Removal of intrahepatic bile duct stone could reduce the risk of cholangiocarcinoma: A single-center retrospective study in South Korea

BACKGROUND Intrahepatic duct(IHD)stones are among the most important risk factors for cholangiocarcinoma(CCC).Approximately 10%of patients with IHD stones develop CCC;however,there are limited studies regarding the effect of IHD stone removal on CCC development.AIM To investigate the association between IHD stone removal and CCC development.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 397 patients with IHD stones at a tertiary referral center between January 2011 and December 2020.RESULTS CCC occurred in 36 of the 397 enrolled patients.In univariate analysis,chronic hepatitis B infection(11.1%vs 3.0%,P=0.03),carbohydrate antigen 19-9(CA19-9,176.00 vs 11.96 II/mL,P=0.010),stone located in left or both lobes(86.1%vs 70.1%,P=0.042),focal atrophy(52.8%vs 26.9%,P=0.001),duct stricture(47.2%vs 24.9%,P=0.004),and removal status of IHD stone(33.3%vs 63.2%,P<0.001)were significantly different between IHD stone patients with and without CCC.In the multivariate analysis,CA19-9>upper normal limit,carcinoembryonic antigen>upper normal limit,stones located in the left or both lobes,focal atrophy,and complete removal of IHD stones without recurrence were independent factors influencing CCC development.However,the type of removal method was not associated with CCC risk.CONCLUSION Complete removal of IHD stones without recurrence could reduce CCC risk.

Undifferentiated high-grade pleomorphic sarcoma of the common bile duct:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma(UPS)is a rare malignant mesenchymal tumor with a poor prognosis.It mainly occurs in the extremities,trunk,head and neck,and retroperitoneum regions.Owing to the lack of specific clinical manifestations and imaging features,UPS diagnosis mainly depends on pathological and immunohistochemical examinations for exclusive diagnosis.Here we report an extremely rare case of high-grade UPS in the common bile duct(CBD).There are limited available data on such cases.CASE SUMMARY A 70-year-old woman was admitted to our department with yellow eyes and urine accompanied by upper abdominal distending pain for 2 wk.Her laboratory data suggested significantly elevated hepatorenal function levels.The imaging data revealed calculous cholecystitis,intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile duct dilation with extrahepatic bile duct calculi,and a space-occupying lesion at the distal CBD.After endoscopic biliary stenting and symptomatic support therapy,CBD exploration and biopsy were performed.The frozen section indicated malignant spindle cell tumor of the CBD mass,and further radical pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed.Finally,the neoplasm was diagnosed as a high-grade UPS combined with the light-microscopic morphology and immunohistochemical results.CONCLUSION This extremely rare case highlighted the need for increasing physicians'vigilance,reducing the odds of misdiagnosis,and providing appropriate treatment strategies.

A novel multi-channel porous structure facilitating mass transport towards highly efficient alkaline water electrolysis

An advantageous porous architecture of electrodes is pivotal in significantly enhancing alkaline water electrolysis(AWE)efficiency by optimizing the mass transport mechanisms.This effect becomes even more pronounced when aiming to achieve elevated current densities.Herein,we employed a rapid and scalable laser texturing process to craft novel multi-channel porous electrodes.Particularly,the obtained electrodes exhibit the lowest Tafel slope of 79 mV dec^(-1)(HER)and 49 mV dec^(-1)(OER).As anticipated,the alkaline electrolyzer(AEL)cell incorporating multi-channel porous electrodes(NP-LT30)exhibited a remarkable improvement in cell efficiency,with voltage drops(from 2.28 to 1.97 V)exceeding 300 mV under 1 A cm^(-1),compared to conventional perforated Ni plate electrodes.This enhancement mainly stemmed from the employed multi-channel porous structure,facilitating mass transport and bubble dynamics through an innovative convection mode,surpassing the traditional convection mode.Furthermore,the NP-LT30-based AEL cell demonstrated exceptional durability for 300 h under 1.0 A cm^(-2).This study underscores the capability of the novel multi-channel porous electrodes to expedite mass transport in practical AWE applications.

Is there a place for endoscopic management in postcholecystectomy iatrogenic bile duct injuries?

