Direct Peroral Cholangioscopy Research Articles

Comparison of disposable digital single-operator cholangioscopy versus direct peroral cholangioscopy for the diagnosis of intraductal superficial lesions of the bile duct.

Disposable digital single-operator cholangioscopy (D-SOC) and direct peroral cholangioscopy (D-POC) using an ultraslim endoscope are established POC modalities for the diagnosis and treatment of various biliary diseases. We compared the usefulness of D-SOC and D-POC for the diagnosis of intraductal superficial lesions of the bile duct (ISL-Bs). In total, 38 consecutive patients with suspected biliary diseases who underwent both D-SOC and D-POC were enrolled. The primary outcome was the detection rate of the ISL-Bs, and the secondary outcomes were the technical success of POC and POC-guided forceps biopsy sampling (POC-FB), procedure time, visualization quality, and tissue adequacy. D-SOC had a higher technical success rate than D-POC but without a statistically significant difference (100% vs. 92.1%, P = 0.248). D-POC had a marginally higher ISL-B detection rate (34.2% vs. 28.9%, P = 0.683) and significantly higher visualization quality (P = 0.033). The mean procedure time was significantly shorter with D-SOC (11.00 ± 1.34 vs. 19.03 ± 2.95 min, P < 0.001). The technical success rate of POC-FB and tissue adequacy did not differ between the two techniques (D-SOC vs. D-POC: 81.8% vs. 84.6%, P = 0.693 and 77.8% vs. 90.9%, P = 0.566). Our results demonstrate that both POC systems are safe and useful for the detection, characterization, and diagnosis of minute ISL-Bs. While D-SOC displayed a shorter procedure time and a tendency for higher technical success rate, D-POC provided superior visualization quality, allowing detailed observation of the surface structure and microvascular patterns.

Endoscopic treatment of bile duct stones with benign choledochojejunal anastomotic stenosis

[BACKGROUND AND AIMS]: Endoscopic interventions for bile duct stones (BDS) with benign choledochojejunal anastomotic stenosis (bCJS) are challenging. Therefore, we investigated endoscopic interventions for BDS with bCJS. [METHODS]: Seventeen patients with BDS with bCJS were retrospectively analyzed. Patient characteristics, technical success, adverse events (AEs), and recurrence were evaluated. [RESULTS]: In 17 patients, the median diameters of the bile duct and BDS were both 8 mm. The median number of BDS was 3. The technical success rate was 94% (16/17). Ten patients underwent balloon dilation at the choledochojejunal anastomotic site (CAS), the median diameter of balloon dilation was 10.5 mm, and waist disappearance was achieved in 2. Six patients had fully covered self-expandable metal stents (FCSEMS) with a diameter of 10 mm placed at the CAS. BDS were removed after balloon dilation or FCSEMS removal, and 6 out of 16 patients were treated with a combination of lithotripsy and 5 with peroral direct cholangioscopy (PDCS). Regarding AEs, perforation at the CAS by balloon dilation occurred in 1 patient. The median follow-up was 3701 days. Nine out of 16 patients (56%) had recurrence. The patients treated with combination of PDCS at BDS removal (p=0.022) and waist disappearance at the CAS by balloon dilation (p=0.035) had significantly fewer recurrences. [CONCLUSIONS]: Endoscopic interventions for BDS with bCJS are useful and relatively safe; however, long-term follow-ups showed frequent recurrences. Recurrence was common in patients not treated with the combination of PDCS at BDS removal and those without waist disappearance at the CAS by balloon dilation.

Detection of residual stones by peroral direct cholangioscopy in patients with intrahepatic stones after hepaticojejunostomy: A prospective study (with video)

