Comprehensive minimally invasive treatment for biliary anastomotic stenosis after orthotopic liver transplantation: a single center analysis of 60 cases / 器官移植

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-based comprehensive minimally invasive treatment for biliary anastomotic stenosis (BAS) after liver transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 60 BAS recipients after liver transplantation were retrospectively analyzed, 54 male and 6 female, aged (48±10) years. ERCP was initially carried out. If it succeeded, plastic or metallic stents were placed into the biliary tract. If it failed, percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage (PTCD) or single-operator cholangioscopy (SpyGlass) was adopted to pass through the stenosis. If all these procedures failed, magnetic anastomosis or other special methods were delivered. The incidence and treatment of BAS after liver transplantation were summarized. The efficacy, stent removal and recurrence were observed. Results The median time of incidence of BAS after liver transplantation was 8 (4, 13) months. Within postoperative 1 year, 1-2 years and over 2 years, 39, 16 and 5 recipients were diagnosed with BAS, respectively. All 60 BAS recipients after liver transplantation were successfully treated, including 56 cases initially receiving ERCP, and 41 completing BAS treatment, with a success rate of 73%. The failure of guide wire was the main cause of ERCP failure. The success rates of PTCD, SpyGlass and magnetic anastomosis were 5/9, 5/7 and 7/8, respectively. Two recipients were successfully treated by percutaneous choledochoscope-assisted blunt guide wire technique and stent placement in the biliary and duodenal fistula. After 3 (3, 4) cycles of ERCP and 13 (8, 18) months of stent indwelling, 38 recipients reached the stent removal criteria, including 25 plastic stents and 13 metallic stents. The indwelling time of plastic stents was longer than that of metallic stents (P < 0.05). Six cases suffered from stenosis recurrence at 12 (8, 33) months after stent removal, and the recurrence rate was 16%. Six patients were treated with ERCP, and 5 of them did not recur after the stents were successfully removed. Multivariate analysis showed that delayed diagnosis of stenosis and frequent ERCP before stent removal were the independent risk factors for BAS recurrence (both P < 0.05). Conclusions ERCP-based comprehensive minimally invasive treatment may improve the success rate of BAS treatment after liver transplantation and yield satisfactory long-term efficacy. Delayed diagnosis of BAS and high frequent ERCP required for stent removal are the independent risk factors for BAS recurrence.

Effect and Course of Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangioscopy in Intrahepatic Stone Related Complication after Liver Resection / 대한췌담도학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS) is an effective treatment used for intrahepatic stone in patients who have undergone hepatectomy. There are few reports on natural course in these patients. Thus, we report the long-term results. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 19 patients who underwent PTCS after hepatectomy at Samsung Medical Center between January 1998 and December 2014. We investigated patient characteristics and recurrence of biliary complications during follow up period. Then, we analyzed the factors related to recurrence. RESULTS: Indications for PTCS were cholangitis, symptomatic stone, liver abscess and biliary dilatation. Complete stone removal was achieved in 12 patients (63.2%). After receiving PTCS, the recurrence of intrahepatic stone related complication occurred in 52.6% (10/19) of patients during a median follow-up of 4.9 years (range, 1.8–7.8). Complications were cholangitis (5/10, 50%), cholangitis with liver abscess (3/10, 30%), liver abscess (1/10, 10%) and symptomatic stone (1/10, 10%). On univariate analysis, factors including multiple stone involvement, complete stone removal and bile duct stricture were not significantly associated with recurrent biliary complications. CONCLUSIONS: PTCS is an effective treatment for complications of recurrent intrahepatic stones in patients who have undergone hepatectomy. However, long term follow-up is necessary because of the recurrence of biliary complications.

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.

Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangioscopy: Does Its Role Still Exist?

Percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS) is the most widely used modality for diagnosis and treatment of biliary disease. Although many other novel technologies have been developed based on recent advances in endoscopy, PTCS has its own role. In diagnostics, PTCS is used for evaluation of indeterminate biliary strictures, bile duct tumors, and postoperative biliary strictures that cannot be reached by a peroral approach. In therapeutics, the removal of bile duct stones, dilatation of bile duct strictures including postoperative anastomosis site strictures, and local tumor therapy are indications of PTCS. Especially in a therapeutic role, PTCS has the advantage of maneuverability due to a shorter endoscopic length compared to other cholangioscopic modalities. Hence, PTCS has its own indispensable diagnostic and therapeutic roles.

