Percutaneous Management of Malignant Biliary Obstruction

Comparing outcomes of right verse left hepatic approach percutaneous biliary drainage catheters

Purpose

Determine if there is a difference in adverse events (AE) between right or left hepatic percutaneous biliary drain placement (PTBD) in patients with biliary strictures.

Materials & methods

This retrospective study included patients with benign or malignant biliary stricture treated with PTBD at a single institution from 7/28/2004-3/30/2021. 357 patients met inclusion criteria, 77 (21.6 %) had PTBD on the left and 280 (78.4 %) on the right. AEs associated with the initial drain placement or during subsequent intervention were collected and categorized. AEs that were grouped as periprocedural included: surgery, infection, hemorrhage, and drain failure. AEs in the postprocedural group included: chills, catheter displacement, cholangitis, biliary stones, drain malfunction, fever resolving without treatment, and pericatheter leakage. Surgery was considered a major AE and the remaining AEs were categorized as minor. Statistical analyses were performed using Logistic Regression Analysis and p-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

Overall, there was no statistically significant difference in AEs between right and left drains in the periprocedural and postprocedural period (p = 0.832, OR = 0.95 and p = 0.808, OR = 0.93 respectively). When analyzing minor AEs individually, only cholangitis occurred at a higher rate on the right side (p = 0.033, OR = 0.43). There was no statistical difference in the rate of major AEs in the periprocedural period between left and right drains (p = 0.311, OR = 1.37).

Conclusion

Current literature is equivocal when comparing right versus left percutaneous biliary drains. This analysis describes no statistically significant difference in AEs between right and left hepatobiliary drains aside from slightly higher incidence of cholangitis for right sided drains.

Impact of cholangitis on survival of patients with malignant biliary obstruction treated with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage

PURPOSE

To evaluate the impact of cholangitis on survival of patients with gastrointestinal cancer and malignant biliary obstruction treated with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD).

METHODS

A retrospective registry study was performed at a tertiary center from 2000 to 2016 in Northern Finland.

RESULTS

The study included 588 patients, 258 (43.9%) patients with pancreatic cancer, 222 (37.7%) with biliary tract cancer, and 108 (18.4%) with metastasis from gastrointestinal cancers. Patient mean age was 70 years, range 26 - 93 years. There were 288 [49.0%] women. The 30-day mortality rate was 30.8% for 156 patients with cholangitis before PTBD, 19.5% for 215 patients with cholangitis after PTBD and 25.8% for 217 patients without cholangitis (P = 0.039). The median survival was 1.8 months for patients with cholangitis before PTBD, 3.0 months for patients with cholangitis after PTBD, and 3.2 months for patients without cholangitis (P = 0.002). The hazard ratio (HR) for 1-year mortality for patients with cholangitis before PTBD was 1.3 (95% CI 1.06 - 1.67, P = 0.015) compared to patients with cholangitis after PTBD. After successful PTBD, 54 out of 291 patients received chemotherapy; the median survival was 5.2 months with cholangitis before PTBD, 9.4 months with cholangitis after PTBD and 15.3 months without cholangitis.

CONCLUSION

In gastrointestinal cancers with malignant biliary obstruction, survival is poorer if cholangitis occurs before PTBD compared to cholangitis after PTBD. An oncologist's consultation is essential for assessing the possibility of chemotherapy in successfully treated PTBD patients, because of the notable survival benefit.

Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) and Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) as Predictors of Short-Term Survival in Patients with Advanced Malignant Biliary Obstruction Treated with Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage

BACKGROUND

Effective biliary tree decompression plays a central role in the palliation of malignant biliary obstruction (MBO). When endoscopic drainage is unfeasible or unsuccessful, percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) is the method of choice and preferred treatment approach in advanced hilar MBO. The prognostic nutritional index (PNI) reflects the patient's immunonutritional status, while the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) reflects the patient's inflammation status. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic value of preprocedural PNI and NLR on short-term survival in the advanced stage MBO population threatened with PTBD and to characterize the differences in immunonutritional and inflammatory status between 60-day survivors and non-survivors, as well as analyze other variables influencing short-term survival.

METHODS

This single-center retrospective study was conducted on patients undergoing palliative PTBD caused by MBO as a definitive therapeutic treatment between March 2020 and February 2022. After the procedure, patients were followed until the end of August 2022.

RESULTS

A total of 136 patients with malignant biliary obstruction were included in the study. Based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, optimal cut off-values for NLR (3) and PNI (36.7) were determined. In univariate regression analysis, age, absolute neutrophil count, albumin level, NLR ≤ 3, and PNI ≥ 36.7 were significant predictors of 60-day survival. Level of obstruction and PNI ≥ 36.7 were statistically significant independent predictors of 60-day survival in a multivariate regression model. Using PNI ≥ 36.7 as a significant coefficient from the multivariate regression model with the addition of NLR ≤ 3 from univariate analysis, a 60-day survival score was developed.

CONCLUSIONS

PNI and NLR are easy to calculate from routine blood analysis, which is regularly conducted for cancer patients. As such, they represent easily available, highly reproducible, and inexpensive tests capable of expressing the severity of systemic inflammatory responses in patients with cancer. Our study highlights that preprocedural PNI and NLR values provide predictors of short-term survival in patients with MBO treated with palliative PTBD. In addition, the proposed 60-day survival score can contribute to better selection of future candidates for PTBD and recognition of high-risk patients with expected poor outcomes.

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

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

Antireflux metal stent for biliary obstruction: Any benefits?

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with stent placement has been utilized as standard palliative management of distal malignant biliary obstruction (MBO). Compared to plastic stents, metal stents can provide longer-term relief of symptoms. When a large-bore metal stent is placed across the ampulla, patients are predisposed to the risk of cholangitis or stent dysfunction due to reflux of duodenal contents. To mitigate the risk of adverse events associated with the duodenobiliary reflux, efforts have been directed to development of antireflux metal stents (ARMSs). The antireflux property has been introduced through adding of an antireflux valve to the duodenal stent end. Evidence from clinical studies indicates that ARMSs may not only reduce the risk of ascending cholangitis during follow-up but also prolong stent patency time. However, the results of clinical studies testing ARMSs are inconsistent owing to heterogeneous designs of antireflux valves and stent bodies. Metal stents are increasingly indicated for benign biliary strictures and MBO in the setting of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and therefore, research is warranted to evaluate ARMSs for those indications. Given that endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided transmural biliary drainage has gained popularity, the optimal timing of placing an ARMS in relation to EUS-guided and percutaneous drainage should be investigated. Development and evaluation of ARMSs require an integrative approach utilizing phantom and animal models, measurements of stent mechanical properties, and in vivo functional study after stent placement. In this review article, we summarize updated evidence on ARMSs for MBO and discuss issues that should be addressed in future studies.

Percutaneous solutions for biliary stent dysfunction: pictorial essay

Plastic and metal biliary stents can fail to function properly, such failure being due to a positioning error or to the migration, occlusion, or fracture of the stent. An obstructed biliary stent can act as a nidus, causing complications such as recurrent persistent cholangitis. It can also cause vascular complications (such as bleeding and the formation of pseudoaneurysms), perforate the liver capsule (causing biloma or abscess), or, in rare cases, cause intestinal obstruction or perforation. In this pictorial essay, we demonstrate various interventional radiology techniques for the treatment of biliary stent dysfunction in patients with obstructive biliary disease.

The efficacy of the combination of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage and 125I stranded seeds for malignant bile duct obstruction treatment

Purpose

To investigate the efficacy of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) combined with iodine-125 (¹²⁵I) stranded seeds for the treatment of malignant bile duct obstruction (MBO).

Material and methods

A retrospective study was performed on 58 consecutive MBO patients. Twenty patients underwent PTBD combined with ¹²⁵I stranded seeds (group A). Thirty-eight patients underwent percutaneous trans-hepatic biliary drainage (group B). Total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and indirect bilirubin levels were compared preoperatively, 1-week, 1-month, and 3-months post-operatively. Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), cancer antigen 125 (CA125), and carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) levels were compared at preoperative and 3-month post-operative stages. The time free from biliary obstruction and survival times were compared.

Results

The differences in total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and indirect bilirubin levels between the two groups were not significant preoperatively (p = 0.857, p = 0.719, and p = 0.870), and 1-week post-operatively (p = 0.259, p = 0.395, and p = 0.145). However, 1-month (p = 0.012, p = 0.005, and p = 0.049) and 3-months post-operatively (p < 0.001, p = 0.001, and p = 0.001), group A was lower than group B. Differences in CA19-9, CA125, and CEA levels between the two groups were not significant preoperatively (p = 0.229, p = 0.116, and p = 0.273) and 3-months post-operatively (p = 0.159, p = 0.342, and p = 0.306). The median biliary obstruction free time was 7.0 months for group A and 5.0 months for group B (p < 0.001). The median survival time was 9.0 months for group A and 6.0 months for group B (p = 0.001).

