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

Primary neuroendocrine tumors originating from the extrahepatic bile duct are rare. Among these tumors, large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) are extremely rare. A 59-year-old man was admitted to Sanggye Paik Hospital with jaundice that started 10 days previously. He had a history of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which he had undergone 12 years previously due to chronic calculous cholecystitis. Laboratory data showed abnormally elevated levels of total bilirubin 15.3 mg/dL (normal 0.2–1.2 mg/dL), AST 200 IU (normal 0–40 IU), ALT 390 IU (normal 0–40 IU), and gamma-glutamyl transferase 1,288 U/L (normal 0–60 U/L). Serum CEA was normal, but CA 19-9 was elevated 5,863 U/mL (normal 0–37 U/mL). Abdominal CT revealed a 4.5 cm sized mass involving the common bile duct and liver hilum and dilatation of both intrahepatic ducts. Percutaneous transhepatic drainage in the left hepatic duct was performed for preoperative biliary drainage. The patient underwent radical common bile duct and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy for histopathological diagnosis and surgical excision. On histopathological examination, the tumor exhibited large cell NEC (mitotic index >20/10 high-power field, Ki-67 index >20%, CD56 [+], synaptophysin [+], chromogranin [+]). Adjuvant concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy were started because the tumor had invaded the proximal resection margin. No recurrence was detected at 10 months by follow-up CT.
Bile Duct Neoplasms ; Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic* ; Bilirubin ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine* ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; Cholecystitis ; Common Bile Duct ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Drainage ; Drug Therapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatic Duct, Common ; Humans ; Jaundice ; Liver ; Middle Aged ; Neuroendocrine Tumors ; Radiotherapy ; Recurrence ; Synaptophysin ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Transferases

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) insertions for palliation of malignant biliary and duodenal obstructions have been revealed to be an effective treatment. We present our clinical experience with the use of SEMS for malignant biliary and duodenal obstructions caused by periampullary cancer. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of all patients who underwent endoscopic biliary and duodenal SEMS insertion for palliation of malignant biliary and duodenal obstruction caused by periampullary cancer between July 2007 and October 2016. The patients received simultaneous or sequential endoscopic biliary stenting and duodenal stenting with COMVITM stents (partially covered; Taewoong, Seoul, Korea). RESULTS: The final diagnoses of our enrolled patients were 15 pancreas head cancer, and 3 distal common bile duct (CBD) cancer. The main stricture site in the duodenum was bulb (n = 4, 22.2%), 2nd portion (n = 9, 50.0%), and 3rd portion (n = 5, 27.8%). The technical success rates of CBD and duodenal stenting were 100% (18/18), and 100% (18/18), respectively. The clinical success rates of CBD and duodenal stenting were 100% (18/18), and 88.9% (16/18), respectively. Median actuarial stent patency for biliary and duodenal SEMS were 6.5 months (range, 1-2 months) and 4.5 months (range, 1-14 months), respectively. Three patients (16.7%) had recurrent biliary obstruction and all of them underwent percutaneous trans-hepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) with biliary SEMS reinsertion. Three other patients (16.7%, totally different from patients with CBD restenosis) had recurrent duodenal obstruction and all of them underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with duodenal SEMS reinsertion. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic SEMS insertions for simultaneous palliation of malignant biliary and duodenal obstruction in patients with periampullary cancer may provide a safe, and less invasive alternative to surgical palliation with a successful clinical outcome.
Common Bile Duct ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Diagnosis ; Drainage ; Duodenal Obstruction ; Duodenum ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; Humans ; Palliative Care* ; Pancreas ; Retrospective Studies ; Self Expandable Metallic Stents ; Seoul ; Stents*

PURPOSE: Recently, cholangioscopy using narrow band imaging (NBI) has been used as a diagnostic modality for better visualization in hepatobiliary malignancies; however, there are few reports on it. Our aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of cholangioscopy using NBI in hepatobiliary malignancies. METHODS: Between January 2007 and December 2016, 152 cholangioscopies using percutaneous approach were conducted in total 123 patients. Among these, 36 patients were suspicious of hepatobiliary malignancies. Thirteen patients with an ambiguous margin on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), for whom NBI tipped the balance in diagnosis of lesion and decision of lesion extent by adding NBI, were involved in our study. RESULTS: Underlying diseases were all malignant in 13 patients (11 bile duct cancers, 1 liver cancer, 1 pancreas cancer with common bile duct invasion). In 7 cases with papillary type tumor, minute superficial spreading tumor was detected by NBI more easily, and NBI provided a better visualization of tumor vessel and margin evaluation in 4 cases with infiltrative tumor. In 2 cases with mucin-hypersecreting tumor, NBI showed better penetration through the mucin and gave us a much clearer image. Nine patients ultimately underwent surgical resection. The margins predicted by NBI cholangioscopy were consistent with the pathological margins on the resected specimens. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, cholangioscopy using NBI is very useful for evaluation of suspected hepatobiliary malignancies with an ambiguous margin on ERCP or MRCP. It can give us an accurate pathologic mapping, and this information seems to be essential before deciding on a treatment strategy.
Bile Duct Neoplasms ; Cholangiography ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance ; Common Bile Duct ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; Mucins ; Narrow Band Imaging* ; Pancreatic Neoplasms

