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Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for malignant obstruction of the biliary tract. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with malignant biliary obstruction treated by PDT in our medical center. On the basis of different treatment plans, the patients were categorized into the photodynamic only group and the combined treatment group, in which additional interventional operations, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy were arranged. The alterations in liver function, duration of biliary patency, and postoperative complications that occurred within one month were closely monitored in both groups. Results A total number of 19 patients were enrolled in this study. The technical success rate of PDT was 100%. The deterioration of liver function was not observed in any patients within one month after PDT. Within a maximum of 17.7 months follow-up, the patency rates of the biliary tract were 100.0%, 89.5%, 72%, and 64% at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the procedure, respectively. The mean biliary patency time was 6.9±0.8 months (95%CI: 5.2-8.7 months). Specifically, the biliary patency times for Bismuth type Ⅲ and Ⅳ were 7.5±1.1 and 6.1±1.3 months, respectively. The biliary patency time was around 3.3±0.7 months in the photodynamic only group and 7.9±0.9 months in the combined treatment group (P=0.017). Conclusion PDT for Bismuth Ⅲ-Ⅳ malignant biliary obstruction is safe and effective. Moreover, the period of biliary patency is greatly extended when PDT is combined with systemic therapy.
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Objective To preliminarily evaluate the application value of SpyGlass direct visualization system in the diagnosis and treatment of biliary stricture after liver transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 4 patients presenting with biliary stricture after liver transplantation who underwent SpyGlass direct visualization system examination were collected. The examination, treatment and prognosis of biliary stricture were analyzed. Results The examination results of color Doppler ultrasound, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in 4 patients suggested biliary anastomotic stricture with intrahepatic biliary dilatation, and 2 of them were complicated with intrahepatic biliary calculi. Repeated placement of biliary stent under ERCP yielded poor effect in 3 cases. SpyGlass direct visualization system examination hinted biliary anastomotic stricture in 4 patients, 3 cases of intrahepatic biliary dilatation, 3 cases of intrahepatic biliary calculi, 2 cases of purulent bile and 3 cases of floccules within the biliary tract, 1 case of congestion and edema of biliary tract wall and 2 cases of local epithelial necrosis and stiffness changes of intrahepatic biliary tract wall. The wire could not be inserted in 1 patient due to severe biliary anastomotic stricture. Four patients were treated with biliary stricture resection + biliary stone removal + biliary end-to-end anastomosis, biliary stricture resection + biliary-intestinal anastomosis, ERCP lithotomy + biliary metal stent implantation, and biliary metal stent implantation + percutaneous transhepatic bile duct lithotomy, respectively. Relevant symptoms were relieved without evident complications. All patients survived during the follow-up until the submission date. Conclusions Compared with traditional imaging examination, SpyGlass direct visualization system may more directly display the morphological characteristics of biliary tract wall and structural changes within biliary tract cavity, which is an effective examination tool for biliary stricture after liver transplantation. In addition, individualized treatment methods may be adopted for different biliary tract diseases, which is expected to improve clinical prognosis of patients.
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Hepatolithiasis refers to a disease with stones located in bile ducts above the bifurcation of the left and right hepatic ducts. It is a common benign biliary duct disease. Hepatolithiasis is often associated with intrahepatic bile duct strictures. Due to its complex etiology and pathological changes, its treatment remains a hot topic for debate and research in biliary surgery. In recent years, new treatments have been introduced, but they are all faced with problems such as high recurrence rate, postoperative restenosis rate and reoperation rate. This article reviews the recent progress of surgical management of biliary strictures in the treatment of hepatolithiasis, including the use of hepatectomy, biliary plastic surgery, choledochoenterostomy, choledochoscopy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography biliary stent placement to provide a up-to-date view surgical treatment of hepatolithiasis associated with biliary strictures.
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Objective:To investigate the influencing factors for anastomotic biliary stric-ture after liver transplantation.Methods:The retrospective case-control study was conducted. The clinical data of 428 recipients who underwent allogeneic orthotopic liver transplantation in the First Hospital of Jilin University from September 2014 to August 2021 were collected. There were 324 males and 104 females, aged (52±10)years. Observation indicators: (1) surgical conditions of recipients; (2) occurrence of anastomotic biliary stricture after liver transplantation and its treat-ment; (3) analysis of influencing factors for anastomotic biliary stricture after liver transplantation. Follow-up was conducted using outpatient examination to detect occurrence of anastomotic biliary stricture and treatment up to August 30, 2021. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the t test. Measure-ment data with skewed distribution were represented as M( Q1, Q3) or M(range), and comparison between groups was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Count data were represented as absolute numbers, and the chi-square test was used for comparison between groups. Logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis. Results:(1) Surgical conditions of recipients: the operation time of 428 recipients was 465(420,520)minutes, the cold ischemia time was 368(320,450)minutes, and the volume of intraoperative blood loss was 2 500(1 500,4 000)mL. Of the 428 recipients, 142 cases were performed continuous biliary posterior wall anastomosis + interrup-ted anterior wall anastomosis by polygluconate sutures, 286 cases were anastomosed with polypro-pylene sutures, including 169 cases undergoing continuous biliary posterior wall anastomosis combined with interrupted anterior wall anastomosis, 73 cases undergoing completely interrupted biliary anterior and posterior wall anastomosis, and 44 cases undergoing completely continuous biliary anterior and posterior wall anastomosis. None of the 428 recipients had indwelling T tubes. (2) Occurrence of anastomotic biliary stricture after liver transplantation and its treatment:all the 428 recipients were followed up for 3 to 72 months, with a median follow-up time of 28 months. During the follow-up, 50 patients developed anastomotic biliary stricture, of which 41 patients were treated with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, 8 patients were treated with percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage, and 1 patient was treated with surgery, showing no recurrence. (3)Analysis of influencing factors for anastomotic biliary stricture after liver transplanta-tion: results of univariate analysis showed that anastomosis method and donor liver cold ischemia time were related factors for postoperative anastomotic biliary stricture of recipients undergoing allogeneic orthotopic liver transplantation ( χ2=15.74, Z=-2.04, P<0.05). Results of multivariate analysis showed that completely interrupted biliary anterior and posterior wall anastomosis and donor liver cold ischemia time were independent influencing factors for postoperative anastomotic biliary stricture of recipients undergoing allogeneic orthotopic liver transplantation ( odds ratio=0.25, 1.00, 95% confidence interval as 0.08-0.85, 1.00-1.01, P<0.05). Conclusions:Suture type is not an influencing factor for postoperative anastomotic biliary stricture of recipients undergoing allogeneic orthotopic liver transplantation. Completely interrupted biliary anterior and posterior wall anastomosis and donor liver cold ischemia time were independent influencing factors.
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Liver transplantation has become an effective treatment for end-stage liver diseases. With rapid development of surgical techniques, donor selection, organ preservation and transportation, immunosuppressants and perioperative management, the overall incidence of complications after liver transplantation has been significantly decreased, whereas the incidence of biliary complications remains relatively high. At present, biliary complications after liver transplantation are still an important cause of graft failure. Nevertheless, the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of biliary complications remain controversial, which are also research hotspots in the field of organ transplantation in recent years. In this article, new breakthrough and research progress upon biliary complications after orthotopic liver transplantation in adults were reviewed, aiming to provide theoretical basis for resolving biliary complications-related clinical issues.
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Benign biliary strictures (BBSs) is a kind of difficult clinical problem in biliary surgery. Surgery and endoscopic treatment are common diagnostic and therapeutic methods. The rapid development of endoscopic technology challenges the traditional surgery. How to integrate surgery and endoscopic technology in an orderly manner and develop strengths and circumvent weaknesses requires a breakthrough in guiding ideas. The precision surgery, with the characteristics of certainty, predictability, controllability, standardization, individualization and systematization, has become an ideal choice for integrating surgery and endoscopic technology. Based on clinical practice, the authors discuss the endoscopic diagnosis and treatment strategy of BBSs from the perspective of precision surgery by implementing the core elements of precision surgery.
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Objective:To explore the characteristics of biliary stricture after liver transplantation (LT) under SpyGlass peroral choledochoscopy and to investigate its treatment value for difficult stricture.Method:A total of 24 patients of biliary stricture after LT at the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University underwent SpyGlass examination from January 2019 to December 2020, 15.5 months (2-58 months) after surgery. The characteristics of different types of strictures and the selective guidewire placement results by SpyGlass were recorded and analyzed.Results:Of the 24 patients, 9 were anastomostic strictures (AS) and 15 others were non-anastomostic strictures (NAS). The main characteristic of 5 initial AS patients was scar constriction. Whether treated or not, all of the 15 NAS patients showed evident inflammatory hyperplasia in hilar bile duct under SpyGlass, 80% (12/15) of which were accompanied with intrahepatic biliary stones. The strictures disappeared with mild hyperplasia in 8 patients (4 AS and 4 NAS) whose biliary stents were extracted. Eleven patients (5 AS and 6 NAS) needed guidwire placement under SpyGlass, six (54.5%) of whom succeeded. The successful rate in AS patients was higher than that of NAS (4/5 VS 2/6).Conclusion:The main characteristic of AS is scar constriction and that of NAS is inflammatory hyperplasia. Selective guidewire placement can be achieved by SpyGlass peroral choledochoscopy with a satisfactory successful rate in the difficult AS.
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Background & Aim: Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (RYHJ) is the most common treatment done for benign biliary strictures and as a part of for post CDC excision biliary drainage. In the long term follow up, RYHJ stenosis is a dreaded complication, both for the patients and the attending surgeon, in view of the complexity and difficulty in its management. This is traditionally managedby a combination of medical, radiological and open surgical techniques. There are only a few reports describing the management of strictured biliary anastomosis by a laparoscopic technique. The aim of the present study is to describe our experience of laparoscopic re- establishment of biliary continuity(Re-do hepatico-jejunostomy) Methods: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of RYHJ stenosis post benign biliary stricture (BBS) repair and choledochal cyst (CDC) excision, treated by laparoscopic re-do RYHJ, between January 2018 to December 2018 in the department of GI Surgery, GB Pant Institute & Maulana Azad Medical College. Results: 6 patients underwent laparoscopic Re-do RYHJ during the study period. 4 patients developed RYHJ stenosis post open BBS repair and 2 after open CDC excision. The presenting complaints was repeated episodes of fever with jaundice, refractory to medical management. Three patients also had hepatolithiasis.
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Objective:To explore the efficacy of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) biliary stent implantation in patients with unresectable malignant biliary stricture (MBS) and the influencing factors of overall survival.Methods:The clinical data of 346 patients who underwent ERCP biliary stent implantation due to MBS from May 2013 to October 2016 in Xijing Digestive Disease Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University, Shanxi Bethune Hospital and Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University were retrospectively analyzed, and the efficacy, complications and risk factors affecting overall survival were also analyzed.Results:After ERCP biliary stent implantation, the levels of total bilirubin, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase were lower than those before surgery (all P < 0.01). The incidence of infection after operation was 14.7% (51/346), and the incidence of biliary infection was 13.0% (45/346). The incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) was 4.6% (16/346). The median survival time after ERCP was 131.0 d (70.3 d, 246.5 d). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the independent risk factors affecting the overall survival patients included the hilar bile duct stenosis ( HR = 1.85, 95% CI 1.44-2.38, P < 0.01), preoperative bilirubin level exceeding the upper limit of normal level by 5 times ( HR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.30-2.36, P < 0.01), carbohydrate antigen 199 level exceeding the upper limit of normal level by 10 times ( HR = 1.27, 95% CI 1.00-1.61, P = 0.050), vascular and organ metastasis ( HR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.04-1.69, P = 0.023), and the poor jaundice decreasing level ( HR = 1.37, 95% CI 1.02-1.85, P = 0.037) . Conclusions:The ERCP biliary stent implantation is a safe and effective therapy for MBS. ERCP biliary stent implantation MBS patients with hilar bile duct stenosis, preoperative bilirubin levels more than 5 times of the upper limit of normal level, carbohydrate antigen 199 levels more than 10 times of the upper limit of normal level, vascular and organ metastasis, and poor jaundice decreasing level may have poor overall survival.
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Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of enteral extended biliary stenting for biliary stricture.Methods:A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted on data of 550 patients with obstructive jaundice due to extrahepatic bile duct stricture between February 2006 and April 2020. Patients were assigned to conventional group (undergoing conventional biliary stent placement) and extended group (undergoing enteral extended biliary stent placement). Propensity score was used to match the basic data of patients of the two groups. Then the stent patency time, bilirubin difference before and after 1 week operation, incidence of complications and hospital stay were compared between the two groups.Results:Among the 550 patients, clinical data of 20 cases were missing and 35 failed to be followed up. Finally, 326 patients were enrolled to the study after propensity score matching with 163 cases in each group. The patency time of extended group was 111.0 (82.0, 192.0) days, which was longer than that of conventional group with patency time of 93.0 (70.0, 141.8) days ( Z=3.260, P=0.001). Total bilirubin difference value of pre-operation and post-operation was less in extended group [51.2 (26.0, 114.7) μmol/L VS 46.0 (13.9, 81.1) μmol/L, Z=2.095, P=0.036]. The rate of early adverse events [4.3% (7/163) VS 3.7% (6/163), P=0.079] and median in-patient days (10.0 days VS 10.0 days, P=0.379) were similar in the two groups. Conclusion:Enteral extended biliary stent is effective and safe for treatment of biliary stricture, which can prolong the patency time without increasing postoperative complications and hospital stay.
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At present, surgical and endoscopic interventions are mainly employed to treat ischemic-type biliary lesion (ITBL). Due to the disadvantages of single therapeutic strategy, high difficulty and expensive medical cost, it is urgent to identify a novel treatment option. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) has become potential seed cell for tissue and organ repair in regenerative medicine due to its high self-renewal capability, multi-directional differentiation potential, low immunogenicity and immunoregulatory effects, etc. Recent studies have demonstrated that MSC transplantation into ITBL animal models may not only home to the injured area, but also promote the repair of injured biliary tract tissues through anti-apoptotic and pro-angiogenic effect, which indicates that MSC transplantation is expected to become a new strategy for the treatment of ITBL. In this article, the biological characteristics of MSC, the mechanism and clinical application of MSC transplantation for ITBL were reviewed.
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Objective To investigate the role of multi-disciplinary team (MDT) in the treatment of complex cholestatic liver injury after liver transplantation. Methods MDT consultation was conducted to clarify the causes and therapeutic strategies for one case of complex cholestatic liver injury after liver transplantation admitted to Liver Transplantation Center of the First Hospital of Jilin University on June 23, 2020. And the role of MDT in the treatment of complex cholestatic liver injury after liver transplantation was summarized. Results The patient presented with abnormal liver function after liver transplantation. The diagnosis of biliary stricture, rejection and biliary tract infection was confirmed successively. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) stent internal and external double drainage, glucocorticoid shock and anti-infection therapy yielded low clinical efficacy. After MDT consultation, complex cholestatic liver injury after liver transplantation was confirmed. It was suggested to optimize the immunosuppressive regimen based on the exclusion of rejections by pathological examination, deliver targeted anti-infection interventions and prevent the potential risk of concomitant drug-induced liver injury. The patient was discharged after proper recovery. Conclusions The causes of complex cholestatic liver injury after liver transplantation are diverse, and the condition changes dynamically. MDT consultation are performed to deepen the understanding of this disease, strengthen the classification of diagnosis and treatment ideas and enhance the precision and efficacy of corresponding treatment.
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Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of early diagnosis by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) combined with mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy in the treatment of biliary ischemia after liver transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 9 recipients presenting with biliary ischemia detected by CEUS within 4 weeks after liver transplantation and diagnosed with non-anastomotic biliary stricture (NAS) within postoperative 1 year were retrospectively analyzed. In the conventional treatment group, 4 recipients were treated with conventional treatment including liver protection, cholagogic therapy and interventional therapy. In MSC treatment group, 5 recipients received intravenous infusion of MSC at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks after biliary ischemia detected by CEUS on the basis of conventional therapy. The interventional treatment and clinical prognosis within 1 year after liver transplantation were analyzed between two groups. Results Two recipients in the MSC treatment group required interventional therapy, which was initially given at 7-9 months after liver transplantation for 1-2 times. All recipients in the conventional treatment group required interventional therapy, which was initially delivered at postoperative 1-3 months for 2-6 times, earlier than that in the MSC treatment group. Within 1 year following liver transplantation, diffuse bile duct injury occurred in 2 recipients in MSC treatment group, and no graft dysfunction was observed. In the conventional treatment group, all recipients developed diffuse bile duct injury, and 2 recipients presented with graft dysfunction. Conclusions Early diagnosis of biliary ischemia after liver transplantation by CEUS combined with MSC therapy may delay and reduce the requirement of interventional therapy for NAS, and also improve clinical prognosis of the recipients.
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BACKGROUND/AIMS: It is often difficult to manage acute cholecystitis after metal stent (MS) placement in unresectable malignant biliary strictures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of endoscopic ultrasonography-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) for acute cholecystitis. METHODS: The clinical outcomes of 10 patients who underwent EUS-GBD for acute cholecystitis after MS placement between January 2011 and August 2018 were retrospectively evaluated. The procedural outcomes of percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) with tube placement (n=11 cases) and aspiration (PTGBA) (n=27 cases) during the study period were evaluated as a reference. RESULTS: The technical success and clinical effectiveness rates of EUS-GBD were 90% (9/10) and 89% (8/9), respectively. Severe bile leakage that required surgical treatment occurred in one case. Acute cholecystitis recurred after stent dislocation in 38% (3/8) of the cases. Both PTGBD and PTGBA were technically successful in all cases without severe adverse events and clinically effective in 91% and 63% of the cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: EUS-GBD after MS placement was a feasible option for treating acute cholecystitis. However, it was a rescue technique following the established percutaneous intervention in the current setting because of the immature technical methodology, including dedicated devices, which need further development.
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Humans , Bile , Cholecystitis, Acute , Constriction, Pathologic , Joint Dislocations , Drainage , Gallbladder , Retrospective Studies , Stents , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pathological diagnosis of biliary strictures with atypical or suspicious cells on endoscopic retrograde brush cytology and indeterminate strictures on imaging is challenging. The aim of this study was to identify markers for malignant strictures in such cases. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data collected from 146 consecutive patients with indeterminate biliary strictures on imaging who underwent endoscopic retrograde brush cytology from 2007 to 2013. Factors associated with malignant strictures in patients with atypical or suspicious cells on brush cytology were identified. RESULTS: Among the 67 patients with a malignant disease (48 cholangiocarcinoma, 6 gallbladder cancer, 5 pancreatic cancer, 5 ampulla of Vater cancer, and 3 other types), 36 (53.7%) had atypical or suspicious cells on brush cytology. Among these, the factors that independently correlated with malignant strictures were stricture length (odds ratio [OR], 5.259; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.802– 15.294) and elevated carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) (OR, 3.492; 95% CI, 1.242–9.815), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) (OR, 4.909; 95% CI, 1.694–14.224), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (OR, 3.362; 95% CI, 1.207–9.361), and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (rGT) (OR, 4.318; 95% CI, 1.512–12.262). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated levels of CA19-9, CEA, ALP, and rGT and stricture length are associated with malignant strictures in patients with indeterminate biliary strictures on imaging and atypical or suspicious cells on brush cytology.
Subject(s)
Humans , Alkaline Phosphatase , Ampulla of Vater , Carcinoembryonic Antigen , Cholangiocarcinoma , Constriction, Pathologic , Diagnosis , Gallbladder Neoplasms , gamma-Glutamyltransferase , Pancreatic Neoplasms , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Hilar biliary stricture is usually divided into malignant stricture and benign stricture. How to effectively deal with hilar biliary stricture has always been the focus in biliary surgery. Because it involves bile duct, hepatic artery,portal vein and liver parenchyma, the choice of surgical path is very important. The approach based on perihilar surgical technique can better expose the operative area and have the advantage of performing precise treatment, thus effectively improving the radical cure rate of hilar cholangiocarcinoma and reducing the surgical difficulty.
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Biliary stricture is a common clinical disease with various etiologies, which can be divided into benign and malignant biliary stricture. Accurate identification of benign and malignant nature of biliary stricture is of great importance for the determination of etiology, treatment and prognosis. At present, there is no consensus on the methods for diagnosis of biliary stricture, and the selection of diagnostic tools in clinical practice is diverse and without uniform standard. This article reviewed the progress in research on diagnosis of benign and malignant biliary stricture.
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Las estenosis biliares postoperatorias principalmente las post colecistectomía representan la causa más frecuente de estenosis biliares benignas. Presentamos el caso de una paciente del sexo femenino que acude por presentar ictericia, coluria, alzas térmicas y dolor abdominal con el único antecedente de una colecistectomía laparoscópica. Los exámenes de laboratorio presentan un patrón obstructivo colestásico se procede a realizar colangiopancreatografía retrógrada endoscópica (ERCP), observando estenosis de la vía biliar en relación a los clips metálicos. Se realizó dilataciones mecánicas e hidrostáticas de vía biliar además de la colocación, secuencial de dos prótesis biliares de plástico. A los 6 meses se retira las prótesis biliares no evidenciando estenosis en la colangiografía de control. El manejo de las estenosis benignas representa un reto ya sea para el endoscopista, como para el cirujano, la colangiopancreatografía retrógrada endoscópica juega un papel muy importante diagnóstico y terapéutico principalmente con la colocación de prótesis biliares.
Postoperative biliary strictures, mainly post cholecystectomy, represent the most frequent cause of benign biliary stenosis. We present a case of a female patient who presents jaundice, choluria, thermal spikes and abdominal pain with the only history of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Laboratories with a cholestasic obstructive pattern proceeds to perform endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), observing stenosis of the bile duct in relation to metal clips. Mechanical and hydrostatic dilatations of the bile duct were performed in addition to the sequential placement of two plastic biliary stents. 6 months later biliary stents were removed, not showing stricture area in the control cholangiography. The management of benign strictures represent a challenge for both the endoscopist and the surgeon the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography plays a very important diagnostic and therapeutic role mainly with the placement of biliary stent.
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Bile Ducts/surgery , Constriction, Pathologic , Bile DuctsABSTRACT
Accurate diagnosis of biliary strictures is challenging and it commonly necessitates a multidisciplinary approach. There has been a great advancement of endoscopic techniques in tissue acquisition, laboratory tests, and imaging studies. Indeterminate biliary strictures are defined as strictures of no identifiable etiology despite extensive evaluation. Imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, multi-detector computed tomography play a great role in evaluating the level, degree, length of biliary strictures and presence of a mass. Early and accurate diagnosis as malignant stricture can determine not only optimal timing of surgery, but also potential timely chemotherapy. No assertive diagnostic modalities to distinguish benign from malignant strictures is yet established. This article reviews various etiologies of biliary strictures and discusses the laboratory evaluation, imaging modalities and promising endoscopic work-up with biopsy to improve the diagnostic sensitivity.
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Biopsy , Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance , Constriction, Pathologic , Diagnosis , Drug Therapy , Magnetic Resonance ImagingABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIMS: In suspected malignant biliary strictures (MBSs), the diagnostic yield of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-based tissue sampling is limited. Transpapillary forceps biopsy (TPB) under intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) guidance is expected to improve the diagnostic accuracy in patients with indeterminate biliary strictures. We evaluated the usefulness of IDUS-guided TPB in patients with suspected MBS. METHODS: Consecutive patients with suspected MBS were prospectively enrolled in the study. ERCP with IDUS was performed in all patients. Both conventional TPB and IDUS-guided TPB on fluoroscopy were performed in each patient. The primary outcome was the diagnostic accuracy of conventional TPB and IDUS-guided TPB. RESULTS: The technical success rate of IDUS-guided TPB was 97.0% (65/67 patients). Of these 65 patients, the final diagnosis was malignancy in 61 patients (93.8%). On IDUS, the most common finding of IDUS was an intraductal infiltrating lesion in 29 patients (47.5%). The overall diagnostic accuracy was significantly higher using IDUS-guided TPB than that using conventional TPB (90.8% vs 76.9%, p=0.027). According to the subgroup analysis based on the tumor morphology, IDUS-guided TPB had a significantly higher cancer detection rate than conventional TPB for intraductal infiltrating lesions (89.6% vs 65.5%, p=0.028). CONCLUSIONS: IDUS-guided TPB appears to improve the accuracy of histological diagnosis in patients with MBS.