Spiral computed tomography scanning after intravenous infusion cholangiography for biliary duct anomalies

Bilateral metallic stenting in malignant hilar obstruction

Endoscopic palliative biliary drainage is considered as a gold standard treatment in advanced or inoperable hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Also, metal stents are preferred over plastic stents in patients with >3 months life expectancy. However, the endoscopic intervention of advanced hilar obstruction is often more challenging and complex than that of distal malignant biliary obstructions. In this literature review, we describe the issues commonly encountered during endoscopic unilateral (single) versus bilateral (multiple) biliary stenting for malignant hilar obstruction. Also, we provide technical guidance to improve the technical success rates and patient outcomes, focusing on bilateral metallic stenting techniques such as stent-in-stent or side-by-side deployment.

Technical tips and issues of biliary stenting, focusing on malignant hilar obstruction

Although there is no survival advantage, inoperable hilar cholangiocarcinoma managed by palliative drainage may benefit from symptomatic improvement. In general, biliary drainage is divided into endoscopic or percutaneous approaches and surgical drainage. Plastic or metal stent is the most preferred device for palliative drainage in endoscopic approach. Considering cost-effectiveness, use of metallic stent is preferred than plastic stents in patients with more than 3 months of life expectancy with inoperable malignant biliary obstruction. In patients with unresectable malignant hilar obstruction, the endoscopic approach with biliary stent placement by experts has been considered as the treatment of choice. However, the endoscopic management of hilar obstruction is often more challenging and complex than distal malignant biliary obstructions. There is still a lack of clear consensus on the use of plastic versus metal stents and unilateral versus bilateral drainage since the decision should be made under many grounds such as the volume of liver drainage more than 50%, life expectancy, and expertise of the facility.

CT and MR cholangiography: advantages and pitfalls in perioperative evaluation of biliary tree

Recent developments in imaging technology have enabled CT and MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) to provide minimally invasive alternatives to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for the pre- and post-operative assessment of biliary disease. This article describes anatomical variants of the biliary tree with surgical significance, followed by comparison of CT and MR cholangiographies. Drip infusion cholangiography with CT (DIC-CT) enables high-resolution three-dimensional anatomical representation of very small bile ducts (e.g. aberrant branches, the caudate branch and the cystic duct), which are potential causes of surgical complications. The disadvantages of DIC-CT include the possibility of adverse reactions to biliary contrast media and insufficient depiction of bile ducts caused by liver dysfunction or obstructive jaundice. Conventional MRCP is a standard, non-invasive method for evaluating the biliary tree. MRCP provides useful information, especially regarding the extrahepatic bile ducts and dilated intrahepatic bile ducts. Gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid-enhanced MRCP may facilitate the evaluation of biliary structure and excretory function. Understanding the characteristics of each type of cholangiography is important to ensure sufficient perioperative evaluation of the biliary system.

Predicting Biliary Complications in Right Lobe Liver Transplant Recipients according to Distance between Donor's Bile Duct and Corresponding Hepatic Artery

PURPOSE

To retrospectively determine whether biliary complications in recipients of living-donor right lobe liver grafts can be predicted at pretransplantation donor computed tomography (CT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The human research committee approved this study. The requirement for informed consent was waived. Multi-detector row CT cholangiography and CT angiography were performed in 44 consecutive right lobe liver donors (25 men, 19 women; mean age, 37 years). When CT cholangiography in the donor demonstrated the right biliary anatomy (conventional or variant), the shortest distance between the right main (or second-order) hepatic artery and the corresponding right main (or second-order) bile duct was measured and compared with posttransplantation biliary complications in the transplant recipient by using generalized estimating equations.

RESULTS

In 22 transplant recipients with one right main duct-to-common duct anastomosis (ie, conventional donor anatomy), the distance between the donor's right main bile duct and hepatic artery generally was small (mean distance, 3.8 mm; range, 1-14 mm) and unrelated (P=.46) to biliary complications (n=6). In 22 recipients who required two second-order right duct anastomoses (ie, with variant donor anatomy), the distance between the donor's second-order duct and corresponding hepatic artery was more variable (mean distance, 6.6 mm; range, 1-32.5 mm), and biliary complications were significantly more common when this distance was 10 mm or greater (in eight of 13 ducts with conventional anatomy and four of 31 ducts with variant anatomy, P<.05).

