Obstructive Jaundice Caused by a Large Intact Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive jaundice caused by abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an extremely rare clinical presentation. We present an 85-year-old male with a large intact AAA causing obstructive jaundice and review the relevant literature. METHODS AND RESULTS: The patient was referred to our hospital with jaundice and a palpable pulsatile abdominal mass. Computerized tomography (CT) angiogram and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) revealed an infrarenal AAA with maximal diameter of 8.5 cm compressing the pancreatic head and common bile duct, causing obstructive jaundice with elevated levels of total, and direct bilirubin. The patient was subjected to endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Blood bilirubin gradually decreased to normal levels. No complications were reported during the immediate postoperative and at 3-month follow up period. Literature review suggests that our case is one of the largest intact AAAs which have been reported to cause biliary obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: AAAs causing secondary obstructive jaundice is an uncommon clinical presentation requiring high clinical suspicion during differential diagnosis, so that patients can receive proper and early diagnosis and treatment.

Which patients benefit from preoperative biliary drainage in resectable pancreatic cancer?

Recent studies have indicated that preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) should not be routinely performed in all patients suffering from obstructive jaundice before pancreatic surgery. The severity of jaundice that mandates PBD has yet to be defined. The evaluated paper examines the impact of PBD on intra-operative, and post-operative outcomes in patients initially presenting with severe obstructive jaundice (bilirubin ≥250 µmol/L). In this key paper evaluation, the impact of PBD versus a direct surgery (DS) approach is discussed. The arguments for and against each approach are considered with regards to drainage associated morbidity and mortality, resection rates, survival and the impact of chemotherapy and malnutrition. Concentrating on resectable head of pancreas tumors, this mini-review aims to scrutinize the authors' recommendations, alongside those of prominent papers in the field.

Dynamic change of serum CA19-9 levels in benign and malignant patients with obstructive jaundice after biliary drainage and new correction formulas.

BACKGROUND: CA19-9 is one of the most widely used tumor markers in biliary-pancreatic diseases. The measured value may not factually reflect the genuine CA19-9 level secreted by tumor, which affected by biliary obstruction. There is an urgent need of developing a correction formula of CA19-9 in biliary obstructive patients to guide clinical practice and avoid making improper clinical decision. METHODS: Clinical characteristics were collected among patients undergoing biliary drainage in our hospital between January 2014 and January 2019. By comparing the malignant and benign patients statistically, dynamic change trend of CA19-9 levels after biliary drainage was obtained. The correction formulas of CA19-9 were generated by means of linear regression. RESULTS: 121 patients, including 102 malignant and 19 benign patients, were enrolled in this study. The baseline CA19-9 level of malignant patients is much higher than that of benign patients. Total bilirubin (TB) level was found to be not related with CA19-9 value (p = 0.109). The drop proportion of the average CA19-9 level in the malignant patients (39.2%, IQR -18.4-78.6%) was much lower than that in the benign patients (75.7%, IQR 58.1-86.6%) (p = 0.014). The correction formula, CA19-9True = 0.63 × CA19-9Measured - 20.3 (R2 = 0.693, p<0.001), was generated based on the linear relation between CA19-9 after drainage and CA19-9 before drainage in malignant patients, which had similar diagnostic value with true CA19-9 value. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative correction formulas of CA19-9 considering the effect of biliary decompression was first proposed in this study, aiming to provide a more accurate CA19-9 level to make more accurate clinical decision and avoid making improper therapeutic schedule.

Cannabinoid Receptor-2 Activation in Keratinocytes Contributes to Elevated Peripheral ß-Endorphin Levels in Patients With Obstructive Jaundice.

