Guidelines on the management of cholestasis liver diseases (2021) / 中华肝脏病杂志

In 2015, the Chinese Society of Hepatology and Chinese Society of Gastroenterology issued the consensus on the diagnosis and management of cholestatic liver diseases. In the past years, more data have emerged from clinical practice. Herein, the Autoimmune Liver Disease Group of the Chinese Society of Hepatology organized an expert group to review the evidence and updated the recommendations to formulate the guidelines. There are 22 recommendations on clinical practice of cholestatic liver diseases. The guidelines aim to provide a working reference for the management of cholestatic liver diseases.

Abordaje terapéutico paliativo de la obstrucción biliar en el cáncer de vesícula irresecable / Palliative therapeutic approach to bile obstruction in irresecable bladder cancer

El cáncer de vesícula es la neoplasia maligna más frecuente del tracto biliar. Con un mal pronóstico, su enfoque terapéutico muchas veces se centra en el tratamiento paliativo debido a que los pacientes suelen recibir un diagnóstico en estadios avanzados de la neoplasia, en los cuales ya no son candidatos para tratamientos quirúrgicos curativos. Por esta razón se utilizan stents o drenajes vesiculares, a fin de reducir el principal síntoma que se presenta: la ictericia, con sus consecuencias, por obstrucción biliar maligna. Este artículo pretende hacer una revisión de la evidencia recolectada en los últimos 5 años (período 2016 - 2021) acerca de los diferentes abordajes mínimamente invasivos en el tratamiento paliativo del cáncer de vesícula, sus resultados clínicos, y las diferencias entre ellos.

Gallbladder cancer is the most common malignancy neoplasm of the bile ducts. With a poor prognosis, its therapeutic approach is often focused on palliative treatment because patients usually receive a diagnosis in advanced stages of the neoplasm, in which they are no longer candidates for curative surgical treatments. For this reason, stents or gallbladder drains are used in order to reduce the main symptom that occurs: jaundice, with its consequences, due to malignant biliary obstruction. This article aims to review the evidence collected in the last 5 years (period 2016 - 2021) about the different minimally invasive approaches in the palliative treatment of gallbladder cancer, their clinical results, and the differences between them.

Valoración de la colangiopancreatografía retrógrada endoscópica como medio diagnóstico/terapéutico en pacientes con íctero obstructivo / Assessment of the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography as a diagnostic/therapeutic mean in patients with obstructive jaundice

RESUMEN Introducción: las enfermedades del eje pancreático/biliar son una consecuencia en la morbimortalidad del aparato digestivo, y es la causa en ocasiones de una obstrucción biliar. La colangiopancreatografía retrógrada endoscópica es un método preciso para el diagnóstico de la obstrucción biliar, y se asocia con una elevada tasa de sensibilidad y especificidad. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo de corte transversal, con el objetivo de valorar el comportamiento de la colangiopancreatografía retrógrada endoscópica como medio diagnóstico y terapéutico en una muestra de 90 pacientes con dictamen presuntivo de íctero obstructivo. Resultados: predominaron las féminas en el grupo de edad superior a los 50 años. La coluria, la acolia y el íctero como representativos de una enfermedad obstructiva de las vías biliares, fueron las manifestaciones más frecuentes, corroboradas por el estudio endoscópico, donde la litiasis coledociana fue la principal causa de íctero. Conclusión: la esfinterotomía endoscópica fue el proceder terapéutico de elección, y la pancreatitis aguda postintervención fue la complicación más frecuente (AU).

ABSTRACT Introduction: the diseases of the pancreatic-biliary axis are a consequence in the digestive tract morbidity-mortality, and sometimes they are the cause of a biliary obstruction. The endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is a precise method for diagnosing the biliary obstruction, and is associated to high rates of sensitivity and specificity. Materials and methods: a cross-sectional, descriptive, observational study was carried out with the aim of assessing the behavior of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography as a therapeutic and diagnostic mean in a sample of 90 patients with presumptive report of obstructive jaundice. Results: women aged more than 50 years predominated. Choluria, acholia and jaundice, as representative of the biliary ducts obstructive disease, were the most frequent manifestations, corroborated by the endoscopic study, where choledocal lithiasis was the main cause of jaundice. Conclusions: endoscopic sphincterotomy was the elective therapeutic procedure, and post-intervention acute pancreatitis was the most frequent complication (AU).

Rendezvous radiológico-endoscópico para manejo de obstrucción biliar: Reporte de casos y revisión de la literatura / Endoscopic-radiologic rendezvous for biliary obstruction management: Case report and literature review

La obstrucción biliar de diverso origen constituye un problema clínico frecuente, con importante impacto sobre la calidad de vida de los pacientes y que plantea el riesgo permanente de colangitis. El manejo de estos pacientes ha evolucionado en el tiempo, haciendo acopio de diversos desarrollos tecnológicos e involucrando a clínicos, cirujanos, gastroenterólogos y radiólogos intervencionistas. Reportamos aquí cuatro casos de pacientes con obstrucción biliar que, a pesar de las importantes diferencias demográficas y etiológicas, pudieron ser exitosamente manejados, abordando la vía biliar con la técnica de Rendezvous radiológico endoscópico.