Adenomyomatous hyperplasia is a reactive malformation or non-neoplastic tumor-like lesion frequently observed in the gallbladder, stomach, duodenum and jejunum, but rare in the extrahepatic bile duct. A 42-year-old man with epigastric discomfort had a stricture in the common bile duct on initial CT scans. Initially, it was regarded as a malignant lesion with some evidence, but histopathologic examinations of multiple biopsies obtained by multiple sessions of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography showed no evidence of malignancy. The patient had undergone the pylorus preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy because of the possibility of malignancy; however, the final diagnosis was adenomyomatous hyperplasia. It is important to distinguish a malignancy from benign biliary stricture with endoscopic biopsies. Surgery for suspected biliary malignancy often reveals benign lesions. Therefore, a correct diagnosis is important before deciding upon treatment of bile duct stricture. In conclusion, in younger patients with bile duct stricture where there is no evidence of histologic malignancy despite multiple biopsies, the possibility of benign disease such as adenomyomatous hyperplasia should be considered, to avoid unnecessary radical surgery.
Adenomyoma ; Adult ; Bile Ducts ; Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic ; Biopsy ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Common Bile Duct Neoplasms ; Common Bile Duct* ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Diagnosis ; Duodenum ; Gallbladder ; Humans ; Hyperplasia* ; Jejunum ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; Pylorus ; Stomach ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVE: Efficacy or long-term result of metastasectomy for recurrent or metastatic biliary tract carcinoma (BTC) is not well established. We conducted a retrospective review of the outcomes of metastasectomy for recurrent or metastatic BTCs. METHODS: The clinicopathological features and outcomes of consecutive patients with BTCs who underwent surgical resection for primary and metastatic disease at a tertiary referral hospital from 2003 to 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: We found 19 eligible patients. Median age of patients was 57 years old (range, 27 to 68 years old), and 11 patients (58%) were female. Primary sites were gallbladder cancer (seven patients, 37%), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (five patients, 26%), distal common bile duct cancer (three patients, 16%), proximal common bile duct cancer (two patients, 11%), and ampulla of Vater cancer (two patients, 11%). Eight patients (42%) had synchronous metastasis, while 11 (58%) had metachronous metastasis. The most common metastatic site was liver (nine patients, 47%), lymph node (nine patients, 47%), and peritoneum (three patients, 16%). Nine patients (47%) achieved R0 resection, while four (21%) and six (32%) patients had R1 and R2 resection, respectively. With a median follow-up period of 26.7 months, the estimated median overall survival (OS) was 18.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.6 to 22.9 months). Lower Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (P=0.023), metachronous metastasis (P=0.04), absence of lymph node metastasis (P=0.009), lower numbers of metastatic organs (P<0.001), normal postoperative carbohydrate antigen 19-9 level (P=0.034), and time from diagnosis to metastasectomy more than one year (P=0.019) were identified as prognostic factors for a longer OS after metastasectomy. CONCLUSION: For recurrent or metastatic BTCs, metastasectomy can be a viable option for selected patients.
Ampulla of Vater ; Biliary Tract Neoplasms* ; Biliary Tract* ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; Common Bile Duct ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gallbladder Neoplasms ; Humans ; Liver ; Lymph Nodes ; Metastasectomy* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Peritoneum ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tertiary Care Centers

Xanthogranulomatous inflammation (XGI) is characterized histologically by the deposition of foamy macrophages and infiltration of inflammatory cells. While XGI is extremely rare, it has been reported in the gallbladder, kidney, stomach, and lymph nodes. A 61-year-old woman presented with epigastric pain for 2 weeks. Abdominal computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a pancreatic head mass with distal common bile duct wall thickening. Endoscopic ultrasonography followed by fine needle aspiration was performed, and subsequent pathology report revealed a benign disease. Because uncontrolled abdominal pain persisted and possibility of malignancy could not be excluded, Whipple's operation was eventually performed, and pathology report showed xanthogranulomatous pancreatitis (XGP). Herein, we report a case of symptomatic XGP mimicking of pancreas cancer. Although XGP is extremely rare, it should be considered as a differential diagnosis of neoplastic lesions of the pancreas.
Abdominal Pain ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Common Bile Duct ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Endosonography ; Female ; Gallbladder ; Head ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Kidney ; Lymph Nodes ; Macrophages ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Pancreas ; Pancreatic Neoplasms* ; Pancreatitis* ; Pathology ; Stomach

