Cholangitis Research Articles

Acute cholangitis caused by coinfection with zoonotic pathogens of Gallibacterium anatis and Enterococcus cecorum: A case report

Acute cholangitis caused by coinfection with zoonotic pathogens of Gallibacterium anatis and Enterococcus cecorum: A case report

Sump syndrome: Diagnosis dilemmas and therapeutic approaches-A case series.

It is important to consider the diagnosis of Sump syndrome in patients with a history of open cholecystectomy, particularly in those who migrate from developing countries where alternative biliary interventions may be limited. The presentation may range from acute severe, mimicking acute ascending cholangitis, to chronic recurrent abdominal pain without evidence of inflammation. Management is a case-by-case decision, with principal management aims to decompress the biliary tract and address any underlying sepsis. Sump syndrome is a rare and often long-term complication of choledochoduodenostomy (CDD). The presentation and severity are variable, and management should be tailored to each patient based on several factors. Herein, we report three cases of sump syndrome, each demonstrating unique diagnostic dilemmas and therapeutic modalities. Case I describes a woman presenting with acute cholangitis, managed with percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Case II illustrates a similar presentation complicated by myocardial infarction, necessitating urgent biliary decompression via PTC and subsequent unsuccessful endoscopic stenting. Case III highlights the diagnostic difficulty in a stable patient with inconclusive diagnostic imaging. This case series emphasizes the importance of considering sump syndrome diagnosis in patients with a history of CDD or open cholecystectomy, especially in elderly patients and those who come from regions where alternative biliary interventions may be limited.

Revised Clinical Practice Guideline of Korean Pancreatobiliary Association for Common Bile Duct Stones: Purpose and Process of Guidelines

Common bile duct (CBD) stones carry a risk of complications including biliary obstruction, acute cholangitis and pancreatitis. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is regarded as the standard of treatment for CBD stones nowadays. However, ERCP can cause severe adverse events such as bleeding, post-ERCP pancreatitis and perforation. Therefore, it is important to provide practical guideline to manage CBD stones for clinicians. The Korean Pancreatobiliary Association (KPBA) established the first Korean guidelines for the management of CBD stones in 2013. Taking together the recently developed techniques for CBD stones and evidence newly obtained, the committee of the KPBA decided to perform an extensive revision of the guidelines. These revised guidelines were developed based on consensusbased guideline using Delphi methods. The main topics of these guidelines fall under the following topics: 1) diagnosis, 2) endoscopic management, 3) endoscopic management for difficult CBD stones. The specific recommendations are presented with the quality of evidence and classification of recommendations.

Bacteriological Spectrum in Bile and Outcomes in Patients of Acute Bacterial Cholangitis

Bacteriological Spectrum in Bile and Outcomes in Patients of Acute Bacterial Cholangitis

Clinical Features and Prognosis of Acute Cholangitis in Octogenarians: A Prospective Comparative Study

Background: The data on acute cholangitis in the octogenarian population are very limited. This study aimed to examine the clinical characteristics of acute cholangitis and complications related to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in octogenarians. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted prospectively between July 2022 and December 2023 and included 250 patients aged 65 years and older. Patients eligible for the study were divided into two groups: those aged ≥80 years (octogenarian) and those aged 65–79 years (non-octogenarian). These two groups were compared in terms of the clinical characteristics of cholangitis and ERCP-related complications. In addition, factors associated with in-hospital mortality were evaluated. Results: Out of 250 patients, 87 (34.8%) were octogenarians and 163 (65.2%) were non-octogenarians. The median age was 76 (69–82) years. Although the octogenarian group had higher rates of severe illness and intensive care unit admissions (p < 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively), there were no significant differences in in-hospital mortality (p = 0.359) or ERCP-related complications (p = 0.417). Malignant etiology (odds ratio [OR]: 5.68, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.11–15.3), hypoalbuminemia (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.07–0.45), and qSOFA score ≥ 2 (OR: 6.5, 95% CI: 1.7–24.5) were independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality. Conclusions: Being over 80 years old is not an indicator of poor outcomes, and ERCP can be safely performed on these patients. However, elderly patients with hypoalbuminemia, malignant etiology, or a qSOFA score of ≥2 should be closely monitored, regardless of their age.

