Near-infrared cholangiography with intragallbladder indocyanine green injection in minimally invasive cholecystectomy

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC)remains one of the most commonly performed procedures in adult and paediatric populations.Despite the advances made in intraoperative biliary anatomy recognition,iatrogenic bile duct injuries during LC represent a fatal complication and consist an economic burden for healthcare systems.A series of methods have been proposed to prevent bile duct injury,among them the use of indocyanine green(ICG)fluorescence.The most commonly reported method of ICG injection is the intravenous administration,while literature is lacking studies investigating the direct intragallbladder ICG injection.This narrative mini-review aims to assess the potential applications,usefulness,and limitations of intragallbladder ICG fluorescence in LC.Authors screened the available international literature to identify the reports of intragallbladder ICG fluorescence imaging in minimally invasive cholecystectomy,as well as special issues regarding its use.Literature search retrieved four prospective cohort studies,three case-control studies,and one case report.In the three case-control studies selected,intragallbladder near-infrared cholangiography(NIRC)was compared with standard LC under white light,with intravenous administration of ICG for NIRC and with standard intraoperative cholangiography(IOC).In total,133 patients reported in the literature have been administered intragallbladder ICG administration for biliary mapping during LC.Literature includes several reports of intragallbladder ICG administration,but a standardized technique has not been established yet.Published data suggest that NIRC with intragallbladder ICG injection is a promising method to achieve biliary mapping,overwhelming limitations of IOC including intervention and radiation exposure,as well as the high hepatic parenchyma signal and time interval needed in intravenous ICG fluorescence.Evidence-based guidelines on the role of intragallbladder ICG fluorescence in LC require the assessment of further studies and multicenter data collection into large registries.

超声引导下经皮肝穿刺胆管引流与内镜逆行胰胆管造影会师术的临床价值

目的 探讨超声引导下经皮肝穿刺胆管引流(PTCD)与内镜逆行胰胆管造影(ERCP)会师术的临床应用价值。方法 选取我院常规行ERCP治疗困难或失败患者17例,应用超声引导下PTCD与ERCP会师术完成诊断及治疗,比较术前及术后2 d临床症状及实验室指标的差异,观察并发症发生情况。结果 17例患者均成功完成PTCD与ERCP会师术治疗,其中采取右侧肝内胆管穿刺16例,左侧肝内胆管穿刺1例;对胆总管结石患者行内镜下取石和鼻胆管放置,对胆管梗阻或狭窄患者行胆管扩张及支架置入术。会师术前与术后2 d血白细胞计数、丙氨酸氨基转移酶、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶及血清淀粉酶水平比较,差异均无统计学意义;总胆红素、直接胆红素水平比较,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.01)。术后患者胆管梗阻症状完全解除,均无严重并发症发生。结论 超声引导下PTCD与ERCP会师术成功率高、安全性好,具有较好的临床价值。

比较3.0T与5.0T MR胆胰管造影图像质量

目的比较3.0T与5.0T MR胆胰管造影(MRCP)图像质量。方法前瞻性纳入18例胆管扩张患者(胆管扩张组)和7名健康志愿者(健康组),采用3.0T和5.0T MR仪行MRCP,比较二者显示胆管树细节能力、信噪比(SNR)及图像伪影。结果胆管扩张组中,5.0T MRCP所示胆管树分支数目、分支总长度及最大分支长度均大于3.0T MRCP(P均<0.05);健康组中,5.0T MRCP所示胆管树分支数目及分支总长度均大于3.0T MRCP(P均<0.05)。2组5.0T MRCP的SNR均大于3.0T MRCP,但差异无统计学意义(P均>0.05)。3.0T与5.0T MRCP图像伪影差异无统计学意义(P=0.054)。结论5.0T MRCP所示胆管树解剖细节较3.0T MRCP更佳,而其SNR及图像伪影与后者相当。

基于“T-tube”模型的中心动脉脉搏波双通道盲辨识

提出了由两路人体外周动脉脉搏波(peripheral artery pulse wave,PAP)来估计中心动脉脉搏波(central aortic pulse wave,CAP)的多通道盲辨识(multi-channel blind system identification,MBSI)方法,旨在实现心血管系统中心动脉脉搏波的实时无创连续监测.首先简单介绍了多通路盲辨识算法,并证明了心血管系统IIR模型特性可由FIR模型逼近,从而简化了MBSI算法.然后介绍了心血管"T-tube"模型,并结合两路外周动脉实测(肱动脉、股动脉)脉搏波来重建中心动脉脉搏波和辨识模型.结果表明,MBSI算法稳定性较好,估计出的CAP波形畸变率百分比小于6%、形态整体能量误差百分比小于3%.

