Ultrasound-guided transhepatic computed tomography cholecystography in beagle dogs

This study was performed to evaluate the feasibility of ultrasound-guided computed tomography (CT) cholecystography and to establish an optimal protocol. In 8 healthy beagles, CT cholecystography was conducted using four contrast formulas; two dilution ratios (1:1 vs. 1:3) and two total volumes (8 mL vs. 16 mL) of 300 mgI/kg iohexol after ultrasound-guided percutaneous contrast injection into the gallbladder. CT images were obtained at 3, 10, and 30 min after injection and assessed qualitatively and quantitatively. For all contrast formulas, CT cholecystography showed the gallbladder and the intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts. The volume of the gallbladder and size of bile duct were significantly larger when using a volume of 16 mL iohexol than an 8 mL volume regardless of the dilution ratio. The distinction between the common bile duct and duodenum, the filling of the gallbladder, and the patency of bile duct were effectively assessed using a 16 mL volume of contrast agent with either dilution ratio. Beam-hardening artifacts deteriorated CT image quality for visualizing the biliary system when using the dilution ratio of 1:1. Patency of the bile tract could be easily evaluated using a curvilinear planar reconstruction. There was no significant difference in CT scan time among the different conditions. Minor leakage of contrast agent temporarily occurred after contrast injection in 30% of 32 sets of CT cholecystography. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous cholecystography can visualize both gallbladder and biliary tract with minimal artifacts using a contrast agent volume of 16 mL with a 1:3 dilution ratio.

Is There Any Role of Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography for Predicting Resectability of Gallbladder Cancer?

The role of integrated 18F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography computed tomography (PET-CT) is uncertain in gallbladder cancer. The aim of this study was to show the role of PET-CT in gallbladder cancer patients. Fifty-three patients with gallbladder cancer underwent preoperative computed tomography (CT) and PET-CT scans. Their medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-six patients underwent resection. Based on the final outcomes, PET-CT was in good agreement (0.61 to 0.80) with resectability whereas CT was in acceptable agreement (0.41 to 0.60) with resectability. When the diagnostic accuracy of the predictions for resectability was calculated with the ROC curve, the accuracy of PET-CT was higher than that of CT in patients who underwent surgical resection (P=0.03), however, there was no difference with all patients (P=0.12). CT and PET-CT had a discrepancy in assessing curative resection in nine patients. These consisted of two false negative and four false positive CT results (11.3%) and three false negative PET-CT results (5.1%). PET-CT was in good agreement with the final outcomes compared to CT. As a complementary role of PEC-CT to CT, PET-CT tended to show better prediction about resectability than CT, especially due to unexpected distant metastasis.

Hepatic Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome Caused by Herbal Medicine: CT and MRI Features

OBJECTIVE: To describe the CT and MRI features of hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (HSOS) caused by herbal medicine Gynura segetum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The CT and MRI features of 16 consecutive Gynura segetum induced HSOS cases (12 men, 4 women) were analyzed. Eight patients had CT; three patients had MRI, and the remaining five patients had both CT and MRI examinations. Based on their clinical presentations and outcomes, the patients were classified into three categories: mild, moderate, and severe. The severity of the disease was also evaluated radiologically based on the abnormal hepatic patchy enhancement in post-contrast CT or MRI images. RESULTS: Ascites, patchy liver enhancement, and main right hepatic vein narrowing or occlusion were present in all 16 cases. Hepatomegaly and gallbladder wall thickening were present in 14 cases (87.5%, 14/16). Periportal high intensity on T2-weighted images was present in 6 cases (75%, 6/8). Normal liver parenchymal enhancement surrounding the main hepatic vein forming a clover-like sign was observed in 4 cases (25%, 4/16). The extent of patchy liver enhancement was statistically associated with clinical severity classification (kappa = 0.565). CONCLUSION: Ascites, patchy liver enhancement, and the main hepatic veins narrowing were the most frequent signs of herbal medicine induced HSOS. The grade of abnormal patchy liver enhancement was associated with the clinical severity.

