Treatment of cholestasis caused by stenosis of the intrahepatic bile ducts in alveolar echinococcosis. Trial of biliary drainage by the percutaneous transhepatic approach

Six cases of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis with involvement of the hepatic hilum and cholestasis were treated by percutaneous biliary drainage. Clinical and morphological follow-up ranged from 18 to 34 months. A decrease of jaundice and bilirubinemia and the regression of the intrahepatic bile duct dilatation were observed in all cases. Biliary drainage was associated with percutaneous drainage of an hepatic necrotic cavity in four cases. Left hepatectomy was performed later in three cases. These results are encouraging and suggest that percutaneous biliary drainage is an effective and useful procedure for biliary drainage in hepatic alveolar echinococcosis with cholestasis due to obstruction of the intrahepatic bile ducts.     

经皮肝胆管穿刺置管术治疗恶性肿瘤致胆道梗阻的临床价值

目的探讨经皮肝胆管穿刺置管引流术的临床应用价值。方法在超声引导下对130例梗阻性黄疸患者进行经皮肝胆管穿刺置管引流术,观察对临床症状和黄疸的改善情况。结果130例患者穿刺置管引流术均置管成功,其中选择右肝管前支穿刺置管的一次成功率达94．0％（79／84）,左肝管外下支一次成功率为81．2％（26／32）,右肝管一次成功率为85．7％（6／7）,左肝管一次成功率为66．7％（2／3）,肝总管一次成功率为75％（3／4）。穿刺胆管内径5-20ram,平均11mm,患者临床症状明显改善,黄疸大幅下降。结论在超声引导下经皮肝胆管穿刺置管引流术具有安全、可靠、实时、准确的特点,有很高的临床应用价值,选择右肝管前支穿刺置管成功率较其他人路高。     

Percutaneous fibercholangioscopies

This is a report on our experience in 309 percutaneous fiberendoscopies of the biliary tract done in 106 patients of the 115 scheduled for the procedure. We describe the relevant approaches, techniques, complications and results. In particular, percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopies (PTCS) were accomplished on transhepatic percutaneous drainages located radiologically in 35 patients: in 13 for differential diagnosis to distinguish between malignant and benign stenoses (diagnostic accuracy in 92% of the biopsies), in 22 cases with therapeutic intent, including 14 lithotomies for extrahepatic biliary tract calculosis, combined in 4 cases with a simple dilatation of the papilla and a percutaneous "descending" papillotomy; in 7 patients a dilatation of the biliary tract (BT) or of the stenosis of a biliodigestive anastomosis was accomplished (malignant in 4 patients, benign in 3 patients). In 38 patients postoperative percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopies were performed along surgically located transparietohepatic drains, both to assess the biliodigestive anastomosis healing process carried out by two different techniques (30 patients), and to complete the biliary tract drainage as part of the primary and secondary endoscopic surgical treatment of massive intrahepatic lithiasis. In two further patients affected by such pathology, PTCS was done in combination with fibercholangioscopy performed via a transjejunal approach using a V?lker drain on a Y-shaped loop. Nine of these patients were treated successfully and one patient later underwent a left hepatectomy, since attempts to drain that area had remained unsuccessful. The transjejunal approach was carried out in 3 patients as a diagnostic measure: in two cases to check the lithotomy, and in one case to check a cholangiojejunal anastomosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Endoscopic stenting for biliary strictures.

A consensus is growing among units that have an experience in both endoscopic and percutaneous stenting techniques that the endoscopic approach of malignant biliary strictures is more comfortable for the patient and provides less complications. This article describes endoscopic biliary drainage in different malignant stenosis of the bile ducts and delineates the respective indications of percutaneous and endoscopic techniques together with the possible combination of these two methods in selected cases. It also tackles the question of the medical surgical approach of the patients, which might, thanks to a better selection, reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with surgery. The indications of biliary stenting in benign strictures, namely post operative or chronic pancreatitis associated biliary stenoses, are also discussed. Recently, new materials became available for endoscopic and percutaneous biliary drainage, and particularly metallic self expanding stents which might provide a better palliation among these patients. If these stents fulfill their promise on longer follow-up, they may replace the conventional stenting devices.     

