BACKGROUND: The cornerstone of palliative treatment for inoperable extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is the relief of malignant biliary obstruction. The most commonly applied method is endoscopic stenting. However, the ...BACKGROUND: The cornerstone of palliative treatment for inoperable extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is the relief of malignant biliary obstruction. The most commonly applied method is endoscopic stenting. However, the procedure can be complicated with stent obstruction. In this respect, endobiliary radiofrequency ablation may serve as an adjunctive tool for prolonging the stent patency. METHODS: Patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for differential diagnosis and/ or palliative treatment after the diagnosis of inoperable extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma between March 2011 and January 2012 were analyzed. Those in whom endobiliary radiofrequency ablation and endoscopic stenting was successfully performed were included in the study. Technical details of the procedure, duration of stent patency, length of hospital stay, short-term morbidity and mortality rate were documented. RESULTS: Seventeen patients were analyzed, and 10 patients were included in the study. The morbidity and mortality rate within the first 30 days after the procedure was 20% and 0%, respectively. In 2 patients, mild pancreatitis occurred because of the endobiliary procedure. In 1 patient, endobiliary decompression could not be achieved, and therefore, percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage was carried out. The median duration of stent patency in 9 patients with successful biliary decompression was 9 months (range 6-15). CONCLUSION: Endobiliary radiofrequency ablation seems to be safe and feasible as a palliative measure and may prolong the stent patency and overall survival in patients with malignant biliary obstruction due to inoperable extrahepatic cholangio-carcinoma.展开更多
AIM:To determine the optimal generator settings for endobiliary radiofrequency ablation. METHODS:Endobiliary radiofrequency ablation was performed in live swine on the ampulla of Vater,the common bile duct and in the ...AIM:To determine the optimal generator settings for endobiliary radiofrequency ablation. METHODS:Endobiliary radiofrequency ablation was performed in live swine on the ampulla of Vater,the common bile duct and in the hepatic parenchyma. Radiofrequency ablation time,"effect",and power were allowed to vary. The animals were sacrificed two hours after the procedure. Histopathological assessment of the depth of the thermal lesions was performed. RESULTS:Twenty-five radiofrequency bursts were applied in three swine. In the ampulla of Vater(n = 3),necrosis of the duodenal wall was observed starting with an effect set at 8,power output set at 10 W,and a 30 s shot duration,whereas superficial mucosal damage of up to 350 μm in depth was recorded for an effect set at 8,power output set at 6 W and a 30 s shot duration. In the common bile duct(n = 4),a 1070 μm,safe and efficient ablation was obtained for an effect set at 8,a power output of 8 W,and an ablation time of 30 s. Within the hepatic parenchyma(n = 18),the depth of tissue damage varied from 1620 μm(effect = 8,power = 10 W,ablation time = 15 s) to 4480 μm(effect = 8,power = 8 W,ablation time = 90 s). CONCLUSION:The duration of the catheter application appeared to be the most important parameter influencing the depth of the thermal injury during endobiliary radiofrequency ablation. In healthy swine,the currently recommended settings of the generator may induce severe,supratherapeutic tissue damage in the biliary tree,especially in the high-risk area of the ampulla of Vater.展开更多
The differential diagnosis between benign and malignant biliary strictures is challenging and requires a multidisciplinary approach with the use of serum biomarkers,imaging techniques,and several modalities of endosco...The differential diagnosis between benign and malignant biliary strictures is challenging and requires a multidisciplinary approach with the use of serum biomarkers,imaging techniques,and several modalities of endoscopic or percutaneous tissue sampling.The diagnosis of biliary strictures consists of laboratory markers,and invasive and non-invasive imaging examinations such as computed tomography(CT),contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography,and endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS).Nevertheless,invasive imaging modalities combined with tissue sampling are usually required to confirm the diagnosis of suspected malignant biliary strictures,while pathological diagnosis is mandatory to decide the optimal therapeutic strategy.Although EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy is currently the standard procedure for tissue sampling of solid pancreatic mass lesions,its diagnostic value in intraductal infiltrating type of cholangiocarcinoma remains limited.Moreover,the“endobiliary approach”using novel slim biopsy forceps,transpapillary and percutaneous cholangioscopy,and intraductal ultrasound-guided biopsy,is gaining ground on traditional endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography endobiliary forceps biopsy.This review focuses on the available endobiliary techniques currently used to perform biliary strictures biopsy,comparing the diagnostic performance of endoscopic and percutaneous approaches.展开更多