An ectopic opening of the common bile duct (CBD) into the duodenal bulb is a very rare congenital anomaly of the biliary system, which may cause recurrent duodenal ulcer or biliary diseases such as choledocholithiasis and cholangitis. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) plays a major role in the diagnosis of this anomaly. We report two such cases: one in a 61-year-old man and the other in a 57-year-old man. In the first case, this anomaly caused acute cholangitis with multiple CBD stones, which were successfully treated by ERCP. In the second case, abdominal computed tomography showed pneumobilia, which was further evaluated using ERCP. Besides, this patient was diagnosed with an ectopic opening of the CBD associated with gallbladder cancer. We report these unusual cases and review the relevant medical literature.
Biliary Tract ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Cholangitis* ; Choledocholithiasis ; Common Bile Duct* ; Diagnosis ; Duodenal Ulcer ; Gallbladder Neoplasms* ; Humans ; Middle Aged

The patient was a 70-year-old male whose chief complaints were obstructive jaundice and weight loss. Abdominal imaging studies showed a 2.5 cm sized mass at the distal common bile duct, which was suggestive of bile duct cancer. Eccentric enhancing wall thickening in the transverse colon was also shown, suggesting concomitant colon cancer. A colonoscopy revealed a lumen-encircling ulcerofungating mass in the transverse colon, that was pathologically proven to be adenocarcinoma. The bile duct pathology was also adenocarcinoma. Pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy and extended right hemicolectomy were performed under the diagnosis of double primary cancers. Postoperative histopathologic examination revealed moderately differentiated mucinous adenocarcinoma of transverse colon cancer, and mucinous adenocarcinoma of the distal common bile duct. Immunohistochemical staining studies showed that the bile duct cancer had metastasized from the colon cancer. The patient recovered uneventfully from surgery and will be undergoing chemotherapy for three months.
Adenocarcinoma ; Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous* ; Aged ; Bile Duct Neoplasms ; Bile Ducts ; Colon, Transverse* ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Colonoscopy ; Common Bile Duct Neoplasms ; Common Bile Duct* ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Jaundice, Obstructive* ; Male ; Mucins* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; Pathology ; Weight Loss

OBJECTIVETo investigate the value of Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity (POSSUM) and a modification of the POSSUM system (P-P0SSUM) scoring system in predicting the surgical operative risk of pancreaticoduodenectomy for periampullary tumors.

METHODSPOSSUM and P-POSSUM scoring systems were used to retrospectively evaluate the clinical data of 432 patients with periampullar tumors who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy in the Department of Abdominal Surgery, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 1985 to December 2010. The predictive occurrence of postoperative complications and mortality rate were calculated according to the formula. ROC curve analysis and different group of risk factors were used to determine the discrimination ability of the two score systems, and to determine their predictive efficacy by comparing the actual and predictive complications and mortality rates, using Hosmer-Lemeshow test to determine the goodness of fit of the two scoring systems.

RESULTSThe average physiological score of the 432 patients was 16.1 ± 3.5, and the average surgical severity score was 19.6 ± 2.7. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under ROC curve for mortality predicted by POSSUM and P-POSSUM were 0.893 and 0.888, showing a non-significant difference (P > 0.05) between them. The area under ROC curve for operative complications predicted by POSSUM scoring system was 0.575. The POSSUM score system was most accurate for the prediction of complication rates of 20%-40%, showing the O/E value of 0.81. Compared with the POSSUM score system, P-POSSUM had better ability in the prediction of postoperative mortality, when the predicted value of mortality was greater than 15%, the predictive result was more accurate, and the O/E value was 1.00.

CONCLUSIONSPOSSUM and P-POSSUM scoring system have good value in predicting the mortality of patients with periampullary tumors undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy, but a poorer value of POSSUM score system in prediction of complications. We can establish a more suitable scoring system for pancreaticoduodenectomy by modifying the score constant and weight, to better predict surgical risk and reduce the operative complications and mortality.

Ampulla of Vater ; Common Bile Duct Neoplasms ; mortality ; surgery ; Humans ; Morbidity ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; adverse effects ; mortality ; Postoperative Complications ; diagnosis ; mortality ; Postoperative Period ; Predictive Value of Tests ; ROC Curve ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors