Updated Review of Radiologic Imaging and Intervention for Acute Pancreatitis and Its Complications

This is a current update on radiologic imaging and intervention of acute pancreatitis and its complications. In this review, we define the various complications of acute pancreatitis, discuss the imaging findings, as well as the timing of when these complications occur. The various classification and scoring systems of acute pancreatitis are summarized. Advantages and disadvantages of the 3 primary radiologic imaging modalities are compared. We then discuss radiologic interventions for acute pancreatitis. These include diagnostic aspiration as well as percutaneous catheter drainage of fluid collections, abscesses, pseudocysts, and necrosis. Recommendations for when these interventions should be considered, as well as situations in which they are contraindicated are discussed. Fortunately, acute pancreatitis usually is mild; however, serious complications occur in 20%, and admission of patients to the intensive care unit (ICU) occurs in over 10%. In this paper, we will focus on the imaging and interventional radiologic aspects for the serious complications and patients admitted to the ICU.

Case report:Multiple abscesses caused by Porphyromonas gingivalis diagnosed by metagenomic next-generation sequencing

Background

Extraoral infection by Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) is extremely rare and challenging to diagnose because the fastidious pathogen is difficult to culture by traditional methods. We report the first case of a patient with multiple abscesses in muscles and the brain with dura empyema due to P. gingivalis, which was diagnosed by metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS).

Case presentation

A 65-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital for multiple lumps in his body. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and lower-limb computed tomography (CT) revealed multiple abscesses in the brain and muscles. A diagnosis of P. gingivalis infection was made based on mNGS tests of blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and pus samples, as the traditional bacterial culture of these samples showed negative results. Target antibiotic therapy with meropenem and metronidazole was administered, and CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage of abscesses in both thighs was performed. The size of muscle abscesses reduced significantly and neurological function improved. The patient was followed up for 4 months. No abscesses re-appeared, and the remaining abscesses in his backside and both legs were completely absorbed. He can speak fluently and walk around freely without any neurological deficits.

Conclusion

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing is helpful for early diagnosis and subsequent treatment of P. gingivalis-associated multiple abscesses.

Double pigtail tube drainage for large multiloculated pyogenic liver abscesses

Background

This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of double pigtail tube drainage compared with single pigtail tube drainage for the treatment of multiloculated pyogenic liver abscesses greater than 5 cm.

Patients and Methods

This study retrospectively analyzed patients with pyogenic liver abscess admitted in the Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical College between May 2013 and May 2021. Patients with pyogenic liver abscess more than 5 cm in size, who underwent drainage of the abscess with either double pigtail or single pigtail tube, were included.

Results

A total of 97 patients with pyogenic liver abscesses larger than 5 cm were studied. These included 34 patients with double pigtail tube drainage and 63 patients with single pigtail tube drainage. The postoperative hospital stay (13.39 ± 4.21 days vs. 15.67 ± 7.50 days; P = 0.045), and time for removal of the catheter (17.23 ± 3.70 days vs. 24.11 ± 5.83 days; P = 0.038) were lower in the double pigtail tube group compared with the single pigtail tube group. The rate of reduction, in three days, of c-reactive protein levels was 26.61 ± 14.11 mg/L/day in the double pigtail tube group vs. 20.06 ± 11.74 mg/L/day in the single pigtail tube group (P = 0.025). The diameter of the abscess cavity at discharge was 3.1 ± 0.07 cm in the double pigtail tube group as compared with 3.7 ± 0.6 cm in the single pigtail tube group (P = 0.047). There was no bleeding in any of the patients despite abnormal coagulation profiles. There was no recurrence of abscess within six months of discharge and no death in the double pigtail tube group. Conclusion: Double pigtail tube drainage treatment in multiloculated pyogenic liver abscesses greater than 5 cm in size, is safe and effective.

[A modified method for percutaneous drainage of acute necrotic collections in patients with infected pancreatic necrosis]

OBJECTIVE

To develop a modified method for percutaneous drainage of acute necrotic collections in patients with infected pancreatic necrosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Minimally invasive surgical technologies were used in 74 patients with infected acute necrotic collections at the Krasnodar Regional Clinical Hospital No. 2 between 2017 and 2019. Of these, 59 (79.7%) people underwent percutaneous drainage as a final treatment. In 11 (14.9%) patients, video sequestrectomy through the fistula was additionally used to increase efficiency of percutaneous drainage.

