Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided drainage of infected intracystic papillary adenocarcinoma of the liver

Diagnostic and interventional EUS in hepatology: An updated review

EUS has become an increasingly used diagnostic and therapeutic modality in the armamentarium of endoscopists. With ever-expanding indications, EUS is being used in patients with liver disease, for both diagnosis and therapy. EUS is playing an important role in providing additional important information to that provided by cross-sectional imaging modalities such as computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Domains of therapy that were largely restricted to interventional radiologists have become accessible to endosonologists. From liver biopsy and sampling of liver lesions to ablative therapy for liver lesions and vascular interventions for varices, there is increased use of EUS in patients with liver disease. In this review, we discuss the various diagnostic and therapeutic applications of EUS in patients with various liver diseases.

Endosonography-Guided Caudate Lobe Liver Abscess Drainage: A Case and Review of Methods

There are only 11 cases of caudate lobe liver abscess drainage described in the published literature. We present a case of liver abscess drainage done by endosonography (EUS) and review of various EUS-guided liver abscess drainage techniques and endoprostheses. Here we have aimed at reviewing the data for paving the way for the development of a consensus for liver abscess drainage.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage of a fungal liver abscess using a lumen-apposing metal stent: case report and literature review

Liver abscesses are rare entities for which percutaneous drainage is traditionally employed. The technique is simple, but associated with a significant rate of side effects and patient discomfort. We herein report a case of fungal left liver lobe abscess that was successfully treated by using EUS-guided drainage, with insertion of a large caliber lumen-apposing metal stent. The literature review we performed on the topic seems to favor, at least for abscess in the left and/or caudate liver lobes, EUS as compared to percutaneous drainage.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage of difficult-to-access liver abscesses

OBJECTIVES

Antibiotic therapy and percutaneous drainage have been the first-line treatments for liver abscesses. However, percutaneous drainage of abscesses may be challenging in difficult-to-access locations such as the caudate lobe. The aim of this review was to determine the indications, technical feasibility and efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage of difficult-to-access liver abscesses.

METHODS

A literature review of original articles, abstracts, case series and case reports describing endoscopic ultrasound-guided liver abscess drainage was performed. The indications, techniques and complications associated with endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage were reviewed.

RESULTS

A total of 15 studies were identified. The main indications were failed antibiotic therapy and difficulty in gaining percutaneous access. The technique involved identification and puncturing of an abscess under endoscopic ultrasound guidance followed by placement of a prosthesis via a guide wire. The technique was 97.5% successful with no major complications reported.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage was feasible and safe and allowed complete drainage of liver abscesses not accessible by percutaneous drainage.

The role of EUS in diagnosis and treatment of liver disorders

Background and aim  Transabdominal ultrasound (US), computed tomographic scanning (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are established diagnostic tools for liver diseases. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography is used to perform hepatic interventional procedures including biopsy, biliary drainage procedures, and radiofrequency ablation. Despite their widespread use, these techniques have limitations. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), a tool that has proven useful for evaluating the mediastinum, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, and biliary tract, has an expanding role in the field of hepatology complementing the traditional investigational modalities. This review aimed to assess the current scientific evidence regarding diagnostic and therapeutic applications of EUS for hepatic diseases.