Disfunción del esfínter de Oddi: un reporte de caso / Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction: Case report

Resumen La disfunción del esfínter de Oddi es un síndrome clínico causado por una enfermedad funcional (discinesia) o estructural (estenosis). La prevalencia estimada de disfunción del esfínter de Oddi en la población en general es del 1 %; aumentando a 20 % para pacientes con dolor persistente posterior a colecistectomía y a 70 % en pacientes con pancreatitis aguda recurrente idiopática. Se caracteriza clínicamente por la presencia de dolor abdominal, similar al cólico biliar o dolor tipo pancreático en ausencia de patología biliar orgánica; así como en pacientes con pancreatitis recurrente idiopática asociada con elevación de enzimas pancreáticas o hepáticas, y dilatación del conducto biliar o pancreático. El tratamiento para la disfunción del esfínter de Oddi tipo I se basa en la realización de esfinterotomía endoscópica, pero existe controversia en el manejo de la disfunción del esfínter de Oddi tipo II y III. En este artículo se presenta el caso clínico de una paciente de 67 años con antecedente de colecistectomía por laparotomía. Después del procedimiento quirúrgico refirió un dolor abdominal de predominio en el hipocondrio derecho tipo cólico asociado con emesis de características biliares. En el reporte de colangiorresonancia se encontró una ligera dilatación de la vía biliar intrahepática y gammagrafía con ácido iminodiacético hepatobiliar (HIDA) diagnóstica de disfunción del esfínter de Oddi. Se realizó una esfinterotomía endoscópica. En el seguimiento, dos años después, la paciente se encontraba asintomática con la disfunción del esfínter de Oddi resuelta.

Abstract Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction is a clinical syndrome caused by functional (dyskinesia) or structural (stenosis) disease. The estimated prevalence of this condition in the general population is 1%, reaching 20% in patients with persistent pain after cholecystectomy and 70% in patients with idiopathic recurrent acute pancreatitis. It is clinically characterized by the presence of abdominal pain, similar to biliary colic or pancreatic pain in the absence of organic biliary disease. It is also observed in patients with idiopathic recurrent pancreatitis, associated with elevated pancreatic or hepatic enzymes, and bile duct and/or pancreatic duct dilatation. Treatment for sphincter of Oddi dysfunction type I is based on endoscopic sphincterotomy, but there is controversy regarding the management of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction types II and III. This article presents the clinical case of a 67-year-old female patient with a history of cholecystectomy by laparotomy. After the surgical procedure, she reported abdominal pain predominantly in the right hypochondrium, colicky, associated with emesis of biliary characteristics. Cholangioresonance report revealed mild intrahepatic bile duct dilatation, and scintigraphy with HIDA scan showed sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. Endoscopic sphincterotomy was performed. The patient was asymptomatic and the sphincter of Oddi dysfunction had resolved at two-year follow-up.

Understanding the Biliary Dyspepsia / 대한췌담도학회지

Functional dyspepsia is a very common disease and there are two types of dyspepsia. One is functional dyspepsia in the gastrointestinal tract and the other is pancreatobiliary dyspepsia. Biliary dyspepsia is caused by biliary tract disease and can even cause biliary pain. Acalculous biliary pain (ABP) is biliary colic without gallstones, it is caused by functional biliary disorder or structural disorders such as microlithiasis, sludges or parasitic infestation like Clonorchiasis. The endoscopic ultrasonography is helpful tool for differential diagnosis of ABP. Although sphincter of Oddi manometry (SOM) is performed for the confirmative diagnosis of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD), several non-invasive tests have been studied because of some practical limitations and invasiveness of SOM itself. In fact, the most clinically used easy test to diagnose functional biliary disorder is quantitative hepatobiliary scintigraphy and it can distinguish gallbladder dyskinesia, SOD, or combined type. Initial treatment of functional biliary disorder is adequate dietary control and medication, but if the symptoms worsened or recurred frequently, laparoscopic cholecystectomy could be performed with gallbladder dyskinesia. If SOD is suspected, additional SOM should be considered and endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) can be done according to the outcome. If the SOM is not available, the patient could be diagnosed by stimulated ultrasound.

