PANCREATIC PLEURAL EFFUSION SUCCESSFULLY TREATED BY ENDOSCOPIC PANCREATIC DUCT DRAINAGE COMBINED WITH EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK‐WAVE LITHOTRIPSY: REPORT OF A CASE

A 52‐year‐old man was admitted with complaints of dyspnea. Physical examination revealed that the breath sounds were reduced at the left lung. The results of the abdominal examination were normal. Chest radiography showed massive left‐sided pleural effusion. His white blood cell count was 4600/mm ³ , serum amylase 666 IU/L, serum C‐reactive protein (CRP) 3.7 mg/dL. Thoracentesis yielded bloody fluid with a protein level of 3.7 g/dL and amylase level of 6250 IU/L. Computed tomography showed dilatation of the pancreatic duct with calcifications of the pancreas, mediastinal pancreatic pseudocysts and bilateral pleural effusion. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography demonstrated dilated pancreatic duct with pancreatic calculi and pancreaticopleural fistula. Initial endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography showed obstructing pancreatic calculi of the main pancreatic duct at the head; however, insertion of a naso‐pancreatic drain was unsuccessful. A naso‐pancreatic drain could be placed beyond the site of obstruction following three extracorporeal shock‐wave lithotripsy (ESWL) sessions. Pleural effusion was resolved and the chest tube was removed 5 days following placement of the drain. The naso‐pancreatic drain was replaced with a pancreatic stent 20 days later. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography after a total of nine ESWL sessions showed a significant reduction of pancreatic calculi at the head. The pancreatic stent was removed 70 days following stent placement and there has been no recurrence during a follow‐up period of 2 years. We suggest that endoscopic treatment combined with ESWL is a first‐line treatment for pancreatic pleural effusion resulting from obstructing pancreatic calculi, and operation should be reserved as a second‐line treatment.     

Management of pancreatic ductal leaks and fistulae

Pancreatic duct leaks can occur as a result of both acute and chronic pancreatitis or in the setting of pancreatic trauma. Manifestations of leaks include pseudocysts, pancreatic ascites, high amylase pleural effusions, disconnected duct syndrome, and internal and external pancreatic fistulas. Patient presentations are highly variable and range from asymptomatic pancreatic cysts to patients with severe abdominal pain and sepsis from infected fluid collections. The diagnosis can often be made by high‐quality cross‐sectional imaging or during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Because of their complexity, pancreatic leak patients are best managed by a multidisciplinary team comprised of therapeutic endoscopists, interventional radiologists, and surgeons in the field of pancreatic interventions. Minor leaks will often resolve with conservative management while severe leaks will frequently require interventions. Endoscopic treatments for pancreatic duct leaks have replaced surgical interventions in many situations. Interventional radiologists also have the ability to offer therapeutic interventions for many leak patients. The mainstay of endotherapy for pancreatic leaks is transpapillary pancreatic duct stenting with a stent that bridges the leak if possible, but varies based on the manifestation and clinical presentation. Fluid collections that result from leaks, such as pseudocysts, can often be treated by endoscopic transluminal drainage with or without endoscopic ultrasound or by percutaneous drainage. Endoscopic interventions have been shown to be effective and have an acceptable complication rate.     

Endoscopic pancreatic duct stent placement for inflammatory pancreatic diseases

The role of endoscopic therapy in the management of pancreatic diseases is continuously evolving; at present most pathological conditions of the pancreas are successfully treated by endoscopic retrograde cholangio- pancreatography （ERCP） or endoscopic ultrasound （EUS）, or both. Endoscopic placement of stents has played and still plays a major role in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis, pseudocysts, pancreas divisum, main pancreatic duct injuries, pancreatic fistulae, complications of acute pancreatitis, recurrent idiopathic pancreatitis, and in the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis. These stents are currently routinely placed to reduce intraductal hypertension, bypass obstructing stones, restore lumen patency in cases with dominant, symptomatic strictures, seal main pancreatic duct disruption, drain pseudocysts or fluid collections, treat symptomatic major or minor papilla sphincter stenosis, and prevent procedure-induced acute pancreatitis. The present review aims at updating and discussing techniques, indications, and results of endoscopic pancreatic duct stent placement in acute and chronic inflammatory diseases of the pancreas.     

