Duct Gallstones Research Articles

Effect of Acupoint Catgut Embedding at Yanglingquan (GB34) on the Bile Metabolism of Patients with Choledocholithiasis after Surgery.

Choledocholithiasis, or bile duct gallstones, is effectively treated with surgery, which does not prevent relapse. A common adjuvant therapy is the stimulation of the Yanglingquan point (GB34). Acupoint catgut embedding (ACE), an acupoint stimulation therapy, may be a better treatment for choledocholithiasis. To investigate the effect of ACE in stimulating GB34 on bile metabolism and its possible mechanism via metabonomics. In this study, we used ultrahigh performance liquid chromatographyquadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) to analyze the changes in bile metabolites, metabolic pathways, and liver function indicators in 16 patients with choledocholithiasis before and after ACE stimulation. We identified 10 metabolites that exhibited significant differences in the bile before and after ACE, six of which significantly increased and four that significantly decreased. Moreover, six liver function indicators showed a downward trend. We identified related metabolic pathways as glycerophospholipid metabolism, steroid biosynthesis, and the citrate cycle (TCA cycle). This study shows that ACE stimulation of GB34 can effectively help treat choledocholithiasis, which may be clinically applicable to ACE.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis-A long night's journey into day.

Content available: Audio Recording.

Evaluation of bile duct stones extracted by ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography).

Objective: To determine the frequency of different types of gallstones on ERCP stone extraction from bile duct. Study Design: Cross Sectional study. Setting: Department of Gastroenterology of the Nishtar Hospital Multan. Period: September 2019 to October 2020. Material & Methods: Patients with bile duct stones on imaging of either sex aged 18 – 70 years were included in our study while patients with IHD, malignancies, liver cirrhosis, asthma, TB, COPD, ILD and pregnant women were excluded from our study. During ERCP the gross appearance of extracted stones and related findings were noted. Results: Our study included 139 patients meeting inclusion criteria, of these 139 study cases, 49 (35.3%) were male and 90 (64.7%) were female patients with bile duct stone. Mean age was 45.78 ± 12.05 year (range; 27 – 68 years). Of these 139 study cases, 56 (40.3%) were from rural areas, 83 (59.7 %) were from urban areas, 52 (37.4%) had poor socioeconomic status and 87 (62.6%) were from middle income family background. Diabetes was noted in 35 (25.2%), hypertension in 53 (38.1%) and obesity in 32 (23 %) (Mean BMI was 26.53±214kg/m2). Mean stone size in our study was 15.82 ± 6.34 mm while 78 (56.12 %) had single stones. Pure cholesterol gallstones were noted in 47 (33.8%), mixed cholesterol stones in 71 (51.1%) and brown pigmented gall stones in 21 (15.1%). Conclusion: Mixed cholesterol stones were more frequent followed by pure cholesterol and brown pigmented stones in bile duct gallstones patients. Mixed cholesterol stones were significantly associated with rural residential status and hypertension while brown pigmented stones were residential status, hypertension and obesity.

Cost-effective Decisions in Detecting Silent Common Bile Duct Gallstones During Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of routine intraoperative ultrasonography (IOUS), cholangiography (IOC), or expectant management without imaging (EM) for investigation of clinically silent common bile duct (CBD) stones during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The optimal algorithm for the evaluation of clinically silent CBD stones during routine cholecystectomy is unclear. A decision tree model of CBD exploration was developed to determine the optimal diagnostic approach based on preoperative probability of choledocholithiasis. The model was parameterized with meta-analyses of previously published studies. The primary outcome was incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained from each diagnostic strategy. A secondary outcome was the percentage of missed stones. Costs were from the perspective of the third party payer and sensitivity analyses were performed on all model parameters. In the base case analysis with a prevalence of stones of 9%, IOUS was the optimal strategy, yielding more QALYs (0.9858 vs 0.9825) at a lower expected cost ($311 vs $574) than EM. IOC yielded more QALYs than EM in the base case (0.9854) but at a much higher cost ($1122). IOUS remained dominant as long as the preoperative probability of stones was above 3%; EM was the optimal strategy if the probability was less than 3%. The percentage of missed stones was 1.5% for IOUS, 1.8% for IOC and 9% for EM. In the detection and resultant management of CBD stones for the majority of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, IOUS is cost-effective relative to IOC and EM.