Conclusions

PTBD combined with ¹²⁵I stranded seeds seem to reduce bilirubin levels and prevents biliary obstruction, promoting survival.

Health-Related Quality of Life evaluation in "left" versus "right" access for percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage using EORTC QLQBIL-21 questionnaire: a randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE

To investigate the impact of the different access for percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) in terms of "Quality of Life" (QoL) in the management of malignant obstructive jaundice.

METHODS

In this IRB-approved study, 64 consecutive patients with malignant obstructive jaundice were prospectively randomized to the right (group A) or left access (group B) for PTBD between February 2017 and December 2018. In order to demonstrate differences in terms of QoL between these groups, patients were asked to complete the "EORTC QLQ-BIL21" questionnaire the week after the treatment. Continuous variables were summarized by mean ± SD and compared using a Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS

Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainages were performed through right access in 31 cases and 33 cases through left access. Technical success was achieved in all cases (100%). During 1 week's follow-up, there was a significant difference between group A and B in terms of pain (p < 0.001). Group A showed higher intercostal pain and respiratory difficulties compared to group B. Moreover, patients of group A showed a higher level of tiredness, anxiety, and more difficult tubes drainage and bags management than group B patients.

CONCLUSION

In our experience, the use of the questionnaires showed the right access is associated with intercostal pain and respiratory difficulties. Left access for PTBD provides a better Quality of Life for patients who underwent PTBD as palliative treatment for the management of malignant obstructive jaundice and could be considered as the approach of choice in case of distal obstruction.

[Percutaneous biliary and gallbladder interventions]

CLINICAL ISSUE

Percutaneous transhepatic biliary and gall bladder interventions play an important role in the diagnosis and therapy of biliary tract diseases.

PERFORMANCE

With technical success rates up to 99% as well as complications rates up to a maximum of 26% they showed good results. Indications were opacification of the biliary tree as well as treatment of biliary system pathologies, such as drainage and stents.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Interventions were used if endoscopic approaches are not possible or exploited. We describe the current state of knowledge and the range for percutaneous biliary/gall bladder interventions and give an overview of technical approaches for fundamental interventional procedures, including percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage.

PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS

Percutaneous transhepatic biliary and gall bladder interventions are safe and effective treatments for benign and malignant stenosis, postoperative complications and risk patients with cholecystitis.

Management of Biliary Strictures: State-of-the-Art Review

Biliary strictures can be broadly classified as benign or malignant. Benign biliary strictures are most commonly iatrogenic in nature and are a consequence of hepatobiliary surgery. Cholangiocarcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the pancreas are the most common causes of malignant biliary obstruction. This article reviews state-of-the-art minimally invasive techniques used to manage these strictures. In addition, the roles of (a) recently introduced biodegradable biliary stents in the management of benign biliary strictures and (b) intraprocedural imaging and navigation tools, such as cone-beam CT, in percutaneous reconstruction of the biliary-enteric anastomosis are discussed.

Success and complications of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage are influenced by liver entry segment and level of catheter placement

PURPOSE

To examine outcomes and complications of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) performed via the right or left lobe and different entry levels (lobar, segmental, subsegmental, sub-subsegmental).

METHODS

The records of patients who underwent PTBD for obstructive jaundice from 2008 to 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors associated with outcomes and complications based on entry side and entry level. PTBD success was defined as a total bilirubin decrease after catheter placement.

RESULTS

The data of 446 patients (mean age 68.4 years) were included. Multivariate logistic regression revealed a decrease of bilirubin level was associated with left lobe (vs. right) entry [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.657, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.160, 6.087], external drainage (aOR = 2.908, 95% CI 1.226, 6.897), and liver volume undrained <50% (aOR = 2.623, 95% CI 1.045, 6.581). PTBD success was increased with left lobe entry (aOR = 1.853, 95% CI 1.167, 2.940) and associated with entry level (subsegmental vs. lobar, aOR = 2.992, 95% CI 1.258, 7.114; sub-subsegmental vs. lobar, aOR = 3.711, 95% CI 1.383, 9.956). Complications were significantly decreased with left lobe entry (aOR = 0.450, 95% CI 0.263, 0.769) and associated with entry level (segmental vs. lobar, aOR = 0.359, 95% CI 0.148, 0.873; subsegmental vs. lobar, aOR = 0.248, 95% CI 0.10, 0.615; sub-subsegmental vs. lobar, aOR = 0.129, 95% CI 0.041, 0.411).

CONCLUSIONS

The success and complications of PTBD vary with entry side and level.

