Functional dyspepsia is a very common disease and there are two types of dyspepsia. One is functional dyspepsia in the gastrointestinal tract and the other is pancreatobiliary dyspepsia. Biliary dyspepsia is caused by biliary tract disease and can even cause biliary pain. Acalculous biliary pain (ABP) is biliary colic without gallstones, it is caused by functional biliary disorder or structural disorders such as microlithiasis, sludges or parasitic infestation like Clonorchiasis. The endoscopic ultrasonography is helpful tool for differential diagnosis of ABP. Although sphincter of Oddi manometry (SOM) is performed for the confirmative diagnosis of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD), several non-invasive tests have been studied because of some practical limitations and invasiveness of SOM itself. In fact, the most clinically used easy test to diagnose functional biliary disorder is quantitative hepatobiliary scintigraphy and it can distinguish gallbladder dyskinesia, SOD, or combined type. Initial treatment of functional biliary disorder is adequate dietary control and medication, but if the symptoms worsened or recurred frequently, laparoscopic cholecystectomy could be performed with gallbladder dyskinesia. If SOD is suspected, additional SOM should be considered and endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) can be done according to the outcome. If the SOM is not available, the patient could be diagnosed by stimulated ultrasound.
Biliary Dyskinesia ; Biliary Tract Diseases ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; Clonorchiasis ; Colic ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dyspepsia* ; Endosonography ; Gallstones ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Manometry ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Sphincter of Oddi ; Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction ; Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic ; Ultrasonography

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an aggressive cancer arising from epithelial cells of the bile duct. Most patients with CCA have an unresectable tumor at the time of diagnosis. In Western countries, the risk of CCA increases in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis, whereas liver fluke infection appears to be the major risk factor for CCA in Asian countries. A diagnosis of liver fluke infection often relies on stool samples, including microscopic examination, polymerase chain reaction-based assays, and fluke antigen detection. Tests of serum, saliva and urine samples are also potentially diagnostic. The presence of liver fluke along with exogenous carcinogens magnifies the risk of CCA in people living in endemic areas. The “liver fluke-cholangiocarcinoma” carcinogenesis pathways consist of mechanical damage to the bile duct epithelium, immunopathologic and cellular reactions to the liver fluke's antigens and excretory/secretory products, liver fluke-induced changes in the biliary tract microbiome and the effects of repeated treatment for liver fluke. A vaccine and novel biomarkers are needed for the primary and secondary prevention of CCA in endemic areas. Importantly, climate change exerts an effect on vector-borne parasitic diseases, and awareness of liver fluke should be enhanced in potentially migrated habitat areas.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Bile Ducts ; Biliary Tract Neoplasms* ; Biliary Tract* ; Biomarkers ; Carcinogenesis ; Carcinogens ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; Cholangitis, Sclerosing ; Climate Change ; Clonorchiasis ; Diagnosis ; Ecosystem ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelium ; Fasciola hepatica ; Humans ; Liver* ; Microbiota ; Opisthorchiasis ; Parasitic Diseases ; Risk Factors ; Saliva ; Secondary Prevention ; Trematoda

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The mortality rate of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) has decreased dramatically, but it remains a potentially life threatening disease. Most cases are cryptogenic or occur in elderly men with underlying biliary tract disease. Although several studies have addressed the characteristics and etiology of PLA, research on factors affecting PLA-associated mortality is lacking. This study intended to identify the clinical and radiological features, pathogens, complications, and predictors of mortality in Korean PLA patients. METHODS: The medical records of 231 PLA patients diagnosed at Yeungnam University Medical Center between January 2010 and January 2014 were analyzed. A diagnosis of PLA was made based on imaging studies and blood and abscess cultures. The clinical, radiological, and laboratory findings of patients were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 64.0±12.9 years and the male to female ratio was 1.5:1. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the predominant organism isolated from hepatic abscesses (69.9%) and blood (74.2%). The most common complication was pleural effusion (35.8%) and most common co-infection was cholangitis (8.2%). The overall mortality rate of PLA was 6.9% (16/231), and was significantly higher in patients with a history of liver abscess (OR 5.970, 95% CI 1.207-29.529; p=0.028), bilirubinemia (>2 mg/dL) (OR 9.541, 95% CI 2.382-38.216; p=0.001), thrombocytopenia (<140×10(3)/µL) (OR 4.396, 95% CI 1.130-17.106; p=0.033), or anemia (<12 g/dL) (OR 13.277, 95% CI 1.476-119.423; p=0.021). CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of PLA appears to be dependent on underlying pathologies and severity of condition. More aggressive treatment should be considered if a poor prognosis is expected.
Abscess ; Academic Medical Centers ; Aged ; Anemia ; Biliary Tract Diseases ; Cholangitis ; Coinfection ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperbilirubinemia ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; Liver Abscess ; Liver Abscess, Pyogenic* ; Male ; Medical Records ; Mortality* ; Pathology ; Pleural Effusion ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies* ; Risk Factors ; Thrombocytopenia