肝移植术后胆道吻合口狭窄的诊疗进展

近年来,随着器官保存、手术技术、围手术期管理及免疫抑制方案的发展,肝移植手术成功率和受者生存率明显提高,已成为终末期肝病患者的最佳治疗方案。但胆道并发症依然是肝移植术后常见的并发症,尤其是胆道吻合口狭窄,严重的胆道吻合口狭窄不仅会增加治疗成本,还会导致移植物丢失,甚至影响受者生存率。因此,胆道吻合口狭窄的及时诊断和治疗对于提高肝移植术后受者生存率至关重要。本文就肝移植术后胆道吻合口狭窄的危险因素、临床症状、诊断及治疗进行综述,以期为肝移植术后胆道吻合口狭窄的研究和诊疗提供新的思路,进一步提高肝移植手术效果和受者生存质量。

胆道超声造影引导PTCD治疗梗阻性黄疸的临床研究

目的 探讨胆道超声造影(ultrasound cholangiography, USC)引导经皮经肝穿刺胆道引流术(percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage, PTCD)治疗梗阻性黄疸的应用价值。方法 选取2021年1月至2023年2月于吉首大学第一附属医院行PTCD治疗的88例梗阻性黄疸患者作为研究对象,根据穿刺引导方式的不同分为USC组和数字减影血管造影(digital subtraction angiography, DSA)组,其中USC组48例,DSA组40例。所有患者均采取了PTCD治疗,USC组采取USC引导,DSA组采取DSA引导。比较两组患者的穿刺次数、手术时间、手术前后肝功能变化及并发症发生情况。结果 与DSA组相比,USC组穿刺次数更少,手术时间更短(P<0.01);两组患者术后第7 d血清总胆红素(total bilirubin, TBIL)、直接胆红素(direct bilirubin, DBIL)、丙氨酸氨基转移酶(alanine aminotransferase, ALT)、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(aspartate aminotransferase, AST)水平均较术前降低,但降低程度两组间比较无明显差异(P>0.05)。结论 USC引导下PTCD与DSA引导下PTCD治疗梗阻性黄疸患者的疗效无明显差异,但采用USC引导能有效缩短手术时间,减少穿刺次数,该方法更安全,更简便,值得临床推广应用。

吲哚青绿近红外荧光胆道造影指导腹腔镜胆囊切除术治疗胆囊结石患者疗效研究

目的探讨应用吲哚青绿(ICG)近红外荧光胆道造影指导腹腔镜胆囊切除术(LC)治疗胆囊结石患者的效果。方法2019年3月~2022年8月我院收治的胆囊结石患者172例,采用随机数字表法将患者分为两组,每组86例。在对照组,采用常规LC术;在观察组,采用ICG近红外荧光胆道造影下指导行LC术。随访,采用单因素和多因素Logistic回归分析LC术后发生并发症的影响因素。结果观察组手术时间、术中出血量和住院时间分别为(38.4±3.8)min、(65.1±6.4)mL和(4.6±0.4)d,均显著短于或少于对照组【分别为(49.7±4.7)min、(85.3±8.4)mL和(6.5±0.7)d,P<0.05】;随访发现,术后观察组并发症发生率为4.6%,显著低于对照组的15.1%,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);在172例患者中,术后发生并发症者17例,发生并发症组患者年龄大于60岁、体质指数大于≥27 kg/m^(2)、合并糖尿病、有慢性胆囊炎病史、术中出血量≥70 mL和未进行ICG胆道造影的比率分别为70.6%、52.9%、64.7%、94.1%、76.5%和0.0%,与未发生并发症组(分别为34.8%、27.7%、37.4%、62.6%、47.1%和72.9%)比,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);多因素Logistic回归分析显示,年龄、合并糖尿病、术中出血量和术中是否进行ICG近红外荧光胆道造影与LC术后发生并发症独立相关(P均<0.05)。结论采用ICG近红外荧光胆道造影指导行LC术治疗胆囊结石患者可减少术中出血量,降低术后并发症发生率,值得扩大临床验证。

