Poorly expandable common bile duct with stones on endoscopic retrograde cholangiography

AIM: To describe characteristics of a poorly expandable (PE) common bile duct (CBD) with stones on endoscopic retrograde cholangiography.METHODS: A PE bile duct was characterized by a rigid and relatively narrowed distal CBD with retrograde dilatation of the non-PE segment. Between 2003 and 2006, endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) images and chart reviews of 1213 patients with newly diagnosed CBD stones were obtained from the computer database of Therapeutic Endoscopic Center in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Patients with characteristic PE bile duct on ERC were identified from the database. Data of the patients as well as the safety and technical success of therapeutic ERC were collected and analyzed retrospectively.RESULTS: A total of 30 patients with CBD stones and characteristic PE segments were enrolled in this study. The median patient age was 45 years (range, 20 to 92 years); 66.7% of the patients were men. The diameters of the widest non-PE CBD segment, the PE segment, and the largest stone were 14.3 ± 4.9 mm, 5.8 ± 1.6 mm, and 11.2 ± 4.7 mm, respectively. The length of the PE segment was 39.7 ± 15.4 mm (range, 12.3 mm to 70.9 mm). To remove the CBD stone(s) completely, mechanical lithotripsy was required in 25 (83.3%) patients even though the stone size was not as large as were the difficult stones that have been described in the literature. The stone size and stone/PE segment diameter ratio were associated with the need for lithotripsy. Post-ERC complications occurred in 4 cases: pancreatitis in 1, cholangitis in 2, and an impacted Dormia basket with cholangitis in 1. Two (6.7%) of the 28 patients developed recurrent CBD stones at follow-up (50 ± 14 mo) and were successfully managed with therapeutic ERC.CONCLUSION: Patients with a PE duct frequently require mechanical lithotripsy for stones extraction. To retrieve stones successfully and avoid complications, these patients should be identified during ERC.     

Endobiliary biopsy

The differential diagnosis between benign and malignant biliary strictures is challenging and requires a multidisciplinary approach with the use of serum biomarkers, imaging techniques, and several modalities of endoscopic or percutaneous tissue sampling. The diagnosis of biliary strictures consists of laboratory markers, and invasive and non-invasive imaging examinations such as computed tomography (CT), contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS). Nevertheless, invasive imaging modalities combined with tissue sampling are usually required to confirm the diagnosis of suspected malignant biliary strictures, while pathological diagnosis is mandatory to decide the optimal therapeutic strategy. Although EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy is currently the standard procedure for tissue sampling of solid pancreatic mass lesions, its diagnostic value in intraductal infiltrating type of cholangiocarcinoma remains limited. Moreover, the “endobiliary approach” using novel slim biopsy forceps, transpapillary and percutaneous cholangioscopy, and intraductal ultrasound-guided biopsy, is gaining ground on traditional endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography endobiliary forceps biopsy. This review focuses on the available endobiliary techniques currently used to perform biliary strictures biopsy, comparing the diagnostic performance of endoscopic and percutaneous approaches.     

Cholangiographic findings of early-stage extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma

BACKGROUND: To clarify the cholangiographic findings of early-stage (T1, tumor confined to the mucosal or fibromuscular layer) extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma. METHODS: Cholangiographic images were retrospectively analyzed without other information in 55 patients with extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma who underwent surgical treatment. Tumor stages were T1 (n = 10). T2 (n = 17), and T3 (n = 28). Cholangiographic findings were classified as "diffuse sclerosis," "stenosis," "papillary polypoid filling defect," or "nodular polypoid filling defect". "Papillary polypoid filling defect" was the term used when the width of the base was smaller than the width of the polypoid filling defect. RESULTS: T1 patients showed papillary polypoid filling defects (n = 8) or nodular polypoid filling defects (n = 2) on cholangiography. When cholangiography showed papillary polypoid filling defects, 8 of the 14 resected patients showed T1 stage tumor histologically. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, 57% (8/14) of resected patients with papillary polypoid filling defects showed T1 stage tumor. No T1 stage tumor showed stenosis or diffuse sclerosis.     

The efficiency of Gd‐EOB‐DTPA‐enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiography in living donor liver transplantation: a preliminary study

The aim of this study was to evaluate utility of gadoxetic acid disodium (Gd‐EOB‐DTPA)‐enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) for the detection of biliary complications after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). A total of 18 patients with suspected biliary complications underwent MRC. T2‐weighted MRC and contrast‐enhanced MRC (CE‐MRC) were used to identify the biliary complications. MRC included routine breath‐hold T2‐weighted MRC using half‐Fourier acquisition single‐shot turbo spin‐echo (HASTE) sequences and Gd‐EOB‐DTPA‐enhanced MRC T1‐weighted volumetric interpolated breath‐hold examination (VIBE) sequences. Before confirming the biliary complications, one observer reviewed the MRC images and the CE‐MRC images separately. The verification procedures and MRC findings were compared, and the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of both techniques were calculated for the identification of biliary complications. The observer found six of seven biliary complications using CE‐MRC. The sensitivity was 85.7% and the accuracy was 94.4%. Using MRC alone, sensitivity was 57.1% and accuracy was 55.5%. The accuracy of Gd‐EOB‐DTPA‐enhanced MRC was superior to MRC in locating biliary leaks (p < 0.05). The usage of Gd‐EOB‐DTPA‐enhanced MRC yields information that complements the MRC findings that improve the identification of biliary complications. We recommend the use of MRC in addition to Gd‐EOB‐DTPA‐enhanced MRC to increase the preoperative accuracy when assessing the biliary complications after LDLT.     

