Research progress of hepatolithiasis / 中国基层医药

Hepatolithiasis is a disease which stone firstly occurs in intrahepatic bile duct system.This disease has complex pathogenetic condition, extensive lesion.It also has high recurrence rate, residual stone rate and complication occurrence rate.And at the same time, it has possibility to be canceration.At present, hepatectomy is considered to be the best approach to treat hepatolithiasis.What's more, there are also some other therapies, such as transhepatic cholangiolithotomy, bile duct stricture repair revascularization, liver transplatation and non-operation treatment, and so on.In recent years, the symptom of hepatolithiasis in our country becomes lighter, the range becomes more limited, and the course becomes more early.However, this disease is still a big challenge for hepatobiliary surgeon.In this article, we review the epidemiology, pathogenesis and treatment progress of hepatolithiasis.

Function of mucin 2, mucin 4 on lithogenic bile of calculus of intrahepatic duct / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective To investigate the function of mucin 2,mucin 4 on formation of lithogenic bile in patients with calculus of intrahepatic duct.Methods Bile duct mucosa,bile duct wall,bile and plasma were collected from 56 patients with calculus of intrahepatic duct (CID group) and 17 individuals without calculus of intrahepatic duct (control group).The bile duct wall was stained with mucin 2 (MUC2) and mucin 4 (MUC4).Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was applied to study the mRNA expressions of MUC2 and MUC4 in the bile duct mucosa.The correlation of the bile duct and serum lipid index was analyzed.Results Serum lipid index in the CID group was significantly higher than control group (all P＜0.05).Biliary total bile acids and bile acids mol percentage were lower in the CID group than control group (both P＜0.05).The expressions of MUC2 was not increased significantly in CID group than the control group (all P＞0.05).The expressions of MUC4 were more significantly increased in CID group than the control group (P＜0.05).The mRNA of MUC4 in the CID group was also more significantly increased than in control group (P＜0.01).There were no correlations between MUC4 expression and the level of biliary total bile acid in the CID group (r=-0.374,P＜0.05).Conclusion The expression of MUC4 in patients with CID was enhanced,which promoted the absorption of bile acid by the mucosal epithelium of the bile duct,and caused a large amount of mucin to be secreted into bile,which may be related to the formation of stony bile.

Management of Intrahepatic Duct Stone / 대한소화기학회지

Intrahepatic duct (IHD) stone is the presence of calculi within the intrahepatic bile duct specifically located proximal to the confluence of the left and right hepatic ducts. This stone is characterized by its intractable nature and frequent recurrence, requiring multiple therapeutic interventions. Without proper treatment, biliary strictures and retained stones can lead to repeated episodes of cholangitis, liver abscesses, secondary biliary cirrhosis, portal hypertension, and death from sepsis or hepatic failure. The ultimate treatment goals for IHD stones are complete removal of the stone, the correction of the associated strictures, and the prevention of recurrent cholangitis. A surgical resection can satisfy the goal of treatment for hepatolithiasis, i.e., complete removal of the IHD stones, stricture, and the risk of cholangiocarcinogenesis. On the other hand, in some cases, such as bilateral IHD stones, surgery alone cannot achieve these goals. Therefore, the optimal treatments require a multidisciplinary approach, including endoscopic and radiologic interventional procedures before and/or after surgery. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotomy (PTCS-L) is particularly suited for patients at poor surgical risk or who refuse surgery and those with previous biliary surgery or stones distributed in multiple segments. PTCS-L is relatively safe and effective for the treatment of IHD stones, and complete stone clearance is mandatory to reduce the sequelae of IHD stones. An IHD stricture is the main factor contributing to incomplete clearance and stone recurrence. Long-term follow-up is required because of the overall high recurrence rate of IHD stones and the association with cholangiocarcinoma.

