Biliopancreatic fistula with portal vein thrombosis caused by a pancreatic pseudocyst

We encountered a very rare case of biliopancreatic fistula with portal vein thrombosis caused by pancreatic pseudocyst. A 57-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of abdominal pain, obstructive jaundice, and portal vein thrombosis due to acute pancreatitis. Computed tomography showed a 7-cm-diameter pseudocyst around the superior mesenteric vein extending towards the pancreatic head, dilatation of the intrahepatic bile duct, and portal vein thrombosis. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography revealed a main pancreatic duct with a pseudocyst communicating with the common bile duct. After pancreatic sphincterotomy, a 7-F tube stent was endoscopically placed into the pseudocyst. However, a 6-F nasobiliary tube could not be inserted into the bile duct because the fistula had a tight stenosis. Subsequently, the patient’s abdominal pain improved, the pancreatic cyst disappeared, and the serum amylase level normalized. Two months after the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage was required because the patient’s jaundice became aggravated. Two weeks after the choledochojejunostomy, the patient left the hospital in good condition. A follow-up computed tomography showed cavernous transformation of the portal vein and no pancreatic pseudocyst. The patient remains asymptomatic for 2 years and 7 months after surgery. Biliary drainage may be necessary for biliopancreatic fistula with obstructive jaundice in addition to pancreatic cyst drainage. Biliopancreatic fistula can be treated by endoscopic procedure in some cases; however, surgical treatment should be required in cases that are impossible to insert a biliary stent because of hard stricture.     

Biliary drainage by endoscopic choledochoduodenal fistulotomy in patients with papillary carcinoma

BACKGROUND: There are few reports of endoscopic choledochoduodenal fistulotomy (endoscopic fistulotomy) in patients with papillary carcinoma by using a needle-knife. METHODS: Among 35 patients with papillary carcinoma requiring biliary drainage, 14 with a suprapapillary bulge underwent endoscopic fistulotomy alone or with widening of the fistula by using a standard sphincterotome or dilation balloon catheter. OBSERVATIONS: Transfistula bile duct cannulation was successful on the first attempt in 13 of 14 patients (93%) and temporary biliary drainage through the fistula was successfully established in all 13 patients. The single complication was minor bleeding (7%) in 1 patient. In 6 patients with biliary obstruction who were not operative candidates, endoscopic fistulotomy was used for palliation, and all remained asymptomatic for a mean period of 3.2 months. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic fistulotomy is an effective, relatively safe biliary drainage procedure. It should be considered in selected patients with bile duct obstruction caused by papillary carcinoma and a suprapapillary bulge caused by the dilated bile duct.     

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the bile duct with gastric and duodenal fistulas

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) of the bile duct is still rare and not yet understood despite of its increased incidence and similar clinicopathologic characteristics compared with IPMN of the pancreas. The fistula formation into other organs can occur in IPMN, especially the pancreatic type. To our knowl-edge, only two cases of IPMN of the bile duct with a choledochoduodenal fistula were reported and we have recently experienced a case of IPMN of the bile duct penetrating into two neighboring organs of the stom-ach and duodenum presenting with abdominal pain and jaundice. Endoscopy showed thick mucin extruding from two openings of the fistulas. Endoscopic suction of thick mucin using direct peroral cholangioscopy with ultra-slim endoscope through choledochoduodenal fis-tula was very difficult and ineffective because of very thick mucin and next endoscopic suction through the stent after prior insertion of biliary metal stent into cho-ledochogastric fistula also failed. Pathologic specimen obtained from the proximal portion of the choledocho-gastric fistula near left intrahepatic bile duct through the metal stent showed a low grade adenoma. The pa-tient declined the surgical treatment due to her old age and her abdominal pain with jaundice was improved af-ter percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage with the irrigation of N-acetylcysteine three times daily for 10 d.     

Successful diagnosis and resection of icteric type hepatocellular carcinoma

We report a rare case of icteric type hepatocellular carcinoma with successful preoperative diagnosis and curative resection. A 50-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with fever elevation and jaundice. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography revealed a tumor at the hepatic hilum, which caused obstruction of the right and left hepatic duct. The tumor was suspected of being a hilar cholangiocarcinoma, but it was diagnosed as being a hepatocellular carcinoma by endoscopic retrograde bile duct biopsy. After percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage a right hemihepatectomy was performed. Subsequent pathological finding showed the tumor to be moderately-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma (Edmondson III) which invaded into the right hepatic duct. The patient survived for three years without recurrence. Although patients with icteric type hepatocellular carcinoma have been reported to have a poor prognosis, earlier diagnosis and curative resection may occasionally bring them an improved prognosis.     

