Endoscopic ultrasonography for evaluating patients with recurrent pancreatitis

Pancreatobiliary Endoscopic Interventions for Pediatric Pancreatic Pathology

Despite the increased global recognition of pediatric pancreatic diseases, there are limited data on the utility of sophisticated endoscopic procedures such as endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in their management. Promising results of recent studies have highlighted the emerging therapeutic utility of EUS and ERCP in children. With these latest developments in mind, this article reviews the current literature regarding diagnostic and therapeutic uses, benefits, limitations, and clinical outcomes of EUS and ERCP in pediatric pancreatology.

Role of Diagnostic Endoscopic Ultrasound in Idiopathic Acute Pancreatitis and Acute Recurrent Pancreatitis in Children

OBJECTIVES

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a minimally invasive pancreatic imaging modality. We evaluated children with idiopathic acute pancreatitis (IAP) and acute recurrent pancreatitis (ARP) for changes of chronicity (Rosemont criteria) and biliary risk factors. Diagnostic yield of simultaneously performed transabdominal ultrasonography (TUS) was compared with EUS.

METHODS

This was a prospective observational study. Patients underwent EUS and TUS after 2 months of pancreatitis attack.

RESULTS

Forty-five (18 IAP, 27 ARP) patients underwent EUS and TUS. Mean (standard deviation) age and weight were 9.1 (2.6) years and 32.66 (12.43) kg in IAP, whereas these were 12.2 (3.1) years and 44.84 (15.12) kg in ARP, respectively. Endoscopic ultrasound demonstrated morphological abnormality in 33.3% and 40.7% of IAP and ARP, respectively (P = 0.61), whereas 16.6% and 25.9% were abnormal in TUS. Endoscopic ultrasound showed unequivocal changes of chronicity (11.1% vs 0%) and risk factors only among ARP (25.9% vs 0%; P = 0.03) and demonstrated slightly higher odds ratio (95% confidence interval) as compared with TUS to detect abnormalities in both IAP (2.43 [0.49-14.17], P = 0.28) and ARP (1.94 [0.60-6.47], P = 0.26).

CONCLUSIONS

Applying EUS, changes of chronicity and risk factors were noted only in ARP. Endoscopic ultrasound performed better than TUS in detecting chronicity.

Yield of Endoscopic Ultrasound in Children and Adolescent With Acute Recurrent Pancreatitis

OBJECTIVES

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is an established tool for evaluation of adults with acute recurrent pancreatitis (ARP) whereas data in pediatrics is limited. Our study assessed the role of EUS in identifying etiology including changes of chronic pancreatitis (CP) in children and adolescents with ARP.

METHODS

Children with ARP (≥2 episodes of acute pancreatitis [AP]) were prospectively evaluated with a detailed clinical proforma and EUS. Subjects with known etiology of ARP or CP on ultrasonography/computed tomography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP, Cambridge grade ≥3) were excluded. Parenchymal and ductal changes on EUS as per minimal standards terminology (MST) features were noted.

RESULTS

Thirty-two children (22 boys, age 14 [8-18] years) with ARP (median of 3 [2-5] episodes of AP) were enrolled. EUS was safe and technically successful in all. Gall bladder sludge was found in 1 (3%) case and none had other pancreatobiliary structural abnormalities. EUS diagnosis of CP (≥4 features) was made in 10/32 (31%) cases. Subjects with CP on EUS had a longer disease duration than those without CP (45 [10-97] vs 22 [8-78] months; P = ns). MRCP was normal in 28 and showed pancreas divisum in 1 case. Three cases had equivocal (Cambridge II) changes at initial MRCP and 2 of them had repeat MRCP, which showed definite (Cambridge IV) CP. All these 3 cases had CP on EUS.

CONCLUSIONS

EUS diagnosed CP (≥4 features) in 31% and biliary abnormality in 3% children with ARP. EUS is safe, sensitive, and useful for early diagnosis of CP in children with ARP.