Evaluation of effect of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and laparoscopic bile duct exploration lithotomy in treatment of intra/extra-hepatic duct stones / 中国内镜杂志

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and laparoscopic bile duct exploration lithotomy (LBDEL) in treatment of intra/extra-hepatic duct stones. Methods There were 110 patients whose intrahepatic stones located in Ⅰ , Ⅱ hepatic duct and 378 patients whose stones only located in the common bile duct. These patients respectively underwent LBDE combined with choledochoscope laser lithotripsy or ERCP combined with endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) and endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) to remove the stones. Common bile ducts were performed primary suture or T tube placement in the LBDEL cases. The evaluation was carried out for perioperative complications and postoperative recovery of the surgical methods. Results The residual stone rate was 31.82% in 110 cases. The rate was higher in ERCP group (51.06%) than that in LBDEL group (17.46%) (P < 0.05). Postoperative recovery was better in LBDEL group than that in ERCP group. The residual stone rate was 8.20% in 378 cases. The rate was lower in ERCP group (3.68%) than that in LBDEL group(11.63%) (P < 0.05). Between the two groups, there had no statistical significance in postoperative recovery. The incidences of bile leakage and pulmonary infection were higher in LBDEL group than in ERCP group. The incidences of abdominal cavity infection, acute pancreatitis, digestive tract perforation and gastrointestinal bleeding were higher in ERCP group than that in LBDEL group. 2 of the 378 patients occurred death were happened digestive tract perforation which were induced during ERCP procedure. Conclusion LBDEL and ERCP demonstrated the same therapeutic effects in the treatment of common bile duct stones. However, ERCP has no large advantages in the treatment of hepatolithiasis, and shows higher complication rates. LBDEL has a significant curative effect for intra-and extrahepatic bile duct calculi and can maintain the integrity of Oddi sphincter. This technology is easy to spread to the basic-level hospital to benefit the majority of patients.

The Diagnosis of Intrahepatic Bile Duct Stones with Early Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma by Combining CA199, CEA, CA50 and ALP and Magnetic Resonance Imaging / 昆明医科大学学报

Objective To explore the use of CA199,CEA,CA50 and ALP combined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosis of intrahepatic bile duct stones with early bile duct carcinoma.Methods The clinical diagnosis of 36 cases of patients with hepatolithasis-associated intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (HICC) and 118 cases with intrahepatic duct stone (IHDS) were analyzed retrospectively.Serum CA199,CEA,CA50,ALP and magnetic resonance (MRI,MRCP) were performed and the results were analyzed.Results Abdominal pain discomfort in Hepatolithasis-associated intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma showed multiple symptoms.Three typical Charcot syndromes were rare.On the gender distribution,intrahepatic bile duct stones was frequently found in women,on the contrary,Hepatolithasis-associated intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma was frequently more found in men (P ＜0.05) Abdominal pain and fever in patients of Hepatolithasis-associated intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma was more than that of patients with Intrahepatic bile duct stone (P＜0.05) When alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was more than 169 U/L,significant difference was seen between two groups (P＜ 0.05) According to the diagnosis of HICC,the accuracy of CA199,CEA,CA50 combined with ALP was 88.6％,the accuracy of magnetic resonance examination alone was 90.2％,and the accuracy of multiple serological markers and magnetic resonance was 95.5％.Conclusion MRI combined with serum CA199,CEA,CA50 and ALP can effectively improve the HICC preoperative diagnosis rate.

Changes in the types of liver diseases requiring hepatic resection: a single-institution experience of 9016 cases over a 10-year period

