Differential expression of CK7, CK20, CDX2 in intestinal and pancreatobiliary types of preriampullary carcinoma

Context: Incidence of periampullary carcinoma is low, approximately 0.5–2% of all gastrointestinal malignancies. Histologic subtyping has a prognostic bearing. The purpose of this study is to differentiate periampullary carcinomas based on immunohistochemistry (IHC) by using cytokeratin 7 (CK7), cytokeratin 20 (CK20), caudal type homeobox 2 (CDX2). Aims: To analyze the usefulness of IHC as single/panel of markers that included CK7, CK20, and CDX2. Settings and Design: This was a prospective study done from January 2017 to September 2018. Subjects and Methods: A total 50 pancreaticoduodenectomy specimens were evaluated and classified as intestinal (INT) and pancreaticobiliary (PB) types based on their morphological and immunohistochemical features, respectively. The morphologic subtypes, expression of IHC markers were correlated with different histologic parameters. Statistical Analysis: Chi-square test was used to study the association between different IHC markers with histologic parameters. Probability (P) values <0.05 were regarded as statistically significant. Results: The expression of CK7, CK20, CDX2 were studied in 50 cases to classify them as INT and pancreatobiliary subtypes. CK7 has high sensitivity (88.2%), CDX2 has high specificity (96.4%), CK20+/CDX2+ has both high sensitivity (94.2 percent) and specificity (89.2 percent) in differentiating INT from pancreatobiliary subtypes. The morphologic subtypes showed correlation with two variables (tumor grade, pathologic T stage). CK20 and CK20/CDX2 expression showed a positive correlation with tumor grade, pathologic T staging, and lymphovascular invasion. Conclusions: In conclusion, morphological classification can significantly discriminate histologic types, IHC plays a moderate role. However, the combined expression of CK20 and CDX2 is helpful in subtyping.

Stress hyperglycemia after pancreatobiliary surgeries

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a common problem and stress hyperglycemia occurring in patients undergoing surgery without history of diabetes mellitus has been shown to have a poorer clinical outcome. Effective glycemic control in the perioperative period results in marked improvement in clinical outcome.Methods: This prospective study was conducted among 100 cases of the pancreatobiliary postoperative patients admitted in General Surgery Department, Government Medical College Kottayam during November 2015 to November 2016. The post-operative blood sugar values, age, sex, BMI, family history of diabetes mellitus, anemia, hypoproteinemia, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative blood transfusion, duration of surgery, and type of surgery were studied with respect to occurrence of stress hyperglycemia.Results: The total incidence was 35%. The incidence in pancreatic surgery (87.5%), other biliary surgeries (77.8%), open cholecystectomy (31.2%) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (18%). Significant association was found in malnourished and obese persons, anemia, hypoalbuminemia, duration of surgery more than 3 hours, intraoperative blood loss of more than 500 ml and intraoperative blood transfusion and pancreatic surgery. Independent predictors of stress hyperglycemia were found to anemia, hypoproteinemia, duration of surgery more than 3 hours and underweight and obese individuals.Conclusions: Stress hyperglycemia incidence in pancreatobiliary postoperative patients was found to be 35%. Independent predictors of stress hyperglycemia were anemia, hypoproteinemia, duration of surgery more than 3 hours and BMI <18.5 and >30. Hence correction of anemia, improving the nutritional status preoperatively and minimising the duration of surgery will improve the clinical outcome.

Rivaroxaban versus Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin for Venous Thromboembolism in Gastrointestinal and Pancreatobiliary Cancer

BACKGROUND: Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is the standard treatment for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with active cancer. However, use of factor Xa inhibitors, such as rivaroxaban, is increasing on the basis of limited clinical evidence. The present single-center study compared the incidence of bleeding and other treatment outcomes in gastrointestinal and pancreatobiliary cancer (GI tract cancer) patients administered rivaroxaban or LMWH for the treatment of VTE. METHODS: Retrospective data from 281 GI tract cancer patients who were treated for VTE with rivaroxaban (n = 78) or LMWH (n = 203) between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2016, were analyzed. Primary end-point was the incidence of major and clinically relevant bleeding. Secondary outcomes included the incidence of recurrent VTE and mortality. RESULTS: Clinically relevant bleeding occurred in 19 patients (24.4%) in the rivaroxaban group and 31 (15.3%) in the LMWH group (P = 0.074). No inter-group difference was observed for rate of VTE recurrence (3.8% with rivaroxaban vs. 3.9% with LMWH; P > 0.999) or incidence of major bleeding (5.1% with rivaroxaban vs. 8.9% with LMWH; P = 0.296). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis for age, cancer type, metastasis, history of chemotherapy or recent surgery, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status revealed a 1.904-fold higher risk of bleeding with rivaroxaban than LMWH (1.031–3.516; P = 0.040). No significant inter-group difference was found in terms of hazard ratio for all-cause mortality. CONCLUSION: Compared to LMWH, rivaroxaban was associated with a higher incidence of clinically relevant bleeding in GI tract cancer patients presenting with VTE.

Preliminary Findings on the Effectiveness of Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy in Patients with Pancreatobiliary Cancer

PURPOSE: This study investigated the effectiveness of meaning-centered psychotherapy (MCP), which is known to be a helpful psychotherapeutic intervention in distressing conditions, for patients with pancreatobiliary cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We recruited 37 patients with pancreatobiliary cancer from three university general hospitals and assessed their psychological characteristics. Patients who reported clinically significant emotional distress were recommended to undergo MCP. Patients who consented to MCP were provided four sessions of the therapy. Patient psychological characteristics were assessed again 2 months after MCP. For statistical comparison, outcome variables included anxiety, depression, mental adjustment to cancer, and quality of life (QoL), as well as the degree of stress and physical symptoms. RESULTS: Sixteen patients completed the MCP and the final assessment 2 months later. In the initial assessment, the patients receiving MCP showed higher levels of anxiety and depression than those not receiving MCP, and QoL was also lower in terms of role function, emotional function, social function, and global QoL. At the 2-month follow-up, the MCP group showed a significant improvement in anxiety (p=0.007), depression (p=0.010), and anxious preoccupation (p < 0.001). In addition, QoL significantly improved in the MCP group, while there was no significant change in the non-MCP group. CONCLUSION: In this study, MCP showed potential therapeutic benefits against emotional distress in patients with pancreatobiliary cancer, improving their QoL.

Capability of Radial- and Convex-Arrayed Echoendoscopes for Visualization of the Pancreatobiliary Junction

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although both radial- and convex-arrayed endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) scopes are widely used for observational EUS examinations, there have been few comparative studies on their power of visualization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the capability of these EUS scopes for observation of the pancreatobiliary junction. METHODS: The rate of successful visualization of the pancreatobiliary junction was retrospectively compared between a radial-arrayed and a convex-arrayed echoendoscope, from a prospectively maintained database. Study periods were defined as January 2010 to December 2012 for the radial group, and February 2015 to October 2016 for the convex group because the respective scope was mainly used during those periods. RESULTS: During the study period, 1,660 cases with radial EUS and 1,984 cases with convex EUS were recruited. The success rates of observation of the pancreatobiliary junction were 80.0% and 89.5%, respectively (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The capability of visualization of the pancreatobiliary junction in observational EUS was found to be better with a convex-arrayed than with a radial-arrayed echoendoscope.

Matrix metalloproteinase 7 expression in ampullary carcinoma.

Background: Matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7) has largely been studied in pancreatic cancer which is the most common component of periampullary cancer in the western population. In India, the ampullary carcinoma is seen as the most common periampullary cancer in resected pancreaticoduodenectomies. We aimed to study the expression of MMP7 and its correlation with clinicopathological features in ampullary cancer. Materials and Methods: Consecutive cases of all ampullary cancer in a 3-year period were reviewed for histological differentiation (intestinal and pancreatobiliary) by morphology and immunohistochemistry (CDX2, MUC2, cytokeratin 20 [CK20], MUC1, cytokeratin 7 [CK7], and cytokeratin 17 [CK17]). All cases were stained for MMP7 and expression was correlated with histological variables, differentiation, and overall survival. Results: There were a total of 91 ampullary carcinomas (36 intestinal, 44 pancreatobiliary and 6 other types). Ampullary carcinoma showed MMP7 expression in 63.7% cases. Two-third of intestinal type and half of the pancreatobiliary type cancers showed MMP7 expression. MMP7 expression was signifi cantly higher in low pathological T-stage of total ampullary carcinomas; however, it was seen more commonly in higher overall stage of the pancreatobiliary type compared to intestinal type of ampullary carcinoma. Overall survival in patients with MMP7 expression was lower compared to MMP7 negative patients. Conclusions: This is the fi rst study on MMP7 expression in ampullary cancer. MMP7 expression was seen in nearly 64 % of ampullary cancer and showed a signifi cant correlation with low pathological (T-) stage and high overall stage with a shorter survival. MMP7 can be explored as a target for MMP inhibitor therapy in the future.

