Association between juxtapapillary diverticulum and acute cholangitis determined using laboratory data

Peri-ampullary diverticulum was associated with a higher rate of acute cholangitis among patients with choledocholithiasis

BACKGROUND

Choledocholithiasis is a commonly encountered disease that is associated with various clinical presentations ranging from mild form of biliary colic to severe life-threatening acute cholangitis. Recently, peri-ampullary diverticulum (PAD) has been linked to the development of biliary diseases; however, data regarding its association with the development of acute cholangitis in the setting of choledocholithiasis are scarce.

AIMS

We aimed to identify predictors, specifically PAD, for the development of acute cholangitis in patients with choledocholithiasis.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study of all patients admitted to Galilee Medical Center from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2019 with different clinical presentations of documented choledocholithiasis including cholangitis, biliary pancreatitis, and biliary colic with abnormal liver enzymes.

RESULTS

Overall, 651 patients were included in the final analysis. Among them, 88 patients (13.5%) had choledocholithiasis associated with acute cholangitis (group A), as compared to 563 patients (86.5%) without acute cholangitis (group B). The average ages in groups A and B were 77.8 ± 13.6 and 62.4 ± 20.4 years, respectively (P < 0.0001). The rate of PAD was significantly higher in group A as compared to group B (35.2% vs. 19%, P = 0.0002). However, the rate of smoking, chronic liver diseases, hemolytic anemia, and post-cholecystectomy status were not different between the groups (P = 0.3, P = 0.3, P = 0.2, and P = 0.3), respectively. On univariate analysis, age (OR 1.05, P < 0.0001) and PAD (OR 2.32, P = 0.0006) were significantly associated with acute cholangitis. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, the effects of age and PAD were preserved (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03-1.07, P < 0.0001 and OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.02-2.72, P = 0.049), respectively.

CONCLUSION

PAD showed a significant association with the development of acute cholangitis among patients with choledocholithiasis. Identification of gallbladder and biliary stones in patients with PAD is of paramount importance since early diagnosis and treatment might prevent further life-threatening complications.

The role of periampullary diverticulum on the incidence of pancreaticobiliary diseases and the outcome of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

INTRODUCTION

Periampullary diverticulum (PAD), although commonly discovered in patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), remains controversial regarding its role in pancreaticobiliary diseases and the failure rate of cannulation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of PAD with pancreaticobiliary diseases and its impact on the outcome of ERCP.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis was carried out on 1455 patients who underwent an ERCP. Patients were divided into a PAD group and a control group without PAD, and propensity score matching was performed to adjust for clinical differences. The comparison was focused on pancreaticobiliary diseases, technical success, and complications of ERCP.

RESULTS

The occurrence of PAD is associated significantly with increasing age (p < 0.001). Incidences of acute pancreatitis (AP), suppurative cholangitis, and pancreatic head cancer were significantly higher in the PAD group (p < 0.05). After propensity score matching, the PAD group exhibited a higher rate of post-ERCP complications including haemorrhage, post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP), and hyperamylasaemia (p < 0.05). However, the prevalence of perforation and the success rate of ERCP did not differ between groups (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Periampullary diverticulum develops with aging and seems to be associated with an increase in pancreaticobiliary diseases and post-ERCP complications except for perforation. Additionally, the presence of PAD does not affect the technical success of ERCP.

Is there a link between periampullary diverticula and biliopancreatic disease? An EUS approach to answer the question

BACKGROUND

Many studies, almost all in an Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) setting, have been conducted to establish if a link exists between periampullary diverticula (PADs) and biliopancreatic diseases but the issue is still debated.

AIMS

The objective was to clarify the link between PADs and biliopancreatic disease, for the first time using Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS).

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed our database seeking patients scheduled for EUS with an indication that entailed the exploration of the second duodenum. For each patient with a PAD enrolled in the study, 6 controls were randomly selected.

RESULTS

2475 patients met the inclusion criteria. Among them, 185 subjects with a PAD were found (prevalence 7.5%), 1110 subjects served as controls. Patients with a PAD had more frequently a history of cholangitis (8.1 vs 2.2%; OR 3.99, p < 0.001), a higher prevalence of common bile duct (CBD) dilation (44.3 vs 28.2%; OR 2, p < 0.0001) and a higher prevalence of CBD stones (34.1 vs 19.6%; OR 2.1, p < 0.0001). No differences were found about history of jaundice, acute/recurrent pancreatitis or EUS signs of chronic pancreatitis.

CONCLUSION

Whereas PADs were linked with history of cholangitis, CBD stones and dilation, no association was found with pancreatic diseases.

Two Biliary Cannulation Techniques for ERCP in Patients With Intradiverticular Papilla: A Retrospective Review

PURPOSE

To compare the effectiveness and complications of the different cannulation techniques for bile duct stones removal in patients with intradiverticular papilla.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The records of 472 patients with common bile duct (CBD) stones who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures for bile duct stones removal from January 2014 to December 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 42 patients with CBD stones were included in the study and data of included patients were collected retrospectively. The outcomes and complications of ERCP procedures were compared.

RESULTS

Of 42 ERCP procedures included in the study, patients were divided into Two-devices-in-one-channel group (n=20) and Endoclip group (n=22). The success rate of CBD cannulation at first attempt in Two-devices-in-one-channel and Endoclip groups was 85.0% (17/20) and 54.5% (12/22), respectively (P<0.05). The average time it took to cannulation in Endoclip group was much longer than that in Two-devices-in-one-channel Group (17.55±2.06 vs. 10.6±2.75 min, P<0.05). Overall complications occurred in 3 cases of Two-devices-in-one-channel group and in 4 cases of Endoclip group, respectively (15.0% vs. 18.2%, P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between groups regarding the complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Two-devices-in-one-channel and Endoclip techniques are both safe and effective for bile duct cannulation in patients with intradiverticular papilla.

浅谈影响ERCP操作的制约因素

内镜下逆行性胆胰管造影术(endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, ERCP)由于具有创伤小、时间短的优点, 已在胆胰疾病的诊治方面具有举足轻重的作用, 尤其在胆总管结石、胆囊切除术后的胆管复发结石的治疗方面已经成为了首选. 但随着ERCP的广泛开展和认识的不断提高, 大量研究显示局部解剖因素, 尤其是十二指肠周围憩室、乳头嵌顿结石和乳头狭窄是影响ERCP操作成功的主要解剖因素. 同时医护患三者间的配合也是影响ERCP操作成功的重要原因. 本文系统复习相关文献资料, 对ERCP操作失败的原因作一综述.

Impact of periampullary diverticula on technical success and complications of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

AIM

To investigate the association of periampullary diverticula (PAD) with pancreaticobiliary diseases as well as the impact of PAD on the technical success and complications of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).

METHODS

A total of 1455 consecutive patients who underwent ERCP from January 2016 to December 2016 at The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into a PAD group (n = 293) and a non-PAD group (n = 1162) according to the presence or absence of PAD. The rate of pancreaticobiliary diseases was analyzed and compared between the PAD group and non-PAD group, and the technical success rate of ERCP and the incidence of postoperative complications were also compared.

RESULTS

The rate of PAD increased with age (P < 0.05). The incidence rates of suppurative cholangitis and acute pancreatitis (AP) and carcinoma of the pancreatic head in patients with PAD were significantly higher than those in patients without (P < 0.05). The rates of postoperative complications, such as hemorrhage, perforation, post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) and hyperamylasemia, were significantly higher in patients with PAD (P < 0.05). No significant differences was observed in the success rate of ERCP (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

PAD is associated with an increased rate of pancreaticobiliary diseases as well as the occurrence of postoperative complications of ERCP. However, the presence of PAD dose not affect the technical success rate of ERCP.

Comparison of acute cholangitis with or without common bile duct dilatation

To improve the management of patients with acute cholangitis, the present study compared laboratory test variables between acute cholangitis patients with or without common bile duct (CBD) dilatation [CBDdil(+) and CBDdil(-), respectively]. The medical records of patients diagnosed with acute cholangitis and subjected to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography between February 2008 and May 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The present study consisted of 40 men (aged 69.4±8.8 years) and 37 women (aged 68.8±11.6 years). It was observed that CBDdil(-) patients were slightly younger than CBDdil(+) patients (P=0.0976), and levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) were significantly higher in CBDdil(-) patients than in CBDdil(+) patients (P=0.0392). In addition, logistic regression analysis indicated that CRP levels were associated with the presence of CBD dilatation (P=0.0392). These data indicate that patients with acute cholangitis without CBD dilatation tend to be younger and have higher levels of CRP. Thus, in acute cholangitis patients without CBD dilatation, diagnosis should be determined using clinical symptoms and laboratory data.

Impact of Periampullary Diverticula on Bile Duct Stones and Ampullary Carcinoma

Introduction

Periampullary diverticula (PD) is caused by extraluminal pouching of duodenal mucosa. Using a very common endoscopic procedure to diagnose or treat gastrointestinal disorders, we encountered duodenal diverticulum.

Materials and methods

This is a retrospective, single-center study. Three thousand and sixteen patients on whom endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was performed at Ankara University Medical School, Department of Gastroenterology, from June 2009 to June 2014 were included to the study.

Results

Hundred and thirty patients (males 65, females 65) among the 3,016 had PD. Two hundred and sixty patients without diverticulum were randomly chosen from the 3,016 patients, as a control group [121 (47%) females, 139 (53%) males]. There was no statistical difference between the two groups. The mean age of the patients with PD was 69.9 years, while the mean age was 62.3 years for patients without PD (p < 0.001). Incidence for PD was 4.6%. The papilla of Vater was located in the inter-diverticular area (Type 1) in 9 patients (8.3%), at the edge of the diverticulum (Type 2) in 31 patients (28.4%), and at a distance of 2 to 3 cm from the papilla (Type 3) in 69 patients (63.3%).

Discussion

Although numerically more common bile duct stones occurred in patients with PD compared to those without PD, there was no statistical difference between the two groups. The rate of pancreato-biliary carcinomas was higher in patients without diverticulum. Cannulation was successful in both groups at the rate of 97.6 and 92% respectively, but cannulation failed more often in patients without PD. Duodenal perforation occurred in one patient with PD. Bleeding after sphincterotomy occurred in two patients without PD.

How to cite this article

Örmeci N, Deda X, Kalkan Ç, Tüzün AE, Karakaya F, Dökmeci A, Bahar DK, Özkan H, İdilman R, Çınar K. Impact of Periampullary Diverticula on Bile Duct Stones and Ampullary Carcinoma. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2016;6(1):31-34.