RESULTS

PCD in our modification implies delivery of double-lumen drains 26-32 Fr in the same plane to zones of necrosis, their programmed replacement for prevention of obstruction and flexible endoscopy for control of pathological process. Local purulent-necrotic parapancreatitis occurred in 31 (41.9%) patients, widespread parapancreatitis - in 43 (58.1%) patients. There were 339 minimally invasive interventions. Laparotomy was required in 4 (5.4%) patients. Incidence of perioperative complications was 10.6%, mortality - 16.2%.

CONCLUSION

A modified percutaneous drainage method may be used as final surgical treatment in 79.7% of patients with infected pancreatic necrosis.

Predicting the Success of Catheter Drainage in Infected Necrotising Pancreatitis: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

Background Management of acute necrotising pancreatitis is often challenging for clinicians. Secondary infection of the necrotic collections leads to sepsis and warrants intervention. Minimally invasive techniques like catheter drainage have recently been proposed over more risky and morbid traditional open procedures. Factors that can predict successful catheter drainage of the necrotic pancreatic collection are still unclear and not well established. Materials and methods This study is designed as a retrospective cross-sectional observational study to investigate the association of 21 factors in predicting successful catheter drainage. Data from 30 patients admitted with acute necrotising pancreatitis treated with catheter drainage were collected and analysed. Twenty-one factors, including demographic variables, disease severity factors, drainage criteria, and morphological criteria on imaging, were studied for their predictive association with successful outcomes. Univariate analysis was done for each variable against the outcome. The study was conducted between December 2012 to March 2017. P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Patients with no organ involvement responded better to primary catheter drainage. Patients with BMI>25 and multi-organ failure were poor candidates for primary catheter drainage. Clinically unwell patients with a Bedside Index for Severity in Acute Pancreatitis (BISAP) score of ≥4 had a negative outcome on catheter drainage and usually ended up in a surgical procedure or eventually succumbed to the disease. Other variables included in our study did not statistically associate with the success or failure of percutaneous catheter drainage. Conclusion BMI >25, multiple organ failure, and BISAP score ≥ 4 are independent negative predictors for the success of catheter drainage in infected necrotising pancreatitis. No organ failure showed a positive predictor for successful catheter drainage. Further studies are required to explore these predictive factors in a larger sample size to predict the success of catheter drainage in infected pancreatic necrosis.

Laparoscopic hepatectomy for the treatment of pyogenic liver abscess: A retrospective case-control study

Percutaneous catheter drainage is the first-line treatment for pyogenic liver abscess (PLA). Some patients need hepatectomy because of underling hepatobiliary pathology or unresponsiveness to nonoperative treatment, the traditional method is open hepatectomy (OH). Laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) for PLA is rarely reported. The purpose of this study is to describe our experience of LH for treating PLA and to compare LH with OH. The medical records of patients who underwent LH for treating PLA were retrospectively analyzed, and the results were compared with those of patients with OH. From January 2015 to December 2021, 61 patients with PLA underwent hepatectomy, and 28 patients who underwent LH (LH group) were compared with 33 patients who underwent OH (OH group). There were no significant differences in the basic data between the 2 groups. Two patients in the LH group were converted to open surgery due to hemorrhage and dense perihepatic adhesions, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups in the operation time (186.2 ± 85.6 vs. 175.9 ± 76.7 minutes, P = .239), Institut Mutualiste Montsouris classification, extent of hepatectomy and drainage tube removal time, however, the blood loss (200.0 ± 100.5 vs. 470.9 ± 120.1 mL, P = .003), numerical rating scale (5.2 ± 1.8 vs. 9.1 ± 1.6, P = .042), the time to resume oral diet (12.3 ± 6.5 vs. 24.6 ± 10.2 hours, P = .005), the ambulant time (20.2 ± 7.3 vs. 40.2 ± 10.8 hours, P = .010), incidence of postoperative complications (14.3% vs.33.3%, P = .002), comprehensive complication index (46.2 vs. 60.6, P = .013), postoperative hospital stay (8.5 ± 7.3 vs. 13.5 ± 10.2 days, P = .025) in the LH group was significantly less than that in the OH group. Wit experience laparoscopic surgeons, treating PLA by LH is safe and feasible and compares favorably with OH.

Percutaneous catheter drainage in retroperitoneal abscesses: a single centre's 8-year experience

Purpose

We have investigated the technical and clinical success of percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) in retroperitoneal abscesses and factors that may affect the outcome.

Material and methods

The study cohort included 45 patients (17 females and 29 males, with mean age of 56.3 years) that were treated between 2012 and 2020. Forty-seven abscesses were managed with PCD under ultrasonography, computed tomography, or fluoroscopy guidance. Patients' demographics, lesion locations, predisposing factors, clini-cal presentation, etiology, radiological findings, technical factors, and outcome parameters were presented using exploratory and descriptive statistics.

Results

Abscesses were located in the psoas (n = 25, 55.3%), renal-perirenal (n = 7, 14.8%), and pararenal (n = 14, 29.7%) compartments. The mean preprocedural volume was 263.3 (30-1310) ml. Pain (abdominal and back) (57.4%) and fever (17%) were the most frequent presenting symptoms. The most common predisposing factors were previous surgery (n = 17, 36.1%) and diabetes mellitus (n = 11, 25.5%). Clinical success was attained in 89.3% of abscesses (definitive treatment 72.3% and partial success 17.0%). There was a statistically significant difference between the iatrogenic and non-iatrogenic groups regarding clinical success (p = 0.031). No mortality was encountered. The complication rate was 6.6% and were all minor. The average rate of recurrence was 10.6%. The mean time to catheter removal was 15.8 ± 13.2 days.

Conclusions

PCD is a safe and effective procedure in the treatment of retroperitoneal abscesses. Procedure-related mortality, morbidity, and complication rates are low. Underlying etiology is a significant factor affecting the outcome. Nevertheless, PCD may provide definitive treatment in the majority of patients.

Endoscopic drainage versus percutaneous drainage for the management of infected walled-off necrosis: a comparative analysis

BACKGROUND

Comparative data on percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) vs EUS-guided drainage (EUS-D) for management of symptomatic walled-off-necrosis (WON), specially infected WON with/without organ failure(OF) is limited.

METHODS

Patients with symptomatic WON were divided into two groups of PCD and EUS-D, depending on the modality of drainage. Resolution of OF, adverse events, and other outcome measures were recorded. The two modalities were compared among infected WON sub-cohort and also degree of solid component (SC).

RESULTS

218 patients (175 males; 80.3%) were included who underwent either PCD (n = 102) or EUS-D (n = 116). Clinical success was significantly higher in the EUS-D group (92.1% vs 64.6%; p < 0.0001) and even for infected WON (n = 128) (p = 0.004), with higher (p = 0.007) and faster (p < 0.0001) OF resolution. Other outcome measures including mortality were significantly higher in the PCD group. Among subgroups, PCD with >40% SC had the worst clinical success/OF resolution rates, while EUS-D with <40% SC had the best outcomes.

CONCLUSION

EUS-D should be preferred over PCD in the management of WON, infected or otherwise, for higher clinical success, and higher/faster resolution of OF. PCD should be avoided in WON with>40% SC.

Multidisciplinary Management of Complicated Pancreatitis: What Every Interventional Radiologist Should Know

Management of acute pancreatitis is challenging in the presence of local complications that include pancreatic and peripancreatic collections and vascular complications. This review, targeted for interventional radiologists, describes minimally invasive endoscopic, image-guided percutaneous, and surgical procedures for management of complicated pancreatitis and provides insight into the procedures' algorithmic application. Local complications are optimally managed in a multidisciplinary team setting that includes advanced endoscopists; pancreatic surgeons; diagnostic and interventional radiologists; and specialists in infectious disease, nutrition, and critical care medicine. Large symptomatic or complicated sterile collections and secondary infected collections warrant drainage or débridement. The drainage is usually delayed for 4-6 weeks unless clinical deterioration warrants early intervention. If collections are accessible by endoscopy, endoscopic procedures are preferred to avoid pancreaticocutaneous fistulas. Image-guided percutaneous drainage is indicated for symptomatic collections that are not accessible for endoscopic drainage or that present in the acute setting before developing a mature wall. Peripancreatic arterial pseudoaneurysms should be embolized before necrosectomy procedures to prevent potentially life-threatening hemorrhage. Surgical procedures are reserved for symptomatic collections that persist despite endoscopic or interventional drainage attempts. Understanding these procedures facilitates their integration by interventional radiologists into the complex longitudinal care of patients with complicated pancreatitis.

The effectiveness of image-guided percutaneous catheter drainage in the management of acute pancreatitis-associated pancreatic collections

Purpose

Acute pancreatitis is commonly complicated by the development of pancreatic collections (PCs). Symptomatic PCs warrant drainage, and the available options include percutaneous, endoscopic, and open surgical approaches. The study aimed to assess the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of image guided percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) in the management of acute pancreatitis related PCs.

Material and methods

This was a single-centre prospective study covering a 4-year study period. Acute pancreatitisrelated PCs complicated by secondary infection or those producing symptoms due to pressure effect on surrounding structures were enrolled and underwent ultrasound or computed tomography (CT)-guided PCD. The patients were followed to assess the success of PCD (defined as clinical, radiological improvement, and the avoidance of surgery) and any PCD-related complications.

Results

The study included 60 patients (60% males) with a mean age of 43.1 ± 21.2 years. PCD recorded a success rate of 80% (16/20) for acute peripancreatic fluid collections (APFC) and pancreatic pseudocysts (PPs), 75% (12/16) for walled-off necrosis (WON), and 50% (12/24) for acute necrotic collections (ANCs). Post-PCD surgery (necrosectomy ± distal pancreatectomy) was needed in 50% of ANC and 25% of WON. Only 20% of APFCs/PPs patients required surgical/endoscopic treatment post-PCD. Minor procedure-related complications were seen in 4 (6.6%) patients.

Conclusion

PCD is an effective, safe, and minimally invasive therapeutic modality with a good success rate in the management of infected/symptomatic PCs.

Prospective randomized comparative study of percutaneous catheter drainage and percutaneous needle aspiration in the treatment of liver abscess

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of percutaneous needle aspiration (PNA) and percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) in the treatment of liver abscess.

METHODS

A prospective randomized study was conducted in the Department of Surgery, JN Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, UP, India, between February 2018 and August 2019, after getting approval from the institutional ethics committee. A total of 543 patients with liver abscess were randomized into two groups using computer-generated randomization method. Appropriate details regarding patients' clinico-demographic profile and investigations were also collected. The effectiveness of either treatment was measured in terms of duration of intravenous antibiotic, clinical improvement, reduction in the size of cavity, treatment success rate, duration of hospital stay including long-term outcomes such as sonographic resolution of cavity and recurrence rate at 6 months post-treatment.

RESULTS

The PCD group had statistically significant rate of duration of antibiotics need, days for clinical improvement and time for 50% reduction in abscess cavity and treatment success rate with comparable long-term outcomes.

CONCLUSION

PCD is more efficient than PNA and can be used primarily in the treatment of both amoebic and pyogenic liver abscesses along with systemic antibiotics. However, PNA can serve as a safe alternative when PCD is not available.

Kissing catheter technique for percutaneous catheter drainage of necrotic pancreatic collections in acute pancreatitis

One of the critical factors for predicting the success of percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) is the mean CT density of collection. A higher CT density suggests more necrotic solid tissue within the collection. In the present study, a novel technique for PCD of the necrotic pancreatic collection with a higher mean CT density was evaluated. It was a retrospective study of patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) who underwent PCD of pancreatic collections between May 2018 and December 2018. Patients with pancreatic collections having a CT density of >30 Hounsfield Units (HU) were considered for PCD using the kissing catheter technique. This technique involved placing two catheters side-by-side through a single cutaneous entry site, as the conventional technique of PCD may not be effective. The technical details, outcomes and complications of this technique were recorded. A total of 10 patients with a mean age of 30 years underwent PCD using this technique. All patients had severe pancreatitis with a mean CT severity index of 9 (range, 8-10). The mean CT density was 37 HU (range, 32-56). Successful management with PCD alone was achieved in 8 patients. The other 2 patients underwent surgical necrosectomy. One patient who underwent surgical necrosectomy died. Minor complications occurred in 3 patients. The kissing catheter technique allows for a higher success rate of PCD compared with that of the conventional method of PCD, in collections with a higher mean CT density.

Delayed bleeding complication due to internal mammary artery injury after ultrasound-guided percutaneous catheter drainage for liver cyst infection

Background

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) is widely accepted as a primary treatment for pyogenic liver abscess. Severe PCD-related complications have been reported; however, delayed bleeding complications due to internal mammary artery injury are unknown.

Case Presentation

An 84-year-old man undergoing hemodialysis owing to chronic kidney disease due to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis was admitted to our hospital for liver cyst infection. Ultrasound-guided PCD was carried out through the normal liver at the upper abdominal midline at the level of the sixth intercostal space. Two days later, an abdominal hematoma occurred at the puncture site. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed extravasation of the distal right internal mammary artery, which was successfully treated with percutaneous coil embolization.