CONCLUSION

Right lobe liver graft recipients who have variant right biliary anatomy and a second-order bile duct 10 mm or farther from the corresponding hepatic artery are at high risk for biliary complications, possibly because of a predisposition to ischemic injury.

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Patients Aged 80 Years and Over

INTRODUCTION

The aging population has led to a significant rise in the number of patients undergoing operations such as cholecystectomy. We have evaluated and compared the results of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in patients aged 80 years and over with those of patients aged between 65 and 79 years.

METHODS

A total of 471 patients aged 65 to 79 years (group 1) and 45 patients aged>or=80 years (group 2) underwent LC. All patients underwent preoperative spiral computed tomography after intravenous infusion cholangiography and intraoperative cholangiography.

RESULTS

There was a higher incidence of choledocholithiasis and gallbladder cancer in the patients>or=80 years of age. In addition, group 2 patients had a higher incidence of cardiopulmonary disease and higher American Association of Anesthesiology scores than did those in group 1. With respect to the conversion rate to open surgery, morbidity, mortality, and length of hospital stay, there were no significant differences between the two groups. There was a significantly higher incidence of positive bile cultures and gram-negative rods in group 2 patients than in those in group 1.

CONCLUSIONS

Octogenarians tolerated LC well. Therefore, early elective LC should be encouraged to minimize morbidity and mortality in these elderly patients who have symptomatic cholelithiasis.

Types and frequencies of biliary tract variations associated with a major portal venous anomaly: analysis with multi-detector row CT cholangiography

PURPOSE

To retrospectively determine whether major portal venous variation was more frequently associated with biliary variants, with consideration of the types and frequencies of biliary tract variations in the right and left liver lobes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Before undergoing computed tomographic (CT) cholangiography, patients gave informed consent. The retrospective research protocol was approved, and informed consent was waived by the ethics committee. Forty-four patients aged 29-80 years who underwent multi-detector row CT cholangiography had a major portal vein variation in which the main portal vein diverged into the common trunk of the left portal vein and right anterior sectorial portal vein. One hundred fifty-eight consecutive patients aged 26-89 years who did not have this variation served as the control group. Three radiologists retrospectively evaluated the confluence pattern of the bile duct, the relationship between this pattern and the portal vein, and the major branching pattern of the portal vein. Pearson chi2 and Fisher exact tests were performed to identify significant differences between the two patient groups.

RESULTS

The classic hilar confluence pattern, where the right posterior sectorial duct connects supraportally with the right anterior sectorial duct, was less frequent in the patients with the portal vein variation than in the control subjects (32% vs 73%, P < .05). The following biliary tract variations were identified more frequently in the variation group than in the control group (P < .05): right posterior sectorial duct joining left hepatic duct with a supraportal course (34% vs 12%), right posterior sectorial duct joining right anterior sectorial duct with an infraportal course (13% vs 4%), right posterior sectorial duct following an infraportal course (23% vs 8%), and left lateral segmental ducts caudal to the umbilical portion of the portal vein (14% vs 3%). The right hepatic duct, which receives all biliary ducts from the right lobe, was significantly less frequently developed in the variation group (46% vs 79%, P < .05). In addition, retroportal bile ducts were seen in four patients with the portal vein variation (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

Bile duct configurations in patients with portal vein variation were significantly different from those in control subjects.

