• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.529-532
• /
• 2013

Cholangiocarcinoma, though very rare in Western countries, is one of the commonest liver malignancies in Southeast Asia, especially in Thailand. More than half of the patients present with advanced stage disease. Given the poor treatment outcomes of adjuvant therapeutic options, many patients undergo only biliary drainage for palliative treatment. Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes after biliary stenting were here analyzed for a total of 224 uresectable cholangiocarcinoma cases, 58.9% in men. The mean age was 61.5 years. Hilar involvement was the most common location. The patients underwent biliary drainage using plastic and metallic stents equally, early stent occlusion being encountered in 21.4% and 10.7%, respectively. The median survival time was 4.93 months for patients who received plastic and 5.87 months for patients who received metallic stents.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.126-129
• /
• 1999

A 6 and a half year-old girl developed recurrent cholangitis following hepatic portoenterostomy for biliary atresia. Computed tomogram showed an ovoid cyst ($4.5{\times}4.0$ cm in size) in the left hepatic lobe and another tubular dilatation ($2.0{\times}0.8$ cm in size) in the right hepatic lobe. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage(PTCD) and cystogram showed an ovoid cyst in the left hepatic lobe (Tsuchida type A), measuring $6.6{\times}5.0$ cm in size. Following drainage and administration of parenteral antibiotics she became afebrile and anicteric. However she continued to drain 45-150 cc of bile per day via the tube over the next 2 weeks. The patient successfully underwent intrahepatic cystojejunostomy with intraoperative ultrasonographic guidance. This case illustrates relapsing cholangitis caused by Tsuchida type A intrahepatic cyst, successfully managed with PTCD followed by an internal drainage procedure.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.92-98
• /
• 2022

Self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) is effective for biliary drainage, especially in pancreaticobiliary cancer. The mechanical properties, material, and design of SEMS are important in preventing recurrent biliary obstruction and complication. Radial and chronic expansion forces play roles in preventing stent migration and collapse. Complications, such as stent impaction, cholecystitis, and pancreatitis, were related to the axial force. The nickel-titanium alloy shows more flexibility, conformability, and optimal axial force compared to previously used stainless steel. Additionally, the stent structure affected the mechanical properties of SEMS. Therefore, understanding the mechanical properties, material, and design of SEMS will provide the best outcome for biliary drainage, as well as better SEMS development.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.49-55
• /
• 2023

Backgrounds/Aims: Data regarding outcomes of endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) in liver transplant (LT) recipients with biliary-enteric (BE) anastomosis are limited. We report outcomes of ERC and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) as first-line therapies in LT recipients with BE anastomosis. Methods: All LT recipients with Roux-BE anastomosis from 2001 to 2020 were divided into ERC and PTBD subgroups. Technical success was defined as the ability to cannulate the bile duct. Clinical success was defined as the ability to perform cholangiography and therapeutic interventions. Results: A total of 36 LT recipients (25 males, age 53.5 ± 13 years) with Roux-BE anastomosis who underwent biliary intervention were identified. The most common indications for a BE anastomosis were primary sclerosing cholangitis (n = 14) and duct size mismatch (n = 10). Among the 29 patients who initially underwent ERC, technical success and clinical success were achieved in 24 (82.8%) and 22 (75.9%) patients, respectively. The initial endoscope used for the ERC was a single balloon enteroscope in 16 patients, a double balloon enteroscope in 7 patients, a pediatric colonoscope in 5 patients, and a conventional reusable duodenoscope in 1 patient. Among the 7 patients who underwent PTBD as the initial therapy, six (85.7%) achieved technical and clinical success (p = 0.57). Conclusions: In LT patients with Roux-BE anastomosis requiring biliary intervention, ERC with a balloon-assisted enteroscope is safe with a success rate comparable to PTBD. Both ERC and PTBD can be considered as first-line therapies for LT recipients with a BE anastomosis.

• Clinical Endoscopy
• /
• v.56 no.5
• /
• pp.650-657
• /
• 2023

Background/Aims: Endoscopic ultrasound gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) is gaining attention as a treatment method for cholecystitis. However, only a few studies have assessed the outcomes of permanent stenting with EUS-GBD. Therefore, we evaluated the clinical outcomes of permanent stenting using EUS-GBD. Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center cohort study. The criteria for EUS-GBD at our institution are a high risk for surgery, inability to perform surgery owing to poor performance status, and inability to obtain consent for emergency surgery. EUS-GBD was performed using a 7-Fr double-pigtail plastic stent with a dilating device. The primary outcomes were the recurrence-free rate of cholecystitis and the late-stage complication-avoidance rate. Secondary outcomes were technical success, clinical success, and procedural adverse events. Results: A total of 41 patients were included in the analysis. The median follow-up period was 168 (range, 10-1,238) days. The recurrence-free and late-stage complication-avoidance rates during the follow-up period were 95% (38 cases) and 90% (36 cases), respectively. There were only two cases of cholecystitis recurrence during the study period. Conclusions: EUS-GBD using double-pigtail plastic stent was safe and effective with few complications, even in the long term, in patients with acute cholecystitis.

• Clinical Endoscopy
• /
• v.57 no.4
• /
• pp.542-546
• /
• 2024

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy (EUS-HGS) through ducts B2 or B3 is effective in most patients with biliary obstruction, because B2 and B3 commonly join together. However, in some patients, B2 and B3 do not join each other due to invasive hilar tumors; therefore, single-route drainage is insufficient. Here, we investigated the feasibility and efficacy of EUS-HGS through both B2 and B3 simultaneously in seven patients. We decided to perform EUS-HGS through both B2 and B3 to achieve adequate biliary drainage because these two ducts were separate from each other. Here, we report a 100% technical and overall clinical success rate. Early adverse effects were closely monitored. Minimal bleeding was reported in one patient (1/7) and mild peritonitis in one patient (1/7). None of the patients experienced stent dysfunction, fever, or bile leakage after the procedure. EUS-HGS through both B2 and B3 simultaneously is safe, feasible, and effective for biliary drainage in patients with separated ducts.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.313-317
• /
• 2022

Backgrounds/Aims: Despite its limited benefits, operative site drainage after elective hepatectomy is routinely used. This study aimed to investigate the safety and effectiveness of left lateral sectionectomy without operative site drainage. Methods: This study retrospectively collected data from 31 patients who underwent elective left lateral sectionectomy between January 2017 and June 2020. Based on whether operative site drainage was used, the patients were divided into two groups: drainage and non-drainage of the operative site and a comparative analysis was conducted. Results: A total of 31 patients underwent left lateral sectionectomy during the study period. Of these, 22 patients were diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma; three, with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma; three, with liver metastasis; and three, with benign liver disease. Ten patients underwent laparoscopy. No significant differences were observed between the open and laparoscopic surgery groups. In the univariate analysis, there were no significant differences in the pre-, intra-, and postoperative clinicopathological factors between the non-drainage and drainage groups. The hospitalization period in the non-drainage group was significantly shorter than in the drainage group (8.44 days vs. 5.87 days, p < 0.05). In the operative site drainage non-use group, there were no cases of intraperitoneal fluid collection requiring additional procedures. Conclusions: Routine use of surgical drainage for left lateral sectionectomy of the liver to prevent intraperitoneal fluid collection is unnecessary.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.39 no.2
• /
• pp.161-167
• /
• 2022

Congenital web formations are extremely rare anomalies of the extrahepatic biliary tree. We herein report a case of common bile duct septum combined with multiple intrahepatic bile duct strictures in a 74-year-old female patient who was successfully treated with radiological intervention. The patient initially visited the hospital because of upper abdominal pain. Imaging studies revealed multifocal strictures with dilatation in both intra- and extrahepatic ducts; the final clinical diagnosis was congenital common bile duct web combined with multiple intrahepatic duct strictures. Surgical treatment was not indicated because multiple biliary strictures were untreatable, and the disease was clinically diagnosed as benign. The multiple strictures were extensively dilated twice through bilateral percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) for 2 months. After 1 month of observation, PTBD catheters were successfully removed. The patient is doing well at 6 months after completion of the radiological intervention, with the maintenance of normal liver function. Congenital web of the bile duct is very rare, and its treatment may vary depending on the patterns of biliary stenosis. In cases where surgical intervention is not indicated for congenital web and its associated disease, radiological intervention with balloon dilatation can be a viable therapeutic option.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.298-307
• /
• 2022

Portal cavernoma cholangiopathy is defined as an obstruction of the biliary system due to distended veins surrounding bile ducts that mainly occur in patients with extrahepatic portal venous obstruction. The periductal venous plexuses encircling the ducts can cause morphological changes which may or may not become symptomatic. Currently, non-invasive techniques such as ultrasonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, and dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance images are being used to diagnose this disorder. Only a few patients who have symptoms of biliary obstruction require drainage which might be accomplished using endoscopic stenting, decompression of the portal venous system usually via a lienorenal shunt, a difficult direct hepaticojejunostomy, and rarely a liver transplant.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.83 no.1
• /
• pp.224-229
• /
• 2022

Biliary cast syndrome is an unusual complication in patients who have previously undergone liver transplantation. It occurs in approximately 5%-18% of such patients. Rare cases of biliary cast syndrome in patients without liver transplants have also been reported. The pathogenesis of biliary cast has not been clearly identified, although etiologic factors including post-transplant bile duct damage, ischemia, biliary infection, and presence of a post-operative biliary drainage tube have been proposed. Here we present a case of biliary cast that developed in a 49-year-old male who underwent a non-liver surgery after endoscopic and percutaneous management of common bile duct stone.