Conversion to EUS-guided internal gallbladder drainage from percutaneous cholecystostomy: A successful case using a novel plastic stent

For acute cholecystitis with high surgical risk, endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) has shown high clinical and technical success rates. Dilation of the punctured fistula is a technically challenging aspect of EUS-GBD. Over-dilation makes stent insertion easier; however, it increases the risk of bile leakage. Currently, the endoscopic devices available for EUS-GBD are limited, which presents device-related shortcomings. When the stent cannot pass through the dilated fistula, the deployment of a conventional double-pigtail plastic stent requires discarding of the stent and re-puncturing of the gallbladder. Recently, a novel integral double-pigtail plastic stent tied with a pusher catheter that allows the stent to be pulled back on insertion failure was developed. Here, we describe a patient in whom EUS-GBD was successfully performed using this novel stent that enables adjustment during dilation, making EUS-GBD safer.     

Combined management of esophagopericardial fistula sustained after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation

Introduction: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an effective treatment modality for atrial fibrillation (AF); however, serious complications can occur. We present the case of a highly morbid consequence, the esophagopericardial fistula (EPF). Case: A hemodynamically unstable patient with a history of AF and recent RFA presented with chest pain and was found to have pneumopericardium and pericardial effusion. The patient went to the operating room emergently for combined management with surgical pericardial window and endoscopic stent placement. Conclusion: EPF must be on the differential diagnosis while evaluating patients who develop constitutional symptoms or sudden onset chest pain days or weeks after catheter ablation for AF. Early detection followed by aggressive management with a combined surgical and endoscopic approach may be considered for successful treatment of this type of postablation esophageal perforation if an atrioesophageal fistula is effectively ruled out.     

Endoscopic repair of gastric leaks after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a less invasive approach

BACKGROUND: Gastric leaks represent an important source of morbidity and mortality associated with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. These leaks, once managed acutely, can become chronic and represent a difficult clinical challenge. Surgical options to address a chronic gastric leak are technically challenging and often unsuccessful. We present a novel peroral endoscopic treatment for patients with chronic gastric leaks after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. DESIGN: Case series. INTERVENTIONS: Repair of chronic gastric leaks after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass by using a combination of argon plasma coagulation, hemoclips, fibrin glue, Polyflex stent placement, and distal gastrojejunal stenosis dilation. The goal was to achieve durable fistula closure and avoid surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Durable fistula closure as assessed by an upper-GI series and clinical evaluation. RESULTS: Gastric leak closure was achieved in all 3 patients, with complete resolution of symptoms. Polyflex stent migration into the Roux limb occurred in 1 patient, and this was retrieved endoscopically. There were no other significant complications. CONCLUSIONS: Peroral endoscopic repair of gastric leaks is technically feasible. This procedure may offer a less invasive alternative to traditional surgical revision.     

Preoperative endoscopic pancreatic stenting for safe local pancreatic resection

Local pancreatic resection and enucleation have the advantage of preserving pancreatic parenchyma but pancreatic fistula often occurs postoperatively. We describe a case in which preoperative endoscopic pancreatic stenting prevented pancreatic fistula formation following local pancreatic resection. A pancreatic stent seems to prevent leakage from small pancreatic branch ducts not identified or ligated intraoperatively, via the pancreatic decompression effect. The present case demonstrates a novel indication for endoscopic pancreatic stenting.     

Endoscopic biliary stenting for treatment of persistent biliary fistula after blunt hepatic injury

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment for persistent biliary fistula after blunt hepatic injury is often technically difficult. Endoscopic treatment for such fistulas has been described only infrequently. METHODS: We reviewed 6 patients who underwent endoscopic biliary stent placement with (n = 1) or without (n = 5) sphincterotomy for persistent (12 to 138 days; mean 48 days) biliary fistula after blunt hepatic injury. RESULTS: ERCP showed bile leakage from a second-order or more peripheral branch of the intrahepatic bile ducts in 5 patients but failed to reveal the fistula in 1. Stent placement was successful without complications in all patients. Bile leakage resolved within 1 to 3 days in 5 patients. After 36 to 86 days, the stent was removed and ERCP confirmed disappearance of the fistula. These patients have remained asymptomatic for a mean of 2.6 years since stent removal. In the patient in whom ERCP had not shown a fistula, bile leakage continued despite successful stent placement. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic biliary stent placement is a rapid, safe and effective treatment for persistent post-traumatic biliary fistula demonstrated by ERCP.     

Colocutaneous fistula relating to the migration of a biliary stent.

