Precancerous Lesions and Liver Atrophy as Risk Factors for Hepatolithiasis-Related Death after Liver Resection for Hepatolithiasis

Hepatolithiasis: Epidemiology, presentation, classification and management of a complex disease

The term hepatolithiasis describes the presence of biliary stones within the intrahepatic bile ducts, above the hilar confluence of the hepatic ducts. The disease is more prevalent in Asia, mainly owing to socioeconomic and dietary factors, as well as the prevalence of biliary parasites. In the last century, owing to migration, its global incidence has increased. The main pathophysiological mechanisms involve cholangitis, bile infection and biliary strictures, creating a self-sustaining cycle that perpetuates the disease, frequently characterised by recurrent episodes of bacterial infection referred to as syndrome of "recurrent pyogenic cholangitis". Furthermore, long-standing hepatolithiasis is a known risk factor for development of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Various classifications have aimed at providing useful insight of clinically relevant aspects and guidance for treatment. The management of symptomatic patients and those with complications can be complex, and relies upon a multidisciplinary team of hepatologists, endoscopists, interventional radiologists and hepatobiliary surgeons, with the main goal being to offer relief from the clinical presentations and prevent the development of more serious complications. This comprehensive review provides insight on various aspects of hepatolithiasis, with a focus on epidemiology, new evidence on pathophysiology, most important clinical aspects, different classification systems and contemporary management.

Clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical spectrum of hepatolithiasis: a tertiary care center-based study from north India

Hepatolithiasis (HL), an uncommon disease among Indians, occurs due to a complex interplay of various structural and functional factors. We retrospectively evaluated the clinical and histopathological spectrum of HL (N = 19) with immunohistochemical evaluation for biliary apomucins and canalicular transporter proteins, both crucial for lithogenesis. Nineteen surgically resected cases were included. Histopathology was systematically evaluated. Immunohistochemistry for apomucins (MUC1, MUC2, MUC4, MUC5AC, and MUC6) and canalicular transporter proteins (BSEP and MDR3) was applied to all cases. The median age was 51 years with female preponderance (F:M = 1.4:1). The stone was cholesterol-rich in 71.4% and pigmented in 28.6% (n = 14). Histopathology showed variable large bile-duct thickening due to fibrosis and inflammation with peribiliary gland hyperplasia. Structural causes (Caroli disease, choledochal cyst, and post-surgical complication) were noted in 15.8% of cases (secondary HL). Expression of gel-forming apomucin MUC1, MUC2, and MUC5AC was seen in either bile duct epithelia or peribiliary glands in 84.2%, 10.5%, and 84.2% cases respectively. Loss of canalicular expression of MDR3 was noted in 42.1% of cases while BSEP was retained in all. Primary HL in the north Indian population can be associated with the loss of MDR3 expression (with retained BSEP) and/ or a shift in the phenotype of biliary apomucins to gel-forming apomucins. The former factor alters the bile acid/ phospholipid ratio while the latter parameter promulgates crystallization. In conjunction, these factors are responsible for the dominantly cholesterol-rich stones in the index population.

Predictive factors for subsequent intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma associated with hepatolithiasis: Japanese National Cohort Study for 18 years

BACKGROUND

Predictive factors for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in long-term follow-up of hepatolithiasis are unknown. We thus conducted a cohort study to investigate the predictive factors for developing intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in hepatolithiasis.

METHODS

This cohort is comprised of 401 patients registered in a nationwide survey of hepatolithiasis for 18 years of follow-up. Cox regression analysis was used to elucidate predictive factors for developing intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

RESULTS

The median follow-up period of patients was 134 months. Twenty-two patients developed intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and all died. Identified independent significant factors were as follows: age 63 years or older (hazard ratio [HR] 3.344), residual stones at the end of treatment (HR 2.445), and biliary stricture during follow-up (HR 4.350). The incidence of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in patients with three factors was significantly higher than that in patients with one or two factors. The incidence in the groups with one or two predictive factors was not different. In 88.9% of patients with both biliary stricture and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, the duration between the diagnoses of biliary stricture and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma was ≥ 5 years. However, once intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma developed, 77.8% of patients died within 1 year. Of 24 patients with no symptoms, no previous choledocoenterostomy, no signs of malignancy, no biliary stricture, and no treatment for hepatolithiasis during follow-up, only one developed intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Regarding carcinogenesis, complete stone clearance and releasing biliary stricture can prevent the development of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and improve the prognosis of hepatolithiasis.