In this editorial we comment on the article by Emara et al published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery.Previously,surgery was the primary treatment for bile duct injuries(BDI).The treatment of BDI has advanced due to technological breakthroughs and minimally invasive procedures.Endoscopic and percutaneous treatments have largely supplanted surgery as the primary treatment for most instances in recent years.Patient management,including the specific technique,is typically impacted by local knowledge and the kind and severity of the injury.Endoscopic therapy is a highly successful treatment for postoperative benign bile duct stenosis and offers superior long-term outcomes compared to surgical correction.Based on the damage features of BDI,therapeutic options include endoscopic duodenal papillary sphincterotomy,endoscopic nasobiliary drainage,and endoscopic biliary stent implantation.

Surgical strategies for challenging common bile duct stones in the endoscopic era: A comprehensive review of current evidence

While endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP)remains the primary treatment modality for common bile duct stones(CBDS)or choledocho-lithiasis due to advancements in instruments,surgical intervention,known as common bile duct exploration(CBDE),is still necessary in cases of difficult CBDS,failed endoscopic treatment,or altered anatomy.Recent evidence also supports CBDE in patients requesting single-step cholecystectomy and bile duct stone removal with comparable outcomes.This review elucidates relevant clinical anatomy,selection indications,and outcomes to enhance surgical understanding.The selection between trans-cystic(TC)vs trans-choledochal(TD)approaches is described,along with stone removal techniques and ductal closure.Detailed surgical techniques and strategies for both the TC and TD approaches,including instrument selection,is also provided.Additionally,this review comprehensively addresses operation-specific complications such as bile leakage,stricture,and entrapment,and focuses on preventive measures and treatment strategies.This review aims to optimize the management of CBDS through laparoscopic CBDE,with the goal of improving patient outcomes and minimizing risks.

Results of Surgical Management of Malignant Obstruction of the Common Bile Duct in Yaoundé

Introduction: In Cameroon, surgery remains the only approach in malignant obstructions of the common bile duct (MOCBD) even in palliative situations. The aim of this work was to describe the modalities of surgical treatment of MOCBD, evaluate the results and detect the factors associated with postoperative morbidity and mortality. Patients and Methods: We conducted an analytical observational study, with retrospective data collection from the files of patients operated upon for MOCBD. This was done in four referral hospitals in the city of Yaoundé for a 42-month period spanning from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2023. Demographic data, clinical presentation, surgical data, and 30-day postoperative outcomes were collected. Results: We collected 71 files. The sex ratio was 1.4 and the mean age was 56 ± 11 years. Fifty-three (53) patients (74.6%) were overweight or obese and 10 patients (14.1%) were hypertensive. A clinical cholestasis syndrome was present in 69 patients (97.2%). Fifty-five (55) patients (77.5%) had a cancer of the head of the pancreas, 8 patients (11.3%) had an extra-hepatic cholangiocarcinoma and 8 patients (11.3%) had an ampullary adenocarcinoma. Eight (8) resections (11.3%) with curative intent had been carried out and in 63 cases (88.7%), surgery was palliative. Postoperative morbidity was 55.7%, influenced by advanced WHO stage (p = 0.02). Postoperative mortality was 25.7%, associated with a high ASA score (p = 0.01). Conclusion: Pancreatic head cancer is the main etiology of malignant obstructions of the common bile duct in Cameroon. Surgical treatment is most often palliative. Postoperative morbidity and mortality are high, influenced by high WHO and ASA scores.

Arterial Duct Stenting Versus Modified Blalock-Taussig Shunt in Patient with Ductal-Dependent Pulmonary Circulation: Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis

Objective:Patients with ductal-dependent pulmonary circulation require alternative bloodflow to provide and maintain adequate oxygenation.Modified Blalock-Taussig Shunt(MBTS)has been the standard for providing such a result.Currently,less invasive methods such as Arterial Duct(AD)stenting have been performed as alter-natives.This study aims to compare the outcome of AD stenting and MBTS.Method:Systematic research was performed in online databases using the PRISMA protocol.The outcomes measured were 30-day mortality,com-plication,unplanned intervention,oxygen saturation,duration of hospital,and ICU length of stay.Any compara-tive study provided with full text is included.The outcome of each study was analyzed using a trandom effects model with relative risk and mean difference as the effect size.Bias risk assessment was conducted using the New-castle-Ottawa Scale.All analyses were performed using Review Manager 5.4.1.Result:A total of 11 studies with 3154 samples included in this study.There is no significant difference in 30-day mortality between the two groups(p-value=0.10).However,there is significantly less complication(RR 0.53[0.35,0.82];p-value=0.004)and unplanned intervention(RR 0.59[0.38,0.92];p-value=0.02)in the AD stent group.Comparison of the Nakata index showed no significant difference(p-value=0.88).Post-operative oxygen saturation was measured signifi-cantly higher in the AD stenting(MD 1.80[0.85,2.74];p-value=0.0002).However,AD stent group shows sig-nificantly lower long-term oxygen saturation(MD-8.43[-14.38,-2.48];p-value=0.005).Both hospital and ICU length of stay was significantly shorter in the AD stent group(MD-8.30[-11.13,-5.48];p-value<0.00001;MD-5.09[-7.79,-2.38];p-value=0.0002).Conclusion:AD stenting provides comparable outcomes relative to MBTS as it provides less complication and unplanned intervention and higher post-procedural O2 saturation.However,MBTS proved its superiority in maintaining higher long-term oxygen saturation and still became the preferred option to manage complex cases where stenting is either challenging or unsuccessful.

Nursing Effect of Rapid Rehabilitation Surgery Concept in Laparoscopic Surgery for Extrahepatic Bile Duct Stones

Objective: To explore the application value of rapid rehabilitation concept in patients with extrahepatic bile duct stones under laparoscopy during perioperative period. Methods: 90 patients with extrahepatic bile duct stones treated in our hospital from January 2022 to February 2023 were selected as the research object and randomly divided into the study group and the control group. The control group was given routine care, and the observation group was given rapid surgical rehabilitation care. The postoperative anal exhaust time, first meal time, early activity time, pain time, abdominal drainage tube removal time, hospitalization time and complication rate were compared between the two groups. The independent sample T test was used for the measurement data, and the x2 test was used for the counting data, and the difference was statistically significant (P Results: The postoperative anal exhaust time, first meal time, early activity time, pain time, abdominal drainage tube removal time and hospitalization time in the study group were shorter than those in the control group (all P Conclusion: The concept of rapid rehabilitation can significantly improve the perioperative nursing effect of patients with extrahepatic bile duct stones and accelerate their rehabilitation, which is worth improving and popularizing.

Diseases of bile duct in children

Several diseases originate from bile duct pathology.Despite studies on these diseases,certain etiologies of some of them still cannot be concluded.The most common disease of the bile duct in newborns is biliary atresia,whose prognosis varies according to the age of surgical correction.Other diseases such as Alagille syndrome,inspissated bile duct syndrome,and choledochal cysts are also time-sensitive because they can cause severe liver damage due to obstruction.The majority of these diseases present with cholestatic jaundice in the newborn or infant period,which is quite difficult to differentiate regarding clinical acumen and initial investigations.Intraoperative cholangiography is potentially necessary to make an accurate diagnosis,and further treatment will be performed synchronously or planned as findings suggest.This article provides a concise review of bile duct diseases,with interesting cases.

Removal of intrahepatic bile duct stone could reduce the risk of cholangiocarcinoma

Hepatolithiasis(HL)poses a significant risk for cholangiocarcinoma(CCA)development,with reported incidences ranging from 5%-13%.Risk factors include older age,smoking,hepatitis B infection,and prolonged HL duration.Chronic inflammation and mechanical stress on the biliary epithelium contribute to CCA pathogenesis.Hepatectomy reduces CCA risk by removing stones and atrophic liver segments.However,residual stones and incomplete removal increase CCA risk.Kim et al identified carbohydrate antigen 19-9,carcinoembryonic antigen,and stone laterality as CCA risk factors,reaffirming the importance of complete stone removal.Nonetheless,challenges remain in preventing CCA recurrence post-surgery.Longer-term studies are needed to elucidate CCA risk factors further.

