Bile duct leaks after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: value of contrast-enhanced MRCP

Magnetic Resonance Cholangiography Diagnosing Post-cholecystectomy Biliary Injuries

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the diagnostic performance of contrasted magnetic resonance cholangiography for detecting bile duct lesions following cholecystectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective case series study was conducted that included patients over 18 years of age with suspected bile duct injury after cholecystectomy, who underwent contrasted magnetic resonance cholangiography, and who also had endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, surgery, or subsequent clinical follow-up. The images were interpreted by two radiologists who assigned the type of lesion according to the Strasberg classification. Qualitative variables were represented by frequencies and proportions, while quantitative variables were described using measures of central tendency and dispersion. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were assessed, along with interobserver variability, using the kappa index.

RESULTS

We included 20 patients with a median age of 51.5 years (interquartile range: 35), and 14 (70%) were women. In all 20 patients, lesions were identified on magnetic resonance cholangiography, of which 19 were confirmed with the gold standard for a positive predictive value of 100% (hepatobiliary-specific contrast agents) and 92% (extracellular contrast). The most frequent lesions were Strasberg E2 and E4 in five patients each. The kappa index was 1 in determining the presence or absence of bile duct injury and 0.9 in the Strasberg classification.

CONCLUSION

Contrasted magnetic resonance cholangiography is a method with high positive predictive value and almost perfect interobserver agreement for diagnosing bile duct lesions after cholecystectomy.

The Role of Hepatobiliary Scintigraphy as the Initial Investigative Modality for Significant Bile Leak following Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

INTRODUCTION

Currently, the rate of bile duct injury and leak following laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is still higher than for open surgery. Diverse investigative algorithms were suggested for bile leak, shifting from hepatobiliary scintigraphy (HBS) toward invasive and more sophisticated means. We aimed to analyze the use of biliary scan as the initial modality to investigate significant bile leak in the drain following LC, attempting to avoid potential unnecessary invasive means when the scan demonstrate fair passage of nuclear substance to the intestine, without leak.

METHODS

We have conducted a prospective non-randomized study, mandating hepatobiliary scintigraphy first, for asymptomatic patients harboring drain in the gallbladder fossa, leaking more than 50 mL/day following LC. Analysis was done based on medical data from the surgical, gastroenterology, and the nuclear medicine departments.

RESULTS

Among 3,124 patients undergoing LC, significant bile leak in the drain was seen in 67 subjects, of whom we started with HBS in 50 patients, presenting our study group. In 27 of whom, biliary scan was the only investigative modality, showing fair passage of the nuclear isotope to the duodenum and absence of leak in the majority. The leak stopped spontaneously within a mean of 3.6 days, and convalescence as well as outpatient clinic follow-up was uneventful. In 23 patients, biliary scan that was interpreted as abnormal was followed by endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP). However, ERCP did not demonstrate any bile leak in 13 subjects. In 17 patients, ERCP was used initially, without biliary scan, suggesting the possibility of avoiding invasive modalities in 7 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on a negative predictive value of 91%, we suggest that in cases of asymptomatic significant bile leak through a drain following LC, a normal HBS as the initial modality can safely decrease the rate of using invasive modalities.

Gd-EOB-DTPA-MRCP to localize bile leakage after liver trauma and surgery: impact on treatment and outcome

OBJECTIVES

Bile leakage (BL) is a challenging complication after hepatobiliary surgery and liver trauma. Gadolinium ethoxybenzyl (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is used to diagnose BL non-invasively. We assessed the value of Gd-EOB-DTPA-MRCP in the detection of postoperative and post-traumatic BL hypothesizing that exact identification of the leakage site is pivotal for treatment planning and outcome.

METHODS

We retrospectively enrolled 39 trauma and postoperative patients who underwent Gd-EOB-DTPA-MRCP for suspected BL. Three readers rated the presence of BL and leakage site (intraparenchymal, central, peripheral ± aberrant or disconnected ducts). Imaging findings were compared to subsequent interventional procedures and their complexity and outcome.

RESULTS

BL was detected in Gd-EOB-DTPA-MRCP in 25 of patients and was subsequently confirmed. Sites of BL differed significantly between postoperative (central [58%] and peripheral [42%]) and trauma patients (intraparenchymal [100%]; p < 0.001). Aberrant or disconnected ducts were diagnosed in 8%/26% of cases in the postoperative subgroup. Inter-rater agreement for the detection and localization of BL was almost perfect (Κ = 0.85 and 0.88; p < 0.001). Intraparenchymal BL required significantly less complex interventional procedures (p = 0.002), whereas hospitalization and mortality did not differ between the subgroups (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Gd-EOB-DTPA-MRCP reliably detects and exactly locates BL in postoperative and trauma patients. Exact localization of biliary injuries enables specific treatment planning, as intraparenchymal leakages, which occur more frequently after trauma, require less complex interventions than central or peripheral leaks in the postoperative setting. As a result of specific treatment based on exact BL localization, there was no difference in the duration of hospitalization or mortality.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT

Gd-EOB-DTPA-MRCP is a reliable diagnostic tool for exactly localizing iatrogenic and post-traumatic biliary leakage. Its precise localization helps tailor local therapies for different injury patterns, resulting in comparable clinical outcomes despite varying treatments.

KEY POINTS

• Gd-EOB-DTPA-MRCP enables adequate detection and localization of bile leakages in both postoperative and post-traumatic patients. • The site of bile leakage significantly impacts the complexity of required additional interventions. • Intraparenchymal bile leakage is commonly seen in patients with a history of liver trauma and requires less complex interventions than postoperative central or peripheral bile leakages, while hospitalization and mortality are similar.

BILE: A Literature Review Based Novel Clinical Classification and Treatment Algorithm of Iatrogenic Bile Duct Injuries

PURPOSES

The management of patients with iatrogenic bile duct injuries (IBDI) is a challenging field, often with dismal medico legal projections. Attempts to classify IBDI have been made repeatedly and the final results were either analytical and extensive but not useful in everyday clinical practice systems, or simple and user friendly but with limited clinical correspondence approaches. The purpose of the present review is to propose a novel, clinical classification system of IBDI by reviewing the relevant literature.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was conducted by performing bibliographic searches in the available electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library.

RESULTS

Based on the literature results, we propose a five (5) stage (A, B, C, D and E) classification system for IBDI (BILE Classification). Each stage is correlated with the recommended and most appropriate treatment. Although the proposed classification scheme is clinically oriented, the anatomical correspondence of each IBDI stage has been incorporated as well, using the Strasberg classification.

CONCLUSIONS

BILE classification represents a novel, simple, and dynamic in nature classification system of IBDI. The proposed classification focuses on the clinical consequences of IBDI and provides an action map that can appropriately guide the treatment plan.

Liver-Specific Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Cholangio-Pancreatography (Ce-MRCP) in Non-Invasive Diagnosis of Iatrogenic Biliary Leakage

Current non-invasive diagnostic modalities of iatrogenic bile leak (BL) are not particularly sensitive and often fail to localise the BL origin. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are considered the gold standard, yet are invasive studies with potential complications. Ce-MRCP has been not comprehensively studied in this setting but may prove particularly helpful given its non-invasive nature and the anatomical dynamic detail. This paper reports a monocentric retrospective study of BL patients referred between January 2018 and November 2022 submitted to Ce-MRCP followed by PTC. The primary outcome was the accuracy of Ce-MRCP in detecting and localising BL compared to PTC and ERCP. Blood tests, coexisting cholangitis features and time for leak resolution were also investigated. Thirty-nine patients were included. Liver-specific contrast-enhanced MRCP detected BL in 69% of cases. The BL localisation was 100% accurate. Total bilirubin above 4 mg/dL was significantly associated with false negative results of Ce-MRCP. Ce-MRCP is highly accurate in detecting and localising BL, but sensitivity is significantly reduced by a high bilirubin level. Ce-MRCP may be very useful in early BL diagnosis and in accurate pre-treatment planning, but can only be reliably used in selected patients with TB < 4 mg/dL. Non-surgical techniques, both radiological and endoscopic, are proven to be effective in terms of leak resolution.

Do not get stumped: multimodality imaging findings of early and late post-cholecystectomy complications

Cholecystectomy is the most performed intra-abdominal surgical procedure in the US, with 1.2 million performed annually, and is predominantly performed laparoscopically. Although largely safe, laparoscopic cholecystectomy results in higher rates of abdominal symptoms consisting of abdominal pain and dyspepsia, which may persist or recur, collectively known as post-cholecystectomy syndrome. This article aims to (1) provide an overview of post-cholecystectomy syndrome with an emphasis on biliary complications and emergent imaging findings, (2) illustrate the spectrum of imaging findings of early and late post-cholecystectomy complications, (3) enumerate the role of various imaging modalities in evaluating post-cholecystectomy complications and address the role of selective trans-catheter coil embolization in managing bile leaks, and (4) discuss pearls and pitfalls in imaging following cholecystectomy. While common first-line imaging modalities for post-cholecystectomy complications include CT and sonography, ERCP and MRCP can delineate the biliary tree with greater detail. Scintigraphy has a higher sensitivity and specificity than CT or sonography for diagnosing bile leak and may preclude the need for ERCP. Post-operative complications include biliary duct injury or leak, biliary obstruction, remnant gallbladder/cystic duct stones and inflammation, biliary dyskinesia, papillary stenosis, and vascular injury. Subtle cases resulting in lethal outcomes, such as hemorrhage from the gallbladder bed without major vessel injury, have also been described. Cases presented will include biliary complications such as post-cholecystectomy stump cholecystitis, nonbiliary complications such as subcapsular hematoma, and normal post-surgical findings such as oxidized regenerated cellulose. Post-operative biliary complications can cause significant morbidity and mortality, and thus familiarity with the expected post-surgical appearance of the gallbladder fossa and biliary tract, as well as understanding the spectrum of complications and associated multimodality imaging findings, are essential for emergency radiologists and those practicing in the acute care setting to direct appropriate patient management. Furthermore, many of the postoperative complications can be managed by noninvasive percutaneous interventional procedures, from drain placement to cystic artery and cystic duct stump embolization.

Imaging of the biliary tract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) has become the reference examination for the exploration of the biliary tract and has replaced endoscopic cholangiography for the analysis of the biliary tract because of its equivalent performance and its noninvasive character.

RECENT FINDINGS

Based on the International Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) Study Group recommendations for MR imaging in PSC, two protocols can be distinguished for the imaging of biliary tract: a basic protocol and a more complete protocol. It is essential to know the main pitfalls in order not to wrongly describe biliary anomalies. In addition to the excellent performance of MR imaging with MRCP in analyzing the anatomy and the anomalies of the biliary tree, complementary techniques have recently been developed. Several MR prognostic factors have been described. New hepato-specific contrast agents are now available for assessment of the general and segmental liver function. MR Elastography and Diffusion-weighted MR sequences are accurate to evaluate the degree of hepatic fibrosis. Finally, images obtained in MRCP can be postprocessed by a software that will analyze and model the biliary tree in order to quantitatively evaluate the biliary system.

SUMMARY

Magnetic resonance imaging with its recent developments becomes by now an essential tool for the evaluation of biliary diseases.

Hepaticojejunostomy for bile duct injury: state of the art

BACKGROUND

Hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) is the gold standard procedure for the reconstruction of the bile duct in many benign and malignant situations. One of the major situation is the bile duct injury (BDI) after cholecystectomy, either for early or late repair. This procedure presents some specificities associated to a debated management of BDI.

PURPOSE

This article provides a state-of-the-art of the hepaticojejunostomy procedure focusing on bile duct injury including its indications and outcomes CONCLUSION: Performed at the right moment and respecting the technical rules, HJ provides a restoration of the biliary patency in the long term of 80 to 90%. It is the main surgical technique to repair BDI. Complications and failure of this procedure can be difficult to manage. That is why the primary repair requires an appropriate multidisciplinary approach associated with an expert high quality surgical technique.

What's new in the hot gallbladder: the evolving radiologic diagnosis and management of acute cholecystitis

Acute cholecystitis (AC) is a common condition and its incidence is rising. New technologies have advanced the imaging diagnosis of AC, providing more structural and functional information as well as allowing the radiologist to distinguish AC from mimics and identify complications from both the disease and its management. Dual energy CT aids in detecting gallstones and gallbladder wall enhancement, which helps to diagnose AC and identify its complications. Similarly, contrast-enhanced and non-contrast perfusion ultrasound techniques improve detection of abnormal gallbladder wall enhancement. Advances in MR imaging including hepatobiliary contrast agents aid in characterizing post-cholecystectomy complications such as bile leaks. Newer interventional techniques have also expanded the suite of options for minimally invasive management. Lumen apposing metal stents provide more options for conservative treatment in non-surgical candidates and are compared to a standard percutaneous cholecystostomy. Radiologists should be familiar with these advanced imaging methods and intervention techniques and the value they can bring to the diagnosis and management of AC.

Noninvasive Imaging Prior to Biliary Interventions

Noninvasive imaging is a crucial and initial step in the diagnostic algorithm of patients with suspected biliary pathology and directs the subsequent diagnostic and therapeutic workup, including the endoluminal and percutaneous biliary interventions. This article reviews the current noninvasive imaging methods for the evaluation of biliary system and further discusses their roles in the diagnostic workup of different biliary disease.

The Role of the Interventional Radiologist in Bile Leak Diagnosis and Management

Bile leaks are rare but potentially devastating iatrogenic or posttraumatic complications. This is being diagnosed more frequently since the advent of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and propensity toward nonsurgical management in select trauma patients. Timely recognition and accurate characterization of a bile leak is crucial for favorable patient outcomes and involves a multimodal imaging approach. Management is driven by the type and extent of the biliary injury and requires multidisciplinary cooperation between interventional radiologists, endoscopists, and hepatobiliary/transplant surgeons. Interventional radiologists have a vital role in both the diagnosis and management of bile leaks. Percutaneous interventional procedures aid in the characterization of a bile leak and in its initial management via drainage of fluid collections. Most bile leaks resolve with decompression of the biliary system which is routinely done via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography. Some bile leaks can be definitively treated percutaneously while others necessitate surgical repair. The primary principle of percutaneous management is flow diversion away from the site of a leak with the placement of transhepatic biliary drainage catheters. While this can be accomplished with relative ease in some cases, others call for more advanced techniques. Bile duct embolization or sclerosis may also be required in cases where a leaking bile duct is isolated from the main biliary tree.

Review of imaging in post-laparoscopy cholecystectomy complications

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is now considered the procedure of choice for uncomplicated symptomatic gallstone disease worldwide. Various biliary, vascular, gastrointestinal, neurological and local complications may be seen on imaging post surgery. Knowledge of these entities and imaging appearances is indispensable for the radiologist in today's era. We emphasize on the list of potential complications and imaging appearances of this surgical procedure.

MRI evaluation of bile duct injuries and other post-cholecystectomy complications

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is one of the most common procedures performed each year and can be associated with various post-operative complications. Imaging is integral to diagnosis and management of patients with suspected cholecystectomy complications, and a thorough understanding of normal and abnormal biliary anatomy, risk factors for biliary injury, and the spectrum of adverse events is crucial for interpretation of imaging studies. Magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) enhanced with hepatobiliary contrast agent is useful in delineating biliary anatomy and pathology following cholecystectomy. In this article, we provide a protocol for contrast-enhanced MR imaging of the biliary tree. We also review the classification and imaging manifestations of post-cholecystectomy bile duct injuries in addition to other complications such as bilomas, retained/dropped gallstones, and vascular injuries.

2020 WSES guidelines for the detection and management of bile duct injury during cholecystectomy

Bile duct injury (BDI) is a dangerous complication of cholecystectomy, with significant postoperative sequelae for the patient in terms of morbidity, mortality, and long-term quality of life. BDIs have an estimated incidence of 0.4-1.5%, but considering the number of cholecystectomies performed worldwide, mostly by laparoscopy, surgeons must be prepared to manage this surgical challenge. Most BDIs are recognized either during the procedure or in the immediate postoperative period. However, some BDIs may be discovered later during the postoperative period, and this may translate to delayed or inappropriate treatments. Providing a specific diagnosis and a precise description of the BDI will expedite the decision-making process and increase the chance of treatment success. Subsequently, the choice and timing of the appropriate reconstructive strategy have a critical role in long-term prognosis. Currently, a wide spectrum of multidisciplinary interventions with different degrees of invasiveness is indicated for BDI management. These World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) guidelines have been produced following an exhaustive review of the current literature and an international expert panel discussion with the aim of providing evidence-based recommendations to facilitate and standardize the detection and management of BDIs during cholecystectomy. In particular, the 2020 WSES guidelines cover the following key aspects: (1) strategies to minimize the risk of BDI during cholecystectomy; (2) BDI rates in general surgery units and review of surgical practice; (3) how to classify, stage, and report BDI once detected; (4) how to manage an intraoperatively detected BDI; (5) indications for antibiotic treatment; (6) indications for clinical, biochemical, and imaging investigations for suspected BDI; and (7) how to manage a postoperatively detected BDI.

Endoscopic Diagnosis and Management of Gastrointestinal Trauma

Trauma affects all sociodemographic profiles and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality particularly in patients less than forty years of age. A variety of endoscopic tools and techniques initially used for iatrogenic etiologies (post-operative bile or pancreatic duct leaks, intra-procedural perforation) have been adopted for use in the gastrointestinal trauma victim. The purpose of this review is to highlight a variety of gastrointestinal traumatic complications where endoscopy can serve a complement and/or definitive management strategy.

Hepatobiliary Scintigraphy-Role in Preliminary Diagnosis and Management of Biliary Tract Injuries

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to identify the role of hepatobiliary scintigraphy (HBS) in the management of biliary tract injuries.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied 54 patients (28 male and 26 female patients) aged 3 to 78 years with evidence of bile leak on HBS performed between January 2015 and October 2017. Following intravenous injection of Tc-mebrofenin, dynamic images were acquired for 30 minutes followed by static images until 24 hours. SPECT/CT was performed in patients with suspicion of bile leak on the planar images. Patients were classified as those with free intraperitoneal or localized bile leak. Any abdominal drain output was documented, and its statistical significance was assessed using Mann-Whitney U test. Subsequent management was also documented.

RESULTS

Of the 54 patients, 28 demonstrated free intraperitoneal bile leak and 26 localized leak on HBS. Thirty-four patients (24 with free intraperitoneal leak and 10 with localized leak) had an abdominal drain. Drain output was significantly higher in patients with free intraperitoneal leak compared with patients with localized leak (370 vs 78 mL/d per patient, P < 0.01). All patients with free intraperitoneal bile leak underwent interventional procedures such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and stenting or Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy later on. Patients with localized bile leak were managed conservatively and were free of symptoms at 1-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that, in addition to detecting biliary leak, HBS may be used to identify patients with localized bile leak (48% of patients in our study) who do not require active intervention.

Ducts of Luschka as a rare cause of postoperative biloma. MRCP findings

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be complicated by a post- operative biloma. Bile leak from the duct of Luschka is reported to be the second most frequent cause, reported in 0.15%-2% of the patients. This case report aims to underline the significance of this anatomic variation and how the management of the aforementioned complication can be facilitated by MRI- MRCP. A 78 year old male patient underwent an elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy and was found to have a post-operative biloma. An MRCP was carried out to visualize the bile tree and bile leak was identified to be originated from a duct of Luschka. The patient was referred for an ERCP, sphingterotomy and placement of biliary stent to release the pressure in the bile ducts. In the next few days the bile leak was controlled and eventually ceased. The patient was discharged free of symptoms and no sign of bile leak was to be found on his follow up imaging. In comparison with other imaging modalities picturing the bile tree, MRCP fits the ideal profile to be used as a first line choice for clinicians, as it offers detailed anatomical images with high contrast between bile and adjacent tissues, without using any contrast agent or radiation.

Gd-EOB-DTP-enhanced MRC in the preoperative percutaneous management of intra and extrahepatic biliary leakages: does it matter?

Postoperative bile leakage is a common complication of abdominal surgical procedures and a precise localization of is important to choose the best management. Many techniques are available to correctly identify bile leaks, including ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), being the latter the best to clearly depict "active" bile leakages. This paper presents the state of the art algorithm in the detection of biliary leakages in order to plan a percutaneous biliary drainage focusing on widely available and safe contrast agent, the Gb-EOB-DPA. We consider its pharmacokinetic properties and impact in biliary imaging explain current debates to optimize image quality. We report common sites of leakage after surgery with special considerations in cirrhotic liver to show what interventional radiologists should look to easily detect bile leaks.

Management of Segmental Bile Duct Injuries After Cholecystectomy: a Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Injuries to segmental or aberrant bile ducts are encountered less commonly than their major bile duct counterparts and present a unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, since the nature of this injury involves a transected bile duct that loses its communication with the main ductal system. In this systematic review, we aim to pool available data on this particular type of biliary injury in an effort to outline available diagnostic and therapeutic modalities and evaluate their efficacy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An extensive literature search was performed on MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify isolated segmental or aberrant bile duct injuries.

RESULTS

A total of 21 studies were included in this systematic report. Ten studies reported non-operative management of patients, while 12 reported operative management of included patients. Outcomes of interest were the choice of treatment interventions and their success. Overall, 23 patients were managed non-operatively with a 91% success rate and 30 patients were managed operatively with a 90% success rate.

CONCLUSION

Non-operative management might be a viable alternative to surgery. Hepatobiliary surgeons should be encouraged to publish their results in treating these rare injuries to further elucidate the role and efficacy of such an approach.

Detection and characterization of traumatic bile leaks using Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiography

Expanding bile leaks after blunt liver trauma require more aggressive treatment than contained bile leaks. In this retrospective study approved by institution review board, we analyzed if non-invasive contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiography (CEMRC) using hepatocyte-specific contrast agent (gadoxetic acid disodium) could detect and characterize traumatic bile leaks. Between March 2012 and December 2014, written informed consents from 22 included patients (17 men, 5 women) with a median age of 24.5 years (IQR 21.8, 36.0 years) were obtained. Biliary tree visualization and bile leak detection on CEMRC acquired at 10, 20, 30, 90 minutes time points were independently graded by three radiologists on a 5-point Likert scale. Intraclass Correlation (ICC) was computed as estimates of interrater reliability. Accuracy was measured by area under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROC). Biliary tree visualization was the best on CEMRC at 90 minutes (score 4.30) with excellent inter-rater reliability (ICC = 0.930). Of 22 CEMRC, 15 had bile leak (8 expanding, 7 contained). The largest AUROC of bile leak detection by three radiologists were 0.824, 0.914, 0.929 respectively on CEMRC at 90 minutes with ICC of 0.816. In conclusion, bile leaks of blunt liver trauma can be accurately detected and characterized on CEMRC.

Peritoneal and pleural fluids may appear hyperintense on hepatobiliary phase using hepatobiliary MR contrast agents

AIM

To describe the effect of hepatobiliary-specific MR imaging contrast agent (HBCA) administration on the signal intensity of peritoneal and pleural fluid effusions on T1-weighted MR images.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From October 2015 to May 2016 139 patients (mean 60±10 years old, 69 % males) with peritoneal or pleural effusions without biliary leakage who underwent HBCA-MRI (Gd-BOPTA or Gd-EOB-DTPA) at 1.5T and 3T were included from two centres. The fluid signal intensity was classified as hypo/iso/hyperintense before/after HBCA administration. The relative signal enhancement (RE) was calculated.

RESULTS

On hepatobiliary phase (HBP), peritoneal fluids appeared hyper/isointense in 88-100 % and pleural effusions in 100 % of the patients following Gd-BOPTA administration. All fluids remained hypointense following Gd-EOB-DTPA. The signal intensity of fluids increased with both HBCA but RE was significantly higher following Gd-BOPTA (p=0.002 to <0.001). RE was correlated with HBP acquisition time-point (r=0.42, p<0.001 and r=0.50, p=0.033 for peritoneal and pleural fluids).

CONCLUSION

The signal intensity of pleural and peritoneal fluids progressively increases following HBCA administration in the absence of biliary leakage. Due to its later hepatobiliary phase, this is more pronounced after Gd-BOPTA injection, leading to fluid hyperintensity that is not observed after Gd-EOB-DTPA injection.

KEY POINTS

• Fluids appear hyper/isointense on HBP in most patients after Gd-BOPTA injection. • Fluids remain hypointense on HBP after Gd-EOB-DTPA injection. • RE of fluids increases with time after liver-specific Gd injection. • RE of fluids is higher in patients with chronic liver disease.

Diagnostic value of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MR cholangiography in non-invasive detection of postoperative bile leakage

OBJECTIVE

To assess the diagnostic value of dynamic T₁ weighted (T1w) gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced MR cholangiography (MRC) for the detection of active bile leaks.

METHODS

A total of 28 patients with suspected biliary leakage who underwent routine T₂ weighted (T2w) MRC and T1w GD-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRC at our institution from February 2013 to June 2016 were included in this study. The image sets were retrospectively analyzed in consensus by three radiologists. T1w Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRC findings were correlated with clinical data, follow-up examinations and findings of invasive/surgical procedures. Patients with positive bile leak findings in Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRC were divided into hepatobiliary phase (HBP) (20-30 min) and delayed phase (DP) (60-390 min) group according to elapsed time between Gd-EOB-DTPA injection and initial bile leak findings in MRC images. These groups were compared in terms of laboratory test results (total bilirubin, liver enzymes) and the presence of bile duct dilatation in T2w MRC images.

RESULTS

In each patient, visualization of bile ducts was sufficient in the HBP. The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of dynamic Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced T1w MRC in the detection of biliary leaks were 92.9%, 90.5% and 100%, respectively (p < 0.001). 19 of 28 patients had bile leak findings in T1w Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRC [HBP group: N = 7 (36.8%), DP group: N = 12 (63.2%)]. There was no statistically significant difference in terms of laboratory test results and the presence of bile duct dilatation between HBP and DP group (p > 0.05). Three patients, each of them in DP group, showed normal laboratory test results and bile duct diameters.

CONCLUSION

Dynamic T1w Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRC is a useful non-invasive diagnostic tool to detect bile leak. Advances in knowledge: Prolonged DP imaging may be required for bile leak detection even if visualization of biliary tree is sufficient in HBP and liver function tests, total bilirubin levels and bile duct diameters are normal.