Biliary ductal evaluation of hilar cholangiocarcinoma: three-dimensional direct multi-detector row CT cholangiographic findings versus surgical and pathologic results--feasibility study

The study was conducted, with institutional review board approval and informed patient consent, to assess the feasibility and diagnostic effectiveness of three-dimensional direct multi-detector row computed tomographic (CT) cholangiography for determining the extent of bile duct invasion by hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Eleven patients underwent contrast material-enhanced direct multi-detector row CT cholangiography of the primary and secondary biliary confluence levels and then surgical resection. In most patients, CT cholangiography was tolerable and yielded excellent or good opacification of the biliary tree. CT cholangiography enabled a correct diagnosis of the extent of ductal involvement at all 11 primary confluence levels and at 18 of the 19 secondary confluence levels. Three secondary confluences, which could not be analyzed owing to nonopacification or poor opacification, proved to be involved by hilar cholangiocarcinoma. The authors conclude that three-dimensional direct multi-detector row CT cholangiography is accurate and feasible for defining the extent of ductal invasion by hilar cholangiocarcinoma, especially in patients with preliminary biliary drainage.

Relationship between vascular and biliary anatomy in living liver donors

OBJECTIVE

The objective of our study was to determine whether there is an association between portal venous or hepatic arterial branching patterns (or both) and biliary anatomic variants.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two radiologists independently reviewed preoperative hepatic CT scans and intraoperative cholangiograms from 39 consecutive living liver donors. The portal venous and hepatic arterial anatomy was classified on the basis of the preoperative CT scans and the biliary anatomy was classified on the basis the intraoperative cholangiograms into one of two groups: conventional or anomalous. Variables were tested for association using Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

Anomalous vascular branching variants were common, being present in 23 (59%) of 39 patients. Hepatic arterial anomalies were present in 18 (46%); portal venous anomalies, in seven (18%); and both, in two (5%). Biliary anomalies were present in 15 (38%) of the 39 patients. Of the 23 patients with anomalous vascular anatomy, seven (30%) had biliary anomalies. Of the 16 patients with conventional vascular anatomy, eight (50%) had biliary anomalies. There was no significant association between hepatic arterial anomalies, portal venous anomalies, or the combination of arterial and portal venous anomalies and anomalous biliary drainage.

CONCLUSION

Portal venous and hepatic arterial branching patterns do not correlate well with biliary anatomic variants. In patients with normal hepatic vascular anatomy, biliary anomalies are common.

Living donor candidates for right hepatic lobe transplantation: evaluation at CT cholangiography--initial experience

PURPOSE

To retrospectively evaluate computed tomographic (CT) cholangiography in the depiction of second-order biliary tract anatomy in living donor candidates for right hepatic lobe transplantation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human research committee approval was obtained, informed consent was not required, and the study was compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. The authors identified all living right-lobe liver donor candidates who underwent CT cholangiography at their institution between October 2001 (when CT cholangiography was introduced at the institution) and March 2003 (n = 62). There were 41 men (mean age, 36 years; range, 18-55 years) and 21 women (mean age, 40 years; range, 22-55 years). Two readers in consensus rated quality of second-order bile duct visualization at CT cholangiography on a four-point scale (0, not seen; 3, excellent visualization) and noted the presence of variant second-order biliary tract branching anatomy. CT cholangiography findings were compared with those at surgery in subjects who underwent right hepatic lobe retrieval (n = 24). In addition, adult donors who underwent right hepatic lobe retrieval between January 2000 and March 2003 (29 men, mean age, 35 years [range, 20-52 years]; 18 women, mean age, 38 years [range, 23-54 years]) were identified. Numbers of donors who underwent intraoperative cholangiography before and after the introduction of CT cholangiography were compared by using the Fisher exact test.

RESULTS

The mean second-order bile duct score at CT cholangiography was 2.9 (range, 2-3). Of 24 subjects who underwent right lobe retrieval, biliary tract anatomy determined at CT cholangiography was concordant with findings at surgery in 23 (96%). Variant second-order branching anatomy was seen in 13 subjects (54%) at surgery; one variant branch was missed at CT cholangiography. Of 47 subjects who underwent right hepatic lobe retrieval, significantly fewer subjects required conventional intraoperative cholangiography after the introduction of CT cholangiography (three of 24 subjects [12%]) than before (23 of 23 subjects; P < .0001).

CONCLUSION

CT cholangiography accurately depicts biliary tract anatomy in living donor candidates for right hepatic lobe transplantation, and donors who undergo preoperative CT cholangiography are unlikely to need conventional intraoperative cholangiography.

