Duodenal EUS to identify thickening of the extrahepatic biliary tree wall in primary sclerosing cholangitis

Design of the distribution of iron oxide (Fe3O4) nano-particle drug in realistic cholangiocarcinoma model and the simulation of temperature increase during magnetic induction hyperthermia

The prognosis for Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is unfavorable, necessitating the development of new therapeutic approach such as magnetic hyperthermia therapy (MHT) which is induced by magnetic nano-particle (MNPs) drug to bridge the treatment gap. Given the deep location of CCA within the abdominal cavity and proximity to vital organs, accurately predict the individualized treatment effects and safety brought by the distribution of MNPs in tumor will be crucial for the advancement of MHT in CCA. The Mimics software was used in this study to conduct three-dimensional reconstruction of abdominal computed tomography (CT) and magnetic reso-nance imaging images from clinical patients, resulting in the generation of a realistic digital geometric model representing the human biliary tract and its adjacent structures. Subsequently, The COMSOL Multiphysics software was utilized for modeling CCA and calculating the heat transfer law resulting from the multi-regional distribution of MNPs in CCA. The temperature within the central region of irregular CCA measured approximately 46°C, and most areas within the tumor displayed temperatures surpassing 41°C. The temperature of the inner edge of CCA is only 39 ∼ 41℃, however, it can be ameliorated by adjusting the local drug concentration through simulation system. For CCA with diverse morphologies and anatomical locations, the multi-regional distribution patterns of intratumoral MNPs and a slight overlap of drug distribution areas synergistically enhance intratumoral temperature while ensuring treatment safety. The present study highlights the practicality and imperative of incorporating personalized intratumoral MNPs distribution strategy into clinical practice for MHT, which can be achieved through the development of an integrated simulation system which incorporates medical image data and numerical calculations.

Normal morphometry of the biliary tree in pediatric and adult populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

This study aimed to characterise the normal morphometry of the biliary tree in pediatric and adult populations, through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

This study, conducted using the PRISMA guidelines and registered with PROSPERO, searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS and Web of Science databases up to October 2022, and updated to August 2023. Studies that reported extractable data on diameter and length of the right, left and common hepatic ducts (LHD, RHD and CHD), and common bile duct (CBD) were included. Quality of the included studies were assessed using the Anatomical Quality Assessment (AQUA) tool. Statistical analysis included subgroup analyses according to sex, age, geographical location, and imaging modality.

RESULTS

In total, 60 studies were included, of which 44 studies reported adequate data for meta-analysis on 23,796 subjects. Overall, the pooled mean diameter of the CBD was 4.69 mm (95 % CI: 4.28-5.11). Significant differences were found between pediatric (1.32 mm, 95 % CI: 1.03-1.61) and adult (4.97 mm, 95 % CI: 4.67-5.27) subjects, as well as US (3.82 mm, 95 % CI: 3.15-4.49) and other imaging modalities, including MRI (6.21 mm, 95 % CI: 4.85-7.57) and ERCP (7.24 mm, 95 % CI: 6.08-8.40). The CBD diameter measured significantly larger distally (5.20 mm, 95 % CI: 4.60-5.80) than proximally (4.01 mm, 95 % CI: 3.51-4.51).

CONCLUSIONS

The results obtained from this evidence-based study may guide the establishment of standardised reference values and ranges of the normal biliary tree in pediatric and adult populations and aid clinical understanding.

The expanding role of endoscopic ultrasound elastography

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is an invaluable tool for assessing various GI diseases. However, using just the conventional B-mode EUS imaging may not be sufficient to accurately delineate the lesion's character. Using the principle of stress-induced tissue strain, EUS elastography (EUS-E) can help in the real-time sonographic assessment of the level of tissue stiffness or hardness of any organ of interest during a routine EUS procedure. Thus, EUS-E can better characterize the lesion's nature and highlight the more suspicious areas within an individual lesion. The most commonly studied lesions with EUS-E are the pancreatic lesions, namely, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, and lymph nodes. However, EUS-E is gradually expanding its use for lesion characterization of the liver, bile duct, adrenals, gastrointestinal tract, and even therapy response. Moreover, the use of EUS-E along with other image enhancement techniques such as harmonic EUS and contrast-enhanced EUS can improve the accuracy of the diagnosis. However, several technical aspects need to be standardized before EUS-E can be truly used as a tool for "virtual biopsy". This review focuses on the various technical aspects of the use of EUS-E, it is established and expanding indications and an extensive outline of the various studies on EUS-E. We also discuss the current pitfalls and future trends in EUS-E.

