Two cases of chronic pancreatitis with pseudocyst complicated by obstructive jaundice

We recently treated two cases of chronic pancreatitis with obstructive jaundice due to compression of the common bile duct by pancreatic pseudocyst. The two cases were males admitted with the complaint of icteric skin color. The first, a 46-year-old male, admitted with the complaint of icteric skin color. He was treated by operative cystojejunostomy after percutaneous drainage of the pseudocyst and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. The other case was a 58 year-old male who admitted with the complaint of icteric skin color. He had an infected pseudocyst in the pancreas and was endoscopically treated. Both of them were discharged with favorable clinical course and normal laboratory findings after the treatment. The former patient remained well 11 months after treatment, but the latter patient died from necrotizing pancreatitis and septic shock 6 months after treatment. Most cases of obstructive jaundice associated with pseudocysts appear to be due to fibrotic stricture of the intrapancreatic portion of the common bile duct rather than due to compression of the bile duct by the pseudocyst. In a patient with secondary pancreatic infection or obstructive jaundice following pancreatic disease, differentiating between these two conditions is an important aspect of accurate diagnosis and therapy. Herein we report two unusual cases of chronic pancreatitis with pseudocyst complicated by obstructive jaundice.     

Histologic assessment of biliary obstruction with different percutaneous endoluminal techniques

BACKGROUND: Despite the sophisticated cross sectional image techniques currently available, a number of biliary stenosis or obstructions remain of an uncertain nature. In these pathological conditions, an "intrinsic" parietal alteration is the cause of biliary obstruction and it is very difficult to differentiate benign from malignant lesions using cross-sectional imaging procedures alone. We evaluated the efficacy of different endoluminal techniques to achieve a definitive pathological diagnosis in these situations. METHODS: Eighty patients underwent brushing, and or biopsy of the biliary tree through an existing transhepatic biliary drainage route. A subcoort of 12 patients needed balloon-dilatation of the bile duct and the material covering the balloon surface was also sent for pathological examination (balloon surface sampling). Pathological results were compared with surgical findings or with long-term clinical and instrumental follow-ups. Success rates, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, confidential intervals, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the three percutaneous techniques in differentiating benign from malignant disease were assessed.The agreement coefficient of biopsy and brushing with final diagnosis was calculated using the Cohen's "K" value. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients had malignant strictures confirmed by surgery, histology, and by clinical follow-ups. Success rates of brushing, balloon surface sampling, and biopsy were 90.7, 100, and 100%, respectively. The comparative efficacy of brushing, balloon-surface sampling, and biopsy resulted as follows: sensitivity of 47.8, 87.5, and 92.1%, respectively; specificity of 100% for all the techniques; accuracy of 69.2, 91.7 and 93.6%, Positive Predictive Value of 100% for all the procedures and Negative Predictive Value of 55, 80, and 75%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous endoluminal biopsy is more accurate and sensitive than percutaneous bile duct brushing in the detection of malignant diseases (p < 0.01).     

急性胆源性胰腺炎的个体化治疗分析

目的 探讨急性胆源性胰腺炎（ABP）临床个体化治疗方法及效果。方法 回顾性分析34 例ABP患者的临床资料。其中原发病为胆囊结石18例,胆总管结石7例,胆囊结石合并胆总管结石 5 例,未见胆囊及胆管结石但有胆总管扩张表现 4例;轻型急性胰腺炎11 例,重症急性胰腺炎23例。34例均在采用保守治疗的同时实施早期微创治疗,其中经皮肝穿刺胆管引流术（PTCD）15例;胆囊穿刺引流术10例;经内镜逆行胰胆管造影术（ERCP）4例;经皮穿刺胰周引流术＋胆囊穿刺1例,经皮穿刺胰周引流术＋PTCD 4例,其中3例（8.82%）经上述治疗后无缓解施行急诊手术（胆囊切除＋胆总管切开取石＋T管引流术＋胰腺坏死组织清除术＋胰周引流术1例,以及加腹腔减压术2例）。结果 3例急诊手术患者中,2例治愈出院后无ABP再次发作,1例死亡;26例（76.47%）择期手术（胆囊切除术22例、胆囊切除＋胆总管切开＋T管引流术 4例）,随访期间,无ABP再次发作;4例（ 11.76%）患者暂未行手术治疗,随访期间4例中均无ABP再次发作;1例患者微创介入治疗（PTCD）后,住院期间死亡未行手术治疗。全组并发心功能损害15 例（44.12%）,肾功能损害 11 例（32.35%）,肝损害 12例（35.29%）,急性肺部感染9例（26.47%）。治愈32例（94.12%）,死亡2例（5.88%）。结论 对于ABP的治疗应按不同病因和病期采取个体化治疗方案,早期ERCP、超声引导下经皮经肝胆管或胆囊穿刺引流或胰周引流能显著提高疗效。     

