Cause Of Biliary Obstruction Research Articles

COMPARATIVE OUTCOMES OF ERCP IN BENIGN VERSUS MALIGNANT BILIARY OBSTRUCTION

Background: The causes of biliary obstruction include choledocholithiasis, which is a non malignant condition, and malignant conditions like cholangiocarcinoma or pancreatic cancer. ERCP is a common procedure that is undertaken in diagnosing and managing these obstructions and depending on the type of obstruction, the results vary. Objectives: The purpose of this work is to assess the success rate, endoscopic modalities and complications of ERCP in cases of benign and malignant blockage of common bile duct. Study design : A prospective study Place and duration of study: July 2023 to December 2023 Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi Gastroenterology Department. Methods: A prospective study was done in 100 patients of Biliary obstruction 50 benign and 50 malignant. After performing the ERCP on the patients, various factors were documented which include; success rate of the procedure, any adverse effects that may have occurred after the procedure and final results. Data analysis included using mean, standard deviation and ‘P’ value in order to determine the differences between the two groups. Results: In the benign group, the overall success rate of ERCP was 92 % and the overall complication rate was 8%. In the malignant group it was 78% of success and 18% complications. The length of the hospital stay was 3. 4 (±1. 1) for benign group and 5. 2 (±1. 5) days for the malignant group. There was found statistical significance of the complication rate difference, p=0. 03. Conclusions: ERCP is very beneficial in both primary benign and malignant biliary strictures, but patients with malignant strictures have greater complication rates and hospital stays than patients with benign strictures. Hence early management and rigorous screening of the patients involved will go a long way in ensuring better results are achieved.

Prospective cohort study of rotational thromboelastometry in established biliary obstruction: dispelling the myth of auto-anticoagulation

BackgroundPatients with obstructive jaundice are conventionally described as hypocoagulable due to vitamin K malabsorption. However, associated underlying malignancy and synthetic liver dysfunction are mediators of hypercoagulability. The actual effect of biliary obstruction on the coagulation profile is not well characterised. This study aimed to define the coagulation status of patients with established biliary obstruction using rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM). MethodsThis prospective cohort study, conducted in an Australian metropolitan hospital, included patients with a total bilirubin level of >150 umol/L and biliary obstruction on imaging. The primary outcome was the coagulation profile assessed using ROTEM. Results20 patients were included (median age 74.5 years), 15 were male and 17 had a malignant cause for biliary obstruction. The median bilirubin level was 209 umol/L (IQR: 175.0 umol/L – 255.8 umol/L). On ROTEM, all patients had normal or reduced clot formation times, and normal or increased maximum clot firmness. This confirmed all patients had a normal or hypercoagulable clotting profile, and none were auto-anticoagulated. Vitamin K administration before ROTEM did not vary the coagulation profile. DiscussionPatients with established biliary obstruction and jaundice, predominantly due to malignancy, were normo or hypercoagulable. The belief that obstructive jaundice is associated with a hypocoagulable state should be questioned.

Correlation and Diagnostic Agreement Between Ultrasonography and MRCP in Evaluating Obstructive Jaundice: A Prospective Study

