In acute biliary pancreatitis, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and cholecystectomy should be considered to reduce the complications of gallstones including recurrent biliary pancreatitis. If biliary pancreatitis is accompanied by cholangitis or evidence of obvious biliary obstruction, removal of the common bile duct stone via early ERCP (within 24 to 72 hours) is necessary. Less or non-invasive imaging modalities such as endoscopic ultrasound, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography can be considered to avoid unnecessary ERCP if suspected biliary obstruction in the absence of cholangitis in patients with biliary pancreatitis. Cholecystectomy in patients with biliary pancreatitis requires a strategy that varies the timing of surgery depending on the severity of pancreatitis. In mild acute biliary pancreatitis, cholecystectomy can be performed safely at the time of initial admission. In moderate to severe biliary pancreatitis, cholecystectomy should be delayed until about 6 weeks when active inflammation subsides and fluid collections resolve or stabilize. Endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) can be helpful in reducing recurrent pancreatitis in patients who unfit for cholecystectomy. However, even if EST is performed, additional cholecystectomy will further reduce the risk of recurrent pancreatitis, if possible, it is recommended to undergo a cholecystectomy.
Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance ; Cholangitis ; Cholecystectomy ; Common Bile Duct ; Gallstones ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Pancreatitis ; Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: The prognosis of periampullary cancer varies with its origin and early diagnosis influences outcome. Endoscopic ultrasound, computed tomography, fine needle aspiration, and fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (¹⁸FDG-PET/CT) are helpful for diagnosis. This study evaluates the diagnostic efficacy of ¹⁸FDG-PET for preoperative periampullary tumors.METHODS: A series of 100 patients undergoing ¹⁸FDG-PET/CT before surgical resection of periampullary tumors between March 2011 and February 2019 were enrolled. Maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) levels were compared with pathohistological confirmation of periampullary tumors.RESULTS: The SUVmax and uptake range varied with the origin of the periampullary tumors. The SUVmax was not available for 17 of the 42 pancreas tumors, three of 30 common bile duct tumors, and four of 18 ampulla of Vater tumors. The median SUVmax was 0.0 in benign tumors and 5.05 in malignant tumors. The mean SUVmax was 4.1±5.6 in pancreatic tumors, 3.9±2.4 in ampulla of Vater, and 6.0±3.7 in common bile duct. The SUVmax was higher in common bile duct tumors than others. CA19-9 level was of diagnostic value in pancreatic tumor patients. The median CA19-9 levels were 7.64 U/mL (range, 2.71–45.05 U/mL) in benign tumors and 91.97 U/mL (range, 26.91–276.60 U/mL) in cancers patients.CONCLUSION: Preoperative SUVmax and CA19-9 level were of diagnostic value for periampullary tumors originating in the pancreas.
Ampulla of Vater ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; CA-19-9 Antigen ; Common Bile Duct ; Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Humans ; Pancreas ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; Prognosis ; Ultrasonography

We present the case of a patient with biliary and duodenal atresia who showed false-negative hepatobiliary scintigraphy results. The patient was born at 37 weeks and 2 days of gestation. Her mother had undergone amnioreduction after detection of a double-bubble ultrasound sign in the fetal abdomen. At 2 days of age, total serum bilirubin level was elevated. On hepatobiliary scintigraphy 4 days later, the gallbladder was visualized from 30 min and it showed duodeno-gastric reflux at 240 min. After 24 h, the radiotracer was almost washed out in the hepatic parenchyma, but there was retention in the gastroduodenal junction. Because the biliary to duodenal transit was visible, biliary atresia seemed unlikely. Abdominal ultrasonography at 7 days of age showed a small dysmorphic gallbladder, but triangular cord sign was not definite. Magnetic resonance cholangiography revealed atretic gallbladder. Although cystic and common bile ducts were visible, the proximal common hepatic bile duct was not visible. The next day, serum total bilirubin levels remained elevated (17.1 mg/dl) with direct bilirubin level of 1.2 mg/dl. Kasai portoenterostomy with duodeno-duodenostomy was performed at 10 days of age. Histopathological evaluation showed a fibrous obliteration of the common bile duct, consistent with that of biliary atresia.
Abdomen ; Bile Ducts ; Biliary Atresia ; Bilirubin ; Cholangiography ; Common Bile Duct ; Duodenogastric Reflux ; Gallbladder ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Jaundice, Neonatal ; Mothers ; Pregnancy ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Ultrasonography