Ethanol injection therapy of an isolated bile duct associated with a biliary-cutaneous fistula

Bile leakage after hepatic resection often results in the formation of a biliary-cutaneous fistula. Such a fistula, when caused by an isolated bile duct in the remnant liver, can be intractable. We report a successful case of ethanol injection therapy of an isolated bile duct. A 73-year-old man underwent right hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma. Bile leakage occurred after surgery, and the patient developed a biliary-cutaneous fistula. Fistulography revealed an isolated bile duct in the remnant portion of the caudate lobe without communication to the main biliary system. As conservative management with simple drainage was ineffective, injection therapy with ethanol was performed with a balloon occlusion catheter. After 11 therapy sessions, the bile duct was eradicated, and the biliary- cutaneous fistula was completely healed. The post-treatment course was uneventful. Ethanol injection therapy can be a choice for management of patients with a biliary fistula caused by an isolated bile duct.     

Parapapillary choledochoduodenal fistula associated with cholangiocarcinoma

Parapapillary choledochoduodenal fistula is a rare disorder. We herein report a case of parapapillary choledochoduodenal fistula associated with cholangiocarcinoma. A 61‐year‐old woman was admitted to our hospital for further examination of a liver tumor. She had no clinical symptoms, but computed tomography scans showed an irregularly contoured liver tumor which was histologically confirmed to be adenocarcinoma, by a needle biopsy examination. Duodenal fiberscopy revealed a fistula orifice 1.0 cm proximal to the orifice of the papilla of Vater, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography through the fistula showed a communication to the common bile duct. Hypotonic duodenography demonstrated reflux of contrast material into the choledochoduodenal fistula. The bile sample collected from the common bile duct showed extremely high levels of pancreatic enzymes, including amylase, phospholipase‐A2, and elastase‐I. Furthermore, Helicobacter DNA was detected in bile by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. This experience suggests to us that parapapillary choledochoduodenal fistula may be a risk factor for biliary tract carcinoma, and surgical management is the treatment of choice for this rare condition, even when the patient has no significant clinical symptoms.     

Biliary guidewire facilitates bile duct biopsy and endoscopic drainage

BACKGROUND: The introduction of a guidewire through bile duct strictures may facilitate transpapillary bile duct biopsy and subsequent biliary drainage. METHODS: Endoscopic bile duct biopsy was attempted in 61 patients with bile duct strictures. After the introduction of a guidewire into the bile duct, biopsy forceps were inserted via the papilla. Both devices were inserted through the working channel (3.2 mm in diameter) of a conventional duodenoscope. After the procedure, an endoscopic naso-biliary drainage catheter was advanced along the guidewire. The success rate of inserting the biopsy forceps, the sensitivity of the biopsy, and the success rate of endoscopic biliary drainage after the biopsy were analyzed prospectively. RESULTS: The final diagnosis was malignant strictures in 50 patients and benign strictures in 11. The success rate of inserting biopsy forceps without performing endoscopic papillary balloon dilation was 85%. The sensitivity of the biopsy for primary bile duct cancer (83%) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of pancreatic cancer (47%). All patients had successful endoscopic biliary drainage after the procedure. CONCLUSION: A previously placed guidewire facilitates insertion of biopsy forceps and endoscopic biliary drainage. The histological diagnosis of cancer is more likely with bile duct cancer than with pancreatic cancer.     

A case of pancreaticoportal fistula associated with acute severe pancreatitis]

Pancreatic fistulas are usually caused by the disruption of pancreatic duct. The majority of pancreatic fistulas are external fistulas and common causes of external and internal pancreatic fistulas are trauma and surgery. Internal pancreatic fistulas due to pancreatitis are rare. Internal pancreatic fistulas may communicate with peritoneal cavity, colon, small bowel, biliary system or pleural cavity. Among them, fistula between pancreatic duct and portal vein due to acute pancreatitis is rare. We report a case of 32-year-old male with fistula between pancreatic duct and portal vein as a complication of acute pancreatitis. Pancreaticoportal fistula was diagnosed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. He recovered after distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy and supportive care.     

