Reduced complication rates of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage with ultrasound guidance

Ultrasound-Guided Interventions in the Biliary System

Ultrasound guidance in biliary interventions has become the standard tool to facilitate percutaneous biliary drainage as well as percutaneous gall bladder drainage. Monitoring of the needle tip whilst penetrating the tissue in real time using ultrasound allows precise manoeuvres and exact targeting without radiation exposure. Without the need for fluoroscopy, ultrasound-guided drainage procedures can be performed bedside as a sometimes life-saving procedure in patients with severe cholangitis/cholecystitis when they are critically ill in intensive care units and cannot be transported to a fluoroscopy suite. This article describes the current data background and guidelines and focuses on specific sonographic aspects of both the procedures of percutaneous biliary drainage and gallbladder drainage.

Effectiveness of ultrasound-guided percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage to reduce radiation exposure: A single-center experience

Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) has been an effective treatment to access the biliary tree, especially in case of endoscopically inaccessible biliary tree. In general, PTBD techniques are divided into two methods: fluoroscopy-guided PTBD and ultrasound (US)-guided PTBD. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of US-guided PTBD, focusing on radiation exposure according to intrahepatic duct (IHD) dilatation degree, differences between right- and left-sided approaches and differences between benign and malignant biliary stenosis/obstruction. We evaluated technical success, clinical success, procedural data (the number of liver capsule punctures, procedural time, fluoroscopy time and radiation dose), and procedure-related complications. During the study period, a total of 123 patients with biliary stenosis/obstruction or bile leakage were initially eligible. We excluded 76 patients treated with only ERCP or initially treated with ERCP followed underwent PTBD insertion. Finally, a total of 50 procedures were performed in 47 patients. Of the 47 patients, 8 patients had anatomical alteration due to previous surgery, 6 patients refused ERCP, and 3 patients failed ERCP. For the remaining 30 patients, PTBD was performed on weekend or at night, 11 of whom had poor general condition, 10 patients underwent ERCP 3 to 4 days later after PTBD insertion, 6 patients improved after PTBD insertion without ERCP, 1 patient died, and 1 patient was referred to other hospital. Remaining 1 patient underwent surgery due to Mirizzi syndrome. All procedures were performed by two interventional radiologists. Technical success rate was 100%, clinical success was 94%, and the complication rate was 10%. Fluoroscopy time and the reported radiation dose were significantly lower in patients with dilated bile ducts than in those with non-dilated bile ducts, when biliary puncture under US guidance was performed initially. However, even in patients with non-dilated bile ducts undergoing initial trials of biliary puncture under US guidance, the fluoroscopy time and the reported radiation dose were low, based on current studies. No statistical significant differences were observed in terms of technical and dosimetry results according to right-sided and left-sided procedures and benign and malignant biliary stenosis/obstruction. Thus, US-guided PTBD was found to be a safe and effective technique that significantly reduced fluoroscopy time and radiation doses.

The role of interventional radiology in the management of refractory bile leaks

Refractory bile leaks represent a damaging sequela of hepatobiliary surgery and direct trauma. Management of bile leaks represents a challenging clinical problem. Despite advances in endoscopic techniques, interventional radiology continues to play a vital role in the diagnosis and management of refractory bile leaks. This article reviews strategies for optimizing the diagnosis and management of bile leaks and provides an overview of management strategies, including the management of complicated biliary leaks.

Procedure-related risk factors for bleeding after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Bleeding is the most dreaded complication after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD). Clarifying the risk factors of bleeding can reduce the morbidity and mortality rates of PTBD. However, the procedure-related risk factors for bleeding after PTBD are still controversial. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to identify procedure-related risk factors of bleeding after PTBD.

METHODS

PubMed, Cochrane database, and Google Scholar were searched for published studies until 1st May 2021. Inclusion criteria were: studies associated with bleeding complications after PTBD and with sufficient data to compare different procedure-related factors for bleeding. Sources of bias were assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomised trials. Probable procedure-related risk factors were evaluated and outcomes were expressed in the case of dichotomous variables, as an odds ratio (OR) (with a 95% confidence interval, (CI)).

RESULTS

Eleven studies were included in the meta-analysis. There was no significant difference in bleeding rates with respect to the side of PTBD (left/right, OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 0.68-1.76), the insertion level of bile duct (central/peripheral, OR = 1.39, 95% CI: 0.82-2.35), and the usage of ultrasound guidance (OR: 1.25, 95% CI: 0.60-2.60). A subgroup analysis revealed a left-sided approach that resulted in more hepatic arterial injuries than the right-sided approach (left/right, OR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.32-2.83).

CONCLUSION

Left-sided approach is a risk factor for hepatic arterial injuries after PTBD.

Total Fluoroscopy Time Reduction During Ultrasound- and Fluoroscopy-Guided Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage Procedure: Importance of Adjusting the Puncture Angle

BACKGROUND The purpose of this observational cohort study was to assess patient and operator-dependent factors which could have an impact on total fluoroscopy time during ultrasound and fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD). MATERIAL AND METHODS Between October 2016 and November 2020, 127 patients with malignant biliary obstruction underwent ultrasound- and fluoroscopy-guided PTBD with the right-sided intercostal approach. The initial bile duct puncture was ultrasound-guided in all patients, and the puncture angle was measured by ultrasound. Any subsequent steps of the procedure were performed under continuous fluoroscopy (15 fps). The patients were divided in 2 groups based on the puncture angle: ≤30° (group I) and >30° (group II). In a retrospective analysis, both groups were compared for inter- and intragroup variability, technical success, total fluoroscopy time, and complications. RESULTS In group II, the recorded total fluoroscopy time (232.20±140.94 s) was significantly longer than that in group I (83.44±52.61 s) (P<0.001). In both groups, total fluoroscopy time was significantly longer in cases with a lesser degree of bile duct dilatation, intrahepatic bile duct tortuosity, presence of liver metastases, and multiple intrahepatic bile duct strictures. CONCLUSIONS The initial bile duct puncture angle was identified as an operator-dependent factor with the possible impact on total fluoroscopy time. The puncture angle of less than 30° was positively correlated with overall procedure efficacy and total fluoroscopy time reduction.