The therapeutic value of percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy for biliary cast after liver transplantation / 中华消化内镜杂志

Objective To investigate the value of percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS) for diagnosis and treatment of biliary cast after liver transplantation. Methods Data of 11 patients with biliary cast after liver transplantation, who underwent PTCS from April 2008 to November 2010, were retrospectively analyzed. Results In 11 patients , one had biliary cast in common bile duct, 3 in right intra-hepatic bile duct, 4 in left intra-hepatic bile duct, and 3 distributed in intra- and extra-hepatic bile ducts. A total of 68 times of PTCS were performed in 11 patients, achieving significant decrease in levels of serum transaminase and bilirubin in 10. Occasional fever occurred in 1 patient after closure of drainage tube,which was managed by replacement with a thinner one. There were no severe complications such as biliary fistula or uncontrollable bleeding. Partial rupture of fistula occurred in 1 case. All patients were followed up for 10-30 months and were all in good condition except one patient died from other disease during the followup. Conclusion PTCS is a safe, effective and applicable method to treat the biliary cast after liver transplantation.

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.

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.

Usefulness and Limitation of Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography in Patients with Hepatolithiasis / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Diagnosis of bile duct strictures as well as detection and localization of hepatolithiasis is important for an effective treatment of hepatolithiasis. For this purpose, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) have been preferred as the diagnostic modalities of choice for hepatolithiasis. At present, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is rapidly replacing ERCP. To determine the usefulness and limitation of MRCP for detecting hepatolithiasis and biliary strictures, we compared the result of MRCP with that of percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS) as the standard reference. METHODS: Sixty-six patients with primary hepatolithiasis who underwent both MRCP and PTCS were enrolled. All patients underwent PTCS within 2 weeks of MRCP. The results of MRCP were reviewed by radiologists who were unaware of the clinical information about the location of hepatolithiasis and the presence of biliary strictures. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of MRCP for detecting intrahepatic stones were 72.4 and 90%, respectively. The sensitivity of MRCP for depicting intraheptic bile duct strictures was 64%. The overall agreement between MRCP and PTCS for intrahepatic stones showed a good reliability (kappa value=0.64, p<0.05). The agreement of MRCP for hepatolithiasis with intrahepatic bile duct strictures with reference to PTCS showed a moderate reliability (kappa value=0.47, p<0.05). Imaging findings such as pneumobilia and hepatic parenchymal atrophy were related to false positive results in location of hepatolithiasis (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: MRCP has a good agreement rate in evaluation of intrahepatic stones and a moderate agreement rate in intrahepatic strictures, compared to PTCS.

Efficacy of Percutaneous Treatment of CBD Stones Which Could Not be Removed by Per-oral Endoscopic Method / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Common bile duct (CBD) stones can be removed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) in most cases. In addition, surgery or stenting as well as percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS) with lithotripsy can be used to remove CBD stones also. In this study we evaluated the efficacy of percutaneous removal of CBD stones which could not be removed by per-oral endoscopic method. METHODS: From Jan. 1998 to Sep. 2001, ERCP were tried to remove CBD stones in 395 patients. We reviewed causes of treatment failure through the peroral method and PTCS-results by the medical records and cholangiograms in 15 patients. RESULTS: We successfully removed stones with PTCS in all 15 patients. The reasons for percutaneous approach were previous operation history in 8 (53.3%) and old age in 10 (66.7%). Mean number and size of stone were 4.4 and 17.4 x 13.1 mm, respectively. Complete fragmentation and removal of stones were achieved in a single session in 40%. Mean time to complete removal was 19 days. In 1 patient, bile peritonitis was developed but cured by conservative management alone. CONCLUSIONS: PTCS with or without lithoptripsy is an effective and safe method for the treatment of CBD stones which can not be removed by peroral endoscopic approach.