Application of near-infrared fluorescent cholangiography using indocyanine green in laparoscopic cholecystectomy

ObjectiveNear-infrared fluorescence cholangiography (NIRF-C) can help to identify the bile duct during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This retrospective study was performed to investigate the effect of NIRF-C in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.MethodsConsecutive patients who underwent NIRF-C-assisted laparoscopic cholecystectomy (n = 34) or conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (n = 36) were enrolled in this study. Identification of biliary structures, the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative complications were analyzed.ResultsLaparoscopic cholecystectomy was completed in all patients without conversion to laparotomy. The median operation time and intraoperative blood loss were not significantly different between the two groups. No intraoperative injuries or postoperative complications occurred in either group. In the NIRF-C group, the visualization rate of the cystic duct, common bile duct, and common hepatic duct prior to dissection was 91%, 79%, and 53%, respectively. The success rate of cholangiography was 100% in the NIRF-C group. NIRF-C was more effective for visualizing biliary structures in patients with a BMI of <25 than >25 kg/m².ConclusionsNIRF-C is a safe and effective technique that enables real-time identification of the biliary anatomy during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. NIRF-C helps to improve the efficiency of dissection.     

Laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy in pediatric living donor liver transplantation by single-port approach: A case report

BACKGROUNDSingle-port laparoscopy has been used in a variety of abdominal operations. We report the first case of single-port laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy in pediatric laparoscopic living donor liver transplantation.CASE SUMMARYA 28-year-old man volunteered for living liver donation to his daughter who was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension after the Kasai procedure for biliary atresia. His body mass index was 20.5 kg/m². Liver dynamic computed tomography showed: (1) Left lateral graft volume of 232.76 cm³ with a graft-to-recipient weight ratio of 2.59%; and (2) Right hepatic artery derived from the superior mesenteric artery. A single-port access system was placed through a transumbilical incision, including four trocars: two 12-mm ports for a camera and endoscopic stapler and two 5-mm working ports. Liver parenchyma was dissected by a Harmonic and Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator, while bipolar was used for coagulation. The bile duct was transected above the bifurcation by indocyanine green fluorescence cholangiography. The specimen was retrieved from the umbilical incision. The total operation time was 4 h without blood transfusion. The final graft weight was 233.6 g with graft-to-recipient weight ratio of 2.60%. The donor was discharged uneventfully on postoperative day 4.CONCLUSIONSingle-port laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy is feasible in pediatric laparoscopic living donor liver transplantation in an experienced transplant center.     

腹腔镜胆囊切除术中胆道造影与术前ERCP诊治可疑胆总管结石的临床比较

目的：比较腹腔镜胆囊切除术（laparosocopic cholecystectomy,LC）术中胆道造影与术前ERCP对诊治可疑胆总管结石的临床价值。方法：回顾分析2005年3月至2006年11月于LC术中行胆道造影43例患者与术前行ERCP63例患者的临床资料。结果：术中胆道造影组发现胆总管结石16例,阳性率占37.21%,造影不成功2例,占4.65%,无明显造影并发症,术前ERCP组发现胆总管结石19例,阳性率占30.16%,不成功13例,占20.63%,致术后胆道感染12例,急性胰腺炎9例,占33.33%。结论：术中胆道造影不仅简便,而且患者痛苦小,并发症少,治疗费用低,明显优于术前ERCP检查。     

选择性胆道造影在腹腔镜胆囊切除术中的应用

目的探讨腹腔镜胆囊切除术（laparoscopy cholecystectomy,LC）中开展选择性的胆道造影技术及其临床应用价值。方法对98例术中胆道造影患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果同期LC 862例,术中胆道造影98例,造影成功90例,成功率为91.8%。术中发现胆管结石7例,胆管损伤1例,胆道解剖异常2例。结论选择性术中胆道造影操作简便安全,成功率高,显影清晰,可有效降低胆管结石的残余率和胆管损伤的发生率,避免不必要的胆道探查,提高LC手术的安全性。     

Diagnostic yield of endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and of EUS-guided fine needle aspiration sampling in gallbladder carcinomas

Background

Obtaining histological evidence of gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) is difficult due to its extraductal nature, and pathological confirmation remains challenging. We compared the diagnostic value and safety of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) with endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) in patients with suspected GBC.

Patients

Eighty-three patients with GBC were evaluated. Prior to definitive management, pathological evidence of GBC was obtained through either ERC cytopathologic sampling (n?=?33), EUS-FNA (n?=?24) or both (n?=?26).

Results

Among the 83 patients, 59 (71.0%) with biliary obstruction were sampled using ERC with 47.4% (28/59) sensitivity. In 19 of the remaining 31 cases, EUS-FNA sampling had 100% diagnostic sensitivity. Likewise, 50 (60.2%) of the 83 patients with suspected GBC underwent EUS-FNA of regional lymph nodes or the gallbladder (GB) mass itself with 94.8% sensitivity. The overall diagnostic sensitivity rates of ERC and EUS-FNA were 47.4 and 96%, respectively (P?<?0.001). Post-procedural complications were seen in 6.7% of the ERC group (4/59, all were mild pancreatitis), and in none of the EUS-FNA group (P?=?0.10).

Conclusions

Gallbladder carcinoma sampling using ERC and EUS-FNA should be incorporated into the diagnostic workup of GB lesions as complementary tools, and EUS-FNA should be applied in the setting of failed or not indicated ERC.