Preoperative assessment of the aberrant bile duct using multislice computed tomography cholangiography

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to determine the frequency of anatomic variations of bile ducts (aberrant bile ducts) using multislice helical computed tomography (MCT) cholangiography.

METHODS

MCT scanning was performed after slow infusion of 100 mL meglumine iotroxate. Overlapping axial images, taken at 0.5-mm intervals, were reconstructed to create a multiplanar reconstruction with volume rendering. We analyzed anatomical variations of the biliary tree by MCT cholangiography.

RESULTS

In a total of 113 patients, MCT cholangiography provided clear images of aberrant bile ducts in 18 patients. Major type (draining a particular segment of the liver) was found in 9 cases (8%) and minor type (draining a particular subsegment of the liver) in 9 cases (8%).

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative MCT cholangiography provides important information about the precise biliary anatomy and can reveal unexpected aberrant bile ducts prior to biliary surgery, especially laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Computerized CT-Based 3D Visualization Technique in Living Related Liver Transplantation

INTRODUCTION

For living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) accurate diagnostic workup is essential. Multiple imaging approaches are currently used. Problems arise in the assessment of vascular and bile duct anatomy, liver graft volume, and vascular territories involved. A 3D visualization system that improves anatomic assessment, allows interactive surgery planning, and acts as an intraoperative guide with enhanced precision is required. Refinements in computed tomography (CT) technology with the introduction of multidetector-row CT scanners and implementation of mathematical methods on computerized digital data has enabled CT-based 3D visualizations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixteen LDLT candidates and three LDLT recipients were assessed by multislice CT examination. Image processing of the digital raw data for 3D visualization included segmentation and calculation of center lines. A hierarchical mathematical model representing the vascular and biliary tree was created. This allowed calculation of individual vascular territories.

RESULTS

3D CT-based visualization in LDLT facilitates diagnostic workup with high accuracy for analyses of vascular and bile duct variants, volumetry, and assessment of the optimal surgical splitting line of the living donor liver. Resultant areas of either arterial devascularization or venous congestion can be displayed and quantified preoperatively. The diagnostic method is of major impact on patient selection and directly influences intraoperative surgical guidance. The currently practiced "multiple imaging approach" approach, especially with regard to invasive diagnostics, can be avoided in the future.

Concordance of second-order portal venous and biliary tract anatomies on MDCT angiography and MDCT cholangiography

OBJECTIVE

We sought to investigate the concordance between second-order portal venous and biliary tract anatomies using MDCT angiography and MDCT cholangiography.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively identified 56 living related potential liver donors who underwent both MDCT angiography and MDCT cholangiography. Two reviewers independently rated axial images and 3D reconstructions of MDCT angiograms and cholangiograms as diagnostic or nondiagnostic with respect to depiction of second-order portal venous and biliary tract anatomies. In images rated as diagnostic, second-order portal venous and biliary tract anatomies were categorized as conventional or variant. The concordance between portal venous and biliary tract anatomies was analyzed using McNemar exact chi-square test.

RESULTS

All examinations were diagnostic. Second-order portal venous variants were seen in 10 (18%) and biliary branch variants were seen in 23 (41%) of the 56 patients. Patients with variant portal venous anatomy (6/10, 60%) were more likely to have variant biliary tract anatomy than patients with conventional portal venous anatomy (17/46, 37%; p < 0.01). The sensitivity of variant portal venous anatomy as a marker for variant biliary anatomy was 26% (6/23 patients).

CONCLUSION

Concordance between second-order portal venous and biliary tract anatomies is statistically significant. However, in our series, a number of patients with conventional portal venous anatomy had variant biliary anatomy; therefore, the finding of conventional portal venous anatomy does not obviate preoperative biliary tract imaging in patients before liver donation.

