Stricture Dilation Research Articles

Impact of bowel dilation on small bowel motility measurements with cine-MRI: assessment of two quantification techniques.

Objectives:To evaluate the effect of bowel dilation on cine-MRI small bowel motility measurements, by comparing a conventional motility score (including bowel wall and lumen) with a bowel wall-specific motility score in healthy and diseased populations.Methods:Four populations were included: 10 Crohn’s patients with a stricture and prestricture dilation for segmental motility analysis, and 14 mannitol-prepared healthy subjects, 15 fasted healthy subjects and eight chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) patients (characterized by dilated bowel loops) for global small bowel motility analysis. All subjects underwent a cine-MRI scan from which two motility scores were calculated: a conventional score (including bowel wall and lumen) and a bowel wall-specific score. The difference between the two scores was calculated per population and compared between groups with a one-way ANOVA and Tukey-Kramer analysis.Results:In Crohn’s patients, the median (IQR) change between the conventional and wall-specific motility score was 0% (-2 to +4%) within the stricture and 0% (−1 to +7%) in the prestricture dilation. For the global small bowel, this was −1% (−5 to 0%) in mannitol-prepared healthy subjects, −2% (−6 to +2%) in fasted healthy subjects and +14% (+6 to+20%) in CIPO patients. The difference between the two motility scores in CIPO patients differed significantly from the four other groups (p = 0.002 to p < 0.001).Conclusions:The conventional small bowel motility score seems robust in Crohn’s disease patients and healthy subjects. In patients with globally and grossly dilated bowel loops, a bowel-wall specific motility score may give a better representation of small bowel motility.Advances in knowledge:These findings support researchers and clinicians with making informed choices for using cine-MRI motility analysis in different populations.

Anorectal Strictures in Complex Perianal CD: How to Approach?

Anorectal strictures are a notoriously difficult to treat phenotype of perianal Crohn's disease. Quality of life is diminished due to ongoing pain, incontinence, difficulty with stool evacuation, and recurrent medical and surgical treatments. Medical therapy is aimed at treating luminal disease and mucosal ulceration to prevent worsening of fibrosis. Clinical examination and endoscopic intervention can be used for serial dilations of strictures. Unfortunately, despite optimal medical therapy and endoscopic intervention with serial anal dilations, surgery with intestinal diversion or proctocolectomy may be required as part of the treatment algorithm in a significant proportion of patients.

Endoscopic Treatment of a Severe Vaginal Stenosis Following Battery Insertion in an 11-Year-Old Girl

Acquired vaginal strictures are rare entities in children. As a result, they are generally difficult to manage and tend to recur despite appropriate initial therapy. This case study reports the staged management of vaginal stenosis following the insertion of a button battery. In this case, an 11-year-old girl experienced at 4 years old a battery insertion in the vaginal canal by her neighbor's son, who was 6-year-old at the time. Two weeks from insertion, the parents noted the foreign body discharge spontaneously. The girl had not complained of any symptoms at the time and had been asymptomatic for many years. In November 2020, she came to the emergency department reporting cramping abdominal pain accompanied by mucopurulent discharge. An abdominal ultrasound showed the presence of hematometrocolpos, and a vaginal stenosis dilation under general anesthesia was performed the following day. After 3 weeks, the stenosis was still present, preventing the passage of Hegar number 4. The girl was subjected to a vaginoscopic stenosis resection utilizing a monopolar hook passed through an operative channel. A Bakri catheter filled with 120 mL of water was left in place. After 10 days, the girl was discharged home with the Bakri inserted. Two weeks after discharge, she was reevaluated in the outpatient setting, where the Bakri was removed with no signs of residual stenosis. Acquired vaginal stenosis could be demanding to treat, particularly with the sole conservative approach. A first-line option can be the Hegar dilation. The endoscopic approach can be a second-line, minimally invasive treatment, but long-term outcomes are difficult to predict.