BACKGROUND: Cholestatic diseases are often accompanied by elevated plasma levels of endogenous opioid peptides, but it is still unclear whether central or peripheral mechanisms are involved in this process, and little is known about the change of pain threshold in these patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the preoperative pain threshold, postoperative morphine consumption, and central and peripheral ß-endorphin levels in patients with obstructive jaundice. This study also tests the hypothesis that activation of the cannabinoid receptor-2 (CB2R) in skin keratinocytes by endocannabinoids is the mechanism underlying circulating ß-endorphin elevation in patients with obstructive jaundice. METHODS: The electrical pain thresholds, 48-hour postoperative morphine consumption, concentrations of ß-endorphin in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid, skin and liver ß-endorphin expression, and plasma levels of endocannabinoids were measured in jaundiced (n = 32) and control (n = 32) patients. Male Sprague-Dawley rats and human keratinocytes (human immortalized keratinocyte cell line [HaCaT]) were used for the in vivo and in vitro experiments, respectively. Mechanical and thermal withdrawal latency, plasma level, and skin expression of ß-endorphin were measured in CB2R-antagonist-treated and control bile duct-ligated (BDL) rats. In cultured keratinocytes, the effect of CB2R agonist AM1241-induced ß-endorphin expression was observed and the phosphorylation of extracellular-regulated protein kinases 1/2, p38, and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathways were investigated. RESULTS: This study found (1) the plasma level of ß-endorphin (mean ± standard error of the mean [SEM]) was 193.9 ± 9.6 pg/mL in control patients, while it was significantly increased in jaundiced patients (286.6 ± 14.5 pg/mL); (2) the electrical pain perception threshold and the electrical pain tolerance threshold were higher in patients with obstructive jaundice compared with controls, while the 48-hour postoperative morphine consumption was lower in the jaundiced patients; (3) there was no correlation between plasma ß-endorphin levels, electrical pain thresholds, and 48-hour postoperative morphine consumption in patients with obstructive jaundice; (4) the plasma level of the endogenous cannabinoid anandamide was increased in the jaundiced patients; (5) CB2R antagonist treatment of the BDL rats reduced ß-endorphin levels in plasma and skin keratinocytes, while it did not alter the nociceptive thresholds in BDL and control rats; (6) the endocannabinoid anandamide-induced ß-endorphin synthesis and release via CB2R in cultured keratinocytes; and (7) phosphorylation of extracellular-regulated protein kinases 1/2 is involved in the CB2R-agonist-induced ß-endorphin expression in keratinocytes. CONCLUSIONS: CB2R activation in keratinocytes by the endocannabinoid anandamide may play an important role in the peripheral elevation of ß-endorphin during obstructive jaundice.

When Is It Safe to Proceed With Pancreaticoduodenectomy Without Biliary Decompression?

BACKGROUND: An absolute bilirubin level where preoperative biliary decompression (PBD) is indicated before pancreaticoduodenectomy has been elusive. Our goal was to identify a total bilirubin level whereby biliary decompression provides clear benefit, despite associated expenses and potential complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed a prospectively collected database of patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy at the Vidant Medical Center between 2007 and 2016. Patients were arbitrarily subdivided into 3 groups based on presenting bilirubin level (≤10 mg/dL, 10.1-14.9 mg/dL, and ≥15 mg/dL) to determine the presence of overall complications, severe complications (Clavien-Dindo classification ≥3), prolonged length of stay (>1 SD), readmissions, or mortality. RESULTS: Common bile duct stenting independently predicted a higher incidence of complications in patients presenting with bilirubin ≤10 mg/dL (P = .03) vs. those patients going directly to surgery. No differences were observed for patients with bilirubin between 10.1 mg/dL and 14.9 mg/dL. Biliary decompression in patients with bilirubin ≥15 mg/dL independently predicted fewer overall (73.8% vs. 100%, P = .0082) and less severe complications (14.3% vs. 44.5%, P = .03) and lower readmission rates (15.8% vs. 55.6%, P = .03) vs. those going directly to surgery. Patients not undergoing biliary decompression underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy sooner than those decompressed (4.7 days vs. 17.2 days, P = .01). DISCUSSION: All patients presenting with bilirubin ≥15 mg/dL should undergo PBD, while those with bilirubin ≤10 mg/dL should forego stent placement to avoid stent-related complications. The decision to stent between 10.1 and 14.9 mg/dL should be made on a case-by-case basis keeping in mind timeliness to definitive cancer treatment.

Prognostic and predictive factors in cancer patients with obstructive jaundice treated by percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage: A single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Short-term survival rates are reported in the patients undergoing percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD). The purpose of this study was to determine the factors predicting survival following percutaneous biliary drainage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data of 90 patients undergoing PTBD due to malignant biliary obstruction were analyzed retrospectively between January 2009 and November 2014. RESULTS: The median age of the patients were 64 years. Fifty-one (57%) of the patients were male. Median survival following PTBD was 44 days. Survival rates at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months following PTBD were 58%, 33%, and 8.9%, respectively. Multivariate Cox's regression analysis showed that platelet (PLT) count is significantly associated with predictors of survival; the other factors affecting survival were receiving chemotherapy following PTBD, liver metastasis, and serum albumin levels. CONCLUSION: Lower serum PLT level following PTBD is associated with the short-term survival. Survival of patients who are not able to receive chemotherapy after PTBD, having a low level of serum albumin, and patients with liver metastasis were shorter.