Conclusion

Internal mammary artery injury should be considered as a differential diagnosis when a progressing hematoma develops after PCD.

Benefits of abdominal paracentesis drainage performed ahead of percutaneous catheter drainage as a modification of the step-up approach in acute pancreatitis with fluid collections

AIM

The aim of the study is to evaluate the role of abdominal paracentesis drainage (APD) ahead of percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD), as a modification of the step-up approach, when treating acute pancreatitis (AP) with peritoneal ascitic fluid (PAF).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This is a prospective cohort study including 118 participants with AP in which the indicative factors for upgrading from APD to PCD were investigated in patients with PAF. Ninety six patients with a sufficient volume of PAF initially underwent ultrasound-guided APD and were separated into two groups : group A (the patients who did not undergo PCD after APD) and B (the patients who underwent PCD after APD). Participants with AP who underwent PCD but lacked enough PAF for APD before PCD were followed up in a separate group (group C). Primary outcome was conversion rate to more aggressive procedure (percutaneous treatment modalities to surgery or death).

RESULTS

Of the 96 patients who underwent APD, 42 were managed with APD alone and 54 received PCD after APD (14 required necrosectomy after initial PCD). APD led to a large decrease in levels of the initial severity scores and laboratory variables in both groups of patients with PAF. The reduction in levels of all evaluated predictive severity scores and laboratory variables was similar (P>0.05) after APD.

CONCLUSION

Application of APD ahead of PCD is safe and beneficial in the management of AP with abdominal or pelvic fluid collections. There are no relevant predictors that suggest whether APD is indicated or not.

Long-term safety and efficacy of ethanol retention therapy via percutaneous approach and/or EUS guidance for symptomatic large hepatic cysts (with video)

Background and Objectives

Ethanol retention therapy (ERT) under EUS guidance or a percutaneous approach is a safe treatment for large symptomatic hepatic cysts. However, reports on the long-term outcomes after ERT are very rare. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of ERT in symptomatic large hepatic cysts.

Materials and Methods

A total of 47 consecutive patients with large symptomatic hepatic cysts treated at the Asan Medical Center from April 2009 to October 2017 were analyzed. Thirty patients with right hepatic cysts were treated with ERT through a percutaneous approach, and 14 patients with left hepatic cysts were treated with ERT under EUS guidance. Three patients were treated with ERT using both methods.

Results

Of the 47 patients, 43 (91%) showed complete regression and four (9%) showed partial regression on abdominal computed tomography. Recurrence of the cysts was not observed during the follow-up surveillance of a median of 66 months.

Conclusions

Percutaneous catheter drainage-guided ERT and EUS-guided ERT, based on their favorable long-term outcomes, may be considered as first-line treatments in patients with large symptomatic hepatic cysts.

Treatment of a huge biloma complicating curative radiofrequency ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report

Development of a huge intrahepatic biloma after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a rare complication. We report a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who had been treated by RFA and was complicated by a huge biloma. The biloma was cured by percutaneous catheter drainage and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. A plastic stent was placed from the duodenal ampulla to the common bile duct to lower the pressure. The catheter and the stent were removed within 1 month after the biloma had disappeared. There was no recurrence of the biloma and HCC lesions with a follow-up time of 2 years. The present case is one of the best reported outcomes after development of a huge biloma.

Change in serum levels of inflammatory markers reflects response of percutaneous catheter drainage in symptomatic fluid collections in patients with acute pancreatitis

Background

Percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) is used as the first step in the management of symptomatic fluid collections in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP). There are limited data on the effect of PCD on inflammatory markers.

Aim

To study the effects of PCD on serum levels of C‐reactive protein (CRP), IL‐6, and IL‐10 and its correlation with the outcome.

Methods

Consecutive patients of AP with symptomatic fluid collections undergoing PCD were evaluated for serum levels of CRP, IL‐6, and IL‐10 before PCD and at 3 and 7 days after PCD. Resolution of organ failure (OF), sepsis, and pressure symptoms was considered to demonstrate the success of PCD. Changes in levels following PCD were correlated with outcome.

Results

Indications of PCD in 59 patients (age 38.9 ± 13.17 years, 49 male) were suspected/documented infected pancreatic necrosis (n = 45), persistent OF (n = 40), and pressure symptoms (n = 7). A total of 49 (83.1%) patients improved with PCD, five patients required surgery, and six died. A significant difference was noted between baseline levels of CRP (P = 0.026) and IL‐6 (P = 0.013) among patients who improved compared to those who worsened following PCD. Significant decrease (P < 0.01) of all three markers on day 3 of PCD insertion, with further decrease (P < 0.01) on day 7, was noted. The percentage of the decrease of IL‐6 levels on day 3 and of CRP on day 7 correlated with the outcome.