Regression of liver fibrosis after biliary drainage in patients with chronic pancreatitis and stenosis of the common bile duct

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstruction of the common bile duct may cause hepatic fibrosis and secondary biliary cirrhosis. METHODS: We studied liver-biopsy specimens from 11 patients with chronic stenosis of the common bile duct due to chronic pancreatitis; all the patients had undergone liver biopsy before or at the time of surgical biliary decompression and underwent a subsequent liver biopsy for various clinical reasons. The patients were followed as part of a prospective study of 501 patients who had been treated for chronic pancreatitis. Two pathologists, who were unaware of the sequence of specimens, graded fibrosis on a scale of 0 (none) to 3 (cirrhosis). RESULTS: The 11 patients were all men. Chronic pancreatitis was due to alcohol abuse in 10 of the men; 1 had idiopathic disease. The median age at diagnosis was 38 years. The median interval between the first and second liver biopsies was 2.5 years (range, 0.3 to 9.0). The two patients who had restenosis of the biliary anastomosis were excluded from the analysis of fibrosis. In the group of nine patients without restenosis, the second specimen showed significant improvement in fibrosis (P=0.01). The fibrosis improved by two grades in two patients and by one grade in four patients; in three patients, the grade did not change. The pathologists agreed on the grading of specimens from 10 of the 11 patients. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with chronic pancreatitis and stenosis of the common bile duct, liver fibrosis may regress after biliary drainage.     

Value of copper-associated protein in diagnostic assessment of liver biopsy.

Of 1361 consecutive liver biopsy specimens, 24% contained orcein-positive granules. The highest incidence of positivity was found in biliary disease (90.9%), long before cirrhosis had developed, whereas in chronic non-primarily biliary disease, positive results were almost exclusively in patients with well established cirrhosis. Orcein-positive granules were never found in acute liver disease. These granules were also demonstrated in tumour cells of primary hepatocellular tumours (benign 4 of 4 cases; malignant 9 of 37 cases), while all the secondary tumour deposits were negative. In our view the additional information obtained by this technique warrants its adoption as a routine procedure.     

Brush cytology of the biliary tract: retrospective study of 278 cases with histopathologic correlation

Bile aspiration during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography has been used as a diagnostic tool in the evaluations of pancreatic and biliary tree strictures for the last two decades. However, recently biliary tract brush cytology has become the method of choice in evaluating pancreatic/biliary tract abnormalities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of pancreatobiliary lesions by an endobiliary cytotechnique. From 1993-1999, 278 pancreatobiliary brushings were performed at our institutions. Cytologic material was air-dried for Diff-Quik stain or fixed in ethanol for Papanicolaou staining. The cytologic diagnoses were classified in three categories: 1) benign, 2) atypical/suspicious, or 3) malignant. Subsequent surgical biopsy was available in 87 (31%) patients. There were 150 males and 128 females with a mean age of 63 yr (range 22-97); 167 (60%) were benign cases. Follow-up surgical material was available in 39 cases, seven of which showed adenocarcinoma; 67 of all cases (24%) were atypical/suspicious cases. Follow-up surgical material was available in 31 cases, 17 (55%) of which showed adenocarcinoma; 32 cases (12%) were malignant cases. Follow-up surgical material was available in 15 cases. All 15 cases were in agreement with the cytologic diagnosis. Twelve (4%) cases were unsatisfactory for cytologic examination. Follow-up surgical material was available in two cases. One case showed mucinous cystadenoma of the pancreas. The other case showed benign duct epithelium. Our study shows a sensitivity of 68% and a specificity of 100%. Of the atypical cases, 55% were malignant on follow-up biopsy. Brush cytology of pancreatobiliary strictures is the most widely used technique in the diagnosis of carcinoma, with a high degree of specificity.     

