Clinical features and natural history of serous cystic neoplasm of the pancreas

AIMS

To clarify the clinical features and the natural history of serous cystic neoplasm (SCN) of the pancreas.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed data from 30 patients affected by SCN. SCNs were classified as (1) microcystic type, (2) micro- and macrocystic type, and (3) macrocystic type according to the modified WHO classification. Eighteen patients who underwent serial radiographic imaging were identified, and tumor growth rate in these patients was evaluated.

RESULTS

The median age was 62 years, and the female:male ratio was 2:1. Twenty-five patients (83%) were asymptomatic and 5 (17%) were symptomatic. The median tumor size was 2.6 cm. Fifteen cases (50%) had the microcystic type, 7 (23%) the micro- and macrocystic type, and 8 (27%) the macrocystic type. Age, gender, symptoms, location or tumor size did not differ significantly among the three subtypes. Eighteen patients were followed up for a median of 58 months. Morphological changes were observed in 3 patients (17%) and enlargement of tumor size in 9 patients (50%) during the follow-up. The growth rate was 0.29 cm per year and doubling time was 3.5 years; these rates did not differ among morphological subtypes or size of tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

In asymptomatic patients with a clear imaging diagnosis of SCN, nonoperative management with a careful follow-up should be recommended. Surgery should be suggested in only symptomatic patients, those with giant tumors (>10 cm), rapid growing or when the presence of a potentially malignant tumor cannot be excluded. and IAP.

ENBD tube placement prior to laparoscopic cholecystectomy may reduce the rate of complications in cases with predictably complicating biliary anomalies

BACKGROUND

The risk factors predisposing to bile duct injury or postoperative bile leakage associated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) include the presence of an accessory hepatic duct, the anomalous cystic duct confluence, and duct of Luschka. One method to prevent bile duct injury is preoperative placement of an endoscopic nasobiliary drainage tube (ENBD assisted LC). The aims of this investigation are first, to report the incidence of bile duct anomalies according to the classification system proposed by Wakayama Medical University and second, to evaluate the efficacy of ENBD assisted LC with regard to prevention of intraoperative bile duct injury and postoperative bile duct injury or leakage.

METHODS

A total of 1,835 consecutive LCs performed at our institution during a recent 10-year period were reviewed.

RESULTS

Anomalous cystic duct confluence was detected in 11 cases and an accessory hepatic duct was detected in 37 cases. These anomalies were risk factors for bile duct injury in our series. However, there was no significant difference in the length of surgery, conversion rate to laparotomy, or frequency of bile duct injury or leakage between the standard LC group and ENBD assisted LC group.

CONCLUSION

A bile duct anomaly was seen in 2.6% of LC cases. Placement of an ENBD tube prior to LC in predictably complicating bile duct anomalies may have successfully decreased the incidence of complications.

Diagnostic peroral video cholangioscopy is an accurate diagnostic tool for patients with bile duct lesions

BACKGROUND & AIMS

We evaluated the diagnostic ability of a newly developed peroral video cholangioscopy (PVCS) in patients with pancreaticobiliary disorders.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated data from 144 patients with pancreaticobiliary disorders, collected from 5 tertiary referral centers. Endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) or endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD) was performed before PVCS. We performed 2 types of PVCS, using a conventional therapeutic duodenoscope. If tissue samples were needed, cholangioscopy-assisted biopsy or fluoroscopy-guided biopsy was performed.

RESULTS

PVCS was advanced into the bile duct in all cases after patients received EST (n = 134 cases), EPBD (n = 2), a combination of EST and EPBD (n = 1), or without treatment of the major papilla (n = 7). Biopsy samples were collected successfully from 112 of 120 cases in which endoscopists considered tissue sampling necessary. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)/biopsy correctly identified 83 of 96 malignant lesions and 19 of 24 benign lesions (accuracy = 85.0%; sensitivity = 86.5%; specificity = 79.2%; positive predictive value = 94.3%; negative predictive value = 59.4%). Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)/biopsy plus PVCS correctly identified 95 of 96 malignant lesions and 23 of 24 benign lesions (accuracy = 98.3%; sensitivity = 99.0%; specificity = 95.8%; positive predictive value = 99.0%; negative predictive value = 95.8%). Procedure-related complications included pancreatitis (4 cases, 2.8%) and cholangitis (6 cases, 4.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

PVCS is an accurate diagnostic tool for patients with pancreaticobiliary disorders; resolution was well-defined when combined with biopsy analysis. Prospective multicenter clinical trials should evaluate the clinical utility of PVCS in diagnosis of biliary tract diseases.