The percutaneous cholangioscopy therapy in treating intra and extra hepatic calculi / 中华消化内镜杂志

Objective To study on the percutaneous cholangioscopy therapy in treating intra and extra hepatic calculi and preventing their recurrence. Methods Forty-three patients with biliary tract stones were treated by percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy ( PTCS) after percutaneous transhepatic cholan-giostomy, and 22 patients with residual stones installed T-tube more than 3 weeks underwent postoperative cholangioscopy (POCS) therapy. In a total of 65 patients, there were 40 cases of hepatolithiasis ( intrahepat-ic type in 12, intra and extrahepatic type in 28) and 25 cases of choledocholithiasis. Results All sinus tracts of 43 PTCS were dilated up to 19. 1 Fr in mean size before inserting cholangioscopy and the period of establishing sinus tract was in average 17. 1 days. POCS was performed in patients with postoperative placement of T-tube over 3 weeks. Cholangioscopic removal of stones were carried out with basket in 11 cases and electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) in 54 cases due to large or impacted stones, combined with EST with stones extraction in 25 cases. Repeated cholangioscopies were required in 40 cases of IHS with a mean of 5. 2 sessions and 25 cases of choledocholithiasis with an average of 1. 9 sessions per patient until complete stone-extraction. Biliary duct or bilio-enteric anastomotic stricture was dilated with bougienage or balloon dilator in 37 cases; metallic stents were placed at the strictured site in 3 of them. Complete clearance of stones was a-chieved in 64(98. 5% ) patients. Complications of cholangitis occurred in 11 cases and one case of secondary biliary cirrhosis with biliary tract stones died of complicated renal insufficiency when stone extraction was completed. There were no complications associated with the procedure. The rate of stone recurrence was 7. 1% after an average of 30. 8 months follow-up. Conclusion Percutaneous cholangioscopy and EHL are safe and effective techniques for the treatment of biliary tract stones. The use of dilator in treating biliary stricture less than 0. 5cm in length is more effective, it increases clearance rate and decreases recurrent rate.

Usefulness of Cholangioscopy in Patients with Focal Stricture of the Intrahepatic Duct Unrelated to Intrahepatic Stones / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Intrahepatic duct strictures are usually caused by intrahepatic duct stones and cholangitis. However, focal strictures of the intrahepatic duct unrelated to intrahepatic stones often pose diagnostic problems. This study was undertaken to prospectively evaluate the usefuless of percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy in patients with a focal intrahepatic duct stricture and no evidence of a stone. METHODS: Twenty two patients with a focal stricture of the intrahepatic duct not related to intrahepatic stones were included. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic examination including procurement of a biopsy specimen was performed after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. RESULTS: A histopathologic diagnosis was obtained in all patients (10 adenocarcinoma, 1 squamous cell carcinoma, 2 hepatocellular carcinoma, 2 adenoma and 7 benign strictures). Of the 10 patients with bile duct adenocarcinoma, 9 underwent surgery and a curative resection was possible in 8 patients (89%). Six patients (67%) had early-stage bile duct cancer in which the cancer invasion was limited to the mucosa or fibromuscular layer and there was no evidence of lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy in patients with focal stricture of the intrahepatic duct unrelated to choledocholithiasis seems to be very useful for the differential diagnosis including the detection of early bile duct cancer.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Obstructive Jaundice Confirmed by Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangioscopy (PTCS) and Peroral Cholangioscopy (POCS) / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Jaundice associated with hepatocellular carcinoma usually occurs in the later stages due to the advanced underlying liver cirrhosis or tumor infiltration of the liver parenchyme. In the rare cases, obstructive jaundice presents as the ininitial manifestation of hepatocellular carcinoma. The possible mechanisms of bile duct obstruction associated with hepatocellular carcinoma include extrinsic compression of bile duct by extensive tumor infiltration of the liver or enlarged lymph node, direct tumor invasion of the biliary duct system, and bile duct obstruction by tumor thrombus, necrotic debris, or blood clots. We experienced three cases with hepatocellular carcinoma in whom obstructive jaundice were caused by intraductal involvement of the tumor, which were confirmed by percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy(PTCS) and peroral cholangioscopy(POCS). PTCS and POCS finding showed multiple, irreguarly shaped, yellowish soft tissue(chicken fat) and blood clots and, round protruded mass in the ble duct. Biopsy specimens revealed pathologically hepatocelluar carcinoma.