MDCT cholangiography with volume rendering for the assessment of patients with biliary obstruction

OBJECTIVE

We sought to evaluate the diagnostic utility of MDCT cholangiography with volume rendering in the evaluation of patients with suspected biliary tree obstruction.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

MDCT was performed in 34 patients who were thought to have biliary obstruction. Portal venous phase scanning was initiated 70 sec after the IV infusion of 150 mL of contrast agent, and no cholangiographic contrast agent was administered. Three-dimensional MDCT cholangiographic images were produced using volume rendering. ERCP was performed in 26 patients, and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) was performed in five patients; 17 patients underwent biopsy or surgery. The findings on MDCT cholangiography were compared with those of ERCP, PTC, biopsy, or surgery.

RESULTS

The correct diagnosis was made on MDCT cholangiography for 14 (93%) of the 15 patients with a biliary stone and in 16 (94%) of the 17 patients with malignant biliary obstruction. Microlithiasis in one patient could not be detected on MDCT cholangiography. One patient with polypoid adenocarcinoma and one patient with normal findings were incorrectly diagnosed with a biliary stone on the basis of MDCT cholangiography. In one of the two patients with a benign stricture, the stricture was incorrectly diagnosed as malignant. For the diagnosis of biliary stone, sensitivity and specificity of MDCT cholangiography were 93% and 89%, respectively. For the diagnosis of malignant obstruction, sensitivity and specificity were both 94%. The accuracy of the technique for the diagnosis of the cause of biliary obstruction was 83.3%.

CONCLUSION

MDCT cholangiography with volume rendering is a noninvasive and fast imaging technique with high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of the cause of biliary tree obstruction. It is a promising diagnostic tool for the assessment of patients with bile duct obstructions.

MR versus multislice CT cholangiography in evaluating patients with obstruction of the biliary tract

BACKGROUND

We compared magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) with multislice computed tomographic (MSCT) cholangiography in the assessment of patients with bile duct obstruction.

METHODS

Thirty-six patients with clinical or biochemical signs of biliary obstruction were prospectively studied. MRC was performed with fast spin-echo and single-shot fast spin-echo sequences. Source images, maximum intensity projection, and multiplanar reconstruction were evaluated. MSCT cholangiography was performed without biliary contrast agent, with intravenous injection of 150 mL of iodinated contrast material at 4 mL/s, 2.5-mm slice thickness, 7.5-mm/s table speed, and 1.25-mm reconstruction interval. Axial, multiplanar, and minimum intensity projection reformatted images were evaluated. MRC and MSCT findings were compared with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP; 20 patients), percutaneous cholangiography (eight patients), intraoperative cholangiography (two patients), surgery (11 patients), and cytology (11 patients) with respect to cause and site of obstruction.

RESULTS

With regard to presence and site of obstruction, agreement was observed across MRC, MSCT cholangiography, and reference investigations in all cases. Concerning cause, the correct diagnosis was made by MSCT cholangiography in 34 of 36 patients. Two cases of common bile duct lithiasis, diagnosed on MRC and ERCP, were missed by MSCT cholangiography.

CONCLUSION

MSCT cholangiography can be considered a possible noninvasive alternative to MRC.

CT biliary cystoscopy of gallbladder polyps

AIM: CT virtual endoscopy has been used in the study of various organs of body including the biliary tract, however, CT virtual endoseopy in diagnosis of gallbladder polyps has not yet been reported. This study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of CT virtual endoscopy in polyps of the gallbladder.

METHODS: Thirty-two cases of gallbladder polyps were examined by CT virtual endoscopy, ultrasound, CT scan with oral biliary contrast separately and confirmed by operation and pathology. CT biliary cystoscopic findings were analyzed and compared with those of ultrasound and CT scan with oral biliary contrast, and evaluated in comparison with operative and pathologic findings in all cases.

RESULTS: The detection rate of gallbladder polyps was 93.8%(90/96), 96.9%(93/96) and 79.2%(76/96) for CT cystoscopy, ultrasound and CT scan with oral contrast, respectively. CT biliary cystoscopy corresponded well with ultrasound as well as pathology in demonstrating the location, size and configuration of polyps. CT endoscopy was superior to ultrasound in viewing the polyps in a more precise way, 3 dimensionally from any angle in space, and showing the surface in details. CT biliary cystoscopy was also superior to CT scan with oral biliary contrast in terms of observation of the base of polyps for the presence of a pedicle, detection rates as well as image quality. The smallest polyp detected by CT biliary cystoscopy was measured 1.5 mm×2.2 mm×2.5 mm.