The value of endoscopic ultrasonography for differential diagnosis in obstructive jaundice of the distal common bile duct

INTRODUCTION

Obstructive jaundice is a common clinical disease of great significance; however, diagnosing it according to etiology, especially in patients with distal obstructive jaundice is difficult. The development of endoscopic ultrasonography has improved diagnostic methods. Endoscopic ultrasonography not only improves the accuracy of conventional endoscopic ultrasound technology in etiological diagnosis, but also offers several special endoscopic ultrasound technologies for diagnosing distal obstructive jaundice of the common bile duct. What's more, endoscopic ultrasonography can be used to treat distal obstructive jaundice of common bile duct.

AREAS COVERED

This review discusses the diagnostic value and applications of endoscopic ultrasonography for obstructive jaundice of the distal common bile duct.

EXPERT OPINION

This article summarizes the value of endoscopic ultrasonography in the etiological diagnosis, relevant treatment applications of distal obstructive jaundice and the limitations of endoscopic ultrasonography in some etiologies due to the lack of clear comparison with other imaging methods. We also provide new data for the future research direction of endoscopic ultrasonography in distal obstructive jaundice.

Role of Endoscopic Ultrasound in Liver Disease: Where Do We Stand?

As the burden of liver disease in the general populace steadily increases, so does the need for both advanced diagnostic and treatment options. Endoscopic ultrasound is a reliable diagnostic and therapeutic method that has an established role, foremost in pancreatobiliary pathology. This paper aims to summarize the growing role of endoscopic ultrasound in hepatology based on the search of the current literature. A number of applications of endoscopic ultrasound are reviewed, including both noninvasive methods and tissue acquisition in focal and diffuse liver disease, portal hypertension measurement, detection and management of gastric and esophageal varices, treatment of focal liver lesions and staging of pancreatobiliary malignancies, treatment of cystic and solid liver lesions, as well as liver abscess drainage. Both hepatologists and endoscopists should be aware of the evolving role of endoscopic ultrasound in liver disease. The inherent invasive nature of endoscopic examination limits its use to a targeted population identified using noninvasive methods. Endoscopic ultrasound is one the most versatile methods in gastroenterology, allowing immediate access with detection, sampling, and treatment of digestive tract pathology. Further expansion of its use in hepatology is immanent.

Endoscopic ultrasound in chronic liver disease

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic modality with a number of established as well as evolving uses in patients with chronic liver disease. Compared to other diagnostic tools such as cross-sectional imaging or conventional endoscopy, EUS has been shown to increase diagnostic sensitivity and therapeutic success for many clinical scenarios and applications with a low rate of adverse events. In this review, we discuss and focus on the current and growing role of EUS in the evaluation and/or treatment of hepatobiliary masses, hepatic parenchymal disease, portal hypertension, esophageal and other varices, and indeterminate biliary strictures.

Biliary endoscopy in the management of primary sclerosing cholangitis and its complications

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic, idiopathic, cholestatic liver disease characterized by inflammation and fibrosis of the intrahepatic and/or extrahepatic bile ducts. It can affect individuals of all age groups and gender, has no established pharmacotherapy, and is associated with a variety of neoplastic (e.g. cholangiocarcinoma) and non-neoplastic (e.g. dominant strictures) hepatobiliary complications. Given these considerations, endoscopy plays a major role in the care of patients with PSC. In this review, we discuss and provide updates regarding endoscopic considerations in the management of hepatobiliary manifestations and complications of PSC. Where evidence is limited, we suggest pragmatic approaches based on currently available data and expert opinion.

Clinical guidelines for primary sclerosing cholangitis 2017

BACKGROUND

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is relatively rare disease and pathogenesis and methods of treatments were still not established. Then, we had conducted the making clinical guidelines to manage patients with PSC based on the literature review and expert opinions. These clinical guidelines were made for the medical doctors on the management of PSC, except child case of PSC.

METHODS

We had employed modified Delphi method. The production committee decided guidelines, strength of recommendations and evidence level after reviewed literatures systematically, and The Expert panel evaluated those. The Scientific Committee of the Japan Biliary Association (JBA) evaluated revised guidelines, and the Public comments were collected on web site of JBA.