Large balloon dilation for the treatment of recurrent bile duct stones in patients with previous endoscopic sphincterotomy: preliminary results

OBJECTIVE

Endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) is an established method to treat common bile duct (CBD) stones. Inevitable sequence after ES is a substantial risk of recurrent choledocholithiasis and occasional difficulty in removal of large or multiple CBD stones after ES even when mechanical lithotripsy (ML) is employed. In turn, a new endoscopic technique, large balloon dilation (LBD) after ES, has been introduced. The objective was to analyze the efficacy and safety of LBD in patients with recurrent bile duct stones who have previously undergone ES.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From December 2007 to November 2009, 24 patients with recurrent choledocholithiasis and a history of ES were treated with LBD without additional ES. The size of the balloon for LBD was 15-20 mm and the duration of balloon dilation was 30 s.

RESULTS

Successful stone removal and complications such as perforation, pancreatitis, and bleeding were evaluated as procedure-related outcomes. Postoperative CBD stone recurrence was evaluated as the short term outcome. Complete duct clearance rate without using ML was 96% (23/24 patients) and all stone removal was achieved in one session. Failure to remove stones occurred in one (4.2%) patient. There were no procedure-related complications although one case of aspiration pneumonia occurred after the endoscopy. Recurrent choledocholithiasis after LBD was observed in 12.5% (3/24) of the cases overall.

CONCLUSIONS

LBD is an effective and safe method in patients with recurrent choledocholithiasis not only to treat large stones but also to prevent further recurrence.

Endoscopic treatment of difficult common bile duct stones

Recent developments in treatment devices and advancements in technology have made endoscopic treatment the first choice for bile duct stones. In endoscopic treatment, the stones are removed after expanding the papilla with endoscopic sphincterotomy or endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation. The devices used to remove bile duct stones include basket catheters, balloon catheters and mechanical lithotripters, and their employment varies depending on the clinical situation. Stone removal by endoscopy is superior to other options, although treatment can be difficult in some cases. The reasons are mainly large stones, a history of gastric surgery, and Mirizzi syndrome. For such difficult cases, various adjuvant treatments such as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, electrohydraulic lithotripsy and lasers are recommended rather than using just a mechanical lithotripter. Recently, large-diameter biliary orifice balloon dilation, a method in which the papilla is expanded using a large-diameter balloon, allowing the stones to be removed, has been reported and is attracting increasing attention.

[Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the liver: a case report and review of the literature]

A 66-year-old woman presented to our outpatient clinic with abdominal discomfort in April, 2008. Ultrasound revealed a hypo-echoic 10cm mass in the right hepatic lobe but no indication of chronic liver disease, with similar results in her history, on physical exam, and imaging. Serum testing did not identify any systemic disease. The mass was suspected to be intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and right hepatic lobectomy was performed. Histologic examination of the specimen revealed numerous spindle cells, and immunostaining confirmed a definitive diagnosis of sarcomatoid carcinoma of the liver. On subsequent review of the case, an abdominal CT performed 2.5 years earlier for unrelated symptoms had shown a 1cm faint low density area in the same location as the mass. The doubling time of this tumor was about 95 days.

A prospective randomized controlled multicenter trial of duodenoscopes with 5 degrees and 15 degrees backward-oblique angle using wire-guided cannulation: effects on selective cannulation of the common bile duct in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

BACKGROUND

In duodenoscopy, during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), a backward-oblique angle duodenoscope (BOAD) is generally used. In Japan, 15 degrees BOAD are mainly used, but in Western countries, 5 degrees BOAD are mostly used. In bile duct cannulation associated with ERCP, a catheter for contrast imaging is used in Japan, but wire-guided cannulation (WGC) using a papillotome is standard in Western countries. We conducted a randomized controlled multicenter trial to evaluate the contributions of different duodenoscopes using WGC to selective common bile duct cannulation.

METHODS

Subjects comprised 179 consecutive patients who underwent ERCP. Patients were randomized into the 15 degrees BOAD group (15 degrees group, n = 90) or the 5 degrees BOAD group (5 degrees group, n = 89).

RESULTS

The duodenal papilla could not be accessed endoscopically in two cases from each group. Success rates for bile duct cannulation by WGC without bow-up for the 15 degrees and 5 degrees groups were 85.6 and 56.2%, respectively (P < 0.01). Success rates for bile duct cannulation by WGC with bow-up for the 15 degrees and 5 degrees groups were 88.9 and 78.7%, respectively. Total rates of bile duct cannulation for the 15 degrees and 5 degrees groups were 94.4 and 92.1%, respectively. As for accidents, incidences of acute pancreatitis for the 15 degrees and 5 degrees groups were 5.6 and 9.0%, respectively, with no significant difference seen.

