Wire-guided intraductal US: an adjunct to ERCP in the management of bile duct stones.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) may misdiagnose bile duct stones if air bubbles are introduced during contrast injection, and it may also fail to diagnose stones in the presence of bile duct dilation. METHODS: Our aim was to determine whether intraductal US (IDUS) improves the accuracy of cholangiography and whether it is a useful adjunct in the management of bile duct stones. IDUS with a wire-guided US probe was performed after initial ERC in patients in whom bile duct stones were suspected. The diagnostic accuracy of ERC alone was compared with that of ERC plus IDUS. RESULTS: ERC with IDUS was performed in 62 patients who were suspected to have bile duct stones. Both IDUS and ERC were performed by the same endoscopist, and ERC was performed with a C-arm fluoroscope. The presence of bile duct stones and/or sludge were confirmed after sphincterotomy and extraction in 34 patients. Overall, the accuracy of ERC combined with IDUS in the diagnosis of bile duct stone and/or sludge was higher than that of ERC alone (97% vs. 87%, p < 0.05). With dilated bile ducts, the diagnostic accuracy of ERC combined with IDUS was also higher than that of ERC alone (95.5% vs. 72.7%, p < 0.05). Additional diagnostic information provided by IDUS included identification of cystic duct stones in 5 patients, characterization of bile duct strictures in 2 patients, and choledochal varices in 1 patient. Performance of wire-guided IDUS required 5% of the total procedure time. CONCLUSIONS: IDUS improves diagnostic accuracy of ERC and is a useful adjunct to ERC when bile duct stones are suspected.     

Evaluation of indeterminate bile duct strictures by intraductal US

BACKGROUND: Cholangiography and tissue sampling (brush cytology, biopsy) are the standard nonsurgical techniques for determining whether a bile duct stricture is benign or malignant. The aim of this study was to determine whether intraductal US is of assistance in distinguishing benign from malignant biliary strictures. METHODS: A retrospective review was undertaken of 30 patients with indeterminate bile duct strictures who underwent ERCP and tissue sampling from September 1999 to November 2000. A 20 MHz over-the-guidewire intraductal US catheter probe was used during ERCP for further examination of the strictures. Final diagnoses of malignant strictures (18 patients) were confirmed histopathologically; confirmation of benign stricture (12 patients) was based on negative tissue sampling plus extended clinical follow-up. RESULTS: Based on retrospective blinded review, the diagnosis by ERCP was correct in 67% of patients, by tissue sampling in 68%, by combined ERCP/tissue sampling in 67%, and by intraductal US in 90% (p = 0.04 vs. ERCP/tissue sampling) of cases. No complication of intraductal US or ERCP was recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Intraductal US is safe and can improve on the ability at ERCP to distinguish benign from malignant biliary strictures.     

Preoperative assessment of extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma using three-dimensional intraductal US.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the utility of a new imaging modality, three-dimensional intraductal ultrasonography (US), for staging bile duct cancer. METHODS: In eight patients with extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma, two- and three-dimensional intraductal US was used to assess tumor invasion of the right hepatic artery, portal vein, and pancreatic parenchyma before resection. The findings were correlated with histologic information from the resected specimen. RESULTS: Three-dimensional intraductal US enabled accurate assessment of tumor invasion of the right hepatic artery in 88% of cases, the portal vein in 100%, and pancreatic parenchyma in 100%. Two-dimensional intraductal US enabled accurate assessment of invasion of these structures in 88%, 88%, and 88% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional intraductal US is useful in assessing tumor stage in bile duct carcinoma.     

胆管腔内超声对胆管良恶性狭窄的鉴别诊断

目的: 探讨胆管腔内超声对良恶性胆道狭窄的鉴别诊断价值.方法: 2006-01/2007-01所有在我院行ERCP及IDUS检查的胆道梗阻患者67例(所有患者随访12-36 mo), 对比影像学诊断差异, 计算IDUS的敏感性, 特异性, 阳性预测值, 阴性预测值及准确性.结果: 手术病理或者细胞学刷检证实为恶性胆管狭窄者共37例, 病理阴性且长期随访证实良性胆管狭窄者共30例, IDUS对胆管恶性狭窄判断的敏感性为89.2%(33/37), 特异性为77.4%(24/31), 阳性预测值为82.5%(33/40), 阴性预测值为88.9%(24/27), 准确性为85.1%(57/67).结论: 胆管腔内超声是一项安全可靠的技术,对胆管良恶性狭窄性质的鉴别有较高的价值.     

多种内镜检查方法联合应用对胆管狭窄性疾病的诊断价值

目的评估多种内镜检查方法联合应用对胆管狭窄性疾病的诊疗价值。方法回顾性分析36例胆管狭窄性疾病患者的诊断情况。36例患者均进行了超声内镜检查术（EUS）、经内镜逆行胰胆管造影术（ERCP）、胆管内超声检查术（IDUS）,胆道靶向刷检行细胞学涂片、液基薄层细胞学检查,并结合临床资料及组织学病理检查,综合诊断。结果最终诊断胆管恶性病变21例,其中胆管细胞癌9例、十二指肠乳头癌4例、胰腺癌侵犯胆总管4例、肝癌侵犯胆总管4例;胆管良性病变15例,其中胆总管结石9例、肝吸虫感染所致胆管狭窄4例、单纯胆管炎性狭窄1例、外部压迫所致胆管狭窄1例。EUS、ERCP、IDUS及ERCP＋IDUS对胆管狭窄性疾病鉴别诊断的准确率分别为77．8％、88．9％、91．7％、94．4％,ERCP、IDUS及ERCP＋IDUS均明显高于EUS（P均〈0．05）;ERCP＋IDUS对胆管狭窄性疾病鉴别诊断的敏感度、特异度、阳性预测值与阴性预测值分别为95．2％、93．3％、95．2％、93．3％,均高于EUS、ERCP及IDUS单独检查。胆道刷检细胞学、液基薄层细胞学或组织病理学检查,19例诊断为恶性狭窄,17例诊断为良性狭窄,对鉴别胆管狭窄性质诊断的敏感度为90．5％、特异度为100．0％、准确率为94．4％。结论对于胆管狭窄性病变,ERCP＋IDUS可使诊断准确率得到明显提高;联合应用ERCP＋IDUS＋病变胆管的靶向刷检等多种内镜检查方法,诊断准确率更高。     

胆管腔内超声对胆管狭窄的病因诊断价值探讨

目的探讨胆管腔内超声(IDUS)对胆道狭窄病因诊断的价值。方法应用微型超声探头通过ERCP、经皮经肝胆管造影及手术中直接插管3种途径对32例胆管狭窄病变进行IDUS检查。结果32例胆管狭窄患者中IDUS诊断胆总管癌16例,左肝管癌2例,壶腹癌3例,高位胆管癌1例,慢性胆总管炎6例,胆总管结石2例,胆总管囊肿2例。胆总管癌诊断准确率93.8%,慢性胆总管炎、壶腹癌、肝管癌、胆总管囊肿和胆管癌准确率为100%。结论IDUS对胆管狭窄病因诊断有特殊的价值,通过胆管狭窄不同病变声像图的特征,可以鉴别胆管良、恶性病变,并可判断胆管癌、乳头癌的浸润程度以指导治疗。     

Endoscopic transpapillary bile duct biopsy with the combination of intraductal ultrasonography in the diagnosis of biliary strictures

BACKGROUND: When endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) guided bile duct biopsy fails to demonstrate malignancy, it remains unclear how to manage patients with presumably malignant strictures. AIMS: To evaluate the value of intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) when bile duct biopsy is negative. METHODS: Sixty two patients with strictures of the bile duct were studied prospectively. During ERCP, IDUS was performed using an ultrasonic probe (diameter 2.0 mm; frequency 20 MHz). Following IDUS, a bile duct biopsy was performed using forceps (diameter 1.8 mm). The IDUS images of the tumour were classified as polypoid lesions, localised wall thickening, intraductal sessile tumours, sessile tumour outside of the bile duct, or absence of apparent lesion. The bile duct wall structures at the site of the tumour as well as the maximum diameter of the tumour were also analysed. The IDUS findings were compared with the histological findings or clinical course. RESULTS: When the IDUS images showed a polypoid lesion (n=19), localised wall thickening (n=8), intraductal sessile tumour (n=13), and sessile tumour outside of the bile duct (n = 20), the sensitivities of the biopsy were 80%, 50%, 92%, and 53%, respectively. Multiple regression analysis showed that the presence of sessile tumour (intraductal or outside of the bile duct: p<0.05), tumour size greater than 10.0 mm (p<0.001), and interrupted wall structure (p<0.05) were independent variables that predicted malignancy. CONCLUSION: When biopsy fails to demonstrate evidence of malignancy, the presence of sessile tumour (intraductal or outside of the bile duct), tumour size greater than 10.0 mm, and interrupted wall structure on IDUS images are factors that can predict malignancy.     

The detection of bile duct stones in suspected biliary pancreatitis: comparison of MRCP, ERCP, and intraductal US

OBJECTIVES: Early ERCP and endoscopic sphincterotomy for stone extraction can benefit the prognosis in patients with severe biliary pancreatitis, but are associated with complications. The ability to identify choledocholithiasis by noninvasive means in biliary pancreatitis is limited. The aim of this study was evaluation of the ability of MRCP to detect choledocholithiasis in patients with acute biliary pancreatitis. In addition, we investigated whether intraductal US (IDUS) could help manage these patients. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with suspected biliary pancreatitis were studied prospectively. MRCP was performed immediately before ERCP by separate blinded examiners within 24 h of admission. Wire-guided IDUS was performed during ERCP within 72 h of admission, regardless of the results of MRCP. Using endoscopic extraction of a stone as the reference standard, the diagnostic yield of MRCP was compared with transabdominal US, CT, ERCP, and IDUS. RESULTS: The sensitivity of US, CT, MRCP, ERCP, and IDUS for identifying choledocholithiasis was 20.0%, 40.0%, 80.0%, 90.0%, and 95.0%, respectively. The overall agreement between MRCP and ERCP was 90.6% for choledocholithiasis (kappa= 0.808, p < 0.01). The sensitivity of MRCP for detecting choledocholithiasis decreased with dilated bile ducts (bile duct diameter > 10 mm, 72.7% vs 88.9%). The combination of ERCP and IDUS improved accuracy in the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis. CONCLUSIONS: MRCP can be used to select patients with biliary pancreatitis who require ERCP. IDUS may be applied in the management of biliary pancreatitis if ERCP is performed.     

Transpapillary intraductal US prior to biliary drainage in the assessment of longitudinal spread of extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma

BACKGROUND: The utility of intraductal US via the transpapillary route prior to biliary drainage in the assessment of longitudinal extension of extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma was investigated. METHODS: In 19 patients with extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma who underwent surgical resection, an ultrasonic probe (diameter, 2.0 mm; frequency, 20 MHz) was inserted into the bile duct via the transpapillary route prior to biliary drainage. Longitudinal cancer extension along the bile duct was prospectively determined and compared with the histologic findings in the resected specimens. RESULTS: Results on the hepatic side were as follows: Intraductal US demonstrated more extensive longitudinal cancer spread than cholangiography in 9 of 19 patients with one instance of overdiagnosis. The accuracy of intraductal US in assessing the extent of spread (84%) was superior to that of cholangiography (47%) (p < 0.05). Results on the duodenal side were as follows: In patients with suprapancreatic bile duct cancer (n = 14), intraductal US demonstrated more extensive longitudinal cancer spread than cholangiography in 8 of 14 patients. The accuracy of intraductal US in assessing the extent of the spread (86%) was superior to that of cholangiography (43%) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Transpapillary intraductal US prior to biliary drainage is useful in demonstrating longitudinal extension of bile duct cancer. However, the surgical margins were inaccurate in some patients.     

Clinical features of patients with chronic pancreatitis complicated by bile duct strictures

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Distal bile duct stenosis is relatively rare in patients with non-alcoholic chronic pancreatitis. METHODOLOGY: The clinical features of eight patients who had chronic pancreatitis complicated by bile duct strictures who underwent surgical treatments were reviewed. RESULTS: Ages ranged from 38 to 80 years, with a mean of 53.4 years. All but one patient were male. Six patients had moderate or slight epigastric pain. Five patients had obstructive jaundice and underwent biliary drainage. All patients had liver dysfunction due to biliary obstruction. Although four of the eight patients were heavy or moderate drinkers, none of the patients had a history of chronic pancreatitis. Stricture shapes of the common bile ducts were smooth and tapering in five patients, funnel-shaped in two, and rat-tail in one. Four patients underwent a pancreatoduodenectomy and one patient underwent a pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy for clinically suspected pancreatic malignancy that was later proven histopathologically to be chronic pancreatitis. The other three patients underwent a choledochoduodenostomy. There were no postoperative complications or deaths. During the follow-up period, all patients were asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, bile duct stricture potentially occurs not only in patients with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis but also in patients with nonalcoholic chronic pancreatitis. Furthermore, in some cases, it is impossible to differentiate chronic pancreatitis from pancreatic or periampullary malignancy.     

Endoscopic transpapillary biopsies and intraductal ultrasonography in the diagnostics of bile duct strictures: a prospective study

BACKGROUND: In bile duct strictures, examination of wall layers by intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) performed during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) may be diagnostically useful. METHODS: In the present study 60 patients with bile duct strictures of unknown aetiology were examined preoperatively by ERCP, including transpapillary biopsies and IDUS. Histopathological correlation was available for all patients undergoing these procedures. RESULTS: Postoperative diagnosis revealed 30 pancreatic carcinomas, 17 bile duct cancers, three gall bladder cancers, and 10 benign bile duct strictures. Using endoscopic transpapillary forceps biopsies (ETP), a correct preoperative diagnosis was achieved in 36 of 60 patients (60% of cases). Among the 50 malignant tumours, preoperative diagnosis by ETP revealed a sensitivity of 52% and a specificity of 100%. ERCP supplemented by IDUS allowed for correct preoperative diagnosis in 83% of cases (50 of 60 patients), which was significantly higher than the accuracy of ETP (p=0.008). By combining ETP with IDUS, a correct preoperative diagnosis was made in 59 of 60 patients resulting in an accuracy rate of 98%. CONCLUSIONS: Because of its low accuracy, exclusive use of ETP is not a reliable diagnostic tool for a definitive preoperative diagnosis of bile duct strictures. By combining IDUS and ETP with ERCP however, preoperative diagnostic accuracy can be improved substantially.     

