Proximal bile duct stricture caused by a pancreatic pseudocyst: intra-operative placement of a metallic stent.

A 61 year-old man presented with a proximal bile duct stricture caused by a pancreatic pseudocyst, which is of rare occurrence. Although it could not be determined pre-operatively whether the lesion was caused by cholangiocarcinoma or inflammatory disease, a laparotomy revealed that the proximal extrahepatic bile duct was surrounded and constricted by a pancreatic pseudocyst extending into the hepatoduodenal ligament. Since the stricture was not relieved only by removing the contents of the pseudocyst and surgical biliary diversion was considered too difficult, a self-expandable metallic stent was placed intra-operatively, at the strictured site, under ultrasonic guidance, via the transhepatic approach. The post-operative course of the patient was uneventful, and he remains well 22 months after the operation. The intra-operative placement of a metallic stent into the biliary tract can be an alternative option in the relief of biliary obstruction.     

Pancreatic Pseudocyst as a Cause of Gastrointestinal Bleeding and Hemobilia

A case of hemobilia from a pancreatic pseudocyst which developed after cholecystostomy and aspiration of the pseudocyst, intended to relieve biliary obstruction, is discussed. These previously reported cases are briefly reviewed.     

Endoscopic treatment of chronic pancreatitis

OBJECTIVES: Endoscopy offers an alternative to surgery for the treatment of ductal complications in patients with chronic pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic treatment on pain, cholestasis and pseudocysts in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine patients (37 M, 2 F, mean age 44), were included in the study. All patients had at least one of the following criteria demonstrated by imaging tests: dilatation of the main pancreatic duct (MPD) with or without stricture (N = 13), bile duct stricture (N = 12), or pancreatic pseudocyst (N = 14) with pancreatic duct stricture (N = 11) or biliary stricture (N = 3). Pancreatic or biliary sphincterotomy, insertion of pancreatic or biliary stent, pseudocyst drainage with stent placement were performed according to ductal abnormalities. Patients were evaluated early and followed up during the stenting period, and after stent removal. RESULTS: Patients underwent a median of 3.5 endoscopic procedures with an interval of 2.2 months between 2 stenting sessions. A pancreatic or biliary stent was inserted in 25 patients with ductal abnormalities and in 11 patients with pseudocysts. Endoscopic pseudocyst drainage was performed in 6 cases. The mean stenting time was 6 months (range: 3-21). Mean follow-up after stent removal was 9.7 (2-48) months. Complications of endoscopic treatment were encountered in 7% of patients with no deaths. Pain relief was achieved after the first endoscopic procedure and during the overall stenting period in all patients. Recurrence of pain was observed after stent removal in 5/11 patients, requiring surgery in 4. Cholestasis decreased and biochemical values normalized within one month after biliary stenting. Recurrence of cholestasis was observed early after stent removal in 4/9 patients who required complementary surgical treatment. No recurrence of pancreatic pseudocyst was observed after endoscopic drainage and stent removal during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic treatment of pain from pancreatic pseudocysts or ductal strictures is effective in the short-term and in the period of ductal stenting. However, the optimal duration of the latter remains to be determined.     

Huge pseudocyst of the pancreas caused by poorly differentiated invasive ductal adenocarcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells: report of a case

A 72-year-old man presented with several week's abdominal distension and jaundice. Under the tentative diagnosis of pancreatic pseudocyst of 22cm in diameter, a percutaneous drainage was performed. Despite the reduction of the pseudocyst, his serum total bilirubin level was increased. At this time, abdominal computed tomography scan showed a tumor at the uncinate process of the pancreas. After the biliary decompression, a total pancreatectomy with the resection of pseudocyst walls and splenectomy was performed. It was histologically proven to be poorly differentiated ductal adenocarcinoma in combination with osteoclast-like giant cells. The pseudocyst was considered to be due to the stenosis of the main pancreatic duct caused by carcinoma of the uncinate process. Five months later, he died of recurrent carcinomatous peritonitis. Osteoclast-like giant cell tumor is a very rare neoplasm, the origin and prognosis of which still remain obscure. However, it has to be considered in the differential diagnosis of cystic changes of the pancreas, especially of pseudocyst. Furthermore, detailed surveys are needed in cases of pseudocyst of the pancreas without chronic pancreatitis, in order to identify small carcinoma of the pancreas.     