The endoscopic placement of endoprostheses to decompress biliary obstruction is a commonly used treatment for malignant biliary diseases and is also used in the treatment of benign biliary strictures. Complications of endoprosthesis placement have been described and include the migration of the stent. We present a case of a colonic-cutaneous fistula secondary to the migration of a plastic biliary stent with colonic perforation.     

Multidisciplinary therapeutic approach for maintaining long-term nutritional status for patient with advanced esophageal carcinoma confounded by dermatomyositis

We report a patient with advanced esophageal carcinoma associated with dermatomyositis who successfully maintained long-term good nutritional status by chemoradiation therapy and continuous enteral nutrition. A 64-year-old Japanese man was admitted to our hospital because of dysphagia and systemic edema. Because of debilitated status and malnutrition, intravenous corticosteroid infusion was first performed. Continuous enteral nutrition was performed through percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, and chemoradiation therapy was then performed. Although the endoscopic examination revealed complete regression of esophageal carcinoma, an esophagobronchial fistula was formed. The patient was periodically followed up by a multidisciplinary team for appropriate nutritional management; as a result, nutritional status was markedly improved and well maintained. A covered, selfexpandable metallic stent was placed in the esophagus to conceal the esophagobronchial fistula. This case highlights the importance of multidisciplinary therapeutic approach for maintaining good nutritional status and quality of life in patients with advanced esophageal carcinoma confounded by debilitating disorders.     

Endoscopic transpapillary pancreatic stenting for internal pancreatic fistula with the disruption of the pancreatic ductal system

BackgroundInternal pancreatic fistula (IPF) is a well-recognized complication of pancreatic diseases. Although there have been many reports concerning IPF, the therapy for IPF still remains controversial. We herein report our experiences with endoscopic transpapillary pancreatic stent therapy for IPF and evaluate its validity.MethodSix patients with IPF who presented at our department and received endoscopic transpapillary pancreatic stent therapy were investigated, focusing on the clinical and imaging features as well as treatment strategies, the response to therapy and the outcome.ResultsAll patients were complicated with stenosis or obstruction of the main pancreatic duct, and in these cases the pancreatic ductal disruption developed distal to the areas of pancreatic stricture. The sites of pancreatic ductal disruption were the pancreatic body in five patients and the pancreatic tail in one patient. All patients received endoscopic stent placement over the stenosis site of the pancreatic duct. Three patients improved completely and one patient improved temporarily. Finally, three patients underwent surgical treatment for IPF. All patients have maintained a good course without a recurrence of IPF.ConclusionEndoscopic transpapillary pancreatic stent therapy may be an appropriate first-line treatment to be considered before surgical treatment. The point of stenting for IPF is to place a stent over the stenosis site of the pancreatic duct to reduce the pancreatic ductal pressure and the pseudocyst's pressure.     

Optimizing management of pancreaticopleural fistulas

AIM:To evaluate the management of pancreaticopleural fistulas involving early endoscopic instrumentation of the pancreatic duct.METHODS:Eight patients with a spontaneous pancre-aticopleural fistula underwent endoscopic retrograde cholang iopancreatography(ERCP) with an intentionto stent the site of a ductal disruption as the primarytreatment. Imaging features and management were evaluated retrospectively and compared with outcome.RESULTS:In one case,the stent bridged the site of aductal disruption. The fist...     

A case of bilioduodenal fistula treated with a self-expandable metallic stent.

We report the case of a 72 year-old female patient who suffered from biliary fistulae. The biliobiliary and bilioduodenal fistulae appeared after an operation for biliary bleeding. Conventional therapy for biliary fistula would be the disconnection of the fistula by either conservative or operative treatment. In the present case, however, it was preferable to enlarge the fistula to drain bile juice into the duodenum, rather than to close the fistula because it would have been difficult to achieve a tight adhesion with this operation. The enlargement by a plastic tube stent failed to drain the bile juice into the duodenum, because the sludge made the tube stenotic. Therefore, a self-expandable metallic stent was applied in this case. An expandable stent was used because a large final caliber is necessary to prevent stenosis of the fistula by sludge and mucosal hyperplasia. After insertion of a self-expandable metallic stent by the percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage route, the patient has not suffered from cholestasis and cholangitis for the last 30 months. It can therefore be concluded that enlargement of the fistula by a self-expandable metallic stent is a convenient therapy for such biliointestinal fistulae.     

Endoscopic Management of Biliary Fistulas with Small Caliber Stents

Biliary fistulas have in the past been managed by a variety of methods, including surgical correction or endoscopic sphincterotomy. From 1984 to 1989, we used endoscopic indwelling biliary stents in seven consecutive patients with and without sphincterotomy and have attained fistula closure in all patients studied. The etiologies of the fistulous tracts varied, as did the type and number of stents used. The duration of time between stent placement and observed closure of the fistulous tracts ranged from 3 days to 5 months. Of note, all patients had a dramatic reduction of drainage within the first week. From our study we conclude that surgical correction of biliary fistulas is not required, that sphincterotomy is not mandatory for stent placement or fistula management in patients without distal obstruction, and that a single, small caliber stent alone may be effective.     

Successful treatment of intractable esophagothoracic fistula using covered self-expandable stent

This report concerns the successful treatment with a covered self-expandable stent of an intractable thoracoesophageal fistula after total esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Total esophagectomy was performed on a 68-year-old man who presented with a huge esophageal cancer in the lower esophagus. Massive leakage was observed on the 5th day postoperatively. Since high fever and coughing continued, he was diagnosed as having esophagothoracic fistula and pyothorax, after which fenestration of the right chest wall was performed. Although the patient's general condition was getting better, stenosis near the anastomosis (esophagogastrostomy) and the esophagothoracic fistula were resistant to treatment with balloon dilatation and repeated endoscopic mucotomy. Further treatment, consisting of glue or fibrin sealant injection was not effective. After a covered self-expandable stent had been placed endoscopically, however, the fistel was completely cured in 2 months. This new endoscopic approach thus represents a promising option for the treatment of intractable esophagothoracic fistula.     

Endoprosthesis implantation at the pharyngo-esophageal level： Problems, limitations and challenges

AIM: To present our experience with endoscopic placement of an esophageal endoprosthesis in 19 patients. METHODS: A retrospective evaluation was made for the use of 19 stents positioned at the level of the cervical esophagus: 11 for malignant tumours (7 causing obstruction, 4 complicated by an esophago -tracheal or -cutaneous fistula), and 8 for an acquired benign tracheo-esophageal fistula due to prolonged intubation. The covered Ultraflex stent was used in all cases except two. These two patients had an esophagocutaneous fistula following laryngectomy and a Flamingo Wall stent was used. RESULTS: Stent implantation was technically successful in all patients. Dysphagia score was improved from 3 to 2 in stenosis patients, while sealing of the fistula was achieved in all cases. The median hospital stay was 3 d for malignant tumour patients and 13.5 d for esophagocutaneous fistula patients. One Ultraflex stent and two Flamingo Wall stents were easily removed 33 d and 3 months respectively after implantation when the fistulas had totally occluded. CONCLUSION: Endoprosthesis implantation for malignancy and/or fistula of malignant or benign origin at the level of the cervical esophagus is an easy, well tolerated, safe and effective procedure with no complications or mortality.     

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.     

Biliopancreatic fistula with portal vein thrombosis caused by a pancreatic pseudocyst

We encountered a very rare case of biliopancreatic fistula with portal vein thrombosis caused by pancreatic pseudocyst. A 57-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of abdominal pain, obstructive jaundice, and portal vein thrombosis due to acute pancreatitis. Computed tomography showed a 7-cm-diameter pseudocyst around the superior mesenteric vein extending towards the pancreatic head, dilatation of the intrahepatic bile duct, and portal vein thrombosis. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography revealed a main pancreatic duct with a pseudocyst communicating with the common bile duct. After pancreatic sphincterotomy, a 7-F tube stent was endoscopically placed into the pseudocyst. However, a 6-F nasobiliary tube could not be inserted into the bile duct because the fistula had a tight stenosis. Subsequently, the patient’s abdominal pain improved, the pancreatic cyst disappeared, and the serum amylase level normalized. Two months after the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage was required because the patient’s jaundice became aggravated. Two weeks after the choledochojejunostomy, the patient left the hospital in good condition. A follow-up computed tomography showed cavernous transformation of the portal vein and no pancreatic pseudocyst. The patient remains asymptomatic for 2 years and 7 months after surgery. Biliary drainage may be necessary for biliopancreatic fistula with obstructive jaundice in addition to pancreatic cyst drainage. Biliopancreatic fistula can be treated by endoscopic procedure in some cases; however, surgical treatment should be required in cases that are impossible to insert a biliary stent because of hard stricture.     