Role of endoscopic ultrasound in idiopathic pancreatitis

Recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) is defined based on the occurrence of two or more episodes of acute pancreatitis. The initial evaluation fails to detect the cause of RAP in 10%-30% of patients, whose condition is classified as idiopathic RAP (IRAP). Idiopathic acute pancreatitis (IAP) is a diagnostic challenge for gastroenterologists. In view of associated morbidity and mortality, it is important to determine the aetiology of pancreatitis to provide early treatment and prevent recurrence. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is an investigation of choice for imaging of pancreas and biliary tract. In view of high diagnostic accuracy and safety of EUS, a EUS based management strategy appears to be a reasonable approach for evaluation of patients with a single/recurrent idiopathic pancreatitis. The most common diagnoses by EUS in IAP is biliary tract disease. The present review aims to discuss the role of EUS in the clinical management and diagnosis of patients with IAP. It elaborates the diagnostic approach to IAP in relation to EUS and other different modalities. Controversial issues in IAP like when to perform EUS, whether to perform after first episode or recurrent episodes, comparison among different investigations and the latest evidence significance are detailed.

Sensitivity of endoscopic ultrasound, multidetector computed tomography, and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in the diagnosis of pancreas divisum: a tertiary center experience

OBJECTIVES

There are limited data comparing imaging modalities in the diagnosis of pancreas divisum. We aimed to: (1) evaluate the sensitivity of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), and multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) for pancreas divisum; and (2) assess interobserver agreement (IOA) among expert radiologists for detecting pancreas divisum on MDCT and MRCP.

METHODS

For this retrospective cohort study, we identified 45 consecutive patients with pancreaticobiliary symptoms and pancreas divisum established by endoscopic retrograde pancreatography who underwent EUS and cross-sectional imaging. The control group was composed of patients without pancreas divisum who underwent endoscopic retrograde pancreatography and cross-sectional imaging.

RESULTS

The sensitivity of EUS for pancreas divisum was 86.7%, significantly higher than the sensitivity reported in the medical records for MDCT (15.5%) or MRCP (60%) (P < 0.001 for each). On review by expert radiologists, the sensitivity of MDCT increased to 83.3% in cases where the pancreatic duct was visualized, with fair IOA (κ = 0.34). Expert review of MRCPs did not identify any additional cases of pancreas divisum; IOA was moderate (κ = 0.43).

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic ultrasound is a sensitive test for diagnosing pancreas divisum and is superior to MDCT and MRCP. Review of MDCT studies by expert radiologists substantially raises its sensitivity for pancreas divisum.

Incidental Findings on Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Ultrasonography

Objective:

The aim of this prospective study was to assess the frequency and clinical significance of incidental findings on upper gastrointestinal endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS).

Methods:

Patients referred for upper gastrointestinal EUS were consecutively enrolled into this prospective study. Any coincidental abnormality found during standard EUS was considered an incidental finding. Significant incidental findings were defined as abnormalities that required further medical, surgical, or endoscopic intervention, including surveillance.

Results:

In 552 patients who underwent EUS, 41 incidental findings were detected in 39 patients (7.1%). Twenty-one abnormalities had clinical significance. The frequency of incidental findings increased significantly with increasing age ( P = .001). The most frequent incidental findings were gallstones, subepithelial lesions, and pancreatic lesions.

Conclusions:

Incidental findings on EUS are not uncommon in clinical practice and might be a clue to a significant pathology. The appropriate extent of evaluation of incidental findings noted during a standard EUS procedure warrants further research yet to be defined.

EUS finding of geographic hyperechoic area is an early predictor for severe acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is an accurate imaging modality for delineating pancreatobiliary structures, however, its clinical application of acute pancreatitis (AP) is limited. Therefore, we sought to characterize the typical EUS features of AP and to determine whether early EUS findings may have prognostic significance.