Clampeamiento hepático prolongado: una alternativa en el trauma hepático severo / Clampeamiento prolonged liver: an alternative in severe hepatic trauma

Exponer la experiencia en el manejo del trauma hepático con clampeamiento prolongado, en el Servicio de Cirugía Uno. Hospital General del Este "Dr. Domingo Luciani". Paciente masculino de 28 años que ingresa a la Unidad de Politraumatizados (UPT) posterior a accidente en motocicleta. Hemodinámicamente estable, examen físico, tórax: murmullo vesicular disminuido en base derecha y abdomen; signos de irritación peritoneal, Rx de tórax hemoneumotórax y fractura del tercero al séptimo arcos costales derechos; toracotomía mínima que drena abundante burbujeo y 500 cc serohemático, FAST: moderada cantidad de líquido libre. Se realiza laparotomía exploradora con hallazgos de: hemoperitoneo 3000cc y lesión hepática grado IV; se realiza primera fase de control de daños, con clampeamiento y empaquetamiento hepático como estrategia para el control de la hemorragia; y cierre abreviado. Segunda fase de control de daños en la Unidad de Terapia Intensiva (UTI) durante 48 horas, posterior a lo cual, se realiza tercera fase de control de daños, con hallazgos de ausencia de hemoperitoneo, 100cc de secreción biliar, lesión en segmento VIII hepático no sangrante. Se retiran comprensas y clamps hemostático lavado, drenaje de cavidad y cierre con puntos de tensión. Evoluciona satisfactoriamente, egresando de la UTI, complicado con fístula biliar resuelta con papilotomía electiva en el postoperatorio tardio.

Beneficial Effect of Cholecystography following PGBD for Complicated Acute Cholecystitis: Detection of Unsuspected CBD Stone

PURPOSE: Frequency of combined CBD stones on cholelithiasis has been known to range 5~20% in several reports, and diagnostic tools are USG, MDCT, MRCP and ERCP. Predictive factors of CBD stone for cholelithiasis were diameter of CBD, elevated liver enzyme, multiple small sized GB stones and concurrent pancreatitis. However, unsuspected CBD stone for acute cholecystitis is troublesome for patients and surgeons. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed Percutaneous gallbladder drainage (PGBD) for acute complicated cholecystitis from October 1996 to October 2006. Indications for PGBD are clinical symptoms (sepsis) & signs of peritonitis and radiologic findings such as GB empyema, gangrenous cholecystitis and pericholecystic fluid collection. Total laparoscopic cholecystectomy was 1,357 cases, and PGBD for acute complicated cholecystitis was 13.8%. RESULTS: Combined CBD stone rate was 13.6%. Whereas, unsuspected CBD stone was 0.5% (9 cases), 7 in calculous and 2 in acalculous cholecystitis. No. of stone was 1 in 7 cases, 2 in 1 case and 3 in 1 case. Size of stone was less than 5 mm in all cases. Diameter of CBD was not increased in all cases (less than 1 cm) and liver enzymes showed no elevation in all cases. Management for unsuspected CBD stone was preoperative endoscopic lithotripsy in 8 cases and postoperative fluoroscopic lithotripsy in 1 case. CONCLUSION: Cholecystography following PGBD for acute complicated cholecystitis is a useful diagnostic modality for detection of unsuspected CBD stone.

Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation of Hepatocellular Carcinomas Adjacent to the Gallbladder with Internally Cooled Electrodes: Assessment of Safety and Therapeutic Efficacy

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and therapeutic efficacy of percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) ablation for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) adjacent to the gallbladder with the use of internally cooled electrodes. MATERIALS AND METHODS:We retrospectively assessed 45 patients with 46 HCCs (mean size, 2.2 cm) adjacent to the gallbladder ( or =3 cm) and tumor location (a tumor that abutted the gallbladder) were associated with an increased risk of early incomplete treatment. No variable was significantly associated with local tumor progression. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous RF ablation of HCCs adjacent to the gallbladder using an internally cooled electrode is a safe and effective treatment. Significant risk factors that lead to early incomplete treatment include tumor size, tumor location and electrode direction.