Minimally invasive treatment of causes and complications of biliary pancreatitis

We report a case of a 52-year-old man admitted to our hospital because of acute biliary pancreatitis caused by cholelithiasis. The patient also had choledocholithiasis complicated with pancreatic pseudocyst. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was performed and a large number of common bile duct stones were extracted with Dormia basket upon papillotomy. Pancreatic pseudocyst as a major complication of acute pancreatitis was also managed endoscopically by transpapillary stenting. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy with choledochotomy and choledochoscopy was performed for the final removal of biliary stones. Postoperative subhepatic abscess was resolved by ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage. In this case biliary pancreatitis with all its complications was treated through minimally invasive endoscopic, percutaneous and surgical procedures. Minimally invasive techniques are much better because they reduce surgical stress, caused by reduction of flow through the splanchnic, which can also be reinforced by general endotracheal anesthesia. In the case when relative hypoxia occurs and acute serous pancreatitis transfers to acute necrotic pancreatitis, minimally invasive technique is the first and the best choice for surgical procedure.     

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.     

Spontaneous perforation of the extrahepatic biliary tract

Spontaneous perforation of the extra-hepatic biliary tract presenting with pseudocyst is rare. We report the case of a two-month old infant who presented to us with increasing jaundice and progressive loss of weight. Ultrasonography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid scan revealed features of obstructed choledochal cyst. Laparotomy revealed a small, walled-offcollection of bile near the confluence of the cystic and common bile ducts. Distal obstruction was excluded and biliary tract drainage was successful in treating the infant.     

Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis

This is the first report of a case of biliopancreatic fistula complicating a pancreatic pseudocyst diagnosed correctly by transabdominal ultrasound. The diagnosis was confirmed by magnetic resonance and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. The fistula was treated successfully with biliary stenting. The clinical and imaging features of this exceptional complication are presented along with a brief review of the topic.     

Sonographic diagnosis and endoscopic therapy of a biliopancreatic fistula complicating a pancreatic pseudocyst

This is the first report of a case of biliopancreatic fistula complicating a pancreatic pseudocyst diagnosed correctly by transabdominal ultrasound. The diagnosis was confirmed by magnetic resonance and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. The fistula was treated successfully with biliary stenting. The clinical and imaging features of this exceptional complication are presented along with a brief review of the topic.     

Pancreatic calcification in an 18-yr-old patient following gallstone pancreatitis and recurrent pseudocysts

Summary Most authors believe that biliary pancreatitis rarely progresses to chronic pancreatitis. Here, we present a case of an 18-yr-old white male with a history of gallstone pancreatitis and pancreatic pseudocyst resulting in radiographic and pathologic evidence of pancreatic calcification over a 16-mo period.     

The outcome of patients with an extrahepatic biliary stricture secondary to chronic pancreatitis

Twenty-three chronic pancreatitis patients with abnormal liver function or cholangitis were shown at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) to have common bile duct strictures. Nine were investigated following a single episode of jaundice, 9 after multiple attacks, and 5 presented with an elevated alkaline phosphatase. Jaundice resolved spontaneously in 7 of the 9 patients presenting with a single episode. Fifteen patients required surgery: this was for recurrent or unremitting jaundice in eight, cholangitis in three, unmanageable pain in two, and radiological appearances suspicious of malignancy in two. Five had biliary bypass alone, seven underwent pancreatic resection, one had a pancreatico-jejunostomy, and two, drainage of a pseudocyst. There was one postoperative death following total pancreatectomy. The incidence of continuing pain and insulin-dependent diabetes was similar in the patients treated by biliary bypass or by pancreatic resection; one patient with a bypass had further cholangitis and two with pancreatic resection developed unmanageable steatorrhoea. The radiological severity of pancreatitis in the patients treated conservatively was similar to that in those requiring surgery. The latter group tended to have a shorter stricture of the distal common bile duct. Chronic pancreatitis patients with abnormal liver function resulting from bile duct stricture should first be managed conservatively. When surgical decompression is indicated, drainage of the pseudocyst or a simple bypass is advisable, rather than more radical measures.     

Pancreatic calculus impacted at Ampulla of Vater causing severe cholangitis and septic shock.

Patients with chronic pancreatitis may have varied complications including common bile duct stenosis, cholangitis, pseudocyst or fistula formation and secondary biliary cirrhosis. Common bile duct obstruction due to disimpaction of a pancreatic calculus into the ampulla of Vater leading to severe cholangitis and septic shock is a rare phenomenon. We are reporting such a case here.     

非手术治疗急性重症胆源性胰腺炎

目的 探讨急性重症胆源性胰腺炎非手术治疗的效果和中转手术的指征。方法 回顾分析本院收治157例急性重症胆源性胰腺炎非手术治疗的死亡率、并发症和中转手术的情况。结果 157例中治愈145例，死亡12例，治愈率92．4％。治疗过程中有65例出现各类并发症，其中多器官功能不全或衰竭18例(11．5％)，坏死组织继发感染6例(3．8％)，胰腺假性囊肿29例(18．5％)，急性肺损伤25例。患预后与人院时APACHE—Ⅱ评分有关。有9例中转手术(5．7％)，包括6例胰腺坏死组织继发感染和2例不能控制的胆道感染。梗阻性和非梗阻性重症胆源性胰腺炎在死亡率和胰腺坏死组织继发感染发生率上相似。结论 急性重症胆源性胰腺炎经积极非手术治疗可获得满意疗效。梗阻性急性重症胆源性胰腺炎当存在不能控制的胆道感染时需早期行胆道手术。中转手术的指征为胰腺坏死组织继发感染、不能控制的胆道感染及治疗期间出现其他外科并发症。     