Cost-Effective Decisions in Detecting Silent Common Bile Duct Gallstones During Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of routine intraoperative ultrasonography (IOUS), cholangiography (IOC), or expectant management without imaging (EM) for investigation of clinically silent common bile duct (CBD) stones during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. BACKGROUND The optimal algorithm for the evaluation of clinically silent CBD stones during routine cholecystectomy is unclear. METHODS A decision tree model of CBD exploration was developed to determine the optimal diagnostic approach based on preoperative probability of choledocholithiasis. The model was parameterized with meta-analyses of previously published studies. The primary outcome was incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained from each diagnostic strategy. A secondary outcome was the percentage of missed stones. Costs were from the perspective of the third party payer and sensitivity analyses were performed on all model parameters. RESULTS In the base case analysis with a prevalence of stones of 9%, IOUS was the optimal strategy, yielding more QALYs (0.9858 vs 0.9825) at a lower expected cost ($311 vs $574) than EM. IOC yielded more QALYs than EM in the base case (0.9854) but at a much higher cost ($1122). IOUS remained dominant as long as the preoperative probability of stones was above 3%; EM was the optimal strategy if the probability was less than 3%. The percentage of missed stones was 1.5% for IOUS, 1.8% for IOC and 9% for EM. CONCLUSIONS In the detection and resultant management of CBD stones for the majority of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, IOUS is cost-effective relative to IOC and EM.

4:10 PM Abstract No. 108 - A new percutaneous pneumatic lithotripsy technique for common bile duct gallstones removal

Purpose To develop a new technique for percutaneous removal of common bile duct (CBD) gallstones by using a pneumatic lithotripter with a XCOIL encapsulator (XE) and retractor (XR) system. Materials and Methods For in-vitro confirmation, a 6.0mm glass tube was shaped to simulate the cystic duct and CBD of pigs. Human gallstone was placed into the tube. An 11Fr custom balloon introducer sheath (BIS) was positioned close to the gallstone, and then inflated to occlude the proximal tube. An XE and XR system was advanced through the BIS into the tube, to catch the gallstone by pulling XR back into the XE. The stone was restricted within the XE by closing the distal XE end via a string. A 1.0mm lithotripter probe was manually-curved according to the glass tube shape and then advanced into the XE through the BIS, where the gallstone was shocked. Fragments were then extracted from the tube with the XE. Lithotripsy procedures were repeated for 6 times. The shock numbers, the skin-to-skin lithotripsy time and fragment sizes were recorded. For in-vivo validation, via a transcystic approach, human gallstones were positioned into CBDs of three pigs through a 16Fr introducer. Under fluoroscopy, an 11Fr BIS was placed into CBD to break and remove the gallstones with the same procedures as developed from the in-vitro experiment. Pre- and post-cholangiographies were obtained to confirm the successes of the gallstone placement, breaking, and removal. After the experiment, the pigs were euthanized and CBDs were harvested for histology. Results Of the in-vitro experiment, average 9.5±4.2 shocks were required to break gallstones. The average skin-to-skin lithotripsy time was 6'10. All stones were successfully broken, with the average maximal length of the gallstone fragments at 2.1±0.3mm compared to the pre-lithotripsy stone length at 5.3±0.2 mm (p Conclusion The new XCOIL-assisted percutaneous pneumatic lithotripsy is feasible and safe for CBD gallstones breaking and removal, which establishes groundwork for its further clinical application.

