Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography to diagnose complicated acute cholecystitis

Gangrenous cholecystitis and perforation are severe complications of acute cholecystitis, which have a challenging preoperative diagnosis. Early identification allows better surgical management. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (ceCT) is the current diagnostic gold standard. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) is a promising tool for the diagnosis of gallbladder perforation, but data from the literature concerning efficacy are sparse. The aim of the study was to evaluate CEUS findings in pathologically proven complicated cholecystitis (gangrenous, perforated gallbladder, pericholecystic abscess). A total of 8 patients submitted to preoperative CEUS, and with subsequent proven acute complicated cholecystitis at surgical inspection and pathological analysis, were retrospectively identified. The final diagnosis was gangrenous/phlegmonous cholecystitis (n. 2), phlegmonous/ulcerative changes plus pericholecystic abscess (n. 2), perforated plus pericholecystic abscess (n. 3), or perforated plus pericholecystic biliary collection (n. 1). Conventional US findings revealed irregularly thickened gallbladder walls in all 8 patients, with vaguely defined walls in 7 patients, four of whom also had striated wall thickening. CEUS revealed irregular enhancing gallbladder walls in all patients. A distinct wall defect was seen in six patients, confirmed as gangrenous/phlegmonous cholecystitis at pathology in all six, and in four as perforation at macroscopic surgical inspection. CEUS is a non-invasive easily repeatable technique that can be performed at the bedside, and is able to accurately diagnose complicated/perforated cholecystitis. Despite the limited sample size in the present case series, CEUS appears as a promising tool for the management of patients with the clinical possibility of having an acute complicated cholecystitis.     

内镜超声检查对胆囊癌的诊断价值

目的探讨内镜超声检查(EUS)对胆囊癌的诊断价值.方法对18例胆囊癌患者行EUS检查并与体表B超(B超),X线电子计算机断层扫描(CT)/磁共振成像(MR1)结果进行比较.结果18例中,EUS诊断17例,CT/MRI诊断15例,B超诊断5例.EUS诊断胆囊癌的敏感性与准确性高于B超,与CT/MRI相当.13例行手术治疗,与手术病理比较,EUS诊断正确率为92%,CT/MRI为76.9%(P＞0.05),B超为41.6%(P＜0.01).EUS对小病灶的显示明显优于B超,并优于CT/MRI.结论EUS对胆囊癌有较高的诊断价值.     

Endoscopic ultrasonography does not differentiate neoplastic from non-neoplastic small gallbladder polyps

AIM： To assess the ability of endoscopic ultrasonography （EUS） to differentiate neoplastic from non- neoplastic polypoid lesions of the gallbladder （PLGs）.METHODS： The uses of EUS and transabdominal ultrasonography （US） were retrospectively analyzed in 94 surgical cases of gallbladder polyps less than 20 mm in diameter.RESULTS： The prevalence of neoplastic lesions with a diameter of 5-20 mm was 27.2% （10/58）; 22-15 mm, 25.4% （4/26）, and 16-20 mm, 50% （5/20）. The overall diagnostic accuracies of EUS and US for small PLGs were 80.9% and 63.9% （P 〈 0.05）, respectively. EUS correctly distinguished 12 （63.2%） of 19 neoplastic PLGs but was less accurate for polyps less than 1.0 cm （4/10, 40%） than for polyps greater than 1.0 cm （8/9, 88.9%） （P = 0.02）.CONCLUSION： Although EUS was more accurate than US, its accuracy for differentiating neoplastic from non-neoplastic PLGs less than 1.0 cm was low. Thus, EUS alone is not sufficient for determining a treatment strategy for PLGs of less than 1.0 cm.     

