Percutaneous Placement of Metallic Stents in Malignant Biliary Obstruction: One-Stage or Two-Stage Procedure? Pre-Dilate or Not?

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the necessity of percutaneous transhepatic catheter drainage and balloon dilation procedures performed before stent insertion. One hundred and twenty-six patients with unresectable malignant biliary obstruction underwent palliative therapy by means of percutaneous transhepatic placement of 183 metallic biliary endoprotheses. Forty-four (35%) patients underwent metallic stent insertion in a one-stage procedure and 82 (65%) had undergone percutaneous transhepatic catheter drainage before stent insertion. Balloon dilation of the stenosis before stent placement (pre-dilation) was performed in 53 (42%) of 126 patients. The rate of the 30-day mortality was 11%, with no procedure-related deaths. The total rate of early complications was 29%, and 84% of these complications were due to percutaneous transhepatic catheter drainage and pre-dilation procedures. Percutaneous transhepatic catheter drainage and pre-dilation had no clinical or statistically significant effect on the patients’ survival and stent patency rate. Percutaneous transhepatic catheter drainage and balloon dilation increased the cost of stent placement 18% and 19%, respectively. Palliation of malignant biliary obstruction with percutaneous transhepatic stent insertion should be done directly, in the simplest way, without performing percutaneous transhepatic catheter drainage and balloon dilation before stent placement. It is more useful, safe, and cost-effective.     

Biliary leaks: treatment by means of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage in the treatment of biliary leaks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients with a biliary leak involving either the common bile duct (n = 12), the biliary confluence (n = 2), or a hepaticojejunal anastomosis (n = 2) were treated by means of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. The biliary leak was due to severe acute necrotizing pancreatitis in six patients, while 10 patients had postoperative leak. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage was performed with a 12-F catheter, with two series of side holes positioned on both sides of the extravasation to divert bile flow away from the defect. RESULTS: In 13 patients, the biliary leak healed after drainage (mean duration, 78 days). In four of these patients, a slight residual narrowing of the bile duct was treated by means of either balloon dilation (n = 2) or balloon dilation followed by insertion of a metallic stent (n = 2). All 13 patients remained cured (mean follow-up, 38 months). Two patients with severe acute necrotizing pancreatitis died of complications unrelated to the biliary leak. Vascular complications occurred in two patients, one of whom died after surgical drainage of a subcapsular hematoma. CONCLUSION: Biliary leaks can be treated successfully by means of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. The procedure is particularly useful when surgical or endoscopic management has failed.     

经胆道支架置入放射性粒子条治疗恶性胆道梗阻

目的探讨经胆道支架置入放射性粒子条治疗恶性胆道梗阻的疗效。 方法38例恶性胆道梗阻的患者,应用¹²⁵I粒子,每个¹²⁵I粒子长4.5 mm、直径0.8 mm,送入导管制备粒子条。先行经皮肝穿刺胆道引流（PTCD）术;导丝经皮通过梗阻段,先行球囊导管扩张,后行经皮胆道支架成形术;然后经支架置入8～10F胆道引流管;再将装有粒子条的导管在透视下经胆道引流管送入所需照射部位,包敷固定引流管体外部分或包埋于皮下。 结果38例中36例成功施行经皮胆道支架成形术及放射性粒子条置入术,术后患者的胆红素均降至正常或接近正常（P<0.05）,未出现明显不良反应。 讨论经皮胆道支架成形术后联合放射性粒子条置入术治疗恶性胆道梗阻是一种安全有效的方法。     

Retrievable biliary stent-graft management of refractory postoperative bile leakage

The authors report a case of a successful outcome after retrievable biliary stent-graft management in a patient with refractory postoperative bile leakage. A 52-year-old man who underwent a Whipple operation presented with postoperative bile leakage. A percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) catheter remained from the operation, and bile leakage persisted after 7 days of drainage with the catheter. A retrievable biliary stent-graft was placed; it was removed 14 days later. Cholangiography indicated patency of the anastomosis without contrast medium leakage, and the PTBD catheter was removed. There were no procedural-related complications.     

Embolization of a catheter-related hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm after long-term biliary drainage

Hemobilia is a frequent complication of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage, occurring most commonly at the time of initial catheter placement. The authors report on the angiographic diagnosis and embolization of a pseudoaneurysm of the right hepatic artery in a patient with hemobilia. This occurred after 2.5 years of catheter drainage for biliary obstruction due to malignant disease. Bleeding as a complication of biliary drainage can be the result of inadvertent placement of catheter side holes in the hepatic parenchyma, iatrogenic arterioportal and arteriohepatic venous shunts and pseudoaneurysms. This case report illustrates that hemobilia, even with long-term percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage, may be associated with a radiologically treatable, drainage-related vascular abnormality rather than simply diffuse hemorrhage from a friable tumor.     

