Effect of cholecystectomy on common bile duct diameters: a longitudinal prospective ultrasonographic study

The medium-term effect of cholecystectomy on common bile duct diameters (CBD) was investigated prospectively in 64 patients with gallstone disease examined by ultrasonography immediately before and 27 months to 39 months after the operation. In 32 patients with chronic cholecystitis and patent cystic ducts, CBD diameters increased slightly (median 4.6 mm pre- and 5.3 mm postoperatively; p less than 0.05). A group of 19 patients with acute cholecystitis or cystic duct occlusion showed a significant decrease (median 7.7 mm pre- and 5.5 mm postoperatively; p less than 0.05). In 13 patients with common bile duct stones, the CBD diameters also decreased significantly after surgical intervention (median 7.5 mm pre- and 5.0 mm postoperatively; p less than 0.05). The widest CBD diameter after cholecystectomy observed in this study was 10 mm. We conclude that either increases or decreases of the CBD diameters may occur after cholecystectomy in patients with calculous gallbladder disease, and that the postoperative evolution is governed by the exact nature of the underlying biliary disease at the time of the index operation.     

Effect of aging on the adult extrahepatic bile duct: a sonographic study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the size of the extrahepatic bile duct increases with age in adults. METHODS: We prospectively collected data on 251 patients aged 20 years or older who underwent abdominal sonography. None of the patients had a history of liver, gallbladder, biliary, or pancreatic disease or surgery. The extrahepatic bile duct was measured at 3 locations: in the porta hepatis, in the most distal aspect of the head of the pancreas, and midway between these points. Least squares linear regression was used to correlate patient age and the size of the extrahepatic bile duct. RESULTS: There were 126 men and 125 women aged 20 to 94 years (mean +/- SD, 52.5 +/- 17.63 years). Twelve percent of the study population were younger than 30 years, and 12% were older than 80 years. The mean diameters of the common bile duct in the 3 locations were as follows: proximal, 3.39 +/- 1.14 mm; middle, 3.72 +/- 1.28 mm; and distal, 4.28 +/- 1.18 mm. The overall mean for all measures was 3.66 +/- 1.15 mm. The width of the common bile duct ranged from 1.0 to 8.6 mm. There was a significant correlation between common bile duct size and age (r = 0.535; P < .001). Mean common bile duct sizes were 3.128 +/- 0.862 mm in the patients younger than 50 years and 4.19 +/- 1.15 mm in the patients older than 50 years (P < .001 by independent t test for equality of means). We have found that the duct gradually dilated 0.04 mm/y. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed an age-dependent change in the diameter of the extrahepatic bile duct. We suggest that the upper normal limit of the duct in elderly persons be set at 8.5 mm.     

Common bile duct distensibility after cholecystectomy

To assess the possibility of common bile duct distensibility after cholecystectomy, we made a retrospective study of patients who had ultrasonography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The study comprised 52 patients without extrahepatic biliary obstruction; 19 had had cholecystectomy, 18 of whom complained of biliary colic similar to that they had had originally. The other 33 patients had intact, well visualized gallbladders; 15 of these patients had pain in the right upper quadrant or epigastrium, but none had chronic pancreatitis. The average diameter of the common bile duct at its widest point by ultrasonography was 4.8 mm (range, 4.0 to 9.0 mm) in the 33 patients with intact gallbladders, and 5.7 mm (range, 4.0 to 8.0 mm) in the 19 patients who had had cholecystectomy. The diameter by ERCP was 4.4 mm (range, 2.9 to 6.3 mm) in the patients with intact gallbladders, and 11.17 mm (range, 6.9 to 14.7 mm) in the patients who had had cholecystectomy. In each patient who had had cholecystectomy the diameter as measured by ERCP was larger than it appeared by ultrasonography. The results suggest that the common bile duct is distensible, and that this distensibility may be related to the postcholecystectomy syndrome.     

Histopathological studies on intrahepatic bile ducts in the vicinity of porta hepatis in biliary atresia.