Experimental pain in gastroenterology: a reappraisal of human studies

Background: Even though endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has improved the pretherapeutic staging and assessment of resectability in patients with upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract malignancies, a considerable number of patients still have to undergo unnecessary explorative laparotomy to obtain the final assessment of resectability. The aim of the present study was to evaluate laparoscopic ultrasonography (LUS) and the combination of EUS and LUS in the pretherapeutic study of these patients with special reference to resectability. Methods: Each of 44 patients with esophageal, gastric, or pancreatic cancer was assigned to a treatment-related resectability group based on five different imaging modalities: computer tomography (CT) + ultrasonography (US), EUS, laparoscopy, LUS, and EUS + LUS. The findings with these imaging modalities were compared with intraoperative findings. Results: Overall group assignment accuracy showed significantly better results for EUS, LUS, and EUS + LUS than for CT + US and laparoscopy. EUS + LUS identified all non-resectable patients, whereas the sensitivity of CT + US, laparoscopy, and EUS were 14%, 36%, and 79%, respectively. Median time consumption for each EUS, laparoscopy, or LUS procedure was less than 25 min, and no complications were seen during or after the EUS, laparoscopy, or LUS procedures. Conclusion: Preliminary experience with the combination of EUS and LUS for pretherapeutic assessment of upper GI tract malignancies showed that this combination was superior to CT + US, laparoscopy, and EUS. EUS + LUS correctly identified all non-resectable patients, but two overstaged patients also indicated the need for larger prospective studies to identify the indications and the limitations of this new approach.     

The Diagnosis of the Anomalous Connection of Pancreaticobiliary Ducts Without Biliary Dilatation—The Usefulness of US/EUS Serial Examination—

The anomalous connection of the pancreaticobiliary duct (ACPBD) without accompanying dilatation of the bile duct (non-dilated type of ACPBD) has recently been found to be associated with gallbladder cancer at a rather high rate. We analyzed the diagnostic process of 5 patients with non-dilated type of ACPBD including 3 asymptomatic cases and reviewed the literature. Symptoms and laboratory data were not useful in detecting this type of lesion. All our patients were checked by ultrasonography for gallbladder lesions which are suggested by: wall thickening, multiple polyps, intramural gall stones, cholecystolithiaisis, and debris. ACT revealed only wall thickening of the gallbladder. An EUS revealed a high rate of ACPBD in addition to the ultrasonographic findings of gallbladder lesions obtained by US. An ERCP was effective in clearly demonstrating ACPBD, but was not so useful for the diagnosis of concomitant gallbladder lesions. Therefore, an US is considered to be a useful means for screening this disease, and EUS is useful as a procedure to follow in order to select patients with or without ACPBD, because EUS can be conducted on an outpatient basis and is highly sensitive in detecting ductal anomalies in ACPBD. Therefore, the US/EUS serial examination is thought to be an effective means for diagnosing this disease.     

Endoscopic ultrasonography in detection of cholelithiasis in patients with biliary pain and negative transabdominal ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to evaluate endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) as a single method for diagnosing cholecystolithiasis in patients with a clinical suspicion of cholecystolithiasis, but with a normal transabdominal ultrasonography (TUS). METHODS: A prospective study was performed on patients with biliary type of colic and normal US of the gallbladder. All patients had at least one normal TUS examination (mean 2.1, range 1-5) performed by an experienced radiologist. All patients were subsequently examined with EUS. EUS examination was performed with either a mechanical radial scanning echo-endoscope (Olympus GF-UM20) or a linear echo-endoscope (Pentax FG32-UA or FG34-UA). Patients in whom EUS demonstrated cholecystolithiasis were offered laparoscopic cholecystectomy within 2 weeks. RESULTS: A total of 35 patients (31 F and 4 M) were included. In 18 out of 35 (52.4%) patients cholecystolithiasis was diagnosed by EUS. In 15 out of 17 patients the EUS diagnosis was verified by surgery. At follow-up after 12 months, 13 of the 15 patients (87%) with verified gallbladder stones had no abdominal discomfort, whereas 2 patients (13%) complained of persistent and unchanged abdominal pain. CONCLUSION: EUS seems to be a promising imaging method in the detection of microlithiasis in the gallbladder in patients with clear biliary colic and normal transabdominal US.     