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of applying MultiVane to liver T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) compared with conventional T2WIs with emphasis on detection of focal liver lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-eight patients (43 men and 35 women) with 86 hepatic lesions and 20 pancreatico-biliary diseases underwent MRI including T2WIs acquired using breath-hold (BH), respiratory-triggered (RT), and MultiVane technique at 3T. Two reviewers evaluated each T2WI with respect to artefacts, organ sharpness, and conspicuity of intrahepatic vessels, hilar duct, and main lesion using five-point scales, and made pairwise comparisons between T2WI sequences for these categories. Diagnostic accuracy (Az) and sensitivity for hepatic lesion detection were evaluated using alternative free-response receiver operating characteristic analysis. RESULTS: MultiVane T2WI was significantly better than BH-T2WI or RT-T2WI for organ sharpness and conspicuity of intrahepatic vessels and main lesion in both separate reviews and pairwise comparisons (p < 0.001). With regard to motion artefacts, MultiVane T2WI or BH-T2WI was better than RT-T2WI (p < 0.001). Conspicuity of hilar duct was better with BH-T2WI than with MultiVane T2WI (p = 0.030) or RT-T2WI (p < 0.001). For detection of 86 hepatic lesions, sensitivity (mean, 97.7%) of MultiVane T2WI was significantly higher than that of BH-T2WI (mean, 89.5%) (p = 0.008) or RT-T2WI (mean, 84.9%) (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Applying the MultiVane technique to T2WI of the liver is a promising approach to improving image quality that results in increased detection of focal liver lesions compared with conventional T2WI.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Artifacts ; Biliary Tract Diseases/diagnosis/radiography ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Diseases/*diagnosis/radiography ; Liver Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology/radiography ; *Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatic Diseases/diagnosis/radiography ; Retrospective Studies

Since its introduction into clinical practice in the 1980s, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has been described as a good imaging modality for the diagnosis of pancreatobiliary diseases. However, differential diagnosis of certain lesions based only on B-mode ultrasound images can be challenging. Clinical use of ultrasound contrast agents has expanded the utility of EUS from that of detection to characterization of pancreatobiliary lesions based on the enhancement features of contrast-enhanced EUS (CE-EUS). Current low mechanical index techniques for CE-EUS using second-generation contrast agents have a number of distinct advantages over conventional diagnostic modalities in evaluating pancreatobiliary lesions, including real-time assessment of perfusion pattern, availability, and the absence of exposure to radiation. This article describes the technical aspects of CE-EUS and reviews the expanding indications in pancreatobiliary diseases and further development of this technique.
Biliary Tract Diseases/diagnosis/*ultrasonography ; *Contrast Media ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Endosonography/*methods ; Humans ; Medical Illustration ; Pancreatic Diseases/diagnosis/*ultrasonography

Newly introduced direct peroral cholangioscopy and the development of video choledochoscopes have enabled more defined observation of bile duct mucosal lesions with clearer images. Narrow-band imaging (NBI) is a unique endoscopic imaging technology that provides enhanced endoscopic images of surface mucosal structures and its superficial microvessels. Advanced cholangioscopy and NBI are expected to be useful for precise evaluation and correct diagnosis of biliary tract diseases. However, the diagnostic value of advanced bile duct imaging with cholangioscopy requires further evaluation.
Bile Ducts* ; Bile* ; Biliary Tract Diseases ; Biliary Tract* ; Diagnosis ; Microvessels

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the safety and efficacy of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in children with pancreaticobiliary diseases and the characteristics of pancreaticobiliary disorders in children.

METHODRetrospective review was conducted on the data of patients younger than 18 years who underwent ERCP between 2005 and 2012 at West China Hospital. The indications,ERCP findings, ERCP procedures, complications, and clinical outcomes were evaluated.ERCP procedures were performed using standard duodenoscopes under general anaesthesia or sedation, which included all endoscopic treatments, such as endoscopic sphincteropapillotomy, stone extraction, stent treatment and so on.