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: To understand the changing demands for hepatic resection (HR), we collected data regarding HR performed in a tertiary centre over a period of 10 years. METHODS: We carried out extensive search of institutional databases to identify HR cases performed between January 2005 and December 2014. A study cohort of 9,016 patients were divided into 5 disease categories, namely hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), intrahepatic duct stone disease (IHDS), colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM), and uncommon/rare diseases (URD). RESULTS: There were 5,661 (62.8%) HCC cases, followed by 1441 (16.0%) CRLM, 942 (10.5%) ICC, 638 (7.1%) IHDS and 334 (3.7%) URD. The number of annual HR cases gradually increased from 443 in 2005 to 1,260 in 2015. Annual HCC cases also gradually increased, but the annual proportion of HCC cases fluctuated narrowly between 58.3% and 70.2%. Annual CRLM cases increased rapidly, and their proportion increased progressively from 4.7% to 20.5%. Annual ICC cases increased slowly, and their annual proportion fluctuated between 7.2% and 15.6%. Annual IHDS cases decreased slowly, and their annual proportion decreased progressively from 17.2% to 3.4%, while annual URD cases fluctuated, with annual proportions varying between 2.3% and 5.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Annual cases of HR increased over the last 10 years in a tertiary center probably due to a center-specific centralization effect. The number of CRLM cases increased rapidly; those of HCC and ICC increased gradually, and those of IHDS declined gradually. We believe that these results reflect real changes in the types of liver disease requiring HR.

Efficacy of choledochoscopy for the treatment of postoperative intrahepatic duct stones and strictures / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective To summarize the experience of surgical management of postoperative intrahepatic duct stones and strictures with choledochoscope.Methods The clinical data of 1241 patients with intrahepatic duct stones and strictures who were admitted to the Shenzhen People's Hospital from January 2000 to December 2011 were retrospectively analyzed.All patients were divided into postoperative choledochoscopy group (652 patients were treated by choledochoscope through T-tube fistula) and conservative treatment group (589 patients were treated by cholangic and antibiotic drugs) according to treatment plan.The clinical data including stricture alleviation,incidence of complications and treatment efficacies of the 2 groups were compared using the chi-square test.Results In the postoperative choledochoscopy group,the intrahepatic duct stones of 630 patients were completely removed,with the removal rate of 96.63％ (630/652),which was significandy higher than 76.23％ (449/589) of the conservative treatment group (x2=113.407,P ＜ 0.05).A total of 1237 intrahepatic duct strictures were detected in the postoperative choledochoscopy group,including 698 cases of membranous stricture (the length of strictured bile duct ＜ 2 mm),529 cases of spool-shaped stricture (2 mm ≤ the length of strictured bile duct ≤5 mm),8 cases of long tube-shaped stricture (the length of strictured bile duct ＞ 5 mm),2 cases of crackshaped stricture.The alleviation rate of the stricture was 99.35％ (1229/1237).The conditions of 6 cases of long tube-shaped stricture and 2 cases of crack-shaped stricture were not alleviated.There were 986 cases of intrahepatic duct strictures in the conservative treatment group,and the stricture alleviation rate was 80.43％ (793/986).There was a significant difference in the stricture alleviation rate between the 2 groups (x2=238.994,P ＜ 0.05).Nine patients in the postoperative choledochoscopy group had severe complications.Five patients had intrahepatic duct hemorrhage with a volume of blood loss more than 1500 ml,and they were treated by balloon dilatation hemostasis.One patient with repeated intrahepatic duct bleeding received hepatectomy.Two patients with severe intrahepatic cholangitis received choledochoscopy.Two patients had incomplete formation of sinus and they received implantation of biliary stents under duodenoscope.Conclusion Standard surgical management with choledochoscope can effectively alleviate postoperative intrahepatic duct stones and strictures.

Laparoscopic left hepatectomy in patients with intrahepatic duct stones and recurrent pyogenic cholangitis

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Recently many studies have been reported the early results of a hepatectomy for various intrahepatic lesions. Also various types of laparoscopic hepatectomies are being performed in many centers. Some reports about the safety of laparoscopic parenchymal dissection of the liver have been published. In this study, we reported our experiences of laparoscopic left hepatectomies in patients with an intrahepatic duct (IHD) stone with recurrent pyogenic cholangitis (RPC), and investigated whether the total laparoscopic parenchymal dissection is as safe as open surgery. METHODS: From April 2008 to December 2010, 25 patients had been admitted for left IHD stones with RPC. Preoperatively, the type of surgery was decided with the intention of treating each patient. Initially 10 patients underwent a laparoscopy-assisted left hepatectomy and the next 15 patients underwent total laparoscopic left hepatectomy as our experience grew. Demographics, peri- and postoperative results were collected and analyzed comparatively. RESULTS: The mean age, gender ratio, preoperative American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, accompanied acute cholangitis and biliary pancreatitis, and the number of preoperative percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) inserted cases were not different between the two groups who had undergone laparoscopy-assisted and totally laparoscopic left hepatectomy. The operation time, intraoperative transfusions and postoperative complications also showed no difference between them. The postoperative hospital stay did not show a significant difference statistically. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we concluded that a laparoscopic left hepatectomy can be adapted to the patients with a left IHD stone with RPC. Also laparoscopic parenchymal dissection is safe and equivalent to an open procedure.

Clinicopathological features of the intraductal papillary neoplasms of the intrahepatic bile duct

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: This study is intended to investigate the clinicopathological features of the intraductal papillary neoplasms of the intrahepatic bile duct (IPNB), especially focused on malignant changes. METHODS: From the institutional database of liver resection cases (Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine), 18 patients who met the definition of IPNB were selected. They had undergone liver resection between February 2002 and October 2006; thus, the follow-up period was more than 5 years. RESULTS: Of the 18 patients, 11 patients were male. Their mean age was 61.3+/-6.7 years. There were no differences between the non-malignant and malignant lesions, in the comparison of the CEA levels (5.6+/-2.7 vs.12.6+/-31.1 ng/ml, p=0.439) and the CA19-9 levels (29.2+/-34.7 vs.31.9+/-30.2 ng/ml, p=0.871). The common radiologic findings were: intraductal growing mass in 10; bile duct dilatation in 6; and saccular duct dilatation in 2. Left and right hepatectomies were performed in 15 and 3, respectively. Five patients showed benign lesions of IPNB, and 13 patients revealed malignant lesions of intraductal papillary adnocarcinoma or cholangiocarcinoma. All 4 patients with benign lesions survived for a mean period of 53 months without recurrence. In 13 patients with the malignant lesions, 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates were 100%, 84.6%, and 59.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that intrahepatic IPNB is a rare type of biliary neoplasm which includes a histological spectrum, ranging from benign disease to invasive malignancy. The long-term survival was anticipated after complete curative resection.

Selection of surgical treatment types for intrahepatic duct stones

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Complete elimination of intrahepatic duct (IHD) stones is difficult and IHD stone disease is frequently associated with various complications, recurrence and sometimes cholangiocarcinoma. Therefore, we analyzed the long-term surgical results and evaluated the management currently considered appropriate. METHODS: Overall 110 patients who had been diagnosed with benign IHD stone disease and who underwent surgical treatment were enrolled in this study. The patients were categorized into three groups according to the type of surgery performed; liver resection (LR) group, intrahepatic duct exploration (IHDE) group and hepaticoenterostomy (HE) group. We compared and analyzed the results of these three groups. RESULTS: The number of cases in the LR group, IHDE group and HE group were 77, 25 and 8 respectively. The LR group required a longer operation time (p=0.000), more frequent transfusion (p=0.028) and had higher morbidity (p=0.049). However, the LR group had a higher clearance rate (90.9%) (p=0.000) than the other groups. In addition, there were a total of 22 cases of IHD stone recurrence during the follow-up, but there was no statistically significant difference among the three groups. The location of IHD stones was related to a risk factor for incomplete stone removal, but not for recurrence. CONCLUSION: The fundamental principle for the treatment of IHD stone disease should be liver resection. However, it can lead to a longer operative time and higher rate of complications than the other procedures. There is also no difference in the IHD stone recurrence rate among the procedures. Therefore, these alternative and minor procedures could also be taken into account for patients with poor preoperative condition.

Therapeutic effects of hepatectomy plus Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy in combination with reflux prevention on intrahepatic bile duct stone / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of hepatic resection plus Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy in combination with reflux prevention on intrahepatie bile duct stone. Methods The clinical data of 230 patients with intrahepaticbile duet stone surgically treated in our hospital in the past 18 years were retrospectively analyzed. Of the 230 patiets, 110 underwent hepatectomy plus Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostgmy in combination with reflux prevention and the others received other surgeries. The complications of pleural effusions, infection of incisional wound, leakage of bile and retained calculus after operation were studied. Meanwhile, the recurrent rate of stone and long-term effects were determined. Results The occurrinjg rate of pleural effusion, infection of incision wound,leakage of bile was not significantly different among different groups. However, the retained calculus and recurrent rate of stone in the group of patients underwent hepateetomy plus Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy in combination with reflux prevention were significantly decreased as compared with other group (P<0.05). So was the effect in long-term (P<0.05). Conclusion Hepatectomy plus Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy in combination with reflux prevention could have better effect on patients with intrahepatic bile duct stone.

Two Cases of Percutaneous Transhepatic Choledochoscopy Treatment of Intrahepatic Duct Stones that Occurred after Living Donor Liver Transplantation / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS) is the primary treatment option for general cases of intrahepatic duct stones. However, there are no reports on the use of PTCS for intrahepatic duct stones in patients who had undergone living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). We experienced two cases of successful intrahepatic stone removal by the use of PTCS in LDLT patients. With these cases, we have confirmed that PTCS management can be safely performed not only for a general bile duct stone, but also for a bile duct stone that develops in a patient that had previously undergone liver transplantation.

A Case of Ochrobactrum anthropi Bacteremia / 병원감염관리

Ochrobactrum anthropi, a rarely encountered organism in humans, is usually associated with infections in immunocompromised hosts and patients with indwelling catheters. We report a case of bacteremia associated with O. anthropi in a 80-year-old male with intrahepatic duct carcinoma. After insertion of biliary stent with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, fever and neutrophilic leukocytosis developed in the patient. Blood cultures were performed three times, and O. anthropi was isolated from an aerobic bottle. Although the patient did not receive effective antibiotic treatment, fever and neutrophilic leukocytosis were improved.

The Analysis of the Cholesterol Contents of Intrahepatic Duct Stones in the West Gyeongnam Region

PURPOSE: Hepatolithiasis is a recurrent disease and common in Far East Asia. In Korea, almost all intrahepatic duct (IHD) stones were pigment stones 30~40 years ago. The nationwide cooperative study showed a higher cholesterol content of IHD stones compared to the previous data. Some reports have shown a close relationship between urbanization and the cholesterol content of stones. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cholesterol content of IHD stones in the West Gyeongnam region and evaluate the associated clinical and demographic variables. METHODS: The IHD stones were removed surgically from twenty patients who had hepatolithiasis between July 2005 and April 2007. The stones were grouped by their gross findings. The cholesterol contents were measured quantitatively by infrared spectrophotometry and compared with the clinical variables. RESULTS: Among twenty patients, 19 had pigment stones and only one had gross evidence of a cholesterol stone. The cholesterol content of the stones were 30%~50% in 13 patients, 50~70% in 6 patients and over 70% in one patient. In urban patients, the cholesterol contents of the IHD stones were higher (567.029 mg/g) than in rural patients (421.822 mg/g)(p<0.05). All stones in rural patients were pigment stones; the stones of urban patients consisted of 5 pigment, 6 mixed and 1 cholesterol stone (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The mean cholesterol content of the IHD stones was 508.946 mg/g; the content of the stone was significantly related to the residence of the patients. These results suggest that the cholesterol content of IHD stones are likely to increase in West Gyeongnam as urbanization increases.