Classification of anatomical morphology of cystic duct and its association with gallstone

BACKGROUND Gallstones are common lesions that often require surgical intervention.Laparo-scopic cholecystectomy is the treatment of choice for symptomatic gallstones.Preoperatively,the anatomical morphology of the cystic duct(CD),needs to be accurately recognized,especially when anatomical variations occur in the CD,which is otherwise prone to bile duct injury.However,at present,there is no optimal classification system for CD morphology applicable in clinical practice,and the relationship between anatomical variations in CDs and gallstones remains to be explored.AIM To create a more comprehensive clinically applicable classification of the morphology of CD and to explore the correlations between anatomic variants of CD and gallstones.METHODS A total of 300 patients were retrospectively enrolled from October 2021 to January 2022.The patients were divided into two groups:The gallstone group and the nongallstone group.Relevant clinical data and anatomical data of the CD based on magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography(MRCP)were collected and analyzed to propose a morphological classification system of the CD and to explore its relationship with gallstones.Multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression analyses to identify the independent risk factors using variables that were significant in the univariate analysis.RESULTS Of the 300 patients enrolled in this study,200(66.7%)had gallstones.The mean age was 48.10±13.30 years,142(47.3%)were male,and 158(52.7%)were female.A total of 55.7%of the patients had a body mass index(BMI)≥24 kg/m2.Based on the MRCP,the CD anatomical typology is divided into four types:Type I:Linear,type II:n-shaped,type III:S-shaped,and type IV:W-shaped.Univariate analysis revealed differences between the gallstone and nongallstone groups in relation to sex,BMI,cholesterol,triglycerides,morphology of CD,site of CD insertion into the extrahepatic bile duct,length of CD,and angle between the common hepatic duct and CD.According to the multivariate analysis,female,BMI(≥24 kg/m2),and CD morphology[n-shaped:Odds ratio(OR)=10.97,95%confidence interval(95%CI):5.22-23.07,P<0.001;S-shaped:OR=4.43,95%CI:1.64-11.95,P=0.003;W-shaped:OR=7.74,95%CI:1.88-31.78,P=0.005]were significantly associated with gallstones.CONCLUSION The present study details the morphological variation in the CD and confirms that CD tortuosity is an independent risk factor for gallstones.

Effect of the extrahepatic bile duct anatomy on choledocholithiasis and its clinical significance

BACKGROUND A comprehensive understanding of the extrahepatic bile duct anatomy is vital to guide surgical procedures and perform endoscopic retrograde cholangiography.Anatomical irregularities within the extrahepatic bile duct may increase susceptibility to bile duct stones.AIM To investigate the anatomical risk factors associated with extrahepatic bile ducts in patients diagnosed with choledocholithiasis,with a specific focus on preventing stone recurrence after surgical intervention and endoscopic lithotomy.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 124 patients without choledocholithiasis and 108 with confirmed choledocholithiasis who underwent magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography examinations at our center between January 2022 and October 2022.Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the anatomical risk factors influencing the incidence of common bile duct stones.RESULTS Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that several factors independently contributed to choledocholithiasis risk.Significant independent risk factors for choledocholithiasis were diameter of the common hepatic[adjusted odds ratio(aOR)=1.43,95%confidence interval(CI):1.07-1.92,adjusted P value=0.016]and common bile(aOR=1.68,95%CI:1.27-2.23,adjusted P value<0.001)ducts,length of the common hepatic duct(aOR=0.92,95%CI:0.84-0.99,adjusted P value=0.034),and angle of the common bile duct(aOR=0.92,95%CI:0.89–0.95,adjusted P value<0.001).The anatomical features of the extrahepatic bile duct were directly associated with choledocholithiasis risk.Key risk factors include an enlarged diameter of the common hepatic and bile ducts,a shorter length of the common hepatic duct,and a reduced angle of the common bile duct.

Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the common hepatic duct coexisting with distal cholangiocarcinoma:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Neuroendocrine carcinoma(NEC)of the extrahepatic bile duct is very rare,and the treatment and prognosis are unclear.Herein,we report the case of a middleaged female with primary large cell NEC(LCNEC)of the common hepatic duct combined with distal cholangiocarcinoma(dCCA).Additionally,after a review of the relevant literature,we summarize and compare mixed neuroendocrine-nonneuroendocrine neoplasm(MiNEN)and pure NEC to provide a reference for selecting the appropriate treatment and predicting the prognosis of this rare disease.CASE SUMMARY A 62-year-old female presented to the hospital due to recurrent abdominal pain for 2 months.Physical examination showed mild tenderness in the upper abdomen and a positive Courvoisier sign.Blood tests showed elevated liver transaminase and carbohydrate antigen 199 levels.Imaging examination revealed node dissection was performed,and hepatic duct tumours were unexpectedly found during surgery.Pathology suggested poorly differentiated LCNEC(approximately 0.5 cm×0.5 cm×0.4 cm),Ki-67(50%),synaptophysin+,and chromogranin A+.dCCA pathology suggested moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma.The patient eventually developed lymph node metastasis in the liver,bone,peritoneum,and abdominal cavity and died 24 months after surgery.Gene sequencing methods were used to compare gene mutations in the two primary bile duct tumours.CONCLUSION The prognosis of MiNEN and pure NEC alone is different,and the selection of treatment options needs to be differentiated.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue sampling induced pancreatic duct leak resolved by the placement of a pancreatic stent:A case report

BACKGROUND Pancreatic ductal leaks complicated by endoscopic ultrasonography-guided tissue sampling(EUS-TS)can manifest as acute pancreatitis.CASE SUMMARY A 63-year-old man presented with persistent abdominal pain and weight loss.Diagnosis:Laboratory findings revealed elevated carbohydrate antigen 19-9(5920 U/mL)and carcinoembryonic antigen(23.7 ng/mL)levels.Magnetic resonance imaging of the pancreas revealed an approximately 3 cm ill-defined space-occupying lesion in the inferior aspect of the head,with severe encasement of the superior mesenteric artery.Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma was confirmed after pathological examination of specimens obtained by EUS-TS using the fanning method.Interventions and outcomes:The following day,the patient experienced severe abdominal pain with high amylase(265 U/L)and lipase(1173 U/L)levels.Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed edematous wall thickening of the second portion of the duodenum with adjacent fluid collections and a suspicious leak from either the distal common bile duct or the main pancreatic duct in the head.Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed dye leakage in the head of the main pancreatic duct.Therefore,a 5F 7 cm linear plastic stent was deployed into the pancreatic duct to divert the pancreatic juice.The patient’s abdominal pain improved immediately after pancreatic stent insertion,and amylase and lipase levels normalized within a week.Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was then initiated.CONCLUSION Using the fanning method in EUS-TS can inadvertently cause damage to the pancreatic duct and may lead to clinically significant pancreatitis.Placing a pancreatic stent may immediately resolve acute pancreatitis and shorten the waiting time for curative therapy.When using the fanning method during EUSTS,ductal structures should be excluded to prevent pancreatic ductal leakage.

Surgically treating a rare and asymptomatic intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct:A case report

BACKGROUND Intraductal papillary neoplasms of the bile duct(IPNBs)are rare and characterized by papillary growth within the bile duct lumen.IPNB is similar to obstructive biliary pathology.In this report,we present an unexpected case of asymptomatic IPNB and consolidate our findings with the relevant literature to augment our understanding of this condition.Integrating relevant literature contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the disease.CASE SUMMARY A 66-year-old Chinese male patient was admitted to our hospital for surgical intervention after gallstones were discovered during a routine physical examination.Preoperative imaging revealed a lesion on the left side of the liver,which raised the suspicion of IPNB.A laparoscopic left hemihepatectomy was performed,and subsequent histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of IPNB.At the 3-mo postoperative follow-up,the patient reported good recovery and no metastasis.IPNB can manifest both latently and asymptomatically.Radical surgical resection is the most effective treatment for IPNB.CONCLUSION Hepatic and biliary masses,should be considered to diagnose IPNB.Prompt surgery and vigilant follow-up are crucial in determining prognosis.