CONCLUSIONS

With 15 degrees BOAD, bile duct cannulation was favorable without papillotome bow-up. With 5 degrees BOAD, the success rate of WGC may be improved by adjusting the angle based on papillotome bow-up.

Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided pancreaticogastrostomy for a case of occlusion of gastro-pancreatic anastomosis after pancreaticoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND

EUS-guided pancreaticogastrostomy is described as an alternative to surgery for ductal decompression when endoscopic transpapillary access is impossible. We report a case where EUS-guided pancreaticogastrostomy of the pancreatic duct was effective for dilatation of the pancreatic duct caused from occlusion of gastro-pancreatic anastomosis constructed after resection of pancreaticoduodenectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The patient was a 79-year-old woman who had undergone operation for IPMN in the pancreatic head in 1998. Nine years after the operation, she visited us for back pain, and conspicuous dilatation of the main pancreatic duct was found. By observing curved liner array EUS scope, we successfully punctured the main pancreatic duct and placed a plastic stent.

RESULTS

After the treatment, the subjective symptom was alleviated and reduction of the dilatation of pancreatic duct was observed in image findings.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic ultrasonography guided pancreaticogastrostomy appears to be an effective treatment for a case of occlusion of gastro-pancreatic anastomosis after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

[A case of primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenocarcinoma]

We encountered a case of primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenocarcinoma with ovarian-type stroma, an extremely rare condition. The patient was a 56-year-old woman with complaints of diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal fullness. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a nodular multi-cystic mass in the left lower quadrant of the abdomen. Subsequent contrast-enhanced CT and MRI determined it to be of retroperitoneal origin, consistent with a mucinous cystadenocarcinoma. Numerous small nodules were confirmed during the operation around the tumor suggesting local dissemination of the cancer and a left partial colectomy that included these nodules was performed. On histological examination, mucinous fluid was found trapped inside the cavity and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma was observed in the solid portions. The ovarian-type stroma was confirmed in the layer beneath the epithelial lining and eventually a final diagnosis of mucinous cystadenocarcinoma was reached.

[Clinical features of acute acalculous cholecystits-nosocomial manner and community-acquired manner]

To clarify the clinical features of acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC), we reviewed 113 cases of AAC experienced from January, 2000 to December, 2007 in regard to patient background, etiology, imaging diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. Functional bile stasis caused AAC in 34 of 113 cases (30.1%), and 28 of those developed in a nosocomial manner (82.4%). On the contrary, mechanical bile stasis caused 37 cases (32.7%), and all but one case developed in a community-acquired manner. mechanical bile stasis included 9 cases of biliary tract neoplasm (5, cystic duct cancer; 3, gallbladder cancer; 1, papillary adenoma). Since considerable cases of AAC were caused by biliary tract neoplasm, we have to pay attention to their existences.

A case of transfusion-transmitted hepatitis E caused by blood from a donor infected with hepatitis E virus via zoonotic food-borne route

BACKGROUND

Five cases of transfusion transmission of hepatitis E virus (HEV) have been reported so far. The infection routes of the causative donors remain unclear, however. Also, the progress of virus markers in the entire course of HEV infection has not been well documented.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Nucleic acid testing was performed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction targeting the open reading frame 2 region of HEV. Full-length nucleotide sequences of HEV RNA were detected by direct sequencing.

RESULTS

Lookback study of a HEV-positive donor revealed that the platelets (PLTs) donated from him 2 weeks previously contained HEV RNA and were transfused to a patient. Thirteen relatives including the donor were ascertained to enjoy grilled pork meats together in a barbecue restaurant 23 days before the donation. Thereafter, his father died of fulminant hepatitis E and the other 6 members showed serum markers of HEV infection. In the recipient, HEV was detected in serum on Day 22 and reached the peak of 7.2 log copies per mL on Day 44 followed by the steep increase of alanine aminotransferase. Immunoglobulin G anti-HEV emerged on Day 67; subsequently, hepatitis was resolved. HEV RNA sequences from the donor and recipient were an identical, Japan-indigenous strain of genotype 4. HEV RNA was detectable up to Day 97 in serum, Day 85 in feces, and Day 71 in saliva.