A case of late presentation of recurrent primary choledocholithiasis 30 years post-cholecystectomy: Presentation and management

Acute cholangitis typically occurs secondary to biliary obstruction and bile stasis. While the most common cause is secondary choledocholithiasis (i.e., stones form in the gallbladder and are expelled into the common bile duct), there is little information on primary choledocholithiasis as the principal source of this obstruction. Furthermore, it is particularly rare to see symptomatic choledocholithiasis years to decades later in patients who previously underwent cholecystectomy. We report a complex case of a 75-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department with a 3 to 4-day history of abdominal pain, nausea, generalized weakness, fever, and shortness of breath. She had septic cholangitis due to primary choledocholithiasis 30 years post-cholecystectomy and numerous other comorbidities that increased the complexity of her case. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was attempted to remove the stone but was unsuccessful due to duodenal diverticula. Eventually, this patient underwent common bile duct exploration using a robot-assisted approach. A 2 cm stone at the distal common bile duct was removed, and her clinical status dramatically improved. The efficiency and increased fine control of a robot-assisted approach introduces our idea that this approach should be an alternative management option for minimally invasive common bile duct exploration in patients who have high-risk comorbidities and failed ERCP. Keywords: Acute cholangitis, primary choledocholithiasis, recurrent choledocholithiasis, post-cholecystectomy, robotic-assisted common bile duct exploration

STATE OF CELLULAR IMMUNITY IN PURULENT CHOLANGITIS

Abstract. Objective: To study the state of the cellular link of immunity in acute and chronic cholangitis. Materials and methods. Cholangitis always worsens the condition of the biliary system. Depending on the magnitude of the pathological changes in the bile ducts, we distinguished three groups of patients. Group I – cholangitis caused by obstruction of the main extrahepatic bile ducts due to choledocholithiasis, group II – cholangitis in conditions of cicatricial strictures of the main bile ducts, and group III – cholangitis in conditions of already performed reconstruction of the duct system. The indicators of the cellular link of immunity were studied separately in each group. The results. The conducted studies indicate an imbalance of the immune system in patients with different courses of cholangitis. The presence of inflammation of a mild degree of severity causes stimulation of almost all links of the immune system, while the cellular branch reacts first. Conclusions. Long-term cholangitis was accompanied by suppression of the main markers of T-lymphocyte differentiation — CD2+, CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+, which take part in antigen presentation, signal transmission to other cells and affect their adhesive properties.

Routine single-incision laparoscopic common bile duct exploration with concomitant cholecystectomy for elderly patients: a 6-year retrospective comparative study.

While single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) has gained more popularity in recent years, its application to elderly patients needs further evaluation. Few SILC studies regarded this rapidly growing vulnerable population, and single-incision laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (SILCBDE) was never mentioned. We conducted an observational study of 146 routine SILCBDE to address this issue. One hundred forty-six consecutive patients underwent SILCBDE with concomitant cholecystectomies during a period of 6 years (July 2012-June 2016 and July 2018-July 2020). Forty patients with an age of 65years or older were the study target. Characteristics and operative outcomes were compared with the remaining 106 younger patients by retrospective chart review. The primary outcomes include complications and mortality, while the secondary outcomes contain intraoperative blood loss, operative time, procedural conversions, postoperative length of hospital stay, and bile duct stone recurrence. There was no mortality. The bile duct stone clearance rate was 98.6%. The elderly group had higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores, higher comorbidity rate, higher acute cholangitis rate, lower completion intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) rate, longer operative time, more blood loss, longer postoperative hospital stay (p < .001), longer total hospital stay (p < .001), higher procedural conversion rate (p < .05), higher complication rate (p < .001), and the exclusive open conversion (2.5%). The difference in complications derived from Clavien-Dindo grade I. Routine SILCBDE with concomitant cholecystectomy by experienced surgeons is safe and efficacious for elderly patients as for younger patients. Randomized controlled trials are anticipated.

Adverse Event Assessment of Upadacitinib: A Pharmacovigilance Study Based on the FAERS Database.

Upadacitinib, a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, has been approved by the FDA to treat various autoimmune conditions. This study assessed its adverse events by analyzing reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). FAERS data from Q3 2019 to Q4 2023 were extracted, and disproportionality analyses were conducted using four statistical measures, reporting odds ratio, proportionate reporting ratio, Bayesian confidence propagation neural network, and empirical Bayesian geometric mean. A total of 6 879 398 adverse event reports were collected, with 37 700 reports identifying upadacitinib as the "primary suspected." These reports involved 24 system organ classes and 246 preferred terms that met the criteria across all four algorithms. The distribution of adverse events was assessed separately for female and male patients. Further analysis of the top 25 preferred terms revealed that, although the system organ classes were similar between sexes, the specific adverse events differed. The adverse events were analyzed by gender, showing musculoskeletal and skin disorders were prevalent and severe in male patients, while musculoskeletal issues, infections, and abnormal laboratory tests were common in female patients. Unexpected events like trigger finger, biliary sepsis, and serious events such as oral neoplasm were also identified. This study provides real-world evidence for the safety evaluation of upadacitinib and underscores the need to monitor sex-specific adverse events. Future prospective studies are necessary to confirm these pharmacovigilance findings.