Rendezvous procedure for the treatment of bile leaks and injury following segmental hepatectomy

BackgroundEndoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is a minimally invasive procedure used for the evaluation and management of biliary injuries. At times, ERCP fails and percutaneous modalities may be required. Rendezvous procedures are combined endoscopic and percutaneous techniques that have been used to restore anatomic continuity and biliary drainage in cases where retrograde and/or transhepatic access alone has failed either due to anatomic variation or traumatic injury with biloma formation.AimsTo assess if the Rendezvous technique plays a role in establishing biliary continuity in patients with a bile leak after segmental hepatectomy.MethodsWe herby present a series of 3 patients who had complex bile leaks after segmental liver resection and underwent a combined percutaneous and endoscopic Rendezvous procedure to establish biliary continuity.ResultsThis technique was successful in restoring biliary continuity and avoiding hepaticojejunostomy in 2 of the 3 patients.ConclusionThe Rendezvous technique may play a role in establishing biliary continuity in patients with biliary leak secondary to hepatic surgery.     

Endoscopic ultrasound and percutaneous access for endoscopic biliary and pancreatic drainage after initially failed ERCP

Although the success rates of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in accessing the bile and pancreatic ducts are quite high, failure to achieve duct access still occurs. Options in these cases have traditionally included percutaneous access or open surgical intervention. A combination percutaneous and endoscopic approach (ie, rendezvous procedure) is often used in cases of failed biliary cannulation by ERCP and occasionally for pancreatic duct access. However, this technique often results in complications and is hampered by the difficulty in coordinating schedules between interventional radiologists and endoscopists and the lack of predictability of failed ERCP access. Several groups have described the use of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in accessing the ducts in cases of failed ERCP. This technique has the potential to substantially reduce the need for a percutaneous or surgical approach in many cases. This article reviews the nonsurgical methods for accessing the biliary and pancreatic ducts after failure of ERCP as well as the current status and possible future applications of EUS-assisted drainage techniques.     

Massive hemobilia

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Massive hemobilia is a relatively rare, but potentially life-threatening cause of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. We report our experiences in the treatment of 15 cases of massive hemobilia with different underlying pathologies. METHODOLOGY: Massive hemobilia is defined as a patient with blood discharge from the biliary tree and requiring whole blood transfusion for at least 4 u (1 u = 250 cc). Fifteen such patients were collected during an 8.5-year period (from January 1986 to July 1994), and the clinical courses of these patients were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Among these 15 patients, 11 were males and 4 were females. Age distribution was from 33 to 78 years old. Mean age was 59.7 years. The cause of hemobilia included: percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage in 7 patients, surgical trauma in 3, choledochoscopic extraction of biliary calculi in 1, pancreatic cancer in 1, radiotherapy for cholangiocarcinoma in 1, after operation for biliary lithiasis in 1, and rupture of the pseudoaneurysm in 1. In 11 patients, hemobilia was first noted by bleeding from percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage tube (n = 10) or T-tube (n = 1). Three patients had hemobilia during choledocholithotomy. The other one was diagnosed by choledochoscopy. Treatment included pitressin infusion from angiographic catheter in one patient, transarterial embolization in 1, hepatic artery ligation in 1, hepatic artery ligation and transarterial embolization in 1, choledochotomy or choledocholithotomy in 2, and blood transfusion only in 9. Two of the four mortality cases had underlying malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: The most common cause of massive hemobilia was percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage procedures. Eight cases were successfully treated with blood transfusion only. Transarterial embolization, hepatic artery ligation and open drainage were effective non-surgical and surgical procedures, but the former two procedures might not be successful if sudden and severe hemobilia developed, or when an aberrant hepatic artery existed. Main hepatic artery had better been isolated before removal of the percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage tube during operation.     

Is preoperative biliary drainage necessary according to evidence‐based medicine?