Differential Expression of E-Cadherin, beta-Catenin, and S100A4 in Intestinal Type and Nonintestinal Type Ampulla of Vater Cancers

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins may exhibit differential expression in intestinal type or pancreatobiliary type ampulla of Vater carcinomas (AVCs). We evaluated the expression of E-cadherin, beta-catenin, and S100A4 in intestinal and nonintestinal type AVCs and analyzed their relationships with clinicopathological variables and survival. METHODS: A clinicopathological review of 105 patients with AVCs and immunohistochemical staining for E-cadherin, beta-catenin, and S100A4 were performed. The association between clinicopathological parameters, histological type, and expression of EMT proteins and their effects on survival were analyzed. RESULTS: Sixty-five intestinal type, 35 pancreatobiliary type, and five other types of AVCs were identified. The severity of EMT changes differed between the AVC types; membranous loss of E-cadherin and beta-catenin was observed in nonintestinal type tumors, whereas aberrant nonmembranous beta-catenin expression was observed in intestinal type tumors. EMT-related changes were more pronounced in the invasive tumor margin than in the tumor center, and these EMT-related changes were related to tumor aggressiveness. Among the clinicopathological parameters, a desmoplastic reaction was related to overall survival, and the reaction was more severe in nonintestinal type than in intestinal type AVCs. CONCLUSIONS: Dysregulation of E-cadherin, beta-cadherin, and S100A4 expression may play a role in the carcinogenesis and tumor progression of AVCs.

Function of Oddi's sphincter with normal pancreatobiliary confluence and pancreatobiliary reflux / 中华消化内镜杂志

Objective To explore the impact of basal sphincter of Oddi (SO) pressure on pancreatobiliary reflux (PBR).Methods A total of 120 consecutive patients who received therapeutic ERCP for biliary tract diseases with or without the history of EST were enrolled,and were assigned to normal basal SO pressure group (n =23),elevated basal pressure group (n =55) and EST group (n =24).Basal SO pressure,bile amylase (BA) and bacteria culture findings were compared between the three groups.Results There were no differences in positive rate of bacteria culture,SO pressure increase and BA between the normal basal SO pressure group and elevated basal pressure group.In the latter group,negative correlation was observed between SO pressure and BA.The BA value [median(quartile range)] in patients with common bile duct ≥ 15 mm [4270 (12 337)U/L] was significantly higher than that in patients with common bile duct ＜ 15 mm [279.5 (1370) U/L].Furthermore,significant difference in both the proportion of elevated BA patients (83.3％ vs.59.0％) (P ＜0.05) and the positive rate of bacteria culture (75.0％ vs.33.3％) was seen between the intact papilla patients in the former two groups and those in EST group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion There was no direct correlation between the elevated basal SO pressure and PBR,but marked increase in diameter of common bile duct can lead to a rise in BA.Moreover,although EST can bring about PBR and bile bacterial infection,it may facilitate the outflow of the refluent pancreatic juice by relieving cholestasis.

Impact of pancreatobiliary reflux in normal pancreatobiliary junction on gallbladder / 中华消化内镜杂志

Objective To explore the impact of pancreatobiliary reflux (PBR) in normal pancreatobiliary junction on gallbladder.Methods A total of 54 patients receiving cholecystectomy for gallbladder diseases underwent ultrasonography to evaluate the thickness of gallbladder wall,inner layer and gallbladder wall blood flow before operation.The bile juice was sampled during ERCP in 45 patients with common bile duct stone and during cholecystectomy in 9 patients to detect amylase level.All patients with normal pancreatobiliary junction enrolled in the study were assigned into PBR group (n =24) and controlled group (n =30) according to their bile amylase level.Resected gallbladder specimens were examined histopathologically and then tested for expression of COX2,Ki-67 and p53 immunohistochemically.Results PBR group included 20 cases of cholelithiasis and 4 gallbladder polyp,among which 23 were occult PBR (OPBR) and 1 high confluence of pancreatobiliary ducts (HCPBD),which was similar to pancreatobiliary maljunction (PBM) pathologically.The control group recruited 28 cases of cholelithiasis and 2 gallbladder polyp.There were no differences in frequency of inflammation,hyperplasia,metaplasia or expression of p53 between the two groups (p ＞ 0.05),while higher presence of dysplasia and higher expression of COX2 and Ki-67 were seen in PBR group (p ＜ 0.05).Conclusion In patients with OPBR,although hyperplasia and metaplasia in gallbladder epithelium were similar to those induced by cholelithiasis,dysplasia and active proliferation might relate to progress to malignancy.

Prevalence of gastric cancer versus colorectal cancer in Asians with a positive fecal occult blood test.

Aim Prior studies have reported conflicting results on the yield of esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) in patients with a positive fecal occult blood test (FOBT). Our aim was to compare the yield between EGD and colonoscopy performed in a racially diverse population with a positive FOBT. Methods A retrospective, cross-sectional study of FOBT positive patients who underwent EGD and colonoscopy from January 1, 1999 to November 1, 2008. Endoscopic lesions deemed responsible for GI bleeding were identified. Results Two hundred and eighty-seven patients met entry criteria, among which, 63% were Asian and 81% were immigrants to the U.S. Forty-four patients had EGD findings deemed responsible for a positive FOBT, the most common being esophagitis (25.0%) and gastric ulceration (15.9%). Forty-two patients had colonoscopic findings likely responsible for a positive FOBT with the most frequent lesion being colonic polyps ≥9 mm in diameter (76.2%). Prevalence of lower and upper GI tract lesions responsible for positive FOBT was similar (14.6% vs. 15.3%, p=0.2). There was no association between a patient reporting upper GI symptoms, or the presence of anemia and the detection of upper GI tract lesions on endoscopy. Gastric adenocarcinoma (n=3) was as prevalent as colorectal adenocarcinoma (n=4). All three patients with gastric adenocarcinomas were Asian (prevalence 1.6%). Conclusions In our racially diverse population evaluated for a positive FOBT, gastric adenocarcinoma was as prevalent as colorectal adenocarcinoma; however, gastric adenocarcinoma was limited to Asian patients. EGD and colonoscopy should be considered in the evaluation of patient populations similar to ours, particularly Asian immigrants.

Diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic ultrasonography in patients with inconclusive magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis of biliopancreatic abnormalities.

Aim To determine the sensitivity and specificity of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in patients with inconclusive magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRI/MRCP) in pancreatobiliary abnormalities. Methods During 10 months, patients with pancreatobiliary diseases referred to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) because of inconclusive MRI/MRCP diagnosis were scheduled to undergo endoscopic ultrasonography. Patients were divided into four major groups: patients with (i) resectable periampullary neoplasms who were referred to a surgeon, (ii) unresectable periampullary cancer who underwent ERCP for biliary stenting, (iii) bile duct stone who were referred to ERCP for stone extraction, and (iv) normal pancreatobiliary tract. Reference standards for comparison were ERCP, surgery, a biopsy confirming malignancy, or the clinical course during follow up (at least 12 months) in cases without evidences of malignancy. Results One hundred and seven patients (51 men; mean [SD] age 60.0 [15.5]) were included in the study. Final diagnoses were common bile duct (CBD) stone (n=24), periampullary neoplasms (n=46), others (n=23) and no pathologic findings (n=14). EUS determined the staging for clinical decision-making in 47 patients with neoplasms which showed that tumors in 34 patients (79.1%) were unresectable (advanced stage). After EUS, 47 patients (43.9%) did not require ERCP. The accuracy of EUS for the diagnosis of CBD stone and periampullary neoplasms were 96.3% and 99.1%, respectively. Conclusions EUS is a useful modality in cases of inconclusive MRI/MRCP indicating pancreatobiliary disorders.

Sensibilidad y especificidad del CA 19-9 para el diagnóstico de neoplasias pancreatobiliares en pacientes con ictericia de origen obstructivo / Sensitivity and specificity of CA-19-9 for the diagnosis of pancreatobiliary neoplasms in patients with obstructive-origin jaundice

Objetivo: Describir el comportamiento biológico del CA 19-9 en colestasis para determinar su utilidad para el diagnóstico de cáncer pancreatobiliar en pacientes con ictericia de origen obstructivo. Sede: Hospital General de México, O.D. Diseño: Prospectivo, longitudinal y comparativo. Análisis estadístico: prueba t y Kolmogorov-Smirnov para muestras independientes; prueba de valor diagnóstico (sensibilidad, especificidad y valor global). Se realizó análisis con curvas ROC para identificar sensibilidad y especificidad con los diferentes puntos de corte. Pacientes y métodos: Se incluyeron 54 pacientes con diagnóstico de ictericia de origen obstructivo. Se dividieron en dos grupos de acuerdo al diagnóstico final, enfermedad maligna vs enfermedad benigna. Se realizó determinación sérica de CA 19-9 al ingreso y al resolver la colestasis y se correlacionaron los niveles con el diagnóstico final. Resultados: En pacientes ictéricos, con un punto de corte de 60 U/mL para distinguir entre enfermedad maligna y benigna, el CA 19-9 tiene una sensibilidad de 80% y una especificidad de 90%. Una vez resuelta la colestasis con punto de corte de 39 U/mL se obtiene una sensibilidad de 71% con una especificidad de 96%. La normalización del marcador después del drenaje biliar es altamente sugerente de patología benigna. La persistencia de niveles elevados (mayores de 60 U/mL) es altamente sugerente de malignidad con una sensibilidad de 58% y especificidad de 100%. Conclusiones: La colestasis sí modifica la sensibilidad y especificidad del CA 19-9 para el diagnóstico de neoplasias malignas pancreatobiliares, por lo que en presencia de ictericia de origen obstructivo el punto de corte de 60 U/mL ofrece una sensibilidad de 80% con una especificidad de 90% para distinguir entre enfermedad benigna y maligna. Una vez resuelta la colestasis, la persistencia de niveles elevados es altamente sugerente de malignidad.

Objective: To describe the biological behavior of the tumor marker CA 19-9 in cholestasis to determine its usefulness for the diagnosis of pancreatobiliary cancer in patients with obstructive-origin jaundice. Sede: General Hospital of Mexico, third level health care center. Mexico City. Design: Prospective, longitudinal, and comparative study. Statistical analysis: T and Kolmogorov Smirnov tests for independent samples; diagnostic value test (sensitivity, specificity, and global value). Analysis with ROC curves was performed to identify sensitivity and specificity at the different cutting points. Patients and methods: We included 54 patients with a diagnosis of obstructive-origin jaundice. They were divided in two groups according to the final diagnosis, malignant disease vs. benign disease. Serum CA 19-9 was determined at admittance and once cholestasis had been resolved, and the levels were correlated with the final diagnosis. Results: In jaundice patients, with a cut point of 60 U/mL to distinguish between malignant and benign disease, the CA 19-9 marker has a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 90%. Once cholestasis had been resolved with a cut point of 39 U/mL, sensitivity was of 71% with a 96% specificity. Normalization of the marker after bile drainage is highly suggestive of benign pathology. The persistence of high levels (higher than 60 U/mL) is highly suggestive of malignancy with a sensitivity of 58% and specificity of 100%. Conclusions: Cholestasis does modify the sensitivity and specificity of the CA 19-9 marker for the diagnosis of pancreatobiliary malignant neoplasms; therefore, in the presence of obstructive-origin jaundice, the 60 U/mL cut point offers a sensitivity of 80% with a specificity of 90% to be able to distinguish between malignant and benign disease. Once cholestasis has been resolved, persistence of high levels is highly suggestive of malignancy.

Correlation between bile amylase elevation and biliary tract disease in patients with normal pancreaticobiliary junction / 中华消化内镜杂志

Objective To investigate the relationship between bile amylase (BA) elevation and biliary tract disease in patients with normal pancreaticobiliary junction (NPBJ). Methods The bile juice was collected from bile duct in 202 consecutive cases who underwent therapeutic endoscopic retragrade cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for biliary diseases ( biliary bile group), and from gallbladder (GB) in 73 consecutive cases who underwent percutaneous transbepatic cholecystoscopy for extraction of GB stone ( GB bile group). In biliary bile group, in addition to the measurement of BA, the level of lipnse (n =68), bacteria culture ( n = 149 ), manometry of Oddi's sphincter ( n = 27 ) and bile duct ( n = 38) were also performed. In GB bile group, additional GB biopsy was taken in 31 cases. No patient with pancreaticobiliary maljunction, history of cholangiojejunostomy or post-endoscopic sphincterotomy was included in the study. Results In biliary bile group, BA level was elevated in 95 patients (47. 0% ), in which there was no significant difference between neoplastic and non-neoplastic cases ( 56. 9% vs. 43.7%, P > 0. 05 ), although BA was elevated in most patients with hiler cholangiocarcinoma (7/9). The level of BA was correlated with bile lipase (r =0. 561 ), but not with pressure of Oddi's sphincter or bile duct. No significant difference in positive rate of bile bacteria culture was detected between patients with normal BA level and those with elevated level. In GB bile group, BA level was elevated in 25 patients (34. 3% ), in which the frequency of GB epithelium dysplasia is 87.5%, which was significantly higher than that from patients with normal BA level ( P < 0. 001 ). Conclusion The patients with biliary tract disease and NPBJ have high incidence of reflux of pancreatic juice into bile duct. In patients with elevated BA level, there was no significant difference between incidences of neoplastic or non-neoplastic disease, while the frequency of GB epithelium dysplasia and hilar cholangiocarcinoma were higher than those from patients with normal BA level.

Pancreas divisum and choledochal cyst.

Pancreas divisum (PD) is the most common congenital variant of the pancreas, affecting 5% to 14% of the population. The ventral duct only drains the ventral pancreas through the major papilla, whereas the majority of the pancreas drains via the dorsal duct through the minor papilla. We report the case of a 21-year-old woman with recurrent acute pancreatitis who presented with the rare finding of choledochal cyst and pancreas divisum (PD). She underwent minor papilla sphincterotomy and pancreatic duct stenting. Comparable literature findings of PD and choledochal cyst are discussed with regard to the presented case.

Occult pancreatobiliary reflux / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective To investigate the incidence of occult pancreatobiliary reflux and to evaluate its relation to gallbladder epithelial dysplasia and cancer. Methods From July 2006 to Feb 2008,956 cases underwent selective biliary procedure or preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopanereatography (ERCP), bile was collected and amylase was measured. All removed gallbladders were pathologically examined for dysplasia and cancer. Results Occult pancreatobihary reflux was found in 75 of 754 patients in this study, with an incidence of 9. 9%. The biliary amylase values in the patients with occult pancreatobiliary reflux and in controls were 7701±20 378 IU/L and 16±51 IU/L, respectively ( P <0. 01 ).Gallbladder dysplasia and cancer were found in 31.0% and 3.4% of the patients with occult pancreatobiliaryreflux, respectively, and both were higher than those in the patients without pancreatobiliary reflux ( P <0. 05). In the patients with occult pancreatobiliary reflux, the biliary amylase level with gallbladder dysplasia or cancer was 2388 ± 2745 IU/L and was higher than those without gallbladder dysplasia or cancer (P < 0. 01 ). Conclusions With an incidence of 9.9% in patients of normal pancreatobiliary junction,the occult pancreatobihary reflux may contribute to the pathogenesis of gallbladder epithelial dysplasia and cancer.

A Case of the Forme Fruste Choledochal Cyst

Forme fruste choledochal cyst (FFCC) is one of the diverse types of choledochal cyst with little or no dilatation of the extrahepatic bile duct (EHBD). It is considered that FFCC has to do with the pancreatobiliary malunion (PBM). In children, 3 to 6 millimeters of EHBD is assumed to be normal. Even though there is no clear-cut definition, FFCC is likely to be associated with bile duct dilatation less than 10 millimeters. Almost all cases have PBMs and symptoms of the pancreatitis or cholangitis. We experienced a case of FFCC in a 4-year-old boy. His EHBD measures 10mm diameter. He had symptoms of pancreatitis and elevated hepatic transaminases. The pancreatobiliary common channel was 28 millimeters. He underwent EHBD resection and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy and was discharged with no specific complications.

Ecoendoscopia e la patología biliar y pancreática / Endosonography in Pancreatobiliary Disorders

La ecoendoscopía o ultrasonografía endoscópica (USE) permite una buena visualización de la vesícula, vía biliar, del parénquima pancreático y de las estructuras vasculares vecinas a estos órganos. 1,2 Tiene una alta resolución debido a la cercanía del transductor y a las elevadas frecuencias. Junto con otras técnicas de imagen que se están desarrollando, como la tomografía computarizada (TC) helicoidal y la colangiopancreatografía por resonancia magnética (CPRM) son técnicas seguras y que ofrecen resultados prometedores en el estudio de los tumores, permitiendo la estadificación locoregional de éstos, llegar al diagnóstico de cálculos pequeños de la vía biliar principal que no son visualizados por US abdominal y lograr una visualización más fiel de la glándula pancreática y de las estructuras vasculares vecinas. 3,4, 5.

Endoscopic ultrasound is a minimally invasive imaging modality that provides high - resolution images of the extrahepatic biliary tree and the surrounding structures. It has been shown to be accurate for the detection and staging of bile duct and gallbladder cancer, and is especially useful for small tumors. Intraductal techniques, which are still in evolution, may provide even more information about the etiology and extent of biliary structures and mural tumors. EUS has also been shown to be useful for the detection of biliary stones and sludge when transabdominal ultrasound is not diagnostic. In many cases, diagnostic EUS is needed. 1, 2, 3 Endosonography produces detailed images of the pancreas and surrounding blood vessels and provides both accurate detection and staging of malignant lesions and the means for making a tissue diagnosis.The instruments and techniques for endosonography continue improving, and at present EUS can be considered a promising minimally invasive tool for evaluating the pancreatobiliary disorders. 4, 5.

The Decision-making Value of Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography in Patients Suspicious for Pancreatobiliary Diseases / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an operator-dependent procedure and has significant procedure-related morbidity and mortality. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is a safe noninvasive method for pancreatobiliary imaging. The aims of this study were to evaluate the potential impact of MRCP on performing ERCP and to evaluate the decision-making value of MRCP in patients suspicious for pancreatobiliary diseases. METHODS: Two hundreds twelve patients (M:F 108:104, mean age 59.3+/-13.7) who underwent MRCP due to clinical or sonographic suggesting pancreatobiliary disease were included. We divided patients into four groups according to their presumptive diagnosis: biliary stone (group 1), biliary tumor (group 2), gallstone pancreatitis (group 3) and other biliary diseases (group 4). RESULTS: Numbers of cases in group 1, 2, 3 and 4 were 145, 43, 17 and 7, respectively. In 144 cases (67.9%), ERCP was unnecessary and 76 cases (35.8%) required neither ERCP nor any other treatment. Thereafter, these cases were thought to be a patient group in whom the workload of performing ERCP could be reduced. CONCLUSIONS: MRCP can reduce the number and efforts doing ERCP and is helpful in decision-making for the treatment of pancreatobiliary disease. Therefore, MRCP could be the primary diagnostic tool before choosing ERCP.

A Case of an Anomalous Union of the Pancreatobiliary Duct Associated with Pancreas Divisum / 대한소화기내시경학회지

An anomalous union of the pancreatobiliary ductal system is defined as the junction between the common bile duct and the pancreatic duct outside the duodenal wall and beyond the influence of the sphincter of Oddi. This anomaly may relate to some pancreatobiliary lesions such as choledochal cysts, biliary tract carcinomas, or pancreatitis. Pancreas divisum is the most common congenital variant of the pancreatic ductal anatomy, and when it occurs, the ductal system of the dorsal and ventral pancreatic bud, fail to fuse during the second month of gestation. There have only been four cases of the coexistence of an anomalous union of the pancreatobiliary duct and pancreas divisum, reported until now. The case of a 29 year old man with epigastric pain and fever was recently experienced. An ERCP revealed an anomalous union of the pancreatobiliary duct, complete pancreas divisum and common bile duct stone. The case is herein reported.