An 89-year-old woman presented to the hospital with a chief complaint of fever and hematuria. Computed tomography revealed left hydronephrosis due to bladder cancer, along with common bile duct stones and marked dilation of the bile duct. Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided choledochoduodenostomy was attempted, but the common bile duct could not be visualized in close proximity to the duodenum. Instead, due to the gastroduodenal deformity, the common bile duct was in close proximity with the gastric antrum; therefore, the common bile duct was selected for puncture from the gastric antrum using a 19-gauge needle. However, the gastric wall and scope became separated during the dilation maneuver, making it difficult to dilate the fistula using a 6-Fr dilator and a 4-mm-diameter balloon dilation catheter, although it was possible to insert a tapered catheter with a 3.5-Fr tip under a 0.025-inch guidewire into the bile duct. The use of a stiff 0.035-inch guidewire allowed blunt dilation up to 9-Fr with a dilator, while simultaneously maintaining the distance between the gastric wall and the scope. Using this method, a 10-mm-diameter, 12-cm-long, partially covered metal stent was deployed successfully between the common bile duct and the posterior wall of the gastric antrum. Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided choledochogastrostomy (EUS-CGS) risks separating the gastrointestinal and biliary tracts during or after the procedure. In this case, the stiff guidewire enabled successful completion of the biliary procedures; thus, this guidewire can be used to safely manage difficult cases of EUS-CGS involving dilation of the fistula and stent deployment.

An 89-year-old woman presented to the hospital with a chief complaint of fever and hematuria. Computed tomography revealed left hydronephrosis due to bladder cancer, along with common bile duct stones and marked dilation of the bile duct. Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided choledochoduodenostomy was attempted, but the common bile duct could not be visualized in close proximity to the duodenum. Instead, due to the gastroduodenal deformity, the common bile duct was in close proximity with the gastric antrum; therefore, the common bile duct was selected for puncture from the gastric antrum using a 19-gauge needle. However, the gastric wall and scope became separated during the dilation maneuver, making it difficult to dilate the fistula using a 6-Fr dilator and a 4-mm-diameter balloon dilation catheter, although it was possible to insert a tapered catheter with a 3.5-Fr tip under a 0.025-inch guidewire into the bile duct. The use of a stiff 0.035-inch guidewire allowed blunt dilation up to 9-Fr with a dilator, while simultaneously maintaining the distance between the gastric wall and the scope. Using this method, a 10-mm-diameter, 12-cm-long, partially covered metal stent was deployed successfully between the common bile duct and the posterior wall of the gastric antrum. Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided choledochogastrostomy (EUS-CGS) risks separating the gastrointestinal and biliary tracts during or after the procedure. In this case, the stiff guidewire enabled successful completion of the biliary procedures; thus, this guidewire can be used to safely manage difficult cases of EUS-CGS involving dilation of the fistula and stent deployment.

An 89-year-old woman presented to the hospital with a chief complaint of fever and hematuria. Computed tomography revealed left hydronephrosis due to bladder cancer, along with common bile duct stones and marked dilation of the bile duct. Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided choledochoduodenostomy was attempted, but the common bile duct could not be visualized in close proximity to the duodenum. Instead, due to the gastroduodenal deformity, the common bile duct was in close proximity with the gastric antrum; therefore, the common bile duct was selected for puncture from the gastric antrum using a 19-gauge needle. However, the gastric wall and scope became separated during the dilation maneuver, making it difficult to dilate the fistula using a 6-Fr dilator and a 4-mm-diameter balloon dilation catheter, although it was possible to insert a tapered catheter with a 3.5-Fr tip under a 0.025-inch guidewire into the bile duct. The use of a stiff 0.035-inch guidewire allowed blunt dilation up to 9-Fr with a dilator, while simultaneously maintaining the distance between the gastric wall and the scope. Using this method, a 10-mm-diameter, 12-cm-long, partially covered metal stent was deployed successfully between the common bile duct and the posterior wall of the gastric antrum. Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided choledochogastrostomy (EUS-CGS) risks separating the gastrointestinal and biliary tracts during or after the procedure. In this case, the stiff guidewire enabled successful completion of the biliary procedures; thus, this guidewire can be used to safely manage difficult cases of EUS-CGS involving dilation of the fistula and stent deployment.

Recent clinical outcomes of multi-regimen chemotherapy in patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CCC) have shown benefits in terms of overall survival. However, repeated endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD) and serious adverse events negatively affect prolongation of the survival period.The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of massive hemobilia and the outcomes of its management with fully covered self-expandable metal stents (FC-SEMSs) in patients with hilum-involving CCC receiving multi-regimen chemotherapy. The methods and effects of FCSEMS placement were retrospectively investigated following the occurrence of massive hemobilia during EBD. A total of 356 patients with CCC received multi-regimen chemotherapy. Among them, 181 patients had hilar invasion, and seven patients (3.9%) developed massive hemobilia during repeated EBD using removable stents. In all cases, the tumor encased the right hepatic artery. In six patients (85.7%), hemostasis was immediately and completely achieved by inserting one or two FC-SEMSs proximal to the hilar invasion area. Therefore, if the tumor encases the right hepatic artery, massive hemobilia is likely to occur during multi-regimen chemotherapy.Thus, prompt placement of a FC-SEMS would be an effective treatment option for massive hemobilia in patients with hilum-involving CCC.

