Pancreatic duct obstruction treated with percutaneous antegrade insertion of a metal stent: report of two cases.

Expanding metal stents were used to treat symptomatic pancreatic duct obstruction in two patients with chronic pancreatitis. Both patients initially underwent percutaneous external pancreatic duct drainage and then had metal stents inserted for internal drainage. Both patients remained asymptomatic, and the stents were patent during short-term follow-up periods of 6 and 9 months, respectively. Percutaneous insertion of metal stents, which can be performed to treat pancreatic duct obstruction after a trial of external drainage has been shown to relieve the patient's symptoms, should be considered as an alternative to endoscopic stent placement or surgical drainage.     

Metallic stent placement in the pancreatic duct: an experimental study in the normal dog pancreas

PURPOSE: To evaluate radiologic and histologic changes in the pancreatic duct and parenchyma after placement of metallic stents in normal dog pancreatic ducts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight dogs underwent duodenotomy and placement of a balloon-expandable metallic stent 1.5 mm in diameter and 1 cm in length in the main pancreatic duct. Two dogs each were killed at 1 day and 1, 3, and 5 months after stent placement. Pancreatic duct injection images were obtained before and immediately after stent placement and just before and after sacrifice. Macroscopic and microscopic examinations were also performed. RESULTS: Pancreatic duct injection images revealed mild dilation of pancreatic ducts related to the procedure immediately and 1 day after stent placement. Microscopically, denudation of the ductal epithelium and small foci of fat necrosis were observed. At 1 month or later, ductal stricture (n = 4) and occlusion (n = 2) were found at the downstream edge of the initially stent-implanted region associated with dilation of the duct upstream. Epithelial hyperplasia was observed at the sites of ductal stricture and occlusion at 1 and 3 months. Stents remained in the region in which they were initially placed until 1 month. However, stents had moved downstream from their initial positions at 3 and 5 months. One stent had migrated into the duodenum at 5 months. Stone formation was found in the ductal lumen and around the stents at 3 and 5 months. Ducts and parenchyma became fibrotic proportional to the period of stent implantation. CONCLUSION: Metallic stent placement in the pancreatic duct causes ductal and parenchymal damage related to the procedure and reaction to the stent in the normal dog pancreas.     

内镜下逆行胰胆管造影及治疗对急性胰腺炎预后的影响

目的探讨内镜下逆行胰胆管造影(ERCP)及治疗对急性胰腺炎预后的影响。方法对我院2002年1月～2003年12月接受了ERCP诊疗的30例急性胰腺炎病例进行回顾性研究,总结其病例特点,比较ERCP前后患者的Ranson评分。结果30例患者中内镜下治疗26例,其中乳头切开24例,胆管取石9例,胆管支架2例,鼻胆管引流2例,胰管取石4例,胰管支架12例,有4例未行治疗。30例急性胰腺炎患者ERCP术前及术后的Ranson评分无明显差异(P>0.05),根据Ranson评分计算的预测病死率亦无明显差异(P>0.05)。结论胆源性胰腺炎ERCP是安全的,不会增加急性胰腺炎患者的病死率。图1ERCP术前及术后的Ranson评分经t检验(P=0.33)天数为16.5天,术前Ranson评分平均为0.71±0.19分,术后Ranson评分平均为0.53±0.15分,术后平均住院15.6天。经t检验,两组患者的术后Ranson评分均无显著差异。3讨论ERCP及其内镜治疗已成为急性胆源性胰腺炎的有效方法[4]。Soetikno等[5]总结了834例胆源性胰腺炎的治疗结果,早期内镜治疗组效果明显好于对照组,认为急性胆源性胰腺炎内镜介入治疗越早,并发症发生率与病死率越低。本组胆源性胰腺炎患者内镜下乳头切开胆管取石9例,乳头切开胆管支架2例,鼻胆管引流2例,术后无内镜治疗并发症发生,腹痛缓解,淀粉酶正常。治疗后Ranson评分与治疗前无明显差异,不会增加病死率,与文献报道一致。表明急性胆源性胰腺炎行ERCP治疗是安全有效的。Fan等[6]报道195例急性胆源性胰腺炎,在入院后24h内行ERCP及EST与常规治疗,结果显示,轻症急     