Primary Hepatic Tuberculoma Associated with Intrahepatic Duct Stones and Abscess

Tuberculosis is a systemic disease that can occur anywhere in body. Its incidence is various according to the organ or location, and TB in an organ where the general incidence is rare causes so many unexpected symptoms and complications that physicians can sometimes be baffled when attempting to make a diagnosis. If this rare occurrence of TB in an unusual location results in non-specific symptoms, then it is important not to overlook the possibility of tuberculosis. Hepatic tuberculosis is mainly a secondary type of disease that has disseminated from the lungs or other organs. Because a primary TB focus in the liver is rare, in the case in which the lung or other organs have no tuberculosis, it is extremely difficult to arrive at the proper diagnosis of primary hepatic tuberculosis. The authers experienced a case of primary tuberculous granuloma that was associated with intrahepatic duct stones and abscess. This patient was first diagnosed as suffering with intrahepatic duct stones and abscess only. We discovered the associated tuberculous granuloma of the liver by histologic examination after hepatectomy. We report on this case with a review of the relevant literature.

Usefulness of Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangioscopy for Treatment of Intrahepatic Duct and Common Bile Stones and Diagnosis of Intrahepatic Duct Lesions with Biopsy / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Despite several limitations, percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS) has been useful in patients with intrahepatic stone, common bile duct stone or intrahepatic bile duct stricture. We investigated the usefulness and limitation of PTCS, and the recurrence rate after stone removal. METHODS: PTCS was performed on 49 patients with intrahepatic duct (IHD) stones or common bile duct (CBD) stones and 11 patients undergoing biopsy who visited Chung Nam university hospital between 1999 and 2003. RESULTS: Complete removal rate of patients with IHD and CBD stones was 75% (21/28) and 91% (19/21), respectively. Biopsy results by PTCS were in agreement with the final result in 86% (6/7). In patients with IHD stones, the PTCS complication rate was 29% (8/28). Bleeding was most common (21%) but was self limited. In patients with CBD stones, the PTCS complication rate was 9% (2/9). One case was bleeding and the other was death by aggravation of general condition. In patients with IHD stones, the recurrence rate was 29% (5/17). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, PTCS is useful to treat patients with IHD stones, as well as the few patients with failed CBD stone removal by ERCP and diagnosis of stricture in the bile duct.

Comparison of Clinical and Surgical Outcomes between Unilateral and Bilateral Intrahepatic Duct Stone Disease

PURPOSE: Intrahepatic duct stone (IHD) disease, especially bilateral lesion, is difficult to management for complete cure. The purpose of this study is to analyze the clinical manifestations and treatment outcomes and is to consider adequate strategy of treatment between unilateral and bilateral IHD stones. METHODS: From October 1993 to July 2004, 218 patients with IHD stone were performed by surgical management at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital. The medical records of these patients were reviewed retrospectively. We classified into two groups, such as unilateral group (U group) and bilateral group (B group), and compared two groups for clinical manifestations and outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 218 IHD stone patients, 188 cases underwent conventional open surgery, 20 cases underwent laparoscopic surgery, and 10 cases underwent laparoscopic assisted surgery. U group and B group was composed 162 and 56 cases, respectively. IHD stones were more common in left lobe of liver than right lobe in U group (P<0.001). IHD stricture were more common in U group (P=0.048). On the other hand, remnant stones were more common in B group (P<0.001). There was no statistical significance for postoperative complication and method of operation include liver resection between two groups. CONCLUSION: We presume that the pathogenesis may be different between unilateral and bilateral IHD stone. To cure or reduce the remnant stone rate, more aggressive treatment such as liver resection should be also considered in the patients with bilateral as well as unilateral IHD stone because of no difference of complication rate of two groups.

The Role of Intraoperative Choledochoscopy for Diagnosis and Treatment in Biliary Surgery

PURPOSE: A choledochoscopy is useful for treating stone disease in the biliary tract. In the era of laparoscopic surgery, this method is expected to be used more widely. Its use during surgery may not only aid disease treatment, but may also help in making a differential diagnosis and a decision on the appropriate operative method. The aim of this study was to determine the role of intraoperative choledochoscopy in biliary surgery. METHODS: This study was a prospective analysis for 119 cases of biliary surgery where a choledochoscopy was used at the Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital from June, 1999 to February, 2001. An attempt was made to determine if the use of choledochoscopy altered the preoperative diagnosis, added another diagnosis and influenced the surgical treatment. In addition, the frequency of the remnant stones in biliary stone disease, and the complications related with this procedure were evaluated. RESULTS: The male to female ratio was 1:1.53, and the mean age was 61.1 (+/-14.53) years. A choledochoscopy was used in 82 cases (69%) in open surgery, and 37 cases (31%) in laparoscopic surgery. In 31 cases (26.1%), the diagnosis was changed by the choledochoscopic findings. In 9 cases (7.5%), new finding that was not recognized in the preoperative state was added with the use of choledochoscopy. The surgical method was influenced by the use of a choledochoscopy in 39 cases (32.8%). The remnant stones in patients with an intrahepatic duct stone and common bile duct stone were detected in 8 cases and 3 cases, respectively. The respective clearance rate of the stones were 79.5% (31/39) and 94.5% (52/55). There was no complications and side effects associated with the use of choledochoscopy. The mean time for diagnostic use was 14.6 (+/-10.0) minutes and for therapeutic use was 47 (+/-60.4) minutes. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative choledochoscopy provided useful information for a precise diagnosis and assisted in determining the appropriate treatment for biliary disease. Furthermore, it is very important for making a differential diagnosis in patients with an undetermined malignancy.

Endoscopic treatment for intrahepatic duct calculus / 中国微创外科杂志

Objective To investigate the effectiveness of choledochoscopy and duodenoscopy in the treatment of residual calculus of the intrahepatic bile duct. Methods Clinical data of 573 cases of choledochoscopy and 36 cases of duodenoscopy from February 1985 to June 2004 were analyzed. Results Stones were completely removed under choledochoscope by way of T-tube sinus tract in 96.02% of patients (507/528) and by way of subcutaneous blind loop in 84.62% of patients (22/26). Percutaneous transhepatic choledochoscope placement was successfully conducted in 84.21% of patients (16/19) and stones were completely removed in 78.95% of the patients (15/19). The success rate of duodenoscopic cholangiography was 91.67% (33/36) and stones were completely removed under duodenoscope in 80.56% of patients (29/36). Conclusions Treatment of residual and recurrent calculus of the intrahepatic bile duct by choledochoscopy and duodenoscopy is effective and convenient.

Intrahepatic Duct Stones in Young Patients

PURPOSE: The etiology of intrahepatic duct stone has not yet been elucidated. This disease is more prevalent in older patients, but it can occur in young patient, too. The study of intrahepatic duct stones in young patients may provide clues to the pathogenesis of this disease. METHODS: We analyzed the anatomic distribution of stones and the presence of ductal strictures, as well as the operative methods and the results of treatment. We treated 125 patients with intrahepatic duct stones, of which 15 patients were under 40 years of age and 110 patients were over 40. RESULTS: The average age was 32.9 in young patients and 58.4 in older patients. The anatomic distributions of stones in young patients were even between the right and the left lobes, 4 in the right lobe, 8 in both lobes and 3 in the left lobe. However, the distributions in older patients showed predominance in the left lobe, 61 in the left lobe, 31 in both lobes and 18 in the right lobe. Strictures of duct were present in 7 (46.7%) patients in the young group and 35 (31.8%) in the older group. Hepatic resections were done in 7 (46.7%) and 35 (52.7%) in young and older patients, respectively. The incidence of remnant stones was similar between the two group, 40% in young patients and 31.8% in older ones. The complication rate was less in young patients (6.7%) than in older patients (24.5%). CONCLUSION: Intrahepatic duct stones in young patients had a tendency to develop in the right lobe and to have strictures in the duct. More aggressive treatment is recommended for this group of patients.