Postoperative pancreatic fistulas (POPFs) are common adverse events that occur after pancreatic surgery. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-guided drainage (EUS-D) is a first-line treatment, similar to that for pancreatic fluid collection (PFCs) after acute pancreatitis. However, some POPFs do not develop fluid collections depending on the presence or location of the surgical drain, whereas others develop fluid collections, such as postoperative fluid collections (POPFCs). Although POPFCs are similar to PFCs, the strategy and modality for POPF management need to be modified according to the presence of fluid collections, surgical drains, and surgical type. As discussed for PFCs, the indications, timing, and selection of interventions or stents for EUS-D have not been fully elucidated for POPFs. In this review, we discuss the management of POPFs and POPFCs in comparison with PFCs due to acute pancreatitis and summarize the topics that should be addressed in future studies.

Background/Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of continuous propofol infusion for anesthesia during endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS). Methods: A total of 427 consecutive patients who underwent EUS between May 2018 and February 2019 were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into two propofol infusion groups: continuous (n=207) and intermittent (n=220). The following parameters were compared: (1) propofol dose, (2) respiratory and circulatory depression, (3) body movement requiring discontinuation of the examination, (4) awakening score, and (5) patient satisfaction. Results: The median total maintenance dose of propofol was significantly higher in the continuous group than in the intermittent group (160.0 mg vs. 130.0 mg, respectively); however, the reduction in SpO2 was significantly lower in the continuous group (2.9% vs. 13.2%). Body movements occurred less frequently in the continuous group than in the intermittent group (40.1% vs. 49.5%, respectively). The rate of complete awakening was significantly higher in the continuous group than in the intermittent group. Finally, there was a significant difference in the percentage of patients who answered “absolutely yes” when asked about receiving EUS again: 52.7% in the continuous group vs. 34.3% in the intermittent group. Conclusions Continuous infusion resulted in stable sedation and reduced propofol-associated risks.

Recent clinical outcomes of multi-regimen chemotherapy in patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CCC) have shown benefits in terms of overall survival. However, repeated endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD) and serious adverse events negatively affect prolongation of the survival period.The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of massive hemobilia and the outcomes of its management with fully covered self-expandable metal stents (FC-SEMSs) in patients with hilum-involving CCC receiving multi-regimen chemotherapy. The methods and effects of FCSEMS placement were retrospectively investigated following the occurrence of massive hemobilia during EBD. A total of 356 patients with CCC received multi-regimen chemotherapy. Among them, 181 patients had hilar invasion, and seven patients (3.9%) developed massive hemobilia during repeated EBD using removable stents. In all cases, the tumor encased the right hepatic artery. In six patients (85.7%), hemostasis was immediately and completely achieved by inserting one or two FC-SEMSs proximal to the hilar invasion area. Therefore, if the tumor encases the right hepatic artery, massive hemobilia is likely to occur during multi-regimen chemotherapy.Thus, prompt placement of a FC-SEMS would be an effective treatment option for massive hemobilia in patients with hilum-involving CCC.

Postoperative pancreatic fistulas (POPFs) are common adverse events that occur after pancreatic surgery. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-guided drainage (EUS-D) is a first-line treatment, similar to that for pancreatic fluid collection (PFCs) after acute pancreatitis. However, some POPFs do not develop fluid collections depending on the presence or location of the surgical drain, whereas others develop fluid collections, such as postoperative fluid collections (POPFCs). Although POPFCs are similar to PFCs, the strategy and modality for POPF management need to be modified according to the presence of fluid collections, surgical drains, and surgical type. As discussed for PFCs, the indications, timing, and selection of interventions or stents for EUS-D have not been fully elucidated for POPFs. In this review, we discuss the management of POPFs and POPFCs in comparison with PFCs due to acute pancreatitis and summarize the topics that should be addressed in future studies.

Background/Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of continuous propofol infusion for anesthesia during endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS). Methods: A total of 427 consecutive patients who underwent EUS between May 2018 and February 2019 were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into two propofol infusion groups: continuous (n=207) and intermittent (n=220). The following parameters were compared: (1) propofol dose, (2) respiratory and circulatory depression, (3) body movement requiring discontinuation of the examination, (4) awakening score, and (5) patient satisfaction. Results: The median total maintenance dose of propofol was significantly higher in the continuous group than in the intermittent group (160.0 mg vs. 130.0 mg, respectively); however, the reduction in SpO2 was significantly lower in the continuous group (2.9% vs. 13.2%). Body movements occurred less frequently in the continuous group than in the intermittent group (40.1% vs. 49.5%, respectively). The rate of complete awakening was significantly higher in the continuous group than in the intermittent group. Finally, there was a significant difference in the percentage of patients who answered “absolutely yes” when asked about receiving EUS again: 52.7% in the continuous group vs. 34.3% in the intermittent group. Conclusions Continuous infusion resulted in stable sedation and reduced propofol-associated risks.

Recent clinical outcomes of multi-regimen chemotherapy in patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CCC) have shown benefits in terms of overall survival. However, repeated endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD) and serious adverse events negatively affect prolongation of the survival period.The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of massive hemobilia and the outcomes of its management with fully covered self-expandable metal stents (FC-SEMSs) in patients with hilum-involving CCC receiving multi-regimen chemotherapy. The methods and effects of FCSEMS placement were retrospectively investigated following the occurrence of massive hemobilia during EBD. A total of 356 patients with CCC received multi-regimen chemotherapy. Among them, 181 patients had hilar invasion, and seven patients (3.9%) developed massive hemobilia during repeated EBD using removable stents. In all cases, the tumor encased the right hepatic artery. In six patients (85.7%), hemostasis was immediately and completely achieved by inserting one or two FC-SEMSs proximal to the hilar invasion area. Therefore, if the tumor encases the right hepatic artery, massive hemobilia is likely to occur during multi-regimen chemotherapy.Thus, prompt placement of a FC-SEMS would be an effective treatment option for massive hemobilia in patients with hilum-involving CCC.