CT胆管成像与磁共振胆胰管成像鉴别良恶性胆道梗阻的诊断价值

目的:探讨电子计算机断层扫描(CT)胆管成像与磁共振胆胰管成像(MRCP)对良恶性胆道梗阻的诊断价值。方法:选择2017年6月—2022年12月在兴化市人民医院接受诊治的胆道梗阻患者83例,所有患者均接受CT胆管成像及MRCP检查,比较这两种检查方法在鉴别良恶性胆道梗阻中的诊断价值。结果:以患者术后病理检查结果为金标准,分为恶性组23例和良性组60例。CT胆管成像检查中恶性组患者胆道狭窄(78.26%vs 36.67%)、胆道边缘模糊(69.57%vs 25.00%)及胆道形态变异(73.91%vs 28.33%)的发生率较良性组显著升高(均P<0.05)。MRCP检查中恶性组患者胆胰管汇合角度[(43.58±1.48)°vs(25.78±2.58)°]、胆总管直径(6.79±0.24 mm vs 4.78±0.32 mm)及胰管直径(2.99±0.13 mm vs 2.11±0.26 mm)显著高于良性组(均P<0.05)。CT胆管成像与MRCP对胆道梗阻良恶性的诊断敏感度分别为91.30%、95.65%,特异度分别为100.0%、100.0%,Kappa值分别为93.80%和97.00%。结论:CT胆管成像与MRCP在鉴别良恶性胆道梗阻方面都有较高的诊断价值。

Utility of fluorescent cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A systematic review

AIM: To verify the utility of fluorescent cholangiography for more rigorous identification of the extrahepatic biliary system.METHODS: MEDLINE and Pub Med searches were performed using the key words "fluorescent cholangiography", "fluorescent angiography", "intraoperative fluorescent imaging", and "laparoscopic cholecystectomy" in order to identify relevant articles published in English, French, German, and Italian during the years of 2009 to 2014. Reference lists from the articles were reviewed to identify additional pertinent articles. For studies published in languages other than those mentioned above, all available information was collected from their English abstracts. Retrieved manuscripts(case reports, reviews, and abstracts) concerning the application of fluorescent cholangiography were reviewed by the authors, and the data were extracted using a standardized collection tool. Data were subsequently analyzed with descriptive statistics. In contrast to classic meta-analyses, statistical analysis was performed where the outcome was calculated as the percentages of an event(without comparison) in pseudo-cohorts of observed patients.RESULTS: A total of 16 studies were found that involved fluorescent cholangiography during standard laparoscopic cholecystectomies(n = 11), singleincision robotic cholecystectomies(n = 3), multiport robotic cholecystectomy(n = 1), and single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy(n = 1). Overall, these preliminary studies indicated that this novel technique was highly sensitive for the detection of important biliary anatomy and could facilitate the prevention of bile duct injuries. The structures effectively identified before dissection of Calot's triangle included the cystic duct(CD), the common hepatic duct(CHD), the common bile duct(CBD), and the CD-CHD junction. A review of the literature revealed that the frequenciesof detection of the extrahepatic biliary system ranged from 71.4% to 100% for the CD, 33.3% to 100% for the CHD, 50% to 100% for the CBD, and 25% to 100% for the CD-CHD junction. However, the frequency of visualization of the CD and the CBD were reduced in patients with a body mass index > 35 kg/m2 relative to those with a body mass index < 35 kg/m2(91.0% and 64.0% vs 92.3% and 71.8%, respectively).CONCLUSION: Fluorescent cholangiography is a safe procedure enabling real-time visualization of bile duct anatomy and may become standard practice to prevent bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Preoperative assessment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma:combination of cholangiography and CT angiography

BACKGROUND: Hilar cholangiocarcinoma is one of the most difficult carcinomas to manage because of the location of the main tumor at the hepatic hilus and the complex anatomy of the biliary, arterial, and portal systems. To plan an operation, it is important to acquire accurate information about the relationship between hilar cholangiocarcinoma and adjacent vessels. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical value of cholangiography combined with spiral CT three-dimensional (3D) angiography for a preoperative assessment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. METHODS: From March 2007 to August 2009, cholangiography was performed in 13 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Meanwhile, contrast-enhanced abdominal scanning was performed using 16-slice spiral CT, and the 3D images of the hepatic artery and portal vein were acquired. The level and range of invasion of the hepatic artery, the portal vein, and the bile duct, the preoperative Bismuth classification, and T-staging were recorded and compared with those after surgical exploration. RESULTS: The hepatic artery and portal vein were reconstructed successfully in all these patients. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography was performed in 9 patients, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in 1, and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in 3. The CT angiography records of invasion of the hepatic artery were consistent with the results of explorations in these patients. The data from 5 of the 13 patients were consistent with those on invasion of the portal vein. The results of the Bismuth classification and the T-staging system were consistent with those of surgical exploration in 12 of the 13 patients. Seven of 8 patients who were estimated to be suitable for operation based on images were curatively treated and 5 who were judged to be unsuitable for curative operation by cholangiography and CT angiography were confirmed intraoperatively and underwent palliative procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Cholangiography combined with multi-slice spiral 3D CT angiography can satisfactorily delineate the local invasion of hilar cholangiocarcinoma and accurately evaluate the resectability. This approach, therefore, contributes to the planning of safe operation. (Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2010; 9: 186-191)

Multi-slice three-dimensional spiral CT cholangiography: a new technique for diagnosis of biliary diseases

Objective: To validate multi-slice three-dimensional spiral CT cholangiography (3-D CTC) in clinical di- agnosis of biliary diseases. Methods: This study included 146 patients with bili- ary diseases, involving 73 cases of biliary tumor, 87 cases of radioparent calculus, 12 cases of post cholan- gio-jejunostomy and one case of congenital choledo- chocyst. The data of thin-slice volumetric CT scan were sent to the workstation (GE Advantage Win- dows 3. 1). Rational 3-D CTC including maximum intensity projection, minimum intensity projection, surface shaded display, CT virtual endoscopy and ray sumption was performed. The diagnostic accura- cy of 3-D CTC was compared with that of conven- tional CT, ultrasonography and endoscopic retro- grade cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP). Results: Different biliary diseases showed distinct ima- ging manifestations on 3-D CTC, As a new technique for assessing the status of post cholangio-jejunosto- my, 3-D CTC was superior to conventional CT, ul- trasonography and ERCP in diagnosis of negative bil- iary calculus, extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, cancer embolus of the biliary duct, carcinoma of the pancreas head and periampullar carcinoma. It was also superior to conventional CT, ultrasonography or equal to ERCP in diagnosis of hilar cholangiocarcino- ma, but inferior to conventional CT and ultrasonog- raphy in diagnosis of gallbladder cancer. Conclusion: 3-D CTC as a non-invasive and sensitive technique for the diagnosis of biliary diseases with high diagnostic accuracy will greatly increase the de- tection rate of biliary diseases.

Is intraoperative cholangiography necessary during laparoscopic cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis?

AIM:To determine the efficacy and safety benefits of performing intraoperative cholangiography(IOC)during laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC)to treat symptomatic cholelithiasis.METHODS:Patients admitted to the Minimally Invasive Surgery Center of Tianjin Nankai Hospital between January2012 and January 2014 for management of symptomaticcholelithiasis were recruited for this prospective randomized trial.Study enrollment was offered to patients with clinical presentation of biliary colic symptoms,radiological findings suggestive of gallstones,and normal serum biochemistry results.Study participants were randomized to receive either routine LC treatment or LC+IOC treatment.The routine LC procedure was carried out using the standard four-port technique;the LC+IOC procedure was carried out with the addition of meglumine diatrizoate(1:1 dilution with normal saline)injection via a catheter introduced through a small incision in the cystic duct made by laparoscopic scissors.Operative data and postoperative outcomes,including operative time,retained common bile duct(CBD)stones,CBD injury,other complications and length of hospital stay,were recorded for comparative analysis.Inter-group differences were statistically assessed by theχ2 test(categorical variables)and Fisher’s exact test(binary variables),with the threshold for statistical significance set at P<0.05.RESULTS:A total of 371 patients were enrolled in the trial(late-adolescent to adult,age range:16-70 years),with 185 assigned to the routine LC group and 186 to the LC+IOC group.The two treatment groups were similar in age,sex,body mass index,duration of symptomology,number and size of gallstones,and clinical symptoms.The two treatment groups also showed no significant differences in the rates of successful LC(98.38%vs97.85%),CBD stone retainment(0.54%vs 0.00%),CBD injury(0.54%vs 0.53%)and other complications(2.16%vs 2.15%),as well as in duration of hospital stay(5.10±1.41 d vs 4.99±1.53 d).However,the LC+IOC treatment group showed significantly longer mean operative time(routine LC group:43.00±4.15 min vs 52.86±4.47 min,P<0.01).There were no cases of fatal complications in either group.At the one-year follow-up assessment,one patient in the routine LC group reported experiencing diarrhea for three months after the LC and one patient in the LC+IOC group reported ongoing intermittent epigastric discomfort,but radiologicalexamination provided no abnormal findings.CONCLUSION:IOC addition to the routine LC treatment of symptomatic cholelithiasis does not improve rates of CBD stone retainment or bile duct injury but lengthens operative time.

Prospective evaluation of magnetic resonance cholangiography in patients with suspected common bile duct stones before laparoscopic cholecystectomy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the predictive value of magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) in selected patients before laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). METHODS: Patients with risk factors for common bile duct (CBD) stones scheduled for elective LC from March 1999 to May 2001, underwent MRC followed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) to detect the stones and the accuracy of MRC. Selection of suspected patients was based on clinical, ultrasonographic, and laboratory criteria. RESULTS: During a 26-month period, a total of 267 patients were studied. Seventy-eight MRC identified patients were found to have CBD stones by ERC or laparoscopic cholangiography in the study. Seven of 78 patients were misdiagnosed as having CBD stones by MRC. In this study, MRC had a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 96.3%, a positive predictive value of 91.8%, and a negative predictive value of 100% for the detection of common bile duct stones. CONCLUSIONS: With the use of LC, ERC is frequently performed before LC to detect CBD stones; but it is invasive with a well-documented complication rate. MRC is a simple non-invasive method for preoperative screening for CBD stones in at-risk patients. In this study if ERC had been limited to patients with a positive MRC, it would have reduced the need for ERC by 68.2%, and the complications of preoperative examination would be minimized significantly.

Predictive value and main determinants of abnormal features of intraoperative cholangiography during cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND:The major issue with intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) is whether its diagnostic accuracy for common bile duct (CBD) stones matches that of other diagnostic procedures,and thus,whether it will become a routine diagnostic procedure.The current study aimed to address the main determinants of CBD stone diagnosis in IOC among an Iranian population.METHODS:In a retrospective review database-based study conducted in Taleghani Hospital in Tehran between 2006 and 2008,baseline data and perioperative information of 2060 patients (male to female ratio 542:1518,mean age 53.7 years) who were candidates for cholecystectomy and underwent concomitant IOC for confirming CBD stones were reviewed.The predictive power of this procedure for diagnosis of abnormal biliary ducts with the focus on biliary stones was determined.RESULTS:Overall mortality and morbidity following cholecystectomy in the study population were 0.6% and 2.6%,respectively.Both early mortality and morbidity due to cholecystectomy were higher in male than female.The prevalence of CBD stones in IOC was 3.4% (5.2% in male and 2.8% in female,P=0.008).Among those without gallstones,8.7% had CBD stones and only 3.1% had concomitant gallstones and CBD stones.The main predictors of stone appearance as an abnormal feature of IOC during cholecystectomy were:advanced age (OR=1.022,P=0.001),male gender (OR=1.498,P=0.050),history of abdominal surgery (OR=1.543,P=0.040) and preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (OR=5.400,P<0.001).CONCLUSIONS:IOC is a safe and accurate method for the assessment of bile duct anatomy and stones.Therefore,the routine use of IOC within cholecystectomy seems reasonable and is recommended.

Routine magnetic resonance cholangiography compared to intra-operative cholangiography in patients with suspected common bile duct stones

BACKGROUND:Magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC)is a non-invasive method for imaging biliary ducts.When used to exclude common bile duct(CBD) stones,MRC may obviate the need for intra-operative cholangiography(IOC).In this prospective study,MRC and IOC were compared for the diagnosis of suspected stones of the CBD. METHODS:Thirty patients with gallstones and suspected CBD lithiasis(abnormal serum liver tests and CBD>7 mm on ultrasound)had MRC followed by open cholecystectomy and IOC.MR imaging was done using a 1.5-T whole body scanner(Signa,General Electric Medical Systems).A torso phased-array coil with a 4-channel receiver was used for data acquisition. RESULTS:Over a period of 18 months,30 patients(average age 53.9±13.3 years;range 38-76 years)were enrolled in this study.Eleven patients were male(36.7%)and 19 female(63.3%).MRC revealed CBD stones in 19 patients, while IOC revealed CBD stones in 22.The sensitivity of MRC in detecting CBD stones was 81.8%,and the specificity was 87.5%.The positive predictive value was 94.7%,and the negative predictive value was 63.3%. CONCLUSIONS:Pre-operative MRC may obviate the need for IOC.MRC reduces operative time,is less invasive, and may also alleviate damage to the CBD that can occurduring IOC.MRC can identify CBD stones pre-operatively and can help surgeons plan safe procedures.Pre-operative MRC should be done routinely in patients whose clinical or biochemical findings suggest the possibility of CBD stones.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography for pediatric choledocholithiasis: Assessing the need for endoscopic intervention

AIM:To assess pediatric patients for choledocholithiasis.We applied current adult guidelines to identify predictivefactors in children.METHODS:A single-center retrospective analysis was performed at a tertiary children's hospital.We evaluated 44 consecutive pediatric patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiography(ERCP) for suspected choledocholithiasis.Patients were stratified into those with common bile duct stones(CBDS) at ERCP vs those that did not using the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy(ASGE) guidelines(Very Strong and Strong criteria) for suspected CBDS.RESULTS:CBDS were identified in 84% at the time of ERCP.Abdominal ultrasound identified CBDS in 36% of patients.Conjugated bilirubin ≥ 0.5 mg/d L was an independent risk factor for CBDS(P = 0.003).The Very Strong(59.5%) and Strong(48.6%) ASGE criteria identified the majority of patients(P = 0.0001).A modified score using conjugated bilirubin had a higher sensitivity(81.2% vs 59.5%) and more likely to identify a stone than the standard criteria,odds ratio of 25.7 compared to 8.8.Alanine aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase values identified significant differences in a subset of patients with odds ratio of 4.1 and 3.25,respectively.CONCLUSION:Current adult guidelines identified the majority of pediatric patients with CBDS,but specific pediatric guidelines may improve detection,thus decreasing risks and unnecessary procedures.

MR Cholangiography and Dynamic Examination of Duodenal Fluid inthe Differential Diagnosis between Extrahepatic Biliary Atresia and Infantile Hepatitis Syndrome

In order to evaluate the value of magnetic resonance cholangiography （MRC） and dynamic examination of duodenal fluid in the differential diagnosis between extrahepatic biliary atresia （EHBA） and infantile hepatitis syndrome （IHS）, 52 patients with infantile cholestatic jaundice were examined by MRC and duodenal fluid examination. Original interpretations were compared with clinical outcome. Calculated sensitivity of duodenal fluid examination in diagnosis of EHBA was 100 %, and specificity was 91.1%. Sensitivity of MRC in the diagnosis of EHBA was 94.4 % and specificity 88.24 %. The sensitivity of MRC and examination of duodenal fluid combined in diagnosis of EHBA was 94.4 % and specificity 97.06 %. We are led to conclude that MRC and dynamic examination of duodenal fluid are useful in the differential diagnosis between IHS and EHBA and the combined use of the two techniques yield better resutls.

Single balloon enteroscopy for endoscopic retrograde cholangiography in patients with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejuno anastomosis

AIM:To evaluate single balloon enteroscopy in diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiography(ERC)in patients with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunoanastomosis(HJA).METHODS:The study took place from January 2009to December 2011 and we retrospectively assessed 15patients with Roux-en-Y HJA who had signs of biliary obstruction.In total,23 ERC procedures were performed in these patients and a single balloon videoen-teroscope(Olympus SIF Q 180)was used in all of the cases.A transparent overtube was drawn over the videoenteroscope and it freely moved on the working part of the enteroscope.Its distal end was equipped with a silicone balloon that was inflated by air from an external pump at a pressure of≤5.4 kPa.The technical limitations or rather the parameters of the single balloon enteroscope(working length-200 cm,diameter of the working channel-2.8 mm,absence of Albarran bridge)showed the need for special endoscopic instrumentation.RESULTS:Cannulation success was reached in diagnostic ERC in 12 of 15 patients.ERC findings were normal in 1 of 12 patients.ERC in the remaining 11 patients showed some pathological changes.One of these(cystic bile duct dilation)was subsequently resolved surgically.Endoscopic treatment was initialized in the remaining 10 patients(5 with HJA stenosis,2 with choledocholithiasis,and 3 with both).This treatment was successful in 9 of 10 patients.The endoscopic therapeutic procedures included:balloon dilatation of HJA stenosis-11 times(7 patients);choledocholitiasis extraction-five times(5 patients);biliary plastic stent placement-six times(4 patients);and removal of biliary stents placed by us-six times(4 patients).The mean time of performing a single ERC was 72 min.The longest procedure took 110 min and the shortest took34 min.This shows that it is necessary to allow for more time in individual procedures.Furthermore,these procedures require the presence of an anesthesiologist.We did not observe any complications in these 15 patients.CONCLUSION:This method is more demanding than standard endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography due to altered postsurgical anatomy.However,it is effective,safe,and widens the possibilities of resolving biliary pathology.

Magnetic resonance cholangiography in the assessment and management of biliary complications after OLT

Despite advances in patient and graft management,biliary complications(BC)still represent a challenge both in the early and delayed period after orthotopic liver transplantation(OLT).Because of unspecific clinical presentation,imaging is often mandatory in order to diagnose BC.Among imaging modalities,magnetic resonance cholangiography(MRC)has gained widespread acceptance as a tool to represent the reconstructed biliary tree noninvasively,using both the conventional technique(based on heavily T2-weighted sequences)and contrast-enhanced MRC(based on the acquisition of T1-weighted sequences after the administration of hepatobiliary contrast agents).On this basis,MRC is generally indicated to:(1)avoid unnecessary procedures of direct cholangiography in patients with a negative examination and/or identify alternative complications;and(2)provide a road map for interventional procedures or surgery.As illustrated in the review,MRC is accurate in the diagnosis of different types of biliarycomplications,including anastomotic strictures,nonanastomotic strictures,leakage and stones.

Electrohydraulic lithotripsy and rendezvous nasal endoscopic cholangiography for common bile duct stone: A case report

BACKGROUND In patients with large stones in the common bile duct(CBD),advanced treatment modalities are generally needed.Here,we present an interesting case of a huge CBD stone treated with electrohydraulic lithotripsy(EHL)by the percutaneous approach and rendezvous endoscopic retrograde cholangiography(ERC)using a nasal endoscope.CASE SUMMARY A 91-year-old woman underwent ERC for a symptomatic large CBD stone with a diameter of 50 mm.She was referred to our institution after the failure of lithotomy by ERC,and after undergoing percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage.We attempted to fragment the stone by transhepatic cholangioscopy using EHL.However,the stones were too large and partly soft clay-like for lithotripsy.Next,we attempted lithotomy with ERC and cholangioscopy by the rendezvous technique using a nasal endoscope and achieved complete lithotomy.No complication was observed at the end of this procedure.CONCLUSION Cholangioscopy by rendezvous technique using a nasal endoscope is a feasible and safe endoscopic method for removing huge CBD stones.