超声导航技术辅助经皮穿刺胆管置管引流术治疗

目的:探讨超声导航技术辅助经皮穿刺胆管置管引流术治疗的临床效果。方法:选择收治的60例恶性梗阻性黄疸患者,划分为30例/组,两组均行经皮穿刺胆管置管引流术,对照组采取X线辅助,观察组采取超声导航技术辅助,比较两组的穿刺成功率、穿刺时间、穿刺次数、生命体征指标、疼痛评分、舒适度评分、并发症发生率、胆汁引流量、肝功能指标。结果:（1）统计首次穿刺和首二次穿刺的成功率,观察组均较对照组高（P<0.05）;（2）统计单次穿刺和总穿刺时间,观察组均较对照组短（P<0.05）,其穿刺次数,观察组也较对照组少（P<0.05）;（3）对照组穿刺前与穿刺后的心率、血压等生命体征指标均发生明显改变（P<0.05）,而观察组穿刺前与穿刺后的生命体征指标均未发生明显改变（P>0.05）;（4）穿刺时及穿刺后,观察组的疼痛评分均较对照组更低（P<0.05）,其舒适度评分均较对照组更高（P<0.05）;（5）并发症总发生率分别为0%（观察组）、13.33%（对照组）,观察组较对照组更低（P<0.05）;（6）术后第1天、第2天、第3天,观察组与对照组的胆汁引流量比较,差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;（7）组内AST、ALT、TBIL等肝功能指标比较,两组手术后均较手术前降低（P<0.05）。结论:利用超声导航技术,完成经皮穿刺胆管置管引流术的实施,实现对恶性梗阻性黄疸患者的胆汁予以充分引流,改善肝功能,还可提高穿刺成功率,减少穿刺耗时和次数,减轻穿刺疼痛感,减少并发症的发生。     

Pulmonary bile emboli. Sequelae of iatrogenic trauma

A 58-year-old man manifested obstructive jaundice secondary to adenocarcinoma of the common hepatic duct. The markedly icteric patient underwent multiple diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, including percutaneous needle biopsy of the liver, curettage, catheterization and washing of the hepatic ducts, and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography. Three months later the patient died of a bleeding gastric ulcer. Autopsy confirmed the presence of adenocarcinoma of the common hepatic duct. Microscopic examination of the lungs disclosed numerous bile emboli in the smaller arteries, arterioles, and in a few alveolar capillaries. Histochemical reaction of the emboli was positive for bilirubin. Organizing fibrin was seen around occasional bile emboli, but most were without microscopic reaction. Review of the literature disclosed nine cases of pulmonary bile embolism, six of which had a history of marked cholestasis and trauma to the liver, like the present patient. Bile reaches the systemic circulation through a biliary-venous fistula that, in our case, was probably iatrogenic.     

Two cases of common bile duct stone after liver transplantation

Biliary complications after orthotopic liver transplants are a continuing cause of morbidity and mortality. Biliary stones and sludge are less well known complications of hepatic transplantation, although they have long been recognized. Recently we experienced two cases of biliary stones developed after liver transplantation. One 32-year-old male, who frequently admitted due to recurrent cholangitis, was treated with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage and choledochojejunostomy with cholecystectomy. The other 58-year-old male, who had stones in commone bile duct, was treated by endoscopic manipulation. They are in good condition without recurrent bile duct stones or its accompanying complications. Although stones and sludge are relatively infrequent after liver transplantation, surgical or interventional radiologic treatments are usually performed for treatment.     