Background and AimsThe difficulty of radiographic confirmation of the presence of stones remains a challenge in the treatment of intrahepatic bile duct (IHBD) stones in patients after hepaticojejunostomy (HJ). Peroral direct cholangioscopy (PDCS) enables direct observation of the bile duct and is useful for detecting and removing residual stones; however, its effectiveness is not clearly established in this clinical context. MethodsThis single-center, single-arm, prospective study included 44 patients with IHBD who underwent bowel reconstruction with HJ during the study period. Stone removal was performed by short-type double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE). Following balloon-occluded cholangiography, the DBE was exchanged for an ultraslim endoscope through the balloon overtube for PDCS. The primary endpoint was the rate of residual stones detected by PDCS. Secondary endpoints were success rate of PDCS, residual stone removal with PDCS, procedure time for PDCS, procedure-related adverse events, and stone recurrence rate. ResultsPDCS was successful in 39/44 patients (89%), among whom residual stones were detected in 16 (41%) (95% CI: 28%–54%). Twelve patients (75%) had residual stones <5 mm. Stone removal was successful in 15 (94%) patients and median procedure time for PDCS was 16 (IQR: 10–26) min. The rate of procedure-related adverse events was 7% (3/44), all of which improved with conservative treatment. During median follow-up of 2.1 years (IQR: 1.4–3.3), the overall probability of recurrence-free status at 1, 2, and 3 years was 100%, 92%, and 86%, respectively. ConclusionsPDCS is a safe and effective procedure for complete stone removal in patients with IHBD stones after HJ.

Usefulness of Direct Peroral Cholangioscopy Using a Multibending Ultraslim Endoscope for the Management of Intrahepatic Bile Duct Lesions (with Videos).

: Peroral cholangioscopy (POC) has been used to assess intrahepatic duct (IHD) lesions but with a limited role. A new multibending (MB) ultraslim endoscope has been designed to improve POC performance. We evaluated the usefulness of POC using the MB ultraslim endoscope for the management of IHD lesions. : Between March 2017 and March 2020, 22 patients underwent direct POC using the MB ultraslim endoscope for IHD lesions documented by previous imaging or cholangiopancreatography. The primary outcome was technical success of POC, and secondary outcomes were technical success of POC-guided interventions, median procedure time, and POC-related adverse events. : The technical success rate for POC using the MB ultraslim endoscope for IHD lesions was 95.5% (21/22). Free-hand insertion was successful in 95.2% (20/21). The overall technical success rate for POC-guided intervention was 100% (21/21), including nine diagnostic and 12 therapeutic procedures (eight direct stone removal and four intraductal lithotripsies). The median procedure time was 29 minutes (range, 9 to 79 minutes). There were no procedure-related adverse events. : Direct POC using the MB ultraslim endoscope allows direct visualization of IHD lesions and may be useful for diagnosis and therapeutic management in selected patients.

Choledocholithotripsy using peroral direct cholangioscopy through a standard gastroscope for a giant common bile duct stone: a case report.

Choledocholithotripsy using peroral direct cholangioscopy through a standard gastroscope for a giant common bile duct stone: a case report.

Electrohydraulic lithotripsy with direct peroral cholangioscopy via double-balloon enteroscopy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in a liver transplant recipient.

Electrohydraulic lithotripsy with direct peroral cholangioscopy via double-balloon enteroscopy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in a liver transplant recipient.

Biliary papillomatosis.

Biliary papillomatosis (BP) is a rare disorder of the biliary tract characterized by the presence of multiple papillary adenomas spread along the biliary tree. Although benign, it carries a significant risk of malignant transformation. Due to low sensitivity and specificity of conventional radiologic modalities, the diagnosis as well as estimation of disease extent is difficult. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) are superior although direct peroral cholangioscopy (POC) is currently the most accurate diagnostic method. Mainly because it provides more detailed information and makes targeted histological diagnosis possible. The treatment of biliary papillomatosis consists of surgical resection, liver transplantation (LT) or a combination of both. Unfortunately, the recurrence rate after radical surgery without LT remains high due to the diffuse distribution of the disease.

Argon plasma coagulation under direct peroral cholangioscopy for intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the gallbladder.

Argon plasma coagulation under direct peroral cholangioscopy for intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the gallbladder.

One-step balloon-assisted direct peroral cholangioscopy prior to placing the anti-reflux self-expandable metal stent.

One-step balloon-assisted direct peroral cholangioscopy prior to placing the anti-reflux self-expandable metal stent.

Detection and endoscopic classification of intraductal neoplasms of the bile duct by peroral cholangioscopy with narrow-band imaging (with videos).