Iatrogenic, blunt, and penetrating trauma to the biliary tract

Iatrogenic and traumatic bile leaks are uncommon. However, given the overall increase in number of hepatobiliary surgeries and the paradigm shift toward nonoperative management of patients with liver trauma, they have become more prevalent in recent years. Imaging is essential to establishing early diagnosis and guiding treatment as the clinical signs and symptoms of bile leaks are nonspecific, and a delay in recognition of bile leaks portends a high morbidity and mortality rate. Findings suspicious for a bile leak at computed tomography or ultrasonography include free or contained peri- or intrahepatic low density fluid in the setting of recent trauma or hepatobiliary surgery. Hepatobiliary scintigraphy and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) with hepatobiliary contrast agents can be used to detect active or contained bile leak. MRCP with hepatobiliary contrast agents has the unique ability to reveal the exact location of bile leak, which often governs whether endoscopic management or surgical management is warranted. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and fluoroscopy via an indwelling catheter that is placed either percutaneously or surgically are useful modalities to guide percutaneous transhepatic biliary drain placement which can provide biliary drainage and/or diversion in the setting of traumatic biliary injury. Surgical treatment of a bile duct injury with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy is warranted if definitive treatment cannot be accomplished through percutaneous or endoscopic means.

Imaging follow-up after liver transplantation

Liver transplantation (LT) represents the best treatment for end-stage chronic liver disease, acute liver failure and early stages of hepatocellular carcinoma. Radiologists should be aware of surgical techniques to distinguish a normal appearance from pathological findings. Imaging modalities, such as ultrasound, CT and MR, provide for rapid and reliable detection of vascular and biliary complications after LT. The role of imaging in the evaluation of rejection and primary graft dysfunction is less defined. This article illustrates the main surgical anastomoses during LT, the normal appearance and complications of the liver parenchyma and vascular and biliary structures.

The Impact of Gd-Eob-Dtpa-Enhanced MR Cholangiography in Biliary Diseases: Comparison with T2-Weighted MR Cholangiopancreatography

BACKGROUND

Contrast enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiography is a novel technique and promising method in demonstrating biliary tree anatomy and evaluating biliary disorders. However, to date, there are a limited number of studies that have focused on the impact of this technique.

AIMS

We aimed to evaluate the additional role of contrast enhanced MR cholangiography (MRC) and compare contrast enhanced MRC with T2-weighted (w) magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in the diagnosis of biliary disorders.

STUDY DESIGN

Diagnostic accuracy study.

METHODS

The T2w-MRCP and contrast enhanced MRC sequences of 31 patients whose gold standard test results were available were scored visually for the existence of pathological findings with regard to any of the biliary diseases. Gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) was used as the contrast agent. The correlation values were determined according to the statistical analysis made from those scores and the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy values of each sequence were detected as well.

RESULTS

We detected that the correlation values with gold standard methods of contrast enhanced MRC sequences were significantly higher than the ones of T2w-MRCP sequences. The correlation ratios of T2w-MRCP sequences were between 26 and 34%, while those for contrast enhanced MRC sequences were between 81 and 83% for the first reader and the correlation ratios of T2w-MRCP sequences were between 10 and 61%, whereas those of contrast enhanced MRC were between 79 and 81% for the second reader The mean sensitivity, specificity and accuracy values of T2w-MRCP sequences were 14.3-42.5%, 85-89.2% and 59.3-72.5%, respectively, while the mean sensitivity, specificity and accuracy values of contrast enhanced MRC sequences were 100%, 86.7% and 93.2-93.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

We suggest that obtaining of contrast enhanced MRC sequences in addition to the T2w-MRCP can be useful in the diagnosis of many diseases in relation with biliary tree.

Magnetic resonance cholangiography: Current and future perspectives

Magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) has become the standard of reference for imaging of the biliary ducts. The use of three-dimensional (3D) sequences has resulted in improved spatial resolution with virtually isotropic voxel and improved signal/noise ratio. In addition to MRC images, 3D fat suppressed T1-weighted MR images should be systematically obtained to search for intrahepatic calculi. MRC plays a major role in the diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma and assessment of its resectability. With modern MR systems the performance of MR is basically the same that of CT for evaluation of arterial and portal vein extent. MRC is a key imaging modality for the diagnosis of primary sclerosing cholangitis. Different imaging patterns may be observed including multifocal intra- and extrahepatic strictures alternating with slightly dilated ducts. Focal signal abnormality of the liver parenchyma and focal parenchymal atrophy represent the consequences of biliary duct obstruction on liver parenchyma. Diagnosis of biliary lithiasis is performed by combination of MRC and T1-weighted MR imaging. MRC can be performed for the diagnosis of secondary cholangitis including ascending cholangitis, ischemic cholangitis and IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis. Hepatobiliary contrast agents could be used for demonstrating the site of biliary duct leakage after surgery and for functional imaging. MR imaging can also be used to determine the prognosis of PSC. The inherent limitations of MRC of bile ducts are still the suboptimal spatial resolution for evaluation of distal intrahepatic biliary ducts.

Iatrogenic hepatopancreaticobiliary injuries: a review

Iatrogenic hepatopancreaticobiliary injuries occur after various types of surgical and nonsurgical procedures. Symptomatically, these injuries may lead to a variety of clinical presentations, including tachycardia and hypotension from hemobilia or hemorrhage. Iatrogenic injuries may be identified during the intervention, immediately afterwards, or have a delayed presentation. These injuries are categorized into nonvascular and vascular injuries. Nonvascular injuries include biliary injuries such as biliary leak or stricture, pancreatic injury, and the development of fluid collections such as abscesses. Vascular injuries include pseudoaneurysms, arteriovenous fistulas, dissection, and perforation. Imaging studies such as ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and digital subtraction angiography are critical for proper diagnosis of these conditions. In this article, we describe the clinical and imaging presentations of these iatrogenic injuries and the armamentarium of minimally invasive procedures (percutaneous drainage catheter placement, balloon dilatation, stenting, and coil embolization) that are useful in their management.

Biliary imaging: multimodality approach to imaging of biliary injuries and their complications

Although traumatic and iatrogenic bile leaks are rare, they have become more prevalent in recent years due to an increased propensity toward nonsurgical management of patients with liver trauma and an overall increase in the number of hepatobiliary surgeries being performed. Because clinical signs and symptoms of bile leaks are nonspecific and delay in the recognition of bile leaks is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, imaging is crucial for establishing an early diagnosis and guiding the treatment algorithm. At computed tomography or ultrasonography, free or contained peri- or intrahepatic low-attenuation (low-density) fluid in the setting of recent trauma or hepatobiliary surgery should raise suspicion for a bile leak. Hepatobiliary scintigraphy and magnetic resonance (MR) cholangiopancreatography with hepatobiliary contrast agents can help detect active or contained bile leaks. MR cholangiopancreatography with hepatobiliary contrast agents has the added advantage of being able to help localize the bile leak, which in turn can help determine if endoscopic management is sufficient or if surgical management is warranted. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography may provide diagnostic confirmation and concurrent therapy when nonsurgical management is pursued. A multimodality imaging approach is helpful in diagnosing traumatic or iatrogenic biliary injuries, accurately localizing a bile leak, and determining appropriate treatment.

Detection and localization of bile duct leaks after cholecystectomy using Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MR cholangiography: retrospective study of 16 patients

OBJECTIVE

To determine if gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) cholangiography can detect and localize bile duct leaks in postcholecystectomy patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Four blinded independent radiologists performed a retrospective review of 16 consecutive patients who underwent MR cholangiography with intravenous Gd-EOB-DTPA for the evaluation of possible biliary leak. Image quality, ductal opacification, and presence and location of any bile leak were evaluated. An independent observer determined the criterion standard using a consensus of all chart, clinical, and imaging findings.

RESULTS

All 6 bile leaks confirmed at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography were diagnosed by all reviewers (sensitivity, 100%). Of the 10 patients with no leak, only one reader incorrectly diagnosed a bile leak in a single case (specificity, 98%). The accuracy for detection of the site of leak with Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MR cholangiography was 80%.

CONCLUSION

Gadolinium-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MR can detect bile leaks with a high sensitivity and specificity.

Postoperative biliary adverse events following orthotopic liver transplantation: Assessment with magnetic resonance cholangiography

Biliary adverse events following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) are relatively common and continue to be serious causes of morbidity, mortality, and transplant dysfunction or failure. The development of these adverse events is heavily influenced by the type of anastomosis during surgery. The low specificity of clinical and biologic findings makes the diagnosis challenging. Moreover, direct cholangiographic procedures such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography present an inadmissible rate of adverse events to be utilized in clinically low suspected patients. Magnetic resonance (MR) maging with MR cholangiopancreatography is crucial in assessing abnormalities in the biliary system after liver surgery, including liver transplant. MR cholangiopancreatography is a safe, rapid, non-invasive, and effective diagnostic procedure for the evaluation of biliary adverse events after liver transplantation, since it plays an increasingly important role in the diagnosis and management of these events. On the basis of a recent systematic review of the literature the summary estimates of sensitivity and specificity of MR cholangiopancreatography for diagnosis of biliary adverse events following OLT were 0.95 and 0.92, respectively. It can provide a non-invasive method of imaging surgical reconstruction of the biliary anastomoses as well as adverse events including anastomotic and non-anastomotic strictures, biliary lithiasis and sphincter of Oddi dysfunction in liver transplant recipients. Nevertheless, conventional T2-weighted MR cholangiography can be implemented with T1-weighted contrast-enhanced MR cholangiography using hepatobiliary contrast agents (in particular using Gd-EOB-DTPA) in order to improve the diagnostic accuracy in the adverse events’ detection such as bile leakage and strictures, especially in selected patients with biliary-enteric anastomosis.

Biliary-enteric anastomoses: spectrum of findings on Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MR cholangiography

Biliary-enteric anastomosis is a common surgical procedure performed for the management of a variety of benign and malignant diseases. This procedure presents a high risk of developing complications such as anastomotic leak, hemorrhage, cholangitis, stones, stricture formation, that have been reported as ranging from 3 % to 43 %. Because the endoscopic approach of the biliary tract is generally precluded in this setting, there is clearly a role for a non-invasive imaging technique to follow up these patients and to detect the possible complications. T2-weighted MR cholangiography has been shown to be effective in the evaluation of patients with biliary-enteric anastomosis. Some of these patients may have mild duct dilatation in spite of a patent anastomosis, and stenosis should be considered only when duct dilatation is associated with narrowing of the anastomotic site. T2-weighted MRC depicts the site of biliary-enteric anastomosis, the cause of obstruction, and the status of the biliary ducts upstream. However, the disadvantages of conventional MRC are that it lacks functional information and so, differentiation between obstructive and non-obstructive dilatation of the bile ducts is often extremely difficult. T1-weighted contrast-enhanced MR cholangiography using Gd-EOB-DTPA is a recently emerging technique that is useful for delineating the anatomy of biliary-enteric anastomoses and detecting complications such as strictures, intraductal stones, and biliary leaks; besides, this technique can provide functional information that are extremely promising in the grading of biliary obstruction. We present the spectrum of findings of biliary-enteric anastomoses on Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MR cholangiography focusing on the main clinical applications.

The Value of Cholangiography through Jackson-Pratt Drains in the Management of Postoperative Biliary Injuries

Iatrogenic biliary injury is the most significant complication after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We present our experience with an alternative diagnostic approach using transcatheter cholangiography (TCC) through a Jackson-Pratt (JP) drain and discuss potential benefits and limitations of the technique. From March 2002 to February 2012, 40 patients with major postoperative biliary injury underwent biliary reconstruction at our institution. Mean age was 51.7 ± 18.1 years (range, 19 to 86 years) with 30 (75%) females. Seventeen (42.5%) injuries were detected intraoperatively and in 13 (32.5%) cases, JP drains were placed for biliary drainage. Lesions were classified according to Bismuth grade: I (10 patients [25%]), II (10 patients [25%]), III (six patients [15%]), IV (10 patients [25%]), and V (four patients [10%]). TCC was performed in seven patients with JP drains (53.8%). It fully defined the injury site in three cases of limited magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) such as common hepatic duct and common bile duct leaks and in four cases (57.1%) that endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was limited as a result of clipping of the distal common bile duct. TCC showed promising results in cases of limited MRCP and ERCP such as fistulous orifices or leakage. It may represent an alternative adjunct in the diagnostic armamentarium of complex biliary injuries.

Biliary peritonitis after radiofrequency ablation diagnosed by gadoxetic acid-enhanced MR imaging

This study describes the first case of biliary peritonitis after radiofrequency ablation diagnosed by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA), a hepatocyte-specific MR imaging contrast agent. The image acquired 300 minutes after the administration of Gd-EOB-DTPA was useful to make a definite diagnosis and to identify the pathway of bile leakage. It is important to decide on the acquisition timing with consideration of the predicted location of bile duct injury.

MRI assessment of biliary ductal obstruction: is there added value of T1-weighted gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid-enhanced MR cholangiography?

OBJECTIVE

The goal of the present study was to determine the added value of gadolium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (gadoxetate disodium)-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) to standard liver MRI including T2-weighted MRCP in assessment of biliary ductal obstruction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-eight patients (mean age, 48.1 ± 16.7 years) (40 total examinations) who underwent liver MRI (including T2-weighted MRCP and gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MRC) for suspicion of biliary disease were included in this institutional review board-approved, HIPAA-compliant retrospective study. Three blinded radiologists first evaluated MR images without gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MRC for presence and significance of biliary obstruction, underlying cause for obstruction, and confidence in final diagnosis. After inclusion of gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MRC, readers again determined presence and significance of biliary obstruction and confidence in final diagnosis. Reference standard was established using MRI along with ERCP, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, intraoperative cholangiography, or a combination thereof.

RESULTS

Overall sensitivity across all readers in diagnosing significance of obstruction was 60% without gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MRC and 91% with gadoxetate disodium- enhanced MRC (p < 0.001). Across all readers, assessment of significance of obstruction was changed when adding gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MRC in 40 of 120 cases (33%); significance of obstruction was correctly changed in 35 of 40 cases (87.5%). Biliary obstruction was graded of unknown significance in 27 of 120 cases (22.5%) across all readers when gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MRC was not reviewed. Significance of biliary obstruction was classified correctly after adding gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MRC in 25 of these 27 cases (93%). Confidence in final diagnosis was significantly higher with addition of gadoxetate di-sodium-enhanced MRC for two of three readers (p < 0.003).

CONCLUSION

Addition of gadoxetate disodium-enhanced MRC to liver MRI significantly improves sensitivity in assessing significance of biliary obstruction and can improve reader confidence in establishing a final diagnosis. This added information could have a substantial impact in the determination of the most appropriate therapeutic options.

Management of iatrogenic bile duct injuries: role of the interventional radiologist

Bile duct injuries are infrequent but potentially devastating complications of biliary tract surgery and have become more common since the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The successful management of these injuries depends on the injury type, the timing of its recognition, the presence of complicating factors, the condition of the patient, and the availability of an experienced hepatobiliary surgeon. Bile duct injuries may lead to bile leakage, intraabdominal abscesses, cholangitis, and secondary biliary cirrhosis due to chronic strictures. Imaging is vital for the initial diagnosis of bile duct injury, assessment of its extent, and guidance of its treatment. Imaging options include cholescintigraphy, ultrasonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, and fluoroscopy with a contrast medium injected via a surgically or percutaneously placed biliary drainage catheter. Depending on the type of injury, management may include endoscopic, percutaneous, and open surgical interventions. Percutaneous intervention is performed for biloma and abscess drainage, transhepatic biliary drainage, U-tube placement, dilation of bile duct strictures and stent placement to maintain ductal patency, and management of complications from previous percutaneous interventions. Endoscopic and percutaneous interventional procedures may be performed for definitive treatment or as adjuncts to definitive surgical repair. In patients who are eligible for surgery, surgical biliary tract reconstruction is the best treatment option for most major bile duct injuries. When reconstruction is performed by an experienced hepatobiliary surgeon, an excellent long-term outcome can be achieved, particularly if percutaneous interventions are performed as needed preoperatively to optimize the patient's condition and postoperatively to manage complications.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the pediatric pancreaticobiliary system

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is an extremely useful tool for evaluating a wide variety of disorders affecting the pancreaticobiliary system in neonates/infants, children, and adolescents. This imaging technique has numerous distinct advantages over alternative diagnostic modalities, such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, including its noninvasive nature and lack of ionizing radiation. Such advantages make MRCP the preferred first-line method for advanced imaging the pediatric pancreaticobiliary tree, after ultrasonography. This article presents a contemporary review of the use of MRCP in the pediatric population, including techniques, indications, and the imaging appearances of common and uncommon pediatric disorders.

Diagnosis of postoperative bile leak and accurate localization of the site of leak by gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced MR cholangiography in a child

Postoperative bile leaks are difficult to diagnose because signs and symptoms are nonspecific, and definitive diagnosis requires a drainage catheter to be placed that drains frank bile or fluid that turns out bile on laboratory analysis. Hepatobiliary scintigraphy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) have been traditionally used to diagnose bile leak. Scintigraphy has poor spatial resolution and cannot localize the site of leak, ERCP may not be possible with altered postoperative anatomy and PTC is invasive and difficult to perform in the absence of dilated ducts. Recently, contrast-enhanced MR cholangiography using hepatobiliary-specific contrast media has been shown to be a noninvasive, safe way to diagnose and localize the site of bile leak in adults. We report a case of postoperative bile leak after choledochal cyst resection in a child in whom diagnosis was confirmed and the site of leak was accurately localized using gadobenate-enhanced MR cholangiography. This case demonstrates the potential of hepatobiliary-specific contrast media to diagnose postoperative bile leak and accurately localize the site of the leak in children noninvasively.

Non-invasive detection of biliary leaks using Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MR cholangiography: comparison with T2-weighted MR cholangiography

Objective

To evaluate the added role of T1-weighted (T1w) gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) compared with T2-weighted MRC (T2w-MRC) in the detection of biliary leaks.

Methods

Ninety-nine patients with suspected biliary complications underwent routine T2w-MRC and T1w contrast-enhanced (CE) MRC using Gd-EOB-DTPA to identify biliary leaks. Two observers reviewed the image sets separately and together. MRC findings were compared with those of surgery and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiopancreatography. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the techniques in identifying biliary leaks were calculated.

Results

Accuracy of locating biliary leaks was superior with the combination of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRC and T2w-MRC (P < 0.05).The mean sensitivities were 79 % vs 59 %, and the mean accuracy rates were 84 % vs 58 % for combined CE-MRC and T2w-MRC vs sole T2w-MRC. Nineteen out of 21 patients with biliary-cyst communication, 90.4 %, and 12/15 patients with post-traumatic biliary extravasations, 80 %, were detected by the combination of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRC and T2w-MRC images, P < 0.05.

Conclusions

Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRC yields information that complements T2w-MRC findings and improves the identification and localisation of the bile extravasations (84 % accuracy, 100 % specificity, P < 0.05). We recommend Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRC in addition to T2w-MRC to increase the preoperative accuracy of identifying and locating extravasations of bile.

Key Points

• Magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) does not always detect bile leakage and cysto-biliary communications.

• Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRC helps by demonstrating extravasation of contrast material into fluid collections.

• Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRC also demonstrates the leakage site and bile duct injury type.

• Combined Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced and T2w-MRC can provide comprehensive information about biliary system.

• Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRC is non-invasive and does not use ionising radiation.