Background: Obstructive jaundice is a clinical condition characterized by the yellow discoloration of the skin, sclera, and mucous membranes due to elevated bilirubin levels caused by bile flow obstruction. Accurate diagnosis of the obstruction's cause and site is essential for effective management. Ultrasonography (USG) is commonly used for initial screening, but it has limitations, especially in visualizing the distal common bile duct (CBD). Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) has emerged as a superior, non-invasive imaging modality with higher accuracy in evaluating biliary obstructions. Objective: To evaluate the correlation and agreement between USG and MRCP findings in patients with obstructive jaundice and to determine the diagnostic accuracy of each modality in detecting the level and cause of biliary obstruction. Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted over six months at a tertiary care hospital in Rawalpindi. A total of 32 patients with clinical suspicion of obstructive jaundice were included. Each patient underwent both USG and MRCP. USG was performed using a GE Logiq-e machine, followed by MRCP on a Philips Achieva 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Pearson's correlation coefficient and kappa statistics were used to assess the correlation and agreement between the two modalities. The diagnostic accuracy of USG and MRCP was compared based on the detection of the level of obstruction and the identification of benign and malignant etiologies. Results: The mean age of the patients was 59.53 ± 13.41 years, with 65.6% being male. MRCP showed a diagnostic accuracy of 97.2% compared to 78.1% for USG. MRCP detected distal CBD calculi with 100% accuracy, while USG missed these in 11 cases. A positive correlation was found between USG and MRCP in detecting the site of obstruction (r = 0.48, p = 0.005), the porta hepatis as the site of obstruction (r = 0.47, p = 0.006), and the ampulla as the site of obstruction (r = 0.47, p = 0.006). However, the correlation for benign etiologies was weak (r = 0.094, p = 0.607), and for malignant etiologies, it was moderate (r = 0.31, p = 0.08). Conclusion: MRCP demonstrated superior diagnostic accuracy compared to USG in evaluating patients with obstructive jaundice, particularly in detecting distal CBD calculi and malignant lesions. While USG remains useful as an initial screening tool, MRCP should be considered the preferred imaging modality when detailed evaluation is required.

Unusual cause of biliary obstruction in a kidney transplant recipient with HIV.

Unusual cause of biliary obstruction in a kidney transplant recipient with HIV.

An unusual cause of biliary obstruction: a case report

Abdominal aortic aneurysms are considered as an unusual cause of extraductal biliary obstruction with less than 30 case studies found within the literature. This case report will discuss an 81-year-old female with an incidental initially asymptomatic finding of extrahepatic biliary obstruction and gallbladder distension secondary to an abdominal aortic aneurysm in routine computed tomography staging scan. Extraductal biliary obstructions can require alternative or additional interventions to that of treatment for intraductal obstruction. Subsequently, the aetiology of biliary obstruction is important for clinicians to consider and recognise, to allow for the implementation of appropriate and timely management.

Analysis of Liver Function Test in Common Bile Duct Stone: A Descriptive Cross sectional study

Introduction: Liver function test (LFT) is a useful tool to differentiate between the obstructive and hepatocellular cause for biliary obstruction. Therefore this study was done to see the accuracy of LFT in predicting common bile duct (CBD) stones. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was carried out on patient undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for CBD stones at Bharatpur Hospital and Dev Hospital from 2021 June 15 to 2022 October 15. Ethical clearance was taken from Institutional Review Committee Bharatpur Hospital reference number 079/80-013. The convenient sampling method was applied. Data were collected and analyzed in statistical package for the social sciences version 22. Results: Out of 95 patients higher aged female predominance was seen. The overall incidence of abnormal LFT in CBD stones was 85.3%. All the parameters of LFT were raised in majority of the cases of CBD stones and among these, SGOT was mostly increased (75.6%). In patients with ERCP findings of sludge in bile duct have increased total, direct and indirect bilirubin than in patient with CBD stone and this finding was found to be statistically significant. However, other liver parameters were comparable.Similarly, total, direct and indirect bilirubin, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were equally raised with both group of CBD stones with and without cholecystitis. Conclusion: Liver function test was equally raised in both case of CBD stone with and without cholecystitis. Although ALP and total bilirubin represented the most reliable predictors in obstructive jaundice, SGOT might also be added tool to exclude choledocholithiasis.