S4333 Recurrent Acute Cholangitis Secondary to Caroli Syndrome Managed With Liver Transplantation

S4333 Recurrent Acute Cholangitis Secondary to Caroli Syndrome Managed With Liver Transplantation

S1612 Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Biliary Drainage for Acute Cholangitis Secondary to Biliary Obstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

S1612 Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Biliary Drainage for Acute Cholangitis Secondary to Biliary Obstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

S1684 Outcomes in Admissions for Acute Cholangitis in Liver Transplant Recipients: A Nationwide Perspective

S1684 Outcomes in Admissions for Acute Cholangitis in Liver Transplant Recipients: A Nationwide Perspective

S2723 Image Negative Ascending Cholangitis in the Setting of Von Meyenburg Complex

S2723 Image Negative Ascending Cholangitis in the Setting of Von Meyenburg Complex

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.

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 &lt; 0.05).

Liver transplantation for unresectable Klatskin tumor: experience of two centers, first distant results

Aim. Evaluation of the first distant results of the combined experience of liver transplantation for unresectable portal cholangiocarcinoma from two large specialized clinical centers.Materials and methods. In total, 23 attempts at liver transplantation for unresectable Klatskin tumor were undertaken. Out of them, 10 were conducted at the A.M. Granov Russian Research Center for Radiology and Surgical Technologies (Granov Center), and 13 were conducted at the Minsk Scientific and Practical Center for Surgery, Transplantology, and Hematology (Minsk Center). The maximum tumor size was 5 and 3 cm in patients operated at the Granov and Minsk Centers, respectively. In the Granov Center, neoadjuvant therapy included a combination of endobiliary photodynamic therapy, regional and systemic chemotherapy. Patients were included in the waiting list only in cases of decreased tumor marker levels and in the absence of disease progression and acute cholangitis. In the Minsk Center, stereotactic radiotherapy was used for neoadjuvant treatment in the absence of active cholangitis; the first 3 patients underwent liver transplantation without prior neoadjuvant treatment.Results. Due to disease progression, six patients were excluded. In three patients at the Mink Center, the diagnosis was not morphologically confirmed after liver transplantation. A total of 14 liver transplantations were performed for unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma. After neoadjuvant treatment at the Granov Center, normalization of the CA19-9 marker was observed in four patients, its decrease by 3–4 times was observed in two patients. Liver transplantation was performed in six patients. The average time from the onset of treatment to transplantation was 9.1 months (6–14). Out of the six patients, one was alive for 34 months, with the median overall survival being 22.2 months. Progression was the cause of death in only one patient. Out of the three patients without neoadjuvant treatment at the Minsk Center, two were alive at 16 and 134 months without progression. One patient died after transplantation from disease progression at 24 months. Stereotactic radiotherapy achieved normalization of CA19-9 in four patients; its twofold reduction was observed in one patient. The average time from the onset of treatment to transplantation was six months (3–12). The average CA19-9 tumor marker level by the time of transplantation was 11.3 IU/mL. At 20–26 months, three patients were alive without evidence of disease progression; two patients died of progression after 9 and 59 months.Conclusion. Liver transplantation for unresectable portal cholangiocarcinoma after neoadjuvant treatment regardless of the methods used is highly promising in carefully selected recipients.

Endoscopic biliary drainage for distal bile duct obstruction due to pancreatic cancer.

Approximately 60% of pancreatic cancers occur in the pancreatic head and may present as obstructive jaundice due to bile duct invasion. Obstructive jaundice often leads to poor general conditions and acute cholangitis, interfering with surgery and chemotherapy and requiring biliary drainage. The first choice of treatment for biliary drainage is the endoscopic transpapillary approach. In unresectable tumors, self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) are most commonly used and are classified into uncovered and covered SEMSs. Recently, antireflux metal stents and large- or small-diameter SEMSs have become commercially available, and their usefulness has been reported. Plastic stents are infrequently used in patients with resectable biliary obstruction; however, owing to the recent trend in preoperative chemotherapy, SEMSs are frequently used because of the long time to recurrent biliary obstruction. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) is often performed in patients who are not eligible for the transpapillary approach, and favorable outcomes have been reported. Different EUS-BD techniques and specialized stents have been developed and can be safely used in high-volume centers. The indications for EUS-BD are expected to further expand in the future.