Comparison of the clinical effects of dual-modality endoscopy and traditional laparotomy for the treatment of intra-and extrahepatic bile duct stones

BACKGROUND Bile duct stones(BDSs)may cause patients to develop liver cirrhosis or even liver cancer.Currently,the success rate of surgical treatment for intrahepatic and extrahepatic BDSs is not satisfactory,and there is a risk of postoperative complic-ations.AIM To compare the clinical effects of dual-modality endoscopy(duodenoscopy and laparoscopy)with those of traditional laparotomy in the treatment of intra-and extrahepatic BDSs.METHODS Ninety-five patients with intra-and extrahepatic BDSs who sought medical services at Wuhan No.1 Hospital between August 2019 and May 2023 were selected;45 patients in the control group were treated by traditional laparotomy,and 50 patients in the research group were treated by dual-modality endoscopy.The following factors were collected for analysis:curative effects,safety(incision infection,biliary fistula,lung infection,hemobilia),surgical factors[surgery time,intraoperative blood loss(IBL)volume,gastrointestinal function recovery time,and length of hospital stay],serum inflammatory markers[tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,interleukin(IL)-6,and IL-8],and oxidative stress[glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px),superoxide dismutase(SOD),malondialdehyde(MDA),and advanced protein oxidation products(AOPPs)].RESULTS The analysis revealed markedly better efficacy(an obviously higher total effective rate)in the research group than in the control group.In addition,an evidently lower postoperative complication rate,shorter surgical duration,gastrointestinal function recovery time and hospital stay,and lower IBL volume were observed in the research group.Furthermore,the posttreatment serum inflammatory marker(TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-8)levels were significantly lower in the research group than in the control group.Compared with those in the control group,the posttreatment GSH-Px,SOD,MDA and AOPPs in the research group were equivalent to the pretreatment levels;for example,the GSH-Px and SOD levels were significantly higher,while the MDA and AOPP levels were lower.CONCLUSION Dual-modality endoscopy therapy(duodenoscopy and laparoscopy)is more effective than traditional laparotomy in the treatment of intra-and extrahepatic BDSs and has a lower risk of postoperative complications;significantly shortened surgical time;shorter gastrointestinal function recovery time;shorter hospital stay;and lower intraop-erative bleeding volume,while having a significant inhibitory effect on excessive serum inflammation and causing little postoperative oxidative stress.

Percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy-assisted biliary polypectomy for local palliative treatment of intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct

BACKGROUND Intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct(IPNB)is a premalignant biliarytype epithelial neoplasm with intraductal papillary or villous growth.Currently reported local palliative therapeutic modalities,including endoscopic nasobiliary drainage,stenting and biliary curettage,endoscopic biliary polypectomy,percutaneous biliary drainage,laser ablation,argon plasma coagulation,photodynamic therapy,and radiofrequency ablation to relieve mechanical obstruction are limited with weaknesses and disadvantages.We have applied percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy(PTCS)-assisted biliary polypectomy(PTCS-BP)technique for the management of IPNB including mucin-hypersecreting cast-like and polypoid type tumors since 2010.AIM To assess the technical feasibility,efficacy,and safety of PTCS-BP for local palliative treatment of IPNB.METHODS Patients with mucin-hypersecreting cast-like or polypoid type IPNB and receiving PTCS-BP between September 2010 and December 2019 were included.PTCS-BP was performed by using a half-moon type snare with a soft stainless-steel wire,and the tumor was snared and resected with electrocautery.The primary outcome was its feasibility,indicated by technical success.The secondary outcomes were efficacy,including therapeutic success,curative resection,and clinical success,and safety.RESULTS Five patients(four with mucin-hypersecreting cast-like type and one with polypoid type IPNB)were included.Low-and high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia(HGIN)and recurrent IPNB with invasive carcinoma were observed in one,two,and two patients,respectively.Repeated cholangitis and/or obstructive jaundice were presented in all four patients with mucin-hypersecreting cast-like type IPNB.All five patients achieved technical success of PTCS-BP.Four patients(three with mucin-hypersecreting cast-like type and one with polypoid type IPNB)obtained therapeutic success;one with mucin-hypersecreting cast-like type tumors in the intrahepatic small bile duct and HGIN had residual tumors.All four patients with mucin-hypersecreting IPNB achieved clinical success.The patient with polypoid type IPNB achieved curative resection.There were no PTCS-BP-related serious adverse events.CONCLUSION PTCS-BP appears to be feasible,efficacious,and safe for local palliative treatment of both mucin-hypersecreting cast-like and polypoid type IPNB.

