Treatment Of Biliary Sludge Research Articles

The Efficacy of a Combination of Milk Thistle, Artichoke, and Green Tea in the Treatment of Biliary Sludge: An Interventional Prospective Open Study

Background: In Western countries, 10–20% of adults have gallstones, of which about 1–3% of patients are symptomatic for biliary colic. The treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid is debated. Silymarin is emerging nowadays as a natural substance with choleretic and beneficial properties, useful in the case of gallbladder sludge. Aim: The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of supplementation with a mix of natural compounds (milk thistle 150 mg, artichoke 150 mg, and green tea 150 mg) in patients affected by biliary sludge in reducing biliary colic and biliary sludge and improving lipid profiles after 3 months of treatment compared to a control group. Patients and Methods: This was an interventional open study on 65 consecutive adult patients (23 M/42 F; mean age 61.0 ± 18.7 years) affected by biliary sludge without indication for surgery, admitted to the Internal Medicine Department of San Carlo di Nancy Hospital Rome. Forty patients were treated with milk thistle 150 mg, artichoke 150 mg, and green tea 150 mg, 2 capsules/day for three months, and followed up for abdominal ultrasound, the frequency of occurrence of biliary colic, and blood tests. Twenty-five control group patients were followed up for abdominal ultrasound, the frequency of occurrence of biliary colic, and blood tests after 3 months. Results: In Group A, we observed a disappearance of biliary sludge in 32.4% (12/37) of patients compared to 8.7% in the control group (p < 0.05). In 32.4% of treated patients, we report a reduction in biliary sludge. There were no side effects during treatment. In both groups, we registered a significant reduction in transaminases and gamma-glutamyl transferase (γ-GT) (p < 0.05). No significant modification of the lipid profile was observed. Conclusions: The treatment with a mix of natural compounds (milk thistle, artichoke, and green tea) in patients affected by symptomatic biliary colic resulted in efficacy and safety in reducing biliary sludge, biliary colic, and transaminases levels after three months of treatment. The limitations of this study include a small number of patients and the absence of long-term follow up after the end of treatment.

Evaluation of therapeutic efficiency of various drugs of ursodeoxycholic acid in the treatment of biliary sludge

Biliary sludge (BS) refers to the pre-stone stage of gallstone disease. Timely treatment of this condition with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) drugs helps prevent the progression of the disease. However, not all drugs used in practice are equally effective in relieving clinical manifestations, resolving sludge according to ultrasound results and tolerance. To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of the drug Ursofalk in comparison with other UDCA drugs used for the treatment of BS. We examined 105 people with different types of BS identified during ultrasound examination (US); they were divided into 2 groups depending on the UDCA drug taken. In patients, the dynamics of clinical manifestations was assessed using a questionnaire, as well as the dynamics of the ultrasound picture while taking UDCA. Statistical analysis showed that Ursofalk significantly better relieves biliary pain (p=0.025) and biliary dyspepsia (p=0.039), pain regression occurs faster (p=0.01) in 21 days. It also has a better tolerance in 94.34% of cases compared to other drugs 67.31% (p=0.017). Ursofalk has a greater effect on the regression of BS according to ultrasound results after 3 months (p=0.022) and 6 months (p=0.016). The drug studied by us demonstrated high efficiency in relation to patients with BS, while there were minimal side effects, which led to a better tolerability of therapy.

Comparative effectiveness of ursodeoxycholic acid preparations in the treatment of biliary sludge