Prospective assessment of the utility of EUS in the evaluation of gallstone pancreatitis

BACKGROUND: The ability to identify common bile duct stones by noninvasive means in patients with acute biliary pancreatitis is limited. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the ability of endosonography (EUS) to identify cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis and predict disease severity in patients with nonalcoholic pancreatitis. METHODS: EUS was performed immediately before endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) by separate blinded examiners within 72 hours of admission. Gallbladder findings were compared between EUS and transabdominal ultrasonography (US). Using endoscopic extraction of a bile duct stone as the reference standard for choledocholithiasis, the diagnostic yield of EUS was compared with transabdominal US and ERCP. Features identified during endosonographic imaging of the pancreas were correlated with length of hospitalization. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients were studied. EUS and transabdominal US were concordant in their interpretation of gallbladder findings in 92% of patients. The sensitivity of transabdominal US, EUS, and ERCP for identifying choledocholithiasis was 50%, 91%, and 92% and the accuracy was 83%, 97%, and 89%, respectively. Length of hospital stay was longer in patients with peripancreatic fluid (9.2 vs. 5.7 days, p < 0.1) and shorter in patients with coarse echo texture (2.6 vs. 7.2 days, p < 0.05) demonstrated on EUS. CONCLUSIONS: EUS can reliably identify cholelithiasis and is more sensitive than transabdominal US in detecting choledocholithiasis in patients with biliary pancreatitis. EUS may be used early in the management of patients with acute pancreatitis to select those who would benefit from endoscopic stone extraction. The utility of EUS for predicting pancreatitis severity requires further investigation.     

Endoscopic ultrasonography in detection of cholelithiasis in patients with biliary pain and negative transabdominal ultrasonography

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) as a single method for diagnosing cholecystolithiasis in patients with a clinical suspicion of cholecystolithiasis, but with a normal transabdominal ultrasonography (TUS). Methods: A prospective study was performed on patients with biliary type of colic and normal US of the gallbladder. All patients had at least one normal TUS examination (mean 2.1, range 1–5) performed by an experienced radiologist. All patients were subsequently examined with EUS. EUS examination was performed with either a mechanical radial scanning echo‐endoscope (Olympus GF‐UM20) or a linear echo‐endoscope (Pentax FG32‐UA or FG34‐UA). Patients in whom EUS demonstrated cholecystolithiasis were offered laparoscopic cholecystectomy within 2 weeks. Results: A total of 35 patients (31 F and 4 M) were included. In 18 out of 35 (52.4%) patients cholecystolithiasis was diagnosed by EUS. In 15 out of 17 patients the EUS diagnosis was verified by surgery. At follow‐up after 12 months, 13 of the 15 patients (87%) with verified gallbladder stones had no abdominal discomfort, whereas 2 patients (13%) complained of persistent and unchanged abdominal pain. Conclusion: EUS seems to be a promising imaging method in the detection of microlithiasis in the gallbladder in patients with clear biliary colic and normal transabdominal US.     

Omental and extraperitoneal abscesses complicating cholecystocolic fistula

BackgroundAcute cholecystitis resolves with conservative treatment in most patients, but empyema or perforation of an ischaemic area may develop, resulting in a pericholecystic abscess, bile peritonitis or a cholecysto-enteric fistula.Case outlineA 63-year-old man presented with extraperitoneal and omental abscess formation complicating a cholecystocolic fistula secondary to gallbladder disease. Histological examination of the gallbladder and omentum showed xanthogranulomatous inflammation.ConclusionA detailed literature review failed to demonstrate a previous report of this combination of rare complications of gallbladder disease.     