METHODS

Between March 2008 and October 2010, 90 patients with AP and 90 patients without pancreatic disease who underwent EUS were enrolled. An EUS examination was performed within 48 h of admission in AP, and all EUS findings were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

Among 90 patients, 27 (30%) were diagnosed with severe AP. Multivariate analysis revealed the presence of peripancreatic fluid (OR 13.9, 95%, CI: 1.6-123.6), heterogenous (OR 7.2, 95% CI: 1.7-30.4) and hypoechoic parenchymal echogenicity (OR 10.0, 95% CI: 3.9-25.8) were significant EUS features in AP, as compared to those in the control group. Comparison between mild and severe AP showed that geographic hyperechoic area (GHA) of pancreas was a predictive factor (OR 2.9, 95% CI: 1.1-8.2, p = 0.04) for the severe form, and that AP patients with GHA had significantly longer duration of fever, abdominal pain and hospital stay than those without GHA (5.5 vs. 1 day (s), p = 0.002; 4 vs. 3 days, p = 0.023; 11 vs. 8 days, p = 0.021, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Typical EUS features of AP are a heterogenous hypoechoic parenchymal changes with peripancreatic fluid collection. The novel EUS variable of GHA in the early phase of AP seems to have prognostic value and could be correlated with a worse clinical outcome.

Cystic dystrophy of the duodenal wall is not always associated with chronic pancreatitis

Cystic dystrophy of the duodenal wall is a rare form of the disease which was described in 1970 by French authors who reported the presence of focal pancreatic disease localized in an area comprising the C-loop of the duodenum and the head of the pancreas. German authors have defined this area as a “groove”. We report our recent experience on cystic dystrophy of the paraduodenal space and systematically review the data in the literature regarding the alterations of this space. A MEDLINE search of papers published between 1966 and 2010 was carried out and 59 papers were considered for the present study; there were 19 cohort studies and 40 case reports. The majority of patients having groove pancreatitis were middle aged. Mean age was significantly higher in patients having groove carcinoma. The diagnosis of cystic dystrophy of the duodenal wall can now be assessed by multidetector computer tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and endoscopic ultrasonography. These latter two techniques may also add more information on the involvement of the remaining pancreatic gland not involved by the duodenal malformation and they may help in differentiating “groove pancreatitis” from “groove adenocarcinoma”. In conclusion, chronic pancreatitis involving the entire pancreatic gland was present in half of the patients with cystic dystrophy of the duodenal wall and, in the majority of them, the pancreatitis had calcifications.

Endoscopic ultrasound for non-gastroenterologists: what you need to know

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) combines the use of flexible fiberoptic endoscopes with high-resolution ultrasound technology. It is increasingly used for the evaluation, staging, and diagnosis of many luminal and extraluminal gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, as well as non-GI tract ailments, including the staging of lung cancer. In the past decade, EUS has become available on a wide scale, with an increasing number of indications. The technology has been shown to be comparable with and often more sensitive than computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging in staging many malignancies. The use of fine-needle aspiration and ultrasound-guided injection also allows for accurate tissue diagnosis and therapy of GI ailments. Despite increasing availability and indications for EUS over the past decade, general internists may not be aware of EUS technology, when to order an EUS, and how to integrate the results of an EUS into their management decisions. This article will review the general indications for EUS referral, limitations, and role of EUS in the practice of general medicine.

Microlithiasis, endoscopic ultrasound, and children: not just little gallstones in little adults

PURPOSE

Biliary microlithiasis is an uncommon but recognized cause of upper abdominal pain, cholecystitis, cholangitis, and pancreatitis in adults. Gallstones smaller than 3 mm may not be seen on transabdominal ultrasound and may only be seen on endoscopic ultrasound. This condition is poorly described in children. The aim of this study is to review the results of laparoscopic cholecystectomy to treat biliary microlithiasis in a pediatric case series.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective case review of children with biliary microlithiasis who were treated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