CONCLUSION: CT biliary cystoscopy is a non-invasive and accurate technique for diagnosis and management of gallbladder polyps.

Biliary tract depiction in living potential liver donors: comparison of conventional MR, mangafodipir trisodium-enhanced excretory MR, and multi-detector row CT cholangiography--initial experience

PURPOSE

To compare biliary tract depiction in living potential liver donors at conventional magnetic resonance (MR), mangafodipir trisodium-enhanced excretory MR, and multi-detector row computed tomographic (CT) cholangiography.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eight living potential liver donors underwent iodipamide meglumine-enhanced CT cholangiography. Eight different potential liver donors then underwent conventional MR cholangiography and mangafodipir trisodium-enhanced excretory MR cholangiography. Two readers independently scored all first-, second-, and third-order biliary branches with a four-point scale from 0 (not seen) to 3 (excellent visualization). Interobserver agreement was calculated by using the weighted kappa statistic. Scores were compared between imaging modalities by using generalized estimating equations. Imaging findings of second-order biliary tract anatomy were compared with intraoperative findings for nine patients.

RESULTS

Interobserver agreement for overall biliary tract visualization was good for CT, conventional MR, and excretory MR cholangiography (with weighted kappa values of 0.76, 0.66, and 0.79, respectively). The mean second-order biliary branch visualization scores for readers 1 and 2, respectively, were significantly higher at CT cholangiography (2.81 and 2.75) than at conventional MR (1.84 and 1.75, P <.001), excretory MR (2.00 and 2.06, P <.001), and combined conventional and excretory MR cholangiography (2.31 and 2.25, P <.01). At CT, conventional MR, and excretory MR cholangiography, respectively, second-order biliary branching anatomy was discernible in eight, five, and seven patients, with second-order biliary branch variants seen in three, two, and two patients. Surgical findings confirmed the pattern of second-order biliary branching seen at CT in five patients, that seen at conventional MR imaging in one patient, and that seen at excretory MR cholangiography in three patients. At surgery, one case of variant biliary anatomy was found to have been missed at CT cholangiography.

CONCLUSION

In living potential liver donors, CT cholangiography enables significantly better biliary tract visualization than conventional or excretory MR cholangiography either alone or in combination.

Impact of multislice CT on imaging of acute abdominal disease

The increased speed, greater coverage, and thinner slices of MSCT are exciting developments in radiology, and these feature should only improve with newer generation multislice scanners. The impact of this technology on abdominal imaging has just begun.

Vascular complications after living related liver transplantation: evaluation with gadolinium-enhanced three-dimensional MR angiography

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of gadolinium-enhanced three-dimensional (3D) MR angiography for detection of vascular complications in patients who have undergone living related liver transplantation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy-six patients who underwent living related liver transplantation were evaluated with gadolinium-enhanced 3D MR angiography. All MR angiograms were assessed for patency of the hepatic artery and the portal vein using a four-point scale (grades I-IV). The results were correlated with conventional angiography (n = 23) and clinical follow-up with Doppler sonography (n = 53) for more than 6 months.

RESULTS

Seventy-three of 76 MR angiography procedures were technically adequate. When grades III (focal narrowing [> 50%] at the anastomotic site) and IV (abrupt cutoff at the anastomotic site with nonvisualization of the right [or left] hepatic artery distal to the anastomosis) were regarded as the diagnostic criteria for hepatic artery stenosis, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of MR angiography were 100%, 74%, 29%, 100%, and 77%, respectively. In the portal vein, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of MR angiography were 100%, 84%, 35%, 100%, and 85%, respectively, when grades III (narrowing [> 50%] without poststenotic dilatation) and IV (narrowing [> 50%] with poststenotic dilatation) were defined as criteria for portal vein stenosis.

CONCLUSION

MR angiography was sensitive but not specific in the detection of significant vascular stenosis after living related liver transplantation. However, normal MR angiography findings reliably exclude the possibility of significant stenosis.