Diagnosis and Management of Complications from Percutaneous Biliary Tract Interventions

Complications related to percutaneous biliary tract interventions (PBTIs) can range from access site discomfort to life-threatening vascular complications. These complications are relatively uncommon, and most of them are self-limiting. However, major complications for which an increased level of patient care and/or a prolonged hospital stay are required and that may lead to death-albeit rarely-can occur. Some of the most common complications related to PBTI include pain, infection, bile leakage, and catheter blockage. These conditions can be easily recognized by using the patient's clinical history and laboratory examination results. However, the more uncommon complications, such as life-threatening hemobilia, acute pancreatitis, and catheter and stent fractures, may have nonspecific clinical manifestations, and the underlying pathologic condition may be found only when it is being sought specifically. It is important that diagnostic and interventional radiologists be aware of the wide spectrum of PBTI-related complications, as early recognition and treatment may prevent catastrophic situations. In addition, knowledge of the different treatment options is essential for guidance in interventional radiology procedures such as transarterial control of hemobilia, imaging-guided direct percutaneous embolization of pseudoaneurysms, and percutaneous treatment of catheter- and stent-related complications such as fractures. The authors review a wide spectrum of complications associated with PBTI and the percutaneous management of these conditions. They also highlight valuable lessons learned from morbidity and mortality rounds at a high-volume tertiary care center. ^©RSNA, 2017.

Outcomes of Salvage Percutaneous Biliary Drainage after Occlusion of Endoscopic Stents

PURPOSE

To describe outcomes of patients with malignant biliary obstruction who undergo salvage percutaneous biliary drainage after occlusion of endoscopic biliary stents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A single-center retrospective review was performed of 47 patients (25 men, 22 women) who underwent percutaneous biliary drainage for recurrent obstruction after endoscopic stent placement between 2005 and 2015. Primary malignancies were bile duct (n = 13), colorectal (n = 11), gallbladder (n = 7), pancreas (n = 5), hepatocellular (n = 4), and other (n = 7). Indication for salvage drain placement was infection (n = 19) and jaundice or need to decrease bilirubin (n = 28). Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression methods were used for survival analysis. Logistic and multivariate regressions were employed to identify factors associated with survival.

RESULTS

Median survival after salvage biliary drain placement was 1.8 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-2.7). Elevated international normalized ratio (INR) ≥ 1.5 before drainage was associated with poorer survival after drainage (median survival 0.7 months vs 2.4 months, P < .01). Median survival was shorter in 28 patients (64%) with bilirubin ≤ 2 mg/dL (34.2 µmol/L) after drainage (1.2 months vs 5.4 months, P < .001). Left-sided drain placement, elevated bilirubin, and elevated INR correlated with decreased likelihood of achieving bilirubin ≤ 2 mg/dL (34.2 µmol/L) (odds ratio [OR] 0.13, 95% CI, 0.02-0.71, P = .02; OR 0.18, 95% CI, 0.05-0.69, P = .01; OR 0.10, 95% CI, 0.01-0.90, P = .04).

CONCLUSIONS

Survival is limited for most patients who undergo salvage percutaneous biliary drainage. Elevated bilirubin and INR before drainage portend a poor prognosis.

Prognostic value of inflammation-based markers in patients with recurrent malignant obstructive jaundice treated by reimplantation of biliary metal stents: A retrospective observational study

We aimed to assess the therapeutic effect of reimplantation of biliary metal stents by percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage (PTCD) in patients with recurrent malignant obstructive jaundice (MOJ). Furthermore, we explored the prognostic value of inflammation-based markers in these patients.We reviewed 33 cases of recurrent MOJ after implantation of biliary metal stents by PTCD, all of which underwent reimplantation of stents under digital subtraction angiography guidance. Levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and bilirubin were compared between before and after reimplantation (1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively). Preoperative clinical data were collected to calculate the inflammation-based markers, including systemic immune-inflammation index (SII, neutrophil × platelets/ lymphocyte), platelets-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR). The primary outcome was overall survival (OS), which was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis.The levels of ALT, AST, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin significantly reduced after the reimplantation operation. During a median follow-up time of 10 months, 18 (54.5%) patients died. Gender, albumin, SII, PLR, NLR, and MLR were found to be associated with OS by the log-rank test and univariate analysis. Multivariate Cox analysis identified elevated levels of SII and PLR as significant factors for predicting poor OS.Reimplantation is clinically feasible in patients with recurrent MOJ after implantation of biliary metal stents. SII and PLR are independent, useful inflammation-based prognostic models for predicting outcomes in these patients.