恶性梗阻性黄疸的介入治疗

目的探讨恶性梗阻性黄疸的介入治疗方法及其疗效。方法对256例恶性梗阻性黄疸患者,施用经皮经肝穿刺胆道引流术(PTCD)加金属内支架置入术或结合局部动脉化疗术,共使用256条外引流管和256枚金属内支架。结果 256例患者采用经皮经肝穿刺置入外引流管及支架置入术,均一次置入成功。术后总胆红素、直接胆红素、碱性磷酸酶均明显下降。术后256例患者黄疸消退满意;112例黄疸消退,并于术后4周行局部灌注化疗术。结论经皮经肝穿刺胆道外引流加内支架置入术是姑息性治疗恶性梗阻性黄疸的安全、有效方法,结合局部动脉灌注化疗,能提高患者的生命质量及延长生存期。     

Mesothelin is overexpressed in pancreaticobiliary adenocarcinomas but not in normal pancreas and chronic pancreatitis

Mesothelin, a cell surface glycoprotein present on normal mesothelial cells, has been reported to be expressed in pancreatic adenocarcinomas. We conducted this study to fully characterize mesothelin expression in surgically resected, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue specimens of 18 pancreatic adenocarcinomas, 9 adenocarcinomas of the ampulla of Vater, 12 adenocarcinomas of the common bile duct, and 17 cases of chronic pancreatitis. Mesothelin immunostaining was performed using the antimesothelin monoclonal antibody 5B2. All 18 cases (100%) of pancreatic adenocarcinomas showed mesothelin expression, as did 8 (89%) of 9 cases of ampullar adenocarcinoma and all 12 cases (100%) of common bile duct adenocarcinoma. In all cases of pancreaticobiliary adenocarcinoma, the adjacent normal pancreas did not stain for mesothelin. Of 17 specimens of chronic pancreatitis, 16 were negative for mesothelin expression, and 1 case showed weak mesothelin staining of fewer than 5% of normal pancreatic ducts. Our results demonstrated mesothelin expression in the majority of pancreaticobiliary adenocarcinomas and no expression in normal pancreatic tissues and in chronic pancreatitis.     

急性胆源性胰腺炎的临床治疗探讨

目的:探讨提高急性胆源性胰腺炎(acute biliary pancreatitis,ABP)疗效的治疗方法.方法:本组共48例ABP患者,其中胆道梗阻性11例、非梗阻性37例.对梗阻性ABP患者采取早期急诊手术治疗,手术方式为胆囊切除、胆总管切开取石、T管引流,胰腺包膜切开引流、胰腺坏死组织和感染灶清除;对非梗阻性ABP患者早期采取非手术治疗.结果:非梗阻性ABP 37例,其中34例经非手术治疗痊愈;3例出现体温升高、病情恶化者急诊手术,2例痊愈,1例死于多器官功能衰竭.11例梗阻性ABP行急诊手术治疗,发生并发症5例,均治愈.结论:急性胆源性胰腺炎的治疗应遵循个体化原则,对伴有胆道梗阻者早期宜行急诊手术,其它类型的急性胆源性胰腺炎早期宜非手术治疗.选择正确的治疗方法,把握恰当的手术时机,可提高治愈率,降低病死率.     

Radiological Management of Obstructive Jaundice

Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTHBD) is a new interventional radiologic procedure that can be applied in the management of malignant or benign biliary obstruction. PTHBD can be (1) retrograde, whereby bile is drained externally through a catheter and collected in a bag; (2) antegrade, whereby the obstructing lesion, usually a carcinoma of the pancreas, is bypassed with a catheter and bile is drained internally into the duodenum; or (3) a combination of both. PTHBD may be a definitive palliative procedure or a preoperative biliary decompressive modality when subsequent surgery or radiation therapy is planned. The experience at Howard University Hospital with this modality is reviewed; its indications, contraindications, and complications are discussed; and a limited review of the literature is offered. With the increasing incidence of pancreatic carcinoma in our patient population, PTHBD is bound to play an increasing role.     

De novo perihilar cholangiocarcinoma arising in the allograft liver 15 years post‐transplantation for biliary atresia

Most primary liver cancers diagnosed in allograft livers are recurrent tumors of the native liver origin, while donor‐derived primary liver cancers are markedly less common. A 21‐year‐old woman who had liver transplantation for post‐Kasai biliary atresia was recently referred for post‐transplant biliary stricture. Her transplantation was performed at the age of 6 years using the whole liver graft from a 10‐year‐old donor and choledocho‐jejunostomy. The post‐transplant course was uneventful in the first 15 years until she presented with obstructive jaundice. The stricture was located at the level of the hepaticojejunostomy, and required percutaneous transhepatic drainage and bile duct dilatation. She underwent an exploratory laparotomy, which suggested a neoplastic process widely involving the extrahepatic and intrahepatic large bile ducts. The histological examination of the resected extrahepatic bile duct confirmed infiltrating moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. Molecular tests of multiple short tandem repeat loci confirmed the donor origin of the tumor. After four cycles of chemotherapy with gemicitabine and cisplatin, she is currently on radiotherapy in view of potential re‐transplantation. De novo, post‐transplant cholangiocarcinoma of graft origin is extremely uncommon with only three other cases reported. Two were associated with recurrent primary sclerosing cholangitis, and all had choledocho‐jejunostomy at the time of transplantation.     

Immunohistochemical labeling for the Dpc4 gene product is a specific marker for adenocarcinoma in biopsy specimens of the pancreas and bile duct.

We immunohistochemically labeled 72 biopsy specimens from the extrahepatic biliary tree and pancreas for Dpc4 protein and correlated expression with histologic diagnosis and patient follow-up. Specimens were classified histologically as follows: nonneoplastic, 35; neoplastic, 22; atypical, 15. Loss of expression of Dpc4 protein was identified in 12 specimens; 11 were histologically diagnostic of carcinoma. The 12th specimen was from a patient whose biopsy specimen initially was diagnosed as "atypical," but clinical follow-up revealed adenocarcinoma. Of the 12 atypical biopsy specimens with intact expression for Dpc4, follow-up later revealed that 10 were adenocarcinoma. Loss of expression of Dpc4 protein was never identified in a benign specimen. Immunohistochemical labeling for the Dpc4 gene product is a specific marker of carcinoma in biopsy specimens of the pancreas and extrahepatic bile ducts and is marginally helpful in classifying atypical specimens. The sensitivity for carcinoma is low. This latter finding is not unexpected, because the DPC4 tumor suppressor gene is inactivated in only about half of pancreatic and biliary malignant neoplasms. Importantly, loss of Dpc4 expression has been reported in in situ carcinomas, suggesting that loss of expression should not be equated with invasive carcinoma.     

Biliary tract cytology in specimens obtained by direct cholangiographic procedures: A study of 74 cases

A retrospective review of bile (BL) and biliary tract brushings (Br) obtained by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) was undertaken to determine the sensitivity and specificity of cytology in the diagnosis of pancreaticobiliary malignancies. A total of 104 cytologic specimens (PTC-BL 15, PTC-Br 13, ERCP-BL 8, ERCP-Br 68) received between 1990 and mid-1994 from 77 patients who had undergone ERCP and/or PTC primarily for biliary stricture were reviewed. Specimens were unsatisfactory/inadequate in 11 (10.6%), benign in 41 (39.4%), suspicious in 25 (24%), and positive for malignant cells in 27 (26%). Follow-up was available in 74/77 patients; 46 (59.7%) had tissue confirmation while 28 (32.5%) had adequate clinical follow-up based on chart review. Of those with histologic confirmation, there were 32 malignant and 14 benign cases. The overall sensitivity and specificity of PTC- and ERCP-obtained cytologic specimens were 88.9 and 95.7% respectively. There was only one false positive case (ERCP-Br). Overall positive predictive value was 96%, negative predictive value 88%, and accuracy 96%. PTC had a significantly lower sensitivity rate (42.8%) and higher rate for unsatisfactory specimens (21%) compared with ERCP-obtained material (100 and 1.9%). Bile obtained by PTC or ERCP appeared less sensitive in detecting malignancies compared with endoscopic brushing using either technique (BL 50% vs. Br 100%). All three false negative cases were PTC-BL specimens. Of the 17 suspicious cases, eight were confirmed histologically as malignant, four were clinically consistent with malignancy, and five showed marked inflammatory atypia on biopsy. Positive predictive value and accuracy rate of a “suspicious cytology” diagnosis were 69 and 80.5%, respectively. Inadequate specimen, poor cellular preservation, and cells obscured by bile all interfere with proper cytologic evaluation. Experience is necessary to appreciate subtle malignant changes in well differentiated carcinomas. Communication between the cytopathologist and the clinician is critical in the accurate interpretation and proper management of the patients. Diagn Cytopathol 1996;14:334–348. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Detection of Helicobacter DNA in bile from bile duct diseases.