Intensive drug therapy versus standard drug therapy for symptomatic intestinal Crohn's disease strictures (STRIDENT): an open-label, single-centre, randomised controlled trial

Strictures are the most common structural complication of Crohn's disease. Surgery and endoscopic balloon dilation are the main treatments; drug therapy has been considered contraindicated. Given that most strictures have an inflammatory component, we aimed to find out whether strictures are responsive to drug treatment and whether intensive drug therapy is more effective than standard drug therapy. This open-label, single-centre, randomised controlled trial was performed in one specialist inflammatory bowel disease centre in Australia. Patients aged 18 years or older with Crohn's disease were included. Eligible patients had a de novo or postoperative anastomotic intestinal stricture on MRI or ileocolonoscopy, symptoms consistent with chronic or subacute intestinal obstruction (postprandial abdominal pain in the presence of a confirmed stricture), and evidence of active intestinal inflammation. Patients were randomly assigned (2:1) to receive intensive high-dose adalimumab (160 mg adalimumab once per week for 4 weeks followed by 40 mg every 2 weeks, with escalation of dose at 4 months and 8 months if assessment of disease activity indicated active inflammation) plus thiopurine (initial dose of azathioprine 2·5 mg/kg or mercaptopurine 1·5 mg/kg, with dose adjustment based on thiopurine metabolite testing) or standard adalimumab monotherapy (160 mg at week 0, 80 mg at week 2, then 40 mg every 2 weeks) using stratified fixed block randomisation. Stratification factors were stricture dilation at study baseline colonoscopy and current biologic drug use. The primary endpoint was improvement (decrease) in the 14-day obstructive symptom score at 12 months by one or more points compared with baseline. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03220841, and is completed. Between Sept 10, 2017, and Sept 6, 2019, 123 patients were screened and 77 randomly assigned to intensive adalimumab plus thiopurine treatment (n=52) or standard adalimumab treatment (n=25). At 12 months, improvement in obstructive symptom score was noted in 41 (79%) of 52 patients in the intensive treatment group and 16 (64%) of 25 in the standard treatment group (odds ratio [OR] 2·10 [95% CI 0·73-6·01]; p=0·17). Treatment failure occurred in five (10%) patients in the intensive treatment group versus seven (28%) in the standard treatment group (OR 0·27 [95% CI 0·08-0·97]; p=0·045); four patients in each group required stricture surgery (0·44 [0·10-1·92]; p=0·27). Crohn's Disease Activity Index was less than 150 in 36 (69%) patients in the intensive treatment group versus 15 (60%) in the standard treatment group (1·50 [0·56-4·05]; p=0·42). MRI at 12 months showed improvement using the stricture MaRIA score (≥25%) in 31 (61%) of 51 versus seven (28%) of 25 patients (3·99 [1·41-11·26]; p=0·0091). MRI complete stricture resolution was seen in ten (20%) versus four (16%) patients (1·28 [0·36 to 4·57]; p=0·70). Intestinal ultrasound at 12 months showed improvement (>25%) in bowel wall thickness in 22 (51%) of 43 versus seven (33%) of 21 patients (2·10 [0·71 to 6·21]; p=0·18). Faecal calprotectin normalised in 32 (62%) versus 11 (44%) patients (2·04 [0·77-5·36]; p=0·15). Normalisation of CRP was seen in 32 (62%) versus 11 (44%) patients (2·04 [0·77-5·36]; p=0·15). Eight (15%) patients in the intensive treatment group and four (16%) in the standard treatment group reported serious adverse events. No deaths occurred during the study. Crohn's disease strictures are responsive to drug treatment. Most patients had improved symptoms and stricture morphology. Treat-to-target therapy intensification resulted in less treatment failure, a reduction in stricture-associated inflammation, and greater improvement in stricture morphology, although these differences were not significantly different from standard therapy. Australian National Health and Medical Research Council, Gastroenterological Society of Australia Ferring IBD Clinician Establishment Award, Australasian Gastro Intestinal Research Foundation, AbbVie, and the Spotlight Foundation.