Covered self expandable metallic stent with flared plastic one inside for pancreatic pseudocyst avoiding stent dislodgement

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage has recently been recommended for increasing the drainage rate of endoscopically managed pancreatic fluid collections and decreasing the morbidity associated with conventional endoscopic trans-mural drainage. The type of stent used for endoscopic drainage is currently a major area of interest. A covered self expandable metallic stent (CSEMS) is an alternative to conventional drainage with plastic stents because it offers the option of providing a larger-diameter access fi stula for drainage, and may increase the fi nal success rate. One problem with CSEMS is dislodgement, so a metallic stent with flared or looped ends at both extremities may be the best option. An 85-year-old woman with severe comorbidity was treated with percutaneous approach for a large (20 cm) pancreatic pseudocyst with corpuscolated material inside. This approach failed. The patient was transferred to our institute for EUS-guided transmural drainage. EUS confi rmed a large, anechoic cyst with hyperechoic material inside. Because the cyst was large and contained mixed and corpusculated fluid, we used a metallic stent for drainage. To avoid migration of the stent and potential mucosal growth above the stent, a plastic prosthesis (7 cm, 10 Fr) with flaps at the tips was inserted inside the CSEMS. Two months later an esophagogastroduodenoscopy was done, and showed patency of the SEMS and plastic stents, which were then removed with a polypectomy snare. The patient experienced no further problems.     

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage performed for refractory bile duct stenosis due to chronic pancreatitis: a case report

We report a case of the patient who underwent endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) for refractory bile duct stenosis due to chronic pancreatitis. The patient had repeatedly undergone endoscopic biliary stenting for bile duct stenosis due to chronic pancreatitis. Because of repeated relapses of cholangitis and jaundice, transpapillary treatment was judged to have reached its limits. Surgical bypass was attempted but had to be abandoned due to adhesions. Thus, EUS-BD was performed. The procedure was successful, and placement of a covered expandable metallic stent (C-EMS) relieved cholangitis. Two months after placement, the C-EMS was removed, and the patient became stent-free but closure of the fistula subsequently occurred.     

Management of purulent pericarditis and esophagopericardial fistula secondary to metastatic colon adenocarcinoma

Purulent pericarditis with esophagopericardial fistula secondary to metastatic colon disease is uncommon. Current reports in the literature describe successful palliation via endoluminal esophageal stent insertion. We present our management strategy for a difficult case in which (complete) esophageal occlusion by tumor burden precluded endoscopic passage of the guide wire required to successfully perform such a procedure. Simple tube pericardiostomy is presented as an alternative procedure that produced a satisfactory outcome. This surgical procedure is an appropriate palliative alternative when an endoscopic procedure is not feasible, and is much less invasive than the surgical palliative procedures reported in the literature.     

Endoscopic transgastric drainage of a gastric wall abscess after endoscopic submucosal dissection

A 63-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for further examination because of an incidental finding of early gastric cancer.Endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD)was successfully performed for complete resection of the tumor.On the first post-ESD day,the patient suddenly complained of abdominal pain after an episode of vomiting.Abdominal computed tomography(CT)showed delayed perforation after ESD.The patient was conservatively treated with an intravenous proton pump inhibitor and antibiotics.On the fifth post-ESD day,CT revealed a gastric wall abscess in the gastric body.Gastroscopy revealed a gastric fistula at the edge of the post-ESD ulcer,and pus was found flowing into the stomach.An intradrainage stent and an extradrainage nasocystic catheter were successfully inserted into the abscess for endoscopic transgastric drainage.After the procedure,the clinical symptoms and laboratory test results improved quickly.Two months later,a follow-up CT scan showed no collection of pus.Consequently,the intradrainage stent was removed.Although the gastric wall abscess recurred 2 wk after stent removal,it recovered soon after endoscopic transgastric drainage.Finally,after stent removal and oral antibiotic treatment for 1 mo,no recurrence of the gastric wall abscess was found.     

Tracheoesophageal fistula in AIDS: stent versus primary repair

Tracheoesophageal fistula arising secondary to Mycobacterium tuberculous infection in AIDS patients is extremely rare. We describe a case with a fistula lesion that initially failed to close using a four-drug antituberculosis regimen. The original lesion closed following placement of an esophageal stent. However, the stent migrated, causing an iatrogenic tracheoesophageal fistula that needed surgical repair. Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is an uncommon clinical condition, most frequently arising as a sequelae to esophageal malignancy. Iatrogenic injury to the membraneous trachea secondary to cuffed endotracheal or tracheostomy tubes in the presence of an in-dwelling nasogastric tube and corrosive burns, accounts for most of the remainder of occurring fistulas. Infections such as candidiasis, syphilis, and tuberculosis are also known to cause this condition. We report stent migration with perforation and subsequent TEF formation in an HIV-positive patient who originally had stent placement for a tuberculous tracheoesophageal fistula.