Epidemiology of Gallstone Disease in Gondar University Hospital; as seen in the Department of Radiology

Background: Gallstone disease is a world wide problem and remains to be one of the most common health problems leading to surgical intervention. The magnitude of Gallstone disease in Ethiopia is not well known. Objective: To assess the magnitude of gallbladder stones in Gondar university hospital among patients visiting at the department of radiology for ultrasound examination. Methods: A retrospective observational study design was used over the period of September 2004 to January 2006 at the department of radiology; Gondar university hospital. Patients above the age of 14 years and whose Gallbladder was examined by ultrasound were considered as the study subjects. Results: Among a total of 1603 study subjects; the proportion of patients with cholelithiasis was 5.2. Of the patients with gallstone disease 55 were females and 28 were males with a ratio of 2:1. The prevalence of cholelithiasis in the age group 35-64 was 7.3; 10.1for females and 4.8for males. The ratio of symptomatic to asymptomatic cholelithiasis was 1:1 (34/34). The prevalence of cholelithiasis among patients clinically suspected to have cholelithiasis was 27.2. Of the 68 patients with cholelithiasis; 22.1had evidences of complication; 5 (7.4) choledocholithiasis; 3 (4.4) acute cholecystitis; 4 (5.9) chronic cholecystitis; 2 with gallbladder (GB) hydrops and one patient with porcelain GB. Conclusion: The prevalence of cholelithiasis (5.2) in Gondar university hospital suggesting that cholelithiasis is not an uncommon disease in the area. A further community based and multi centered study is recommended to determine the prevalence of gallstone disease in Ethiopia

The Short-Term Effects of Balloon-Occluded Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration, for Treating Gastric Variceal Bleeding, on Portal Hypertensive Changes: a CT Evaluation

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to evaluate the short-term effects of balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) for treating gastric variceal bleeding, in terms of the portal hypertensive changes, by comparing CT scans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 27 patients who underwent BRTO for gastric variceal bleeding and they had CT scans performed just before and after BRTO. The pre- and post-procedural CT scans were retrospectively compared by two radiologists working in consensus to evaluate the short-term effects of BRTO on the subsequent portal hypertensive changes, including ascites, splenomegaly, portosystemic collaterals (other than gastrorenal shunt), the gall bladder (GB) edema and the intestinal wall edema. Statistical differences were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test and the paired t-test. RESULTS: Following BRTO, ascites developed or was aggravated in 22 (82%) of 27 patients and it was improved in two patients; the median spleen volumes increased from 438.2 cm3 to 580.8 cm3, and based on a 15% volume change cut-off value, splenic enlargement occurred in 15 (56%) of the 27 patients. The development of new collaterals or worsening of existing collaterals was not observed in any patient. GB wall edema developed or was aggravated in four of 23 patients and this disappeared or improved in five; intestinal wall edema developed or was aggravated in nine of 27 patients, and this disappeared or improved in five. Statistically, we found significant differences for ascites and the splenic volumes before and after BRTO (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively) CONCLUSION: Some portal hypertensive changes, including ascites and splenomegaly, can be aggravated shortly after BRTO.

Emphysematous Cholecystitis / 대한소화기학회지

No abstract available.

Ultrasound-guided Percutaneous Cholecysto-Cholangiography for the Exclusion of Biliary Atresia in Infants

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of performing an ultrasound-guided percutaneous cholecysto-cholangiogram (PCC) for excluding biliary atresia as the cause of neonatal jaundice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between Oct. 2003 and Feb. 2005, six ultrasound-guided PCC procedures were performed to five jaundiced infants (4 females and 1 male; mean age: 60 days old) for whom possibility of biliary atresia could not be ruled out by the DISIDA scan as the cause of their neonatal jaundice. Gallbladder puncture was performed under ultrasound guidance with a 23-gauge needle. Contrast material injection during fluoroscopic examination was performed after dilatation of the gallbladder lumen with normal saline under ultrasound guidance. The criteria used for excluding biliary atresia were complete visualization of the extrahepatic biliary trees and/or contrast excretion into the duodenum. The complications and final diagnosis was assessed according to the clinical and laboratory findings. RESULTS: The procedures were successful in all the patients without any complication. Biliary atresia could be ruled out in all the patients. The final diagnosis was neonatal cytomegalovirus hepatitis in two patients, total parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis in two patients, and combined cytomegalovirus hepatitis and total parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis in one patient. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided PCC is a feasible and effective method for the early definitive exclusion of biliary atresia as the cause of neonatal jaundice. By the technique of injecting normal saline before contrast injection, PCC can be done even in a totally collapsed or very small gallbladder.