A 2-year-old, spayed female, Korean domestic short-hair cat was presented with depression and vomiting. The patient had history of weight loss lasting seven months. Physical examination revealed icterus in the pinna, oral mucosa, and sclera. Based on ultrasonography and computed tomography, tentative diagnosis was extrahepatic biliary tract obstruction with acquired portosystemic shunt (PSS). Tumor or inflammation of hepatobiliary system was suspected as the cause of obstruction of the common bile duct. But it could not be determined without biopsy. The severely dilated cystic duct was considered to cause portal hypertension and secondary multiple PSS. The patient expired without histopathologic examination.
Animals ; Biliary Tract ; Biopsy ; Cats ; Child, Preschool ; Cholestasis, Extrahepatic ; Common Bile Duct ; Cystic Duct ; Depression ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; Inflammation ; Jaundice ; Mouth Mucosa ; Physical Examination ; Portasystemic Shunt, Surgical ; Sclera ; Ultrasonography ; Vomiting ; Weight Loss

The feasibility of using computed tomography (CT) to identify the common bile duct (CBD) and comparison with ultrasonography (US) results were evaluated in normal beagle dogs and dogs without hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases. In addition, CBD diameters were obtained from CT at the level of the porta hepatis and the duodenal papilla level in dogs with underlying diseases that may cause cholestasis. US is a useful modality in the estimation of gallbladder volume because ejection fraction and CBD diameter from US were not significantly different from those of CT. The normal biliary tract was visible on CT images in 68% of the normal dog group. CBD diameter was not over 3 mm and 3.5 mm at the porta hepatis and duodenal papilla levels, respectively in normal dogs weighing less than 15 kg. Dogs suspected to have cholestasis associated with hepatobiliary or pancreatic diseases had significantly larger CBD than that in normal dogs.
Animals ; Biliary Tract ; Cholestasis ; Common Bile Duct ; Dogs ; Gallbladder ; Pancreatic Diseases ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to describe our treatment experiences with patients who had acute abdomen (AA) with common bile duct (CBD) dilatation. METHODS: The treatment outcomes in children with AA and CBD dilatation were retrospectively reviewed. According to the shape of the intrahepatic bile ducts on ultrasonography (US), the origin of the pain was estimated as choledochal cyst (CC) complication or choledocholithiasis in normal CBD. Patients with complicated CC underwent surgery, and patients with choledocholithiasis in a normal appearing CBD underwent symptomatic treatment initially. RESULTS: Of the 34 patients, 30 (88.2%) were female. The mean age of the patients was 6.4±4.9 (range, 0.8–17) years. Seventeen (50.0%) patients had CBD stones and 17 (50.0%) did not. Surgical treatment was performed in 20 (58.8%) patients, 2 of whom underwent preoperative stone removal with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and an operation. Conservative treatment was applied in 12 (35.3%) patients (8 with and 4 without stones), 1 of whom developed symptom relapse and underwent an operation. Among the 8 patients with CBD stones, 4 (4/17, 23.5%) had complete resolution of the stones and recovery of the CBD diameter after conservative treatment. US findings of patients with stone showed a fusiform or cylindrical shape of the CBD in 14 (82.4%) patients. CONCLUSION: The presence of stones in the distal CBD and the US features of CBD dilatation may be helpful to diagnose and treat the causes of biliary dilatation. Conservative treatment can be considered as initial therapy in patients with uncomplicated CBD dilatation with stone.
Abdomen, Acute* ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic ; Child ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Choledochal Cyst ; Choledocholithiasis ; Common Bile Duct* ; Dilatation* ; Female ; Humans ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Treatment for cholangitis without common bile duct (CBD) stones has not been established in patients with gallstones. We investigated the usefulness of endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD) without endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) in patients diagnosed with gallstones and cholangitis without CBD stones by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS). METHODS: EBD using 5F plastic stents without EST was performed prospectively in patients with gallstones and cholangitis if CBD stones were not diagnosed by ERCP and IDUS. After ERCP, all patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The primary outcomes were clinical and technical success. The secondary outcomes were recurrence rate of biliary events and procedure-related adverse events. RESULTS: Among 187 patients with gallstones and cholangitis, 27 patients without CBD stones according to ERCP and IDUS received EBD using 5F plastic stents without EST. The stents were maintained in all patients until laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and recurrence of cholangitis was not observed. After cholecystectomy, the stents were removed spontaneously in 12 patients and endoscopically in 15 patients. Recurrence of CBD stones was not detected during the follow-up period (median, 421 days). CONCLUSIONS: EBD using 5F plastic stents without EST may be safe and effective for the management of cholangitis accompanied by gallstones in patients without CBD stones according to ERCP and IDUS.
Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Cholangitis* ; Cholecystectomy ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; Common Bile Duct* ; Drainage* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gallstones* ; Humans ; Plastics ; Prospective Studies ; Recurrence ; Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic ; Stents ; Ultrasonography*