Asymptomatic bile duct stones:The devil is in the details

Common bile duct(CBD)stones are a common biliary tract disease.For asymp-tomatic CBD stones,stone removal by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreato-graphy(ERCP)is recommended in available guidelines.Because asymptomatic CBD stones is a benign disease with no noticeable symptoms,the risk vs benefit strategy should be thoroughly considered before performing ERCP in these patients.Clinical care review,technical aspects of the procedure,and patient preferences should also be considered.

Risk factors for recurrence of common bile duct stones after surgical treatment and effect of ursodeoxycholic acid intervention

BACKGROUND Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP)is an accurate diagnostic method for choledocholithiasis and treatment option for stone removal.Additionally,ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA)can dissolve cholesterol stones and prevent their development and reappearance by lowering the cholesterol concen-tration in bile.Despite these treatment options,there are still patients who experience stone recurrence.The clinical data of 100 patients with choledochal stones who were hospitalized at the Yixing People’s Hospital and underwent ERCP for successful stone extraction between June 2020 and December 2022 were retrospectively collected.According to the post-ERCP treatment plan,100 patients were classified into UDCA(n=47)and control(n=53)groups.We aimed to assess the clinical efficacy and rate of relapse in the two patient populations.We then collected information(basic demographic data,clinical characteristics,and serum biochemical indicators)and determined the factors contributing to relapse using logistic regression analysis.Our secondary goal was to determine the effects of UDCA on liver function after ERCP.Compared to the control group,the UDCA group demonstrated a higher clinical effectiveness rate of 92.45%vs 78.72%(P<0.05).No significant differences were observed in liver function indices,including total bilirubin,direct bilirubin,gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase,alanine aminotransferase,alkaline phosphatase,and aspartate aminotransferase,between the two groups before treatment.After treatment,all liver function indices were significantly reduced.Comparing the control vs UDCA groups,the UDCA group exhibited significantly lower levels of all indices(55.39±6.53 vs 77.31±8.52,32.10±4.62 vs 45.39±5.69,142.32±14.21 vs 189.63±16.87,112.52±14.25 vs 149.36±15.36,122.61±16.00 vs 171.33±22.09,96.98±10.44 vs 121.35±11.57,respectively,all P<0.05).The stone recurrence rate was lower in the UDCA group(13.21%)in contrast with the control group(44.68%).Periampullary diverticula(OR:6.00,95%CI:1.69-21.30),maximum stone diameter(OR:1.69,95%CI:1.01-2.85),stone quantity>3(OR:4.23,95%CI:1.17-15.26),and positive bile culture(OR:7.61,95%CI:2.07-27.91)were independent factors that influenced the relapse of common bile duct stones after ERCP(P<0.05).Furthermore,postoperative UDCA was identified as a preventive factor(OR:0.07;95%CI:0.08-0.09).CONCLUSION The intervention effect of UDCA after ERCP for common bile duct stones is adequate,providing new research directions and references for the prevention and treatment of stone recurrence.

Rare primary squamous cell carcinoma of the intrahepatic bile duct: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Cholangiocarcinoma is the most common malignancy of the biliary tree and has a poor prognosis.Adenocarcinoma is the most common pathological type of cho-langiocarcinomas,but rare squamous,adenosquamous,and mucinous variants have been reported without adequate clinical data.CASE SUMMARY This report describes a rare case of primary squamous cell carcinoma(SCC)of the intrahepatic bile duct.The patient was admitted with a tumor in the hepatic caudate lobe with no obvious clinical symptoms.Examination revealed hepatitis B surface antigen positivity,a slight increase in alfa-fetoprotein to 16.34 ng/mL,and an irregular slightly heterogeneous enhancing lesion in the hepatic caudate lobe,which was initially thought to be hepatocellular carcinoma.Laparoscopic re-section was performed,and the final pathology suggested a rare primary SCC of the intrahepatic bile duct.Immunohistochemistry indicated positivity for villin,partial positivity for p63,and negativity for hepatocyte,CK7,CK8,CK19,and CK20.The Ki-67 index was approximately 60%.The patient received six cycles of Tegio chemotherapy.A new lesion was detected in the liver after 15 months.The surgery was performed,and the patient was followed-up at a local hospital.To date,no new lesions have been observed.CONCLUSION Surgery is the first choice for resectable lesions,and combined chemotherapy based on pathology is essential for increasing overall survival.