RESULTS

We had made 16 guidelines about epidemiology/pathophysiology, diagnostics, therapy and prognosis. Also, we had made both diagnostic and therapeutic flow chart.

CONCLUSIONS

We hope that these guidelines will contribute to the improvement and development of the medical care of PSC.

Role of endoscopy in primary sclerosing cholangitis: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) and European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Clinical Guideline

This guideline is an official statement of the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) and of the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) on the role of endoscopy in primary sclerosing cholangitis. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system was adopted to define the strength of recommendations and the quality of evidence. Main recommendations.

Ultrasonographic measurement of normal common bile duct diameter and its correlation with age, sex and anthropometry

BACKGROUND

Ultrasonography is the diagnostic method of choice for visualization and rational work-up of abdominal organs. The dilatation of the common bile duct helps distinguish obstructive from non-obstructive causes of jaundice. Availability of normal measurements of the common bile duct is therefore important. There exists significant variations in the anthropometric features of various populations, regions and races.

AIM

Study was conducted to obtain data on sonographically measured diameters of common bile duct in a series of normal Rajasthani population and to measure its correlation with age, sex and anthropometry.

SETTING AND DESIGN

Cross-sectional hospital-based study conducted at Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur, India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study included 200 participants with equal proportion belonging to either sex. Common bile duct was measured at three locations- at the porta hepatis, in the most distal aspect of head of pancreas and mid-way between these points. Anthropometric measurements including height, weight, chest circumference, circumference at transpyloric plane, circumference at umbilicus and circumference at hip were obtained using standard procedures.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Univariable analysis with measures of frequency and standard deviation and bivariable analysis using correlation.

RESULTS

Mean age of study subjects was 34.5 years (Range 18-85 years). Mean diameters of the common bile duct in the three locations were: proximal, 4.0 mm (SD 1.02 mm); middle, 4.1 mm (SD 1.01 mm); and distal, 4.2 mm (SD 1.01 mm) and overall mean for all measures 4.1 mm (SD 1.01 mm). Average diameter ranged from 2.0 mm to 7.9 mm, with 95 percent of the subjects having a diameter of less than 6 mm. We observed a statistically significant relation of common bile duct with age, along with a linear trend. There was no statistically significant difference in common bile duct diameter between male and female subjects. The diameter did not show any statistically significant correlation with any of the anthropometric measurements.

CONCLUSION

Our study reported the upper limit of normality as 7.9 mm. The diameter increased progressively from 3.9 mm among those aged 18-25 years to 4.7 mm among those in the age group more than 55 years. This was found to be statistically significant. Ductal diameters beyond these limits should prompt the need for further investigations.

Endoscopic assessment of inflammatory bowel disease: colonoscopy/esophagogastroduodenoscopy

Endoscopy plays an important role in the initial diagnosis of IBD, including the evaluation of disease severity, activity, and extent. The implications of complete mucosal healing further confirm the function of endoscopy in the follow-up of IBD patients. The use of therapeutic endoscopy, for example stricture dilatation, can avoid the need for bowel resection. Modalities such as capsule endoscopy, EUS, NBI, CE, and other emerging techniques are likely to have an increasing role in the management of IBD, particularly in the area of dysplasia surveillance and treatment.

Characteristic Findings of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis on Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiography: Which is the Most Common Finding?

Background

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease and one of the most common indications for liver transplantation in adults. There are conflicting data regarding characteristic findings of PSC disease on endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERCP). We undertook this study to clarify whether there is a specific pattern of involvement of the biliary tract in patients with PSC and to evaluate features of PSC disease on ERCP in order to be able to manage this disease better.

Methods

This retrospective study included 45 patients admitted to Taleghani Hospital in 2004–2010 and diagnosed to have PSC on the basis of typical cholangiographic findings in combination with clinical and laboratory data. Patients suspected to have secondary sclerosing cholangitis were excluded. Demographic and clinical data were recorded, along with cholangiographic findings and the frequency of large duct and small duct PSC.