Nomogram for assistant diagnosing acute suppurative cholangitis: a case-control study

BackgroundAcute suppurative cholangitis (ASC) lacks sensitive and specific preoperative diagnostic criteria. Some researchers suggest treating ASC as severe cholangitis. This study aimed to explore the relationship between the Tokyo Guidelines 2018 (TG18) grading system for acute cholangitis (AC) and the diagnosis of acute suppurative cholangitis (ASC), searching for independent risk factors of ASC and develop a nomogram to discriminate ASC from acute nonsuppurative cholangitis (ANSC) accurately.MethodsAfter applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 401 patients with acute cholangitis (AC) were retrospectively analyzed at Nanjing First Hospital between January 2015 and June 2023. SPSS version 27.0 and R studio software were used to analyze data obtained from medical records. The results were validated in a prospective cohort of 82 AC patients diagnosed at Nanjing First Hospital between July 2023 and February 2024.ResultsAmong the 401 patients, 102 had suppurative bile (the ASC group; AC grade I: 40 [39.2%], AC grade II: 27 [26.5%], AC grade III: 35 [34.3%]), whereas 299 did not have (the ANSC group; AC grade I: 157 [52.5%], AC grade II: 92 [30.8%], AC grade III: 50 [16.7%]). The specificity of ASC for diagnosing moderate-to-severe cholangitis is 79.7%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified concurrent cholecystitis, CRP, PCT, TBA, and bile duct diameter as independent risk factors for suppurative bile, and all of these factors were included in the nomogram. The calibration curve exhibited consistency between the nomogram and the actual observation, and the area under the curve was 0.875 (95% confidence interval: 0.835–0.915), sensitivity was 86.6%, and specificity was 75.5%.ConclusionSuppurative bile is a specific indicator for diagnosing moderate-to-severe cholangitis. However, diagnosing ASC with AC grade II and AC grade III has the risk of missed diagnosis as the sensitivity is only 60.8%. To improve the diagnostic rate of ASC, this study identified concurrent cholecystitis, CRP, PCT, TBA, and preoperative bile duct diameter as independent risk factors for ASC, and a nomogram was developed to help physicians recognize patients with ASC.

Clinical and biochemical factors for bacteria in bile among patients with acute cholangitis.

Acute cholangitis is a clinical syndrome caused by a bacterial infection in the biliary system. The bacteria could exist in the bile before bile drainage despite empirical antibiotic treatment. Patients with acute cholangitis admitted to a tertiary hospital in Southeastern China from August 2011 to September 2021 were involved when bile cultures were performed. Patient information before bile cultures and during hospitalization was extracted from the clinical record database. The risk factors related to bacteria in bile were assessed by univariable and multivairable logistic regression analysis, respectively. A total of 533 patients (66.05%) had bacterial growth in bile. Alanine aminotransferase concentration [odds ratio (OR) = 0.998, P < 0.001], absolute monocyte count (OR = 0.335, P = 0.001), and duration of antibiotic use (OR = 0.933, P = 0.026) were negatively correlated with bacteria in bile. In contrast, C-reactive protein (OR = 1.006, P = 0.003), thrombin time (OR = 1.213, P = 0.033), prothrombin time (OR = 1.210, P = 0.011), and age (OR = 1.025, P < 0.001) were positively correlated with bacteria in bile. Based on an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.737 (95% CI, 0.697-0.776, P < 0.001), combining these seven variables could efficiently predict the presence of bacteria in bile among patients with acute cholangitis. The combination of clinical indicators before bile drainage could predict the risk of bacteria in bile for patients with acute cholangitis.

Mirizzi syndrome: Mastering the challenge, characterization and management outcomes in a retrospective study of 60 cases

BackgroundMirizzi Syndrome (MS) is a rare complication of gallstone disease that poses diagnostic and management challenges. MethodsThis retrospective study aimed to review our institutional experience in diagnosing and managing MS over seven years and four months. ResultsAmong 8200 cholecystectomies, 60 cases of MS were identified, with type 1 being the most prevalent (90%). The mean age of the patients was 44 years, with male predominance (75%). Southeast Asians comprised 56.7% of the study population. The most common presenting symptom was right upper quadrant pain, and 58.3% of the patients were diagnosed with acute cholangitis. Liver enzyme and bilirubin levels were significantly higher in the advanced types. Preoperative diagnosis was achieved in 70% of patients, with MRCP and ERCP being the most effective diagnostic tools. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was the most common surgical approach (76.7%), particularly in type 1 (79.6%), and decreased to 50% in advanced types. Hepaticojejunostomy was more common in the advanced types. ConclusionThis study highlights the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate management of MS considering its rarity and potential complications. The laparoscopic approach is reasonable, especially for type 1 MS and noncomplicated cases. Further research is needed to optimize treatment strategies for this challenging condition.