Intrahepatic bile ducts in the vicinity of the porta hepatis were histologically investigated in 9 cases of biliary atresia and the pattern of bile duct was divided into two groups. In the first group, there were a few large bile ducts which had continuity to the extrahepatic bile duct. In the second group, many small bile ducts were histologically observed, but there was no large bile duct at the porta hepatis. This type of abnormal bile ducts was seen in the cases of obliteration of bile ducts at porta hepatis.     

Endoscopic evaluation of the porta hepatis in patients with biliary atresia

Endoscopic inspection of the porta hepatis was undertaken through external enterostomy in nine postoperative patients with biliary atresia. The endoscopic appearance of bile flow in the porta hepatis was classified into three types. 1) Ductal type (D-type), which revealed good bile flow from distinct bile duct orifices (4 cases); 2) Oozing type (O-type), which showed adequate bile flow, but no definite bile duct (3 cases); and 3) Covered type (C-type), in which the porta hepatis was covered with bile "clots" and fibrous tissue (2 cases). The clinical course of the D-type was excellent with immediate disappearance of jaundice and relatively good liver function. In the case of the O-type, jaundice disappeared in 2 but persisted in one. Two patients with C-type died of hepatic failure or sepsis in the early postoperative period. In the D-type intrahepatic bile ducts were well visualized by cholangiography; however, those of the O-type were not so clear. Endoscopic inspection of the porta hepatis is very useful for evaluation of the postoperative state of bilioenteric fistulae in patients with biliary atresia.     

Effect of aging on common bile duct diameter: a real-time ultrasonographic study

Using a high-resolution real-time scanner, a technique has been established in our laboratory for visualizing the entire extrahepatic bile duct with multiple longitudinal oblique approaches and, if necessary, several transverse scans through the pancreatic head. To determine the normal size of the extrahepatic bile duct and to evaluate the effect of aging on the duct diameter, 256 healthy subjects and patients without hepatobiliary disease were examined using this technique from January to August, 1982. The entire extrahepatic duct was detected in 203. The inner diameter of the widest point of the duct varied from 1 mm to 10 mm, and was found to be age-dependent (r = 0.60, P less than 0.001). It is concluded that, based on the visualization of the entire extrahepatic duct echographically, the normal inner diameter of common bile duct can be up to 10 mm, and there is a mild change of duct size with age.     

肝门部冷冻对肝脏血流动力学影响的实验研究

目的：探讨第一肝门深低温冷冻对肝脏血流动力学的影响。方法：选健康小猪１５只,实验组８只,阻断肝门,用冷冻头深低温冷冻第一肝门。对照组７只,仅阻断肝门。以彩色多普勒观察肝动脉及门静脉血流动力学变化,同时做肝功能及肝脏病理检查。结果：实验组动物术后肝动脉阻力指数、搏动指数增加,肝动脉、门静脉血流减慢、血流量减少,肝动脉、门静脉结构无明显改变;胆管系统不可逆损伤;肝功能进行性损害。结论：深低温冷冻第一肝门会严重影响肝动脉、门静脉血流动力学     

Emergency liver resection for combined biliary and vascular injury following laparoscopic cholecystectomy: case report and review of the literature

A 75-year-old woman suffering from symptomatic cholelithiasis was admitted to our hospital for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Intraoperatively, because of severe inflammation and dense adhesions in the region of the Calot triangle and bleeding arising from the porta hepatis which obscured the operating field, the method was converted to a conventional open approach. Copious hemostasis was achieved using sutures, clips and diathermy, and no bile duct or vascular injuries were recognized intraoperatively. Because of severe right upper quadrant abdominal pain and significant deterioration of the liver function tests (LFTs) on the first postoperative day, the patient underwent a Doppler ultrasound scan which showed absence of blood flow at the level of porta hepatis. Urgent relaparotomy revealed an ischemic liver on the right, a transected common bile duct at the level of its confluence, a divided and ligated right hepatic artery and thrombosed portal vein down to its confluence. Thrombectomy and reconstruction of the portal vein were performed to salvage the left hemiliver, and after restoration of blood flow to the left hemiliver, a right hemihepatectomy and a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy on the left were performed. Liver resection serves an important role in the case of parenchymal necrosis due to combined biliary, hepatic artery and portal vein injury following laparoscopic cholecystectomy and moreover, the operation can be safely performed in the acute setting.     

Obesity is associated with aortic enlargement and increased stiffness: an echocardiographic study

Background Obesity may be associated with early vascular changes. The current study was designed to assess the relationship between obesity and aortic stiffness in two populations, one aged 18–40 years and one aged 41–64 years. Methods The study complied 121 subjects, all of them underwent a physical examination, transthoracic echocardiography and blood pressure measurement. Aortic stiffness index (β) was evaluated from aortic diameter and blood pressure data. Results β was higher in obese subjects both in the young (4.26 ± 1.57 vs. 6.88 ± 5.96, P < 0.05) and old patient populations (7.13 ± 4.99 vs. 14.89 ± 14.64, P < 0.05). Systolic (SD) aortic diameters (in mm) were enlarged in obese young patients (25.7 ± 2.8 vs. 27.1 ± 2.5, P < 0.05) and obese old subjects (28.0 ± 3.0 vs. 30.3 ± 3.3, P < 0.05). Diastolic (DD) aortic diameter (in mm) showed similar tendency in youngs (22.8 ± 2.9 vs. 24.9 ± 2.5, P < 0.05) and old subjects (25.9 ± 2.7 vs. 28.0 ± 3.1, P < 0.05). Conclusions Aortic stiffness is higher in young obese patients and similar to older subjects without obesity. Both SD and DD are increasing with age, but subjects within similar age group have larger SD and DD suggesting early vascular remodelling in obesity.     

婴儿先天性肝门部囊性占位的超声鉴别

目的探讨超声用于鉴别先天性囊肿型胆道闭锁和胆总管囊肿的应用价值。方法随机选取2016年6月~2017年6月我院收治的肝门区囊肿患儿31例,所有患儿均接受超声检查及手术治疗,依据手术结果将这些患儿分为囊肿型胆道闭锁组（n=15）和胆总管囊肿组（n=16）,对两组患儿的肝内胆管扩张、肝门部纤维块、胆囊内胆泥沉积、胆囊形态异常、胆囊收缩不良发生情况、肝动脉内径、胆囊大小、囊肿体积进行统计分析。结果囊肿型胆道闭锁组患儿的肝内胆管扩张、胆囊内胆泥沉积发生率0%、6.7%（1/15）均显著低于胆总管囊肿组75.0%（12/16）、50.0%（8/16）（P<0.05）,肝门部纤维块、胆囊形态异常、胆囊收缩不良发生率80.0%（12/15）、86.7%（13/15）、73.3%（11/15）均显著高于胆总管囊肿组0%、6.3%（1/16）、12.5%（2/16）（P<0.05）,肝动脉内径长于胆总管囊肿组（P<0.05）,囊肿体积小于胆总管囊肿组（P<0.05）,胆囊宽径短于胆总管囊肿组（P<0.05）,但两组患儿的胆囊长径之间的差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论超声用于鉴别先天性囊肿型胆道闭锁和胆总管囊肿的应用价值高。     

肝胆管结石合并肝门部胆管狭窄手术方式与疗效分析

目的 :分析肝胆管结石合并肝门部胆管狭窄的手术治疗方式与疗效的关系。方法 :回顾性分析 12 4例肝胆管结石合并肝门部胆管狭窄的术式及疗效。结果 :12 4例中 12 0例 (96 .8% )术后获得随访 ,随访时间为 6个月～ 2 0年 5个月 ,平均为 7年10个月。采取肝方叶切除、肝胆管切开取石、整形、高位胆肠吻合术式的 87例与采用其它术式的 37例比较 ,残石率、结石复发率及优良率分别为 19.8%和 38.9% (P <0 .0 5 ) ,7.7%和 2 2 .7% (P <0 .0 1) ,92 .0 %和 6 7.6 % (P <0 .0 1)。结论 :肝方叶切除是治疗肝胆管结石合并肝门部胆管狭窄的有效手段 ,采取肝方叶切除、肝胆管切开取石、整形、高位胆肠吻合术可明显提高病人的疗效。     