RESULTOne hundred and two ERCPs were performed on 68 patients, and all the procedures were successfully completed in 100% cases. There were 39 girls (57%), and median age at time of procedure was 14.6 years (range, 5-17 years).General anesthesia and sedation were performed in 81% and 19% of procedures, respectively. The ERCP findings were classified as follows:bile duct stone(s) (n = 37, 54%), pancreatic duct stone(s) (n = 8, 12%), bile duct benign stricture (n = 7, 10%) and other nonmalignant pancreaticobiliary diseases (n = 16, 24%).Four cases (4/102, prevalence 4%) were complicated with post-ERCP pancreatitis.Symptoms such as abdominal pain and jaundice were cured obviously after the procedures of ERCP were performed.

CONCLUSIONThe main characteristics of pancreaticobiliary disorders in children were nonmalignant pancreaticobiliary diseases, such as bile duct stone, pancreatic duct stone, and bile/pancreatic duct benign stricture.When performed by well-trained endoscopists, ERCP is safe and effective in children.

Adolescent ; Biliary Tract Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Calculi ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Choledocholithiasis ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Pancreatic Diseases ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Pancreatic Ducts ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

The use of traditional folk remedies is increasing throughout Asia. Chelidonium majus, a popular herbal remedy, is used to treat abdominal pain caused by various gastrointestinal disorders, including gastric ulcer, gastritis, and biliary tract disease, because of its morphine-like effect. We encountered a 62-year-old woman with acute hepatitis, in which C. majus was suspected to be the etiological factor. The patient had taken high dose of C. majus extract for the preceding 60 days. The clinical context and the temporal association between the start of the herbal medicine treatment and her liver injury allowed us to attribute a causative role to C. majus. The diagnosis was confirmed by liver biopsy and the Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences/Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method (CIOMS/RUCAM) scale. After C. majus was discontinued, the liver function was restored to normal. In conclusion, because the use of phytotherapy is increasing, we wish to raise awareness of the potential adverse effects of C. majus.
Abdominal Pain ; Asia ; Biliary Tract Diseases ; Biopsy ; Chelidonium* ; Diagnosis ; Drug-Induced Liver Injury ; Female ; Gastritis ; Hepatitis* ; Herbal Medicine ; Humans ; Liver ; Medicine, Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Stomach Ulcer

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are essential for diagnosing and treating pancreatobiliary diseases. Single-session EUS and ERCP are considered to be essential in reducing the duration of hospital stays; however, complications are a primary concern. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of single-session EUS and ERCP. Sixty-eight patients underwent single-session EUS and ERCP at a tertiary referral center between June 2008 and December 2012. We retrospectively reviewed patient data from a prospectively maintained EUS-ERCP database and evaluated the procedural characteristics and complications. Thirty-eight patients (56%) underwent diagnostic EUS, and 30 patients (44%) underwent EUS fine-needle aspiration, which had an overall accuracy of 100%. Sixty patients (89%) underwent therapeutic ERCP, whereas the remaining eight procedures were diagnostic. Thirteen patients underwent biliary stone extraction, and 48 underwent biliary drainage. The median total procedural time was 75 minutes. Complications were observed in seven patients (10%). Six complications were post-ERCP pancreatitis, which were resolved using conservative management. One patient developed Mallory-Weiss syndrome, which required endoscopic hemostasis. No sedation-related cardiopulmonary complications were observed. Single-session EUS and ERCP provided accurate diagnosis and effective management with a minimal complication rate.
Aged ; Biliary Tract Diseases/*diagnosis ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde/*methods ; Endosonography/*methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatic Diseases/*diagnosis ; Patient Safety ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies

An 84-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with fever, jaundice, and itching. He had been diagnosed previously with chronic renal failure and diabetes, and had been taking allopurinol medication for 2 months. A physical examination revealed that he had a fever (38.8degrees C), jaundice, and a generalized maculopapular rash. Azotemia, eosinophilia, atypical lymphocytosis, elevation of liver enzymes, and hyperbilirubinemia were detected by blood analysis. Magnetic resonance cholangiography revealed multiple cysts similar to choledochal cysts in the liver along the biliary tree. Obstructive jaundice was suspected clinically, and so an endoscopic ultrasound examination was performed, which ruled out a diagnosis of obstructive jaundice. The patient was diagnosed with DRESS (Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms) syndrome due to allopurinol. Allopurinol treatment was stopped and steroid treatment was started. The patient died from cardiac arrest on day 15 following admission.
Aged, 80 and over ; Allopurinol/adverse effects ; Biliary Tract/pathology ; Biliary Tract Diseases/diagnosis ; Bilirubin/blood ; Creatine/blood ; Drug Hypersensitivity Syndrome/*diagnosis/etiology ; Endosonography ; Eosinophils/cytology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Angiography ; Male ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed