Project description:Background and aimsCertain pancreaticobiliary conditions remain challenging to treat using standard endoscopic techniques. Examples include difficult-to-remove gallstones and foreign objects in the bile ducts. Two tools designed for these purposes are the SpyGlass retrieval basket and the SpyGlass retrieval snare, which are passed through the cholangioscope channel for use under direct visualization. We present 3 cases in which these tools were used successfully.MethodsThree cases using the SpyGlass retrieval basket and retrieval snare were reviewed for efficacy.ResultsPatient 1 had hepatitis C cirrhosis and underwent liver transplantation with T tube placement at the site of biliary anastomosis. Image-guided T tube removal by interventional radiology was unsuccessful. Endoscopic removal with the SpyGlass retrieval snare was completed. Patient 2 presented with cholangitis from an impacted common bile duct stone. Fragmentation with electrohydraulic lithotripsy was performed, and the fragments were removed with the SpyGlass retrieval basket. Patient 3 presented for removal of a migrated biliary stent. The stent was placed a year prior during an ERCP for treatment of choledocholithiasis. Initial removal attempt at an area hospital failed, so the patient was referred to our center, where the Spyglass retrieval snare was used to remove the biliary stent.ConclusionsThis case series demonstrates initial successes treating biliary pathologic conditions with the SpyGlass retrieval basket and retrieval snare, 2 tools designed for use under direct visualization with the cholangioscope.
Project description:Background and aimsEndoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is the preferred strategy for the management of biliary and pancreatic duct stones. However, difficult stones occur, and electrohydraulic (EHL) and laser lithotripsy (LL) have emerged as treatment modalities for ductal clearance. Recently, single-operator cholangioscopy was introduced, permitting the routine use of these techniques. We aimed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of cholangioscopy-guided lithotripsy using LL or EHL in patients with difficult biliary or pancreatic stones.MethodsThis is a prospective clinical study - conducted at two affiliated university hospitals - of 17 consecutive patients with difficult biliary and pancreatic stones who underwent single-operator cholangioscopy-guided lithotripsy using two techniques: holmium laser lithotripsy (HL) or bipolar EHL. We analyzed complete ductal clearance as well as the impact of the location and number of stones on clinical success and evaluated the efficacy of the two techniques used for cholangioscopy-guided lithotripsy and procedural complications.ResultsTwelve patients (70.6%) had stones in the common bile duct/common hepatic duct, 2 patients (17.6%) had a stone in the cystic stump, and 3 patients (17.6%) had stones in the pancreas. Sixteen patients (94.1%) were successfully managed in 1 session, and 1 patient (5.9%) achieved ductal clearance after 3 sessions including EHL, LL, and mechanical lithotripsy. Eleven patients were successfully submitted to HL in 1 session using a single laser fiber. Six patients were treated with EHL: 4 patients achieved ductal clearance in 1 session with a single fiber, 1 patient obtained successful fragmentation in 1 session using two fibers, and 1 patient did not achieve ductal clearance after using two fibers and was successfully treated with a single laser fiber in a subsequent session. Complications were mild and were encountered in 6/17 patients (35.2%), including fever (n = 3), pain (n = 1), and mild pancreatitis (n = 1). Conclusions: Cholangioscopy-guided lithotripsy using LL or EHL in patients with difficult biliary or pancreatic stones is highly effective with transient and minimal complications. There is a clear need to further compare EHL and HL in order to assess their role in the success of cholangioscopy-guided lithotripsy.
Project description:Background and aimsSingle-operator cholangioscopy-assisted electrohydraulic lithotripsy (SOC-EHL) is effective and safe in difficult choledocholithiasis. The optimal timing of SOC-EHL use, however, in refractory stones has not been elucidated. The following aims to determine the most cost-effective timing of SOC-EHL introduction in the management of choledocholithiasis.MethodsA cost-effectiveness model was developed assessing three strategies with a progressively delayed introduction of SOC-EHL. Probability estimates of patient pathways were obtained from a systematic review. The unit of effectiveness is complete ductal clearance without need for surgery. Cost is expressed in 2018 US dollars and stem from outpatient US databases.ResultsThe three strategies achieved comparable ductal clearance rates ranging from 97.3% to 99.7%. The least expensive strategy is to perform SOC-EHL during the first endoscopic retrograde cholangiography pancreatography (ERCP) (SOC-1: 18,506$). The strategy of postponing the use of SOC-EHL to the third ERCP (SOC-3) is more expensive (US$18,895) but is 2% more effective. (0.9967). SOC-EHL during the second ERCP in the model (SOC-2) is the least cost-effective. Sensitivity analyses show altered conclusions according to the cost of SOC-EHL, effectiveness of conventional ERCP, and altered willingness-to-pay (WTP) thresholds with early SOC-1 being the most optimal approach below a WTP cut-off of US$20,295.ConclusionsEarly utilization of SOC-EHL (SOC-1) in difficult choledocholithiasis may be the least costly strategy with an effectiveness approximating those achieved with a delayed approach where one or more conventional ERCP(s) are reattempted prior to SOC-EHL introduction.