The normal retrograde cholangiogram: a definition of normal caliber

Purpose: To evaluate normal retrograde cholangiograms to determine a normal range of ductal calibers and identify its variation with age. Materials and methods: The retrograde cholangiograms of 136 patients (age range: 17–84 years; mean age 49.8 years ± 17.3 [standard deviation]) with clinical follow-up and subsequent studies suggesting normal biliary trees were evaluated. Patients with previous cholecystectomy, choledocholithiasis, or pancreatitis were excluded. Common bile duct (CBD) and common hepatic duct (CHD) sizes were measured. Results: Measurements uncorrected for radiographic magnification of CBD revealed a mean of 8.5 mm ± 2.7 mm [standard deviation] and CHD had a mean of 8.1 mm ± 2.6 mm. There was an increase in CBD caliber by 0.5 mm per decade of increasing age (p < 0.001) and an increase in CHD caliber by 0.35 mm per decade of age (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The range of normal cholangiographic bile duct caliber is wide and a CBD caliber of 13.9 mm occurs at the top of this range (mean plus two standard deviations). There is a small but statistically significant trend of ductal dilatation with advancing age. Received: 13 December 1995/Accepted after revision: 24 April 1996     

Pancreaticobiliary disorders: comparison between magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography images before and after fentanyl injection

Objective

This study was designed to determine the effects of intravenous fentanyl on magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography image quality in the treatment of pancreaticobiliary disorders.

Materials and methods

Forty consecutive patients referred for the evaluation of pancreaticobiliary disorders underwent magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in the coronal and oblique–coronal planes before and after fentanyl injection (every 2 up to 9 min). The images were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Diameter and signal intensity were measured at the widest point and distal to the common bile duct and main pancreatic duct.

Results

The mean common bile duct diameters at the widest and distal points and mean pancreatic duct diameter were measured 7.53, 4.72, and 2.14 and 8.33, 5.35, and 2.57 before and after fentanyl injection, respectively. Mean signal intensity at the widest and distal point of the common bile duct and mean pancreatic duct signal intensity measured 278, 199, and 113 and 296, 218, and 121 before and after fentanyl injection, respectively. Minor improvements in image quality were detected qualitatively.

Conclusion

Fentanyl injection improves images qualitatively and quantitatively. In agreement with previous studies, our results confirm the beneficial effects of fentanyl as a simple adjunct to traditional magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography.     

Common bile duct measurements in an elderly population.

We prospectively evaluated the diameter of the common bile duct in 1,018 patients between the ages of 60 to 96 over a 4 year period to determine if there is a significant change in its size with aging. All of the patients included in the study were being evaluated primarily for carotid or peripheral vascular disease. Any patients with a history of biliary disease (i.e., bilirubin level greater than 1.5 mg/ml, cholecystectomy, or cholelithiasis) were excluded. Ultrasonography of the common bile duct was performed only in those patients with no subjective abdominal pain or icterus. Our results demonstrated a small although statistically significant increase in the caliber of the common bile duct with increasing age (60 years old or less, mean diameter 3.6 mm +/- 0.2mm, versus over 85 years old, mean diameter 4 mm +/- 0.2 mm, P = 0.009). Although the common bile duct did increase in size with aging, 98% of all ducts remained below 6 to 7 mm, the commonly accepted upper range of normal.     