Several species of Helicobacter colonize the hepatobiliary tract of animals and cause hepatobiliary diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate Helicobacter found in the biliary tract diseases of humans. Thirty-two bile samples (15 from bile duct cancer, 6 from pancreatic head cancer, and 11 from intrahepatic duct stone) were obtained by percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. Polymerase chain reaction analysis using Helicobacter specific urease A gene and 16S rRNA primers, bile pH measurement, and Helicobacter culture were performed. Helicobacter DNA was detected in 37.5%, and 31.3% by PCR with ureA gene, and 16S rRNA, respectively. The bile pH was not related to the presence of Helicobacter. The cultures were not successful. In conclusion, Helicobacter can be detected in the bile of patients with bile duct diseases. The possibility of pathogenesis of biliary tract diseases in humans by these organisms will be further investigated.     

81例CT引导下经皮肺穿刺活检标本临床病理结果

目的:分析CT引导下经皮肺穿刺活检标本的临床病理学及免疫组织化学诊断,结合血清肿瘤标志物检测探讨其对肺部占位性病变的诊断价值.方法:回顾性分析81例肺部占位性病变患者CT引导下肺穿刺活检标本病理学、25例免疫组织化学诊断及73例血清肿瘤标志物癌胚抗原(carcinoembryonic antigen,CEA),细胞角蛋白19片段(cytokeratin-19-fragment,CYFRA21-1),神经元特异性烯醇化酶(neuron-specific enolase,NSE)检测结果.结果:81例CT引导下肺穿刺活检标本组织病理学诊断率为96.3％,其中恶性病变53例(腺癌29例,鳞癌20例,小细胞癌1例,未明确类型的非小细胞肺癌1例,其他类型肺癌1例,胸腺恶性肿瘤1例);良性病变25例(炎性包块7例,结核5例,肺炎7例,硅沉着病3例,炎性假瘤2例,神经鞘瘤1例);25例行免疫组织化学检查的病例中诊断恶性肿瘤24例(腺癌13例,鳞癌8例,小细胞癌1例,未确定分型2例),其中P63及CK5/6在鳞癌阳性率为87.5％,TTF-1及CK-7在腺癌阳性率为69.2％和76.9％,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);CEA,CYF RA21-1,NSE及3项联合对肺癌诊断的灵敏度分别为54.9％,68.6％,37.3％,80.4％.结论:CT引导下经皮肺穿刺活检标本病理诊断阳性率高,结合免疫组织化学及血清肿瘤标志物联合检测可为肺癌的诊断及病理分型提供辅助性参考依据.     

Lack of specificity of monoclonal antibody B72.3 in distinguishing chronic pancreatitis from pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Making the morphologic distinction between chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic adenocarcinoma is a diagnostic challenge in small biopsy specimens and fine-needle aspiration samples. It has been suggested that immunohistochemical evaluation for the tumor-associated glycoprotein-72 antigen recognized by the monoclonal antibody B72.3 may be helpful in this setting. Formalin-fixed, routinely processed, paraffin-embedded tissue from 29 known cases of chronic pancreatitis and 31 cases of pancreatic adenocarcinoma were evaluated for reactivity with monoclonal antibody B72.3 using a standard avidin-biotin complex technique. Positive staining was seen in 26 of 31 adenocarcinomas (84%) and in 6 of 29 cases (21%) of chronic pancreatitis. Although monoclonal antibody B72.3 is more commonly reactive with pancreatic adenocarcinoma than with chronic pancreatitis, too many cases of chronic pancreatitis are reactive with this antibody for it to be useful as a diagnostic adjunct.