Intraductal Ultrasonography Research Articles

Locally advanced gallbladder cancer treated with effective chemotherapy and subsequent curative resection: a case report

BackgroundSurgical resection of gallbladder cancer with negative margins is the only potentially curative therapy. Most patients with gallbladder cancer are diagnosed in an advanced stage and, despite the availability of several chemotherapies, the prognosis remains dismal. We report a case of locally advanced gallbladder cancer that was successfully treated with effective cisplatin plus gemcitabine, followed by curative resection.Case presentationA 55-year-old Japanese female was hospitalized with right hypochondrial pain. Enhanced computed tomography revealed a 49 × 47 mm mass at the neck of the gallbladder, with suspected invasion of the liver and right hepatic artery. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography demonstrated displacement of the upper bile duct. Intraductal ultrasonography showed irregular wall thickening and disappearance of the wall structure in bile ducts from the B4 branch to distal B2 and B3. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary biopsy revealed a poorly differentiated carcinoma. The patient was diagnosed with unresectable gallbladder cancer (T4N0M0 stage IVA). Cisplatin plus gemcitabine chemotherapy was initiated. After six courses of chemotherapy, enhanced computed tomography showed that the mass in the neck of the gallbladder had shrunk to 30 mm, Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography showed improvement of the hilar duct stenosis. A biopsy of the bile duct mucosa showed no malignant cells in the branch of the left and right hepatic ducts, the left hepatic duct, or the intrapancreatic ducts. The patient underwent conversion surgery with right and segment 4a liver resection, extrahepatic duct resection, and cholangiojejunostomy. The histopathologic diagnosis showed that the tumor cells had shrunk to 2 × 1 mm, and that R0 resection of the T2aN0M0 stage IIA tumor was successful.ConclusionAlthough conversion surgery for gallbladder cancer is rarely possible, curative resection may offer a better prognosis, and it is important to regularly pursue possibilities for surgical resection even during chemotherapy.

A case in which repositioning based on intraductal ultrasonography was useful for trans-papillary gallbladder drainage

A case in which repositioning based on intraductal ultrasonography was useful for trans-papillary gallbladder drainage

Post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis assessed using criteria for acute pancreatitis.

Background and AimInternational consensus on the definition and classification of post‐endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP) has been reached. However, the diagnosis and severity of PEP are often assessed according to the diagnostic criteria and classification for acute pancreatitis (AP). This study determined the incidence, severity, and risk factors of PEP diagnosed according to the diagnostic criteria and classification for AP in a large cohort.MethodsThis prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study conducted at five high‐volume centers included 1932 patients who underwent ERCP‐related procedures. The incidence, severity, and risk factors for PEP were evaluated.ResultsPEP occurred in 142 patients (7.3%); it was mild in 117 patients (6.0%) and severe in 25 patients (1.3%). According to the Cotton criteria, PEP occurred in 87 patients (4.5%); it was mild in 54 patients (2.8%), moderate in 20 patients (1.0%), and severe in 13 patients (0.7%). In the multivariate analysis, female sex (odds ratio [OR] 2.239; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.546–3.243), naïve papilla (OR 3.047; 95% CI 1.803–5.150), surgically‐altered gastrointestinal anatomy (OR 2.538; 95% CI 1.342–4.802), procedure time after reaching the papilla (OR 1.009; 95% CI 1.001–1.017), pancreatic duct injection (OR 2.396; 95% CI 1.565–3.669), and intraductal ultrasonography (OR 1.641; 95% CI 1.024–2.629) were independent risk factors.ConclusionAccording to the diagnostic criteria and classification for AP, the incidence of PEP was higher than that according to the Cotton criteria and the severity of PEP tended to be severe.

The AIUM Practice Parameter for the Performance of an Ultrasound Examination of the Abdomen and/or Retroperitoneum.

The AIUM Practice Parameter for the Performance of an Ultrasound Examination of the Abdomen and/or Retroperitoneum.

Gallbladder wall thickening in patients with IgG4-related diseases, with special emphasis on IgG4-related cholecystitis

Objectives Gallbladder (GB) wall thickening sometimes occurs in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP), a condition for which the name, IgG4-related cholecystitis, was proposed. We examined the radiological findings of the GB in patients with IgG4-related diseases and clinical features of patients with GB wall thickening and presented a hypothesis of its pathogenesis. Materials and methods GB wall thickening was defined by thickness ≥ 4 mm. GB wall thickness was examined in 258 patients with IgG4-related disease. Clinical and imaging findings of 200 patients with AIP with and without GB wall thickening were then compared. Results GB wall thickening was detected in 58 patients (29%) with AIP and two patients with isolated IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis. In the 60 GBs examined, wall thickening was diffuse, with the walls possessing a smooth inner surface. No GB wall thickening was detected among the 56 patients with IgG4-related disease without AIP or IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis. Bile duct stenosis was detected in 56 patients (97%) with AIP with GB wall thickening. Intraductal ultrasonography indicated cystic duct wall thickening connected to bile duct wall thickening in 11 of 14 (79%) patients with AIP or IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis with GB wall thickening. Forty-eight patients in whom IgG4-related cholecystitis was diagnosed experienced resolution of the GB wall thickening after receiving steroid therapy. Conclusions Most cases of GB wall thickening in IgG4-related diseases are closely associated with IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis and may be a manifestation of IgG4-related disease throughout the biliary tract, including the bile duct, cystic duct, and GB.

New practical scoring system to predict post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis: Development and validation.

Background and AimPost‐endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP) is the most serious adverse event of ERCP. Therefore, it is important to identify high‐risk patients who require prophylactic measures. The aim of this study was to develop a practical prediction model for PEP that identifies high‐risk patients.MethodsPatients who underwent ERCP at three tertiary hospitals between April 2010 and September 2012 were enrolled. The dataset was divided into a training set (two centers) and validation set (one center). Using the training set, univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to identify predictive factors for PEP. We constructed a scoring system and evaluated reproducibility using the validation set.ResultsA total of 2719 ERCPs were analyzed. PEP developed in 133 cases (4.9%). Risk factors (adjusted odds ratios [OR]) in the training set were a history of PEP (OR: 4.2), intact papilla (OR: 2.4), difficult cannulation (OR: 1.9), pancreatic guidewire‐assisted biliary cannulation (OR: 2.2), pancreatic injection (OR: 2.1), pancreatic intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS)/sampling from the pancreatic duct (OR: 2.2), and biliary IDUS/sampling from the biliary tract (OR: 2.8). A scoring system was constructed using these seven clinical variables. The areas under the receiver‐operating characteristic curve of this model were 0.799 in the training set and 0.791 in the validation set. In the high‐risk group at a score of 3 or higher, the incidence of PEP was 13.4%, and all severe/fatal cases were in the high‐risk group.ConclusionsThis scoring system helps to predict each patient's risk and select preventive measures.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and intraductal ultrasonography in the diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis and IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is used to evaluate the narrowing of the main pancreatic duct in autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and biliary stricture in IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis (IgG4-SC). Intraductal ultrasonography enables detailed visualization of the thickening of the bile duct wall in IgG4-SC. Pancreatic cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, and primary sclerosing cholangitis are important mimicking conditions of AIP and IgG4-SC. Diffuse or segmental stricture without marked upstream dilatation is a typical pancreatographic finding in AIP. By contrast, a single, short stricture with marked upstream dilatation is a typical finding in pancreatic cancer. The cholangiogram of IgG4-SC is classified into four types based on biliary stricture location, and this cholangiogram classification is useful for the differential diagnosis of IgG4-SC. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography can be used to distinguish between IgG4-SC and primary sclerosing cholangitis. A segmental/long and intrapancreatic stricture is a characteristic finding of IgG4-SC, whereas band-like strictures, a beaded or pruned-tree appearance, and diverticulum-like outpouching are characteristic of primary sclerosing cholangitis. The characteristic intraductal ultrasonographic findings of circular-symmetrical wall thickening, smooth outer and inner margins, and homogeneous internal echo at the biliary stricture site are useful for diagnosis of IgG4-SC. Thickening of the bile duct wall at non-stricture sites is also a typical intraductal ultrasonographic finding of IgG4-SC and can be used for differential diagnosis from cholangiocarcinoma. Transpapillary bile duct and duodenal papilla biopsy during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography are also useful in the diagnosis of IgG4-SC.

Novel biliopancreatic duct endoscope combining optical coherence tomography with intraductal US for exploring the bile duct: a diagnostic study in a porcine model