Angiographically uncertain left main coronary artery narrowings: correlation with multidetector computed tomography and intravascular ultrasound

Background Angiographic assessment of left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenosis is often difficult and unreliable. To date, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is used to determine the significance of lesions in patients with LMCA stenosis of uncertain significance. We aimed to prospectively show the ability of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) to assess LMCA luminal and plaque dimensions, and to characterize atherosclerotic plaque, as compared to IVUS and quantitative coronary angiography (QCA), in patients with angiographically uncertain LMCA stenosis. Methods Twenty patients, with angiographically uncertain LMCA stenosis, underwent coronary evaluation with IVUS, QCA and 16-slice MDCT. Minimal lumen diameter (MLD), minimal lumen area (MLA), lumen area stenosis (LAS) and plaque burden (PB) were assessed. Results The MLD (median [interquartile range]) was 3.2 mm (2.5–3.7) by IVUS, 2.8 mm (2.3–3.3) by QCA (r = 0.52, P < 0.05), and 2.8 mm (2.5–3.8) by MDCT (r = 0.77, P < 0.01). MDCT estimated MLA as 10.7 mm² (7.1–12.6) Vs. 9.9 mm² (6.5–13.5) by IVUS (r = 0.93, P < 0.01). Very high correlations were observed between MDCT and IVUS in assessing LAS (mean ± SD) (25.8 ± 19.1% and 29.0 ± 24.9% respectively, r = 0.83, P < 0.01), and PB (49.2 ± 15.8% and 49.2 ± 19.7% respectively, r = 0.94, P < 0.01). MDCT assigned plaque as being non-calcified with a sensitivity of 100%, while calcified plaques with a sensitivity of 75%. Conclusion A high degree of correlation was found between MDCT and IVUS regarding the assessment of minimal lumen diameter and area, lumen area stenosis and plaque burden as well as plaque characterization in patients with angiographically borderline LMCA stenosis. Therefore, in patients selected for non-invasive coronary tree evaluation, MDCT may provide a valuable tool for the assessment, decision-making and follow-up of patients with uncertain LMCA disease.     

MRC在评价胆系术后胆道并发症的应用价值

目的探讨磁共振胆道造影(MRC)在评价胆系手术后胆道并发症的应用价值。方法24例经临床和手术证实的胆系术后胆道并发症患者,行MR常规扫描同时行磁共振胆道造影检查。采用快速自旋回波重T2WI三维数据采集,最大信号强度投影(MIP)重建。结果胆-肠吻合术后吻合口狭窄4例,MRC表现为截断状、鼠尾状或串珠状狭窄。胆-肠吻合术后吻合口瘘2例,MRC能显示吻合口瘘道。胆囊切除加胆总管切开取石术后胆总管残留结石8例,胆总管狭窄4例,表现为边缘光滑锐利杯口状低信号充盈缺损,以及胆总管局限性、节段性狭窄。腹腔镜胆囊切除术后胆总管狭窄5例,胆瘘1例,表现为胆囊管平面胆总管向心性变窄,以及胆囊管残端过短,往往小于5mm。结论MRC作为一种非侵入性成像技术,能准确评价胆系术后胆道系统的各种并发症,具有很高的临床应用价值。     

Relation between dicrotic notch and mean pulmonary artery pressure studied by using a Swan-Ganz catheter in critically ill patients

Objective: It has been recently shown that there is a match between dicrotic notch and mean pulmonary artery (PA) pressures in spontaneously breathing patients studied by means of high-fidelity pressure catheters. The aim of the study was to analyze the relation between mean PA pressure and PA pressure at the incisura by using a Swan-Ganz catheter in critically ill, mechanically ventilated patients. Measurements and results: Fluid-filled PA pressures were obtained over four ventilatory cycles in 32 consecutive, mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care unit. We measured mean PA pressure and dicrotic notch pressure. We also calculated the widely used approximation of mean PA pressure (mean PAP_approx = diastolic + 1/3 pulse pressure). Cardiac output was measured in triplicate by using the thermodilution technique. Dicrotic notch was clearly identified in 30 of 32 patients. Mean PA pressure (32.1 ± 10.2 mm Hg) and PA dicrotic notch pressure (31.8 ± 10.4 mm Hg) were linearly related (r = 0.989, p < 0.001). Agreement between dicrotic notch and mean PA pressures was suggested (mean difference ± SD = − 0.3 ± 1.5 mm Hg). Similar agreement was found between mean PAP_approx and mean PA pressure (mean difference ± SD = − 0.7 ± 0.8 mm Hg; p = 0.20). Conclusion: By using a Swan-Ganz catheter we found that dicrotic notch pressure equalled mean PA pressure in the critically ill, mechanically ventilated patients studied. This indicated that right-sided ejection was completed at a PA pressure equal to mean PA pressure in these patients. Received: 2 June 1997 Accepted: 29 October 1997     