放置胆管支架与儿童ERCP术后胰腺炎的关系

 目的 探讨放置胆管支架与儿童内镜逆行胰胆管造影(ERCP)术后胰腺炎(PEP)的关系。方法 基于美国国家住院患者样本(NIS)数据库中的儿童患者,使用复杂抽样资料的Logistic回归和多重填补方法进行评价,并根据性别进行亚组分析。结果 放置胆管支架的儿童患者,患PEP的风险较未放置胆管支架的高(OR: 1.44,95% CI: 1.05~1.99,P=0.0246)。亚组分析结果显示,男性儿童放置胆管支架者患PEP风险约为未放置者的1.9倍(OR: 1.89,95% CI: 1.08~3.31,P=0.0262);女性儿童患者未发现放置胆管支架与PEP患病相关联。结论 放置胆管支架与儿童ERCP术后发生PEP风险增加相关,因此对儿童放置胆管支架时,应采取预防措施、停止或更改手术方式等,以降低发生PEP的危险。     

内镜技术治疗慢性胰腺炎的临床应用价值

目的探讨内镜在慢性胰腺炎治疗中的临床应用价值。方法回顾性分析2002-2004年内镜治疗慢性胰腺炎患者33例的临床疗效。所有慢性胰腺炎病例均经临床检查、实验室检查、CT、超声及ERCP确诊。根据患者的情况采取单独或联合进行经内镜胰管括约肌切开（EPS）、乳头括约肌切开（FAT）、胰管内支架（PS）、胰石取出、鼻胰引流（ENPD）、胰管狭窄扩张等治疗措施。结果18例行EPS，27例行FAT，6例行网篮或气囊取胰石，13例行PS，5例行ENPD，9例行胰管扩张，1例巨大假性囊肿经胃壁穿刺放置内支架引流。33例中29例治疗后腹痛消失或明显减轻。治疗后复查实验室检查及影像指标均有明显改善。结论内镜技术联合应用治疗慢性胰腺炎是一种较安全、低创伤、有效的方法。     

急性胆源性胰腺炎52例临床分析

目的探讨急性胆源性胰腺炎（ABP）的治疗方法。方法回顾性分析我院近年来收治的52例ABP患者的临床资料,对ABP的各种治疗方法与疗效进行分析。结果52例患者均治愈。根据有无胆管梗阻和ABP的轻重程度分别采取保守治疗、治疗性ERCP、内镜下胰管支架引流术、腹腔镜以及开腹手术的治疗方法。所有患者均首先采取保守治疗。对于有显著胆道梗阻的重症ABP患者采用治疗性ERCP的方法;ERCP失败的5例患者实施经内镜下胰管支架植入术,临床效果明显。除仅有1例患者因重症胰腺炎伴胰腺坏死伴感染而行手术治疗之外,其他所有患者的胆道病变均在胰腺炎治愈后1个月行外科处理。结论ABP治疗以保守治疗为主,对于部分伴胆道梗阻的病例可以采用治疗性ERCP和胰管内支架引流的方法。总之,ABP的治疗需要对具体的情况采取个体化的治疗方案。     

Autoimmune pancreatitis: imaging features

PURPOSE: To retrospectively determine imaging findings in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine patients (25 male and four female; mean age, 56 years; range, 15-82 years) with histopathologic diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis were examined. Data were reviewed by two radiologists in consensus. Imaging findings for review included those from helical computed tomography (CT), 25 patients; magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), four patients; endoscopic ultrasonography (US), 21 patients; endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), 19 patients; and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, one patient. Images were analyzed for appearances of pancreas, biliary and pancreatic ducts, and other findings, such as peripancreatic inflammation, encasement of vessels, mass effect, pancreatic calcification, peripancreatic nodes, and peripancreatic fluid collection. Follow-up images were available in nine patients. Serologic markers such as serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and antinuclear antibody levels were available in 12 patients. RESULTS: CT showed diffuse (n = 14) and focal (n = 7) enlargement of pancreas. Seven patients had minimal peripancreatic stranding, with lack of vascular encasement, calcification, or peripancreatic fluid collection. Nine patients had enlarged peripancreatic lymph nodes. MR imaging showed focal (n = 2) and diffuse (n = 2) enlargement with rimlike enhancement in one. MRCP revealed pancreatic duct strictures in two and sclerosing cholangitis-like appearance in one. Endoscopic US showed diffuse enlargement of pancreas with altered echotexture in 13 patients and focal mass in the head in six. ERCP showed stricture of distal common bile duct in 12 patients, irregular narrowing of intrahepatic ducts in six, diffuse irregular narrowing of pancreatic duct in nine, and focal stricture of proximal pancreatic duct in six. Serologic markers showed increased IgG and antinuclear antibody levels in seven of 12 patients. At follow-up, CT abnormalities and common bile duct strictures resolved after steroid therapy in three patients. CONCLUSION: Features that suggest autoimmune pancreatitis include focal or diffuse pancreatic enlargement, with minimal peripancreatic inflammation and absence of vascular encasement or calcification at CT and endoscopic US, and diffuse irregular narrowing of main pancreatic duct, with associated multiple biliary strictures at ERCP.     

Covered retrievable tracheobronchial hinged stent: an experimental study in dogs.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and technical feasibility of the use of a covered retrievable tracheobronchial hinged stent and investigate the histopathologic airway changes after placement and removal of the stent in dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The experimental stent was composed of tracheal and bronchial stents that were connected together at their ends. Each stent was woven from a single thread of 0.2-mm-diameter nitinol wire filament in a tubular configuration and covered with polyurethane solution by a dipping method. Drawstrings were attached at the upper end of the tracheal stent for stent removal. Under fluoroscopic guidance, 20 stents were placed at the lower trachea and left main bronchus in 20 dogs and were electively removed 4 weeks (n = 10) or 8 weeks (n = 10) after placement. Ten dogs were killed just after stent removal and the remaining 10 were killed 2 weeks after stent removal. RESULT: Stents were successfully placed in all dogs. Pneumonia was observed in three dogs. Stent migration occurred in seven dogs (35%). Except for two cases of stent expectoration, 18 stents were easily removed within a few minutes. There was considerable granulation tissue proliferation and inflammatory reaction in the airways of the dogs that were killed just after stent removal. The pathologic changes of the airways returned to almost-normal conditions 2 weeks after stent removal. CONCLUSION: Placement and removal of a covered retrievable tracheobronchial hinged stent seems to be feasible, and histopathologic changes of the airway related to the stents returned to normal 2 weeks after stent removal.     

Effects of carotid or vertebrobasilar stent placement on cerebral perfusion and cognition

INTRODUCTION: There are no well-established physiologic or neuropsychological criteria for identifying which patients with stenosis of the cervicocerebral vessels are at high risk of stroke or cognitive impairment. Our purpose was to evaluate changes in cognitive performance and cerebral perfusion associated with endovascular stent placement of the cervicocerebral vessels. METHODS: A consecutive series of 20 patients, 31-88 years of age, who underwent 21 stent procedures for arterial stenosis (10 extracranial carotid stents [ECS], four intracranial carotid stents [ICS], and seven extra- or intracranial vertebrobasilar stents [VBS]) was investigated retrospectively. All patients were evaluated with CT or MR perfusion studies both before and after stent placement. Cognitive response after stent placement was evaluated by using an informant questionnaire. RESULTS: In patients with anterior circulation stenoses (ECS and ICS group), 11 of 14 (79%) had a baseline perfusion abnormality and all 11 patients showed improved perfusion after stent placement. Four of seven (57%) patients with posterior circulation stenoses (VBS group) had a baseline perfusion abnormality and two of the four patients showed improved perfusion after stent placement. Degree of stenosis was the strongest predictor of the presence of a baseline perfusion abnormality (P = .03). Fifteen of 19 (79%) of the patients showed improved cognitive scores after stent placement. Among patients with improvement in perfusion after stent placement, 11 of 13 (85%) had improved cognitive scores. Improved perfusion after stent placement was a significant predictor of cognitive improvement (P = .04). Patients who were stented on an elective basis demonstrated greater improvement in cognition as compared with patients stented urgently (P = .01). CONCLUSION: Endovascular stent placement of the cervicocerebral vessels can safely and effectively resolve cerebral perfusion abnormalities. Improvement in perfusion parameters is associated with cognitive improvement. Larger, blinded, prospective studies are needed to confirm these preliminary observations.     

Treatment of complete obstruction of the nasolacrimal system by temporary placement of nasolacrimal polyurethane stents: preliminary results

AIM: To assess the efficacy of the temporary placement of polyurethane nasolacrimal stents as a treatment for complete post-saccal obstruction of the lacrimal apparatus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Polyurethane nasolacrimal stents were inserted under radiological guidance in nine patients with grade IV epiphora due to complete obstruction of the lacrimal system, at the junction of the lacrimal sac and duct (eight patients) or in the lacrimal duct (one patient). On average, the stents were removed 4 months (range: 3-6 months) after insertion. Dacryocystography was performed immediately before and after each stent was removed. Subsequently, periodic clinical and radiological examinations were performed until recurrence of the epiphora, at which point follow-up concluded. RESULTS: All patients remained free of epiphora and clinical inflammation while the stents were in place, but re-obstruction of the lacrimal system occurred in all patients less than 2 months after the stents were removed. Adhesion of three stents to the lacrimal tract was observed upon removal. In seven cases the dacryocystography results at the end of follow-up revealed changes in the configuration of the lacrimal apparatus. CONCLUSION: Based on our preliminary experience, temporary placement of polyurethane stents would not appear to be an efficacious therapeutic option for treating epiphora caused by post-saccal obstruction.     

自身免疫性胰腺炎多种影像学比较分析

目的 探讨多种影像学检查对自身免疫性胰腺炎(AIP)的诊断价值.方法 回顾性分析我院2008年4月至2011年12月17例AIP患者的临床及影像学资料,男性13例,女性4例,年龄48～68岁,17例均行CT平扫及增强扫描;12例行磁共振成像(MRI)及磁共振胰胆管造影(MRCP)检查,9例行经内镜逆行胰胆管造影(ERCP)检查且7例同时行胆总管支架置入术.结果 CT、MRI既可以显示胰腺形态改变;也可以发现胰腺周围结构改变,而MRCP和ERCP可显示胰胆管结构改变.结论 自身免疫性胰腺炎影像学表现具有一定的特征性,结合多种影像学检查早期诊断和治疗对预后有重要意义.     

经皮穿刺胰管引流及支架置入术在胰腺癌姑息治疗中的应用

目的 介绍经皮穿刺胰管引流、胰管支架置入治疗胰腺癌胰管梗阻的介入手术方法及疗效.方法 4例影像学及手术病理证实的晚期胰腺癌伴胰管梗阻患者,在CT和DSA联合导向下,行经皮胰腺穿刺胰管外引流和支架置入术.结果 4例患者胰管引流及支架置入术均获成功,未出现急性胰腺炎等并发症.术后2例脂肪泻症状完全消失,2例明显减轻;4例上腹部疼痛均明显缓解.随访3～10个月,症状持续缓解时间3～7个月,平均4.8个月.结论 经皮胰腺穿刺胰管外引流及支架置入术操作安全,能有效缓解胰腺癌胰管梗阻引起的脂肪泻和疼痛症状,提高患者生活质量.     

Retrievable covered nitinol stents: experiences in 108 patients with malignant esophageal strictures

PURPOSE: The authors report their experience with three types of retrievable covered nitinol stents in patients with malignant esophageal strictures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three types of retrievable covered nitinol stents were designed. Type A stents were placed in 45 patients, type B stents were placed in 29 patients, and type C stents were placed in 34 patients. The stents were removed with use of a stent retrieval set under fluoroscopic guidance when the stents caused complications. Stent patency, symptom relief, survival rate, and complications were analyzed relative to stent type and radiation therapy. RESULTS: The timing of radiation and the stent type have significant effects on occurrence of complications such as stent migration and fistula formation (P =.002 and P = 0.029, respectively). Complications were significantly more frequent in patients with the type B stent than those with type A or type C stents (P =.008). Patients who underwent radiation therapy before stent placement or who underwent no radiation therapy experienced substantially less complications than those who underwent radiation therapy after stent placement (P =.005 and P <.001, respectively). The survival period was significantly longer in patients who underwent radiation therapy after stent placement than in the other groups (P =.034). Stents were removed from 15 patients (14%) 2 days to 16 weeks (mean, 4 weeks) after stent placement as a result of severe pain (n = 7), stent migration (n = 6), or stent deformity (n = 2). Stent removal was well tolerated in all patients. CONCLUSION: Use of retrievable covered nitinol stents seems to be a safe and effective method of treatment in patients with malignant esophageal strictures. However, removal of the stents was needed in 14% of the patients because of complications. Patients who underwent radiation therapy after stent placement and those with the type B stent experienced more complications than other patients.     

Initial experience with Song's covered duodenal stent in the treatment of malignant gastroduodenal obstruction.

PURPOSE: Initial experience with use of Song's covered duodenal stent in the treatment of malignant gastroduodenal obstruction is reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen consecutive patients with malignant gastroduodenal obstruction were treated with peroral placement of Song's covered duodenal stent. The mean age was 58 years (range, 28-90 y). Gastroduodenal obstruction was caused by gastric (n = 8), metastatic (n = 2), gallbladder (n = 3), pancreatic (n = 2), or ampullary (n = 1) cancer. The disease was considered inoperable in all patients. With use of a flexible 20-F introducing system, seven fully covered, three uncovered, and 10 partially covered duodenal stents were placed under fluoroscopic guidance. RESULTS: The technical success rate was 94% (15 of 16) with no major complications. Symptoms of gastroduodenal obstruction improved in 14 patients. Stent migration was observed in three of seven fully covered stents. Patients with migrated stents required endoscopic stent removal and placement of uncovered duodenal stents. Tumor ingrowth was observed in two thirds of uncovered stents. In the 10 procedures with partially covered duodenal stents, no migration or tumor ingrowth was observed. All patients died 1-48 weeks (mean, 12 weeks) after stent placement. CONCLUSION: Peroral placement of Song's covered duodenal stent is a feasible and effective method of palliation in the majority of patients with malignant gastroduodenal obstruction. Migration of fully covered stents and tumor ingrowth of uncovered stents are important limitations that can be overcome with the use of a partially covered duodenal stent.     

Acute cholecystitis caused by malignant cystic duct obstruction: treatment with metallic stent placement

We report the successful management of acute cholecystitis using cystic duct stent placement in 3 patients with inoperable malignant cystic duct obstruction (2 cholangiocarcinoma and 1 pancreatic carcinoma). All patients underwent stent placement in the bile duct, using an uncovered stent in 2 and a covered stent in 1, to relieve jaundice occurring 8-184 days (mean 120 days) before the development of acute cholecystitis. The occluded cystic duct was traversed by a microcatheter and a stent was implanted 4-17 days (mean 12 days) after cholecystostomy. Acute cholecystitis was improved after the procedure in all patients. Two patients died 3 and 10 months later, while 1 has survived without cholecystitis for 22 months after the procedure to date.     

Pancreas divisum: implications for diagnostic and therapeutic pancreatography.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to determine the prevalence, distribution, and clinical significance of pancreatic ductal changes due to pancreatitis on ERCP in patients with pancreas divisum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1993 through December 1997, 1714 patients underwent 2469 ERCP studies. Ninety-four patients (5.5%) had pancreas divisum. Retrospective review of the spot radiographs was performed to establish the presence and location of pancreatitis. Clinical indications for and therapy during ERCP were correlated with radiographic findings. RESULTS: Of the 94 patients with pancreas divisum, 54 (57%) had radiographic evidence of pancreatitis. Of these 54 patients, 44 had at least one episode of clinically documented pancreatitis, seven had recurrent abdominal pain, and three underwent ERCP for biliary indications. In 76% of the 54 patients with radiographic evidence of pancreatitis, only the dorsal system showed irreversible inflammatory change (p < .0001). Acute recurrent pancreatitis was the most common indication for ERCP in divisum patients and was statistically more common than in pancreatitis patients with normal anatomy (p < .0001). Sixty-two (66%) of the 94 patients with pancreas divisum underwent endoscopic pancreatic intervention, most commonly minor papilla sphincterotomy or stenting or both. Eleven patients with clinically documented pancreatitis had no abnormalities revealed by ERCP. CONCLUSION: In our population of patients referred for ERCP and found to have pancreas divisum, the prevalence of pancreatitis was very high and usually was limited to a dorsal distribution.     

Idiopathic chronic pancreatitis in children: MR cholangiopancreatography after secretin administration

PURPOSE: To assess the accuracy of dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) cholangiopancreatography after secretin administration in detecting pancreatic duct abnormalities typical of early-onset idiopathic chronic pancreatitis in children with recurrent episodes of idiopathic acute pancreatitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen children (mean age, 11.3 years; range, 6-17 years) with at least three recurrent episodes of idiopathic acute pancreatitis prospectively underwent MR cholangiopancreatography before and after secretin administration. Image analysis included visualization of side branches, ductal narrowing, endoluminal filling defects, irregular ductal contour, cavities, and pancreas divisum. All patients underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). RESULTS: Dilated side branches were detected in three (20%) of 15 patients on MR cholangiopancreatograms obtained before secretin administration and in seven (47%) of 15 patients on images obtained after secretin administration. Ductal narrowing was detected in one (7%) of 15 patients on images obtained before secretin administration and in two (13%) of 15 patients on images obtained after secretin administration. Endoluminal filling defects in one (7%) of 15 patients were observed on MR cholangiopancreatograms obtained both before and after secretin administration. Irregular contour of the main pancreatic duct was present in four (27%) of 15 patients on MR cholangiopancreatograms obtained before secretin administration and in five (33%) of 15 patients on images obtained after secretin administration. Cavities and pancreas divisum were detected in one (7%) of 15 patients and in two (13%) of 15 patients, respectively, only on MR cholangiopancreatograms obtained after secretin administration. CONCLUSION: Secretin improves the sensitivity of MR cholangiopancreatography in diagnosing early-onset idiopathic chronic pancreatitis.     

Frequency,Severity, and Risk Factors for Acute Pancreatitis After Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Stent Placement Across the Papilla of Vater

Purpose

To clarify the frequency, severity, and risk factors for acute pancreatitis after percutaneous biliary stent placement across the papilla of Vater for malignant biliary obstruction.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective study included 95 patients who underwent percutaneous biliary metallic stent placement (64 [67.4%] bare stents and 31 [32.6%] covered stents) across the papilla of Vater for malignant biliary obstruction between January 2010 and December 2012. The incidence of acute pancreatitis (Atlanta classification of acute pancreatitis) and its severity (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4) were reviewed. Additionally, the characteristics of the patients and biliary stents, and the computed tomography findings of the pancreas were evaluated.

