Acute Obstructive Cholangitis Research Articles

Metabolic and genetic basis of liver damage in mechanical jaundice of non-tumor genesis in obstractive cholangitis or biliary pancreatitis

Aim. Establishment of versatile mechanisms behind liver damage in mechanical jaundice of non-tumor genesis combined with acute obstructive cholangitis or acute biliary pancreatitis.Materials and methods. In total, 64 cases of mechanical jaundice developed against the background of cholelithiasis were studied. Group 1 included 30 patients with mechanical jaundice combined with cholangitis; group 2 included 34 patients with acute biliary pancreatitis. Bile duct reconstruction was performed by an open method followed by standardized treatment. The intensity of membrane lipid peroxidation was determined by the level of diene conjugates, malonic dialdehyde, superoxide dismutase activity, and the activity of phospholipase A2. The severity of endotoxemia was estimated; a molecular-genetic test of the polymorphism of antioxidant system genes was performed.Results. The significance of the gene polymorphism of antioxidant enzymes in the formation of systemic alterative phenomena and severity of liver damage in mechanical jaundice complicated by cholangitis or acute pancreatitis was determined by allocation of patient subgroups depending on the presence of mutant allele T in the gene of superoxide dismutase SOD2 (C1147T). The groups of patients with the presence of such polymorphism, regardless of the combined diseases, demonstrated more pronounced and prolonged liver functional disorders and homeostasis disorders after restoration of biliary tract patency.Conclusion. The presence of mutant alleles of the SOD2 gene (C47T) in patients with non-tumor mechanical jaundice combined with acute cholangitis or pancreatitis is associated with an increase in the intensity of damage mechanisms at the systemic level, primarily with membrane lipid peroxidation, which correlates with the severity of liver damage (r = 0.834–0.967; p < 0.05).

Urgent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography treatment useful for acute cholangitis caused by bile duct stones in patients aged 90 years and older.

Recently, the incidence of acute obstructive cholangitis caused by bile duct stones in patients aged 90 years and older (super-old) has been increasing, for which urgent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) treatment may be required. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of urgent ERCP in super-old patients with acute cholangitis caused by bile duct stones. A total 147 consecutive patients aged between 75 and 99 years who underwent urgent ERCP for acute cholangitis caused by bile duct stones were analyzed in a retrospective manner. They were divided into the old (age 75 to 89 years, control) and super-old (age 90 to 99 years) groups. Urgent ERCP efficacy and safety, including general status, ERCP-related findings and outcomes, cardiopulmonary monitoring during ERCP, and mortality, were compared between the groups. The physical status of the super-old group was worse than that of the old group. The success rates for biliary drainage and complete clearance of bile duct stones at the first attempt in the super-old group were lower as compared to the old group, while those after two attempts increased in the super-old group and were nearly the same as in the old group. No fatal cardiopulmonary complications during ERCP were observed in either group. Mortality rate within two months was higher in the super-old group, though recovered to the same level as in the old group after two months. Efficacy and safety of urgent ERCP treatment in super-old patients were comparable to those seen in old patients, though the overall trend indicated greater difficulty. Urgent ERCP treatment can be useful for acute cholangitis caused by bile duct stones in super-old patients.

ERCP endoscopic minimally invasive treatment of acute suppurative obstructive cholangitis: A study of 47patients.