Indian College of Radiology and Imaging Evidence-Based Guidelines for Percutaneous Image-Guided Biliary Procedures

Percutaneous biliary interventions are among the commonly performed nonvascular radiological interventions. Most common of these interventions is the percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage for malignant biliary obstruction. Other biliary procedures performed include percutaneous cholecystostomy, biliary stenting, drainage for bile leaks, and various procedures like balloon dilatation, stenting, and large-bore catheter drainage for bilioenteric or post-transplant anastomotic strictures. Although these procedures are being performed for ages, no standard guidelines have been formulated. This article attempts at preparing guidelines for performing various percutaneous image-guided biliary procedures along with discussion on the published evidence in this field.

CIRSE Standards of Practice on Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography, Biliary Drainage and Stenting

This CIRSE Standards of Practice document is aimed at interventional radiologists and provides best practices for performing percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, biliary drainage and stenting. It has been developed by an expert writing group established by the CIRSE Standards of Practice Committee.

Diagnosis and management of hemorrhagic complications of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage: a primer for residents

Hemorrhagic complications are uncommon after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. The presenting features include bleeding through or around the drainage catheter, hematemesis or melena. Diagnosis requires cholangiography, CT angiography or conventional angiography. Minor venous hemorrhage is managed by catheter repositioning, clamping or upgrading to a larger bore catheter. Major vascular injuries require percutaneous or endovascular procedures like embolization or stenting. A complete knowledge of these complications will direct the interventional radiologist to take adequate precautions to reduce their incidence and necessary steps in their management. This review presents and discusses various hemorrhagic complications occurring after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage along with their treatment options and suggests a detailed algorithm.

Right-sided versus left-sided percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage in the management of malignant biliary obstruction: a randomized controlled study

AIM

To compare the technical difficulty, safety, radiation exposure and success rates between right-sided and left-sided percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (RPTBD and LPTBD) in patients with malignant biliary obstruction (MBO).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty patients (28 males, 22 females; mean age 51.78 years) with MBO were randomized to undergo either RPTBD or LPTBD during the study period between June 2016 and May 2018. The procedure time, fluoroscopy time, radiation doses to the operators and patients, technical success, clinical success, complications and effect on quality of life were evaluated and compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Twenty-five patients were included in each group. The technical success was 100% in both groups. There was no significant difference between RPTBD and LPTBD groups in terms of major complications [4% and 12%, respectively; p = 0.297] and minor complications [40% and 32%, respectively; p = 0.597]. Further, the average procedure time (37.80 ± 13.07 min vs 41.04 ± 14.94 min), fluoroscopy time (5.88 ± 4.2 min vs 5.97 ± 3.8 min), radiation doses to the operator (136.84 ± 106.67 μSv vs 130.40 ± 106.46 μSv) and to the patient (8.23 ± 5.80 Gycm² vs 11.74 ± 11.28 Gycm²) were not significantly different between the groups. Clinical success was achieved in 21 patients (84%) of RPTBD group and 17 patients (68%) of LPTBD group with no significant difference (p = 0.416) between them.

CONCLUSION

There was no significant difference between RPTBD and LPTBD with reference to the technique, safety, radiation dose, success rates and impact on quality of life suggesting no laterality advantage for biliary drainage in cases of MBO.

Safety and effectiveness of ultrasound-guided percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage: a multicenter experience

AIMS

Aim of this study is to describe a multicenter experience on percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) performed with ultrasound-guidance to access the biliary tree, focusing on safety, effectiveness and radiation dose exposure; differences between right- and left-sided approaches have been also evaluated.

METHODS

This is a multicenter prospective single-arm observational study conducted on patients affected by biliary tree stenosis/occlusion with jaundice and endoscopically inaccessible. The procedures have been performed puncturing the biliary system under US guidance and crossing the stenosis/occlusion under fluoroscopy. Beam-on time and X-ray dose have been evaluated.

RESULTS

117 patients affected by biliary tree stenosis/occlusion not manageable with an endoscopic approach have been included in this analysis. The biliary stenosis/occlusion was malignant in 90.8% and benign in 9.2%. Technical success, considered as positioning of a drainage tube into the biliary tree, was 100%. Overall clinical success, considered as decrease in total bilirubin level after a single procedure, was 95.7%. The overall mean number of liver punctures to catheterize the biliary tree was 1.57. The mean total beam-on time was 570.4 s; the mean dose-area product was 37.25 Gy cm². No statistical significant differences were observed in terms of technical and dosimetry results according to right-sided and left-sided procedures. Complications rate recorded up to 30 days follow-up was 10.8%, all of minor grades.

CONCLUSIONS

In this series US guidance to access the biliary tree for PTBD was a safe and effective technique with an acceptable low-grade complications rate; the reported radiation dose is low.