Operation for Accessory Gallbladder Originating from Right Hepatic Duct

A double gallbladder is a condition that arises during the fetal period due to the abnormal differentiation of presumptive gallbladder cells, which causes two separate gallbladders, each with their own cystic duct. Most cases are diagnosed incidentally during surgery. Detailed preoperative investigations (ultrasound, oral cholecystography, intravenous cholangiography, CT, ERCP and MRCP) are required for an accurate preoperative diagnosis before considering a cholecystectomy to avoid inadvertent damage to the biliary ductal system and to overlook the second gallbladder during surgery. A total cholecystectomy, with removal of both gallbladders, should be the appropriate treatment for a double gallbladder to avoid complications and a reoperation. We report a patient with an accessory gallbladder, originating from right hepatic duct, and also discuss the characeristics of this rare anomaly.

Comparison of di-isopropyl iminodiacetic acid with methyl isobutyl isonitrile in the work-up of infants with prolonged jaundice

The study group comprised of 16 jaundiced children [mean age 3.16 months] with bilirubin levels of more than 8mg/dl. The clinical differential diagnosis included biliary atresia versus neonatal hepatitis. Informed consent was taken from all the parents. Parents were advised to omit the morning feed. All children were pretreated with phenobarbitone [5mg/ kg/day for 5 days] and imaged twice on two different days: first with Tc-99m-DISIDA and dose of 37MBq was injected intravenously. Liver images were obtained at 1, 2, 3 and 24 hours following injection. Then injection of Tc-99m-MIBI with a dose of 37MBq was injected intravenously. Anterior abdominal images with 350k counts were obtained at 10, 20, 30 and 40 minutes post injection and where appropriate delayed additional views were taken to optimize radionuclide intestinal transit. Two nuclear medicine physicians visually analyzed the scintigrams. On the basis of biliary-enteric kinetics the patients were subdivided into sub-groups: Group 1: Included 12 patients with no bowel activity with DISIDA scan but demonstrable bowel activity with MIBI liver scan with the appearance of central or peripheral abdominal activity. Group 2: Consisted of 4 patients with no bowel activity with both DISIDA and MIBI liver scans. Of the 4 patients 2 had biliary atresia confirmed at laparotomy whilst 2 children were lost to follow-up since the children had traveled from remote parts of the country

Factores que influyen en la fragmentación de cálculos vesiculares por ondas de choque extracorpóreas / Factors influencing on the fragmentation of gallbladder calculi by extracorporeal shock waves

La litotricia por ondas de choque extracorpóreas es una de las variantes terapéuticas para la litiasis vesicular sintomática. Se aplicaron en 626 pacientes 479 (76,6 por ciento) del sexo femenino y 147 (23,4 por ciento) del masculino, con más de 40 años de edad en 473 (69,9 por ciento). Los índices de fragmentación completa fueron mayores en los pacientes con cálculos únicos (79,5 por ciento), de menos de 20 mm de diámetro (72,3 por ciento), radiotransparentes (89,2 por ciento) y con densidades inferiores a las 50 unidades Houndsfield (72,6 por ciento). Necesitaron 2, 3 y 4 sesiones de tratamiento 215 pacientes (34,3 por ciento), 35 (5,6 por ciento) y 11 (1,8 por ciento) respectivamente. Finalmente la fragmentación fue completa en 332 (53,0 por ciento), parcial en 241 (38,5 por ciento) y solo no fragmentaron 53 (8,5 por ciento), donde se demostró el valor de las características físicas e imagenológicas de los cálculos en este proceso(AU)

Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy is one of the therapeutic variants for symptomatic gallbladder lithiasis. It was applied to 626 patients, 479 (76.6 percent) females and 147 (23.4 percent) males. 473 (69.9 percent) were over 40. The indexes of complete fragmentation were higher in patients with a single calculus (79.5 percent) of less than 20 mm of diameter (72.3 percent), radiotransparent (89.2 percent) and with densities under 50 Houndsfield units (72.6 percent). 215 patients (34.3 percent), 35 (5.6 percent) and 11 (1.8 percent) needed 2,3 and 4 treatment sessions, respectively. Finally, the fragmentation was complete in 332 (53.0 percent), partial in 241 (38.5 percent) and only 53 (8.5 percent) were not fragmented. The value of the physical and imaging characteristics of the calculi in this process was demonstrated(AU)

Clinical and biochemical study of 114 cases of cholelithiasis

During a period of 16 months 114 patients with cholelithiasis were studied. The diagnosis was confirmed by cholecystogram in 41 cases, by surgery in 28 and both surgery and the x-ray in 45 cases. There were 100 females and 14 males and their average age was 43.2 years. The average number of pregnancies in females was 6.5. Clinically the jaundice was observed in 9 percent and the gall bladder was palpable in 47 percent of cases. Cholelithiasis appeared to be related to increased parity but not to the body weight

Diagnóstico de la fasciolosis de las vías biliares por imagenología / The diagnosis of fascioliasis of the biliary tract by imaging

Three patients with abdominal pain were studied and through ultrasonography, it was suspected that they had Fasciola hepatica in their gallbladder and choedochio. By using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), the presence of parasites in extrahepatic biliary passages of the cases was confirmed and then, it was taken out with a Dormia basket. It was concluded that imaging is a diagnostic means to be considered in this parasitosis.

A case of rotor syndrome / 대한내과학회지

Rotor syndrome is a rare benign familial disorder characterized by chronic, fluctuating, nonhemolytic and predominantly conjugated hyperbilirubinemia with normal liver tissue. In contrast to Dubin-Johnson syndrome, there is no liver hyperpigmentation in Rotor syndrome, and BSP clearance does not show a secondary retention peak. The serum bilirubin in patients with Gilbert's syndrome is almost all unconjugated in contrast to Rotor syndrome. A 29-year-old male was admitted due to persistent jaundice. Physical examination revealed icteric sclera without hepatosplenomegaly. Laboratory findings showed increased serum bilirubin with indirect bilirubin predominance. Urinary excretion of total coproporphyrin was markedly elevated, and coproporphyrin I was 66% of total urinary coproporphyrin. Oral cholecystography showed well visualized the gallbladder, but 99mTc-DISIDA scan showed markedly decreased hepatic uptake and poor visualization of the gallbladder and biliary tract. Histology of the liver showed no abnormal finding. We report the case with the review of literature.

Enfermedad vesicular inaparente o microlitiasis en pacientes con pancreatitis aguda: una situación clínica frecuente / Occult gallbladder disease or microlithiasis in patients with acute pancreatitis: a frequent clinical situation

Patients admitted with the diagnosis of AP to a clinical hospital were included in the study. According to an abdominal ultrasound study, patients were classified as having or not cholelithiasis. A duodenal biliary drainage was performed in 15 patientes with AP and without gallbladder stones. Results: Patients without cholelithiasis had recurrent AP more often than patients with biliary AP (53 and 3.3 percent respectively). Excessive alcohol ingestion did not rule out the possibility of biliary etiology. In 6 patients, the analysis of duodenal bile showed cholesterol crystals, and cholecystectomy confirmed the existence of gallbladder disease in 54. All of them remained asymptomatic during a follow-up period of four years. One patient refused surgery, with subsequent development of galls tones and recurrent episodes of AP. In other 4 patients, gallbladder disease was confirmed by percutaneous gallbladder puncture or during cholecystectomy. No recurrence of AP were observed during the follow-up. Conclusions: Microlithiasis or "occult" gallbladder disease accounts for at least 67 percent of the original "non-biliary" AP. Duodenal bile analysis is a useful and necessary technique for the evaluation of patients with "non-biliary" actue pancreatitis. Careful clinical and echographic follow-up of this subgroup of patients with AP is mandatory

Trastornos motores del sistema biliar en la infancia: presentacion de 5 pacientes / Motor disorders of the biliary tract in childhood: report of 5 cases

En la infancia el dolor abdominal recurrente es muy frecuente, y en algunas ocasiones no es posible encontrar la causa. Con el proposito de elucidar en parte este problema, se decidio estudiar los trastornos motores del sistema biliar en la infancia como posibles causas de estos cuadros. Se realizo un estudio prospectivo en el Hospital Pediatrico Docente "San Miguel del Padron", de 1989 a 1994 de todos aquellos ninos con dolor abdominal recurrente y sin una causa especifica. Se uso ultrasonografia y colecistografia oral con vaciamiento cronometrado y se encontraron 5 pacientes en quienes se pudo realizar esos diagnosticos. El mas frecuente fue la vesicula biliar hipertonica e hipercinetica en 2 pacientes a quienes se les efectuo una colecistectomia; el resto tuvo una evolucion satisfactoria sin intervencion quirurgica. Se sugiere debido a los resultados obtenidos, que estos trastornos deben ser tenidos en cuenta en el estudio de pacientes con dolor abdominal recurrente