The primary objective of the present study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic therapy for acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis (AOSC) in patients with different underlying conditions. The present study comprised 47 patients diagnosed with AOSC, with a mean age of 70±14 years. Minimally invasive endoscopic treatments, including endoscopic duodenal papillary sphincterotomy, endoscopic duodenal nasobiliary drainage and/or placement of an endobiliary duct stent drainage tube, were performed. Variations in the levels of the white blood cell count, liver function, procalcitonin (PCT) and carbohydrate antigen-199 (CA199) were examined, compared and evaluated both prior to and following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Among the 47 patients, 45 had a high fever, although their body temperature returned to normal after 7 days of ERCP treatment. The infection was difficult to control completely in two cases, including one case of biliary anastomosis secondary tumor with stenosis and AOSC and another case of an elderly patient with multiple choledocholithiasis complicated with sepsis. Within 7 days following treatment, the abdominal pain was resolved in 27 patients and jaundice subsided in 29 patients. On the 7th day after endoscopic treatment, the blood leukocyte, liver function, PCT and CA-199 parameters of all patients were significantly improved compared with those at admission. A total of 35 bile cultures yielded positive results, with Escherichia coli accounting for 11 cases (31.4%), Klebsiella pneumoniae accounting for 7 cases (20%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa accounting for 5 cases (14.3%), Enterococcus faecus accounting for 4 cases (11.4%) and other strains making up the remaining 17 cases. No serious complications were encountered with these patients, such as perforation, bleeding, severe pancreatitis or mortality, following ERCP. In conclusion, ERCP has been shown to be a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment method for elderly patients with AOSC, yielding a high rate of success.

Acute suppurative terminal cholangitis: Clinical characteristics of a new subtype of acute cholangitis

BackgroundAcute suppurative terminal cholangitis (ASTC) is rarer than acute obstructive cholangitis and is not well studied. To explore this subtype of acute cholangitis, we described our clinical experience with ASTC. MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of patients with ASTC admitted to our center from September 2014 to August 2020. We analyzed their clinical characteristics, including etiology, clinical manifestations, imaging features, treatment and prognosis. ResultsA total of 32 ASTC patients were included in the analysis. The majority of the patients had a history of biliary operations, and clinical manifestations were occult and atypical. The positive rate of bacterial culture was 46.9%. All the patients had typical imaging features on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Treatment with effective antibiotics was provided as soon as diagnosis was established. After treatment, most patients had a good outcome. Elevated levels of total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, procalcitonin and gamma-glutamyltransferase were the characteristics of critically ill patients and were associated with relatively poor prognosis. ConclusionsOur results demonstrated that ASTC should be recognized as a new subtype of acute cholangitis, and that earlier diagnosis and more personalized treatments are needed.

Laparoscopic lithotripsy and lithotomy of impacted stone at the terminal end of the common bile duct using a laparotomy biliary lithotomy spoon: A case report.

Introduction and importanceEndoscopic intervention is considered first-line therapy for common bile duct (CBD) stones, in recent times. However, surgically altered anatomy and consequent inaccessibility of the duodenal papilla necessitate surgery in some patients.Case presentationA 61-year-old woman presented with fever and right subcostal pain. She underwent total gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y reconstruction for gastric ulcer, 4 years prior to presentation. Based on the clinical findings, she was diagnosed with acute obstructive cholangitis secondary to a CBD stone. Endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage was attempted; however, the duodenal papilla was endoscopically inaccessible owing to the previous Roux-en-Y reconstruction, and we performed percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD). She underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy and choledocholithotomy, 6 days after the PTGBD. Choledocholithotomy was attempted using basket forceps under choledochoscopic guidance; however, this procedure was unsuccessful, and we performed laparoscopic choledocholithotomy using a laparotomy biliary lithotomy spoon.Clinical discussionUsually, laparoscopic cholecystectomy concomitant with CBD exploration is performed in patients with an endoscopically inaccessible duodenal papilla. However, an inadequately opened basket may not capture large impacted stones at the duodenal end of the CBD. Intraductal shock wave lithotripsy (electrohydraulic or laser lithotripsy) is considered in such cases; however, the specialized instruments required for this procedure are unavailable at all centers. Laparoscopic choledocholithotomy using a laparotomy biliary lithotomy spoon may be useful to overcome this surgically challenging situation.ConclusionA laparotomy biliary lithotomy spoon is a simple, user-friendly, and economical device that may be useful for laparoscopic lithotripsy and lithotomy of impacted stones.

S1515 Acute Cytomegalovirus Infection Can Present with Acute Obstructive Cholangitis

S1515 Acute Cytomegalovirus Infection Can Present with Acute Obstructive Cholangitis

Inhibition of heat shock protein 90 alleviates cholestatic liver injury by decreasing IL-1β and IL-18 expression.

Severe cholestatic liver injury diseases, such as obstructive jaundice and the subsequent acute obstructive cholangitis, are induced by biliary tract occlusion. Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) inhibitors have been demonstrated to be protective for various organs. The potential of HSP90 inhibitors in the treatment of cholestatic liver injury, however, remains unclear. In the present study, rat models of bile duct ligation (BDL) were established, the HSP90 inhibitor 17-dimethylamino-ethylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-DMAG) was administered, and its ability to ameliorate the cholestasis-induced liver injuries was evaluated. In the BDL rat models and clinical samples, increased HSP90 expression was observed to be associated with cholestatic liver injury. Furthermore, 17-DMAG alleviated cholestasis-induced liver injury in the rat models, as revealed by the assessment of pathological changes and liver function. In addition, 17-DMAG protected hepatocytes against cholestatic injury in vitro. Further assays indicated that 17-DMAG administration prevented cholestasis-induced liver injury in the rats by decreasing the expression of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18. Moreover, 17-DMAG also decreased the cholestasis-induced upregulation of IL-1β and IL-18 in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells in vitro. In conclusion, the HSP90 inhibitor 17-DMAG is able to prevent liver injury in rats with biliary obstruction, and this phenomenon is associated with the reduction of IL-1β and IL-18 expression.

Case of Mucus-producing Intracholecystic Papillary Neoplasm Causing Acute Obstructive Cholangitis

Case of Mucus-producing Intracholecystic Papillary Neoplasm Causing Acute Obstructive Cholangitis

Acute obstructive cholangitis due to fishbone in the common bile duct: a case report and review of the literature

BackgroundCholedocholithiasis is an endemic condition in the world. Although rare, foreign body migration with biliary complications needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis for patients presenting with typical symptoms even many years after cholecystectomy, EPCP, war-wound, foreign body ingestion or any other particular history before. It is of great clinical value as the present review may offer some help when dealing with choledocholithiasis caused by foreign bodies.Case presentationWe reported a case of choledocholithiasis caused by fishbone from choledochoduodenal anastomosis regurgitation. Moreover, we showed up all the instances of choledocholithiasis caused by foreign bodies published until June 2018 and wrote the world’s first literature review of foreign bodies in the bile duct of 144 cases. The findings from this case suggest that the migration of fishbone can cause various consequences, one of these, as we reported here, is as a core of gallstone and a cause of choledocholithiasis.ConclusionThe literature review declared the choledocholithiasis caused by foreign bodies prefer the wrinkly and mainly comes from three parts: postoperative complications, foreign body ingestion, and post-war complications such as bullet injury and shrapnel wound. The Jonckheere-Terpstra test indicated the ERCP was currently the treatment of choice. It is a very singular case of choledocholithiasis caused by fishbone, and the present review is the first one concerning choledocholithiasis caused by foreign bodies all over the world.