Laparoscopic pancreatic surgery

In the past, in the pancreas, a minimally invasive technique was only used for diagnostic laparoscopy in evaluating periampullary malignancy. Recent advances in operative techniques and instrumentation have empowered surgeons to perform virtually all procedures in the pancreas, including the Whipple procedure. Some of these procedures represent the most sophisticated application of minimally invasive surgery, and their outcomes are reportedly better than those of conventional open approaches. In addition to the evaluation of resectability in periampullary malignancy, palliative procedures, including biliary bypasses and gastrojejunostomy, can be performed laparoscopically. Although it is reportedly feasible to perform a Whipple procedure laparescopically, no benefit of the laparoscopic approach over the conventional open approach has been documented. Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy, with or without preserving the spleen, is technically easier than the Whipple procedure, and is more widely accepted. Indications for laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy include cystic neoplasms and islet-cell tumors located in the pancreatic body or tail. Complications of acute and chronic pancreatitis may be treated with the use of surgical laparoscopy. When infected necrotizing pancreatitis is identified, surgical intervention for drainage and debridement is required. According to the type and location of infected necrotizing pancreatitis, three laparoscopic operative approaches have been reported: infracolic debridement, retroperitoneal debridement, and laparoscopic transgastric pancreatic necrosectomy. When internal drainage is indicated for a pseudocyst, a minimally invasive technique is a promising option. Laparoscopic pseudocyst gastrostomy, cyst jejunostomy, or cyst duodenostomy can be performed, depending on the size and location of the pseudocyst. Especially when a pseudocyst is located in close contact with the posterior wall of the stomach, it is best drained by a pseudocyst gastrostomy, which can also be done with the use of an intragastric operative technique.     

Autoimmune pancreatitis associated with a large pancreatic pseudocyst that disappeared after corticosteroid therapy: a case report and literature review

A 51-year-old woman was admitted to our department because of upper abdominal pain. The serum IgG4 concentration was elevated, and abdominal computed tomography revealed diffuse enlargement of the pancreas associated with a large cyst, measuring 8 cm in diameter. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed narrowing of the main pancreatic duct (from the body to the tail), narrowing of the intrapancreatic bile duct, and dilatation of the bile ducts. The patient was given a diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) associated with a pancreatic pseudocyst and intrapancreatic bile duct stenosis. Oral steroid therapy resulted in reduced pancreatic swelling, complete disappearance of the pancreatic cyst, and an improvement in biliary stenosis. AIP is rarely associated with pancreatic cyst, and only 13 cases, including ours, have been reported to date. In our patient, intense inflammation apparently led to cyst formation in association with AIP, which responded remarkably to corticosteroid therapy. Correct diagnosis of AIP associated with a pancreatic pseudocyst might save patients from undergoing unnecessary endoscopic and surgical procedures.     

Transmural endoscopy drainage of pancreatic pseudocyst: long-term outcome

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic pseudocysts are relatively common complications of pancreatitis in adults. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term results from transmural endoscopic drainage and thus to establish its role in managing pancreatic pseudocyst. METHODS: Fourteen patients with pancreatic pseudocyst were studied. Their main complaint was pain in the upper levels of the abdomen. They presented palpable abdominal mass and underwent cystogastrostomy (n = 12) and cystoduodenostomy (n = 2), with clinical follow-up using abdominal computed tomography for up to 51 months. Retrograde endoscopic cholangiopancreatography was attempted in all cases to study the pancreatic duct and classify the cysts. RESULTS: There were 10 cases (71.5%) of chronic pancreatitis that had become acute through alcohol abuse and 4 (28.5%) that had become acute through biliary disorders. Both types of endoscopic drainage (cystogastrostomy and cystoduodenostomy) were effective. There was no change in the therapeutic management proposed. Migration of the orthesis into the pseudocyst at the time of insertion (two cases) was the principal complication, and these could be removed during the same operation, by means of a Dormia basket, with the aid of fluoroscopy. There has so far not been any mortality or relapse. The mean hospital stay was 3 days. CONCLUSION: Transmural endoscopic drainage was an efficacious form of therapy, presenting a low complication rate and no mortality, and only requiring a short stay in hospital.     