Imaging tests for accurate diagnosis of acute biliary pancreatitis

Gallstones represent the most frequent aetiology of acute pancreatitis in many statistics all over the world, estimated between 40%-60%. Accurate diagnosis of acute biliary pancreatitis(ABP) is of outmost importance because clearance of lithiasis [gallbladder and common bile duct(CBD)] rules out recurrences. Confirmation of biliary lithiasis is done by imaging. The sensitivity of the ultrasonography(US) in the detection of gallstones is over 95% in uncomplicated cases, but in ABP, sensitivity for gallstone detection is lower, being less than 80% due to the ileus and bowel distension. Sensitivity of transabdominal ultrasonography(TUS) for choledocolithiasis varies between 50%-80%, but the specificity is high, reaching 95%. Diameter of the bile duct may be orientative for diagnosis. Endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS) seems to be a more effectivetool to diagnose ABP rather than endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP),which should be performed only for therapeutic purposes.As the sensitivity and specificity of computerized tomography are lower as compared to state-of-the-art magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography(MRCP)or EUS,especially for small stones and small diameter of CBD,the later techniques are nowadays preferred for the evaluation of ABP patients.ERCP has the highest accuracy for the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis and is used as a reference standard in many studies,especially after sphincterotomy and balloon extraction of CBD stones.Laparoscopic ultrasonography is a useful tool for the intraoperative diagnosis of choledocholithiasis.Routine exploration of the CBD in cases of patients scheduled for cholecystectomy after an attack of ABP was not proven useful.A significant rate of the so-called idiopathic pancreatitis is actually caused by microlithiasis and/or biliary sludge.In conclusion,the general algorithm for CBD stone detection starts with anamnesis,serum biochemistry and then TUS,followed by EUS or MRCP.In the end,bile duct microscopic analysis may be performed by bile harvested during ERCP in case of recurrent attacks of ABP and these should be followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy.     

Endoscopic ultrasonography in the evaluation of dilated common bile duct

Abdominal ultrasonography (US) is the procedure of first choice in the evaluation of a dilated common bile duct (CBD). Dilated bile ducts and the level of obstruction can be reliably demonstrated with US, but the cause can be determined in only two thirds of patients. The aim of this prospective study was to assess the value of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in detecting the cause of CBD dilatation in patients in whom US could not demonstrate the cause of dilation or in whom US revealed equivocal results. This 13-month study included the evaluation of 985 patients. Ninety consecutive patients found to have an enlarged CBD (diameter, > or =7 mm) of unexplained origin during US examination were included in this study. All patients were evaluated by EUS. Final diagnosis was determined by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with or without sphincterotomy ( n = 72) and surgical exploration ( n = 17). The following diagnoses were made by EUS: choledocholithiasis in 40 patients, benign distal stricture in 8, choledochal cyst in 2, and ova of Ascaris in 1. The dilatation of CBD was found by EUS examination to be caused by a tumor in 13 cases. These included tumor of the papilla of the Vater in six patients, distal cholangiocarcinoma in five, and pancreatic head cancer in two. Endoscopic ultrasonography provided an accurate explanation for CBD dilatation in 70 of the 76 patients (92%). We conclude that the diagnostic strategy for cholestasis should include US as a first choice. When the diagnosis of biliary obstruction remains probable, EUS should be carried out. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with sphincterotomy should be reserved for therapeutic use rather than diagnostic.     

Approach of suspected common bile duct stones: endoscopic ultrasonography

Recent studies have shown that endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is the most sensitive method for diagnosing choledocholithiasis. High sensitivities of more than 95% have been reported by several authors. Imaging the extrahepatic bile ducts and the gallbladder and searching for biliary stones are easy tasks for EUS. EUS has the advantages over ERCP to be less invasive (complication rate similar to diagnostic upper GI endoscopy) and to be able to detect small stones and sludge that can easily be masked by contrast medium during ERCP. In comparison with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), EUS has the advantage to be close to the investigated areas and to allow the detection of very small stones or sludge, even in non dilated bile ducts. Technical limitations of biliary imaging by EUS are few: upper GI stenosis, previous gastrectomy or Billroth II resection. Imaging can be obscured by the presence of air (previous sphincterotomy or surgical bypass), surgical clips calcifying pancreatitis or a duodenal diverticulum. Main indications of EUS include the detection of choledocholithiasis in patients with a low and intermediate probability of presence of stones, in idiopathic acute pancreatitis, in mild and moderate pancreatitis after normal transabdominal ultrasonography, in pregnant women, in intensive care patients, in the diagnosis of gallbladder lithiasis or sludge, and also when MRI is contraindicated (claustrophobia and metallic implants) or fails to provide a diagnosis or is not available. Screening of choledocholithiasis with EUS has also been proposed in patients scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, but this is not common practice in Belgium.     