Indirect diagnostic modalities are unsatisfactory for detecting intraductal neoplasm of the bile duct (IN-B), which can be detected by peroral cholangioscopy (POC) with narrow-band imaging (NBI). We investigated the POC findings of IN-B and developed a feasible endoscopic classification system. Four hundred seventy-one patients who underwent direct POC from April 2008 to July 2020 were enrolled. Intraductal superficial lesions of the bile duct (ISL-Bs) were classified according to surface structure and microvascular pattern on POC with NBI and correlated to histologic findings after POC-guided forceps biopsy sampling (POC-FB) or surgery. The primary outcome was the detection rate of IN-Bs, and the secondary outcomes were the associations of POC findings with IN-B, technical success rates of POC and POC-FB, and adverse events. Direct POC was successful in 458 of 471 patients (97.2%). Among the patients, 131 (27.8%) exhibited ISL-Bs. The technical success rate of POC-FB was 94.7% (124/131). Among the 124 patients who underwent POC-FB, IN-B was revealed in 54 (43.5%), for a detection rate of 11.8% (54/458). Papillary lesions (P= .041), nodular lesions (P= .044), and irregularly or regularly dilated and tortuous vessels (P= .004 and P= .006, respectively) were POC findings associated with IN-B. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of the novel classification system was .899. POC with NBI can be useful for the detection of IN-Bs. Our novel classification system based on both surface structure and microvascular pattern may allow differentiation of IN-B from ISL-Bs.

The interventional direct peroral cholangioscopy toolbox for endoscopic snare resection of a high-grade biliary intraductal neoplasia.

Video 1Demonstration of techniques for performing direct peroral cholangioscopy.

Peroral direct cholangioscopy using balloon endoscopy for massive bile duct stones after Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy.

Peroral direct cholangioscopy using balloon endoscopy for massive bile duct stones after Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy.

Efficacy and safety of direct peroral cholangioscopy using a new multibending ultra-slim endoscope for the management of biliary diseases.

Compared with currently available duodenoscopy-assisted systems, direct peroral cholangioscopy (DPOC) using an ultra-slim endoscope is limited by technical difficulties. The multibending (MB) ultra-slim endoscope was introduced as a dedicated cholangioscope for DPOC to challenge the technical problem. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical utility of DPOC using an MB endoscope with free-hand insertion into the bile duct in patients with biliary diseases. A total of 145 patients who underwent DPOC using an MB endoscope were analyzed. The primary outcome was the technical success rate of DPOC using the free-hand insertion of the MB endoscope. The secondary outcomes were the technical success rates of DPOC-guided diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, the diagnostic accuracy of DPOC-guided target biopsy, and adverse events related to DPOC. Free-hand biliary insertion of a MB endoscope for DPOC was technically successful in 133 patients (91.7%). DPOC-guided target biopsy was successful in 36 of 38 patients (94.7%) and had a diagnostic accuracy of 91.7% (95% confidence interval, 82.6-100). Sixty-nine therapeutic interventions were performed; technical success was achieved in 65 (94.2%). No severe adverse events were observed. The MB ultra-slim endoscope was technically effective to perform a DPOC including various diagnosis and therapeutic interventions without device assistance. MB endoscope is considered to contribute to expanding a role of DPOC in diagnosis and treatment of diverse biliary tract diseases.

Successful removal of an uncovered metallic stent using peroral direct cholangioscopy and the stent-in-stent technique.

Successful removal of an uncovered metallic stent using peroral direct cholangioscopy and the stent-in-stent technique.

Efficacy of narrow-band imaging during peroral cholangioscopy for predicting malignancy of indeterminate biliary strictures (with videos)

Direct peroral cholangioscopy (POC) can be useful when combined with narrow-band imaging (NBI) to explore the etiologies of indeterminate biliary strictures. We evaluated the efficacy of NBI compared with that of conventional white-light imaging (WLI) during POC diagnosis of indeterminate biliary strictures. Consecutive patients with indeterminate biliary strictures were enrolled from 2016 to 2019. The primary outcome was diagnostic accuracy, and secondary outcomes were technical success, adverse events, and visualization quality when predicting malignancy. Seventy-one patients underwent direct POC under NBI during targeted biopsy sampling. The strictures were successfully explored and adequate biopsy samples obtained in 67 of 71 patients (94.4%). In terms of visual impression, WLI and NBI afforded 75.0% and 87.5% sensitivity, 82.9 and 91.4% specificity, and 82.8 and 91.3% accuracy, respectively. The areas under the WLI and NBI receiver-operating characteristic curves were .80 and .96 (P= .01). Under NBI, the visualization quality of surface structures, microvessels, and lesional margins was higher than that under conventional WLI (P< .05). Direct POC under NBI effectively and accurately predicts malignancies of indeterminate biliary strictures. NBI effectively illuminated surface structures, microvessels, and lesional margins.