P032 Clinical Usefulness of Double Balloon Enteroscopy in Patients With Established or Suspected Small Bowel Crohn's Disease.

The diagnosis of isolated small bowel Crohn's disease (CD) can be challenging. Symptoms are non-specific and both imaging and capsule endoscopy (CE) may be misleading as several diseases may mimic CD. Double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) allows a more extensive endoscopic and histologic evaluation of the small bowel. Our aim was to describe the diagnostic utility and impact of DBE on management of patients with known CD and in patients with suspected/rule-out CD. Retrospective review of our institution's DBE database from February 2009 to May 2013. Adult patients referred for DBE for further evaluation of known or suspected CD (due to symptoms, abnormal imaging and/or CE) were included. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, imaging and CE results, prior DBE, indication for DBE, DBE findings, DBE adverse events, pathology findings, final diagnosis, treatment prior and post DBE and follow-up DBE were abstracted from the electronic medical record. A total of 108 patients were included, 61 (56%) females, mean age 52 years (range 20-83). Indications for DBE included: disease activity assessment/therapeutic in 10 patients with established diagnosis of CD and for diagnostic purposes in 98 patients with suspected CD (31 patients due to abnormal imaging, 29 due to abnormal CE and 26 due to both abnormal imaging and CE). Upper, lower, bidirectional upper and lower, and stomal DBE were performed in 21, 24, 62 and 1 patients, respectively. DBE revealed active disease in 8/10 patients with known CD with one patient undergoing dilation of a stricture. Changes in management were recommended for all patients with active disease - start thiopurine (2), optimize thiopurine dose (1), start biologics (3) change biologics (1), systemic steroids (1) and budesonide (1). The patient who underwent stricture dilation ultimately required surgery. A definitive diagnosis of CD (both endoscopic and histologic) was reached in only 39/98 (40%) patients who were referred for suspected CD. Changes in management were recommended in 32/39 (82%) patients. Interestingly, 24/98 patients had been diagnosed with CD at outside institutions and were recommended to initiate therapy for CD. Of these, CD was confirmed in only 15/24 (63%) patients. Adverse events included perforation in 1 patient (1%) who required surgical management and mouth swelling/abrasion in 3 patients (3%). Follow-up DBE to re-assess disease activity was performed in 10/49 (20%) patients with definitive diagnosis of CD, average time between procedures 4.5 years (range 0.7-11.6). One patient with CD was diagnosed with lymphoma 2.4 years after initial DBE. Changes in management were recommended in 6 patients: de-escalation of therapy (3, two underwent surgery), start thiopurine and/or biologic (2) and switch biologics (1). No complications were seen at follow-up DBE. DBE is a useful technique to confirm a diagnosis in patients who have suspected CD and can help establish a diagnosis of several diseases that may mimic CD on CT scan or CE. Additionally, DBE in patients with established diagnosis of small bowel CD is an effective tool to assess disease activity and guide therapy. Serious complications are infrequent.

Top tips for dilation of benign esophageal strictures

Should I use fluoroscopy for dilation of difficult strictures? Should I use balloon versus rigid dilators? Which wire, which endoscope for tight strictures? These are all common questions going through our minds as we approach a patient with dysphagia and an esophageal stricture. In this issue, one of the leading endoscopists and experts in this field, Dr Todd Baron, discusses his tips and tricks of the trade. Dr Baron shares his excellent 10 tips to ensure a safe and effective esophageal dilation along with high-quality images of tears after dilation.