Ultrasonographic evaluation in patients with autoimmune-related pancreatitis

Background The concept of autoimmune-related pancreatitis (AIP) has recently been described. It is important to exclude pancreaticobiliary malignancy in patients with AIP who develop distal bile duct strictures. The aim of this study was to evaluate distal common bile duct strictures in AIP patients by endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS), and contrast-enhanced EUS (ceEUS).Methods Five patients with AIP, encountered from January 2000 through December 2001, underwent EUS, IDUS, and ceEUS, using Levovist as a contrast medium. EUS and ceEUS were used to follow changes in distal bile duct strictures in three of these five patients following a trial of steroid therapy.Results Of the five patients, four had cholestatic biochemical profiles, three were positive for autoantibodies, and three had elevated serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) or IgG4. A diffusely enlarged pancreas, narrowing of the main pancreatic duct (MPD), and strictured common bile duct in the pancreatic head were features common to all patients. Pretherapy EUS or IDUS imaging showed concentric wall thickening of the distal common bile duct causing bile duct stenosis. ceEUS showed diffuse strong enhancement of the thickened bile duct wall, possibly due to inflammation. After the steroid therapy, the stenotic lesions in both the MPD and distal common bile duct were rapidly attenuated, with a decline in biochemical cholestatic enzymes and serum IgG or IgG4 levels.Conclusions On EUS and IDUS imaging, concentric bile duct wall thickening and its strong enhancement by Levovist was characteristic in AIP patients.     

内镜超声检查对胆囊癌的诊断价值

目的探讨内镜超声检查(EUS)对胆囊癌的诊断价值。方法对18例胆囊癌患者行EUS 检查并与体表B超(B超),X线电子计算机断层扫描(CT)/磁共振成像(MRI)结果进行比较。结果18例中EUS诊断17例,CT/MRI诊断15例,B超诊断5例。EUS诊断胆囊癌的敏感性与准确性高于B超,与CT/MRI相当。13例行手术治疗,与手术病理组织检查比较,EUS诊断正确率为92％,CT/MRI为76.9％,差异无显著性(P＞0.05)。B超为41.6％,差异有非常显著性(P＜0.01)。EUS对小病灶的显示明显优于B超,并优于CT/MRI。结论EUS对胆囊癌有较高的诊断价值。     

A case of pericholecystic abscess diagnosed by ultrasonography

Pericholecystic abscess is a serious complication of cholecystitis. Though preoperative diagnosis is easy by gray-scale ultrasonography, there has been no case reported in which the communication between pericholecystic abscess and the gallbladder was demonstrated ultrasonically. We experienced a case in which the communication route between a pericholecystic abscess and the gallbladder was successfully demonstrated by a real-time electric linear scanner. Furthermore, the abscess was successfully treated by percutaneous drainage following ultrasonically guided puncture. This success demonstrates that ultrasonography by a real-time scanner can be effective for diagnosis and treatment of acute cholecystitis and pericholecystic abscess.     

Biliary tract imaging

In addition to the detection of gallstones, common bile duct stones, and narrowed and dilated bile ducts, recent advancements in imaging techniques now make it possible to diagnose microlithiasis, pathology of normal-size ducts, and dysfunction of the gallbladder and the sphincter of Oddi (SO). More and more frequently, noninvasive imaging techniques obviate the risk of invasive investigation. These techniques can also take the place of unsuccessful or contraindicated direct cholangiography, and they play an essential role in treatment planning and diagnosis of postoperative complications. Transabdominal ultrasonography (TUS) remains fundamental for initial assessment of the biliary tract. Technical developments make magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography the most promising diagnostic technique of the biliary tract. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is most helpful for detection of microlithiasis and evaluation of the ampullary region, the periductal structures, and the regional lymph nodes in neoplastic diseases. Cholescintigraphy is most valuable to assess bile dynamics in the diagnosis of gallbladder and SO dysfunction and in postoperative bile leakage.     