Development of a duodenal gallstone ileus with gastric outlet obstruction (Bouveret syndrome) four months after successful treatment of symptomatic gallstone disease with cholecystitis and cholangitis: a case report

IntroductionCases of gallstone ileus account for 1% to 4% of all instances of mechanical bowel obstruction. The majority of obstructing gallstones are located in the terminal ileum. Less than 10% of impacted gallstones are located in the duodenum. A gastric outlet obstruction secondary to a gallstone ileus is known as Bouveret syndrome. Gallstones usually enter the bowel through a biliary enteral fistula. Little is known about the formation of such fistulae in the course of gallstone disease.Case presentationWe report the case of a 72-year-old Caucasian woman born in Germany with a gastric outlet obstruction due to a gallstone ileus (Bouveret syndrome), with a large gallstone impacted in the third part of the duodenum. Diagnostic investigations of our patient included plain abdominal films, gastroscopy and abdominal computed tomography, which showed a biliary enteric fistula between the gallbladder and the duodenal bulb. Our patient was successfully treated by laparotomy, duodenotomy, extraction of the stone, cholecystectomy, and resection of the fistula in a one-stage surgical approach. Histopathological examination showed chronic and acute cholecystitis, with perforated ulceration of the duodenal wall and acute purulent inflammation of the surrounding fatty tissue. Four months prior to developing a gallstone ileus our patient had been hospitalized for cholecystitis, a large gallstone in the gallbladder, cholangitis and a small obstructing gallstone in the common biliary duct. She had been treated with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy, balloon extraction of the common biliary duct gallstone, and intravenous antibiotics. At the time of her first presentation, abdominal ultrasound and endoscopic examination (including esophagogastroduodenoscopy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) had not shown any evidence of a biliary enteral fistula. In the four months preceding the gallstone ileus our patient had been asymptomatic.ConclusionIn patients known to have gallstone disease presenting with symptoms of ileus, the differential diagnosis of a gallstone ileus should be considered even in the absence of preceding symptoms related to the gallbladder disease. Gallstones large enough to cause intestinal obstruction usually enter the bowel by a biliary enteral fistula. During the formation of such a fistula, patients can be asymptomatic.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in elderly patients.

the presentation of common bile duct disease, value of investigations and treatment outcome in elderly patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) were assessed. the clinical presentation, liver function tests, full blood counts, abdominal ultrasound and ERCP results were assessed retrospectively in 101 patients (59 women, 42 men; mean age 83 years, range 75-100) sequentially investigated for possible common bile duct disease. 59 patients had common bile duct gallstones, 35 had malignant biliary obstruction (13 with co-existing common bile duct stones) and seven had other outcomes. In the malignant-alone group 68% of those who had jaundice presented painlessly compared with 24% in the gallstones-alone group; 49% of the gallstones-alone group had pain compared with 28% of the malignant group. In the gallstones-alone group 43% had atypical presentations (non-specific symptoms or painless jaundice). Non-specific symptoms were found in 19% of the gallstones-alone group but in only 5% of the malignant group. Of the patients who had common bile duct stones, 18% had pancreatic or biliary malignancy. The co-existence of gallstones and malignancy was emphasized by eight patients in whom the clinical and ultrasound diagnosis was of common bile duct stones but malignancy was detected by ERCP. The sensitivity of ultrasound was 86% for detecting dilated common bile ducts was 86%, but only 69% for diagnosing gallstones within the common bile duct and 67% for diagnosing pancreatic masses. Ultrasound and ERCP were in agreement in 60 patients (60%). Endoscopic clearance of common bile duct gallstones was successful in 53 of 54 attempts (98%). Palliative ERCP treatment was performed in 30 patients who had malignant biliary obstruction and was successful in 22 (73%); in a further four patients (13%) an endoprothesis was successfully inserted percutaneously. The commonest complication of ERCP was cholangitis (four patients); pancreatitis and biliary perforation occurred in one patient each. Twenty-two patients (63%) who had malignancy died during follow-up, the mean survival being 11.3 weeks (range 3 days-2 years). Carcinoma of the ampulla was associated with a relatively good prognosis (three patients survived 18 months or more). in elderly patients, common bile duct stones often present atypically and co-existence with malignancy is not unusual; ampullary carcinoma has a relatively good prognosis and ERCP is a safe and effective procedure in the management of biliary obstruction.