CONCLUSION

A transfusion-transmitted hepatitis E case by blood from a donor infected via the zoonotic food-borne route and the progress of HEV markers in the entire course are demonstrated. Further studies are needed to clarify the epidemiology and the transfusion-related risks for HEV even in industrialized countries.

Prophylaxis of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis by an endoscopic pancreatic spontaneous dislodgement stent

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Pancreatitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the most common and potentially serious complication of ERCP. The frequency of post-ERCP pancreatitis generally is reported to be between 1% and 9%. One cause of pancreatitis is retention of pancreatic juice resulting from papilledema after the procedure. We conducted a randomized controlled multicenter study to evaluate whether placement of a temporary pancreatic stent designed for spontaneous dislodgement prevents post-ERCP pancreatitis.

METHODS

The subjects were 201 consecutive patients who underwent ERCP. The patients were randomized into the stent placement group (S group = 98) or the nonstent placement group (nS group = 103). The stent used was 5F in diameter, 3 cm in length, straight, and unflanged inside.

RESULTS

Stents were placed successfully in 96% of the S group, and spontaneous stent dislodgment was recognized in 95.7% of those. The mean duration to dislodgment was 2 days, and there were no severe complications. The overall frequency of post-ERCP pancreatitis was 8.5%. The frequency of post-ERCP pancreatitis in the S and nS groups was 3.2% and 13.6%, respectively, showing a significantly lower frequency in the S group (P = .019). The mean increase in amylase level in the pancreatitis patients was significantly higher in the nS group (P = .014).

CONCLUSIONS

The randomized controlled multicenter trial showed that placement of a pancreatic spontaneous dislodgment stent significantly reduces post-ERCP pancreatitis.

Preoperative biliary drainage for hilar cholangiocarcinoma

Hilar cholangiocarcinomas grow slowly, and metastases occur late in the natural history. Surgical cure and long-term survival have been demonstrated, when resection margins are clear. Preoperative biliary drainage has been proposed as a way to improve liver function before surgery, and to reduce post-surgical complications. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) with multiple drains was previously the preferred method for the preoperative relief of obstructive jaundice. However, the introduction of percutaneous transhepatic portal vein embolization (PTPE) and wider resection has changed preoperative drainage strategies. Drainage is currently performed only for liver lobes that will remain after resection, and for areas of segmental cholangitis. Endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD) is less invasive than PTBD. Among EBD techniques, endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) is preferable to endoscopic biliary stenting (EBS), because secondary cholangitis (due to the retrograde flow of duodenal fluid into the biliary tree) does not occur. ENBD needs to be converted to PTBD in patients with segmental cholangitis, those with a prolonged need for drainage, or when the extent of longitudinal tumor extension is not sufficiently well characterized.

Endoscopic resection of benign tumors of the papilla of vater

Most benign papillary tumors are adenomas which can potentially undergo the adenoma-carcinoma-sequence making complete removal mandatory for curative therapy. Endoscopic resection (papillectomy) of these lesions is being increasingly performed as a less traumatic alternative to surgery. Available data shows endoscopic papillectomy to be effective and safe in experienced hands with usually little morbidity and virtually no mortality. Success rates are around 80 % for lesions without intraductal involvement. Selected cases of limited distal intraductal involvement accessible after sphincterotomy may also be managed curatively by endoscopic resection. Endoscopic snare resection of entire lesions should be primarily regarded as a diagnostic procedure. It allows for an accurate histological diagnosis based on examination of the entire specimen rather than forceps biopsies and thus a reliable assessment of the need for surgical therapy. Subsequent surgery in operable patients is not precluded by previous endoscopic resection. Surgery is indicated in case of incomplete removal and if malignancy is present. The curative role of endoscopic papillectomy for early invasive carcinoma needs to be established. Histological features and individual risk for surgery are factors to be considered. Inoperable patients may still benefit from palliative endoscopic stenting. After endoscopic papillectomy has been completed, regular follow-up examinations including biopsies are warranted because of the risk of local recurrence. For benign looking papillary tumors, endoscopic papillectomy serves as a diagnostic tool and should be considered as first line procedure regardless of age. The following article details the approach to patients with benign papillary tumor and the technique of endoscopic papillectomy.

Endovascular stent placement for isolated spontaneous dissection of the superior mesenteric artery: report of a case

Spontaneous dissection of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) is rare and has been reported only sporadically. The therapeutic options are either a surgical approach, which is the most frequently adopted, or simple observation. We present a patient with acute abdominal pain due to superior mesenteric artery dissection who was successfully treated by percutaneous endovascular stent placement.