Ayurvedic management of Ruddhapatha Kamala (Obstructive Jaundice) - A Case Study

Biliary obstruction[1] refers to blockage of any duct that carries bile from the liver to the gallbladder or from the gallbladder to the small intestine. The clinical setting of the failure of biliary flow may be due to obstruction by mechanical means or by metabolic factors in the hepatic cells. The discussion of metabolic causes of biliary obstruction is very complex; the pathogenesis is not always clearly defined. While on the other hand, the condition Ruddha Patha Kamala in Ayurveda is the nearest possible clinical correlation to biliary obstruction wherein the flow of Pitta is obstructed by Kapha.[2] A structural / physical complete blockage of biliary flow needs a surgical intervention while if the cause is due to metabolic compromise or a partial block, the condition can be reversed effectively through Ayurvedic medications. Here is a case of obstructive jaundice, with a h/o cholecystectomy 20y back and H/O ERCP 5y back, treated successfully with Ayurvedic medications and some diet modifications for about 42 days. A combination of Avipatthikara Churna, Shweta Parpati, Yava Kshara and Katuki Churna was the intervention given. Mulaka Yusha twice a day along with bland diet was advised as Pathya. By the end of 42 days, the LFT report turned completely normal and the patient felt very healthy subjectively. There exists a need in the current times to critically understand the treatment techniques and principles of traditional medicine systems and to make use of them in treating certain conditions where the other conventional medicine systems fail.

Endoscopic Ultrasonography-Guided Biliary Drainage: Experience of a Moroccan Center

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) is a relatively new therapeutic modality in the arsenal of endoscopists for attaining satisfactory biliary drainage when traditional ERC fails. The aim of our study is to describe the first Moroccan experience with EUS-BD in patients with malignant biliary obstruction after a failed or inaccessible ERCP. Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted at Ibn Sina Hospital, from Mars 2018 to July 2022, which include 27 patients with an inoperable or metastatic malignant biliary obstruction who underwent endoscopic ultrasonography-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) in case of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) failure. Results: From a total of 288 patients with malignant biliary obstruction,27 underwent EUS-BD (9,3%), 15 EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy (55,5%) and 12 EUS-guided choledocoduodenostomy (44,4%) were performed. The mean age was 62.5 years (age range: 23-74 years), a male predominance of 59% was noted, cholestatic jaundice was present in 100% of patients and associated with pruritus in 92.59% of cases. The mean level of Total Bilirubin was 190 mg/l. The causes of biliary obstruction were: an inoperable pancreatic head mass in 13 patients(48,1%), a cholangiocarcinoma in 7 patients (25.9%), an ampullary mass in 4 patients(14,8%), a gallbladder cancer with hepatic and duodenal invasion in one patient (3,7%), a gastric antropyloric adenocarcinoma with pancreatic head invasion in one patient (3,7%) and Duodenal adenocarcinoma in one patient (3,7%).The leading causes of failed ERCP were secondary to tumor infiltration of the duodenal wall and critical duodenal stenosis in 11 cases (40,7%), in 9 cases due to a difficult cannulation (33.3%) and in 7 cases due to a failure to pass the stricture by ERCP (25.9%). In EUS-HG The technical and the clinical success rates were 86.6% (13/15) and 84.6% (11/13), respectively, the complication rate was 13.3% (2/15) including one case of stent migration complicated with bile leak and one case of cholangitis. In EUS-CD The technical and the clinical success rates were 91.6% (11/12) and 81.8% (9/11)), respectively, the complication rate was 16.6% (2/12) including two cases of cholangitis. The technical and the clinical success rates in all EUS-BD were 85.1% (24/27) and 83.3% (20/24), respectively. The complication rate was 14.8% (4/27). Conclusion: EUS-BD appears to be an effective and safe therapeutic option for biliary decompression in cases where ERCP fails.

Rare cause of biliary obstruction from myeloid sarcoma has better prognosis, if timely diagnosed: case report with literature review

Extramedullary myeloid sarcoma (EMMS) involving the biliary tract is extremely rare. We describe, a case of a 40-year-old gentleman who presented with obstructive jaundice and features of malignant biliary stricture on ERCP and MRCP. Histopathology revealed myeloblasts, while peripheral blood and bone marrow did not reveal any evidence of leukemia.