Endoscopic ultrasound guided biliary drainage

Endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography is the most appropriate technique for treating common bile duct and pancreatic duct stenosis secondary to benign and malignant diseases. Even if the procedure is performed by skillful endoscopist, there are patients in whom endoscopic stent placement is not possible. Common causes of failure include complex peripapillary diverticula, prior surgery procedures, tumor involvement of the papilla, biliary sphincter stenosis, and impacted stones. Percutaneous trans-hepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) and surgical intervention carry morbidity and mortality. Recently endoscopic ultrasonography-guided biliary drainage has been reported as an alternative technique. Endoscopic ultrasonography- guided biliary drainage using either direct access or a rendezvous technique has attracted attention as an alternative procedure to PTBD, with a technical success between 75%-100% and with low complication rate. We have reviewed published data on EUS guided biliary drainage procedures with the aim of summarizing the efficacy and safety of this promising method.     

Novel interventional treatment technique for intractable pancreatic fistula due to dehiscence of pancreatico-jejunal anastomosis following pancreaticoduodenectomy

Despite recent technological advances in the treatment of hepatobiliary pancreatic disease, intractable external pancreatic fistula is still a major critical complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy, and the treatment strategy is not well defined. We report here a case that was successfully treated by our novel interventional internal drainage technique. A 62-year-old woman underwent pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy for carcinoma of the papilla of Vater, with reconstruction by a modified Child’s procedure. One year later, she was readmitted to our hospital because of external pancreatic fistula. Both computed tomography and fistulography demonstrated a pancreatic fistula derived from dehiscence of the pancreatico-jejunal anastomosis. The pancreatic fistula persisted for 1 week with conservative management. Therefore, we performed repeated fistulography and cannulation, using two comparatively stiff guidewires introduced into the main pancreatic duct and stenotic anastomosed jejunal lumen, respectively, and we placed an endoprosthesis, using bilateral guidewires to connect the two lumens. Consequently, the pancreatic fistula was successfully closed within a few days. Our novel technique is simple, rapid, and not costly. Therefore, it should be considered an effective treatment strategy for persistent pancreatic fistula following pancreaticoduodenectomy that fails to respond to initial conservative management and an endoscopic approach. Also, this technique is applicable to other intractable fistulous situations.     

Cholestatic hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosed by deposits of Lipiodol and treated by combination of endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage and transcatheter arterial embolization

Cholestatic hepatocellular carcinoma, which grows into the bile duct and causes obstructive jaundice, is rare and difficult to diagnose. A case is presented in which cholestatic hepatocellular carcinoma was detected by deposit of Lipiodol. This is also the first case that was successfully treated by endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage and transcatheter arterial embolization.     

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided pancreaticogastrostomy for symptomatic pancreatic duct obstruction caused by migrated pancreatic stent

Endoscopic pancreatic stenting has been widely used in various pancreatic conditions. With the increasing use of pancreatic stents, many complications have been recognized. Especially, proximal stent migration presents a serious condition because of subsequent pancreatic duct obstruction, impaired drainage, ductal dilation, and pancreatic pain. Although endoscopic retrieval is the preferred treatment for proximally migrated pancreatic stents, it is not always successful, resulting in conversion to surgery. To date, endoscopic ultrasound-guided pancreatic duct drainage(EUS-PD) has never been reported for treatment of pancreatic duct obstruction caused by proximally migrated pancreatic stent. We herein describe a case of pancreatic duct rupture and obstruction caused by proximally migrated pancreatic stent that was successfully treated by EUS-guided pancreaticogastrostomy while keeping the former stent in situ after failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. We believe that this report adds to the increasing evidence of symptomatic pancreatic duct obstruction being successfully treated by EUS-PD.     

经内镜微创治疗胆胰疾病的应用价值

目的　探讨经内镜微创治疗胆胰疾病的应用价值。方法　回顾性分析 1995年 7月至 2 0 0 2年 3月经内镜微创治疗胆胰疾病 42 2例次的效果及并发症 ,探讨各种方法的应用价值及优缺点。结果　 42 2例患者分别采取了乳头切开、气囊扩张、机械碎石、取石、鼻胆引流术、胆道放置内支架等治疗 ,其成功率为 94 5 5 %,并发症3 79%。结论　内镜微创治疗胆胰疾病有效、安全且对病人损伤小、可代替部分胆胰疾病的外科手术治疗。     

Intraductal ultrasonography for the selection of self expandable metal stent in extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma]

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic stent insertion with self expandable metal stent (SEMS) is one of the standard palliative treatments for the patients with unresectable bile duct carcinoma. The aim of this study was to determine whether detection of longitudinal spread of extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma by intraductal US (IDUS) would be helpful in the selection of metal stent for the palliative drainage in bile duct carcinoma. METHODS: Seventeen patients with histologically proven unresectable extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiography with IDUS were included. Longitudinal cancer extension along the bile duct was determined and, then, compared with the cholangiographic image. The type and length of SEMS was selected based on IDUS findings. RESULTS: IDUS demonstrated more extensive tumor spread than ERC in 7 of 17 (41.2%) patients with the hepatic side of strictures and in 7 of 16 (43.8%) patients with the duodenal side of strictures. Five of 17 (29.4%) patients have changed the plan of endoscopic biliary drainage with SEMS after IDUS. There was no early dysfunction associated with endoscopic biliary drainage. CONCLUSIONS: IDUS prior to biliary drainage would be useful in demonstrating longitudinal extension of extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma. It has a potential role in helping stent selection and identifying factors which predict early stent dysfunction.     

A Case of Choledochocele Associated with Carcinoma of the Pancreas

A-59-year old woman was admitted with lumbago and back pain. An abdominal ultrasonography and abdominal computed tomography demonstrated a tumor of the body of the pancreas and multiple space occupying lesions in the liver. Endoscopic retrograde chorangiopancreatography revealed a 11 mm cystic dilatation of the terminal portion of the common bile duct protruding into the duodenal lumen and an obstruction of the pancreatic duct in the body portion. Celiac artery angiography showed an irregularity in the wall of the splenic artery. In line with these findings, the patient was diagnosed as suffering from choledochocele associated with carcinoma of the pancreas. As she already had multiple metastatic liver tumors, her treatment was limited to amelioration of her symptoms. Increasing stenosis of the common bile duct, however, required endoscopic sphinctomy and endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage. Type 3 Choledochocele of Alonso-Lej's classification is very rare, and only a few cases have been reported in association with malignant bile duct tumors. We believe this case to be the first one in our country linked with carcinoma of the pancreas.     

Endoscopic treatment of chronic pancreatitis

OBJECTIVES: Endoscopy offers an alternative to surgery for the treatment of ductal complications in patients with chronic pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic treatment on pain, cholestasis and pseudocysts in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine patients (37 M, 2 F, mean age 44), were included in the study. All patients had at least one of the following criteria demonstrated by imaging tests: dilatation of the main pancreatic duct (MPD) with or without stricture (N = 13), bile duct stricture (N = 12), or pancreatic pseudocyst (N = 14) with pancreatic duct stricture (N = 11) or biliary stricture (N = 3). Pancreatic or biliary sphincterotomy, insertion of pancreatic or biliary stent, pseudocyst drainage with stent placement were performed according to ductal abnormalities. Patients were evaluated early and followed up during the stenting period, and after stent removal. RESULTS: Patients underwent a median of 3.5 endoscopic procedures with an interval of 2.2 months between 2 stenting sessions. A pancreatic or biliary stent was inserted in 25 patients with ductal abnormalities and in 11 patients with pseudocysts. Endoscopic pseudocyst drainage was performed in 6 cases. The mean stenting time was 6 months (range: 3-21). Mean follow-up after stent removal was 9.7 (2-48) months. Complications of endoscopic treatment were encountered in 7% of patients with no deaths. Pain relief was achieved after the first endoscopic procedure and during the overall stenting period in all patients. Recurrence of pain was observed after stent removal in 5/11 patients, requiring surgery in 4. Cholestasis decreased and biochemical values normalized within one month after biliary stenting. Recurrence of cholestasis was observed early after stent removal in 4/9 patients who required complementary surgical treatment. No recurrence of pancreatic pseudocyst was observed after endoscopic drainage and stent removal during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic treatment of pain from pancreatic pseudocysts or ductal strictures is effective in the short-term and in the period of ductal stenting. However, the optimal duration of the latter remains to be determined.     