A CASE OF TUMOR‐FORMING PANCREATITIS WITH A RAPID AND AGGRESSIVE CHANGE

An asymptomatic 51‐year‐old man was found to have a low echoic mass by ultrasonography, 12 mm in diameter, at the head of the pancreas during mass screening. Endoscopic ultrasonography revealed that the mass was hypoechoic with clear margins and without main pancreatic duct dilatation. Therefore, islet cell tumor was suspected, but pancreatic carcinoma could not be excluded. After 3 months, follow‐up ultrasonography revealed that the margin had become more clearly defined and the mass had tended to enlarge. Endoscopic ultrasonography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed dilatation of the main pancreatic duct. A pylorus‐preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed for the presumed diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma. Histological examination revealed prominent fibrosis and destruction of the exocrine parenchyma without evidence of malignancy. The diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma based on tendency of enlargement and dilatation of the main pancreatic duct was difficult in this case.     

Pancreatic carcinoma that completely obstructs the Wirsung duct without dilatation of the main pancreatic duct

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Pancreatic carcinomas in which the main pancreatic duct (MPD) is completely obstructed are almost always associated with dilatation of the upstream MPD. However, some carcinomas are not associated with MPD dilatation despite complete MPD obstruction. This paradoxical phenomenon has not been well documented. METHODS: The findings from endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in 207 cases of pancreatic head carcinomas were analyzed with special reference to this unique type of carcinoma. Twenty-five of the patients were found to exhibit no MPD dilatation on ultrasonography, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: Pancreatography via the major papilla showed complete obstruction of the MPD (112 patients with MPD dilatation and 6 without), stenosis (70 and 10, respectively), or no abnormal findings (0 and 9, respectively). In all six patients with complete MPD obstruction but without upstream MPD dilatation, injection of the minor papilla revealed a non-dilated dorsal pancreatic duct. The size of the obstructive carcinomas with and without MPD dilatation was comparable. CONCLUSIONS: Some (3%) pancreatic head carcinomas are not associated with MPD dilatation despite complete obstruction of the Wirsung duct. In such cases, the Santorini duct drains the dorsal pancreatic duct, completely compensating for the obstructed Wirsung duct. Attention should be paid to this unique type of carcinoma in diagnosing pancreatic head carcinomas.     

Value of the p53 protein for diagnosing cancer in pancreatic cells obtained by endoscopic pancreatic duct brushing

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of the p53 protein for diagnosing cancer in pancreatic cells obtained by using endoscopic pancreatic duct brushing. METHODS: Immunohistochemical methods were used to assay the amount of p53 protein in cytological specimens. The results were compared with those obtained by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. RESULTS: Detection of the p53 protein by staining cytological specimens with H&E diagnosed pancreatic cancer with 53% sensitivity, 100% specificity and 70% accuracy. Using immunohistochemical methods, pancreatic cancer was diagnosed with 59% sensitivity, 100% specificity and 74% accuracy. The methods in combination produced a test with 71% sensitivity, 100% specificity and 81% accuracy. CONCLUSIONS: Hematoxylin and eosin staining combined with p53 protein detection in cells obtained by using endoscopic pancreatic duct brushing is a useful tool in the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, and in the differentiation of benign and malignant pan­creatic disease.     

Pancreaticopleural Fistula: Report of Two Cases and Review of the Literature

Pancreaticopleural fistulas are a rare complication of pancreatitis. We report two cases from our institution and review 37 cases of pancreaticopleural fistulas identified in the literature. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was more sensitive compared to computed tomography in demonstrating pancreaticopleural fistulas (79% versus 43%, respectively). Medical therapy with total parenteral nutrition, octreotide, and/or chest tube placement was successful in resolving the pancreaticopleural fistula in up to 33% of cases. None of the patients who underwent pancreatic duct stent and/or nasopancreatic drain placement required surgical intervention. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is the initial test of choice when the diagnosis of pancreaticopleural fistula is suspected. Early endoscopic intervention with pancreatic duct stent placement is recommended given its high success rate in fistula closure. Medical therapies are useful adjuncts to endoscopic therapy, but rarely result in pancreaticopleural fistula closure alone. Surgical interventions should only be considered after failure of endoscopic and medical therapies.     

PANCREATIC DUCTAL DRAINAGE BY ENDOSCOPIC ULTRASOUND‐ASSISTED RENDEZVOUS TECHNIQUE FOR PAIN CAUSED BY DUCTAL STRICTURE WITH CHRONIC PANCREATITIS

With the advances in echoendoscopes, the frontier of therapeutic endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is expanding. A 50‐year‐old male presented to us with unrelenting pain following an episode of alcoholic pancreatitis. Imaging studies revealed evidence of pancreatic ductal hypertension with a pseudocyst in the head of the pancreas. Following unsuccessful attempts at drainage of the pancreatic duct (PD) via the minor or major papilla at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, he underwent endoscopic ductal drainage with the EUS‐assisted rendezvous technique. The PD was punctured under the guidance of EUS. A guidewire was then introduced into the PD and was guided into the duodenal lumen through the minor papilla. The tip of the guidewire was grasped with forceps coming out of a duodenoscope introduced instead of the echoendoscope. A pancreatic stent was inserted over the guidewire across the minor papilla. After the endoscopic pancreatic stenting, the patient achieved symptomatic relief.     

Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography in pancreatic trauma: Need to break the mental barrier

Pancreatic injury has a high morbidity and mortality. The integrity of the main pancreatic duct is the most important determinant of prognosis. Serum amylase, peritoneal lavage and computed tomography of the abdomen can assist with diagnosis but endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) is the most accurate investigation for diagnosing the site and extent of ductal disruption. However, it is invasive and can be associated with significant complications. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and secretin-enhanced MRCP probably parallel ERP in delineating pancreatic ductal injuries. They can also delineate the duct upstream to complete disruption, an area not visualized on ERP. In relation to therapy, endoscopic transpapillary drainage has been successfully used to heal duct disruptions in the early phase of pancreatic trauma and, in the delayed phase, to treat the complications of pancreatic duct injuries such as pseudocysts and pancreatic fistulae. Transpapillary drainage is especially effective in patients who have partial pancreatic duct disruption that can be bridged. Endoscopic transmural drainage has also been successfully used to treat post-traumatic pancreatic pseudocysts. Further large, prospective and randomized studies are required to adjudge the efficacy and long-term safety of pancreatic duct drainage in the treatment of post-traumatic pancreatic duct injuries.     

A Comparative Evaluation of Endoscopic Retrograde Pancreatography and Secretin-CCK Test in the Diagnosis of Pancreatic Disease

The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic efficacy of endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) and secretin-CCK test for the diagnosis of pancreatic disease. The bicarbonate output after the secretin stimulation was low in 26 out of 30 patients (87%) with pancreatitis, whereas ERP revealed an abnormal duct in 21 (70%) of these patients. In all 7 patients with pancreatic carcinoma. ERP showed major abnormalities, whereas the bicarbonate output was reduced only in four of them. Thus, the secretin test appears to be at least as efficient as the ERP in disclosing pancreatitis. On the other hand. ERP seems to be a more reliable method for the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma.     

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography should no longer be used as a diagnostic test: the case in favour

The requirement for diagnostic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography has decreased considerably in the past 10 years. Alternative imaging techniques are now available for the diagnosis of bile duct stones, pancreatic and biliary tract malignancy and inflammatory diseases such as sclerosing cholangitis and chronic pancreatitis. The imaging techniques include endoscopic ultrasonography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and helical computed tomography. There is good evidence that these techniques have an accuracy comparable to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in the diagnosis of diseases of the bile and pancreatic ducts. All of these methods are less invasive than endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and have extremely low or negligible complication rates. The choice of technique used depends on local availability and expertise. In future, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography will be reserved exclusively for therapeutic applications.     

Role of endoscopic retrograde pancreatography in pancreatic ascites

Summary We present a case of pancreatic ascites. The diagnosis was strongly suspected on the basis of ascitic fluid analysis and was confirmed by observation of pancreatic duct contrast leakage at endoscopic retrograde panreatography (ERP). Computed tomography was not helpful in this case. For localization and final confirmation of the lesion, ERP is the most valuable investigative method.     

Utility of pancreatic duct brushing for diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of pancreatic duct brushing for diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma. Methods Brush cytology was attempted in 58 patients suspected of having pancreatic malignancy because of stricture of the main pancreatic duct, confirmed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Thirty-eight patients were finally diagnosed by an operation or the clinical course as having pancreatic carcinoma, and the remaining 20 patients as having chronic pancreatitis. The usefulness of brush cytology for diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma was estimated. We interpreted failures of pancreatic duct brushing to be false negatives when the lesion was malignant. Results In 48 of 58 patients (82.8%), brushing was successfully performed and satisfactory specimens were obtained. Brush cytology was positive in 25 of 38 patients with pancreatic carcinoma (sensitivity 65.8%) and negative in all patients without malignancy (specificity 100%). Overall accuracy was 76.4%. During 2001–2005, the number of back-and-forth motions of the brush was increased to more than 30 times. The sensitivity significantly improved from 43.8% in 1997–2000 to 81.8% in 2001–2005 (P < 0.05). The increased success rate of brushing by improvement of skill in manipulating the guidewire and increased number of cells smeared on glass slides by increased back-and-forth motion of the brush may account for this improvement over time. Moreover, the sensitivity in 2001–2005 was 85.7% if failures of brushing with pancreatic carcinoma are excluded. No major complications occurred, except for two patients with a moderate grade of acute pancreatitis. Conclusions Although further studies with a large number of patients are needed, our results suggest that with recent improvements of the brushing technique, pancreatic duct brushing is a useful and safe method for the differential diagnosis of malignancy from benign diseases of the pancreas.     

Endoscopic retrograde brush cytology (ERBC) of the biliary and pancreatic ducts.

A new device with a brushing tube that can be introduced through the biopsy channel of the duodenoscope (Olympus JF B) used for cannulation of the papilla of Vater is reported. In 17 patients in whom ERCP had demonstrated ductal abnormalities, an endoscopic retrograde brush cytology (ERBC) was performed. A cytological diagnosis of malignancy was made in 8 patients and a possible malignancy in 2 cases. Seven cases were operated upon, and a malignant tumor was found in 6. In one case a malignant tumor was found at autopsy. Histological examination was performed in 6 cases and showed adenocarcinoma in all.. Two patients with malignant cells and ERCP-findings of suspected pancreatic carcinoma were not operated upon. The tumours were localized in 1 case to the papilla of Vater, in 2 to the biliary duct, in 4 to the pancreatic head, and in 2 cases to the pancreatic corpus. No complications occured. It is concluded that this technique provides information supplementary to that of other diagnostic procedures.     

EFFECT OF EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCKWAVE LITHOTRIPSY AND ENDOSCOPIC TREATMENT ON SYMPTOMS AND PANCREATIC FUNCTION IN PANCREATOLITHIASIS

Aims: To investigate the efficacy of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) combined with endoscopic treatment for pancreatolithiasis and assess the pancreatic functions after treatment. Patients: Forty‐eight cases with pancreatolithiasis in the main pancreatic duct (MPD) treated by ESWL combined with endoscopic treatments were investigated. Methods: The disappearance rate of abdominal symptoms, the frequency of admission for acute exacerbation of pancreatitis before and after treatment, the relationship of removal of pancreatic stones with recurrence and stricture of the MPD, and pancreatic functions before and after treatment were examined. Results: Treatment for pancreatolithiasis improved symptoms in 95.1% and significantly reduced the frequency of admission for 1 year from 1.4 to 0.2 on average. Pancreatic stones were excellently eliminated in 93.8%. Even in cases complicated with the stricture of MPD, combination with endoscopic techniques provided treatment efficacy comparable to that in cases without such complications. The Bentiromide test significantly improved within 3 months after treatment. It improved 1–2 and 2–3 years after treatment but there was no significant difference. Endocrine functions were maintained in 93.6%, 74.3%, 66.7%, and 64.3% within 3 months, 1–2 years, 2–3 years, and 3 or more years, respectively, after treatment. Conclusions: ESWL combined with endoscopic treatment provides comparable treatment efficacy in cases with and without stricture of the MPD. Treatment for pancreatolithiasis is useful for not only alleviating abdominal symptoms but also maintaining pancreatic exocrine function and management of the diabetes.     