Fasciola hepatica: an unusual cause of biliary obstruction

Fasciola hepatica: an unusual cause of biliary obstruction

Risk factors for post-endoscopic retrograde pancreatography pancreatitis in malignant extrahepatic biliary obstruction: a retrospective single-center study

Background. Decompression interventions under the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the method of choice in malignant extrahepatic biliary obstruction (MEHBO). Acute pancreatitis is the most common complication of ERCP. Many studies have been performed to identify the risk factors for post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). However, these works in general include the analysis of ERCP in patients with various causes of biliary obstruction without subdividing patients with malignant obstruction.
 Purpose.The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors for PEP in patients with MEHBO.
 Materials and Methods. A retrospective analysis of 100 cases of ERCP in MEHBO was done. PEP was in 2 patients, and 14 patients had hyperamylasemia (HA). The following factors were analyzed: gender, age, level of MEHBO, obstruction of the main pancreatic duct (MPD), total bilirubin level, history of endoscopic papillosphincterotomy (EPST), periampullary diverticulum, successful ERCP, primary selective biliary cannulation, catheterization and/or contrast injection into MPD, Precut EPST, successful decompression.
 Results and discussion. Univariate analysis showed that PEP is associated with an obstruction at the level of the proximal and middle third of the hepaticocholedochus (p = 0.004) and with absence of MPD obstruction (p = 0.022); female gender (p = 0.012), obstruction at the level of the proximal and middle third of the hepaticocholedochus (p < 0.001), absence of MPD obstruction (p < 0.001), catheterization and/or contrast injection into MPD (p = 0.040) are associated with PEP or hyperamylasemia (HA); female gender (p = 0.024), obstruction at the level of the proximal and middle third of the hepaticocholedochus (p < 0.001), absence of MPD obstruction (p=0.006), catheterization and/or contrast injection into MPD (p = 0.035), successful decompression (p = 0.004) are associated with HA. Multivariate regression analysis showed that, for PEP and for PEP or HA as well as for HA, the risk factors are obstruction at the level of the proximal and middle third of the hepaticocholedochus (p = 0.005; p < 0.001; p < 0.001, respectively) and absence of MPD obstruction (p = 0.022; p < 0.001; p = 0.008, respectively). Female gender is a risk factor for PEP or HA and HA (p = 0.011; p = 0.028, respectively), and catheterization and/or contrast injection into MPD are risk factors for PEP or HA (p = 0.04). Conclusion. Development of PEP in MEHBO depends on the localization of a tumor and involvement of the pancreas. The risk factors for PEP in MEHBO are tumor localization at the level of the middle and proximal third of the hepaticocholedochus and absence of MPD obstruction.

Bezoar in a periampullary duodenal diverticulum causing pancreaticobiliary obstruction and ascending cholangitis

Ascending cholangitis is a clinical syndrome characterized by fever, jaundice, and abdominal pain. It is caused by stasis and infection in the biliary tract with severity ranging from mild to life threatening. The most frequent causes of biliary obstruction and ascending cholangitis are choledocholithiasis, benign biliary stricture, and obstructing malignancy. In this report, we describe a rare case of a large periampullary duodenal diverticulum impacted with a food bezoar, causing pancreaticobiliary obstruction and ascending cholangitis.

Diagnostic Performance of Ultrasonography Versus Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography in Biliary Obstruction.