Upfront pancreaticoduodenectomy in severely jaundiced patients: is it safe?

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes following upfront pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) in severely jaundiced (serum bilirubin level ≥15 mg/dl) patients with malignant distal common bile duct (CBD) obstruction. BACKGROUND: Recent studies have failed to show the benefits of preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) before PD. In addition, there is limited data on the impact of upfront PD on perioperative outcomes in severely jaundiced patients. METHODS: We reviewed the prospectively collected data of 177 patients who had undergone PD for the malignant distal CBD obstruction from May 2009 to May 2018. Study subjects were divided into Group A (severely jaundiced patients with upfront PD; n = 20), Group B (patients with serum bilirubin <15 mg/dl and no PBD; n = 88) and Group C (PBD prior to PD; n = 69). Overall morbidity, in-hospital mortality, and postoperative hospital stay were compared. RESULTS: No significant differences were noted between the three groups regarding sex, tumor size and stage, comorbidities, and surgical technique. The intra-operative blood loss was more in severely jaundiced patients as compared to Groups B and C (605 vs. 300 vs. 350 ml, P = 0.0001), but similar operative times, blood transfusions, and rates of post-pancreatectomy leak and hemorrhage. The infective complications were significantly less with upfront surgery. The overall morbidity, in-hospital mortality, and hospital stay were comparable between the three groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis failed to identify both the presence of preoperative jaundice and hyperbilirubinemia ≥15 mg/dl as independent risk factors for post-PD major morbidity. CONCLUSION: Upfront PD can be performed safely in the selected severely jaundiced patients and is associated with significantly lower infective complications.

[Lemmel's syndrome: report of a case]. / Síndrome de Lemmel: reporte de un caso.

Lemmel's syndrome is a very rare condition as a cause of obstructive jaundice secondary to the presence of a duodenal diverticulum. We report a case, a 68-year-old female patient with a cholestatic pattern, biliary tract dilatation, who underwent ERCP, with a juxtapapillary diverticulum compressing the distal bile duct, which was sphincterotomy.

Association between the UGT1A1*28 allele and hyperbilirubinemia in HIV-positive patients receiving atazanavir: a meta-analysis.

Objectives The uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1)*28 allele in HIV-positive patients receiving atazanavir (ATV) might be associated with the risk of hyperbilirubinemia. Owing to mixed and inconclusive results, a meta-analysis was conducted to systematically summarize and clarify this association.Methods Based on a comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases, studies investigating the association between UGT1A1 alleles and hyperbilirubinemia was retrieved. We evaluated the strength of this relationship using odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Sensitivity analysis was performed by removing each study one at a time and calculating the pooled ORs of the remaining studies to test the robustness of the meta-analysis results. The Q statistic and the I2 index statistic were used to assess heterogeneity. Publication bias was evaluated using Orwin's fail-safe N test.Results A total of six individual studies were included in this meta-analysis. A significantly increased risk of hyperbilirubinemia was observed in HIV-positive patients receiving ATV with the UGT1A1*1/*28 or UGT1A1*28/*28 genotype, and the risk was higher with the UGT1A1*28/*28 genotype than with the UGT1A1*1/*28 genotype. (UGT1A1*28/*28 versus UGT1A1*1/*28: OR = 3.69, 95%CI = 1.82-7.49; UGT1A1*1/*28 versus UGT1A1*1/*1: OR = 3.50, 95%CI = 1.35-9.08; UGT1A1*28/*28 versus UGT1A1*1/*1: OR = 10.07, 95%CI = 4.39-23.10). All of the pooled ORs were not significantly affected by the remaining studies and different modeling methods, indicating robust results.Conclusions This meta-analysis suggests that the UGT1A1*28 allele represents a biomarker for an increased risk of hyperbilirubinemia in HIV-positive patients receiving ATV.