Perforations from Endoscopic Dilation of Corrosive Strictures in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Endoscopic dilation is an important therapeutic option for treatment of corrosive strictures. Its safety is unclear with variable perforation rates in previous studies. We aimed to evaluate its safety with regard to perforations and the effect of dilator type to perforation risk. A systematic review of published literature from inception to April 24, 2021, using PubMed and EMBASE databases was conducted. Studies in adult subjects (mean age ≥ 18years) reporting perforation rates of endoscopic dilation of corrosive esophageal and/or gastric strictures were included. Pooled cumulative perforation rates were computed as primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included, perforation with each dilator subtypes, surgical or conservative modes of management and mortality. Random effect meta-analysis was used to estimate the frequency of each of these outcomes. Variables were reported as percentages with 95% CI. A total of 712 subjects (N) who underwent 4840 dilations (n) were noted in the 15 studies that were included. Of which, eight were retrospective, while the remaining seven were prospective. On meta-analysis, the cumulative pooled perforation rate was 1% (1-2%) of the number of dilations (n%). The perforation rates with SG (1%, 0-3%) and balloon (1%, 0-5%) dilators were similar (p value < 0.01). 45/64 (59%, 11-94%) perforations were subjected to surgery while the remaining 14/64 (41%, 6-89%) was managed conservatively. Choice of management strategy was biased to the norms of the treating team. About 3/712 patients (0%, 0-2%) succumbed following perforation. Perforation from endoscopic dilation of corrosive strictures occurs rarely, and there is no significant difference in perforation risk related to the type of dilator.

Prevention of complications of transpapillary endoscopic interventions

This study analyzed the treatment results of 345 patients who underwent planned and emergency transpapillary surgical interventions for various diseases of the biliopancreatoduodenal region. Among these patients, 68.9% were women and 31.1% were men aged 1892 (mean age, 63.7 4.5) years. The study included patients who used various types of transpapillary endoscopic interventions as a treatment method, such as endoscopic papillo-sphincterotomy (71.9%, including choledocholite extraction in 68.7% of the patients), endoprosthetics of the common bile duct and main pancreatic duct (17.8%), balloon dilatation and bougienage of bile duct strictures (6.2%), mechanical lithotripsy (2%), nasobiliary drainage (1%), endoscopic wirsungotomy (0.8%), and endoscopic papillectomy (0.3%). Variants of the inflow of hepaticoholedochus and Wirsung duct were assessed using magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. The active implementation of preventive measures regulated by the global community made it possible to reduce the overall incidence of complications of transpapillary interventions to 13.1% and the rates of postoperative mortality to 1.3% (p 0.05). The use of these measures led to a significant decrease in the incidence of acute post-manipulation pancreatitis from 10.3% to 4.8%, postoperative bleeding from 8.9% to 5.5%, cholangitis from 2.8% to 0.7%, and a low incidence of retroduodenal perforation in 1.1%. Personalized consideration of the modern recommendations of the global endoscopic communities (Europeans, Americans, and Japanese) when performing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, as well as original approaches associated with the determination of the anatomical features of the structure of the Vater papilla with variants of fusion of hepaticocholedochus and Wirsung duct, helped to significantly reduce the overall incidence of complications following transpapillary endoscopic procedures from 22.2% to 13.1%.

Incidence of Pediatric Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Characterization of the Stricturing Phenotype in Alberta, Canada.

We retrospectively identified all new cases of EoE at our center from 2015 to 2018 using esophageal biopsy reports, EoE clinic lists, and a local OR database of esophageal dilatations. Electronic medical records (EMRs) were reviewed to confirm EoE diagnosis. Clinical data were captured from the outpatient EMR and gastroscopy/pathology reports. Scope adverse event data were captured from multiple sources. The 2016 census data were used to calculate incidence rates. One hundred eighty-five new cases of EoE were diagnosed during the study period. For patients <15 years old living in Edmonton, the incidence over the 4 years was 11.1 cases per 100,000 person years. Eight of 185 (4%) patients had endoscopically confirmed esophageal strictures, 4 of which required mechanical dilation. Eleven of 185 (5.9%) patients had more subtle signs of esophageal narrowing, but no focal strictures. No perforations or episodes of significant bleeding were reported. Pain was reported after 15% of all scopes, including 50% of the 28 scopes with focal strictures. No unexpected admissions or emergency department visits occurred within 72 hours of a gastroscope with esophageal narrowing. Edmonton zone has one of the highest incidences of pediatric EoE reported. In this cohort, 4% had focal esophageal strictures, and 6% had more subtle narrowing. Mechanical dilation of esophageal strictures was associated with no significant adverse events.

Cochlear implant and surgical intervention for CHARGE syndrome with laryngeal airway lesions

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of surgical intervention for laryngeal airway lesions with concurrent cochlear implantation in CHARGE syndrome concomitant laryngeal airway lesions, and provide clinical data for cochlear implantation in children with CHARGE syndrome concomitant laryngeal airway lesions. Methods:The medical records of five cases diagnosed with CHARGE syndrome were retrospectively reviewed, two of them treated with surgical intervention for laryngeal airway lesions and concurrent cochlear implantation. One child treated with balloon dilatation of laryngeal stenosis and Cochlear implant, and another case received with modified supraglottoplasty for laryngeal malacia and Cochlear implant. Results:Two cases of CHARGE syndrome concomitant laryngeal airway disease, who underwent Cochlear implant and concurrent surgical intervention, recovered well after treatment. The remining three cases treated with Cochlear implant, who previously received deformity-correction surgery. All of the five cases presented with CHD7 mutation. Conclusion:Cochlear implant concurrent with surgical intervention of laryngeal airway lesions for the treatment of CHARGE syndrome concomitant laryngeal airway disease was safe and efficient, which could be a treatment option for children in this situation.

69-Year Old Man With Dysphagia and Nasal Regurgitation

69-Year Old Man With Dysphagia and Nasal Regurgitation

Quadricuspid aortic valve and a large patent ductus arteriosus treated with device closure.

Quadricuspid aortic valve is a remarkably rare congenital cardiac anomaly that predominantly becomes regurgitant with the passage of time. Aortic valve stenosis and aortic root dilatation are less common in quadricuspid aortic valve as compared to bicuspid aortic valve. The clinical presentation depends upon the functional status of the aortic valve, left ventricular function, and associated cardiac or coronary anomalies. The quadricuspid aortic valve is easily visualised during transthoracic echocardiogram with a characteristic X pattern of aortic valve in diastole. The association of quadricuspid aortic valve with patent ductus arteriosus is exceedingly rare. We are reporting a case of young girl with mildly regurgitant quadricuspid aortic valve, large patent ductus arteriosus, and volume-loaded left heart who underwent a successful device closure of her patent ductus arteriosus. To the best of our knowledge, such a case is being reported from Pakistan for the first time.

AN ABSCESS OF CORPUS SPONGIOSUM CAUSED BY CANDIDURIA: A CASE REPORT

An 88-year-old man was treated with a urethral bougie after balloon dilation for urethral stricture in 2019. In December 2020, the patient was referred to our hospital with a fever and voiding disturbance. The patient was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection at the time of admission and was treated with an antibacterial agent. Candia glabrata was detected in both the blood and urine cultures obtained on admission. However, antifungal therapy was not administered because the blood culture was negative on reexamination. Sixteen days after admission, magnetic resonance imaging revealed an abscess in the corpus spongiosum. Cystostomy and abscess drainage were performed because the corpus spongiosum abscess was worsening. Candia glabrata was detected in the abscess; therefore, we treated the patient with antifungal therapy. After 14 days of antifungal agent treatment, the corpus spongiosum abscess disappeared. An abscess of the corpus spongiosum caused by candiduria is exceedingly rare; this is the first reported case in Japan.

Ability of photocurable gelatin to prevent stricture recurrence after urethral dilation in rabbits.

To evaluate the ability of photocurable gelatin to prevent stricture recurrence after urethral dilation in a rabbit urethral stricture model. We created urethral strictures in the bulbar urethras of 10 male Japanese white rabbits using electrocoagulation. After 1 month, the rabbits were randomly divided into Group A (n = 5; urethral stricture dilation and the local application of photocurable gelatin using a ruthenium photoinitiator and irradiation with a light-emitting diode light [λ = 455 nm, 50 mW/cm2 ] for 1 min) and Group B (n = 5; dilation only). Urethral stricture status was evaluated 1-2 months later by retrograde urethrography and urethroscopy. The lumen ratio (urethral width at the stricture site to the normal urethral width on retrograde urethrography) was calculated. Urethral patency was considered to be improved when the urethral lumen could accommodate a 10-Fr urethroscope without resistance. Urethral specimens were harvested for histopathological examination. The mean lumen ratio did not differ significantly between Groups A and B before dilation (25.8% vs 23.4%; P = 0.40), but differed significantly after dilation (65.5% vs 27.3%, respectively; P = 0.03). Urethral patency improved in all rabbits in Group A (100%) versus one rabbit in Group B (20%; P = 0.02). The mean circumference of the regenerated urethral epithelium at the stricture site was larger in Group A than in Group B (14 mm vs 6.6 mm; P = 0.06). Photocurable gelatin can reduce urethral stricture recurrence after dilation in a rabbit model.

Office-based transnasal oesophagoscopy: Evaluating the safety, efficacy and application in head and neck cancer patients.

Transnasal Oesophagoscopy (TNO) is an approach to inspect the upper aerodigestive tract, especially in the head and neck cancer (HNCA) population that present with dysphagia. Twenty-five (25) office-based TNO procedures were performed, with a same-day discharge rate of 96% (24/25) and no reported complications. This case series is the first to compare preoperative and postoperative outcomes (EAT-10) following stricture dilatation using TNO in the UK. Our results show a statistically significant improvement in symptom severity (EAT-10 scores) (n=11, P=0.001). Nearly half (45.5%) of patients undergoing dilatation developed strictures due to post-radiation/post-laryngectomy complications.Biopsy in 4/5 patients was sufficient fordiagnosis/ruling out disease. Of these patients, 5/5 had a previous HNCA. This study identifies the remit for a new 'one-stop' TNO service for suspected cancer referrals, of which a large proportion are patients with a previous HNCA. Surveillance, therapeutics and diagnostics can be achieved in a single visit. Earlier staging or treatment may be achieved due to a fast turnover in clinic.

S2761 Recurrent Oriental Cholangiohepatitis Despite Partial Hepatic Resection

Introduction: Recurrent pyogenic cholangiohepatitis (RPC), also known as “Oriental Cholangiohepatitis”, is commonly found in people of Southeast Asian origin. RPC is characterized by recurrent cholangitis secondary to bile stasis and stone formation proximal to biliary strictures. We present a case of recurrent pyogenic cholangiohepatitis with hepatic abscess in a Vietnamese male with history of partial hepatic resection. Case Description/Methods: A 42 year old Vietnamese male with a past medical history of recurrent pyogenic cholangitis and hepatolithiasis status post hepaticojejunostomy in 2009, followed by abscess resection with culture positive Klebsiella, segment 3 resection, and biliary stenting in 2013 presented with two days of RUQ pain, fevers and jaundice. On arrival, the patient was afebrile, tachycardic and mildly hypotensive. Laboratory evaluation demonstrated alkaline phosphatase 360 IU/L, total bilirubin 14.4 mg/dL, ALT 93 IU/L, AST 113 IU/L, WBC 24,000, INR 1.3. Findings on CT scan of the abdomen included 10 cm multiloculated liver abscess in segment 4A, dilated biliary tract with small pneumobilia and dense material, and a 3.9 x 2.8 cm mass-like hyperdense region in the portal triad region visualized in arterial phase. The patient was started on broad spectrum antibiotics and underwent percutaneous abscess drainage with 350 mL of purulent material removed. MRCP the following day redemonstrated a liver abscess measuring 9.5 cm, RUQ drain in place, diffuse dilatation of the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts with multiple filling defects consistent with calculi, and a 14mm common bile duct. Cultures from the abscess grew ESBL E.coli and Provotella, and the patient was transitioned to Ertapenem with plan to continue antibiotics for four weeks. The patient was discharged home with abscess drain in place. Discussion: RPC is a recurrent syndrome of cholangitis triggered by a parasitic infection which causes biliary fibrosis leading to strictures and stone formation within intrahepatic ducts, most often on the left. Treatment includes antibiotics, stricture dilation, biliary drainage, stone removal, and liver resection. Although liver resection of the segment decreases the risk of recurrent cholangitis, abscess, and eliminates the risk of carcinoma in that segment, resection does not resolve the biliary fibrosis throughout the remaining segments leaving the patient at risk for recurrence. Liver transplant can be considered for complicated cases that do not respond to conventional therapies.Figure 1.: 10 cm multiloculated liver abscess in segment 4A.

S1506 IgG4-Related Sclerosing Cholangitis: An Important Diagnostic Consideration for Painless Jaundice

Introduction: Immunoglobulin G4-related sclerosing cholangitis (IgG4-SC) is the biliary manifestation of IgG4-related disease, an immune-mediated fibroinflammatory condition affecting multiple organs. Histopathology reveals lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate with dense IgG4-positive plasma cells and varying degrees of fibrosis. IgG4-SC is characterized by mass lesions and/or biliary strictures and often occurs concurrently with type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis. The differential diagnosis between primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), and IgG4-SC is challenging due to similar clinical and imaging characteristics, leading to treatment delay, and irreversible end organ damage. Case Description/Methods: A 62-year-old man presented with 10 days of painless jaundice, light colored stools, pruritus, and 10 kg weight loss over six months. The patient had diabetes and 20 pack-year smoking history. Exam showed jaundice and scleral icterus. The abdomen was soft with no hepatosplenomegaly. Laboratory studies were significant for ALT 449 U/L, AST 302 U/L, total bilirubin 20.4 mg/dL, ALP 989 U/L, CA-19-9 2,302 U/mL, and normal pancreatic enzymes. CT abdomen and MRCP revealed dilated intrahepatic bile ducts with no masses, and cystic changes of the pancreas with chronic calcifications. ERCP revealed hilar stricture and downstream dilatation of intrahepatic ducts. Biliary brushings showed no tumor cells. Subsequent ERCPs showed diffuse beading and structuring in the bile ducts. Liver transplant evaluation was considered for presumed PSC with concerns for cholangiocarcinoma. Further workup showed an elevated total IgG level of 2,701 mg/dL and IgG-4 level of 1,160 mg/dL. The diagnosis of IgG4-SC was established. Treatment was initiated with high dose steroids, gradually tapered down, and azathioprine to prevent disease recurrence. Patient had excellent biochemical response with normalization of liver enzymes and Ca 19-9 and biliary stricture resolution on follow up ERCP. Discussion: IgG4-SC poses a diagnostic challenge for clinicians. Total IgG and IgG4 should be obtained after ruling out common causes of obstructive jaundice. Although the presentation of IgG4-SC and PSC is similar, treatment response and outcomes differ significantly, and it is essential to establish an accurate diagnosis. Elevated IgG4 exceeding 135 mg/dL is the generally accepted cutoff. Prompt recognition of IgG4-SC is crucial as the condition is responsive to steroids with excellent outcomes.Figure 1.: ERCP showing diffuse proximal intrahepatic bile duct dilation with sparing of imaging at the hilum due to IgG4 related tactile stricturing.