Preoperative biliary drainage has been in use for a long time and is still being performed today in some institutions, but there has been a long-standing issue as to whether the necessity of this procedure has been proven medically. Many problems existed previously, such as systemic complications due to the difficulty in diagnosing and differentiating obstructive jaundice from jaundice left untreated for a long time, or surgeon-based problems such as a lack of surgical skill or undeveloped surgical techniques, or even inexperience in perioperative patient management. These problems, however, are being overcome with time, and the advantages of preoperative biliary drainage are now being questioned according to evidence-based medicine. Several recent controlled trials have clearly shown that preoperative biliary drainage is not necessary for lower bile duct obstruction, although it was noted that surgery after reduction of jaundice by percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage (PTCD) was very easily performed. It is important to understand that preoperative biliary drainage is unnecessary for lower bile duct obstruction, whether the technique follows a percutaneous approach, an endoscopic apporach, or stenting. Although it is still being debated, there have already been several reports regarding whether preoperative biliary drainage is necessary for upper bile duct obstruction, such as hilar bile duct carcinoma. This also needs to be clarified by randomized controlled trials. Aside from preoperative biliary drainage, the utilization of biliary drainage or stenting has been fully recognized as important for removing intrahepatic stones or choledochal stones, as well as for emergency drainage for acute cholangitis and for the treatment of unresectable malignant biliary stenosis. Additionally, percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS), using the PTCD, or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) route, plays a major role not only in the removal of biliary stones but also in the diagnosis of cases in which it is difficult to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions.     

Ultrasonically guided percutaneous transhepatic transcholecystocholangiography in the nondilated biliary tree

Five patients with CT or ultrasound-proven nondilated intrahepatic biliary radicles underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous transhepatic transcholecystocholangiography (PTHTCC) for visualization of the biliary tree following failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. In no instance were more than 2 passes of a 22-gauge needle necessary to enter the gallbladder. Visualization of the biliary tree was excellent in all cases, and there were no complications. Therefore, PTHTCC is a safe and reliable method of visualizing the nondilated biliary tree.     

经内镜胆道引流治疗胆道梗阻

目的：进一步提高经内镜胆道引流术的成功率。方法：总结1998年1月至2001年9月对320例胆道梗阻患者行十二指肠镜下各种胆道引流术的经验，其中鼻胆管引流术（ENBD）242例，胆道内置管引流术（ERBD）43例，胆道金属支架术（EMBE）35例。结果：305例得到成功引流，胆道梗阻症状缓解；失败15例。其中ENBD失败10例，经调整鼻胆管位置或重新置管获得成功；ERBD失败3例，2例选用合适长度的支架后引流成功，1例经努力仍未成功改用经皮肝穿刺胆道引流；EM-BE失败2例，其中1例金属支架未超出肿瘤狭窄段，经原金属支架再套入另一金属支架而成功，另1例支架放置1月又出现胆道阻塞，经原金属支架通道再放入塑料支架而恢复通畅引流。结论：经内镜引流治疗胆道梗阻疗效确切，及早分析内镜引流失败原因并采取相应的对策，绝大多数引流失败是可以避免或补救的。     

肝泡球蚴病的非根治性手术治疗观察

目的 探讨非根治性手术对肝泡球蚴病的治疗价值.方法 对2000-2005年收治的38例行非根治性手术治疗肝泡球蚴病的患者进行回顾性调查分析.结果 38例患者中,12例行肝切除术,23例行经皮穿刺液化坏死引流,3例行经皮肝穿刺胆管引流.所有患者同时结合服用阿苯达唑(15 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)).未行根治性切除的原因包括:病灶同时浸入肝左右叶、肝门部、横膈及并发腔静脉受阻等.术后随访1～3年,1例行经皮肝穿刺胆管引流患者在随访过程中死于肝功能衰竭.8例行肝叶切除及17例行经皮穿刺液化坏死引流患者随访期间无明显临床症状,2例行经皮肝穿刺胆管引流患者术后症状无明显改善,其余10例患者术后存在轻微症状.8例患者术后因持续性胆瘘行二次手术.结论 非根治性切除术可改善肝泡球蚴病患者症状,提高生存质量.行非根治性切除结合药物治疗对于不能行根治性切除的肝泡球蚴病患者是一种较好的选择.     

Extrahepatic biliary stenoses after hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of floxuridine (FUdR) for liver metastases from colorectal cancer.