Comparative analysis of ERCP,IDUS,EUS and CT in predicting malignant bile duct strictures

AIM:To compare endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography(ERCP),intraductal ultrasound(IDUS),endosonography(EUS),endoscopic transpapillary forceps biopsies(ETP)and computed tomography(CT)with respect to diagnosing malignant bile duct strictures.METHODS:A patient cohort with bile duct strictures of unknown etiology was examined by ERCP and IDUS,ETP,EUS,and CT.The sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy rates of the diagnostic procedures were calculated based on the definite diagnoses proved by histopathology or long-term follow-up in those patients who did not undergo surgery.For each of the diagnostic measures,the sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy rates were calculated.In all cases,the gold standard was the histopathologic staging of specimens or long-term follow-up of at least 12 mo.A comparison of the accuracy rates between the localization of strictures was performed by using the Mann-Whitney U-test and theχ2test as appropriate.A comparison of the accuracy rates between the diagnostic procedures was performed by using the McNemar’s test.Differences were considered statistically significant if P<0.05.RESULTS:A total of 234 patients(127 males,107 females,median age 64,range 20-90 years)with indeterminate bile duct strictures were included.A total of 161patients underwent operative exploration;thus,a surgical histopathological correlation was available for those patients.A total of 113 patients had malignant disease proven by surgery;in 48 patients,benign disease was surgically found.In these patients,the decision for surgical exploration was made due to the suspicion of malignant disease in multimodal diagnostics(ERCP,CT,or EUS).Fifty patients had a benign diagnosis and were followed by a surveillance protocol with a followup of at least 12 mo;the median follow-up was 34 mo.Twenty-three patients had extended malignant disease,and thus were considered palliative.A comparison of the different diagnostic tools for detecting bile duct malignancy resulted in accuracy rates of 91%(ERCP/IDUS),59%(ETP),92%(IDUS+ETP),74%(EUS),and 73%(CT),respectively.In the subgroup analysis,the accuracy rates(%,ERCP+IDUS/ETP/IDUS+ETP;EUS;CT)for each tumor entity were as follows:cholangiocellular carcinoma:92%/74%/92%/70%/79%;pancreatic carcinoma:90%/68%/90%/81%/76%;and ampullary carcinoma:88%/90%/90%/76%/76%.The detection rate of malignancy by ERCP/IDUS was superior to ETP(91%vs 59%,P<0.0001),EUS(91%vs74%,P<0.0001)and CT(91%vs 73%,P<0.0001);EUS was comparable to CT(74%vs 73%,P=0.649).When analyzing accuracy rates with regard to localization of the bile duct stenosis,the accuracy rate of EUS for proximal vs distal stenosis was significantly higher for distal stenosis(79%vs 57%,P<0.0001).CONCLUSION:ERCP/IDUS is superior to EUS and CT in providing accurate diagnoses of bile duct strictures of uncertain etiology.Multimodal diagnostics is recommended.     

The clinicopathological features of intraductal papillary neoplasms of the bile duct in a Chinese population

BackgroundIntraductal papillary neoplasms of the bile duct have been applied to certain types of papillary tumours occurring in the biliary tract. Although many cases have been sporadically reported, there remain controversies.AimsTo analyze the clinicopathologic characteristics and long-term survival of intraductal papillary neoplasms of the bile duct.MethodsThe clinicopathologic data of 52 patients who underwent surgery for intraductal papillary neoplasms of the bile duct were retrospectively evaluated.ResultsIn our series, tumours located in intrahepatic and hilar bile duct, rather than in extrahepatic bile duct, were more commonly diagnosed as adenomas or borderline tumours (12/19 and 7/13 vs 6/20; P = 0.046). And the gastric type was more commonly associated with adenomas or borderline tumour (85.7%), whilst the pancreaticobiliary type mainly comprised of noninvasive carcinoma or invasive carcinoma (93.8%). However, only the types of treatment (median survival: curative resection: 72 months and palliative groups: 12 months; P < 0.001) and histologic grades (adenoma or borderline malignancy vs noninvasive carcinoma: P = 0.018) were significantly associated with survival.ConclusionIntraductal papillary neoplasms of the bile duct are rare type of biliary neoplasms, long-term survival may be achieved with complete resection. However, further studies are needed to clarify the relationship between these variables like location, cellular types and histologic grades.