Revised Clinical Practice Guidelines of the Korean Pancreatobiliary Association for Acute Pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis can range from a mild, self-limiting disease requiring no more than supportive care, to severe disease with life-threatening complications. With the goal of providing a recommendation framework for clinicians to manage acute pancreatitis, and to contribute to improvements in national health care, the Korean Pancreatobiliary Association (KPBA) established the Korean guidelines for acute pancreatitis management in 2013. However, many challenging issues exist which often lead to differences in clinical practices. In addition, with newly obtained evidence regarding acute pancreatitis, there have been great changes in recent knowledge and information regarding this disorder. Therefore, the KPBA committee underwent an extensive revision of the guidelines. The revised guidelines were developed using the Delphi method, and the main topics of the guidelines include the following: diagnosis, severity assessment, initial treatment, nutritional support, convalescent treatment, and the treatment of local complications and necrotizing pancreatitis. Specific recommendations are presented, along with the evidence levels and recommendation grades.

Intraductal ultrasonography for biliary strictures

When diagnosing the nature of biliary strictures, it is sometimes difficult to perform non-invasive methods such as ultrasound, spiral computed imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, or endoscopic ultrasonography. Thus, treatment decisions are usually based on biopsy results. However, brush cytology or biopsy, which is widely used for biliary stenosis, has limitations owing to its low sensitivity and negative predictive value for malignancy. Currently, the most accurate method is bile duct tissue biopsy under direct cholangioscopy. On the other hand, intraductal ultrasonography administered under the guidance of a guidewire has the advantages of easy administration and being less invasive, allowing for adequate examination of the biliary tract and surrounding organs. This review discusses the usefulness and drawbacks of intraductal ultrasonography for biliary strictures.

Effect of age on the prognosis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Background/Aims@#Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a subgroup of cholangiocarcinoma and is the second- most-common primary hepatic tumor. Several predictive and prognostic factors have been analyzed; however, in this study we focused on the influence of age. Our aim was to use real-world results to determine the influence of age in iCCA patients. @*Methods@#A retrospective analysis of patients treated between 2005 and 2016 at Konkuk University Medical Center. In total, 133 patients with iCCA were identified. The mass-forming, periductal-infiltrating, and intraductal-growth types were included; patients with extrahepatic or hilar-type cholangiocarcinoma were excluded. We defined two groups: a younger group, age < 65 years, and an older group, age ≥ 65 years. Statistical analyses using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses, including the Kaplan-Meier method, were conducted. @*Results@#In total, 114 patients were enrolled. The two groups differed with regard to treatment options such as surgery with adjuvant chemotherapy or palliative chemotherapy (p = 0.012, p < 0.001). The younger group had significantly longer survival than the older group (p = 0.017). In the younger group, patients who received therapy had longer survival than those who did not (hazard ratio, 3.942; 95% confidence interval, 2.053 to 7.569; p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated that younger age, lower bilirubin, low CA 19-9, and no lymph-node involvement were independent factors for improved survival. @*Conclusions@#Younger patients and those who underwent surgery with adjuvant chemotherapy had longer survival. The younger the patient, the more treatments received, including palliative chemotherapy.

Revised Clinical Practice Guideline of Korean Pancreatobiliary Association for Acute Pancreatitis: Purpose and Process of Guidelines / 대한췌담도학회지

Acute pancreatitis can range from a mild, self-limiting disease that requires no more than supportive care to severe disease with life-threatening complications. Therefore, to provide a framework for clinicians to manage acute pancreatitis and to improve national health care, the Korean Pancreatobiliary Association (KPBA) established the first Korean guideline for the management of acute pancreatitis in 2013. However, many challenging issues exist, which sometimes lead to differences in practice between clinicians. Taking together the recent dramatic changes of latest knowledge and evidence newly obtained, the committee of the KPBA decided to perform an extensive revision of the guidelines. These revised guidelines were developed by using mainly Delphi methods, and the main topics of these guidelines fall under the following topics: 1) diagnosis, 2) severity assessment, 3) initial treatment, nutritional support, and convalescent treatment, 4) the treatment of local complication and necrotizing pancreatitis. The specific recommendations are presented with the quality of evidence and classification of recommendations.

Revised Clinical Practice Guideline of Korean Pancreatobiliary Association for Acute Pancreatitis: Diagnosis / 대한췌담도학회지

There is general acceptance that a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis requires two of the following three features: 1) epigastric or upper abdominal pain characteristic of acute pancreatitis, 2) serum amylase and/or lipase ≥3 times the upper limit of normal, and 3) characteristic findings of acute pancreatitis on abdominal images such as ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging. Other pancreatic diseases and acute abdomen have been ruled out before making a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Serum lipase may be more useful than serum amylase because serum lipase is thought to be more sensitive and specific than serum amylase in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis. Contrast-enhanced CT scan is the best imaging technique to rule out the conditions that masquerade as acute pancreatitis, to diagnose the severity of acute pancreatitis, and to identify complications of pancreatitis. The etiology of acute pancreatitis should be made clear as soon as possible to decide treatment policy of acute pancreatitis or to prevent the recurrence of pancreatitis. The etiology of acute pancreatitis in an emergency situation should be assessed by clinical history, laboratory tests such as serum liver function tests, measurement of serum calcium and serum triglycerides and ultrasonography. A differentiation of gallstone-induced acute pancreatitis should be given top priority in its etiologic diagnosis because early endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography should be considered if a complication of cholangitis and a prolonged passage disorder of the biliary tract are suspected.

Effect of stent placement on stone recurrence and post-procedural cholangitis after endoscopic removal of common bile duct stones

After endoscopic treatment of common bile duct (CBD) stones, recurrence of choledocholithiasis due to small stone fragments and post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (post-ERCP) cholangitis can occur. We determined the effect of biliary stenting after removal of CBD stones on the recurrence of CBD stones and the incidence of post-ERCP cholangitis. Methods: We performed a retrospective single-center study involving 483 patients who underwent ERCP for the removal of CBD stones. The patients were classified into two groups according to their biliary stenting status. The primary outcome was the rate of CBD stone recurrence and the secondary outcome was the incidence of post-ERCP cholangitis. Results: Among the 483 patients, 219 and 264 did and did not receive a biliary stent after CBD stone removal, respectively. The incidence of stone recurrence was 15.5% and 7.6% in the non-stenting and stenting groups (p = 0.006), respectively, while the incidence of post-ERCP cholangitis was 4.6% and 2.7% (p = 0.256). In a multivariate analysis, biliary stenting significantly reduced the stone recurrence rate (odds ratio, 0.30; p = 0.004). Conclusions: Biliary stenting after the removal of CBD stones reduces the stone recurrence rate and assisted recovery. For patients with large and multiple stones who undergo lithotripsy, preventive biliary stent insertion can reduce the rate of stone recurrence.

Longstanding postoperative fluid collection influences recurrence of pancreatic malignancy

Background/Aims@#Postoperative abdominal fluid collection (PAFC) is a frequent complication of pancreatobiliary cancer surgery. The effects of the existence and duration of PAFC are not well known. This study aimed to assess the effects of PAFC on patient prognosis after surgery for pancreatobiliary adenocarcinoma and the association of longstanding PAFC with the recurrence of pancreatic cancer. @*Methods@#We retrospectively analyzed the data of 194 consecutive patients with pancreatobiliary adenocarcinoma who underwent curative operations from August 2005 to December 2019. The presence of PAFC was assessed using computed tomography within a week of surgery; PAFC lasting > 4 weeks was defined as longstanding PAFC. @*Results@#Among 194 patients, PAFC occurred in 165 (85.1%), and 74 of these had longstanding PAFC. The recurrence rate of pancreatobiliary adenocarcinoma was significantly higher in patients with longstanding PAFC than in patients with non-longstanding PAFC (p = 0.025). Recurrence was also significantly associated with high T stage (T3, T4; p = 0.040), lymph node involvement (p < 0.001), perineural invasion (p < 0.006), and non-receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy (p = 0.025). Longstanding PAFC was significantly associated with the recurrence of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (p = 0.016). However, cancer-specific survival was related to neither the presence nor the duration of PAFC. @*Conclusions@#The presence of longstanding PAFC was associated with the recurrence of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. However, a larger prospective study is necessary to confirm the findings.

The Role of EUS in the Differential Diagnosis of Polypoid Lesions of the Gallbladder: Update / 대한췌담도학회지

Although most gallbladder (GB) polyps are benign, some early carcinomas of the GB share the same appearance as benign polyps. Currently, GB polyps larger than 1 cm should be surgically removed because of the increased risk of malignancy. Distinguishing between nonneoplastic, neoplastic, and potentially malignant lesions is a major diagnostic dilemma, and the therapeutic options for these lesions remain controversial. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is considered to be superior to conventional US for imaging GB lesions, because EUS can provide highresolution images of small lesions with higher ultrasound frequencies. However, differential diagnosis remains difficult, especially for small GB polyps. Thus, various diagnostic methods using EUS have been introduced to overcome difficulty for differential diagnosis between neoplastic and non-neoplastic polyps. Contrastenhanced harmonic EUS is useful for observing microvascular patterns and additional enhancement images of GB polyps. This is needed a post-recording analysis due to a short enhancement time. Real-time color Doppler-EUS provides the Doppler flow of vessels without a time limit.

Prognostic impact of hepatitis B or C on intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Background/Aims@#Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is the second-most common primary liver malignancy, arising from the peripheral intrahepatic bile duct epithelium. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) may be involved in the development of ICC. We explored the prognostic value of hepatitis virus infection, as well as other prognostic factors affecting survival in patients with ICC. @*Methods@#A retrospective chart review was performed for patients diagnosed with ICC between August 2005 and December 2018 at Konkuk University Medical Center. We identified a total of 131 patients with ICC. Overall survival rates of patients with and without hepatitis were determined. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to estimate factors influencing survival outcomes. @*Results@#A total of 17.6% (23/131) of patients were positive for HBV or HCV. Hepatitis B positive ICC patients were significantly younger with higher albumin and higher α-fetoprotein than those without hepatitis viral infections. The median survival of hepatitis-positive and hepatitis-negative groups was 280 and 213 days, respectively. Survival rates were not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.279). Multivariate analyses indicated that lower serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) (p < 0.001), lower T stage (p = 0.042), the absence of lymph-node metastasis (p = 0.043), and receiving curative surgery (p = 0.033) were independent predictors of better outcomes. @*Conclusions@#While hepatitis influenced a number of clinical features in ICC patients, it did not affect survival rate. Prognostic factors influencing survival outcomes with ICC were CA 19-9 level, T stage, the presence of lymph node metastasis, and curative surgery.

Endoscopic Management of Bronchobiliary Fistula after Multiple Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolizations for Hepatocellular Carcinoma / 대한췌담도학회지

Bronchobiliary fistula (BBF) is a rare complication after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for hepatocellular carcinoma. We present a case of BBF that developed 5 months after 11 TACE procedures in a 78-year-old male patient with a 3-month history of a persistent cough and yellowish sputum. BBF was found between the bronchus and the right intrahepatic bile duct (B7) by magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. On the initial endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), we failed to approach to the BBF due to severe hilar obstruction. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) was performed, and 30-50 mL of bile was drained daily. But the BBF was not resolved until 2 months after PTBD. The patient was treated by placement of a plastic stent to the BBF site during the second ERCP. BBF was resolved 7 days after ERCP on the PTBD tubogram. The patient remained asymptomatic after the stent placement, and there was no recurrence at the 2-month follow-up ERCP.