Inspissated bile syndrome (IBS) is a rare condition in which thick intraluminal bile, including bile plugs, sludge, or stones, blocks the extrahepatic bile ducts in an infant. A 5-week-old female infant was admitted for evaluation of jaundice and acholic stool. Diagnostic tests, including ultrasound sonography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, and a hepatobiliary scan, were not conclusive. Although the diagnosis was unclear, the clinical and laboratory findings improved gradually on administration of urodeoxycholic acid and lipid emulsion containing omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) for 3 weeks. However, a liver biopsy was suggestive of biliary atresia. This finding forced us to perform intraoperative cholangiography, which revealed a patent common bile duct with impacted thick bile. We performed normal saline irrigation and the symptom was improved, the final diagnosis was IBS. Thus, we herein report that IBS can be treated with omega-3 PUFAs as an alternative to surgical intervention.
Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic ; Bile* ; Biliary Atresia ; Biopsy ; Cholangiography ; Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance ; Cholestasis ; Common Bile Duct ; Diagnosis ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated* ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Jaundice ; Liver ; Sewage ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Laparoscopic treatment of patients with choledocholithiasis and cholangitis is challenging due to mandatory recovery of the biliary drainage and clearance of the common bile duct (CBD). The aim of our study was to assess postoperative course of cholangitis and biliary sepsis after laparoscopic clearance of the CBD in emergently admitted patients with choledocholithiasis and cholangitis. METHODS: Emergently admitted patients who underwent laparoscopic clearance of the CBD were included prospectively and stratified in 2 groups i.e., cholangitis positive (CH+) or negative (CH-) group. Patient demographics, comorbidities, preoperative imaging data, inflammatory response, surgical intervention, complication rate and outcomes were compared between groups. RESULTS: Ninety-nine of a total 320 patients underwent laparoscopic clearance of the CBD, of which, 60 belonged to the acute cholangitis group (CH+) and 39 to the cholangitis negative group (CH-). Interventions were done on average 4 days after admission, operation duration was 95-105 min, and the conversion rate was 3-7% without differences in the groups. Preoperative inflammatory response was markedly higher in the CH+ group. Inflammation signs on intraoperative choledochoscopy were more evident in patients with cholangitis. Postoperative inflammatory response did not differ between the groups. The overall complication rate was 8.3% and 5.1%, respectively. Laparoscopic clearance of the CBD resulted in 1 lethal case (CH+ group), resulting in 1% mortality rate and a similar 12-month readmission rate. CONCLUSIONS: Single-stage laparoscopic intraoperative US and choledochoscopy-assisted clearance of the CBD is feasible in emergently admitted patients with choledocholithiasis and cholangitis.
Cholangitis* ; Choledocholithiasis* ; Common Bile Duct* ; Comorbidity ; Demography ; Drainage ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Laparoscopy ; Mortality ; Prospective Studies ; Sepsis ; Ultrasonography

Choledochal cyst is a dilation that encloses the intrahepatic or both extra- and intrahepatic portions of the biliary ducts. Postnatally, ultrasonography is the initial diagnostic modality of choice, allowing for precise measurements of intra- or extrahepatic duct dilatation and identification of stones and sludge. Symptoms depend on the age at presentation. Common bile duct malformations should be considered as a differential diagnosis of a cystic mass regardless of the cyst's size or patient's age, especially in children presenting with abdominal pain, jaundice, and palpable mass. To the best of our knowledge, we report the largest choledochal cyst in infancy.
Abdominal Pain ; Child ; Choledochal Cyst* ; Common Bile Duct ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dilatation ; Humans ; Infant ; Jaundice ; Sewage ; Ultrasonography