Existing biliopancreatic duct endoscopy is deficient in the examination of early biliary and pancreatic tumors. This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness and feasibility of a novel ultrafine, separable, biliopancreatic duct endoscopy device with dual modalities of intraductal US (IDUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) for the invivo assessment of the biliopancreatic duct system during ERCP. Five Bama miniature pigs were selected to probe their common bile duct and branches by using this novel equipment during ERCP. The feasibility of the procedure was evaluated by clear, clinically interpretable images obtained by using spiral scanning with the pull-back method. The clinical usefulness of the novel product was evaluated by postoperative choledochoscopy and assessment of the animal's general condition. One hundred forty-one pairs of images from 5 Bama miniature pigs were acquired. Visualization of the bile duct using both OCT and IDUS was characterized by a differentiated 3-layer architecture, whereas IDUS had poor clarity when compared with OCT. Postoperative choledochoscopy showed no local lesion in the bile duct wall, and the general condition of animals was normal. This prospective evaluation indicated the feasibility and potential clinical value of the novel, ultrafine, separable biliopancreatic duct endoscopy device. The fusion of the 2 imaging modalities can shed light on the early diagnosis of biliary and pancreatic tumors. Further studies will be carried out to establish diagnosis criteria with the dual-modality imaging using an animal pathologic model and a human clinical study.

Irrigation-assisted intraductal ultrasonography with a 3-Fr microcatheter during endoscopic retrograde cholangiography.

Irrigation-assisted intraductal ultrasonography with a 3-Fr microcatheter during endoscopic retrograde cholangiography.

Diagnosing Biliary Strictures: Distinguishing IgG4-Related Sclerosing Cholangitis From Cholangiocarcinoma and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis.

Biliary strictures caused by inflammation or fibrosis lead to jaundice and cholangitis which often make it difficult to distinguish malignant strictures. In cases when malignancy cannot be excluded, surgery is often performed. The concept of immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)–related sclerosing cholangitis (SC) as a benign biliary stricture was recently proposed. The high prevalence of the disease in Asian countries has resulted in multiple diagnostic and treatment guidelines; however, there is need to formulate a standardized diagnostic strategy among various countries considering the utility, invasiveness, and cost-effectiveness. We evaluated accuracies of various diagnostic modalities for biliary strictures comparing pathology in the Delphi meetings which were held in Rochester, MN. The diagnostic utility for each modality was graded according to the experts, including gastroenterologists, endoscopists, radiologists, and pathologists from the United States and Japan. Diagnostic utility of 10 modalities, including serum IgG4 level, noninvasive imaging, endoscopic ultrasound, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography–related diagnostic procedures were advocated and the reasons were specified. Serum IgG4 level, noninvasive imaging, diagnostic endoscopic ultrasound and intraductal ultrasonography under endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography were recognized as useful modalities for the diagnosis. The information in this article will aid in the diagnosis of biliary strictures particularly for distinguishing IgG4–SC from cholangiocarcinoma and/or primary SC.

ID: 3524051 ABLATIVE EFFECT OF ENDOBILIARY RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION FOR HILAR CHOLANGIOCARCINOMA: EVALUATION BY USING PERORAL CHOLANGIOSCOPY AND INTRADUCTAL ULTRASONOGRAPHY

Recently, the endobiliary radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been showed clinical efficacies in terms of stent patency and/or survival in a management of malignant biliary stricture (MBS). However, there are limitation in evaluating the thermal ablative effect of RFA in the bile duct only using ERCP and radiological diagnostic methods. In this study, we studied the efficacy of RFA by using peroral cholangioscopy (POC) and intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) before and after endobiliary RFA in hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

EVOLUTION OF TREATMENT OF CANCER OF THE MAJOR DUODENAL PAPILLA

Cancer of the major duodenal papilla is a rare disease with a reported population incidence of 6 per million. Endoscopic ultrasonography and intraductal ultrasonography are useful for diagnosing tumor extension of the major duodenal papilla. However, there are no specific biochemical studies or tumor markers, and an algorithm for early diagnosis of cancer of the major duodenal papilla has not been developed. Pancreatoduodenal resection remains the main treatment method for patients with a resectable tumor. However, long-term outcomes of radical surgeries are not satisfactory, with the median survival rate of 52–113 months, and the 5-year survival rate of 30–78.8 %. The study of prognostic factors will allow the development of the effective schemes of radical treatment, a therapeutic algorithm that will inevitably increase life expectancy. Radical surgery should be integrated into multi-modal treatment. Of all the variety of prognostic factors, the morphological differentiation of the tumor is of interest. According to our data, the overall 5-year survival rate, the average life expectancy for pancreatobiliary and intestinal subtypes of cancer of the major duodenal papilla after expanded pancreatoduodenal resection, respectively, was 0 % versus 38.05 % and 9.3 ± 1.79 months versus 48.0 ± 7.69 months. An accurate morphological diagnosis is of paramount prognostic importance, since it can have therapeutic consequences; that is, morphologically oriented and specific (neo)adjuvant treatment corresponding to subtypes of cancer of the major duodenal papilla. Currently, a multi-modal approach in the treatment of cancer of the major duodenal papilla is under development. Data on the use of adjuvant therapy in the radical treatment regimen are contradictory. There are no randomized controlled trials for neoadjuvant treatment. Little attention is paid to complications of chemotherapy and radiation therapy in the neoadjuvant treatment option. According to our data, chemoembolization of the gastro-duodenal artery resulted in complications in 21.4 %, and external beam radiation therapy resulted in radiation-induced injuries in 25 %. NCC N and ESMO currently do not provide recommendations for (neo)adjuvant treatment of cancer of the major duodenal papilla.