The pharmacokinetics of dexmedetomidine in patients with obstructive jaundice: A clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: Dexmedetomidine, a highly selective central α2-agonist, undergoes mainly biotransformation in the liver. The pharmacokinetics of dexmedetomidine were significantly affected by hepatic insufficiency. The clearance of dexmedetomidine in patients with severe hepatic failure decreased by 50% compared with controls. We tested the hypothesis that the pharmacokinetics of dexmedetomidine would be affected by obstructive jaundice. The prospective registration number of clinical trial is ChiCTR-IPR-15007572. METHODS: 18 patients with obstructive jaundice and 12 non-jaundiced patient controls received dexmedetomidine, 1 µg/kg, over 10 min. Arterial blood samples were drawn before, during, and up to 5 h after the infusion. Plasma dexmedetomidine concentrations were determined by 1290 infinity high performance liquid chromatography coupled with 6470 tandem mass spectrometry. The relevant pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by non-compartmental analysis using Phoenix WinNonlin 7.0. RESULTS: Plasma clearance of dexmedetomidine was decreased by 33.3% in the obstructive jaundice group as compared with the control group (0.0068±0.0017 vs. 0.0102±0.0033 L/kg/min; P = 0.002). Volume of distribution was decreased by 29.2% in the obstructive jaundice group as compared with the control group (1.43±0.58 vs. 2.02±0.84 L/kg; P = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the clearance and distribution volume of dexmedetomidine were decreased in patients with obstructive jaundice. It may be advisable to adjust the dose of dexmedetomidine in those patients.

Bile and circulating HMGB1 contributes to systemic inflammation in obstructive jaundice.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive jaundice (OJ) patients with cholangitis are prone to sepsis; however, the underlying mechanisms are still not clear and need to be clarified. METHODS: Analyzing all available published data related to the title of this article. RESULTS: OJ leads to absence of gut luminal bile and accumulation of hepatic and circulating bile acids. Absence of gut luminal bile deprives the gut from its antiinflammatory, endotoxin-binding, bacteriostatic, mucosal-trophic, epithelial tight-junction maintaining, and gut motility-regulating effects, leading to gut bacterial overgrowth, mucosal atrophy, mucosal tight-junction loss, and gut motility dysfunction. These alterations promote intestinal endotoxin and bacterial translocation (BT) into portal and systemic circulation. Gut BT triggers systemic inflammation, which can lead to multiple organ dysfunctions in OJ. The accumulation of hepatic and circulating bile acids kills/damages hepatocyte and Kupffer cells, and it also significantly decreases the number of liver natural killer T-cells in OJ. This results in impaired hepatic and systemic immune function, which facilitates BT. In addition, neutralizing bile HMGB1 can reverse endotoxemic bile-induced gut BT and mucosal injury in mice, suggesting that bile HMGB1 in OJ patients can be responsible for internal drainage-related clinical complications. Moreover, the elevated circulating HMGB1 level may contribute to multiple organ injuries, and it might also mediate gut BT in OJ. CONCLUSIONS: HMGB1 may significantly contribute to systemic inflammation and multiple organ dysfunctions in OJ.

Autoimmune Pancreatitis.

Over the course of the last 2 decades our knowledge of autoimmune pancreatitis has increased exponentially. In this review, we summarize the clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of AIP, to better allow general gastroenterologists and primary care providers to consider AIP as a as a rare but important cause of painless obstructive jaundice and recurrent acute pancreatitis. While steroids remain the mainstay of first line therapy, a number of patients with type 1 AIP require immunomodulators or rituximab to maintain remission; recommendations on the management of relapses continue to evolve.

Gilbert syndrome combined with prolonged jaundice caused by contrast agent: Case report.

This case highlights a patient with Gilbert syndrome who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with removal of bile duct stones, who then experienced an unexplained increase in bilirubin, with total bilirubin (TBIL) levels increasing from 159.5 µmol/L to 396.2 µmol/L and to a maximum of 502.8 µmol/L after 9 d. Following the decrease in the TBIL level, enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) was performed to exclude any possible remaining choledocholithiasis. Nevertheless, the serum bilirubin level increased again, with TBIL levels rising from 455.7 µmol/L to 594.8 µmol/L and a maximum level of 660.3 µmol/L with no remaining bile duct stones. A liver biopsy showed severe bile duct cholestasis with no inflammation. Based on the exclusion of other potential causes of hyperbilirubinemia and the fact that both instances of increased bilirubin occurred after ERCP and MRCP, the contrast agents iopromide and gadoterate meglumine were suspected to be the causes of the hyperbilirubinemia. As of the writing of this report, the patient's bilirubin levels have spontaneously returned to baseline levels. In summary, ERCP and MRCP utilizing the contrast agents iopromide and gadoterate meglumine may possibly induce prolonged hyperbilirubinemia.