Most pancreatic cancers and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas are unresectable at the time of diagnosis, and even in case of a resectable cancer, for elderly or patients with coexistent comorbidities, surgery is not an...Most pancreatic cancers and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas are unresectable at the time of diagnosis, and even in case of a resectable cancer, for elderly or patients with coexistent comorbidities, surgery is not an option. Current treatment alternatives in these scenarios are very limited. Biliary stenting with selfexpanding metal stents(SEMS) is the mainstay palliative treatment of biliary obstruction due to unresectable pancreatic cancer or cholangiocarcinoma. Nevertheless, more than 50% of SEMS become occluded after 6 mo due to tumour over- and ingrowth, leading to hospital readmissions and reinterventions that significantly impair quality of life. Regimes of chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy also provide minimal survival benefits. Therefore, novel therapies are eagerly awaited. Radiofrequency(RF) energy causes coagulative necrosis leading to local destruction of the accessed malignant tissue and has an established role in the treatment of malignancies in several solid organs, especially liver cancers. However, pancreatic and extrahepatic biliary cancers are not easily accessed by a percutaneous route, making the procedure dangerous. Over the past five years, the development of dedicated devices compatible with endoscopic instruments has offered a minimally invasive option for RF energy delivery in biliopancreatic cancers. Emerging experience with endoscopic RF ablation(RFA) in this setting has been reported in the literature, but little is known about its feasibility, efficacy and safety. A literature review makes it clear that RFA in biliopancreatic tumours is feasible with high rates of technical success and acceptable safety profile. Although available data suggest a benefit of survival with RFA, there is not enough evidence to draw a firm conclusion about its efficacy. For this reason, prospective randomized trials comparing RFA with standard palliative treatments with quality-of-life and survival endpoints are required. Anecdotal reportshave also highlighted a potential curative role of RFA in small pancreatic tumours and benign conditions, such as ductal extension of ampullomas, intrahepatic adenomas or non-tumoural biliary strictures. These newest indications also deserve further examination in larger series of studies.展开更多
BACKGROUND Uncovered stents used for malignant obstructions in the biliary tree, especially in the hilar area, are prone to obstruction by tumor ingrowths. In comparison, however, covered stents may block bile duct br...BACKGROUND Uncovered stents used for malignant obstructions in the biliary tree, especially in the hilar area, are prone to obstruction by tumor ingrowths. In comparison, however, covered stents may block bile duct branches and are at risk of migration. We have developed a multi-hole self-expandable metallic stent (MHSEMS), with a hole in each cell, to prevent the obstruction of bile duct branches. In addition, the holes may prevent migration due to small ingrowths by reducing the tension of the membrane. CASE SUMMARY MHSEMS were placed in five patients with a malignant obstruction and one with post-endoscopic sphincterotomy bleeding. Each MHSEMS was successfully deployed in all cases. Patients showed no complications. Two cases were reviewed. Case 1: A 74-year-old male presented with jaundice and was diagnosed with a sigmoid colon cancer and giant liver metastases in the right liver lobe. A MHSEMS was placed in the left bile duct. The jaundice improved and peroral cholangioscopy was performed. Case 2: A 90-year-old female was admitted to hospital for jaundice and diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma. A MHSEMS was placed in the left bile duct but after 8 months the stent became obstructed by tumor ingrowth. We treated the patient by ablation therapy. A silicone cover separated the internal bile duct from the surrounding tissue, protecting the latter from thermal injury during treatment by endobiliary ablation of the reobstruction. CONCLUSION A MHSEMS is a new choice of stent for biliary tract diseases.展开更多
Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is the fifth most common neoplasm in the world,closely correlated with viral hepatitis and liver cirrhosis.The vast majority of HCC patients present at a late stage and are unsuitable for ...Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is the fifth most common neoplasm in the world,closely correlated with viral hepatitis and liver cirrhosis.The vast majority of HCC patients present at a late stage and are unsuitable for surgery due to limited liver functional reserve.Tumors can involve major vessels or hilar structures,necessitating major liver resection and/or rendering liver resection unfeasible.A series of new technologies have been developed to optimise HCC management.Stem cell therapy improves impaired liver functional reserve prior to liver resection.Intravascular radiofrequency ablation recanalises the portal vein invaded by tumour thrombus and endobiliary radiofrequency ablation restores and extends biliary patency of the bile duct invaded by malignancy.Laparoscopic radiofrequency assisted liver resection minimizes blood loss and avoids liver warm ischemia,while increasing parenchymal sparing.These benefits combined maximize the safety of liver resection.展开更多
文摘BACKGROUND: The cornerstone of palliative treatment for inoperable extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is the relief of malignant biliary obstruction. The most commonly applied method is endoscopic stenting. However, the procedure can be complicated with stent obstruction. In this respect, endobiliary radiofrequency ablation may serve as an adjunctive tool for prolonging the stent patency. METHODS: Patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for differential diagnosis and/ or palliative treatment after the diagnosis of inoperable extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma between March 2011 and January 2012 were analyzed. Those in whom endobiliary radiofrequency ablation and endoscopic stenting was successfully performed were included in the study. Technical details of the procedure, duration of stent patency, length of hospital stay, short-term morbidity and mortality rate were documented. RESULTS: Seventeen patients were analyzed, and 10 patients were included in the study. The morbidity and mortality rate within the first 30 days after the procedure was 20% and 0%, respectively. In 2 patients, mild pancreatitis occurred because of the endobiliary procedure. In 1 patient, endobiliary decompression could not be achieved, and therefore, percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage was carried out. The median duration of stent patency in 9 patients with successful biliary decompression was 9 months (range 6-15). CONCLUSION: Endobiliary radiofrequency ablation seems to be safe and feasible as a palliative measure and may prolong the stent patency and overall survival in patients with malignant biliary obstruction due to inoperable extrahepatic cholangio-carcinoma.
文摘AIM:To determine the optimal generator settings for endobiliary radiofrequency ablation. METHODS:Endobiliary radiofrequency ablation was performed in live swine on the ampulla of Vater,the common bile duct and in the hepatic parenchyma. Radiofrequency ablation time,"effect",and power were allowed to vary. The animals were sacrificed two hours after the procedure. Histopathological assessment of the depth of the thermal lesions was performed. RESULTS:Twenty-five radiofrequency bursts were applied in three swine. In the ampulla of Vater(n = 3),necrosis of the duodenal wall was observed starting with an effect set at 8,power output set at 10 W,and a 30 s shot duration,whereas superficial mucosal damage of up to 350 μm in depth was recorded for an effect set at 8,power output set at 6 W and a 30 s shot duration. In the common bile duct(n = 4),a 1070 μm,safe and efficient ablation was obtained for an effect set at 8,a power output of 8 W,and an ablation time of 30 s. Within the hepatic parenchyma(n = 18),the depth of tissue damage varied from 1620 μm(effect = 8,power = 10 W,ablation time = 15 s) to 4480 μm(effect = 8,power = 8 W,ablation time = 90 s). CONCLUSION:The duration of the catheter application appeared to be the most important parameter influencing the depth of the thermal injury during endobiliary radiofrequency ablation. In healthy swine,the currently recommended settings of the generator may induce severe,supratherapeutic tissue damage in the biliary tree,especially in the high-risk area of the ampulla of Vater.
文摘The differential diagnosis between benign and malignant biliary strictures is challenging and requires a multidisciplinary approach with the use of serum biomarkers,imaging techniques,and several modalities of endoscopic or percutaneous tissue sampling.The diagnosis of biliary strictures consists of laboratory markers,and invasive and non-invasive imaging examinations such as computed tomography(CT),contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography,and endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS).Nevertheless,invasive imaging modalities combined with tissue sampling are usually required to confirm the diagnosis of suspected malignant biliary strictures,while pathological diagnosis is mandatory to decide the optimal therapeutic strategy.Although EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy is currently the standard procedure for tissue sampling of solid pancreatic mass lesions,its diagnostic value in intraductal infiltrating type of cholangiocarcinoma remains limited.Moreover,the“endobiliary approach”using novel slim biopsy forceps,transpapillary and percutaneous cholangioscopy,and intraductal ultrasound-guided biopsy,is gaining ground on traditional endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography endobiliary forceps biopsy.This review focuses on the available endobiliary techniques currently used to perform biliary strictures biopsy,comparing the diagnostic performance of endoscopic and percutaneous approaches.
文摘Most pancreatic cancers and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas are unresectable at the time of diagnosis, and even in case of a resectable cancer, for elderly or patients with coexistent comorbidities, surgery is not an option. Current treatment alternatives in these scenarios are very limited. Biliary stenting with selfexpanding metal stents(SEMS) is the mainstay palliative treatment of biliary obstruction due to unresectable pancreatic cancer or cholangiocarcinoma. Nevertheless, more than 50% of SEMS become occluded after 6 mo due to tumour over- and ingrowth, leading to hospital readmissions and reinterventions that significantly impair quality of life. Regimes of chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy also provide minimal survival benefits. Therefore, novel therapies are eagerly awaited. Radiofrequency(RF) energy causes coagulative necrosis leading to local destruction of the accessed malignant tissue and has an established role in the treatment of malignancies in several solid organs, especially liver cancers. However, pancreatic and extrahepatic biliary cancers are not easily accessed by a percutaneous route, making the procedure dangerous. Over the past five years, the development of dedicated devices compatible with endoscopic instruments has offered a minimally invasive option for RF energy delivery in biliopancreatic cancers. Emerging experience with endoscopic RF ablation(RFA) in this setting has been reported in the literature, but little is known about its feasibility, efficacy and safety. A literature review makes it clear that RFA in biliopancreatic tumours is feasible with high rates of technical success and acceptable safety profile. Although available data suggest a benefit of survival with RFA, there is not enough evidence to draw a firm conclusion about its efficacy. For this reason, prospective randomized trials comparing RFA with standard palliative treatments with quality-of-life and survival endpoints are required. Anecdotal reportshave also highlighted a potential curative role of RFA in small pancreatic tumours and benign conditions, such as ductal extension of ampullomas, intrahepatic adenomas or non-tumoural biliary strictures. These newest indications also deserve further examination in larger series of studies.
文摘BACKGROUND Uncovered stents used for malignant obstructions in the biliary tree, especially in the hilar area, are prone to obstruction by tumor ingrowths. In comparison, however, covered stents may block bile duct branches and are at risk of migration. We have developed a multi-hole self-expandable metallic stent (MHSEMS), with a hole in each cell, to prevent the obstruction of bile duct branches. In addition, the holes may prevent migration due to small ingrowths by reducing the tension of the membrane. CASE SUMMARY MHSEMS were placed in five patients with a malignant obstruction and one with post-endoscopic sphincterotomy bleeding. Each MHSEMS was successfully deployed in all cases. Patients showed no complications. Two cases were reviewed. Case 1: A 74-year-old male presented with jaundice and was diagnosed with a sigmoid colon cancer and giant liver metastases in the right liver lobe. A MHSEMS was placed in the left bile duct. The jaundice improved and peroral cholangioscopy was performed. Case 2: A 90-year-old female was admitted to hospital for jaundice and diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma. A MHSEMS was placed in the left bile duct but after 8 months the stent became obstructed by tumor ingrowth. We treated the patient by ablation therapy. A silicone cover separated the internal bile duct from the surrounding tissue, protecting the latter from thermal injury during treatment by endobiliary ablation of the reobstruction. CONCLUSION A MHSEMS is a new choice of stent for biliary tract diseases.
文摘Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is the fifth most common neoplasm in the world,closely correlated with viral hepatitis and liver cirrhosis.The vast majority of HCC patients present at a late stage and are unsuitable for surgery due to limited liver functional reserve.Tumors can involve major vessels or hilar structures,necessitating major liver resection and/or rendering liver resection unfeasible.A series of new technologies have been developed to optimise HCC management.Stem cell therapy improves impaired liver functional reserve prior to liver resection.Intravascular radiofrequency ablation recanalises the portal vein invaded by tumour thrombus and endobiliary radiofrequency ablation restores and extends biliary patency of the bile duct invaded by malignancy.Laparoscopic radiofrequency assisted liver resection minimizes blood loss and avoids liver warm ischemia,while increasing parenchymal sparing.These benefits combined maximize the safety of liver resection.