Biliary obstruction of different origin is a common clinical problem, with significant impact on the patients´ quality of life and poses a permanent risk of cholangitis. The management of these patients has evolved over time, makes collection of various technological developments and involve clinicians, surgeons, gastroenterologists, and interventional radiologists. Were port four cases of biliary obstruction that despite the significant demographic and clinical differences between them could be successfully managed approach in the biliary tract with the technique of radiological endoscopic Rendezvous.

Colestasis: un enfoque actualizado / Cholestasis: an updated approach

Mediante una extensa revisión bibliográfica fue posible profundizar en el tema de las ictericias obstructivas o las colestasis, sobre todo en los aspectos más importantes de su definición, semiogénesis, clasificación, etiopatogenia, manifestaciones clínicas, estudios de laboratorio e imagenológicos, además del diagnóstico, la evolución, el pronóstico y tratamiento, con el objetivo de proporcionar los elementos más novedosos de cada uno de ellos, a través de un enfoque didáctico y una base científica, desde la óptica del internista, para así facilitar conocimientos prácticos acerca del síndrome

It was possible to deepen in the topic of the obstructive icterus or cholestasis by means of an extensive literature review, mainly in the most important aspects of its definition, semiogenesis, classification, etiopathogenesis, clinical manifestations, laboratory and imagenological studies, besides diagnosis, clinical course, prognosis and treatment in this respect, with the objective of providing the most original elements of each of them, through a didactic approach and a scientific base, from the internist's optics, and in this way, to facilitate practical knowledge about the syndrome

Colestasis del recién nacido y del lactante / Cholestasis of newborn and infant

Los recién nacidos y lactantes pequeños tienen una inmadurez funcional y anatómica que justifica que las enfermedades hepáticas que se manifiestan en estas edades tengan la ictericia como signo principal y que otros procesos extrahepáticos o sistémicos puedan condicionar colestasis. La colestasis del lactante es un síndrome clínico caracterizado por ictericia, acolia o hipocolia, y coluria, que evoluciona con elevación de la bilirrubina directa y de los ácidos biliares séricos. La evaluación diagnóstica del lactante con colestasis, realizada por un equipo multidisciplinario, debe minimizar la realización de pruebas innecesarias para lograr un diagnóstico correcto en el menor tiempo posible, diferenciar entre colestasis intrahepática o extrahepática y lograr un diagnóstico etiológico, que incluya aquellos procesos que ponen en peligro la vida o requieren un tratamiento específico médico o quirúrgico. El presente trabajo pretende revisar las principales causas, procedimientos diagnósticos y el enfoque terapéutico de la colestasis del recién nacido y del lactante en aras de contribuir a su diagnóstico temprano y su tratamiento adecuado

The small newborns and infants have a functional anatomical immaturity justifying that liver diseases present at these ages have the jaundice as leading sign and that other extra-hepatic or systemic processes may conditioning the Cholestasis. Infant Cholestasis is a clinical syndrome characterized by jaundice, acholia or hypoacholia and choluria evolving with a rise of direct bilirubin and of serum biliary acids. The diagnostic assessment of infant presenting with Cholestasis made by a multidisciplinary staff must to minimize the carrying out of unnecessary tests to obtain an appropriate diagnosis in less time, to differentiate among the intrahepatic or extrahepatic cholestasis and to achieve an etiologic diagnosis including the processes threatening the life or that requiring a medical or surgical specific treatment. The aim of present paper is to review the leading causes, diagnostic procedures and the therapeutical approach of cholestasis en the newborn and in the infant to contribute to its early diagnosis and its appropriate treatment

Colestase da gravidez: revisão de literatura / Obstetric cholestasis: review of the literature

Colestase da gravidez (CG) é uma doença hepática específica da gravidez que tipicamente ocorre a partir do final do segundo trimestre. É uma doença de etiologia heterogênea (multifatorial) com contribuição de fatores genéticos e hormonais, caracterizada por prurido generalizado intenso e alterações das provas de função hepática, estando associada ao aumento das taxas de morbidade e mortalidade fetal. A revisão de literatura realizada refere-se à epidemiologia, etiologia, manifestações clínicas, achados laboratoriais e o manejo da CG na qual se conclui que o conhecimento por parte dos profissionais sobre a doença é fundamental para que seja realizado um manejo adequado das gestantes, visando principalmente prevenir complicações fetais. Apesar do número significativo de estudos relacionados com a CG, vários aspectos da sua etiologia e patogênese não foram elucidados. O diagnóstico é feito por meio de achados clínicos e das alterações das provas de função hepática e aumento dos níveis de ácidos biliares. O ácido ursodesoxicólico é a droga atualmente utilizada na terapêutica da CG com eficácia no controle do prurido e no restabelecimento de níveis normais dos ácidos biliares. Porém, há necessidade da condução de pesquisas e ensaios clínicos para a melhor condução desta doença.