Conclusion

PCD is associated with a significant decrease in CRP, IL‐6, and IL‐10 levels. Percentage decrease in IL‐6 on day 3 and CRP on day 7 correlated with the outcome of patients managed with PCD.

The effect of technical details of percutaneous catheter drainage on the clinical outcomes of infected necrotizing pancreatitis patients

Background/aim

This study aimed to investigate the effect of technical details of percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) on the clinical outcomes of patients with infected necrotizing pancreatitis (INP).

Materials and methods

A total of 44 INP patients treated in our hospital from October 2013 to October 2015 were included. The correlations of the first PCD treatment data and the clinical outcomes were analyzed.

Results

The number of catheters was positively correlated with hospital readmission (r = 0.335, P = 0.032). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that patients with ≥ 3 catheters were more likely to have hospital readmission. Patients with pleural effusion undergoing thoracentesis were more likely to have new intensive care unit admission (P = 0.025) and bleeding in need of intervention (P = 0.032). Patients with more effusion regions had higher incidences of mortality (P = 0.012) and new intensive care unit admissions (2.44 ± 1.03 vs. 1.88 ± 0.80; P = 0.059). Patients with PCD only were less likely to have new intensive care unit admissions (22.22% vs. 54.55%; P = 0.038) than those with PCD + small incision or/and videoscopic assisted retroperitoneal debridement.

Conclusion

Number of catheters greater than three was associated with unfavorable outcomes of PCD treatment in INP patients. Patients that received PCD treatment only had better outcomes.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Necrosectomy (PEN) Combined with Percutaneous Catheter Drainage (PCD) and Irrigation for the Treatment of Clinically Relevant Pancreatic Fistula after Pancreatoduodenectomy

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous endoscopic necrosectomy (PEN) combined with percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) and irrigation versus PCD for the treatment of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). Materials and Methods: A total of 34 consecutive patients who suffered from CR-POPF after PD were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study. 12 patients received PEN combined with PCD and irrigation, and 22 patients received PCD. The complications and outcomes of the treatments were compared. Results: No patients suffered from severe PCD- or PEN-related complications. Compared with those treated with PCD, the patients treated with PEN combined with PCD and irrigation had a lower incidence of postoperative delayed severe intraabdominal hemorrhage (31.8% vs. 0%; p = 0.04). During the follow-up period, no patients in either group suffered from collection recurrence or external pancreatic fistula requiring surgical intervention.Conclusions: PEN combined with PCD and irrigation was safe and effective for reducing postoperative delayed severe intraabdominal hemorrhage in patients with CR-POPF after PD.

Infectious Hepatic Cyst: An Underestimated Complication

Objective An infectious hepatic cyst (IHC) is a hepatic cyst complicated with secondary infection and is generally assumed to be rare. However, we have experienced no small number of patients with IHC in recent clinical practice. We therefore examined the incidence and clinical characteristics of IHC. Methods The medical records of patients with IHC who were hospitalized at our institution between January 2012 and December 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Their demographic factors, biochemical, bacteriological, imaging, and treatment results were explored and compared with those of patients with pyogenic liver abscess (PLA). Patients Twelve patients with IHC and 39 with PLA were identified. Results The IHCs were significantly larger in diameters than the PLAs, and patients with IHCs tended to be older and more often women than those with PLAs. IHCs showed characteristic imaging features, including heterogeneous contents with occasional fluid-debris levels, a thickened cystic wall with rim enhancement, perilesional edema and hyperaemia. Patients with IHCs had a significantly shorter hospital stay than those with PLAs. Conclusion Physicians should note that IHCs are not rare. A careful imaging evaluation can suggest an IHC, and the timely aspiration of the content can lead to an accurate diagnosis. The cystic wall may keep the infectious material confined within the IHC, resulting in the observed good treatment outcome with catheter drainage.

Hepatic rupture: A case report of a severe complication of percutaneous catheter drainage

RATIONALE

Currently, percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) is regarded as the first-line treatment modality of pyogenic liver abscess. Severe complications associated with PCD were uncommon. Hepatic rupture is an uncommon but life-threatening liver trauma with high mortality. Its management is challenging because a delay in the diagnosis may lead to fatal hemorrhagic shock. To our knowledge, PCD-associated hepatic rupture has never been reported.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We report herein a rare case of PCD-associated hepatic rupture. Its clinical courses and our therapeutic approaches are presented. Moreover, the clinical significance, underlying causes, and current views on severe liver trauma management will be discussed briefly.

DIAGNOSES

A diabetic patient suffering from fever and malaise was diagnosed with a pyogenic liver abscess. PCD was performed because intravenous antibiotics were ineffective. The patient developed a liver rupture following PCD, with clinical and imaging confirmation but without further progression.

INTERVENTIONS

Surgical repair and vascular intervention were both inappropriate. As a result, medical treatments with supportive care were adopted and were found to be effective.

OUTCOMES

The patient's condition improved gradually, with stabilized imaging and laboratory performance. He recovered uneventfully during follow-ups.

LESSONS

Hepatic rupture should be listed as an extremely rare but severe complication of PCD. Immediate suspicion and effective intervention may avoid an unfavorable consequence.

Predictive factors of pancreatic necrosectomy following percutaneous catheter drainage as a primary treatment of patients with infected necrotizing pancreatitis

Pancreatic necrosectomy (PN) following percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) is an effective method of treating patients with necrotizing pancreatitis, however, the predictive factors for PN after PCD have not yet been identified. A total of 74 patients with suspected infected necrotizing pancreatitis (INP) and peripancreatic fluid collection were enrolled in the current study between October 2010 and October 2015. These patients received ultrasound or computer topography guided PCD followed by PN. Patients were divided into two groups: i) A PCD-alone group (n=32) and ii) a PCD+necrosectomy group (n=42). Multivariate analysis revealed that reduction of fluid collection after PCD (P=0.021), maximum extent of peripancreatic necrosis (P=0.019) and multiple organ failure (P=0.017) were predictors of PN following PCD. A prediction model was produced to evaluate the aforementioned factors and indicated that the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.827. The probability of successful PCD was determined using a prognostic nomogram. Thus, the results of the current study demonstrated that a reduction of fluid collection by <50% following PCD, a maximum extent of peripancreatic necrosis of >50% and multiple organ failure are effective predictors of necrosectomy in patients with INP following PCD failure.

Successful Resolution of Gastric Outlet Obstruction Caused by Pancreatic Pseudocyst or Walled-Off Necrosis After Acute Pancreatitis: The Role of Percutaneous Catheter Drainage

OBJECTIVE

Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) can be caused by gastroparesis or gastric outlet obstruction, which may occur when pancreatic pseudocyst (PP) or walled-off necrosis (WON) compresses the stomach. The aim of the study was to explore a proper surgical treatment.

METHODS

From June 2010 to June 2013, 25 of 148 patients with AP suffered DGE. Among them, 12 were caused by gastroparesis, 1 was a result of obstruction from a Candida albicans plug, and 12 were gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) compressed by PP (n = 8) or WON (n = 4), which were treated by percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD).

RESULTS

All 12 cases of compressing GOO achieved resolution by PCD after 6 [1.86] and 37.25 [12.02] days for PP and WON, respectively. Five cases developed intracystic infection, 3 cases had pancreatic fistulae whereas 2 achieved resolution and 1 underwent a pseudocyst jejunostomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Gastric outlet obstruction caused by a PP or WON is a major cause of DGE in patients with AP. Percutaneous catheter drainage with multiple sites, large-bore tubing, and lavage may be a good therapy due to high safety and minimal invasiveness.

Walled-off necrosis: safety of watchful waiting

BACKGROUND

Asymptomatic pancreatic necrosis should be managed conservatively, regardless of its extent. However, late sequelae and safety of non-interventional management in patients with asymptomatic walled-off necrosis remain unclear.

AIMS

The purpose of this study was to report the clinical outcome of outpatient expectant management in a cohort of patients with walled-off necrosis who were discharged asymptomatic after an episode of acute pancreatitis.

METHODS

Sixteen patients with walled-off necrosis asymptomatic at discharge were identified retrospectively from a single institution. Data were analyzed for the type of complications, their incidence and treatment.

RESULTS

Seven of 16 patients (44 %) did not experience any complications during a median follow-up of 17 months. Nine of 16 patients (56 %) became symptomatic or developed complications within a median follow-up of 49 days after discharge. The most common complication was infection of pancreatic necrosis which occurred in 7 of 9 patients. Six of these patients were successfully treated with minimally invasive techniques. In 5 of 7 patients, infection of necrosis was due to oral commensal bacteria. Acute intracavitary hemorrhage and intractable abdominal pain developed in one patient each. There was no mortality in this series.

CONCLUSIONS

Outpatient watchful waiting can be used safely in patients with asymptomatic walled-off necrosis, although nearly half of them eventually develop complications which require interventional treatment. Most late infections of pancreatic necrosis are probably due to a blood-borne transmission of oral commensal bacteria.

Sonographically guided percutaneous treatment of liver abscesses in critically Ill patients

BACKGROUND

The management of liver abscess (LA) has shifted toward intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics and image-guided percutaneous needle aspiration (PNA) or percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD).

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous treatment for patients with LA.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of 264 patients with 354 LA treated by percutaneous management from 1989 to 2012. All patients received appropriate antibiotic therapy. Patients with LA <50 mm in diameter were initially treated by sonographic-guided PNA and those with LA ≥50 mm were initially treated by ultrasound ultrasound-guided PCD. Surgery was planned only when there was no clinical improvement after the initial nonsurgical treatment. Primary outcome was the conversion rate to surgery. Secondary outcomes were mortality, length of hospital stay, and the procedure-related complications.

RESULTS

PNA was performed initially in 116 patients (44%), with 70 of them later requiring PCD due to abscess recurrence. In 148 patients (56%), PCD was performed initially. PCD was performed twice or more in 63 patients. Percutaneous treatment was the definitive and successful treatment in 230 of 264 patients (87.1%). Twenty patients (7.7%) were converted to surgery. Twenty-one patients (7.9%) died. The median hospital stay was 12 (range, 9-18) days, with complications occurring in 23 patients (8.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous management with systemic antibiotics is effective and safe and allows resolution of most LA. However, a small proportion of patients with LA still requires surgical drainage.

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis: 5 years of published data in Japan

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis implies infection originating from the neck, most commonly an oropharyngeal or odontogenic focus, that spreads in the cervical fascial spaces and descends into the mediastinum. Early diagnosis is essential because descending necrotizing mediastinitis can rapidly progress to septic shock and organ failure. A comprehensive review of the current data of descending necrotizing mediastinitis in Japan was carried out using PubMed and ICHUSHI from the last 5 years. The symptoms, origins, comorbid conditions, treatment modalities, complications, and survival rates were analyzed. Tonsillar and pharyngeal origin was more identified compared to odontogenic origin. More than one-third of patients were diabetic and 28% of them were not identified as having any comorbidity. Streptococcus sp. and anaerobes were most isolated, reflecting the microflora of the oral cavity. Of the broad antibiotics, carbapenem was the most used as treatment, and clindamycin was the most co-given. Mediastinal drainage approach varied widely and the optimal approach is controversial. Twenty-one patients were treated with video-assisted thoracic surgical drainage and 15 cases by percutaneous catheter drainage, whereas transcervical approach was applied in 25 patients and thoracotomy was carried out in 21 patients. The overall mortality was 5.6%. Many authors advocated that the most effective management tool is a high degree of clinical suspicion followed by prompt and adequate drainage with intensive care including hemodynamic and nutritional support and repeat computer tomographic monitoring.

Conservative management of severe bilateral emphysematous pyelonephritis: Case series and review of literature

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a life-threatening condition most commonly observed in diabetes, with nephrectomy believed to be the treatment of choice. However, nephrectomy in EPN is associated with increased risk of complications secondary to associated hemodynamic instability and may result in lifelong hemodialysis in case of bilateral EPN. We present three patients of severe bilateral EPN and one patient of unilateral EPN with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) successfully managed conservatively. Patient 1 (severe bilateral EPN) and patient 4 (unilateral EPN with DKA) responded to aggressive broad spectrum antibiotics, whereas patients 2 and 3 (severe bilateral EPN) responded to broad spectrum antibiotics along with percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD). PCD resulted in initial drainage of 300 and 200 ml of pus, respectively. All patients had associated uncontrolled hyperglycemia, poor glycemic control (HbA1c >8.5%), prerenal and intrinsic renal failure, leukocytosis, and dyselectrolytemia which responded to aggressive supportive management and insulin. There are several reports of successful medical management of severe bilateral EPN. Nephrectomy might no longer be the preferred treatment of severe bilateral EPN and may be reserved for patients' refractory to antibiotics and PCD. Urgent randomized controlled trials are warranted in EPN to optimize the treatment protocols.