Utility of Direct Peroral Cholangioscopy Using a Multibending Ultraslim Endoscope for Difficult Common Bile Duct Stones

Background/AimsTreatment options for difficult bile duct stones are limited. Direct peroral cholangioscopy (POC)-guided lithotripsy may be an option. A newly developed multibending (MB) ultraslim endoscope has several structural features optimized for direct POC. We evaluated the utility of direct POC using an MB ultraslim endoscope for lithotripsy in patients with difficult bile duct stones.MethodsTwenty patients with difficult bile duct stones, in whom stone removal using conventional endoscopic methods, including mechanical lithotripsy, had failed were enrolled from March 2018 to August 2019. Direct POC-guided lithotripsy was performed by electrohydraulic lithotripsy or laser lithotripsy. The primary outcome was complete ductal clearance, defined as the retrieval of all bile duct stones after lithotripsy confirmed by balloon-occluded cholangiography and/or direct POC.ResultsThe technical success rate of direct POC was 100% (20/20), and the free-hand insertion rate was 95% (19/20). Direct POC-guided lithotripsy, attempted by electrohydraulic lithotripsy in nine patients (45%) and laser lithotripsy in 11 patients (55%), was successful in 95% (19/20) of the patients. Complete ductal clearance after direct POC-guided lithotripsy was achieved in 95% (19/20) of patients. Patients required a median of 2 (range, 1–3) endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography sessions for complete stone removal. Adverse event was observed in one patient (5%) with hemobilia and was treated conservatively.ConclusionsDirect POC using an MB ultraslim endoscope was safe and effective for lithotripsy in patients with difficult bile duct stones.

Consensus guidelines on the role of cholangioscopy to diagnose indeterminate biliary stricture.

Indeterminate strictures pose a therapeutic dilemma. In recent years, cholangioscopy has evolved and the availability of cholangioscopy has increased. However, the position of cholangioscopy in the diagnostic algorithm to diagnose malignancy have not been well established. We aim to develop a consensus statement regarding the clinical role of cholangioscopy in the diagnosis of indeterminate biliary strictures. The international experts reviewed the evidence and modified the statements using a three-step modified Delphi method. Each statement achieves consensus when it has at least 80% agreement. Nine final statements were formulated. An indeterminate biliary stricture is defined as that of uncertain etiology under imaging or tissue diagnosis. When available, cholangioscopic assessment and guided biopsy during the first round of ERCP may reduce the need to perform multiple procedures. Cholangioscopy are helpful in diagnosing malignant biliary strictures by both direct visualization and targeted biopsy. The absence of disease progression for at least 6 months is supportive of non-malignant etiology. Direct per-oral cholangioscopy provides the largest accessory channel, better image definition, with image enhancement but is technically demanding. Image enhancement during cholangioscopy may increase the diagnostic sensitivity of visual impression of malignant biliary strictures. Cholangioscopic imaging characteristics including tumor vessels, papillary projection, nodular or polypoid mass, and infiltrative lesions are highly suggestive for neoplastic/malignant biliary disease. The risk of cholangioscopy related cholangitis is higher than in standard ERCP, necessitating prophylactic antibiotics and ensuring adequate biliary drainage. Per-oral cholangioscopy may not be the modality of choice in the evaluation of distal biliary strictures due to inherent technical difficulties. Evidence supports that cholangioscopy has an adjunct role to abdominal imaging and ERCP tissue acquisition in order to evaluate and diagnose indeterminate biliary strictures.

EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy and antegrade direct peroral cholangioscopy: An effective alternative to overcome the distance (with video).

EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy and antegrade direct peroral cholangioscopy: An effective alternative to overcome the distance (with video).