Obstetric cholestasis (OC) is a specific hepatic pathology of the pregnancy that typically happens in the end of the second trimester. It is a heterogeneous etiology (multifactorial) disease with contribution from genetic and hormonal factors, characterized by intense itch and abnormal liver function tests, being associated to the increase of perinatal morbidity and mortality. The revision of accomplished literature refers to the epidemiology, etiology, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings and of which management OC concludes that knowledge by professionals about the disease is the key to an appropriate management, undertaken by pregnant women, seeking mainly to prevent fetal complications. In spite of the significant number of studies related with OC, several aspects of its etiology and pathogenesis were not elucidated. The diagnosis is made through the clinical discoveries and abnormal liver function tests and increase of the levels of bile acids. The ursodeoxycholic acid is now the drug used in the therapeutics of OC with effectiveness in the control of the itch and in the re-establishment of normal levels of the bile acids. However, new research and clinical trials are required for best conduction of this pathology

Síndromes coledocianos: ictericias febriles / Choledochus syndromes: feverish ictericias

El síndrome coledociano se caracteriza por la triada clásica de ictericia, dolor y fiebre, a la que se agrega el prurito propio del carácter colestasico. Sus causas principales son la coledocolitiasis, las estenosis de las vías biliares principales y el cáncer de cabeza de páncreas. Causas infrecuentes son el Síndrome de Mirizzi, la Enfermedad de Caroli y la Colangitis esclerosante. Cuadros clínicos parecidos se observan en la hepatitis aguda alcohólico y en las crisis hemolíticas violentas, así como en ciertas infecciones tales como la leptospirosis y la tifoiden.

Prótesis y paliación / Stents and palliation

El drenaje endoscópico de las neoplasias malignas de la vía biliar es el tratamiento paliativo de elección, con una baja morbilidad y mortalidad. Claramente se benefician del uso de prótesis metálicas auto-expansibles, aquellos pacientes que tienen una sobrevida estimada mayor a 6 meses, en especial quienes tienen obstrucciones distales y cuando existe una colangitis asociada a la obstrucción biliar inicial. En las obstrucciones proximales, hay que utilizar el medio de contraste mínimo y con baja presión de inyección, drenando en lo posible ambos lóbulos, siempre y cuando para lograr esto último, no se requiera de una manipulación excesiva, evitando así, la colangitis segmentaria. La complicación más frecuente es la colangitis aguda, en especial en pacientes con obstrucciones proximales. Se recomienda el uso de antibióticos profilácticos en todos los pacientes, ya que desconocemos en cuáles no vamos a lograr nuestro objetivo.

Neonatal cholestasis

Neonatal cholestasis is caused by impaired excretion of biliary substances resulting in their accumulation in blood. Neonatal cholestasis should be ruled out in infants presenting with jaundice that persists after 2 weeks of life. It is important to check fractionated serum bilirubin levels in these patients and immediately refer the patients with conjugated hyperbilirubinemia to a pediatric gastroenterologist for further evaluation. Conjugated hyperbilirubinemia, pale stools and dark urine are the cardinal features of neonatal cholestasis. Early recognition and a stepwise diagnostic evaluation of the infant with cholestasis are essential in successfully treating or managing the complications of the metabolic and infectious liver diseases of the infant as well as surgically relieving obstruction in patients who have biliary atresia. Biliary atresia is the most common cause of neonatal cholestasis and the prognosis is directly related to the age at the time of surgery, with better prognosis if surgery is done before 60 days of age. Cholestasis in premature infants is multifactorial and should have a modified approach to the evaluation of cholestasis. Medical management of cholestasis is mostly supportive, consisting of management of complications of chronic cholestasis like pruritus and nutritional support for malabsorption and vitamin deficiency

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographic evaluation of patients with obstructive jaundice

To evaluate the role of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography [ERCP] in patients with obstructive jaundice. Design: A retrospective, observational study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at Valley Clinic, Rawalpindi, from January 1999 to January 2002. Subjects and Two-hundred and twenty-six patients, who underwent ERCP for evaluation of obstructive jaundice were included. ERCP in each case was performed with standard technique and the findings were recorded. Therapeutic procedures like sphincterotomy, Dormia extraction for stone, and stent placements were performed whenever indicated. Of the 226 patients, 117 [51.8%] were males, and 109 [48.2%] females, their mean age being 51.8 ' 16.6 years. Common bile and pancreatic ducts were visualized in 81.8% and 68.1% patients respectively. Growth/masses and stones were commonest causes of obstructive jaundice. Choledocholithias was common in males, while biliary channel related growth/masses were common in females [p-value = 0.03]. Common bile duct stone clearance rate was 88%, stenting was highly successful in patients with growth and strictures. ERCP related complications were noted in 11 [4.8%] patients. ERCP is an important diagnostic and therapeutic modality for evaluation of patients with obstructive jaundice. Growth/masses and stones are common causes of obstructive jaundice which can be diagnosed and treated with ERCP

Endoscopic treatment of chronic pancreatitis.

Endoscopic therapies, originally utilized for problems in the biliary tree, have been adapted for use in the pancreas. Despite widespread adoption and implementation of these techniques, there are few controlled studies comparing pancreatic endotherapy with either surgery or traditional medical treatment. This review attempts to summarize current endoscopic practice in treating the ductal obstructions and leaks associated with chronic pancreatitis and place these techniques into perspective with respect to alternative management strategies.

Percutaneous transhepatitic biliary stenting

OBJECTIVE: Billary stenting with endoprosthesis is a palliative procedure to relieve malignant biliary obstruction. Percutaneous transhepatic technique has been employed whenever endoscopic technique was not possible or had failed. SETTING: Angiography/intervention suite, department of radiology, Aga Khan University hospital, Karachi. METHODS: We present retrospective analysis of 17 patients with malignant jaundice who were treated with percutaneous techniques after the endoscopic route had failed. The success rate was 94% with placement of single plastic stent in 14 patients, double stents in 3 patients and self-expandable stent in one patient. The overall complication rate was 41% including sepsis, liver abscess, biloma formation, biliary leakage and stent occlusion. There was one procedure related death due to severe sepsis. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary stenting is an alternative procedure to relieve malignant biliary obstruction with high complication rate and should be reserved for selected patients in whom endoscopic route has failed

Estudio prospectivo randomizado para comparar la eficacia entre stents standards plásticos y de poliuretano en la obstrucción biliar maligna / Randomized prospective study to compare the efficiency between standard plastic stents and polyurethane stents in biliary tract malignant obstruction

The aim of this paper is to compare the efficiency between standard plastic stents and polyurethane stents used in biliary tract malignant obstruction. The main problem of the plastic prosthesis is their early occlusion. On the other hand there is the hypothesis that due to the less porousness of the polyurethane surface, there might be lesser adherence and consequently a late occlusion. Thirty-eight patients in two groups of 19 were evaluated prospectively and at random in the Jerusalem Hadassah Hospital and the HIGA San Martín La Plata. They had biliary tract obstruction due to inoperable tumors. Biliary endoprosthesis (plastic standard or polyurethane 10 French diameter) were placed, according to the randomization, after a previous staging with clinical examination, laboratory analysis and images. The follow-up with the same parameters was monthly done. Twelve of the 38 patients were female and 26 male; age average 62.73 (range 81-49). The stents were placed in 17 patients with biliary cancer, 14 pancreatic cancer, 2 papila cancer, 2 gallbladder cancer with bile duct invasion and 3 liver metastasis with biliary tract compression. The clinical and laboratory parameters in 36 patients at 30 days improved. On the contrary, 2 (1 plastic standard and 1 polyurethane stent) did not improve. There were 29 deaths due to the basic illness and not related to the endoscopic method. The mean obstruction occurred at 12.76 weeks (range 32-4) in the standard stents and 12.05 (range 24-2) in the polyurethane ones. CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences in the two groups patients.

Two cases of chronic pancreatitis with pseudocyst complicated by obstructive jaundice

We recently treated two cases of chronic pancreatitis with obstructive jaundice due to compression of the common bile duct by pancreatic pseudocyst. The two cases were males admitted with the complaint of icteric skin color. The first, a 46-year-old male, admitted with the complaint of icteric skin color. He was treated by operative cystojejunostomy after percutaneous drainage of the pseudocyst and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. The other case was a 58 year-old male who admitted with the complaint of icteric skin color. He had an infected pseudocyst in the pancreas and was endoscopically treated. Both of them were discharged with favorable clinical course and normal laboratory findings after the treatment. The former patient remained well 11 months after treatment, but the latter patient died from necrotizing pancreatitis and septic shock 6 months after treatment. Most cases of obstructive jaundice associated with pseudocysts appear to be due to fibrotic stricture of the intrapancreatic portion of the common bile duct rather than due to compression of the bile duct by the pseudocyst. In a patient with secondary pancreatic infection or obstructive jaundice following pancreatic disease, differentiating between these two conditions is an important aspect of accurate diagnosis and therapy. Herein we report two unusual cases of chronic pancreatitis with pseudocyst complicated by obstructive jaundice.