Pathophysiological consequences of obstructive jaundice and perioperative management.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive jaundice is a common problem in daily clinical practice. Understanding completely the pathophysiological changes in obstructive jaundice remains a challenge for planning current and future management. DATA SOURCES: A PubMed was searched for relevant articles published up to August 2016. The effect of obstructive jaundice on proinflammatory cytokines, coagulation status, hemodynamics and organ functions were evaluated. RESULTS: The effects of obstructive jaundice included biliary tree, the hepatic cell and liver function as well as systemic complications. The lack of bile in the gut, the disruption of the intestinal mucosal barrier, the increased absorption of endotoxin and the subsequent endotoxemia cause proinflammatory cytokine production (TNF-α, IL-6). Bilirubin induces systemic inflammatory response syndrome which may lead to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. The principal clinical manifestations include hemodynamic instability and acute renal failure, cardiovascular suppression, immune compromise, coagulation disorders, nutritional impairment, and wound healing defect. The proper management includes full replacement of water and electrolyte deficiency, prophylactic antibiotics, lactulose, vitamin K and fresh frozen plasma, albumin and dopamine. The preoperative biliary drainage has not been indicated in overall, but only in a few selected cases. CONCLUSION: The perioperative management is an essential measure in improving the outcome after the appropriate surgical operation in jaundiced patients especially those with malignancy.

Evaluation of liver function by means of serum cytokeratin 18 and hepatocyte growth factor levels in patients with obstructive jaundice.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the serum levels of cytokeratin 18 (CK18) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in obstructive jaundice patients before and after treatment and thereby to detect the possible role of CK18 and HGF in patients with obstructive jaundice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty patients who had obstructive jaundice and 40 healthy control subjects were included in the study. Patients were treated using percutaneous, endoscopic or surgical approaches. Blood samples were obtained at the day before and 7 days after the intervention for obstructive jaundice. Serum HGF and CK18 concentrations were determined by ELISA method. RESULTS: There were statistically significant decreases in HGF, CK18, total bilirubin and direct bilirubin serum levels, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, and alkaline phosphatase activities and white blood cell count when compared with pre-treatment levels. CONCLUSION: Evaluating pre- and post-treatment serum HGF and CK18 levels suggested that there was an apoptosis in obstructive jaundice patients and this apoptosis decreased after the decompression of the biliary tract. We also demonstrated that HGF levels were altered at biliary obstruction compared to healthy controls and the levels of this biomarker also decreased after decompression of biliary obstruction. We concluded that these biomarkers can be used as predictors of liver injury in biliary obstruction.

Objectification of facial color inspection to differentiate obstructive/nonobstructive jaundice in neonates by spectrophotometer.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to study whether color difference in facial color truly exists between neonates with obstructive and nonobstructive jaundice, and whether the color difference could be objectified by spectrophotometer. METHODS: Twelve biliary atresia patients were enrolled in an obstructive jaundice group and 15 neonates admitted for non-conjugated hyperbilirubinemia in a nonobstructive group. Nine patients with syphilis (n=6) and sacrococcygeal teratoma (n=3) were studied as control. Transcutaneous total bilirubin (TB) and hemoglobin were recorded. Face color was measured by spectrophotometer. Spectral reflection curve and L*a*b* model parameters were studied. RESULTS: Facial color of jaundiced neonates were characteristic in waveform that reflectivity at wavelength of 550nm was significantly decreased compared with control by 16.4±3.4%, while not significantly different between obstructive and nonobstructive jaundice (p=0.124). At 650nm, reflection in nonobstructive jaundice was decreased by 8.4±2.3% (p<0.01), and reflection in obstructive jaundice was (9.6±3.2) % lower compared with nonobstructive jaundice (p<0.01). In L*a*b* model, mean color difference between obstructive and nonobstructive jaundice was 9.60. L* was significantly different: control (71.84±3.75%)>obstructive jaundice (58.09±1.25%)>nonobstructive jaundice (54.25±7.27%). Value b* was higher in jaundiced patients compared to normal control (11.88±2.16, p<0.001), but not significantly different in obstructive and nonobstructive jaundice (20.12±2.17vs18.25±4.58). Value a* was not significantly different between normal control (5.57±2.38) and obstructive jaundice (5.25±1.19), but was lower than nonobstructive jaundice (14.03±3.29, p<0.001). TB was significantly correlated with b* (R=0.526, p=0.014), while hemoglobin was correlated with a* (R=0.791, p<.001) and L* (R=-0.707, p<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Obstructive and nonobstructive jaundice could be objectively differentiated through facial color inspection by spectrophotometer. TYPE OF STUDY: Study of Diagnostic Test. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

A new intraductal radiofrequency ablation device for inoperable biliopancreatic tumors complicated by obstructive jaundice: the IGNITE-1 study.

