to confirm diagnosis.     

Biliary leakage after urgent cholecystectomy: Optimization of endoscopic treatment

AIM: To investigate the results of endoscopic treatment of postoperative biliary leakage occurring after urgent cholecystectomy with a long-term follow-up.METHODS: This is an observational database study conducted in a tertiary care center. All consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiography(ERC) for presumed postoperative biliary leakage after urgent cholecystectomy in the period between April 2008 and April 2013 were considered for this study. Patients with bile duct transection and biliary strictures were excluded. Biliary leakage was suspected in the case of bile appearance from either percutaneous drainage of abdominal collection or abdominal drain placed at the time of cholecystectomy. Procedural and main clinical characteristics of all consecutive patients with postoperative biliary leakage after urgent cholecystectomy, such as indication for cholecystectomy, etiology and type of leakage, ERC findings and post-ERC complications, were collected from our electronic database. All patients in whom the leakage was successfully treated endoscopically were followed-up after they were discharged from the hospital and the main clinical characteristics, laboratory data and common bile duct diameter were electronically recorded. RESULTS: During a five-year period, biliary leakage was recognized in 2.2% of patients who underwent urgent cholecystectomy. The median time from cholecystectomy to ERC was 6 d(interquartile range, 4-11 d). Endoscopic interventions to manage biliary leakage included biliary stent insertion with or without biliary sphincterotomy. In 23(77%) patients after first endoscopic treatment bile flow through existing surgical drain ceased within 11 d following biliary therapeutic endoscopy(median, 4 d; interquartile range, 2-8 d). In those patients repeat ERC was not performed andthe biliary stent was removed on gastroscopy. In seven(23%) patients repeat ERC was done within one to fourth week after their first ERC, depending on the extent of the biliary leakage. In two of those patients common bile duct stone was recognized and removed. Three of those seven patients had more complicated clinical course and they were referred to surgery and were excluded from long-term follow-up. The median interval from endoscopic placement of biliary stent to demonstration of resolution of bile leakage for ERC treated patients was 32 d(interquartile range, 28-43 d). Among the patients included in the follow-up(median 30.5 mo, range 7-59 mo), four patients(14.8%) died of severe underlying comorbid illnesses.CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate the great efficiency of the endoscopic therapy in the treatment of the patients with biliary leakage after urgent cholecystectomy.     

Necessity of a repeat cholangiogram during biliary stent removal after postcholecystectomy bile leak

PURPOSE:

To assess the need for repeat endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) in patients undergoing biliary stent removal after management of postcholecystectomy bile leak.

METHODS:

A retrospective analysis of the Clinical Outcomes Research Initiative endoscopy database at PennState Milton S Hershey Medical Center (Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA) identified all patients referred for ERC with an indication of postcholecystectomy bile leak from January 2001 to June 2010. Baseline demographics, location of bile leak, size of biliary stent placed, duration of stenting, bile leak persistence, and the presence of stone, sludge or strictures on repeat ERC were analyzed.

RESULTS:

A total of 81 patients underwent ERC for management of bile leaks after cholecystectomy. One patient was excluded due to a complete transection of the common bile duct necessitating immediate surgical intervention. Fourteen (17.5%) patients underwent open cholecystectomy, 46 (57.5%) underwent laparoscopic procedures and 10 (12.5%) procedures were converted from a laparoscopic to an open approach intraoperatively. Of the 80 patients, 47 (58.7 %) had a cystic duct leak, 11 (13.7 %) had a right hepatic duct leak, 11 (13.7%) had a common bile duct leak, five (6.2%) had a gallbladder fossa leak, four (5%) had a common hepatic duct leak and the remaining two (2.5%) had a left hepatic duct leak. All 80 patients underwent biliary stenting as part of management for their bile leak. Fifty-seven of the 80 patients (71.2%) had a 10 Fr stent placed, with the remainder undergoing placement of a 7 Fr stent. Seventy-five (93.7%) patients underwent biliary sphincterotomy during the initial ERC. Sixty-nine patients underwent repeat ERC after a mean duration of 8.2 weeks (range 0.4 to 18.5 weeks). Eleven patients had no reviewable records regarding a repeat procedure performed for stent removal. Three patients required an early repeat ERC due to suspicion of cholangitis and, hence, were excluded from the final analysis. Of the 66 patients included in the final analysis, 61 (92.4%) had resolution of their bile leak on repeat ERC. All patients had resolution of their bile leak by the third ERC. Fifteen patients (22.7%) had an abnormality on repeat cholangiography (persistent leak in four, stones in three, sludge in seven, and a combination of leak and stone in one) that required further endoscopic intervention including balloon sweep or additional stenting.

CONCLUSION:

Although the majority of postcholecystectomy bile leaks resolve after biliary stent placement, a sizeable percentage (22.7%) of patients had abnormalities on subsequent cholangiograms that required further intervention. These findings suggest the need for a repeat ERC at the time of biliary stent removal in the management of postcholecystectomy bile leaks.