A Rare Complication of Barium Swallow Test

Question: A 70-year-old man with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumor of the duodenum underwent robotic subtotal stomach-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). During the surgery, retrocolic reconstruction for pancreaticojejunostomy and hepaticojejunostomy, as well as antecolic reconstruction for gastrojejunostomy, were performed. Surgical anatomy following these reconstructions is illustrated in Figure A. The patient’s postoperative follow-up was uneventful. Six months later, the patient underwent a barium swallow test for a medical checkup at another hospital. The examination found no significant findings in the stomach, but revealed reflux of the barium sulfate into the intrahepatic biliary trees through the afferent loop (Figure B). After the barium swallow test on that day, the patient was referred to our hospital. He complained only of fever, but did not demonstrate other symptoms. The laboratory findings showed the following unremarkable changes: white blood cell, 6920/μL; total bilirubin, 0.89 mg/dL; direct bilirubin, 0.25 mg/dL; aspartate transaminase 23 U/L; alanine aminotransferase, 22 U/L; and C-reactive protein, 0.76 mg/dL. The abdominal computed tomography revealed retained barium sulfate in the bilateral biliary system (Figure C). What is the treatment strategy for this patient? Look on page 402 for the answer and see the Gastroenterology website (www.gastrojournal.org) for more information on submitting your favorite image to Clinical Challenges and images in GI. Retained barium sulfate in the biliary system may cause hepatolithiasis because of progressive water absorption, leading to complications such as obstructive jaundice, cholangitis, and sepsis.1Walsham A. Larsen J. Adverse effects of barium sulfate in the biliary tract.Diagn Interv Radiol. 2008; 14: 94-96PubMed Google Scholar Despite the absence of guidelines for the treatment of barium-induced choleliths, evidence-based guidelines for hepatolithiasis after biliary reconstruction propose peroral endoscopic treatment as the first-line option, or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) as an alternative.2Tazuma S. Unno M. Igarashi Y. et al.Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for cholelithiasis 2016.J Gastroenterol. 2017; 52: 276-300Crossref PubMed Scopus (71) Google Scholar However, endoscopic approaches using a double-balloon endoscope (DBE) could be less invasive and have several advantages in bilateral drainage as well as in the accurate evaluation for residual choleliths with peroral direct cholangioscopy.3Ishihara Y. Matsumoto K. Kato H. et al.Treatment outcomes, including risk factors of stone recurrence, for hepatolithiasis using balloon-assisted endoscopy in patients with hepaticojejunostomy (with video).Surg Endosc. 2020; 34: 1895-1902Google Scholar Therefore, urgent endoscopic intervention was attempted in this case. In facilities where DBEs are not available, PTBD should be considered. Using DBE, saline was injected into the biliary trees via a catheter through the hepaticojejunostomy, and barium sulfate lodged at the main bile duct was washed out (Figure D). An endoscopic nasobiliary drainage tube was placed, and further irrigation was conducted for 3 days. After confirmation of duct clearance by a computed tomography scan, the patient was discharged. The reflux of orally administered barium sulfate into the intrahepatic biliary system is a rare but complicated adverse effect of a barium swallow test. To date, several conditions, including spontaneous or postoperative fistula and choledochoenterostomy, have been reported to be associated with reflux.1Walsham A. Larsen J. Adverse effects of barium sulfate in the biliary tract.Diagn Interv Radiol. 2008; 14: 94-96PubMed Google Scholar However, to our knowledge, this report is the first of barium sulfate reflux into the intrahepatic biliary trees in a patient undergoing PD. Urgent endoscopic intervention was safe and effective to prevent barium-induced biliary complications. In conclusion, the present case demonstrated a rare complication of barium sulfate in the biliary system following biliary reconstruction. It suggests that barium swallow test following PD should be contraindicated. Therefore, in similar patients experiencing this rare adverse effect, urgent intervention with DBE or PTBD should be performed to avoid complex biliary complications.

Feasibility study of endoscopic biliary drainage under direct peroral cholangioscopy by using an ultra-slim upper endoscope (with videos).

The therapeutic utility of peroral cholangioscopy (POC) is limited. Direct POC using an ultra‑slim upper endoscope expands the therapeutic indications because of its larger working channel, of up to 2.2 mm. We evaluated the feasibility of selective biliary drainage using a plastic stent under direct POC. From April 2015 to March 2019, biliary drainage under endoscopic visualization was performed in the same endoscopic session as direct POC without exchanging the duodenoscope. After guidewire insertion through the stricture or stone, a 5 Fr plastic stent and/or nasobiliary drainage catheter was used for biliary drainage. Selective biliary drainage under direct POC was performed in 32 patients, including 17 with difficult bile duct stones. Biliary drainage was performed with a plastic stent in 29 patients, nasobiliary drainage in one, and combined drainage in two patients. The technical success rate for biliary drainage placement under direct POC was 100 % (32/32). No significant procedure-related complications occurred. In conclusion, biliary drainage with a plastic stent or catheter under direct POC using an ultra-slim upper endoscope is feasible and may be useful for lesions obstructing the bile duct.