Results

Forty-five patients of mean age 34.8 (range 15–66) years were included. Twenty-nine patients (64.4%) had inflammatory bowel disease, and the frequency of large duct PSC and small duct PSC was 93.4% and 6.6%, respectively. The intrahepatic ducts alone were involved in 11 (24.4%) patients and the extrahepatic ducts were involved in 14 (31.1%), with 17 (37.7%) patients having both intrahepatic and extrahepatic PSC. Three (6.6%) patients did not have bile duct involvement on ERCP, and their disease was diagnosed by liver biopsy as small duct PSC. The most common type of cholangiographic feature of intrahepatic duct involvement was type 2, found in 15 (33.3%) patients, with type 3 being the most common type of extrahepatic duct involvement and detected in 16 (35.5%) patients.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that the most common PSC finding on ERCP is involvement of both the extrahepatic and intrahepatic bile ducts, with small duct PSC being less common than large duct PSC.

Role of radial endosonography in the diagnosis of acute cholangitis

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM

We aimed to assess radial endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) features of the bile duct wall as well as biliary luminal liquid characteristics in cases with acute cholangitis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This prospective study was performed during the period from January 2009 to February 2010 in a tertiary referral center. Twenty-eight patients with acute cholangitis and 60 patients without acute cholangitis but with cholestasis due to gallstone disease were enrolled in the study. During radial EUS examination, sonographic features of the common bile duct wall, the intraductal luminal content, and nearby periductal structures were investigated. Mild hyperechogenic-heterogenic appearances with waving-type movements without acoustic shadowing enclosing one-third of the common bile duct were noted as purulent materials.

RESULTS

EUS indicated an increased focal and/or diffuse concentric bile duct wall thickness (>1.5 mm) in 68 and 27% of the cases with and without acute cholangitis, respectively. The mean bile duct wall thickness was 1.9 mm (0.9-2.9 mm) and 1.1 mm (0.6-2.1 mm) in the study and control groups, respectively (P < 0.05). On EUS, a pericholedochal hypoechoic strand more than 1.5 cm in length was present in 13 of 28 patients with acute cholangitis (46%). It was less than 1 cm long in 11 cases without acute cholangitis (18%). Bile duct content with heterogenous dense echogenicity without acoustic shadowing was present in 18 patients (64%) with acute cholangitis and in two patients (3%) without cholangitis. Those 20 patients were successfully drained with a same-day endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERCP) procedure which confirmed purulent biliary content after sphincterotomy. Same-day ERCP revealed no purulent material drainage from the bile duct in the other eight patients without cholangitis. The accuracy and positive and negative predictivity of diffuse concentric wall thickening and a peribiliary hypoechoic strand of greater than 1.5 cm in length for a diagnosis of acute cholangitis were 91, 86.3, and 67.1%, and 76, 72, and 54%, respectively. For purulent material, the accuracy and positive and negative predictive values of EUS for acute cholangitis were noted to be 87, 93.3, and 82%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Through this study, it was concluded that EUS findings such as diffuse and/or concentric wall thickening of more than 1.5 mm and intraductal heterogenous echogenicity without acoustic shadowing are highly accurate and predictive for diagnosing acute cholangitis.

Endoscopic ultrasound elastography as a method for screening the patients with suspected primary sclerosing cholangitis

OBJECTIVES

Currently, magnetic resonance cholangiography is being used for establishing the diagnosis of primary sclerosing cholangitis, whereas endoscopic retrograde cholangiography is reserved for therapeutic interventions. The aim of this study was to determine the role of endoscopic ultrasound elastography in the detection of inflammatory and fibrotic lesions of the common bile duct.

METHODS

Linear endoscopic ultrasound elastography of the common bile duct was performed in 41 patients. The patients were divided into two groups: disease group (20 patients with both, primary sclerosing cholangitis and inflammatory bowel disease) and control group (21 patients). Main outcome measurements were diameter, wall thickness and wall qualitative Elasto Score of the common bile duct.

RESULTS

The disease group consisted of nine females and 11 males, whereas the control group consisted of 13 females and eight males, with no sex differences observed (chi = 0.6, d.f. = 1, P = 0.443). There was no significant difference in the diameter of common bile duct between the studied groups: 4.67+/-1.83 mm in the disease group and 5.88+/-2.47 mm in controls (t = -1.77, d.f. = 39, P = 0.085). Hard or mixed Elasto Score was found in 16 patients and four controls, being significantly different compared with the soft Elasto Score found in four patients and 17 controls (chi = 1.8, d.f. = 1, P<0.001). A significant difference was observed in the common bile duct wall thickness: 0.89+/-0.59 mm in the disease group and 0.39+/-0.14 mm in controls (t = 3.75, d.f. = 39, P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic ultrasound elastography might be a useful noninvasive method in diagnosing primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Endoscopic ultrasonography can diagnose distal biliary strictures without a mass on computed tomography

AIM: To assess the diagnostic ability of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) for evaluating causes of distal biliary strictures shown on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), even without identifiable mass on computed tomography (CT).