Role of Endoscopic Procedures in the Diagnosis of IgG4-Related Pancreatobiliary Disease.

The emergence of the disease entity of glucocorticoid-responsive systemic immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related pancreatobiliary disease has generated substantial attention among the international gastroenterology society. IgG4-related pancreatobiliary disease includes type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis (IgG4-SC). The typical manifestations of IgG4-related pancreatobiliary disease are cholestatic liver dysfunction, obstructive jaundice, and weight loss, although it may present with no clinical symptoms. Since it mimics tumors on imaging, AIP/IgG4-SC may often be misdiagnosed as pancreatic or biliary cancer. The endoscopic armamentarium for the diagnosis of IgG4-related pancreatobiliary disease includes endoscopic ultrasonography, intraductal ultrasonography, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, and cholangioscopy. The role of endoscopic tissue acquisition is two-fold in the diagnosis of IgG4-related pancreatobiliary disease: exclusion of cancer and procurement of histopathological proof for diagnosis of AIP/IgG4-SC, which can also be achieved by adding the immunohistochemistry for IgG4. Our review article addresses the role of various endoscopic examinations in diagnosing IgG4-related pancreatobiliary disease, focusing on the differentiation of this condition from pancreatobiliary malingnancies.

Diagnosis by endoscopic ultrasonography and intraductal ultrasonography for biliary cancer

Diagnosis by endoscopic ultrasonography and intraductal ultrasonography for biliary cancer

The Diagnosis of Autoimmune Pancreatitis Using Endoscopic Ultrasonography.

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is characterized by enlargement of the pancreas and irregular narrowing of the main pancreatic duct. It is often associated with IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis (IgG4-SC), in which the bile duct narrows. Although characteristic irregular narrowing of the pancreatic duct caused by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is noted in AIP, it is difficult to differentiate between localized AIP and pancreatic carcinoma based on imaging of the pancreatic duct. While stenosis of the bile duct in IgG4-SC is characterized by longer-length stenosis than in cholangiocarcinoma, differentiation based on bile duct imaging alone is challenging. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) can characterize hypoechoic enlargement of the pancreas or bile duct wall thickening in AIP and IgG4-SC, and diagnosis using elastography and contrast-enhanced EUS are being evaluated. The utility of EUS-guided fine needle aspiration for the histological diagnosis of AIP has been reported and is expected to improve diagnostic performance for AIP. Findings in the bile duct wall from endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography followed by intraductal ultrasonography are useful in differentiating IgG4-SC from cholangiocarcinoma. Diagnoses based on endoscopic ultrasonography play a central role in the diagnosis of AIP.

Usefulness of half-covered metallic stent placement in preventing acute cholecystitis complication in pancreatic cancer-induced distal biliary stricture.

Background and AimA self‐expandable metallic stent (SEMS) is commonly used for biliary stricture caused by pancreatic cancer. Covered SEMS may obstruct the cystic duct, causing acute cholecystitis. This study aimed to determine the outcomes of using a half‐covered SEMS with an offset covered portion for preventing cystic duct obstruction.MethodsAmong 80 patients with half‐covered SEMS placement for the treatment of pancreatic cancer‐induced distal biliary stricture, 74 were followed up. The half‐covered SEMS has a total length of 6 or 7 cm, and the offset covered part was 0.5–4.5 or 0.5–5.5 cm, respectively. Intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) and endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) were performed during the initial endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). IDUS findings and ENBD tube cholangiogram confirmed the cystic duct confluence. SEMS placement was performed on the second ERCP or several weeks after the initial tube stent placement.ResultsHalf‐covered SEMS placement was successful in all patients. However, four (5.4%) patients exhibited early complications, including acute cholecystitis in one patient and stent displacement in another. Over 30 days, cholangitis, tumor growth, and stent displacement occurred in nine (11.3%), five (6.3%), and two (2.5%) patients, respectively. The median stent patency was 71.1 weeks, and the median overall survival in patients with and without chemotherapy was 31.8 and 12.2 weeks, respectively.ConclusionsWith confirmation of the cystic duct confluence, half‐covered SEMS placement may become a treatment option for distal biliary stricture caused by pancreatic cancer to prevent acute cholecystitis. Half‐covered SEMS patency was comparable with that of covered SEMS.