Hepatic arterial infusion of floxuridine is an effective treatment for unresectable hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer. Despite its pharmacological advantage of higher tumor drug concentration with minimal systemic toxicity, hepatic arterial infusion of floxuridine is characterized by regional toxicity, including hepatobiliary damage resembling idiopathic sclerosing cholangitis (5-29% of treated cases). Unlike previous reports describing biliary damage of both intrahepatic and extrahepatic ducts, a case series of extrahepatic biliary stenosis after hepatic arterial infusion with floxuridine is herein described. Between September 1993 and February 1999, 54 patients received intraarterial hepatic chemotherapy based on continuous infusion of floxuridine (dose escalation 0.15-0.30 mg/kg/day for 14 days every 28 days) plus dexamethasone 28 mg. Twenty-seven patients underwent laparotomy to implant the catheter into the hepatic artery, the other 27 patients receiving a percutaneous catheter into the hepatic artery through a transaxillary access. Five patients (9.2%) developed biliary toxicity with jaundice and cholangitis (3 cases), alterations of liver function tests and radiological features of biliary tract abnormalities. They received from 9 to 19 cycles (mean 14.5 +/- 6.3 cycles) of floxuridine infusion with a total drug delivered dose ranging from 20.3 to 41.02 mg/kg (mean: 31.4 +/- 13.5 mg/kg). Extrahepatic biliary sclerosis was discovered by computed tomography scan and ultrasound, followed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and/or percutaneous cholangiography in 3 cases. Radiological findings included common hepatic duct complete obstruction in 1 case, common hepatic duct stenosis in 2 cases, common bile duct obstruction in 1 case, and intrahepatic bile ducts dilation without a well-recognized obstruction in 1 case. Two patients were treated by sequentially percutaneous biliary drainage and balloon dilation while 1 patient had an endoscopic transpapillary biliary prosthesis placed. Percutaneous or endoscopic procedures obtained the improvement of hepatic function and cholestatic indexes without subsequent jaundice or cholangitis. In two patients suppression of floxuridine infusion allowed the improvement of hepatic function. The present series suggests that in some patients receiving hepatic arterial infusion of floxuridine extrahepatic biliary stenosis may represent the primary event leading to a secondary intrahepatic biliary damage that does not correlate with specific floxuridine toxicity but results from bile stasis and infection, recurrent cholangitis and eventually biliary sclerosis. Aggressive research for extrahepatic biliary sclerosis is advised, since an early nonsurgical treatment of extrahepatic biliary stenosis may prevent an irreversible intrahepatic biliary sclerosis worsening the prognosis of metastatic liver disease.     

Interesting rendezvous location in a liver transplantation patient with anastomosis stricture

An endoscopic or radiologic percutaneous approach may be an initial minimally invasive method for treating biliary strictures after living donor liver transplantation; however, cannulation of biliary strictures is sometimes difficult due to the presence of a sharp or twisted angle within the stricture or a complete stricture. When an angulated or twisted biliary stricture interrupts passage of a guidewire over the stricture, it is difficult to replace the percutaneous biliary drainage catheter with inside stents by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. The rendezvous technique can be used to overcome this difficulty. In addition to the classical rendezvous method, in cases with complete transection of the common bile duct a modified technique involving the insertion of a snare into the subhepatic space has been successfully performed. Herein, we report a modified rendezvous technique in the duodenal bulb as an extraordinary location for a patient with duct-to-duct anastomotic complete stricture after liver transplantation.     

Laboratory diagnosis and nonoperative management of biliary complications in living donor liver transplant patients

BACKGROUND: Biliary complications associated with living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) remain a major problem. Information regarding biochemical abnormalities helpful for the diagnosis and the nonoperative management of such complications are limited. METHODS: Adult patients who underwent LDLT were retrospectively studied for biliary complications. Clinical findings and laboratory studies, that is, serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase were evaluated. Diagnostic percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram or endoscopic retrograde cholangiogram followed by therapeutic interventions such as endoscopic sphincterotomy, stone extraction, balloon dilation, or stent placement were done as indicated. Follow-up data on clinical and biochemical outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: Among the first 29 patients who underwent LDLT, 7 patients (24%) developed biliary complications. Nonoperative treatment was undertaken through endoscopic retrograde cholangiogram in 4 cases, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram in 3 cases with a successful clinical outcome in 6 cases (84%). All patients with biliary stricture had a bilirubin level >1.5 mg/dL with 100% sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS: A number of patients developed biliary complications after LDLT. Nonoperative treatments were successful in most patients. Elevated serum bilirubin level may be helpful in the diagnosis of biliary stricture complicating LDLT.     