Background In a suspected case of biliary obstruction with clinical and laboratory data suggesting obstructive jaundice, the major goal is to confirm the presence of obstruction, its nature and cause, location, and extent. Ultrasonography (USG) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) are primarily used to diagnose suspected biliary tract illnesses. The aim of the study is to evaluate and compare the accuracy of MRCP and USG with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)/surgical/histopathological outcomes for finding the cause and level of obstruction in the case of clinically suspected biliary obstruction. Methods This was a prospective observational study conducted at Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences and Pradyumna Bal Memorial Hospital, Bhubaneswar, India, from September 2020 toSeptember 2022on 120 patients. It included patients with clinical suspicion of biliary obstruction who underwent both USG and MRCP. Characteristics of the obstruction were evaluated for both benign and malignant lesions through USG and MRCP. The findings were then correlated with ERCP, histopathology, or surgery to calculate the diagnostic performance of the former two modalities. Results Out of 120 patients, USG was correctly able to predict the cause of obstruction in 40 patients. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of detecting the nature of obstruction by USG were 33.3%, 84%, and 48.9%, respectively. The overall diagnostic accuracy of USG in predicting the site of obstruction was 64.3%. MRCP was correctly able to predict the cause of obstruction in 113 patients. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of detecting the nature of obstruction by MRCP were 94.1%, 91.9%, and 94.8% respectively. The overall diagnostic accuracy of MRCP in predicting the site of obstruction was 98.33%. Out of 120 patients, no cause of biliary obstruction could be found in 71 patients by USG, out of which the correct diagnosis was made in 67 patients through MRCP. Conclusion USG should be used as the initial screening modality of choice for predicting the level and nature of obstruction in patients with a clinical suspicion of obstructive jaundice. MRCP should be the radiological investigation of choice in patients with clinical suspicion of obstructive jaundice. MRCP has the potential to become the new "Gold standard" investigation for diagnosis in patients with biliary obstruction owing to its excellent diagnostic performance, and non-invasiveness.

Is Ultrasound-guided Bedside Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage Safe and Feasible in Critically Ill Patients with Severe Cholangitis? A Preliminary Single-center Experience.

Severe cholangitis secondary to biliary obstruction carries high mortality unless biliary drainage is performed urgently. Owing to various patient-related and logistical issues, bedside biliary drainage is considered a salvage therapeutic option. This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ultrasonography (USG)-guided biliary drainage at the bedside in patients with severe cholangitis admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). A total of 20 patients with severe cholangitis admitted to ICU who underwent bedside percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) under USG guidance were retrospectively evaluated. Clinical outcomes, details about the PTBD procedure, and complications were recorded and analyzed. Among 20 patients, 13 were male and 7 were female with a mean age of 50.5 years. The most common cause of biliary obstruction was gall bladder malignancy (45%, n = 9) followed by cholangiocarcinoma (25%, n = 5). Left- and right-sided PTBD was performed in 40% (n = 8) and 35% (n = 7) patients, respectively, while 25% (n = 5) of patients underwent bilateral PTBD. The technical success rate was 100%. A total of 65% (n = 13) of patients were discharged from ICU upon improvement while the remaining 35% (n = 7) died despite bedside PTBD. None of the patients had any major procedure-related complications. Ultrsound-guided bedside PTBD seems to be a safe and effective option in critically ill patients with severe cholangitis when shifting of patients is not feasible. Singh J, Tripathy TP, Patel R, Chandel K. Is Ultrasound-guided Bedside Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage Safe and Feasible in Critically Ill Patients with Severe Cholangitis? A Preliminary Single-center Experience. Indian J Crit Care Med 2023;27(1):16-21.

Bile-volatile organic compounds in the diagnostics of pancreatic cancer and biliary obstruction: A prospective proof-of-concept study.

Detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from bodily fluids with field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) and related methods has been studied in various settings. Preliminary results suggest that it is possible to detect prostate, colorectal, ovarian and pancreatic cancer from urine samples. In this study, our primary aim was to differentiate pancreatic cancer from pancreatitis and benign tumours of the pancreas by using bile samples obtained during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Secondarily, we aimed to differentiate all pancreatic region malignancies from all other kinds of benign causes of biliary obstruction. A bile sample was successfully aspirated from 94 patients during ERCP in Tampere University Hospital. Hospital and patient records were prospectively followed up for at least two years after ERCP. Bile samples were analysed using a Lonestar chemical analyser (Owlstone, UK) using an ATLAS sampling system and a split-flow box. Diagnoses and corresponding data from the analyses were matched and divided into two subcategories for comparison. Statistical analysis was performed using linear discriminant analysis, support vector machines, and 5-fold cross-validation. Pancreatic cancers (n=8) were differentiated from benign pancreatic lesions (n=9) with a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 77.8%, and correct rate of 88%. All pancreatic region cancers (n=19) were differentiated from all other kinds of benign causes of biliary obstruction (n=75) with corresponding values of 21.1%, 94.7%, and 80.7%. The sample size was too small to try to differentiate pancreatic cancers from adjacent cancers. Analysing bile VOCs using FAIMS shows promising capability in detecting pancreatic cancer and other cancers in the pancreatic area.

Retrospective application and validation of Tokyo 18 guidelines for diagnosis and stratification of acute cholangitis in Qatar

Background: Acute cholangitis (AC) is a life-threatening condition with a mortality risk of 8%–10%. Despite no gold standard for diagnosis, Charcot's triad was introduced to diagnose AC. However, the triad had a low sensitivity (50%–70%). Recently, Tokyo guidelines (TG) for the diagnosis of AC gained international recognition for their excellent diagnostic rate. Objective: In this study, we aimed to apply TG18 guidelines in a retrospective manner to diagnose AC in Qatar to validate TG18. Methods: This retrospective observational study recruited 295 patients with clinically proven AC between January 2016 and July 2018. Results: Of the 213 patients, 72.2% were men. The mean age was 51.4 ± 17.5 years. The most common co-morbidity was hypertension (36.3%). Common bile duct stones were the most common cause of biliary obstruction found in 165 (55.9%) patients. The diagnostic rate of TG18 was 91.9% in contrast to Charcot's triad (34.9%). By TG18 grading, 150 (50.8%) patients were grade I. ERCP was done in 62% patients, and 52.5% of them were grade I. Conclusion: AC management in Qatar meets the international standards with a low mortality rate. TG18 guidelines had a high diagnostic rate among our patient population.

Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic: An unusual cause of biliary obstruction.

A 41-year-old man, with no relevant personal history, presented with postprandial fullness, nausea, and weight loss in the last 2 years. On physical examination, he had mild jaundice. Laboratory examination revealed conjugated hyperbilirubinemia (total bilirubin 3.62 mg/dL, conjugated bilirubin 2.60 mg/dL) and cytocholestasis with cholestatic predominance (AST 102 U/L, ALT 144 U/L, FA 330 U/L, GGT 681 U/L). An abdominal computed tomography followed by magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) showed common bile duct (CBD) stenosis, without mural thickening or intraluminal mass, and intrahepatic and extrahepatic duct dilation. There were no lesions in the hepatic or pancreatic parenchyma (Fig. 1). Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) showed a heterogeneous filling defect in the distal half of the CBD with upstream dilatation. Biliary sphincterotomy and exploration with a balloon were performed, and tumor tissue fragments with a villous appearance and necrotic areas were obtained. Cholangioscopy allowed the identification of a friable villous vegetative lesion in the middle third of the CBD leading to luminal narrowing (Fig. 2). Biopsies revealed an intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm with high-grade dysplasia and focal transformation into adenocarcinoma (ADC). Staging exams excluded lymph node or distant metastasis, and, after multidisciplinary discussion, the patient underwent Whipple's cephalic pancreatoduodenectomy with hepaticojejunostomy. The anatomopathological examination of the surgical specimen showed a moderately differentiated ADC in intestinal-type intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB) (pT1N0R0) (Fig. 2). There was no indication for adjuvant chemotherapy, but clinical, analytical, and imaging surveillance was recommended. After 1 year of follow-up, the patient remains asymptomatic. IPNBs are rare neoplasms arising from the bile duct considered to be an important precursor of cholangiocarcinoma. They are commonly found in Far East Asia where hepatolithiasis and clonorchiasis are endemic. IPNBs can occur anywhere in the extrahepatic or intrahepatic bile ducts and microscopically are classified into four types: pancreaticobiliary, intestinal, gastric, and oncocytic. Most cases show at time of diagnosis high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia or invasive carcinoma. IPNBs secrete mucin and induce biliary obstruction and dilation, but do not have a typical clinical or imaging presentation, making their early diagnosis a clinical challenge. The major treatment is surgical resection with a better prognosis compared to cholangiocarcinoma.