Intraductal Ultrasonography Can Enhance the Success of Endoscopic Transpapillary Gallbladder Drainage in Patients with Acute Cholecystitis.

Intraductal Ultrasonography Can Enhance the Success of Endoscopic Transpapillary Gallbladder Drainage in Patients with Acute Cholecystitis.

Endoscopic sphincterotomy to prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis in patients with biliary neoplasms: a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

Background and aims Treatment of biliary neoplasms often involves multiple endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-related procedures. Endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) may prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). This retrospective, multicenter cohort study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of ES for prevention of PEP in patients with biliary neoplasm. Methods Patients with biliary duct neoplasm who underwent ERCP between January 2006 and December 2016 were enrolled. The frequency of PEP was compared between the ES and non-ES groups using propensity score analysis. The effectiveness of ES in subgroups of patients who underwent biliary duct stent placement, intraductal ultrasound (IDUS), and transpapillary biliary duct biopsy was analyzed by logistic regression. Results Of the 362 patients enrolled, 84 (23.2 %) developed PEP. Propensity score matching for PEP risk factors in 172 ERCP procedures showed that the frequency of PEP in the ES group was lower than that in the non-ES group (19.7 % vs. 33.7 %). Non-ES was also an independent risk factor for PEP in patients who underwent intraductal ultrasound and transpapillary biliary duct biopsy (RR = 4.54 and 5.26), but was not an independent risk factor for PEP in patients with biliary duct stents. In addition, there was no evidence that the frequency of PEP was statistically different between patients with plastic stents and metal stents in the ES and non-ES groups ( P = 0.14 and 0.10). Conclusions ES is an effective technique to prevent PEP in patients with biliary neoplasms. In particular, ES is a safe technique to prevent PEP when performing IDUS and transpapillary biliary duct biopsy.

A New Technique of Endoscopic Transpapillary Gallbladder Drainage Combined with Intraductal Ultrasonography for the Treatment of Acute Cholecystitis.

Background/Aims:Endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage (ETGBD) is useful for the treatment of acute cholecystitis; however, the technique is difficult to perform. When intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) is combined with ETGBD, the orifice of the cystic duct in the common bile duct may be more easily detected in the cannulation procedure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ETGBD with IDUS compared with that of ETGBD alone. Methods:A total of 100 consecutive patients with acute cholecystitis requiring ETGBD were retrospectively recruited. The first 50 consecutive patients were treated using ETGBD without IDUS, and the next 50 patients were treated using ETGBD with IDUS. Through propensity score matching analysis, we compared the clinical outcomes between the groups. The primary outcome was the technical success rate. Results:The technical success rate of ETGBD with IDUS was significantly higher than that of ETGBD without IDUS (92.0% vs. 76.0%, p=0.044). There was no significant difference in procedure length between the two groups (74.0 min vs. 66.7 min, p=0.310). The complication rate of ETGBD with IDUS was significantly higher than that of ETGBD without IDUS (6.0% vs. 0%, p<0.001); however, only one case showed an IDUS technique-related complication (pancreatitis). Conclusions:The assistance of IDUS may be useful in ETGBD.

Modern imaging modalities for diseases associated with obstructive jaundice syndrome

Obstructive jaundice (OJ) is a syndrome characterized by bile staining of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera as a complication of pathological processes that lead to disruption of the bile ducts at various levels of the biliary tract. Obstructive jaundice represents various diseases with different onset, course, and outcome, as well as etiology, which implies the difficulties of the diagnostic process. Identification of a cholestasis cause and treatment of patients with OJ remain urgent and difficult tasks due to the steady rise in diseases of the hepatopancreatoduodenal zone (HPDZ) and the high frequency of diagnostic errors. The latter can lead to the progression of liver failure, as well as to the development of severe complications, which, in turn, are fatal. A significant role in detecting HPDZ pathology belongs to the radiological methods of studies, such as transabdominal ultrasonography (TUS), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS), magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), helical computed tomography (hCT), and helical CT cholangiography (hCT-CG). However, it should be noted that, as of today, there is no well-established conventional radiological algorithm for determining the causes of biliary obstruction. This, in turn, leads to repeated or sequential inefficient administration of all possible methods of visualization, complicating the diagnostic algorithm. In this regard, it is advisable to perform an in-depth study of the Russian and foreign literature sources, highlighting the problem of an early and highly effective diagnostics of the causes of biliary obstruction in patients with OJ.