经皮胆管镜治疗肝内外胆管结石的探讨

目的 探讨经皮胆管镜治疗肝内外胆管结石的疗效和结石复发的防治。方法 43例经皮经肝胆管引流和窦道扩张后,经皮经肝胆管镜(PTCS)治疗肝内外胆管结石;22例术后T管留置>3周者,行术后胆管镜(POCS)治疗。该65例中肝内胆管结石(IHS)40例(I型12例,IE型28例),胆总管结石(CBI)结石)25例。结果 43例PTCS扩张窦道直径平均19.1 F,建立窦道时间平均17.1d。65例中11例直接取石,54例行液电碎石(EHL)后取石,其中25例配合乳头括约肌切开。40例IHS至结石清除每例治疗次数平均5.2次,25例CBD结石平均1.9次。37例(56.9％)有胆管或胆肠吻合口狭窄,用探条或气囊扩张,3例留置金属支架,结石清除率98.5％(64/65)。11例合并胆道感染,1例IHS伴胆汁性肝硬化合并肾功能不全死亡。 平均随访30.8个月,结石复发率7.1％。结论 经皮胆管镜和EHL是治疗胆系结石安全、有效的办法;胆管或胆肠吻合口狭窄长度<0.5 cm者,器械扩张效果良好;治疗狭窄可提高结石清除率,降低结石复发率。     

经皮肝穿刺胆道内支架植入治疗恶性胆道梗阻64例

目的：总结经皮肝穿刺胆道内支架植入治疗恶性梗阻性黄疸的经验，探讨其临床疗效及价值。方法：64例患者均采用X线透视下经皮肝穿刺胆道内支架植入术治疗恶性梗阻性黄疽。根据梗阻部位的不同解剖决定放置支架的方式。结果：64例患者中，50例植入单支支架于肝总管或(和)胆总管，14例植入2支以上支架于总管和分支胆管，其中2例肝内胆管支架的桥接通过肝实质。58例患者2周内血清胆红素降低75％以上。结论：经皮肝穿刺刺内支架植入是治疗恶性胆道梗阻性的有效方法。     

External Biliary-Gastric Fistula: A Simple Method for Recycling Bile

External biliary drainage is often required to relieve bile duct obstruction. Most often this is a temporary situation and internal drainage is soon established by means of surgery or by transhepatic biliary stents placed through the obstruction into the duodenum. When internal drainage cannot be established and external biliary losses are prolonged, malabsorption, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance may ensue. In this report we present two such cases in which an external biliary-gastric fistula was created by connecting the biliary drainage catheter to a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. In both cases internal diversion was effectively achieved. We believe this technique warrants consideration in those patients otherwise committed to prolonged external biliary drainage.     

Percutaneous introduction of a snare for removal of migrated biliary stents

This report describes two cases in which proximally migrated Amsterdam-type biliary stents were extracted using transhepatic snare introduction into the bile ducts. In one case, the migrated stent was removed transhepatically via a percutaneous approach, and in the other a combination transhepatic-endoscopic extraction was successful. No complications were encountered. Percutaneous introduction of snare via transhepatic route offers a good alternative to surgery for removal of migrated biliary stents.     

Arterial embolization of an arteriovenous fistula with hemobilia after blind liver puncture

Five days after percutaneous liver biopsy we observed in a 42-year-old man with alcoholic liver cirrhosis severe hemobilia requiring transfusions of packed red cells. By means of super-selective arterial embolization, using gelfoam, the bleeding source, an av-fistula, was successfully occluded. Iatrogenic hemobilia, although seen after percutaneous liver biopsy only in app. 0.005% of the cases, is today the most important cause of biliary bleeding, mainly as a complication (app. 3% of the cases) of the widespread use of interventional procedures of the biliary tree (e.g. PTCD). Therapeutically arterial embolization should be considered first if possible.