Background and study aims Biliary stenting of unresectable malignant bile duct obstruction is generally accepted as the standard of care but it can be hampered by tumor ingrowth and stent dysfunction. We aimed to test the feasibility, safety, and biliary patency rate of a new endoscopically applied intraductal radiofrequency ablation (RFA) device. Patients and methods Eighteen patients with inoperable malignant biliary obstruction underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-directed RFA and stenting. Results Between December 2014 and November 2015, 18 patients underwent RFA to the intended region, with no complications within 3 months of the procedure. Bilirubin levels post-RFA and stenting decreased significantly (7.8 ±â€Š1 mg/dL to 1.7 ±â€Š0.4 mg/dL; P < 0.001). At 90 and 180 days post-intervention, biliary patency was maintained in 80 % and 69 % of patients still alive at that time, respectively. The median overall stent patency was 110 days (range 16 - 374), with a median patient survival of 227 days (range 16 - 374). Conclusion Intraductal RFA using a new device in patients with inoperable biliopancreatic cancer complicated by jaundice appeared feasible and safe with acceptable biliary patency. Randomized trials with prolonged follow-up are warranted.ClinTrials.gov: NCT02468076.

All That Glitters Yellow Is Not Gold: Presentation and Pathophysiology of Bile Cast Nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) often manifests in patients with liver disease because of a prerenal cause and presents as acute tubular necrosis or hepatorenal syndrome. Distinguishing between these entities is important for prognosis and treatment. Some patients may develop AKI related to their underlying liver disease: for example, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis or IgA nephropathy. Bile cast nephropathy is an often ignored differential diagnosis of AKI in the setting of obstructive jaundice. It is characterized by the presence of bile casts in renal tubules, which can possibly cause tubular injury through obstructive and direct toxic effects. Thus, AKI in patients with liver disease may have a structural component in addition to a functional one. METHODS: In this study, we describe 2 patients with severe hyperbilirubinemia who developed AKI and underwent a kidney biopsy that revealed bile casts in tubular lumens, consistent with bile cast nephropathy. RESULTS: One patient was treated aggressively for alcoholic hepatitis and required hemodialysis for AKI. The second patient was treated conservatively for drug-induced liver injury and did not require dialysis. Both patients saw a reduction in their bilirubin and creatinine toward baseline. CONCLUSION: Bile cast nephropathy is an important pathological entity that may account for the renal dysfunction in some patients with liver disease. It requires kidney biopsy for diagnosis and may often be overlooked given the scarcity of kidney biopsy in this particular clinical setting. The etiology is multifactorial, and it is often difficult to predict without the aid of a renal biopsy.

Prognostic value of inflammation-based markers in patients with recurrent malignant obstructive jaundice treated by reimplantation of biliary metal stents: A retrospective observational study.

We aimed to assess the therapeutic effect of reimplantation of biliary metal stents by percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage (PTCD) in patients with recurrent malignant obstructive jaundice (MOJ). Furthermore, we explored the prognostic value of inflammation-based markers in these patients.We reviewed 33 cases of recurrent MOJ after implantation of biliary metal stents by PTCD, all of which underwent reimplantation of stents under digital subtraction angiography guidance. Levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and bilirubin were compared between before and after reimplantation (1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively). Preoperative clinical data were collected to calculate the inflammation-based markers, including systemic immune-inflammation index (SII, neutrophil × platelets/ lymphocyte), platelets-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR). The primary outcome was overall survival (OS), which was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis.The levels of ALT, AST, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin significantly reduced after the reimplantation operation. During a median follow-up time of 10 months, 18 (54.5%) patients died. Gender, albumin, SII, PLR, NLR, and MLR were found to be associated with OS by the log-rank test and univariate analysis. Multivariate Cox analysis identified elevated levels of SII and PLR as significant factors for predicting poor OS.Reimplantation is clinically feasible in patients with recurrent MOJ after implantation of biliary metal stents. SII and PLR are independent, useful inflammation-based prognostic models for predicting outcomes in these patients.