Prophylaxis of Post-Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Pancreatitis Using Temporary Pancreatic Stents Versus Rectal Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: Both pancreatic stenting and rectal nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) prevent post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis. The aim of the study was to compare post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) prophylaxis using pancreatic stents and/or rectal NSAIDs prospectively. METHODS: A total of 321 patients undergoing ERCP were studied. Each patient was randomly allocated to receive pancreatic stent placement (PS), 50 mg of rectal diclofenac (NSAID), or both (PS + NSAID) for PEP prophylaxis. The primary outcome was the occurrence rate of PEP, and secondary outcomes included the severity of PEP and serum pancreatic amylase and lipase levels on the day after ERCP. RESULTS: Five patients (PS: 2/101, NSAID: 1/106, PS + NSAID: 2/102) developed PEP, and the overall occurrence rate of PEP was 1.6% (5/309). The occurrence rates of PEP in the PS, NSAID, and PS + NSAID groups were statistically equivalent with an equivalent margin of 10%. The severity of PEP was mild in all 5 patients. Median serum pancreatic amylase and lipase levels in the NSAID group were significantly lower than those in the PS and PS + NSAID groups. CONCLUSIONS: Rectal administration of 50 mg of diclofenac may become a first-line therapy for PEP prophylaxis in our country.

Endoscopic deployment of multiple (≥ 3) metal stents for unresectable malignant hilar biliary strictures.

Background and study aims Endoscopic deployment of multiple (≥ 3) self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) for high-grade unresectable malignant hilar biliary strictures (UMHBS) is technically challenging. Eleven consecutive patients with high-grade UMHBS (mean age: 76 years, male/female: 5/6, Bismuth-Corlette classification IIIa/IV: 7/4) underwent endoscopic deployment of multiple SEMS using a combination of side-by-side (SBS) and stent-in-stent (SIS) methods. Technical and clinical success rates were 11/11. More than three SEMS were successfully deployed, and obstructive jaundice was fully improved in all cases. Stent occlusion was recognized in four of 11 patients (mean: 134 days, range: 28 - 232). Reinterventions for both liver lobes were feasible by passing the guide wire inside the previously placed stents in three of four patients. Median stent patency was 150 days during a mean follow-up period of 184 days (range: 37 - 558). Three patients developed self-limiting cholangitis without definite stent occlusion as late (> 30 days) adverse events. Employing the combination of SBS and SIS methods may facilitate endoscopic deployment of multiple SEMS to treat high-grade UMHBS.

Bowel preparation for colonoscopy using standard vs reduced doses of sodium phosphate: A single-blind randomized controlled study.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of a colonoscopy preparation that utilizes a reduced dose of sodium phosphate (NaP) and an adjunct. METHODS: Sixty-two patients requiring screening colonoscopies were studied. Each patient was randomly allocated to receive either 50 NaP tablets (50 g) or 30 NaP tablets (30 g) with 10 mL of 0.75% sodium picosulfate for bowel preparation. NaP was administered at a rate of five tablets (5 g) or three tablets (3 g) every 15 min with 200 mL of water, beginning five to six hours before colonoscopy. The sodium picosulfate was administered with 200 mL of water on the night before the procedure. Both groups were compared in term of the efficacies of colonic cleansing, the time required for completion of the bowel preparation, and acceptability of the preparation. RESULTS: Sixty patients (n = 30 for each group) were analyzed. The cleansing efficacy tended to be higher in the 30 g NaP plus sodium picosulfate group as assessed by the mean total Ottawa scale score (50 g NaP 6.70 ± 1. 42 vs 30 g NaP plus sodium picosulfate 6.17 ± 1.18 P = 0.072). The mean time for bowel preparation tended to be shorter in the 30 g NaP plus sodium picosulfate group (50 g NaP 189.9 ± 64.0 min vs 30 g NaP plus sodium picosulfate 161.8 ± 57.6 min, P = 0.065). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the acceptability of the preparations (50 g NaP 83.3% vs 30 g NaP plus sodium picosulfate 86.7%, P = 0.500). There were no adverse events related to bowel preparation in either of the groups. CONCLUSION: The colonoscopy preparation that utilized 30 g NaP with sodium picosulfate was comparable to that utilizing 50 g NaP. This novel bowel preparation might be useful before colonoscopy.

Covered self-expandable metal stents with an anti-migration system improve patency duration without increased complications compared with uncovered stents for distal biliary obstruction caused by pancreatic carcinoma: a randomized multicenter trial.

OBJECTIVES: The requirements of biliary stents used in the palliation of malignant biliary obstruction are a long duration of patency and minimal adverse effects. Covered self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) have been shown to prevent tumor ingrowth, which is the most frequent complication of uncovered SEMSs. However, because they are prone to migration, the superiority of covered SEMS has yet to be convincingly demonstrated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the superiority of covered over uncovered SEMSs in the palliation of distal biliary obstruction due to unresectable pancreatic carcinoma, using both stent types with relatively low axial force and uncovered flared ends to prevent their migration. METHODS: From April 2009 to December 2010, 120 patients who were admitted to 22 tertiary-care centers because of distal biliary obstruction from unresectable pancreatic carcinomas were enrolled in this prospective randomized multicenter study. Patients were randomly assigned to receive a covered or uncovered SEMS deployed at the site of the biliary stricture during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Stent patency time, patient survival time, patient survival time without stent dysfunction (time to stent dysfunction or patient death), cause of stent dysfunction (ingrowth, overgrowth, migration, or sludge formation), and serious adverse events were compared between covered and uncovered SEMS groups. RESULTS: Patient survival time in the two groups did not significantly differ (median: 285 and 223 days, respectively; P=0.68). Patient survival time without stent dysfunction was significantly longer in the covered than in the uncovered SEMS group (median: 187 vs. 132 days; P=0.043). Stent patency was also significantly longer in the covered than in the uncovered SEMS group (mean±s.d.: 219.3±159.1 vs. 166.9±124.9 days; P=0.047). Reintervention for stent dysfunction was performed in 14 of 60 patients with covered SEMSs (23%) and in 22 of 60 patients with uncovered SEMSs (37%; P=0.08). Stent dysfunction was caused by tumor ingrowth, tumor overgrowth, and sludge formation in 0 (0%), 3 (5%), and 11 (18%) patients in the covered SEMSs group, and in 15 (25%), 2 (3%), and 6 (10%) patients in the uncovered SEMSs group, respectively. Stent migration was not observed in either group. Rates of tumor overgrowth and sludge formation did not significantly differ between the two groups, whereas the rate of tumor ingrowth was significantly lower in the covered than in the uncovered SEMS group (P<0.01). Acute pancreatitis occurred in only one patient in the covered SEMS group. Acute cholecystitis occurred in one patient in the covered SEMS group and in two patients in the uncovered SEMS group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the incidence of serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: By preventing tumor ingrowth and migration, covered SEMSs with an anti-migration system had a longer duration of patency than uncovered SEMSs, which recommends their use in the palliative treatment of patients with biliary obstruction due to pancreatic carcinomas.

Direct cholangioscopy combined with double-balloon enteroscope-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

Double-balloon enteroscope (DBE)-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an effective endoscopic approach for pancreatobiliary disorders in patients with altered gastrointestinal anatomy. Endoscopic interventions via DBE in these postoperative settings remain difficult because of the lack of an elevator and the use of extra-long ERCP accessories. Here, we report the usefulness of direct cholangioscopy with an ultra-slim gastroscope during DBE-assisted ERCP. Three patients with choledocholithiasis in postoperative settings (two patients after Billroth II gastrojejunostomy and one patient after Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy) were treated. DBE was used to gain access to the papilla under carbon dioxide insufflation, and endoscopic sphincterotomy was performed with a conventional sphincterotome. For direct cholangioscopy, the enteroscope was exchanged for an ultra-slim gastroscope through an incision in the overtube, which was inserted directly into the bile duct. Direct cholangioscopy was used to extract retained bile duct stones in two cases and to confirm the complete clearance of stones in one case. Bile duct stones were eliminated with a 5-Fr basket catheter under direct visual control. No adverse events were noted in any of the three cases. Direct cholangioscopy with an ultra-slim gastroscope facilitates subsequent treatment within the bile duct. This procedure represents another potential option during DBE-assisted ERCP.

[A case of serous cystadenoma of the pancreas associated with obstructive jaundice during long-term follow up].

A 68-year-old man had been followed up since March, 1997 because of a cystic tumor of the pancreas head. The patient developed obstructive jaundice and was admitted to our hospital in June, 2007. The tumor size on CT scan had increased from 3.6 cm to 5.9 cm during the 10-year period. After endoscopic biliary drainage, pancreatoduodenectomy was performed. Pathological diagnosis of the resected specimen was serous cystadenoma. Serous cystadenoma of the pancreas is known as a benign tumor with indolent progression and is likely to be symptomatic if the tumor size exceeds 4 cm. However, biliary obstruction is a rare complication of serous cystadenoma. We report this rare case here with references to the literature.

Initial experience with a new peroral electronic pancreatoscope with an accessory channel.

BACKGROUND: A peroral electronic pancreatoscope was previously developed to improve visualization of the pancreatic duct, but this instrument had no accessory channel. METHODS: A new peroral electronic pancreatoscope (2.6-mm external diameter) with an accessory channel (0.5 mm) was developed. Peroral pancreatoscopy or cholangioscopy was performed with this new instrument in 11 patients with various pancreatobiliary diseases. The clinical utility of the new peroral electronic pancreatoscope was assessed, and visualization with this new instrument was compared with that of the prototype. RESULTS: The resolution of the two instrument systems was nearly equal, with that provided by the new peroral electronic pancreatoscope being slightly better. The new peroral electronic pancreatoscope was inserted successfully into the pancreatic or bile duct in 9 of the 11 patients (82%). Observation of a predetermined target and juice collection with direct visualization was successful in 8 of the 9 patients (89%). CONCLUSIONS: The new peroral electronic pancreatoscope with an accessory channel was useful for clinical diagnosis of various pancreatobiliary diseases. Visualization is excellent. Pancreatic juice and other samples can be collected under direct visualization.

A case of pseudotumorous pancreatitis that presented unique pancreatoscopic findings with the peroral electronic pancreatoscope.

A 49-year-old man was admitted to Hospital of Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine complaining of epigastralgia and jaundice. There was a tumor (approximately 30 mm) in the pancreatic head on ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed a stenosis of the main pancreatic duct in the head of the pancreas. Pancreatoscopy with the peroral electronic pancreatoscope (PEPS) was performed to differentiate between pseudotumorous pancreatitis (PTP) and pancreatic carcinoma. The PEPS showed non-erosive erythematous mucosa around the stenosis and this unique finding was different from that of pancreatic carcinoma. Pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy was performed under the possible diagnosis of carcinoma. As a result, the diagnosis of PTP was confirmed histopathologically. At present, the diagnosis of PTP is difficult because of similar findings with carcinoma in various imaging procedures. However, we consider that detailed observation and accurate morphologic assessment of the main pancreatic duct with the PEPS has the possibility of differentiating PTP from pancreatic carcinoma.

Electronic pancreatoscopy for the diagnosis of pancreatic diseases.

OBJECTIVES: Diagnostic pancreatoscopy was performed in 56 patients using the newly developed peroral electronic pancreatoscope (PEPS). The diagnostic value of the PEPS for pancreatic diseases was evaluated. METHODS: The PEPS (external diameter = 2.1 mm, bidirectional tip deflection) was developed with a minute 50,000-pixel interline charge-coupled device. Pancreatoscopy was performed by means of an endoscopic retrograde approach without sphincterotomy. The cases examined were normal (three), chronic pancreatitis (32), pancreatic cancer (eight), and intraductal papillary mucinous tumors (13). RESULTS: Of the 56 cases, 42 (75%) were adequately seen. In normal cases, fine capillary vessels were clearly visualized on the smooth whitish-pink mucosa. Findings in chronic pancreatitis included protein plugs, calcified stones, rough whitish mucosa, scar formation, edema, erythema, and indistinct capillary appearance. All the stenoses of chronic pancreatitis could be differentiated from those of pancreatic cancer with the PEPS. In the pancreatic cancer cases, all patients had stenoses or duct cutoffs; most cases had friable mucosa with erythema and erosive changes, and a single patient had a compressed pancreatic duct wall covered with normal epithelium. In the cases of intraductal papillary mucinous tumors, papillary tumors were visualized with extreme clarity. In the case of adenocarcinoma, the PEPS revealed oval-shaped tumors with spotty redness or villous tumors with dilation of capillary vessels. Moderate acute pancreatitis was recognized after pancreatoscopy in one of the 56 cases (1.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Electronic pancreatoscopy with the PEPS is feasible in most patients and technically safe, and improves diagnostic yield over conventional pancreatoscopy.

A synthetic prostaglandin E1 analog, alprostadil alfadex, relaxes sphincter of Oddi in humans.

It is well established that prostaglandins (PGs) exert potent pharmacological actions on vascular and nonvascular smooth muscle, although their effects on the sphincter of Oddi (SO) remain to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of PGE1 on motility of the human SO. Twenty patients appearing for routine endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) examination were studied. Each patient was randomly allocated to receive an intravenous infusion of normal saline (six patients), or alprostadil alfadex, a synthetic PGE1 analog, at a dose of either 0.05 or 0.1 microg/kg/min (seven patients for each condition). Endoscopic biliary manometry was done with a recording of basal SO pressure, amplitude of SO phasic contractions, and phasic contractile frequency before and 5 min after intravenous infusions, using a 4-French microtransducer catheter. There was no significant change in SO motor variables following application of normal saline. Alprostadil alfadex significantly decreased basal SO pressure at a dose of 0.05 microg/kg/min, and significantly decreased all parameters at a dose of 0.1 microg/kg/min. A synthetic PGE1 analog, alprostadil alfadex, effectively inhibits motility of the human SO. This drug may be of clinical application as a SO-relaxing agent.