S2071 Refractory Benign Esophageal Stricture - Management Dilemma

Introduction: Benign esophageal strictures can result from long-standing GERD, ablative or radiation therapy, caustic ingestion and etc. Management of strictures could be very challenging. We describe a case of a refractory esophageal stricture with aim to focus on management challenges. Case Description/Methods: A 36-year-old Indian female with a history of esophageal strictures secondary to caustic ingestion present to our GI clinic with complaints of worsening dysphagia to solids. She underwent multiple serial endoscopies with dilatation at an outside facility and subsequently was performing self-dilatation with bougie dilators, until no further relief of her symptoms. An esophagram revealed a narrow caliber mid and distal esophagus with 3 prominent stricture points. The proximal stricture could not be traversed on initial endoscopy with 9.9 mm gastroscope, therefore a 4.9 mm bronchoscope was used to assess the size and location of the 3 esophageal strictures which were noted at 25 cm, 30 cm and 35 cm from incisors. Serial dilations were performed with a CRE balloon dilator and triamcinolone injection at the refractory stricture site post dilation. The esophageal strictures were able to be dilated with serial dilatations and the gastroscope was able to traverse all 3 strictures without difficulty and patient experienced symptomatic relief. Patient was counseled regarding high risk of perforation with subsequent dilatation and given surgical consultations for second opinion and alternative management options. Discussion: Late management of caustic strictures makes dilatation more complex owing to fibrosis in esophageal wall. Perforation rates for caustic strictures is higher than standard benign stricture dilatation with anything from 0.4 up to 32% recorded in the literature. Refractory strictures are more common in caustic ingestion and the management has been reported with intralesional steroid injection or topical mitomycin C at the time of dilatation, and temporary stent placement. Prior to dilatation one must consider the following prior to endoscopically dilating such as etiology of stricture, degree of patient’s dysphagia, length, tortuosity and luminal diameter of the stricture. Our patient’s strictures were refractory to dilatation and intralesional steroid use. Stent placement is technically not feasible given different size and diameter of strictures as it enhances risk of perforation. Surgery although a high-risk approach but remains as curative resort for such cases.

Diagnostic and therapeutic management algorithm for biliary complications in living liver donors.

This study aimed to demonstrate the efficacy of our diagnostic and therapeutic management algorithm and catheter-assisted (percutaneous transhepatic biliary tract drainage [PTBD] or transanastomotic feeding tube) hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) procedures in living liver donors (LLDs) with biliary complications. Living donor hepatectomy (LDH) was performed between September 2005 and April 2021 in 2 489 LLDs. Biliary complications developed in 220 LLDs (8.8%), 136 of which were male, and the median age was 29 (interquartile range [IQR]: 12) years. Endoscopic sphincterotomy ± stenting was performed in 132 LLDs, which was unsuccessful in 9 LLDs and required HJ. Overall, 142 LLDs underwent interventional radiologic procedures. Fifteen LLDs with biliary complications underwent HJ (PTBD catheter = 6 and transanastomotic feeding tube = 9) at a median of 44 days (IQR: 82). Following HJ, 14 LLDs did not have any complications throughout the median follow-up period of 1619 days (IQR: 1454). However, percutaneous dilation for HJ anastomotic stricture was performed in one patient. Biliary complications are very common following LDH; therefore, surgeons in the field should have a low threshold to perform HJ for biliary complications that persist after other treatments. Our catheter-assisted HJ techniques demonstrated a high success rate and aided HJ in a hostile abdomen during revisional surgery.

Safety and efficacy of large balloon dilatation under fluoroscopy.

The maximum diameter of the balloon used for balloon dilatation(BD) of esophagogastric anastomotic stricture (EAS) is generally 20 millimeters. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of BD under fluoroscopy, using balloons with a diameter of 25-30 millimeters. We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients with benign EAS treated by large BD (balloon diameter, 25-30 mm) under fluoroscopy. The Cox proportional hazards model (PHM) was used to identify the factors associated with stricture-free survival. The results show that a total of 127 patients were included in this study, and 204 BDs were performed. The technical success rate was 96.6%, and the clinical success rate was 99.2%. The incidence of serious adverse events was 3.4% (7/204). One patient died of massive hemorrhage during BD, and nine patients were lost to follow-up. For the remaining 117 patients, the median stricture-free survival period was 14.9 months. In multivariable analysis using the Cox PHM, only balloon diameter was significantly associated with stricture-free survival. The stricture-free survival period tended to increase as balloon diameter increased. Large BD under fluoroscopy appears to be safe and effective for the treatment of benign EAS after esophagectomy.