Project description:Dormia baskets are commonly used during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). One complication is basket retention, through impaction with a gallstone or wire fracture. We describe a case where the external handle of the basket snapped causing retained basket plus large gallstone impacted in the common bile duct (CBD). Following laparoscopic cholecystectomy, laparoscopic CBD exploration allowed direct stone fragmentation under vision with the choledochoscope. Fragments were removed using a choledochoscopic basket and Fogarty catheter, and the basket was withdrawn. Literature search identified 114 cases of retained baskets with management including shockwave lithotripsy (27%), papillary balloon dilatation (22%), open CBD exploration (11%), and one laparoscopic case.
Project description:BackgroundPeroral cholangioscopy (POCS)-guided forceps biopsy is a method for diagnosing indeterminate biliary strictures and for the preoperative identification of the exact perihilar and distal margins of biliary tract cancer (BTC). However, POCS-guided forceps biopsy may result in an insufficient amount of specimen at times. Therefore, we evaluated the adequate tissue acquisition rate and the factors affecting the adequate tissue acquisition of POCS-guided forceps biopsy for the biliary tract.MethodsPatients who underwent POCS-guided forceps biopsy for biliary disease between September 2016 and October 2018 at our hospital were enrolled retrospectively. We evaluated the adequate tissue acquisition rate of POCS-guided forceps biopsy for the biliary lesion and that for non-stenotic bile duct. In addition, the factors affecting the adequate tissue acquisition rate of POCS-guided forceps biopsy were evaluated.ResultsWe enrolled 47 patients with biliary disease and performed POCS-guided forceps biopsy for biliary lesion and POCS-guided forceps mapping biopsy for non-stenotic bile duct in 40 and 36 patients, respectively. The adequate tissue acquisition rates of POCS-guided forceps biopsy for biliary lesions and that for non-stenotic bile duct were 86.4%, and 68.9%, respectively. In the multivariate logistic regression analyses, age, and previous biliary stenting before POCS were factors affecting the adequate tissue acquisition rate of POCS-guided forceps biopsy for the biliary lesion. For non-stenotic bile duct, the location of the biliary lesion, endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST), and procedure time of POCS were factors affecting the adequate tissue acquisition rate of POCS-guided forceps mapping biopsy.ConclusionsPrevious biliary stenting was a factor affecting a low tissue acquisition rate of POCS-guided forceps biopsy for the biliary lesion. In the POCS-guided forceps mapping biopsy, the location of the biliary lesion, EST, and procedure time were factors affecting tissue acquisition rates.
Project description:Background and aimsFluoroscopy-free endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for common bile duct stone (CBDS) clearance is usually offered only to pregnant patients. We initiated a multicenter, randomized controlled trial comparing clearance of non-complex CBDSs using fluoroscopy-free direct solitary cholangioscopy (DSC) to standard endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) to evaluate the wider applicability of the DSC-based approach. Here we report the initial results of stone clearance and safety in roll-in cases for the randomized controlled trial.MethodsTwelve expert endoscopists at tertiary care centers in four countries prospectively enrolled 47 patients with non-complex CBDSs for DSC-assisted CBDS removal in an index procedure including fluoroscopy-free cannulation. Successful CBDS clearance was first determined by DSC and subsequently validated by final occlusion cholangiogram as the ERC gold standard.ResultsFully fluoroscopy-free cannulation was successful in 42/47 (89.4%) patients. Brief fluoroscopy with minimal contrast injection was used in 4/47 (8.5%) patients during cannulation. Cannulation failed in 1/47 (2.1%) patients. Fluoroscopy-free complete stone clearance was reached in 38/46 (82.6%) cases. Residual stones were detected in the validation ERC occlusion cholangiogram in three cases. Overall serious adverse event rate was 2.1% (95% confidence interval 0.1-11.3): postprocedural pancreatitis in one patient.ConclusionsIn patients with non-complex CBDS, the fluoroscopy-free technique is easily transferred to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography experts with acceptable rates of cannulation and stone clearance and few serious adverse events. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03421340).