METHODS: The diagnostic ability of EUS was retrospectively analyzed and compared with that of routine cytology (RC) and tumor markers in 34 patients with distal biliary strictures detected by ERCP or MRCP at Dokkyo Medical School Hospital from December 2005 to December 2008, without any adjacent mass or eccentric thickening of the bile duct on CT that could cause biliary strictures. Findings considered as benign strictures on EUS included preservation of the normal sonographic layers of the bile duct wall, irrespective of the presence of a mass lesion. Other strictures were considered malignant. Final diagnosis of underlying diseases was made by pathological examination in 18 cases after surgical removal of the samples, and by clinical follow-up for > 10 mo in 16 cases.

RESULTS: Seventeen patients (50%) were finally diagnosed with benign conditions, including 6 “normal” subjects, while 17 patients (50%) were diagnosed with malignant disease. In terms of diagnostic ability, EUS showed 94.1% sensitivity, 82.3% specificity, 84.2% positive predictive value, 93.3% negative predictive value (NPV) and 88.2% accuracy for identifying malignant and benign strictures. EUS was more sensitive than RC (94.1% vs 62.5%, P = 0.039). NPV was also better for EUS than for RC (93.3% vs 57.5%, P = 0.035). In addition, EUS provided significantly higher sensitivity than tumor markers using 100 U/mL as the cutoff level of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (94.1% vs 53%, P = 0.017). On EUS, biliary stricture that was finally diagnosed as malignant showed as a hypoechoic, irregular mass, with obstruction of the biliary duct and invasion to surrounding tissues.

CONCLUSION: EUS can diagnose biliary strictures caused by malignant tumors that are undetectable on CT. Earlier detection by EUS would provide more therapeutic options for patients with early-stage pancreaticobiliary cancer.

Technology Insight: new techniques for imaging the gut in patients with IBD

Advances in techniques for imaging the gut continue to drive the rapid development of modalities for diagnosing and assessing the activity of IBD. Abdominal ultrasound and magnetic resonance enterography have shown great potential for the diagnosis of IBD and assessment of its distribution, with the benefit of avoiding radiation exposure and serving as a safe option for pregnant patients. CT enterography or CT enteroclysis, with neutral or negative contrast, seems to be a sensitive and specific modality for detecting disease in the small bowel. The role of CT or magnetic resonance colonography in patients with IBD remains uncertain and these modalities are now best reserved for patients who decline or cannot undergo standard endoscopic evaluations. Capsule endoscopy might be the most sensitive modality for the detection of mucosal small bowel disease, but its specificity remains in question. Double-balloon endoscopy is an exciting new tool that has the distinct advantage of enabling biopsy or treatment of lesions detected during the procedure. All these techniques are at the forefront of the rapidly evolving field of imaging the gut in patients with IBD.

Sclerosing cholangitis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a chronic cholestatic liver disease characterized by strictures of the biliary tree complicated by cirrhosis and cholangiocarcinoma. It is immune mediated, although the precise aetiology remains unknown.

RECENT FINDINGS

Research into etiopathogenesis and epidemiology, diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma, associations with inflammatory bowel disease and autoimmune pancreatitis, and medical therapy are discussed.

SUMMARY

Multiple gene polymorphisms associated with primary sclerosing cholangitis have been investigated. Common inflammatory bowel disease-associated polymorphisms do not confer any susceptibility to primary sclerosing cholangitis; the role of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 gene polymorphisms and CCR5 mutations remain unclear. Elevated IgG4 has been demonstrated in a subgroup of primary sclerosing cholangitis patients, which may indicate an overlap with autoimmune pancreatitis and possible responsiveness to steroids. Biliary brush cytology may assist in diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma, although further clinical indicators are required. Animal studies suggest the superiority of 24-norursodeoxycholic acid over ursodeoxycholic acid in reducing histological disease progress; translational studies in humans are now required.