Estudo anatomotopográfico das vias biliares extra hepáticas e do trígono cistohepático

OBJETIVO: Estudar a morfologia do sistema biliar extra-hepático e do trígono cistohepático (triângulo de Calot) analisando a sua disposição, variações ou malformações MÉTODOS: foram investigados 50 cadáveres adultos. RESULTADOS: em 47 casos (94%) a junção hepato-cística se dava próxima ao hilo hepático. Em 3 casos (6%), a junção entre esses ductos se dava distalmente, ao nível da ampola hepato-pancreática (ampola de Vater). O ângulo formado pela junção hepato-cística foi menor que 30º em 72,3% dos casos; em 23,4% , ficou entre 30 e 45º; em 2,1% variou entre 45 e 60º e em 2,1% foi maior do que 60º. A junção hepato-cística se fez, na maior parte dos casos, pela direita (59,6%), seguida pela anterior (17%), posterior (12,8%) e esquerda (10,6%). Em relação aos componentes do trígono cistohepático, a artéria cística esteve presente em 56% dos casos; a veia porta em 36%; a artéria hepática direita em 34%; a artéria hepática esquerda em 2% e a artéria hepática própria em 2% dos casos. O comprimento e o diâmetro do ducto cístico foi 2,53± 1,19cm e 0,29± 0,12cm, respectivamente. A prega espiral do ducto cístico ( válvula de Heister) foi observada em 80% dos casos. O infundíbulo da vesícula biliar (bolsa de Hartmann) esteve presente em 74% dos casos. Esses conhecimentos são importantes, principalmente para os cirurgiões que atuam nesta região, através de videolaparoscopia. CONCLUSÃO: No trígono cistohepático a artéria cística foi encontrada com mais freqüência.

Laparoscopic double cholecystectomy

Gallbladder anomalies, although rarely seen, can be a challenge to the surgeon. There are many cases in the literature in which double gallbladder has been missed at the first operation. A case in which accessory gallbladder was suspected, confirmed at the operation, and managed successfully by laparoscopic cholecystectomy is described. The lack of specific symptoms and findings and the inaccuracy of imaging methods may cause missed diagnoses. The laparoscopic surgeon should always be aware of this abnormality.

Laparoscopic management of bile duct and bowel injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Accidental injuries to the bile duct and bowel are significant risks of laparoscopic surgery and sometimes require conversion to open surgery. Although some of the injuries related to laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be managed by endoscopic techniques, laparoscopic surgery is not yet sufficiently perfected. We investigated the efficacy of laparoscopic management combined with endoscopic tube or stent insertion in cases of bile duct and bowel injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was attempted on 1,190 consecutive patients between April 1992 and June 1999. The first 70 patients underwent only preoperative intravenous infusion cholangiography (IVC), and the remaining 1,120 patients were subjected to both preoperative IVC and intraoperative cholangiography. We experienced 16 cases of bile duct injury (1.4%). Five patients with circumferential injuries of the bile duct were converted to open surgery for biliary reconstruction. The other 11 patients with partial laceration injuries of the bile duct and biliary leakage from the cystic duct underwent a laparoscopic simple closure technique. In 10 of these patients, an endoscopic tube or stent was inserted on the day after surgery to facilitate biliary decompression and drainage. Bowel injuries occurred in seven patients (0.6%). Three intestinal injuries were due to careless technique, and two duodenal injuries and two intestinal injuries were related to dense adhesions. All of these injuries were successfully repaired using laparoscopic techniques, autosuturing devices, or extracorporeal suturing via the umbilical incision. No postoperative complications were identified. We concluded that the biliary injury site could be closed with a laparoscopic technique so long as the biliary injury was not circumferential. Bowel injuries also could be repaired laparoscopically.