Bile leak after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy: role of MR imaging

Increasing hepatobiliary laparoscopic surgeries have lead to a rise in injury to the biliary tree and other complications like bile leak. Ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) cannot reliably distinguish bile from other postoperative fluid collections. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with hepatobiliary agents and MR cholangiopancreatography provide anatomic and functional information that allows for prompt diagnosis and excludes any other concomitant complications. We report a case of post-cholecystectomy bile leak in a 42-year-old female who presented with persistent dull abdominal pain after the intervention; we emphasize the role of MR imaging in achieving the correct diagnosis.

Cystic duct leaks after laparoendoscopic single-site cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Leakage from the clipped cystic duct stump (cystic duct stump leak [CDSL]) as a cause of biliary peritonitis has not been emphasized enough. It deserves special mention because it is not an uncommon cause and it is easier to treat. With the advent of laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) cholecystectomy, its occurrence in relation to other causes of biliary peritonitis needs reexamination.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Details of 756 patients undergoing LESS cholecystectomy were analyzed, and patients presenting with biliary peritonitis were identified. The investigative profile included an ultrasound, contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) to identify the site of leak. The management in addition to stenting included abdominal tube drainage.

RESULTS

There were 5 (0.66%) patients, all female, with biliary peritonitis, and 4 of them (0.53%) had cystic stump leakage as identified by ERCP. The usual time of presentation was in the first week after surgery, with acute abdominal pain and vomiting. Common bile duct stenting was carried out, after choledocholithotomy where required, at the same ERCP session. Tube abdominal drain was required in 2 patients, and 1 patient had to undergo exploratory laparotomy for an associated acute intestinal obstruction. All the patients recovered completely. The stent was removed between 4 and 6 weeks after ERCP.

CONCLUSIONS

Effective CDSL management requires early recognition and management. ERCP is the cornerstone for correct identification, and common bile duct stenting was curative in all patients.

Functional hepatobiliary MR imaging in children

BACKGROUND

Clinical application efforts for the hepatocyte-specific MRI contrast agent gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) have mainly been directed toward detection and characterization of various hepatic masses in the adult population.

OBJECTIVE

Here we report our initial experience with Gd-EOB-DTPA for evaluating congenital and acquired hepatobiliary pathologies in the pediatric population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-one consecutive children receiving Gd-EOB-DTPA for functional hepatobiliary evaluation at our institution were retrospectively identified with IRB approval. The use of Gd-EOB-DTPA was classified in each case as definite, potential, or no clinical utility, focusing on the clinical value gained beyond traditional noncontrast fluid-sensitive MR cholangiopancreatography (FS-MRCP) and other imaging modalities.

RESULTS

Definite added value of Gd-EOB-DTPA was found in 12 patients, with potential value in 4 patients, and no value in 5 patients. Benefit was seen in cases of iatrogenic and non-iatrogenic biliary strictures, perihepatic fluid collections for biliary leak, hepatobiliary dysfunction in the absence of hyperbilirubinemia, and in the functional exclusion of cystic duct occlusion that can be seen in acute cholecystitis.

CONCLUSION

This is the first reported series of children with Gd-EOB-DTPA and this early work suggests potential pediatric applications.

Endoscopic management of post-cholecystectomy biliary fistula

OBJECTIVE

Bile duct injury is an uncommon but potentially serious complication in cholecystectomy. A recognized treatment for minor biliary injury is internal biliary decompression by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and stent insertion. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of ERCP in the management of minor biliary injuries.

METHODS

A retrospective review of medical records at a tertiary referral centre identified 36 patients treated for postoperative minor biliary injuries between 2006 and 2010. Management involved establishing a controlled biliary fistula followed by ERCP to confirm the nature of the injury and decompress the bile duct with stent insertion.

RESULTS

Controlled biliary fistulae were established in all 36 patients. Resolution of the bile leak was achieved prior to ERCP in seven patients, and ERCP with stent insertion was successful in 27 of the remaining 29 patients. Resolution of the bile leak was achieved in all patients without further intervention. The median time to resolution after successful ERCP was 4 days. Two patients underwent ERCP complicated by mild pancreatitis. No other complications were seen.

CONCLUSIONS

This review confirms that postoperative minor biliary injuries can be managed by sepsis control and semi-urgent endoscopic biliary decompression.

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography: the ABC of MRCP

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is a technique that has evolved over the past two decades. It continues to have a fundamental role in the non-invasive investigation of many pancreatico-biliary disorders. The purpose of this review is to summarise the key concepts behind MRCP, the different techniques that are currently employed (including functional and secretin-stimulated MRCP), the pitfalls the reader should be aware of, and the main clinical indications for its use.

Is there a role for endoscopic therapy as a definitive treatment for post-laparoscopic bile duct injuries?

BACKGROUND

Excellent results of surgical reconstruction of major bile duct injuries (BDIs) have been well-documented. Reports of successful definitive management of central bile duct leakage and stenoses have been reported infrequently. The aim of this study was to assess treatment and outcomes for operative and endoscopic treatment of BDI after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and define the role of endoscopy in management.

STUDY DESIGN

All patients undergoing treatment for post-laparoscopic BDI from 1998 to 2007 at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota were reviewed. Outcomes of surgical and endoscopic intervention were analyzed.

RESULTS

BDI was identified in 159 patients (mean age 51 years). Injury was recognized intraoperatively in 39 (25%) patients. Primary intervention was surgical in 59 (37%) and endoscopic in 100 (63%) patients. Class A BDIs (n = 77) were successfully treated endoscopically in 76 (99%) patients. Seven had class D BDIs; 4 were managed surgically, and 3 endoscopically. Of 66 patients with E1 to E4 BDI, 44 (67%) were initially managed surgically and 22 (33%) endoscopically. Thirteen of the latter 22 underwent sustained endoscopic therapy (median stent time 7 months), which was successful in 10 (77%). Four patients with E5 were managed surgically. Median follow-up was 45 months. Sixty-three patients underwent Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy reconstruction at Mayo; 3 (5%) failed and required stenting. None required operative revision.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic management of class A BDI has excellent outcomes. Although surgical management remains the preferred therapy, short-term endoscopic treatment for class E1 to E4 can optimize the patient and operative field for reconstruction. Prolonged stenting in select patients with E1 to E4 characterized by stenosis is successful in the majority.

Confident diagnosis of bronchobiliary fistula using contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiography

We report the utility of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) using gadoxetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) in the diagnosis of bronchobiliary fistula associated with liver hydatid cyst. Contrast-enhanced MRC clearly delineated the leakage of contrast agent from the biliary duct and its communication with the bronchial tree. Providing functional information about physiologic or pathologic biliary flow in addition to the display of biliary anatomy, contrast-enhanced MRC stands as a robust technique in confidently detecting bronchobiliary fistula and bile leaks.