The role of interventional radiology in biliary complications after orthotopic liver transplantation: a single-center experience

This study evaluated interventional radiological experience in the management of biliary complications of OLT at the National Cancer Institute of Milan. Seventeen patients who had undergone orthotopic liver transplantation in various hospital were referred to our unit with biliary complications. Group I consisted of 8 patients with anastomotic biliary fistula who came to our attention a short time after transplantation. Group II consisted of 9 patients with anastomotic strictures who came to our attention in a longer period. Two different interventional radiological approaches were used: (a) percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) in the presence of fistulas in patients of group I; and (b) percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage combined with dilatation of the strictures with a balloon catheter in patients of group II. On the whole resolution of the biliary complications was achieved in 13 of the 17 cases treated (76.5%), 5 of 8 in group I and 8 of 9 in group II. No secondary stenosis after PTBD were observed in group I, whereas two patients of group II needed a second dilatation. Percutaneous biliary drainage is indicated as a valid treatment in the management of biliary complications, either to allow closure of the fistula either to perform balloon dilatation of stenosis.     

恶性梗阻性黄疸介入治疗并发症分析及其防治的探讨

目的探讨经皮经肝胆管引流和置入内支架治疗恶性梗阻性黄疸的方法及并发症的预防。方法65例恶性梗阻性黄疸患者接受经皮经肝胆管引流和置入内支架治疗。其中肝门部肝癌18例,胆管癌16例,胆囊癌累及胆总管3例,胃癌肝门淋巴结转移16例,胰腺癌8例,胆肠吻合术后吻合口狭窄4例。结果20例放置了胆管支架,其中2例因左右肝总管梗阻各放置了2枚金属内支架;15例放置了内外引流管;29例单纯放置外引流管;1例右侧胆管放置支架,左侧放置内外引流管。与操作有关的并发症为胆管出血2例,其中胆管出血致出血性休克1例;感染4例,2例出现败血症;肝功能损害5例;局限胆汁性腹膜炎并发反应性胸腔积液1例;电解质紊乱1例;引流管部分移位或脱出8例;引流管阻塞2例;支架置入后早期发生再狭窄1例。结论恶性梗阻性黄疸介入治疗方法简单、疗效确切,正确选择适应证、规范操作技术可以减少并发症的发生。     

Percutaneous biliary drainage in patients with nondilated intrahepatic bile ducts

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the technical success and complications of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage in patients with nondilated intrahepatic bile ducts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1, 1996, and August 31, 1998, 130 percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage procedures were performed on patients with nondilated intrahepatic bile ducts. This group comprised primarily patients who had received liver transplants or who had sustained iatrogenic bile duct injuries. Access in all procedures was performed using a one-step system consisting of a 21-gauge needle and an .018-inch guidewire. The technical success and complications of the procedures were evaluated. RESULTS: Percutaneous biliary drainage was successful in 117 (90%) of 130 attempts. In four patients, two attempts were required to place a drainage catheter. The overall complication rate was 9%. There were seven (5%) minor complications and five major complications (4%). No procedure-related deaths occurred. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous biliary drainage can be performed with a high success rate in patients with nondilated intrahepatic ducts. The incidence and types of complications in this population were similar to those reported in patients with intrahepatic ductal dilatation.     

经皮经肝胆道后装放疗导管预置术治疗胆道壶腹癌10例

目的 探讨经皮肝穿刺胆道后装放疗导管预置技术的可行性和安全性.方法 选择10例壶腹癌患者,在经皮肝穿刺技术行胆道支架植入术后,经导引导丝送入后装放疗导管,依据病变部位对导管头端及通过导管置入的假源进行定位,每次内照射前CT或透视下复位,给与足量内照射.结果 10例患者均顺利完成经皮肝穿胆道支架置人术和假源定位,并于术后5～7 d内完成足量内照射,治疗过程中未发生严重并发症.结论 经皮肝穿胆道后装放疗导管预置技术安全可行,其成功率高、并发症少,能有效提高胆道支架通畅率,适用于姑息治疗的壶腹癌患者,值得应用和推广.     