RESULTS

Three children were diagnosed with biliary microlithiasis. Two patients had recurrent right upper quadrant pain and nausea. A third patient had midepigastric pain and idiopathic pancreatitis. All 3 had a normal gallbladder on transabdominal ultrasound. Additional imaging with hepatobiliary scan, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography revealed no biliary source for symptoms. Endoscopic ultrasound was performed on all 3 children, demonstrating microlithiasis of the gallbladder. Each child had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy with intraoperative cholangiogram. No abnormalities were seen on intraoperative cholangiogram. All 3 children had alleviation of pain and improvement of symptoms in postoperative follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Children with biliary microlithiasis and associated clinical symptoms can be successfully treated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Endoscopic ultrasound should be considered in the evaluation of the child with clinical biliary symptoms and a negative transabdominal ultrasound result.

Biliary, pancreatic, and hepatic imaging for the general surgeon

Technologic advancements have allowed imaging modalities to become more useful in the diagnosis of hepatobiliary and pancreatic disorders. Computed tomography scanners now use multidetector row technology with contrast-delayed imaging for quicker and more accurate imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging with cholangiopancreatography can more clearly delineate liver lesions and the biliary and pancreatic ducts, and can diagnose pathologic conditions early in their course. Newer technologies, such as single-operator cholangioscopy and endoscopic ultrasonography, have sometimes shown superiority to traditional modalities. This article addresses the literature regarding available imaging techniques in the diagnosis and treatment of common surgical hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases.

Magnetic resonance imaging in pancreatitis

Pancreatitis can occur in acute and chronic forms. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays an important role in the early diagnosis of both conditions and complications that may arise from acute or chronic inflammation of the gland. Standard MRI techniques including T1-weighted and T2-weighted fat-suppressed imaging sequences together with contrast-enhanced imaging can both aid in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis and demonstrate complications as pseudocysts, hemorrhage, and necrosis. Combined use of MRI and MR cholangiopancreatography can show both parenchymal findings that are associated with chronic pancreatitis including pancreatic size and signal and arterial enhancements, all of which are diminished in chronic pancreatitis. The degree of main pancreatic duct dilatation and/or the number of side branch ectasia determines the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis and its severity. In this paper, we report the spectrum of imaging findings of acute and chronic pancreatitis on MRI and MR cholangiopancreatography.

Rational diagnosis and therapy for recurrent acute pancreatitis: a clinical analysis of 84 cases

AIM: To investigate the characteristics of etiology, clinical features and endoscopic manifestations and prevention methods of recurrent acute pancreatitis.

METHODS: The clinical data of 84 patients with recurrent acute pancreatitis (recurrence group) and 67 patients with incipient acute pancreatitis (control group) at our hospital from September 2001 to December 2007 were retrospectively analyzed; the results of imaging changes and endoscopy therapy were reviewed as well.

RESULTS: Incidence rate of biliary tract diseases was significantly higher in relapse group than in the control group (60.7% vs 38.8%, P < 0.01). Radiation pain, jaundice, intestinal obstruction were increased in the relapse group than in the control group, but there was no marked difference. Crude echo (38.3%), pancreatic duct dilation (21.3%), cholecystitis, the common bile duct stone were also significantly higher in relapse group than in control group. ERCP showed that stones and common bile duct dilation were significantly higher in relapse group than in control group (35.8% vs 11.6%, 32.1% vs9.3%, P < 0.05). Of 84 RAP cases, 20 underwent surgical treatment, 48 conservative treatment, and 16 endoscopy therapy. Three died in each surgery group and conservative treatment group, and none in endoscopy therapy group.

CONCLUSION: Recurrent acute pancreatitis often results from biliary tract diseases including cholelithiasis, chronic cholecystitis, inappropriate eating habit and alcohol use. Rational diagnosis and therapy is important measure to prevent relapse. Endoscopy therapy for RAP is safe, minimally invasive and effective, and is recommended for wide use.