Unique usage of a partially covered metal stent for drainage of a pancreatic pseudocyst via endosonography-guided transcystgastrostomy

Pancreatic pseudocysts are frequent complications of pancreatitis episodes. The current therapeutic modalities for drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts include surgical, percutaneous, and endoscopic drainage modalities. Endosonography-assisted endoscopic drainage of these pseudocysts with the placement of multiple plastic or fully covered self-expanding biliary metal stents is becoming more commonly carried out. The present case report discusses the unique and successful drainage of a pancreatic pseudocyst with the placement of a partially covered self-expanding metal stent.     

Significances of serum level and immunohistochemical stain of CA19-9 in simple hepatic cysts and intrahepatic biliary cystic neoplasms]

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In spite of various diagnostic modalities, biliary cystic neoplasms (biliary cystadenoma and cystadenocarcinoma) remain to be difficult to diagnose preoperatively. Recently, there are some reports that elevated CA19-9 level in serum and/or cystic fluid could be a useful finding in the differential diagnosis of biliary cystic neoplasm. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of CA19-9 and to elucidate its significances in intrahepatic biliary cystic neoplasms and simple hepatic cysts. METHODS: In 8 patients with biliary cystic neoplasms and 6 simple hepatic cysts, symptoms, radiologic and laboratory findings were reviewed retrospectively. In 5 biliary cystic neoplasms (4 biliary cystadenomas, 1 biliary cystadenocarcinoma) and 5 simple hepatic cysts, immunohistochemical stainings for CA19-9 were performed with formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues. RESULTS: In 8 biliary cystic neoplasms, two cases were suspected as biliary cystadenoma preoperatively and 6 cases could not be distinguished from simple cysts or cholangiocarcinoma preoperatively. In 6 simple hepatic cysts, 3 cases were diagnosed preoperatively and 3 cases could not be distinguished from biliary cystadenoma or pancreatic pseudocyst preoperatively. Expression of CA19-9 in simple hepatic cysts and biliary cystic neoplasms were 80% in both groups. Expression of CA19-9 is not related to the elevated level of CA19-9 in serum. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggests that the elevated level of CA19-9 in serum may not be helpful in the preoprative diagnosis of biliary cystic neoplasm.     

Outcome and complications of endoscopic ultrasound guided pancreatic pseudocyst drainage using combined endoprosthesis and naso-cystic drain

Background and Aim: Endoscopic ultrasound guided pancreatic pseudocyst drainage (EUS‐PPD) is increasingly being used for management of pancreatic pseudocysts. We evaluated the outcome and complications of EUS‐PPD with modified combined technique by inserting both endoprosthesis and naso‐cystic drain. Methods: Forty patients referred between August 2007 and January 2010 for EUS‐PPD were prospectively studied. EUS‐PPD was attempted for symptomatic pancreatic pseudocysts which were; (i) resistant to conservative treatment, (ii) in contact with the gastric or duodenal wall on EUS and (iii) having no bulge seen on endoscopy. Controlled radial expansion wire guided balloon dilation of the puncture tract was performed followed by insertion of a 10 French double pigtail stent and 7‐Fr naso‐biliary drain. The early and late outcome and complications of EUS‐PPD were analyzed. Results: Thirty‐two patients had non‐infected and eight had infected pseudocysts. EUS‐PPD was technically successful in all. Pseudocysts resolved completely in 39 patients, while one with infected pseudocyst underwent surgical resection for bleeding in the cyst. Naso‐cystic drain was removed in 39 patients after median duration of 13 days. Thereafter, the double pigtail stent was removed in all cases after median duration of 10 weeks. Pseudocyst recurred in one patient requiring a second session of EUS‐PPD. All 32 patients without cystic infection were successfully treated by EUS‐PPD. Seven out of eight patients (87%) with cystic infection were successfully treated by EUS‐PPD. Conclusion: Endoscopic ultrasound guided pancreatic pseudocyst drainage with modified combined technique is safe and is associated with high success rate.     

Clinical manifestations of patients with chronic pancreatitis

BACKGROUND: Recent advances in molecular and genomic technologies and pancreatic imaging techniques provided some insights into genetic, environmental, immunologic, and pathobiological factors for chronic pancreatitis (CP). This study was undertaken to investigate the clinical manifestations of patients with chronic pancreatitis at our hospital. METHODS: The data of the patients with CP who had been treated at our hospital between 1997 and 2004 were analyzed. RESULTS: The major symptoms of the patients with CP were abdominal pain, dyspepsia, loss of weight, diabetes mellitus, pancreatic pseudocyst, steatorrhea, and calcification. Biliary diseases were found to be the first cause of CP in this study; but alcohol abuse was the major cause of CP in men and biliary diseases were the first etiological factors for CP in women. The etiological difference of constituent ratio between men and women was related to alcohol comsumption (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: During the past 8 years, biliary diseases have been the major etiological factors for CP, but their constituent ratio is decreasing, and the constituent ratio of alcohol abuse is increasing gradually. Alcohol tends to replace biliary diseases as the primary etiological factor for CP.