Value of endoscopy for early diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma

Despite recent advances in diagnostic imaging modalities, most cases of pancreatic carcinoma are discovered at an unresectable stage, resulting in poor prognosis. Early diagnosis is essential to ensure curative treatment and improve the prognosis of pancreatic carcinoma. Imaging modalities with high diagnostic ability are necessary for the early diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma. Endoscopic ultrasonography is a reliable and efficient diagnostic modality because it provides superior spatial resolution and should be incorporated into screening programs in patients at high risk of pancreatic carcinoma. Endoscopy facilitates cytopathological diagnosis based on samples collected via endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Cytodiagnosis with endoscopic naso-pancreatic drainage is useful in patients with carcinoma in situ. In this review, we highlight the potential role of endoscopy in the early diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma. We provide an overview of the endoscopy tools used for the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma, discuss the diagnostic ability of these tools for small carcinomas and carcinomas in situ, and propose a strategy for endoscopy-based screening of early pancreatic carcinoma.     

Management of pancreatic fluid collections: A comprehensive review of the literature

Pancreatic fluid collections(PFCs) are a frequent complication of pancreatitis. It is important to classify PFCs to guide management. The revised Atlanta criteria classifies PFCs as acute or chronic, with chronic fluid collections subdivided into pseudocysts and walled-off pancreatic necrosis(WOPN). Establishing adequate nutritional support is an essential step in the management of PFCs. Early attempts at oral feeding can be trialed in patients with mild pancreatitis. Enteral feeding should be implemented in patients with moderate to severe pancreatitis. Jejunal feeding remains the preferred route of enteral nutrition. Symptomatic PFCs require drainage; options include surgical, percutaneous, or endoscopic approaches. With the advent of newer and more advanced endoscopic tools and expertise, and an associated reduction in health care costs, minimally invasive endoscopic drainage has become the preferable approach. An endoscopic ultrasonography-guided approach using a seldinger technique is the preferred endoscopic approach. Both plastic stents and metal stents are efficacious and safe; however, metal stents may offer an advantage, especially in infected pseudocysts and in WOPN. Direct endoscopic necrosectomy is often required in WOPN. Lumen apposing metal stents that allow for direct endoscopic necrosectomy and debridement through the stent lumen are preferred in these patients. Endoscopic retrograde cholangio pancreatography with pancreatic duct(PD) exploration should be performed concurrent to PFC drainage. PD disruption is associated with an increased severity of pancreatitis, an increased risk of recurrent attacks of pancreatitis and long-term complications, and a decreased rate of PFC resolution after drainage. Any pancreatic ductal disruption should be bridged with endoscopic stenting.     