Interhepatic duct: A new biliary anomaly

True accessory bile ducts occur in only 1% of patients. An accessory bile duct connecting the right and left hepatic ducts at the porta hepatis is described. This anomaly has never been reported previously, and was clinically significant in the presence of partial obstruction of an anomalous right hepatic duct by stones. The embryologic origin of this duct, which we term an interhepatic duct, is uncertain.     

Relationship between portal blood flow measured by image-directed doppler ultrasonography and hepatic blood flow measured by indocyanine green constant infusion in patients with cirrhosis

The validity of portal blood flow measurement in image-directed Doppler ultrasound (PBF-IDU) is still under debate. In this study PBF-IDU has been compared with hepatic blood flow measured by the indocyanine green constant infusion technique (HBF-ICG), which is the reference invasive method with which to measure total hepatic blood flow in man (ie, the sum of hepatic artery and portal vein blood flow). In 27 cirrhotic patients with hepatopetal portal blood flow, PBF-IDU was measured by multiplying the portal vein cross-sectional area by the averaged mean velocity of blood in the vessel. About 1 hour later HBF-ICG was measured during hepatic vein catheterization performed to evaluate portal hypertension. In 19 of 27 patients, intra-hepatic arterial resistance indices were also measured. PBF-IDU and HBF-ICG were 1.010 ± 0.555 L/min (M ± SD) and 1.496 ± 0.731 L/min, respectively. Blood flow measured by the two methods showed a close correlation (r = 0.80, p < 0.001). The regression line showed that HBF-ICG was systematically higher than PBF-IDU (mean difference + 29 ± 30%). The hepatic artery component of HBF-ICG probably accounted for the difference. An inverse correlation was found between the differences between the two procedures and intrahepatic arterial resistance indices (r = ?0.52, p = 0.04), which may be considered indirect parameters of arterial supply. It can be concluded that image-directed Doppler ultrasound is a sufficiently accurate method to measure portal blood flow in cirrhotics. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

转化生长因子β1在胆管吻合口狭窄病理过程中的作用

目的：研究在损伤性胆管狭窄病理过程中转化生长因子β1（TGF-β1）的作用。方法：实验用斑马猪24只,随机分成3组。空白对照组（C组）仅游离胆管20mm,以缝合针扎孔1周。手术对照组（S组）游离胆管20mm,切除约5mm,行端端吻合,T型管引流。手术治疗组（T组）依S组方式手术,并经Oddi′s括约肌置Forley导尿管（8号）至吻合口上15mm引流胆汁并支撑,气囊注水阻断胆汁流经吻合口以减轻瘢痕增生。术后12周取标本,HE染色分析术部瘢痕增生、吻合口内径与其近端10mm胆管内径比值,免疫组化法分析各组TGF-β1表达情况。结果：S组及T组处理部位均有瘢痕增生,吻合口管壁厚度分别为1.7±0.2mm和1.0±0.3mm,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。T组及S组吻合口内径较C组均有所减小,两组吻合口内径与其近端胆管内径比值分别为0.89±0.15和0.68±0.17,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。C组仅有少量TGF-β1表达,10个高倍视野平均阳性细胞数为13,T组表达有所增加,高倍视野阳性数为16,但差异均无统计学意义（P〉0.05）,而S组的表达增加较明显,高倍视野阳性数为37,较前两组的差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论：TGF-β1参与胆管吻合口瘢痕增生狭窄病理过程,其表达随狭窄严重而增加,但其与吻合口瘢痕增生狭窄的因果关系有待进一步研究。