Lipopolysaccharides and beta-glucuronidase activity in choledochal bile in relation to choledocholithiasis.

Common duct gallstones are mainly of the brown pigment type, which are usually attributed to bacterial factors. Bacterial beta-glucuronidase most probably plays a role in the pathogenesis in many but not all patients. The role of other bacterial factors is more undecided. The aims of this study were to investigate a possible association between lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and choledocholithiasis, and to examine the interrelationship to beta-glucuronidase. Common duct bile obtained at endoscopic retrograde cholangiography in 86 patients was assayed for LPS by a limulus amebocyte lysate test, and beta-glucuronidase activity at pH 7.0 was measured. We found that both elevated concentration of LPS and the presence of juxtapapillary duodenal diverticula were associated with common duct stones (p < 0.01, both). Patients who had their common duct stones removed recently had a lower LPS concentration and a lower activity of beta-glucuronidase than those who had a stone in situ (p < 0.01, both), but still higher LPS concentration than those without choledocholithiasis at all (p < 0.01). In multiple logistic regression analysis, elevated LPS was the significant predictor of common duct stones (p < 0.01), and not confounding with neither beta-glucuronidase nor juxtapapillary diverticula. We conclude that gram-negative bacteria convey bacterial factors associated with choledocholithiasis, by mechanisms independent of, and additional to beta-glucuronidase.

Common bile duct gallstones; anicteric presentation in the elderly—under-recognized but important

Common bile duct gallstones; anicteric presentation in the elderly—under-recognized but important

Usefullness of Urgent EST for Obstructive Jaundice Caused by Impacted Common Bile Duct Gallstone

Usefullness of Urgent EST for Obstructive Jaundice Caused by Impacted Common Bile Duct Gallstone

Quantitative infrared spectroscopy of common bile duct gallstones

The aim of this study was to determine the composition of gallstones from the common bile duct of patients from the United States and the relationship of stone type to the time interval after cholecystectomy. We analyzed 56 sets of common bile duct gallstones collected over a 10-yr period using infrared and atomic absorption spectroscopy and chemical methods. Twenty-four sets (43%) of stones were cholesterol stones containing 85.3% cholesterol, 3.2% pigment, 0.6% phosphate, and 1.3% total calcium. Ten sets (18%) were black pigment stones containing 36.5% pigment, 11.4% cholesterol, 7.6% carbonate, 3.0% phosphate, and 6.2% total calcium. Twenty-two sets (39%) were brown pigment stones containing 52.7% pigment, 16.5% calcium palmitate, 10.1% cholesterol, 0.4% phosphate, and 3.4% total calcium. Most of the 26 stones found at the same time as or within several months after cholecystectomy were either cholesterol (69%) or black pigment (19%). In contrast, the majority (59%) of the 22 common duct stones that were diagnosed ≥21 mo after cholecystectomy were brown pigment stones. In conclusion, brown pigment stones are a distinct type of pigment stone characterized by their content of substantial amounts of calcium palmitate. They comprise a significant proportion of common duct stones in this series of United States patients, particularly of those found ≥21 mo after cholecystectomy.

Endoscopic sphincterotomy for bile duct gallstones

Endoscopic sphincterotomy for bile duct gallstones

ERCP update: Diagnostic and therapeutic applications

Endoscopic retograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is currently utilized to evaluate jaundice, both intra- and extrahepatic, and can differentiate between these by demonstrating specific anatomic lesions. ERCP is definitive in the evaluation of gallbladder disease when other modalities are indefinite. For the first time outside the operating room, the pancreatic duct can be opacified by ERCP. The newest application of ERCP, endoscopic papillotomy (EP), has revolutionized the treatment of common bile duct gallstones and stenosis of the duct, offering a safe and effective alternative to repeated surgery, especially in those patients at risk. Because of these diverse and effective applications, ERCP has become firmly established in our diagnostic armamentarium.