Results

Grade 3 acute pancreatitis was observed in 23 patients (24.2%); acute pancreatitis of grade 4 or higher was not observed. The incidence of acute pancreatitis was lower in patients with atrophic pancreas than in those with non-atrophic pancreas (7.5 vs. 36.4%, p = 0.004). It was also lower in patients with main pancreatic duct (MPD) obstruction than in those without MPD obstruction (12.5 vs. 36.2%, p = 0.026). There was no difference in the incidence of acute pancreatitis between bare and covered stents.

Conclusion

Percutaneous biliary stent placement across the papilla of Vater for malignant biliary stricture caused acute pancreatitis requiring medication in 24.2% of patients. Atrophy of the pancreas and the presence of a dilated MPD may be associated with a decreased risk of acute pancreatitis.

Level of Evidence

Level 4, Case Series.

     

Malignant biliary obstruction: percutaneous use of self-expandable stents

A total of 83 self-expandable metallic stents were placed percutaneously in 69 patients for palliation of malignant biliary obstruction. Stent diameter was 1 cm; length, 3.5-10.5 cm. Of the 41 patients with common bile duct obstruction, 27 died 0.2-12 months (median, 3.2 months) after stent insertion. Two patients developed recurrent jaundice and cholangitis after 6 and 12 months, respectively. One patient underwent reintervention. Fourteen patients were alive without jaundice 1-8 months (median, 6.3 months) after stent placement. Of the 28 patients with hilar lesions, 13 died 0.7-7.6 months (median, 4.3 months) after stent placement. Fifteen were alive 1-15.5 months (median, 8.1 months) afterward. Recurrent jaundice and cholangitis were seen in eight of the 28 patients (28%) after 1-6 months (median, 3.6 months). The cause of malfunction of the stent(s) was tumor ingrowth in one patient, tumor overgrowth at the proximal end in five patients, and overgrowth at the distal end in two patients. Reintervention was performed in five patients (18%). Stent-related complications were seen in four patients.     

Dynamic MR pancreatography after secretin administration: image quality and diagnostic accuracy

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to assess the improvement of image quality and diagnostic accuracy of secretin-enhanced MR pancreatography compared with conventional MR pancreatography. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Ninety-five patients were studied with a 1.5-T scanner using a T2-weighted single-slice fast spin-echo sequence. Image quality and diameter of the head, body, and tail portion of the pancreatic main duct, the accessory duct, and the side branches were assessed before and after IV administration of secretin. Diagnoses before and after secretin administration were evaluated in a blinded fashion and correlated to the final diagnoses based on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), intraoperative results, and clinical follow-up as the reference standard. RESULTS: In patients with a normal pancreatic duct, the visualization of all portions of the main pancreatic duct and the accessory duct was significantly improved with dynamic MR pancreatography (p < or = 0.001). In patients with chronic pancreatitis, the visualization of the main duct was also significantly improved with dynamic MR pancreatography (p < or = 0.05). However, the visualization of the minor duct and the side branches was significantly improved only in patients showing no ductal stricture (p < or = 0.05), compared with those with ductal stricture (not significant). The overall sensitivity for the detection of chronic pancreatitis increased from 77% to 89% using secretin-enhanced MR pancreatography. A pancreas divisum was found in eight patients before and 13 patients after secretin administration. The overall negative predictive value of MR pancreatography increased from 84% to 98% after secretin administration. CONCLUSION: Improvement in image quality after secretin stimulation increases the diagnostic value of MR pancreatography in patients with a normal or nondilated main pancreatic duct and may obviate invasive procedures such as ERCP.