Clinical implications of accessory pancreatic duct

The accessory pancreatic duct (APD) is the main drainage duct of the dorsal pancreatic bud in the embryo,entering the duodenum at the minor duodenal papilla (MIP).With the growth,the duct of the dorsal bud undergoes varying degrees of atrophy at the duodenal end.Patency of the APD in 291 control cases was 43% as determined by dye-injection endoscopic retrograde pancreatography.Patency of the APD in 46 patients with acute pancreatitis was only 17%,which was significantly lower than in control cases (P < 0.01).The terminal shape of the APD was correlated with APD patency.Based on the data about correlation between the terminal shape of the APD and its patency,the estimated APD patency in 167 patients with acute pancreatitis was 21%,which was signif icantly lower than in control cases (P < 0.01).A patent APD may function as a second drainage system for the main pancreatic duct to reduce the pressure in the main pancreatic duct and prevent acute pancreatitis.Pancreatographic f indings of 91 patients with pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM) were divided into a normal duct group (80 patients) and a dorsal pancreatic duct (DPD) dominant group (11 patients).While 48 patients (60%) with biliary carcinoma (gallbladder carcinoma,n=42;bile duct carcinoma,n=6) were identified in PBM with a normal pancreatic duct system,only two cases of gallbladder carcinoma (18%) occurred in DPD-dominant patients (P < 0.05).Concentration of amylase in the bile of DPD dominance was signifi cantly lower than that of normal pancreatic duct system (75 403.5 ± 82 015.4 IU/L vs 278 157.0 ± 207 395.0 IU/L,P < 0.05).In PBM with DPD dominance,most pancreatic juice in the upper DPD is drained into the duodenum via the MIP,and reflux of pancreatic juice to the biliary tract might be reduced,resulting in less frequency of associated biliary carcinoma.     

Brush cytology of ductal strictures during ERCP

BACKGROUND: Previous reports on endoscopic retrograde brush cytology (ERBC) of bile ducts and of the main pancreatic duct have reached widely varying sensitivity levels of 33 up to 85%. AIMS: To report our experience with ERBC in a series of biliary strictures (n = 98) and pancreatic duct strictures (n = 8). For the purpose of our study, that was mainly directed to the value of the cytologic examination as such, only those specimens that were considered satisfactory for cytological interpretation were studied. PATIENTS: From October 1988 until August 1994, 154 cytologic brushings were performed at ERCP in 132 patients. In 132 brushings obtained from 115 patients (86%), cell yield was satisfactory for cytologic interpretation. Nine patients lacked adequate follow-up. Hence, 123 brushings from 106 patients were included in this study. A final diagnosis of malignancy was obtained in 62 patients. METHODS: Cytological changes were described as 'benign', 'columnar cell intraepithelial neoplasia', 'inconclusive' by the presence of atypical cells, or 'malignant'. RESULTS: For a positive diagnosis of the malignant nature of a stenosis, ERBC had an overall sensitivity of 63% with a specificity of 96%. One false positive result was obtained in a patient with a biliary infection by Fasciola Hepatica. Sensitivity was highest in malignant ampullary strictures (91%). Sensitivity was 60% for cholangiocarcinomas, and 65% for pancreatic cancer. The finding of 'columnar cell intra-epithelial neoplasia' in the ampullary region led to a Whipple resection and diagnosis of invasive carcinoma in one patient. Atypical cells were found in 4 brush specimens: in three of these 4 cases, a malignant lesion proved to be present. CONCLUSIONS: Brush cytology is a simple technique with a high specificity and should be performed in biliary and pancreatic duct strictures of unknown etiology. Categorizing the smears according to cytomorphology may improve diagnostic accuracy.     

ENDOSCOPIC PANCREATIC SPHINCTEROTOMY PLUS LARGE‐BALLOON DILATION FOR REMOVAL OF A LARGE IMPACTED PANCREATIC DUCT STONE (WITH VIDEO)

Pancreatic duct stones are a common complication of chronic pancreatitis. We describe successful endoscopic removal of a large pancreatic duct stone using large‐balloon dilation in combination with pancreatic sphincterotomy. A 63‐year‐old woman was admitted for endoscopic treatment of acute on chronic pancreatitis with diabetes and epigastric pain with liver dysfunction due to a large impacted stone within the distal main pancreatic duct. Endoscopic pancreatic sphincterotomy was carried out using a wire‐guided pull‐type sphincterotome. Although we could carry out a relatively large incision, the stone could not be extracted. We therefore carried out papillary dilation using a large balloon (diameter 12 to 15 mm) to make room alongside the stone. A 10 × 20‐mm white pancreatic duct stone was extracted during the process of pulling a dilating balloon into the working channel of the endoscope. Eventually, the second stone was removed without any procedure‐related complication.