Abnormal arrangement of the pancreato-biliary ductal system associated with advanced gallbladder cancer diagnosed 3 years after follow-up ultrasonography

We herein report a case of abnormal arrangement of the pancreato-biliary ductal system (AAPB) followed by advanced gallbladder cancer 9 years after the initial endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) diagnosis and almost 3 years after follow-up ultrasonography (US). A 65-year-old woman was referred to our department from a private clinic because of difficulty in controlling her diabetes mellitus. The patient had no complaints, and physical examination revealed no jaundice in her skin or conjunctiva. ERCP demonstrated the presence of AAPB (bile duct-main type) without congenital dilatation of the bile duct or irregularity in the gallbladder wall. She did not wish to undergo cholecystectomy. Follow-up transabdominal US revealed no change in the gallbladder. Two years and 9 months after this US examination, she developed advanced gallbladder cancer involving the liver and bile duct, with paraaortic lymph node metastases confirmed by US, computed tomography, and ERCP. This case re-emphasizes the necessity for patients with AAPB to undergo intensive follow-up examinations or cholecystectomy when the diagnosis of AAPB has been established.     

Biliary tract imaging

In addition to the detection of gallstones, common bile duct stones, and narrowed and dilated bile ducts, recent advancements in imaging techniques now make it possible to diagnose microlithiasis, pathology of normal-size ducts, and dysfunction of the gallbladder and the sphincter of Oddi (SO). More and more frequently, noninvasive imaging techniques obviate the risk of invasive investigation. These techniques can also take the place of unsuccessful or contraindicated direct cholangiography, and they play an essential role in treatment planning and diagnosis of postoperative complications. Transabdominal ultrasonography (TUS) remains fundamental for initial assessment of the biliary tract. Technical developments make magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography the most promising diagnostic technique of the biliary tract. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is most helpful for detection of microlithiasis and evaluation of the ampullary region, the periductal structures, and the regional lymph nodes in neoplastic diseases. Cholescintigraphy is most valuable to assess bile dynamics in the diagnosis of gallbladder and SO dysfunction and in postoperative bile leakage.     

Endoscopic ultrasonography‐guided gallbladder drainage for acute cholecystitis: From evidence to practice

With the evolution of the linear echoendoscope and the improved ability to direct a needle within the field of interest, the therapeutic potential of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has greatly expanded. Endoscopic ultrasonography‐guided transmural gallbladder drainage (EUS‐GBD) may be the next frontier for therapeutic EUS. Since EUS‐GBD was first described in 2007, recent reports have suggested it as an alternative to external gallbladder drainage for acute cholecystitis. EUS‐GBD includes EUS‐guided transmural nasogallbladder drainage, EUS‐guided gallbladder aspiration, and EUS‐guided transmural gallbladder stenting. Indications for the EUS‐GBD technique as currently practiced, including equipment, technical details, complications, and efficacy are herein reviewed.     

内镜超声检查对胆总管扩张的诊断价值

目的评价内镜超声检查(EUS)对胆总管扩张的病因诊断价值。方法32例患者在EUS 前均做过体表B超检查。患者的病因诊断均在病理或手术(包括奥狄括约肌切开取石)后确定。结果(1)32例患者的B超及EUS对胆总管直径的测定结果分别为(1.04±0.41)cm和(0.97±0.36)cm,两者差异无显著性(P＞0.05)。(2)对胆总管扩张的病因诊断率EUS为29/32(90.6％),明显高于体表B超19/32(59.4％),P＜0.01;X线电子计算机断层扫描(CT)21/32(65.6％),P＜0.05。EUS与磁共振胆胰管成像(MRCP)13/16(81.3％)和内镜逆行胰胆管造影(ERCP)31/32(96.9％)诊断率 相似(P＞0.05)。结论EUS对胆总管扩张的病因有很高的诊断价值。