To conduct a comparative analysis of the effectiveness of the use of UDCA: Ursofalk with other UDCA drugs for the treatment of BS in a fixed dose of 10 mg/kg of body weight. The observation group consisted of 225 patients with various types of BS. In randomized groups, the comparison of the effectiveness of UDCA drugs in the dissolution of BS was determined by the data of ultrasound of the gallbladder. Dynamic ultrasound cholecystography using a standardized technique was performed to study the effect of the compared drugs on the contractile function of the liver. When analyzing the impact of ursotherapy on the clinical manifestations of BS, the dynamics of biliary pain syndrome and dyspeptic disorders were evaluated. A comparative analysis of the effectiveness of UDCA drugs for BS lysis with a high degree of confidence established the advantage of Ursofalk: after 3 months in 80%, and after 6 months of therapy in 95.65% of patients, a regression of BS was detected. In the group of patients who took other UDCA, the corresponding indicators were 46.36% and 67.27%. The greatest effectiveness of ursotherapy was demonstrated in the BS variant by the type of suspension of hyperechogenic particles, the lowest in the variant by the type of putty-like bile in the form of mobile or fixed clots. In the last variant of BS, the relationship between the success of lysis with the extension of the UDCA intake period to 6 months and the preferred choice of Ursofalk was traced. Normalization of the contractile function of the gallbladder was noted in patients who took Ursofalk. From the standpoint of therapeutic effectiveness, the drug of choice for the treatment of BS, regardless of its type, is Ursofalk, which has proven the best dynamics of BS litolysis, recovery of the contractile function of the gastrointestinal tract, and relief of clinical symptoms.

Modern approaches to treatment of patients with biliary sludge: how to choose optimal scheme?

Currently, biliary sludge (BS) is considered as a pathological process associated with an increase in the lithogenicity of bile and according to the modern classification of gallstone disease referred to the prestone stage of the disease. In the mechanism of BS formation, the main role belongs to four factors: glut of bile with cholesterol, formation of crystallization nucleus, dysfunction of the gallbladder (contraction, absorption, secretion), violation of the enterohepatic circulation of bile acids. Clinical manifestations in BS are most often associated with concomitant functional disorders of the biliary tract and chronic bacterial duodenitis with duodenal hypertension. The main directions in the treatment of BS are reduced to the restoration of the normal rheological properties of bile, the normalization of the motor function of the biliary system and the duodenum, the correction of the intestinal microbiome. The article discusses effective treatment regimens for BS depending on its morphological features and clinical course with the use of ursodeoxycholic acid or hofitol. The mechanism of Chophytol action (Mayoly Spindler, France) at BS is presented. The additional use of Meteospasmyl in the presence of intestinal antiseptic indications contributes to the rapid resolution of clinical manifestations in this pathology.

Administration of Sex Hormone Preparations as a Risk Factor in the Development of Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy and Biliary Sludge in Pregnant Women

Sex hormone preparations are widely used in obstetrics for the treatment of infertility and miscarriage. Possible adverse effect of sex hormone preparations during pregnancy is their potential adverse impact on the hepatobiliary system. The most common pathology of the liver and gallbladder associated with pregnancy are intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) and biliary sludge (BS).Aim. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of female sex hormones on the course and effectiveness of treatment of ICP and BS during pregnancy. Materials and methods. The study included 158 pregnant women (97 patients with ICP and 61 patients with BS). Exogenous hormonal effects were the use of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) for the onset of conception and/or the use of estrogen and progesterone preparations during pregnancy. ICP was diagnosed on the basis of detection of an elevated level of bile acids (above 8 μmol/L) in the blood serum. Patients underwent clinical, laboratory and instrumental studies (abdominal ultrasound, including the assessment of gallbladder motor-evacuator function initially and after 2 months of treatment, and pelvic ultrasound). Pruritus intensity associated with ICP was assessed using a 0–3 score scale. Patients with BS received treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in a dose of 250–750 mg and choleretic herbal preparation (artichoke extract) for 2 months. Patients with ICP were treated with UDCA in a dose of 500–2000 mg until delivery. Biochemical laboratory parameters in the ICP group were evaluated after 1 and 2 weeks of treatment.Results. More than half of patients with BS and ICP were taking sex hormone preparations or had a pregnancy that occurred after the application of ART programs. In patients who became pregnant after ART, the ICP developed at a significantly earlier time than in patients with a naturally occurring pregnancy (p < 0.001). The use of sex hormones proved to be interrelated with a high frequency of cholestasis recurrence after its regression in the course of the treatment (p < 0.001). Patients with pregnancy after ART programs, as well as taking sex hormones, had an increased risk of BS developement. The intake of sex hormones (p = 0.005) in patients with ICP was associated with a more frequent development of preeclampsia and the need for caesarean section (p = 0.003). The use of ART programs and hormonal therapy, as well as the presence of BS in patients with ICP, were interrelated with oxidative stress. BS on the ICP background was associated with the development of intrauterine fetal hypoxia. In pregnant women with BS, the reception of progestins was significantly (p = 0.004) correlated with functional impairment of the motor function of the biliary tract (BT). In the presence of BS, ICP occurs with more severe liver damage, and the patients are inferior to respond to UDCA treatment. Prognostic factors in the insufficient effectiveness of BS treatment: the use of sex hormone preparations during pregnancy, the presence of the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in the anamnesis, an older age at the time of pregnancy and conception after ART.Conclusion.The use of sex hormone preparations and ART programs are shown to be additional factors contributing to the emergence of ICP and BS during pregnancy. For the pregnant women taking sex hormone preparations and/or becoming pregnant after ART programs, it is important to conduct laboratory and ultrasound screening for early detection and timely treatment of ICP and BS. BC patients of older ages who have become pregnant after ART programs and take sex hormones preparations and/or have a PCOS in an anamnesis may need longer or repeated courses of BS treatment.

Особенности патогенеза, диагностики и лечения желчнокаменной болезни при беременности

The aim of review. To highlight the modern concept of the gallstone disease (GSD) pathogenesis at pregnancy and to discuss modern diagnostic and treatment approaches. Summary. The risk of biliary sludge and cholesterol gallstones at pregnancy is significantly increased that is caused mainly due to elevation of estrogen and progesterone level leading to increased cholesterol synthesis, decreased gallbladder contractility and, as a result, to increased lithogenicity of bile. Clinical presentation of GSD at pregnant patients is similar to that at nonpregnant women. Transabdominal ultrasound investigation play the major role in diagnosis of cholelithiasis at pregnancy. For treatment of symptomatic GSD forms in this the period active surgical approach is becoming more and more common. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a method of choice, and the optimal term for its implementation is the second trimester of pregnancy. Prevention and treatment of biliary sludge in pregnancy may be carried out by ursodeoxycholic acid. Conclusion. Increased risk of cholelithiasis at pregnant women requires further improvement of management approach and search for better methods for treatment and prophylaxis

Резолюция Экспертного совета«Диагностика и лечение больных со сладжем желчного пузыря»

Резолюция Экспертного совета«Диагностика и лечение больных со сладжем желчного пузыря»

The application of sinusoidal modulated currents for the treatment of biliary sludge in an outpatient clinic

The objective of the present study was to evaluate therapeutic effects of sinusoidal modulated currents (SMC) applied for the treatment of patients at different stages of biliary sludge (BS) under conditions of an outpatient clinic. Biliary sludge is currently considered to be a precursor of cholelithiasis known to be a leading pathology of the digestive system responsible for the high surgery rate. It was shown that the introduction of the technique based on sinusoidal modulated currents into the clinical practice of an outpatient clinic increases the efficacy of management of the patients presenting with stage 1 and 2 biliary sludge and showing neither well-apparent clinical symptoms nor signs of metabolic disorders that imply the necessity of more thorough examination and combined application of sinusoidal modulated currents and mediacmental therapy.

Causes, diagnosis and treatment of bilestone and biliary sludge after liver transplantation

目的 探讨肝移植术后胆道结石及胆泥形成的原因及诊治方法.方法回顾性分析我院3例肝移植病人术后发生胆道结石及胆泥的临床资料.结果 3例病人发生胆道结石或胆泥间隔时间为3～6个月,诊断主要通过T管造影以及ERCP或MRCP检查发现.1例采取内窥镜介入治疗,1例采取外科手术取石、胆道重建,还有1例则采取再次肝移植.2例成功取石,分别存活1年、2年,1例再次肝移植病人术后死于严重感染.结论肝移植术后发生胆道结石及胆泥主要与缺血-再灌注损伤、胆道冲洗不充分以及胆道供血不足等有关,胆道造影检查有利于及时诊断,放射介入治疗以及外科手术治疗是常用的治疗方法。