A retrospective study on 1 152 patients with common bile duct stones

Objective To analyze the incidence of choledocholithiasis in patients who underwent cholecystectomy in our hospital, and to determine the incidences of recurrent stones and choledocholithiasis combined with cholangitis after treatment for choledocholithiasis. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 1 152 patients with common bile duct stones treated from January 2013 to July 2017 in our hospital. Results Of the 1152 patients with common bile duct stones, 572 patients had a history of cholecystectomy, accounting for 49.65% of all patients. 402 patients had choledocholoithiasis combined with cholecystolithiasis (34.9% of all patients), 278 patients had choledocholithiasis without cholecystolithiasis (24.1%). Choledocholithiasis could occur after cholecystectomy. The time of onset of choledocholithiasis was 5~10 years after operation in 49.1% of patients, and 200 of these patients with choledocholithiasis were treated with lithotripsy. There were 110 patients who underwent choledocholithotomy and cholecystectomy, and 90 patients who underwent ERCP and stone removal. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups (P>0.05). Choledocholithiasis complicated with cholangitis developed in 511 patients (44.3% of all patients). These included 437 patients with acute mild cholangitis (85.5%) and acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis (14.5%). Recurrent choledocholithiasis combined with acute cholangitis after choledocholithotomy developed in 51 patients, and recurrent choledocholithiasis combined with cholangitis developed after ERCP in 50 patients. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusions Choledocholithiasis after cholecystectomy accounted for a high proportion of patients. Recurrent choledocholithiasis could occur after choledocholithotomy. Common bile duct stones were susceptible to develop cholangitis. Thus, common bile duct stones should be treated as soon as possible. Key words: Common bile duct stones; Cholecystectomy; Cholangitis; Cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic retrograde

Molecular hydrogen accelerates the reversal of acute obstructive cholangitis‑induced liver dysfunction by restoring gap and tight junctions

Gap junctions (GJs) and tight junctions (TJs) are essential to maintain the function of hepatocytes. Changes in biliary tract pressure and the effect of lipopolysaccharide(LPS) may lead to acute obstructive cholangitis (AOC) and cause liver injury via GJ and TJ dysfunction. Hydrogen has been confirmed to have a protective role in various organs during pathological conditions and inflammation. The present study investigated the function of junction proteins and the potential application of H2 in AOC‑induced liver injury. An AOC rat model was established by LPS injection through a bile duct catheter, while the distal bile duct was closed. The catheter sealing caps were removed and bile was allowed to flow out from the catheters at 12h after LPS infusion. The potential application of H2 was studied in the AOC rat model with biliary drainage. It was observed that AOC induced the disruption of junction proteins of both GJs and TJs. H2 administration reversed AOC‑induced disruption of GJs and TJs after biliary drainage. The mechanism of this phenomenon suggests that H2 may have effectively attenuated AOC‑induced inflammatory and oxidative damage, and decreased matrix metalloproteinase activity. H2 may accelerate the reversal of AOC‑induced liver dysfunction, and this phenomenon may depend on reversing the inhibition of GJs and TJs.

Shenfu Injection Attenuates Bile Duct Injury in Rats with Acute Obstructive Cholangitis.

Background: We investigated the effect of Shenfu injection (SFI) in Wistar rats with acute obstructive cholangitis (AOC) and considered the possible molecular mechanisms of the effects. Methods: The 96 rats were divided randomly into three groups. In one group, the common bile duct was subjected to ligation (BDL), and 0.2 mL of saline was injected into the proximal bile ducts. To create AOC, again, the common bile duct was ligated, and 0.2 mL of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)) (2 mg/mL) was injected into the proximal ducts. In the Shenfu injection (SFI) group, the material (10 mg/kg) was injected into the tail vein 2 hours before induction of AOC. The hepatic histopathologic changes were observed under a light microscope. The endotoxin, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), alanine transaminase (ALT), and total bilirubin (TB) concentrations in the serum were measured at different time points (0, 4, 8, and 16 hours) after ligation. The expression of nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) and CD14 in Kupffer cells also was analyzed at different times by Western blotting. Results: The TNF-α, ALT, and TB concentrations in the serum and the expression of CD14 and NF-κB in Kupffer cells were significantly higher in the SFI group than in the BDL group, but all were significantly lower than in the AOC group. Compared with the AOC group, the edema of cholangiocytes was alleviated in the SFI group, and the infiltration of inflammatory cells around cholangiocytes was reduced. Conclusion: Shenfu injection significantly alleviated bile duct injury. The potential mechanism may be associated with inhibition of CD14 expression and prevention of NF-κB activation in Kupffer cells.

A case of acute obstructive cholangitis seemed to be caused by administration of Amiodarone

A case of acute obstructive cholangitis seemed to be caused by administration of Amiodarone

Efficacy of negative pressure nasobiliary drainage in acute obstructive cholangitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiography

Efficacy of negative pressure nasobiliary drainage in acute obstructive cholangitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiography

SOCS1 regulates hepatic regenerative response and provides prognostic makers for acute obstructive cholangitis

Acute obstructive cholangitis (AOC) is a common and severe infectious diseases that occurs in an obstructed biliary system. The suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) family include well-known negative regulators of cytokine receptor signaling. However, few studies have been conducted to determine their function in AOC. In this study, we showed that SOCS1 expression aberrantly changed and was associated with AOC prognosis in rat models. Decreased SOCS1 expression enhances regenerative response after biliary drainage (BD) resulting from AOC by upregulating hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) signaling. To detect SOCS1 expression in the liver less invasively and to predict the prognosis for AOC after BD, miR-221 and miR-222 were investigated. Ectopic SOCS1 expression indirectly decreases miR-221/222 expression through Met in vitro. An inverse correlation between SOCS1 expression and miR-221/222 expression in liver tissue or in serum was verified in rats. Serum from AOC patients showed that lower expression of circulating miR-221/222 after endoscopic nasobiliary drainage was associated with delayed restoration of liver function. Our results showed that SOCS1 regulates hepatic regenerative response, and indirectly detecting downstream molecules, such as miR-221/222, may provide prognostic makers for AOC.

Emergency endoscopic treatment of acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis

Objective To determine the best endoscopic treatment for acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis(AOSC). Methods Data of 93 patients who were diagnosed as having AOSC in endoscopic center in the last three years were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were divided into three groups according to the different treatment methods: ENBD group, ENBD+ ERBD group and double ERBD group. Postoperative temperature, bilirubin levels and mortality were compared. Results For patients with high level obstruction, incidence of fever in ENBD+ ERBD group and double ERBD group were significantly higher than that of ENBD group(1/18 VS 4/10, P<0.05; 0 VS 4/10, P<0.05). There were no significant differences in incidence of fever(1/18 VS 0) or bilirubin level decrease (17/18 VS 14/15) between ENBD+ ERBD group and double ERBD group. For high level obstruction, if the patient had biliary imaging with contrast medium during operation, they would have higher incidence of high fever[(4/10 VS 3.45%(1/28)] and mortality(3/11 VS 0), lower declining rate of bilirubin level [10/14 VS 96.55%(28/29)] than those without. Conclusion Both left and right hepatic ducts drainage should be recommended for high level biliary obstruction. During the operation, contrast medium should be limited to minimum dose, and should be avoided in high level obstruction cases. Air biliary imaging could be used when necessary. Key words: Emergency; Cholangitis; Endoscopic therapy

Sphincterotomy with endoscopic biliary drainage for severe acute cholangitis: a meta-analysis.

Aims To investigate the role of endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) with endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD) in acute severe obstructive cholangitis management by performing a meta-analysis of controlled trials. Method We searched PubMed and Embase for controlled studies that compared endoscopic drainage with ES versus Non-ES in acute obstructive cholangitis. Two reviewers selected the studies and extracted the data. Disagreement was addressed by a third reviewer. Heterogeneity of the studies was analyzed by Cochran’s Q statistics. A Mantel–Haenszel risk ratio was calculated utilizing a random effects model. Results Four controlled studies met our inclusion criteria with 392 participants (201 ES, 191 Non-ES). The outcomes were drainage insertion success rate, drainage effectiveness, post drainage pancreatitis, bleeding, procedure duration, perforation, cholecystitis, and 30-day mortality. Drainage insertion success rate was identical in both groups (RR: 1.00, 95 %CI% 0.96 – 1.04). Effective drainage was not significantly different (RR: 1.11, 95 %CI 0.73 – 1.7). There was no significant difference in the incidence of pancreatitis post EBD between the ES and Non-ES groups at 3 % and 4 %, respectively (RR: 0.73, 95 %CI 0.24 – 2.27). However, there was a significant increase in post EBD bleeding with ES compared to Non-ES (RR: 8.58, 95 %CI 2.03 – 36.34). Thirty-day mortality was similar between ES and Non-ES groups at 0.7 % and 1 %, respectively (RR: 0.5, 95 %CI 0.05 – 5.28). Conclusion Our findings show that EBD without ES is an effective drainage technique and carries less risk for post procedure bleeding. Patients who are critically ill and have coagulopathy should be spared from undergoing ES in the acute phase.