Biliary Obstruction: An Overview

AbstractThe biliary system plays a vital role in maintaining the physiologic functions of the human body; therefore, biliary obstruction requires prompt diagnosis to prevent further complications and decrease mortality. The vast array of benign and malignant etiologies that cause biliary obstruction make diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making challenging. Ultrasound is often the first diagnostic modality utilized. It is safe, non-invasive, and quick to obtain, but lacks the ability to diagnose the more ominous causes of biliary obstruction. Additional modalities to evaluate the biliary tree include CT, MRI, MRC, MRCP, ERCP, and PTC. This review outlines the importance of the biliary system, provides the clinical presentation of biliary obstruction, and examines the available imaging and treatment modalities and when to appropriately use them.

Malignant biliary obstruction due to metastatic non-hepato-pancreato-biliary cancer.

Malignant biliary obstruction generally results from primary malignancies of the pancreatic head, bile duct, gallbladder, liver, and ampulla of Vater. Metastatic lesions from other primaries to these organs or nearby lymph nodes are rarer causes of biliary obstruction. The most common primaries include renal cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, lymphoma, and melanoma. They may be difficult to differentiate from primary hepato-pancreato-biliary cancer based on imaging studies, or even on biopsy. There is also no consensus on the optimal method of treatment, including the feasibility and effectiveness of endoscopic intervention or surgery. A thorough review of the literature on pancreato-biliary metastases and malignant biliary obstruction due to metastatic non-hepato-pancreato-biliary cancer is presented. The diagnostic modality and clinical characteristics may differ significantly depending on the type of primary cancer. Different primaries also cause malignant biliary obstruction in different ways, including direct invasion, pancreatic or biliary metastasis, hilar lymph node metastasis, liver metastasis, and peritoneal carcinomatosis. Metastasectomy may hold promise for some types of pancreato-biliary metastases. This review aims to elucidate the current knowledge in this area, which has received sparse attention in the past. The aging population, advances in diagnostic imaging, and improved treatment options may lead to an increase in these rare occurrences going forward.

Role of Interventional Radiology in the Management of Obstructive Jaundice: Achieving Drainage and Stenting

BACKGROUND: Obstructive jaundice due to the central malignant cause is really challenging for gastroenterologists and usually results in failed drainage of obstructing system, the percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) usually results in a dramatic pathway opening. AIM: The study aimed to evaluate the role of interventional radiology (IR) in achieving drainage of obstructing system and subsequent reduction of serum bilirubin and its role in stenting the obstructing lesion. METHODS: A prospective study included 40 patients who complained of obstructive jaundice referred to IR unit in specialties surgical hospital from gastroenterology hospital after failed endoscopic drainage and stenting during the period from September 2020 to November 2021. RESULTS: Of 40 patients in study population, 26 are male and 14 females, their median age was 65 years, cholangiocarcinoma is leading cause of biliary obstruction, the technical success of PTBD was 100% and clinical success achieved by lowering of total serum bilirubin by 60% within 2 weeks seen in 75% of the patients, no significant major complications seen after procedure, and only 5% of the patients developed leaking bile along the drain tract. CONCLUSIONS: PTBD and transhepatic biliary stenting are amazing technique in acute and chronic management of patients with obstructive jaundice, achieve dramatic lowering of serum bilirubin, fighting biliary sepsis and long-term palliation of advanced biliary, pancreatic, and ampullary malignancy.