肝门区转移癌所致梗阻性黄疸的内镜支架引流治疗临床效果分析

目的探讨内镜治疗肝门区转移癌所致梗阻性黄疸的临床应用价值。方法2006年开始随机选择自愿应用内镜治疗的晚期肝门区转移癌所致梗阻性黄疸患者,应用内镜胆道塑料内支架技术解除胆道梗阻,观察操作成功率、生存期等评价指标。共治疗肝门转移癌梗阻性黄疸患者38例,其中肝癌13例,胆囊癌3例,胃癌14例,食管癌2例,回肠腺癌1例,胰腺癌5例。结果所有患者治疗成功且临床黄疸完全消退,随访生存期92～521d,平均（185．42±104．41）d。随访观察5例患者更换胆道支架,更换时间3～14个月,平均（8．6±4．1）个月,其中支架移位1例,胆泥阻塞2例,肿瘤阻塞2例。结论内镜支架引流术是肝门区转移癌所致梗阻性黄疸的一种有效治疗方法,具有较高的治疗成功率,可以一定程度延长患者的生存期。     

Effectiveness of endoscopic sphincterotomy in complicated hepatic hydatid disease

Background:The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of endoscopic sphincterotomy in patients with hepatic hydatid cysts that have ruptured into the biliary tract. Methods:Over a 10-year period, 25 patients (11 men, 14 women, mean age 60 years) underwent treatment; 13 with no prior surgery were treated for biliary obstruction. Postoperative treatment was undertaken in 12 cases because of persistent drainage (8), duct obstruction (3), and postoperative pancreatitis (1). Results:In patients who had not undergone previous surgery, cholangiographic findings were hydatid vesicles in the biliary tract (6), dilation of the biliary tract (3), biliary fistula (2), distal stenosis (1), and purulent bile content after sphincterotomy (1). In all of these cases, sphincterotomy resolved duct obstruction with no complications. All patients with persistent postoperative drainage had a fistula tract between the biliary duct and the cavity, which was resolved by endoscopic treatment in all 8. The 3 patients with postoperative biliary obstruction had hydatid vesicles in the biliary tract, one with a long stenosis resembling sclerosing cholangitis, whereas the patient with postoperative pancreatitis had a distal stenosis. Satisfactory results were obtained with endoscopic sphincterotomy, although 1 patient required a biliary prosthesis. Conclusion:Endoscopic sphincterotomy resolves biliary obstruction and postoperative fistulae in most patients with hepatic hydatid cysts that have ruptured into the biliary tract. In some cases, a biliary prosthesis may be required. (Gastrointest Endosc 1998;48:593-7.)     

Cholecystocolic fistula: from symptoms to diagnosis

We report 2 patients with a cholecystocolic fistula in whom diametrically opposite symptoms (isolated steator-rhea, jaundice and fever) were responsible for important clinical difficulties. These fistulae are far less common than cholecysto-duodenal fistulae. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography was performed because of abnormal liver tests and led to diagnosis in both cases. Classical aerobilia was absent in both of our cases. Barium enema was disappointing (case n. 1), whereas technetium 99m scintiscan visualized the fistula (case n. 2). Two therapeutic approaches are possible in the case of cholecystocolic fistula. Surgery, usually combining cholecystectomy and extraction of common bile duct stones with the treatment of the fistula, may be performed systematically or in case of failure of sphincterotomy (case n. 1). On the other hand, endoscopical sphincteromy during endoscopic retrograde cholangiography, which, by reducing increased biliary pressure, may be sufficient to achieve spontaneous closure of the fistula in an elderly or high risk patient (case n. 2).     

Successful treatment of pancreatobiliary fistula by endoscopic stenting

An unusual pancreatobiliary fistula occurred as a complication of chronic pancreatitis. Endoscopic papillotomy was performed and a plastic endoprosthesis was inserted into the main pancreatic duct. The pancreatic stenting led to the closure of the fistula and no additional surgical treatment was necessary.