Non-surgical palliative treatment of patients with malignant biliary obstruction--the place of endoscopic and percutaneous drainage

Non-surgical methods to treat patients with inoperable malignant biliary obstruction are endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage and ultrasound guided percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. During a 2 year evaluation a total of 144 patients were admitted with malignant biliary obstruction: 93 with a mid- or distal common bile duct stenosis; 51 patients with a perihilar stenosis. Endoscopic biliary drainage was performed in 123 patients and ultrasound guided percutaneous biliary drainage in 57 patients. An effect on jaundice was seen in more patients after percutaneous biliary drainage (91%) than with endoscopic biliary drainage (70%). However with the percutaneous method only 63% of patients were drained internally. The site of the stenosis seemed to be an important factor. In patients with perihilar obstruction early complications after endoscopic biliary drainage occurred in 41% of drained patients compared with 3% procedure-related and 28% catheter-related complications with ultrasound guided drainage. A major complication of the endoscopic method in perihilar disease was cholangitis due to inadequate drainage.     

Percutaneous cholecystostomy: diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy

Percutaneous cholecystostomy was performed in 32 patients for treatment of suspected cholecystitis (16 patients), decompression of biliary obstruction (six patients), or performance of diagnostic cholangiography (ten patients). The gallbladder was successfully catheterized in 32 of 32 patients (100%), and therapeutic or diagnostic benefit was achieved in 29 of 32 patients (91%). There were no major complications and no procedure-related deaths. There were four minor complications. In the 14 patients with severe cholecystitis there was substantial clinical improvement in 13. Five patients underwent catheter withdrawal after stabilization or long-term drainage. In biliary obstruction, hyperbilirubinemia was successfully treated with percutaneous cholecystostomy in five of six patients, and associated cholangitis was successfully treated in four of four. Ten patients underwent transcholecystic cholangiography; diagnostic visualization was achieved in all, including seven who underwent percutaneous cholecystostomy-assisted transhepatic biliary drainage. Percutaneous cholecystostomy is a safe and effective procedure in diagnosis and treatment of biliary tract problems.     

Occlusion of a Long-Term Transpleural Biliary Drainage Tract Using a Gelatin Pledget (Hep-Plug<Superscript>™</Superscript>)

This case describes a technique used to close a long-term 14F transpleural biliary drainage catheter tract to prevent biliopleural fistula and further complications. We deployed a compressed gelatin foam pledget provided in a pre-loaded delivery device (Hep-Plug?) along the intrahepatic tissue tract for sealing it against the pleural cavity. The device used is easy to handle and gives the Interventional Radiologist the possibility to safely manage and prevent complications after percutaneous transhepatic interventions.     

恶性梗阻性黄疸的介入治疗

目的　探讨经皮肝胆管引流和置入内支架治疗恶性梗阻性黄疸的方法及并发症的预防。材料与方法　 130例恶性梗阻性黄疸患者接受经皮肝胆管引流 ,男 83例 ,女 47例。年龄 31～ 86岁 ,平均 6 3 .5岁。其中胆管癌 5 7例 ,转移癌 2 3例 ,肝癌 2 0例 ,胰腺癌 2 2例 ,胆囊癌 8例。结果　 97例放置了胆管支架 ,其中 2 8例因多支胆管梗阻除放置支架外还放置了引流管 ,33例单纯放置了内、外引流管。血胆红素 1周内由 2 3 .4± 16 .2mg/dl降为 15 .7± 8.8mg/dl ,肝内多发胆管梗阻胆红素下降不明显。与操作有关的并发症为感染 15例 ,3例出现败血症 ,肝功能损害 11例 ,胆管出血 2例。术后 30天内患者死亡率为 9.2 % (12 /130 )。结论　恶性梗阻性黄疸介入治疗方法简单、疗效确切 ,能延长患者的生存期。     

Hemobilia complicating transhepatic catheter drainage in liver transplant recipients: Management with selective embolization

Two liver transplantation patients are reported who experienced severe hemobilia following percutaneous placement of a transhepatic biliary drainage catheter. In both, hepatic angiography demonstrated the source of bleeding from a traumatic pseudoaneourysm of a right hepatic artery branch. Hemobilia in both patients was successfully treated using selective embolization techniques. Follow-up computed tomography of the liver showed no evidence of allograft necrosis or abscess formation. One patient developed an intrahepatic biliary stricture adjacent to the embolized branch artery nine months following the procedure. Hepatic artery embolization techniques are effective in the treatment of life-threatening hemobilia posttransplantation.     

Biliary decompression: an institutional comparison of percutaneous and endoscopic methods

Endoscopically performed biliary drainage (EPBD) is now an alternative to percutaneous biliary drainage. The morbidity, mortality, and survival statistics of 97 patients with obstructive jaundice who had undergone percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) and surgery, PTBD alone, EPBD and surgery, or EPBD alone were compared. Overall, the EPBD group had fewer complications and lower mortality than the other groups. When palliative treatment of patients with malignancies was compared, the complication rates associated with EPBD and PTBD were similar; however, mortality was lower with EPBD. No negative effect on survival was found with EPBD. In addition, EPBD offered several additional advantages over PTBD, including fewer bleeding complications, better patient acceptance, and avoidance of external catheter care. EPBD should be considered as a viable alternative to PTBD. Additional studies are needed to determine whether it is to be considered the initial drainage procedure of choice in patients with obstructive jaundice.     

Percutaneous management of benign biliary strictures

The interventional radiologist plays an increasing role in the management of patients with benign biliary disease. This article summarizes the percutaneous management of patients with benign biliary strictures and includes a discussion of currently available techniques. The techniques of percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and biliary drainage will be reviewed. This includes anatomic and technical considerations of the right midaxillary and left subxyphoid percutaneous approaches, a review of percutaneous dilation of biliary strictures and the management of patients with chronic indwelling biliary drainage catheters. (ie, periodic catheter exchanges, catheter flushing, etc). The article concludes with a discussion of biliary drainage catheters and the clinical and physiologic parameters used in making a decision to remove the tube.     

超声导向下穿刺置管术的护理及潜在并发症分析

目的分析超声导向下行穿刺置管术的护理措施及潜在并发症。方法回顾性分析超声介入科行局部穿刺置管术的205例患者资料,应用描述性统计方法分析置管类型及相应护理措施及潜在并发症。结果205例行穿刺置管术患者,其中胸腔积液88例,腹腔积液51例,经皮肝穿刺胆道引流(PTCD)29例,气胸4例,囊肿15例,心包积液10例,脓肿引流8例。其中发生气胸6例,轻微出血3例,潜在并发症还包括感染、脓胸、血管或神经损伤等。结论超声引导下穿刺置管术作为一种临床普遍接受的微创介入治疗方式,仍然会发生气胸,出血,炎症等并发症。术中谨慎的操作和密切的观察是减少并发症发生的重要因素,但对于不可避免的并发症,医护人员应仔细观察并积极处理,以确保患者有效治疗。     

肝移植术后血管胆道并发症的介入治疗

目的:评价介入治疗对肝移植后胆道、血管并发症的价值。材料和方法:18例肝移植患者接受了介入治疗。其中肝动脉狭窄8例,行肝动脉造影及溶栓治疗;下腔静脉及肝静脉狭窄2例,行内支架置入术;胆瘘及胆道狭窄8例,行PTCD治疗。结果:胆道并发症8例,PTCD治疗后症状消失;肝动脉狭窄8例,溶栓后肝动脉完全开放6例,1例血流部分开放,1例肝动脉血流未恢复再次肝移植治疗;下腔静脉及肝静脉狭窄2例内支架置入术后下腔静脉梗阻及肝肿大症状消失。结论:介入治疗是治疗肝移植后胆道血管并发症的有效方法。     

晚期胰腺癌双介入治疗及其疗效评价

目的：探讨晚期胰腺癌和／或合并阻塞性黄疸的介入治疗方法,对动脉灌流药物及经皮肝穿刺植入胆道胆架的临床效果给予讨论。方法：采用Ｓｅｌｄｉｎｇｅｒ技术经股动脉插管胰腺供血动脉内灌注化疗药物,经皮肝穿刺进行外引流或植入胆道支架进行内引流解除黄疸。结果：１２例病人疼痛症状明显改善,有３例病人肿瘤体积有所缩小,行ＰＴＣＤ病人黄音完全解除。结论：动脉灌注化疗对缓解肿瘤生长速度和减少疼痛是一种可选择的有效方法,     

肝移植术后血管与胆管并发症介入治疗初探

目的：评价血管造影和胆管造影诊治肝移植术后血管及胆管并发症的价值。方法：46例原位肝移植术后B超提示血流速度不畅或频谱异常，下肢水肿或黄疸的患者16例，进行腹腔动脉造影10例次，下腔静脉造影并球囊扩张或支架置入6例次，经皮肝穿刺门静脉造影并支架置入2例次，经皮肝穿刺胆管造影并引流4例次。结果：肝动脉血栓形成2例，1例经溶栓治疗后部分开通；肝动脉狭窄4例，1例球囊扩张后狭窄减轻；所有下腔静脉和门静脉阻塞或狭窄行球囊扩张及置放支撑架后临床症状好转，4例胆管狭窄和吻合口瘘者行经皮肝穿刺胆管造影引流（PTCD）治疗后黄疸减轻。结论；对肝移植术后出现的血管和胆管并发症，血管造影和胆管造影不仅可明确诊断，而且能同时工取得较好的近期疗效。