Evaluation and Treatment of Recurrent Acute Pancreatitis / 대한췌담도학회지

Acute recurrent pancreatitis (ARP) refers to a clinical condition characterized by repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis, diagnosed retrospectively after at least the second episode of acute pancreatitis. It is still controversial that acute pancreatitis can progress to chronic pancreatitis, and acute, acute recurrent and chronic pancreatitis is a continuum of disease. The causes of ARP can be divided into mechanical, hereditary and metabolic factor. Despite recent advances in diagnostic technologies, the etiology of ARP still remains unknown in up to 30% of cases. Especially in recurrent episode of idiopathic pancreatitis, a clinician should be considered not only the common causes of ARP, such as gallstone disease and alcohol, but also rare causes of ARP. The common causes of 'idiopathic' recurrent pancreatitis are microlithiasis, sludge, sphincter of oddi dysfunction, pancreas divisum and hereditary pancreatitis. Various treatment options, such as cholecystectomy, endoscopic sphincterotomy, medical and surgery can be applied according to the identified etiology of ARP and treatment should be individualized. Currently, endoscopic treatment is increasingly performed and served as a curative treatment strategy. The medical treatment can be an option in microlithiasis and sludge, but it has limitation in terms of systemic side effect, efficacy and lack of long term outcome. Endoscopic treatment should be considered in selected patients with identifiable cause, and post procedural complication should be considered before endoscopic treatment.

Sphincter of Oddi Manometry: Reproducibility of Measurements and Effect of Sphincterotomy in the EPISOD Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The reproducibility of sphincter of Oddi manometry (SOM) measurements and results of SOM after sphincterotomy has not been studied sufficiently. The aim of our study is to evaluate the reproducibility of SOM and completeness of sphincter ablation. METHODS: The recently published Evaluating Predictors and Interventions in sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (EPISOD) study included 214 subjects with post-cholecystectomy pain, and fit the criteria of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction type III. They were randomized into 3 arms, irrespective of manometric findings: sham (no sphincterotomy), biliary sphincterotomy, and dual (biliary and pancreatic). Thirty-eight subjects had both biliary and pancreatic manometries performed twice, at baseline and at repeat endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography after 1-11 months. Sham arm was examined to assess the reproducibility of manometry, and the treatment arms to assess whether the sphincterotomies were complete (elevated pressures were normalized). RESULTS: Biliary and pancreatic measurements were reproduced in 7/14 (50%) untreated subjects. All 12 patients with initially elevated biliary pressures in biliary and dual sphincterotomy groups normalized after biliary sphincterotomy. However, 2 of 8 subjects with elevated pancreatic pressures in the dual sphincterotomy group remained abnormal after pancreatic sphincterotomy. Paradoxically, normal biliary pressures became abnormal in 1 of 15 subjects after biliary sphincterotomy, and normal pancreatic pressures became abnormal in 5 of 15 patients after biliary sphincterotomy, and in 1 of 9 after pancreatic sphincterotomy. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that SOM measurements are poorly reproducible, and question whether we could adequately perform pancreatic sphincterotomy.

Quistes del colédoco / Choledochal cysts

Los quistes del colédoco son una condición médica poco frecuente, la cual se caracteriza por presentar dilatación de la vía biliar intrahepática y extrahepática; se postulan en su etiología la anomalía de la unión pancreático-biliar, lo que favorece el reflujo del jugo pancreático al árbol biliar, y la aganglionosis del árbol biliar. Tiene una amplia gama de presentación de síntomas, y entre los principales se encuentran el dolor abdominal, la ictericia y una masa abdominal palpable. Son lesiones premalignas y, por ende, el tratamiento de elección es la resección quirúrgica completa con seguimiento a largo plazo.

Choledochal cysts are rare pathological conditions characterized by dilatation of the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts. Postulated etiologies are an abnormal pancreato-biliary junction favoring reflux of pancreatic juice to the biliary tree, and aganglionosis of the biliary tree. They have a wide range of presenting symptoms, the main ones being abdominal pain, jaundice and evident abdominal mass. Choledochal cysts are premalignant lesions, and therefore the treatment of choice is complete surgical resection, which demands long-term follow-up.

Spinal Cord Stimulation for Intractable Visceral Pain Due to Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction

Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) is a syndrome of chronic biliary pain or recurrent pancreatitis due to the functional obstruction of the pancreaticobiliary flow. We report a case of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for chronic abdominal pain due to SOD. The patient had a history of cholecystectomy and had suffered from chronic right upper quadrant abdominal pain. The patient had been diagnosed as having SOD. The patient was treated with opioid analgesics and nerve blocks, including a splanchnic nerve block. However, two years later, the pain became intractable. We implanted percutaneous SCS at the T5-7 level for this patient. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain and the amount of opioid intake decreased. The patient was tracked for more than six months without significant complications. From our clinical case, SCS is an effective and alternative treatment option for SOD. Further studies and long-term follow-up are necessary to understand the effectiveness and the limitations of SCS on SOD.

How to Interpret a Functional or Motility Test: Sphincter of Oddi Manometry

To date, endoscopic manometry is the best method for evaluating the function of the sphincter. Sphincter of Oddi manometry (SOM) remains the gold standard to correctly diagnose the sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) and stratify therapy. Several dynamic abnormalities relating to the intensity, frequency, and propagation of sphincter contractions have been described. However, their clinical use generally has been abandoned in favor of basal sphincter pressure alone, because this measurement is stable over time, and has stronger interobserver reliablility, reproducibility on repeating testing, and is associated with the responsiveness to therapy. A significant elevated risk of pancreatitis was attributed to the technique. The risk of pancreatitits associated with manometric evaluation of the pancreatic sphincter is markedly reduced when manometry is performed with continous aspiration from the pancreatic duct via one of the 3 catheter lumens. This section reviews indications, conscious sedative drugs, techniques, and the appropriate interpretations of SOM.

Disfunción del esfínter de Oddi y pancreatitis idiopática / Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) and idiopatic pancreatitis

The sphincter of Oddi dysfunction is a little known entity that typically occurs in post-cholecystectomy patients with abdominal pain with biliary or pancreatic characteristics. It represents an important cause of idiopathic recurrent acute pancreatitis. Most of the patients referred for sphincter of Oddi dysfunction study have another disease which explain the symptoms, so a careful history and appropriate physical examination often can identify the true source of the pain. The most used grading score is the Milwaukee classification, based on clinical, laboratory, imaging and cholangiographic findings. In the last decade, new and more applicable criteria have been developed, such as Rome III criteria, which do not require functional tests considered complex and not available in non-specialized centers. The sphincter of Oddimanometry is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of this entity, allowing for the determination of which patients will benefit from endoscopic therapy (sphincterotomy). There are some noninvasive diagnostic tests that have failed to show strong correlation to displace the sphincter of Oddi. The treatment of this condition is mainly based on endoscopic sphincterotomy, with variable success rates depending on the type of dysfunction. This article presents a review of the most important aspects related to the sphincter of Oddi and its relationship with idiopathic recurrent pancreatitis.

La disfunción del esfínter de Oddi es una entidad poco conocida, que típicamente se presenta en pacientes post-colecistectomía con dolor abdominal de tipo “biliar” o “pancreático”. Representa unaimportante causa de pancreatitis aguda recurrente idiopática. La mayoría de los pacientes derivados para estudio de disfunción del esfínter de Oddi corresponden a otra causa o enfermedad que explica los síntomas, por lo que una cuidadosa historia clínica y un adecuado examen físico, a menudo permiten identificar el verdadero origen del cuadro doloroso. La clasificación más utilizada es la de Milwaukee basada en parámetros clínicos, de laboratorio, imagenológicos y colangiográficos. En la última década, se han elaborado criterios de mayor aplicabilidad clínica como los criterios de Roma III, que no requieren de test funcionales considerados complejos y poco disponibles en centros no especializados. La manometría del esfínter de Oddi es considerado el gold standard en el diagnóstico de esta entidad, permitiendo además, establecer quiénes se beneficiarán con la terapia endoscópica (esfinterotomía). Se han desarrollado una serie de otros métodos diagnósticos no invasivos, que no han logrado demostrar una correlación suficientemente sólida para desplazar a la manometría. El tratamiento de esta condición se basa principalmente en la esfinterotomía endoscópica, con una tasa de éxito variable dependiendo del tipo de disfunción. En el presente artículo se revisarán los aspectos más importantes relacionados con la disfunción del esfínter de Oddi y su relación con pancreatitis recurrente idiopática.

Hallazgos anatomopatológicos en pacientes con disfunción biliar / Pathological findings in patients with biliary dysfunction

Se efectuó un estudio descriptivo, transversal y retrospectivo de 84 pacientes atendidos en el Servicio de Gastroenterología del Hospital General Docente D Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso de Santiago de Cuba desde enero de 2010 hasta igual mes de 2011, a los cuales se realizó colecistectomía por presentar manifestaciones clínicas de disfunción biliar; pero después de extirparles la vesícula, acudieron a la consulta externa de la especialidad con dolor abdominal y cuadros diarreicos, entre otros síntomas y signos. En busca de datos más precisos, se comparó el diagnóstico preoperatorio con los hallazgos anatomopatológicos, de donde se derivó que a pesar de que en muchos casos no coincidían, ello no obstaculizó la obtención de resultados satisfactorios en los integrantes de la casuística.

A descriptive, cross-sectional, and retrospective study with 84 patients assisted at Gastroenterology Service from Dr Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso General Teaching Hospital in Santiago de Cuba was carried out from January, 2010 to January, 2011. These patients underwent a colecistectomy for having clinical manifestations of biliary dysfunction. After removing the gallbladder, patients having abdominal pain and diarrhea, among other symptoms and signs, attended the outpatient department related to this speciality. Searching for precise data, the pre-surgical diagnosis was compared to the pathological findings, in which case it was concluded that, in spite of many cases did not match, this fact did not hinder the obtaining of satisfactory results in the case material.

Reflujo pancreáticobiliar en pacientes con colelitiasis y sin colelitiasis: estudio comparativo / Pancreaticobiliary reflux in patients with cholelithiasis and without cholelithiasis: a comparative study

Background. Pancreaticobiliary reflux is a pathologic phenomenon occurring in patients with gallstones. However, the occurrence of pancreaticobiliary reflux has not been studied in patients without gallstones. The objective of this study was to measure the bile levels of amylase and lipase in patients without gallstones submitted to cholecystectomy as part of another surgical procedure, and to compare these values with patients submitted to cholecystectomy for gallstone disease. Patients and Methods. A prospective observational comparative study was designed. A sample of 136 consecutive patients was included. Amylase and lipase levels were measured in bile. Normal serum amylase levels at our institution are 28-100 U/L and for lipase are 13-60 U/L. There are no established normal levels for pancreatic enzymes in bile. However, we considered elevated the bile amylase and lipase levels whenever they were higher than normal plasma levels. Results. One-hundred three patients (76 percent) had gallstones and 33 (24 percent) liad healthy gallbladders without gallstones. According to normal plasma levels for amylase and lipase, these enzymes in bile were elevated in 83.5 percent patients with gallstones, compared to elevated levels of amylase in 6 percent patients and lipase in 3 percent patients without gallstones. Conclusions. Pancreaticobiliary reflux is a common phenomenon in patients with gallstones and occurs sporadically in patients without gallstones.

Introducción. El reflujo pancreáticobiliar es un fenómeno patológico que ocurre en pacientes con colelitiasis. La ocurrencia de este fenómeno no ha sido estudiada en pacientes sin colelitiasis. El presente estudio tiene por objetivo medir los niveles de amilasa y lipasa en la bilis de pacientes sin colelitiasis, colecistectomizados como parte de otro procedimiento quirúrgico y comparar estos valores con pacientes colecistectomizados por colelitiasis. Pacientes y Métodos. Se diseñó un estudio observacional y comparativo. Una muestra de 136 pacientes consecutivos fue incluida. Se midieron los niveles de amilasa y lipasa en la bilis. En nuestra institución los valores normales para amilasa son 28-100 U/L y para lipasa 13-60 U/L. No se han establecido valores normales de enzimas pancreáticas en la bilis. Para efectos del presente estudio, se consideró como elevados los niveles biliares de amilasa y lipasa cuando fueron mayores a los valores plasmáticos normales. Resultados. 103 pacientes (76 por ciento) tenían colelitiasis y 33 (24 por ciento) tenían vesículas normales sin cálculos. De acuerdo a los valores plasmáticos normales de amilasa y lipasa, estas enzimas se encontraron elevadas en 83,5 por ciento de los pacientes con colelitiasis comparados con valores elevados de amilasa en 6 por ciento en pacientes sin colelitiasis y de lipasa en 3 por ciento de estos pacientes. Conclusiones. El reflujo pancreaticobiliar es un fenómeno común en pacientes con colelitiasis y ocurre esporádicamente en pacientes sin colelitiasis.

Endoscopic botulinum toxin injection in cricopharyngeal dysphagia / 대한내과학회지

Botulinum toxin has been used to treat various gastrointestinal tract diseases such as achalasia, diabetic gastroparesis, sphincter of oddi dysfunction, and chronic anal fissures. Recently, it has also been used for the treatment of cricopharyngeal muscle dysfunction. Several studies have reported that botulinum toxin injections may be a safe and effective treatment. Previously, cricopharyngeal muscle dysfunction was treated by mechanical balloon dilation or cricopharyngeal myotomy. Here, we report a case of a 57-year-old man who presented with cricopharyngeal dysphagia due to cerebral infarction and who was successfully treated with endoscopic botulinum toxin injection.

Pancreatic Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction / 대한소화기학회지

No abstract available.

Recurrent Acute Pancreatitis Associated with Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction in a Child / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

Recent studies suggest that sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) is one of the possible causes of unexplained recurrent acute pancreatitis in children. A 14-year-old boy who had suffered from idiopathic recurrent acute pancreatitis was diagnosed with SOD. Abdominal ultrasonography, computerized tomography, and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography revealed no evidence of stone, tumor, or pancreatic ductal anomaly. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and sphincter of Oddi manometry (SOM) revealed elevated basal pressure and tachyoddia consistent with SOD. Hence, an endoscopic pancreatic sphincterotomy was performed. We report a case of recurrent acute pancreatitis associated with SOD in a child. ERCP and SOM may be considered in patients with multiple unexplained attacks of pancreatic pain and negative abdominal imaging.

Recurrent Acute Pancreatitis Associated with Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction in a Child / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

Recent studies suggest that sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) is one of the possible causes of unexplained recurrent acute pancreatitis in children. A 14-year-old boy who had suffered from idiopathic recurrent acute pancreatitis was diagnosed with SOD. Abdominal ultrasonography, computerized tomography, and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography revealed no evidence of stone, tumor, or pancreatic ductal anomaly. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and sphincter of Oddi manometry (SOM) revealed elevated basal pressure and tachyoddia consistent with SOD. Hence, an endoscopic pancreatic sphincterotomy was performed. We report a case of recurrent acute pancreatitis associated with SOD in a child. ERCP and SOM may be considered in patients with multiple unexplained attacks of pancreatic pain and negative abdominal imaging.

Fístula colovesical secundaria a la migración de una endoprótesis biliar: reporte de un caso / Colovesical fistula secondary to the migration of a biliary stent: case report

Introducción: la colocación endoscópica de stents para descomprimir una obstrucción biliar es un tratamiento comúnmente utilizado para enfermedades malignas de la vía biliar y para estenosis benignas de la misma. Se han descrito complicaciones inusitadas derivadas de la colocación de endoprótesis biliares, incluyendo la migración. Se presenta un caso clínico con el objetivo de compartir con la comunidad científica una rara complicación y la única publicada, secundaria a la migración de un stent biliar. Caso clínico: mujer de 47 años de edad, con estenosis de ámpula de Vater benigna, a quien se le colocó endoprótesis biliar, con la cual mejoró clínicamente. Posterior a la colocación del stent se le realizó colecistectomía abierta con exploración de vías biliares. Al año y medio posterior a la colocación del stent, la paciente presentó dolor vago en abdomen bajo y disuria; se le practicaron estudios de imagen donde se observó un extremo del stent biliar en colon sigmoides y otro en vejiga. Se realizó intervención quirúrgica encontrando fístula colovesical, la cual se resolvió en un solo tiempo quirúrgico. La paciente fue egresada con resultados satisfactorios.

BACKGROUND: The endoscopic placement of endoprostheses to decompress biliary obstruction is a commonly used treatment for malignant biliary diseases and is also used in the treatment of benign biliary strictures. Unusual complications of endoprosthesis placement have been described and include the migration of the stent. We present a case to share with the scientific community, an unusual complication secondary to the migration of a biliary stent that has not previously been reported to our knowledge. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 47-year-old female with a diagnosis of benign papillary stenosis. The patient received a biliary endoprosthesis with clinical improvement. Later she underwent open cholecystectomy and common duct exploration. At consultation 18 months later, the patient presents with indistinct lower abdominal pain and dysuria. We performed imaging studies where the biliary stent was observed, partly in the sigmoid colon and partly in the bladder. The patient underwent surgery where a colovesical fistula was found and treated during the same surgical event. The patient was discharged succesfully.

Cystic Duct Insertion at the Ampulla of Vater and Acute Pancreatitis: A Case Report / 대한소화기내시경학회지

The two most common causes of acute pancreatitis are alcohol and cholelithiasis. Acute recurrent pancreatitis can result from a variety of abnormalities involving the terminal end of the distal choledochus, pancreatic duct, ampulla of Vater and the major duodenal papilla, which in turn may include a papillary stenosis, periampullary neoplasm, choledochocele, sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Recently a case of recurrent acute pancreatitis associated with aberrant cystic duet insertion at the ampulla of Vater was experienced. Biliary-pancreatic reflux was speculated to be the mechanism responsible for causing this anomalous, recurrent, acute pancreatitis. Another case of acute pancreatitis associated with aberrant cystic duct insertion at the ampulla of Vater was also experienced in a 29-year-old man, 1Jnlike the previous report, our case showed cholestatic features on the initial blood chemistry. An endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancre-atography performed after recovry revealed only aberrant cystic duct insertion at the ampulla of Vater. This anomaly also seems to have played a role in causing acute pancreatitis in this patient. This interesting case is herein reported with a review of the relevant literature.

Post EST Papillary Restenosis: A Case Report / 대한소화기내시경학회지

The occurrence of papillary restenosis following endoscopic sphincterotomy is uncommon and usually reported as a late complication. Its frequency varies from 0.8% to 3% and at present, only a few reports describe the late complication rate for a mean follow-up exceeding 10 years. The diameter of the sphincterotomy opening diminishes by about 30% in the first year without further narrowing, suggesting that restenosis occurs mainly during the first post-sphincterotomy year. Papillary restenosis may be promoted by insufficient cutting and may depend on the indication for EST such as common bile duct stones, papillary stenosis, duodenal diverticular, sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. A bleeding sphincterotomy requiring a sclerosing injection is considered a potential risk factor for papillary stenosis. However, stenosis may develop in the absence of specific predisposing factors. A case of papillary restenosis following endoscopic sphincterotomy for gollstone pancreatitis in a 33-year-old female patient is herein reported.

Treatment Using an Endoscopic Sphincterotomy for Two Patients with Choledochocele / 대한소화기내시경학회지

A choledochocele is a cyst like herniation of the intramural segment of the distal common bile duct protruding into the duodenal lumen. It is controversial whether this disease entity represents a type III variation of a choledochal cyst or an acquired lesion due to a calculus, papillitis or sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. The choledochocele is the rarest form of choledochal cysts and represents only 1.4-5.0% of all choledochal cysts. The diagnosis of choledochocele can be confirmed with certainly using a cholangiography. During a side viewing duodenoscopy followed by retrograde cholangiopancreatography, the mucosa appears normal but the papilla may be larger than usual. When probing the choledochocele with a cannulating catheter, its surface may be appear to be soft and compressible, similar to the pillow sign. After contrast dye is instilled into the bile duct, a round, cyst-like contrast filled structure can be identified adjacent to the terminatian of the common bile duct and an air halo sign may be visible around it. The established treatment of choledochocele is surgical resection of the cyst with anastomosis of the common bile duct to the small intestine, but transduodenal sphincteroplasty or endoscopic sphincterotomy has been advocated as an alternative to excision because of the very low risk of malignant degeneration, operative complications and morbidity. The choice of therapy for the patients with symptomatic choledochchocele is to establish effective drainage of the common bile duct and pancreatic duct. The objective can be achieved using an endoscopic sphincterotomy or transduodenal sphinateroplasy. It has been determined in recent years that endoscopic sphincterotomy is v effective and often followed by a positive prognosis. We report two patients with reicurrent pancreatitis and the common bile duct dilatation secondary to a choledochoce]e, who were treated effectively by endoscopic sphincterotomy.

The Efficacy and Safety of Needle-Knife Papillotomy for Endoscopic Sphincterotomy and Cholangiography / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND: Conventional endoscopic sphincterotomy with papillotome(CES) is an established method of management for patients with biliary obstruction from various causes. However, an alternative treatment to CES must be considered when antecedent cholangiagraphy is unsuccessful or when cannulatian with the conventional papillotome fails. The needle-knife papillotomy(NKP) is one of the alternative methods to CES. Recently, it has been suggested that NKP can be used to achieve diagnostic cholangiography. But NKP is controversial because results from studies assessing its efficacy and safety are conflicting. The current study was undertaken to assess retrospectively the efficacy and safety of NKP and CES. METHODS: All enrolled patients(CES group 113, NKP group 105) underwent ERCP between September 1993 and August 1996 at Korea Univeisity Guro Hospital. NKP for cannulation was used only when biliary tract disease was suspected but deep canulation failed inspite of several attempts. The efficacy and safety of NKP and CES were evaluated according to the rate of success of performing purposes(removal of common bile duct stones, inser tion of endoscopic nasobiliary drainage or endoprosthesis, treatment of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, and cannulation) and complications(bleeding, perforation, pancreatitis). RESULTS: 1. Overall success rates of performing purposes were 92.9% in CES group(removal of common bile duct stones 95.2%, insertion of endoscopic nasobiliary drainage or endoprosthesis 84.6%, treatment of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction 100%) and 80.0% in NKP group(removal of common bile duct stone 86.7%, insertion of endoscopic nasobiliary drainage or endoprosthesis 80.6%, treatment of SO dysfunction 100%, cannulation 70.6%). The success rate of CES was significantly higher than that of NKP(p=0.04). 2. The morbidity rate of NKP was 10.5%(8 bleeding cases, 1 perforation case, 2 pancreatitis cases) but was not significantly different from that of rate for CES 8.0%(9 bleeding dases). 19 patients with complications recovered uneventfully with conservative treatment. Only 1 patient(ampullary carcinoma) undertwent operation due to severe bleeding after NKP. There was no procedure-related mortality in both groups. CONCLUSION: NKP is an effective endoscopic tool allowing successful endoscopic sphincterotomy when conventional technique fails. And, in carefully selelected cases, NKP is a useful aid for a successful diagnostic cholangiograph.

The Clinical Characteristics of 16 Patients with Sphincter of Oddi Dyskinesia / 대한소화기내시경학회지

We evaluated the clinical characteristics of patients with SO dyskinesia(n=16) who were confirmed by ERCP manometry during past 5 years. They were 14 male and 2 female and mean age was 52-year-old(range, 32-75). According to the criteria suggested by Hogan and Geenen, 13 patients were classified into biliary type and 3 patients into pancreatic type. Among the patients with biliary type(n=13), 12 patients fulfilled the criteria for group II dysfunction of SO and 1 patient for group III. Among the patients with pancreatic type(n=3), all fulfilled the criteria for group II. The manometric abnormalities were increased basal pressure(n=4), tachyoddia(n=7), increased retrograde propagation(n=3), tachyoddia and increased retrograde propagation(n=l), and tachyoddia and increased basal pressure(n=l). As treatment, 12 patients received conventional endoscopic sphincterotomy and 3 patients received endoscopic pancreatic sphincterotomy in addition to conventional endoscopic sphincterotomy. Satisfactory results (complete absence or marked reduction of pain) were obtained in 13(87%) out of 15 patients by endoscopic treatment. In conclusion, SO dyskinesia is not so common disease and the detection of patients with SO dyskinesia may increase by frequent application of ERCP manometry.