A Newly Designed, Fully Covered, Metal Stent with Wide Flanges for EUS-Guided Drainage and Access / 대한췌담도학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided drainage of pancreatic fluid collections is a useful and effective procedure. One of the main limitations is the lack of devices tailored specifically for this technique. This study aims to evaluate a newly developed, fully covered, biflanged metal stent customized for EUS-guided transenteric drainage. METHODS: We enrolled one dog in an animal study and six patients with pancreatic fluid (five with pancreatic pseudocysts and one with pancreatic walled-off necrosis) in a clinical study. We performed EUS-guided drainage of the pancreatic fluid or gallbladder using a newly developed metal stent. Study outcomes were technical and clinical success, adverse events, and stent removability. RESULTS: In the animal study, the stent was placed successfully in the gallbladder via the EUS-guided transduodenal approach without complication. The cholecystoduodenal tract was intact on necropsy performed immediately after the procedure. The stents were inserted successfully and deployed in the six patients. There was no adverse event during or after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: EUS-guided transenteric drainage using a new fully covered, biflanged metal stent was technically feasible and was not associated with any serious adverse event. The tailored design of the flange at the end of the stent facilitated the effectiveness of the procedure.

Predictors of Malignancy in “Pure” Branch-Duct Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm of the Pancreas without Enhancing Mural Nodules on CT Imaging: A Nationwide Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Presence of enhanced mural nodules, which can be visualized using computed tomography (CT), is one of high-risk stigmata in branch-duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (BD-IPMNs). Conversely, the absence of enhanced mural nodules on preoperative imaging does not exclude malignant risk. The present study aimed to investigate other morphological features as predictors of malignancy in “pure” BD-IPMNs without enhanced mural nodules on CT. METHODS: This retrospective study included 180 patients with surgically confirmed “pure” BD-IPMNs of the pancreas and no enhanced mural nodules on preoperative CT. The study was conducted at 15 tertiary referral centers throughout South Korea. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify significant predictors of malignancy. RESULTS: BD-IPMNs with low-grade (n=84) or moderate-grade (n=76) dysplasia were classified as benign; those with high-grade dysplasia (n=8) or invasive carcinoma (n=12) were classified as malignant. The multivariate analysis revealed that cyst size ≥30 mm (odds ratio, 8.6; p=0.001) and main pancreatic duct diameter ≥5 mm (odds ratio, 4.1; p=0.01) were independent risk factors for malignancy in “pure” BD-IPMNs without enhanced mural nodules on CT. Endoscopic ultrasound detected enhanced mural nodules (6/82) that had been missed on CT, and two IPMNs with enhanced mural nodules were malignant. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with “pure” BD-IPMNs who have no enhanced mural nodules on CT, cyst size ≥30 mm and main pancreatic duct diameter ≥5 mm may be associated with malignancy.

The outcome of endoscopic management of bile leakage after hepatobiliary surgery

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Despite improvements in surgical techniques and postoperative patient care, bile leakage can occur after hepatobiliary surgery and may lead to serious complications. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic treatment of bile leakage after hepatobiliary surgery. METHODS: The medical records of 20 patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography because of bile leakage after hepatobiliary surgery from August 2009 to September 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. Endoscopic treatment included insertion of an endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage stent after endoscopic sphincterotomy. RESULTS: Most cases of bile leakage presented as percutaneous bile drainage through a Jackson-Pratt bag (75%), followed by abdominal pain (20%). The sites of bile leaks were the cystic duct stump in 10 patients, intrahepatic ducts in five, liver beds in three, common hepatic duct in one, and common bile duct in one. Of the three cases of bile leakage combined with bile duct stricture, one patient had severe bile duct obstruction, and the others had mild strictures. Five cases of bile leakage also exhibited common bile duct stones. Concerning endoscopic modalities, endoscopic therapy for bile leakage was successful in 19 patients (95%). One patient experienced endoscopic failure because of an operation-induced bile duct deformity. One patient developed guidewire-induced microperforation during cannulation, which recovered with conservative treatment. One patient developed recurrent bile leakage, which required additional biliary stenting with sphincterotomy. CONCLUSIONS: The endoscopic approach should be considered a first-line modality for the diagnosis and treatment of bile leakage after hepatobiliary surgery.

Efficacy and Safety of Balloon-Occluded Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration with Sodium Tetradecyl Sulfate Liquid Sclerotherapy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) with sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STS) liquid sclerotherapy of gastric varices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between February 2012 and August 2014, STS liquid sclerotherapy was performed in 17 consecutive patients (male:female = 8:9; mean age 58.6 years, range 44-86 years) with gastric varices. Retrograde venography was performed after occlusion of the gastrorenal shunt using a balloon catheter and embolization of collateral draining veins using coils or gelfoam pledgets, to evaluate the anatomy of the gastric varices. We prepared 2% liquid STS by mixing 3% STS and contrast media in a ratio of 2:1. A 2% STS solution was injected into the gastric varices until minimal filling of the afferent portal vein branch was observed (mean 19.9 mL, range 6-33 mL). Patients were followed up using computed tomography (CT) or endoscopy. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 16 of 17 patients (94.1%). The procedure failed in one patient because the shunt could not be occluded due to the large diameter of gastrorenal shunt. Complete obliteration of gastric varices was observed in 15 of 16 patients (93.8%) with follow-up CT or endoscopy. There was no rebleeding after the procedure. There was no procedure-related mortality. CONCLUSION: BRTO using STS liquid can be a safe and useful treatment option in patients with gastric varices.

Portal biliopathy treated with endoscopic biliary stenting

Portal biliopathy is defined as abnormalities in the extra- and intrahepatic ducts and gallbladder of patients with portal hypertension. This condition is associated with extrahepatic venous obstruction and dilatation of the venous plexus of the common bile duct, resulting in mural irregularities and compression of the biliary tree. Most patients with portal biliopathy remain asymptomatic, but approximately 10% of them advance to symptomatic abdominal pain, jaundice, and fever. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography are currently used as diagnostic tools because they are noninvasive and can be used to assess the regularity, length, and degree of bile duct narrowing. Management of portal biliopathy is aimed at biliary decompression and reducing the portal pressure. Portal biliopathy has rarely been reported in Korea. We present a symptomatic case of portal biliopathy that was complicated by cholangitis and successfully treated with biliary endoscopic procedures.

Clinical role of contrast-enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasound in differentiating pancreatic solid lesions

Accurate diagnosis of pancreatic solid lesions is often difficult using conventional imaging modalities. With the recent introduction of contrast-enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasound (CEH-EUS), it is now possible to evaluate the microvascular environment and dynamic enhancement of a variety of pancreatic lesions. With CEH-EUS, three patterns of pancreatic lesion enhancement compared with the normal pancreatic tissue (fast, simultaneous, or slow), two washout patterns (fast or slow) and two distribution patterns (homogeneous, inhomogeneous) can be described. By evaluating the microvasculature, enhancement speed, and washout pattern, CEH-EUS may help to differentiate pancreatic adenocarcinoma from other masses and differentiate between pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (pNET) and inflammatory masses. The finding of a hyperenhancing lesion on CEH–EUS, both with homogeneous and inhomogeneous patterns, was a strong predictor of histology different from adenocarcinoma (94% positive predictive value). pNET was the most common hyperenhancing lesions overall. Although CEH-EUS is useful for ruling out pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, making the differential diagnosis between pNETs and pseudotumoral pancreatic masses is difficult because both may share an isovascular or hypervascular appearance. Currently the interpretation of CEH-EUS findings is examiner-dependent. In the future, digital image analysis by image-processing techniques should allow more objective interpretation.

A Case of Afferent Loop Syndrome Treated by Endoscopic Metal Stent Insertion Using Two Endoscopes / 대한내과학회지

Afferent loop syndrome is a rare complication of pancreaticoduodenectomy, and the endoscopic approach is difficult due to the surgically altered anatomy. Herein, we report a case of afferent loop obstruction treated by endoscopic metal stent insertion using two endoscopes. A 57-year-old male who had undergone the Whipple operation 7 months prior for pancreatic head cancer presented with abdominal pain and jaundice. Abdominal computed tomography showed afferent loop obstruction due to recurrent metastatic pancreatic cancer. First, we attempted to insert the stent using percutaneous transhepatic approaches following percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage, but these failed. We therefore accessed the obstruction site using a relatively thin endoscope and then exchanged this endoscope for another with a large working channel, through which the self-expandable metal stent was passed. The stent was inserted successfully. This method will increase the success rate of endoscopic treatment.

Oral udenafil and aceclofenac for the prevention of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis in high-risk patients: a randomized multicenter study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Acute pancreatitis is a common complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Combination therapy w ith ora l udenafil and aceclofenac may reduce the occurrence of post-ERCP pancreatitis by targeting different pathophysiological mechanisms. We investigated whether combining udenafil and aceclofenac reduced the rates of post-ERCP pancreatitis. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study was conducted in four academic medical centers. Between January 2012 and June 2013, a total of 216 patients who underwent ERCP were analyzed for the occurrence of post-ERCP pancreatitis. Patients were determined to be at high risk for pancreatitis based on validated patient and procedure-related risk factors. RESULTS: Demographic features, indications for ERCP, and therapeutic procedures were similar in each group. There were no significant differences in the rate (15.8% [17/107] vs. 16.5% [18/109], p = 0.901) and severity of post-ERCP pancreatitis between the udenafil/aceclofenac and placebo groups. One patient in each group developed severe pancreatitis. Multivariate analyses indicated that suspected dysfunction of the sphincter of Oddi and endoscopic papillary balloon dilation without sphincterotomy were associated with post-ERCP pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS: Combination therapy with udenafil and aceclofenac is not effective for the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis.

A Gangliocytic Paraganglioma Presenting as a Submucosal Tumor in the Ampulla / 대한내과학회지

A gangliocytic paraganglioma (GP) is a rare benign neuroendocrine tumor. However, its origin remains unclear. It is seen most frequently in the second portion of the duodenum. At endoscopy, a GP characteristically appears as a pedunculated nodular submucosal tumor with erosions and surface ulcers. The histological diagnosis is usually made from endoscopic biopsies showing the presence of epithelioid, spindle, and ganglion cells. We experienced a case of GP in a 38-year-old female who was referred because of a possible ampullary tumor. The endoscopic images showed a 1.5-cm, oval ampullary tumor covered with normal mucosa. An endoscopic biopsy showed chronic duodenitis. The tumor was removed by an endoscopic papillectomy. We report a case of duodenal GP that presented as a submucosal tumor that was treated with a papillectomy and review the literature.

Long-Term Outcome of Photodynamic Therapy with Systemic Chemotherapy Compared to Photodynamic Therapy Alone in Patients with Advanced Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Patients with cholangiocarcinoma usually present at an advanced stage, and more than 50% of cases are not resectable at the time of diagnosis. Recently, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been proposed as a palliative and neoadjuvant modality. We evaluated whether combination of PDT and chemotherapy is more effective than PDT alone. METHODS: In total, 161 patients with cholangiocarcinoma diagnosed between February 1999 and September 2009 were evaluated. Sixteen patients were treated with PDT and chemotherapy (group A), and 58 were treated with PDT (group B). RESULTS: The median survival was 538 days (95% confidence interval [CI], 475.3 to 600.7) in group A and 334 days (95% CI, 252.5 to 415.5) in group B (p=0.05). Lymph node metastasis status, serum bilirubin of pretreatment, tumor node metastasis stage, treatment method (PDT with chemotherapy vs PDT alone), time to PDT and the number of PDT sessions were prognostic factors with statistical significance in the univariate analysis. A multivariate analysis showed that PDT with chemotherapy and more than two sessions of PDT were significant independent predictors of longer survival in advanced cholangiocarcinoma (hazard ratio [HR], 2.23; 95% CI, 1.18 to 4.20; p=0.013 vs HR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.044 to 3.083; p=0.034). CONCLUSIONS: PDT with chemotherapy results in longer survival than PDT alone.