Emergent Percutaneous Transhepatic Drainage for Superinfected Choledochal Cyst during Pregnancy

Congenital choledochal cyst combined acute obstructive superlative cholangitis (AOSC) is quite seldom during pregnancy, but will push both pregnant women and fetal into life-threatening risk. A pregnant woman with acute infected choledochal cyst suffered persistent abdominal pain and associated serious infectious shock, which was successfully rescued and managed preoperatively by sonoguided percutaneous trans-hepatic choledochal cyst drainage (PTHCCD), is reported here. The use of this technique in the optimize treatment for pregnant women such as this case is proposed.

Clinical effect of 37 cases of emergency common bile duct exploration and left lateral lobectomy

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect and safety of acute obstructive cholangitis underwent emergency exploration of common bile duct and left hepatic lobectomy. Methods A retrospective descriptive study was used.The clinical data of 37 cases of acute common bile duct exploration with left lateral lobectomy in the Central Hospital of Shangluo from January 2015 to January 2010 were collected.The patients received emergency common bile duct exploration and left lateral lobectomy of the liver.Outcome measures: (1)patients with surgery; (2)major complications: postoperative bile leakage, residual stones, intraoperative bleeding; (3)postoperative drainage, residual stones and recovery of patients. Results 37 patients was performed in 16 cases, the average operation time was 120min, hepatic left lateral lobe resection average 23min, average amount of bleeding was 80mL.Postoperative stump 1 case of bile leakage, bile duct stones residue in 3 cases, intraoperative bleeding in 3 cases, postoperative return pathology intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in 1 case. Conclusion Emergency treatment of common bile duct exploration and left lateral lobectomy is a safe and feasible surgical approach, which can avoid the the reinfection of left lateral lobe. Key words: Cholangitis; Cholestasis; Hepatectomy; Emergency treatment

Expression of scavenger receptor A in rat's liver tissue during acute obstructive cholangitis and its significance.

ObjectiveAcute obstructive cholangitis (AOC) is a severe disease that leads to sepsis, shock and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Liver is the largest and the major organ for the defense mechanisms during the sepsis. Our aim was to investigate the expression of scavenger receptor A (SRA) in rat’s liver tissue during AOC and its relation with the inflammatory mediators and hepatic injury caused by endotoxins.MethodsNinety Wistar rats were randomly divided into three equal groups. In group one, the choledochus were ligagted and Escherichia coli O111B4 injected into it to produce AOC model. Group two had choledochus ligated and group three had sham surgery. Six animals from each group were sacrificed at 0, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h for comparative analysis of endotoxins, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6 in plasma and expression of SRA protein and SRA mRNA in liver tissue. The P < 0.05 was considered significant. Ethical approval was obtained.ResultsThe plasma endotoxins, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 levels in AOC rats increased progressively with time. The SRA protein and SRA mRNA expression decreased with time. The differences among groups were significant (P < 0.01). Liver histopathology showed gradually aggravated hepatic injury with neutrophil infiltration, degeneration and necrosis of hepatocytes.ConclusionIn AOC, the expression of SRA in liver gradually decreased with progressive increase in level of plasma endotoxins and hepatic injury suggesting its importance in the defense mechanism.