Anatomical variations of the extrahepatic biliary tree: review of the world literature

The anatomy facing a surgeon during cholecystectomy involves complex relationships between the hepatic artery, extrahepatic biliary tree, and gallbladder. A sound knowledge of the normal anatomy of the extrahepatic biliary tract is thus essential in the prevention of operative injury to it. Equally important, however, is an understanding of congenital variation of biliary and vascular anatomy, as the literature abounds with reports of specific anatomical variations, and their operative implications. This article reviews the world literature on congenital variation of extrahepatic biliary anatomy.

Impact of multidetector CT on donor selection and surgical planning before living adult right lobe liver transplantation

OBJECTIVE

This study was performed to document the impact of multidetector multiphase CT in facilitating patient selection and surgical planning in potential donors being evaluated for living adult right lobe liver transplantation.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Forty consecutive potential donors were included in the study. There were 26 men and 14 women, (age range, 18-57 years; mean, 37 years) We performed CT using a multidetector scanner, after IV injection of 180 mL of contrast material at 5 mL/sec. Arterial phase images were acquired at 18 sec (collimation, 1.25 mm; table speed, 7.5) and portal phase images, at 60 sec (collimation, 2.5 mm; table speed, 15). Postprocessing was performed on a commercially available workstation. CT data included dual-energy assessment of liver parenchyma for fatty infiltration; depiction of arterial, portal venous, and hepatic venous anatomy and identification of important vascular variants; and determination of total and lobar liver volume.

RESULTS

Of the 40 potential liver donors evaluated, 15 patients (37.5%) were excluded on the basis of CT findings, with most exclusions a result of portal vein anomalies (n = 8). Fatty infiltration resulted in four exclusions (10%), and small liver volume resulted in three exclusions (7.5%).

CONCLUSION

Multidetector multiphase CT provided comprehensive parenchymal, vascular, and volumetric preoperative evaluation of potential donors undergoing living adult right lobe liver transplantation. This information had a major impact on patient selection because it was used to stratify patients. It allowed the surgeons to plan their surgical approach, and this planning may reduce postoperative complications.

Helical CT cholangiography with three-dimensional volume rendering using an oral biliary contrast agent: feasibility of a novel technique

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the feasibility and image quality of a new noninvasive biliary imaging technique: helical CT cholangiography with three-dimensional volume rendering using an oral biliary contrast agent.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Nineteen subjects including five healthy volunteers and 14 patients underwent helical CT cholangiography. Subjects ingested 6.0 g of iopanoic acid 6-10 hr before undergoing imaging. Axial data were used to construct three-dimensional volume-rendered cholangiograms. Two radiologists, an endoscopist, and a laparoscopic surgeon reviewed the images and evaluated overall image quality. In the 14 patients, findings from CT cholangiography were compared with those from ERCP, surgery, and intraoperative cholangiography.

RESULTS

All segments of the biliary tree were opacified in all volunteers except one, in whom the intrahepatic ducts were not opacified. Image quality was good to excellent in all volunteers. Anomalous cystic duct insertions were seen in two volunteers. Opacification of the biliary tree was rated as acceptable to excellent in nine patients and suboptimal in five. In five patients with good or excellent opacification, the biliary anatomy correlated with findings on intraoperative cholangiography or ERCP. CT cholangiography revealed additional conditions (gallbladder varices and acute pancreatitis) and variant anatomy in three patients.

CONCLUSION

Results of this pilot project suggest that obtaining CT cholangiograms using an oral biliary contrast agent is a feasible, noninvasive method for revealing biliary anatomy. However, visualization of the biliary tree was suboptimal in 36% of the patients, which represents a limitation of this technique.

Congenital anatomical abnormalities of the extrahepatic biliary duct: a personal audit

Awareness of variations in the anatomy of extrahepatic bile ducts may be important in preventing iatrogenic injury to the duct system during cholecystectomy. Their delineation, before or during surgery is therefore considered mandatory in this surgical unit, and a policy of always performing a per-operative cholangiogram has allowed us to evaluate the duct system in a retrospective review of 2080 cases. Twelve surgically significant anatomical variations were found, consisting of absent cystic duct (three cases), abnormal termination of cystic duct (two into the right hepatic duct, and one into the left hepatic duct), one case of double cystic duct, and five cases of significant accessory bile ducts.