Outcome of mechanical lithotripsy of bile duct stones in an unselected series of 704 patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This paper evaluates the potential benefit of non mechanical bile duct stone lithotripsy techniques. The efficacy, limitations and risks of mechanical lithotripsy as first choice procedure were studied. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Endoscopic sphincterotomy was performed by Erlangen-type papillotomes, stone extraction by Olympus baskets and mechanical lithotripsy by the Wurbs-system. In an unselected series of 704 patients, everyone with common bile and hepatic duct stones (independent of size, number, location and stone consistency) was included in the study. RESULTS: Complete stone clearance by endoscopic sphincterotomy and basket extraction was possible in 87.6%. Additional mechanical lithotripsy led to a success rate of 98.4% and in combination with ESWL of 98.5%. In 11 patients without possibility of endoscopic stone removal (1.6%), 4 had no access transpapillary (B-II-situs or duodenal diverticulum), 5 anatomical problems (S-shaped common bile duct, intrahepatic stones or impacted stones in cystic duct orifice), and 2 refused further endoscopic interventions. Complication rate was 1.4% (thereof 1.1% successful treatment by endoscopic or surgical means), lethality rate 0.3%. CONCLUSIONS: A very high rate of stone clearance by standard endoscopic procedures is possible. In those patients where mechanical lithotripsy is not successful, other non-surgical lithotriptic procedures either cannot be applied because of anatomical reasons or if performed, the improvement in success rate is marginal.

Endoscopic management of biliary complications after orthotopic liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Biliary complications after orthotopic liver transplantation are still a severe problem and often require a second surgical operation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In our center we studied 500 patients after liver transplantation. RESULTS: In this patient population, we found 44 patients suffering from diseases of the bile duct system after liver transplantation. Biliary complications were caused by stenoses which were localized most often in the common bile duct of the recipient (65%) but also in the common bile duct of the donor liver (26%) as well as in the anastomosis of common bile duct (9%). In all cases ERC was able to identify location, entity and dimension of the biliary complication thus leading to therapeutic strategy. 66% (27 out of 41) of the patients with biliary complication could be cured definitely by endoscopic methods alone while 29% (12 out of 41) of these patients needed surgical operation and 5% (2 out of 41) received both, endoscopic and surgical therapy. Patients suffering from multiple complications could be cured partially by endoscopic methods improving patient condition for subsequent surgery. Ischemic type biliary lesions of the extrahepatic ducts (ITBL type I) as well as of the intrahepatic ducts (ITBL type II) could be successfully treated by endoscopy. Only rare cases of multiple lesions intra- and extrahepatically due to ITBL type III gave no chance to endoscopy and demanded directly surgical operation. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that most of the biliary complications after liver transplantation can be resolved by endoscopic treatment.

[Classification and treatment of bile duct injuries after laparoscopic cholecystectomy]. / Einteilung und Behandlung von Gallengangverletzungen nach laparoskopischer Cholecystektomie.

Iatrogenic bile duct lesions are serious complications during laparoscopic cholecystectomy and include biliary leakage and major bile duct injury. The incidence of biliary lesions following laparoscopic cholecystectomy is up to threefold higher than that of the open procedure. A total of 108 patients with bile duct lesions after laparoscopic cholecystectomy were treated at our institution. Endoscopic treatment was successful in 68 cases, 6 patients were treated by external drainage, and 34 patients required surgical therapy. Selection criteria for the type of treatment included the etiology, anatomical situation, and diagnostic interval of the biliary lesion. We suggest a classification of bile duct injury and a proposal for diagnosis and treatment of these complications.

Long-term results and risk factors influencing outcome of major bile duct injuries following cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Major bile duct injuries usually need operative repair and remain a challenge even for surgeons who specialize in hepatobiliary surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate management and short- and long-term outcomes of patients with major complications after cholecystectomy. METHODS: Data were analysed for 54 patients who underwent operation for major bile duct injuries after cholecystectomy between January 1990 and January 2002. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors for the development of biliary complications. RESULTS: Complete follow-up data were available for all 54 patients (median duration 61.9 (range 2.6-154.3) months). All underwent Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. Three patients (6 per cent) died from biliary tract complications during follow-up. Long-term biliary complications occurred in ten patients (19 per cent). Nine patients developed biliary stricture of whom five developed secondary biliary cirrhosis. A successful long-term result was achieved in 50 (93 per cent) of 54 patients, including those who required subsequent procedures. Biliary reconstruction in the presence of peritonitis (P = 0.002), combined vascular and bile duct injuries (P = 0.029), and injury at or above the level of the biliary bifurcation (P = 0.012) were significant independent predictors of poor outcome. CONCLUSION: Successful repair of bile duct injuries after cholecystectomy can be achieved in specialized hepatobiliary units.

Long-term failure of endoscopic suturing in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux: a prospective follow-up study.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Several endoscopic antireflux therapies have been marketed, but long-term data on their objective and clinical efficacy are sparse. This report presents prospective 1-year follow-up results, including technical, clinical, and functional success rates, for the first of these treatments to be developed, endoscopic gastroplication (EGP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 43 EGP procedures were carried out in 38 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Two or three EndoCinch gastroplications were constructed at the level of the gastric cardia in each patient; five patients were treated twice within 6 - 12 months. Each endoscopic suture joined two gastric folds to each other as a double fold, known as a "gastroplication", in order to narrow the esophagogastric junction. Postprocedure data after 2 months and after 1 year were compared with preoperative data, focusing on symptoms, medication requirements, endoscopic findings, and pH-metry results. RESULTS: In contrast to the findings at 2 months (which showed that 72 % of the sutures were present and that there was a reduction in the percentage of time when the esophageal pH was < 4 from 15.4 % to 8.7 %), the results 1 year after EGP were considered to indicate failure of the treatment in all 38 patients because none of them still had all of the initially placed gastroplications in situ (90 % of gastroplications were lost). The percentage of patients who did not require proton pump inhibitor medication decreased from 52 % at 2 months to only 20 % at 1 year and even more patients had evidence of reflux esophagitis at 1 year (56 %) than had initially demonstrated signs of this (41 %). CONCLUSIONS: EGP has some short-term beneficial effects on clinical symptoms and pH-metry. However, mainly due to the loss of the endoscopically placed sutures, these effects were not maintained at the 1-year follow-up. EGP cannot therefore be recommended for routine clinical use. Better endoscopic methods need to be developed, and they should be adequately tested before being marketed.

[Spontaneous and iatrogenic choledochoduodenal fistula--endoscopic diagnosis and therapy]. / Spontane und iatrogene choledochoduodenale Fisteln--endoskopische Diagnostik und Therapie.

A series of 17 cases of choledochoduodenal fistulas encountered in a 9.5-year-period (1978-1987) with 1140 endoscopic papillotomy (EPT) is presented (1.6%). The indications for duodenoscopy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) are cholestasis (78%), cholangitis (33%), upper abdominal pain (28%), jaundice (24%) and pancreatitis (17%). The choledochoduodenal fistulas are located on the longitudinal fold of the papilla (12 cases) and in the duodenal bulb (5 cases). Choledochoduodenal fistulas can easily be diagnosed by duodenoscopy with a side up view endoscope. As a method of direct cholangiography the ERC shows the relation of the fistula to the bile duct system. The preferred therapy of the choledochoduodenal fistula is the EPT combined with bile duct stone extraction.

[Endoscopic lithotripsy of gallstones]. / Endoskopische Lithotripsie von Gallengangssteinen.

In a retrospective study we report about our experience and complications of 49 mechanical lithotripsies in 34 patients with two lithotriptor systems (Type AK Barmbek n = 30, type Erlangen n = 19). Our success rate (stone free system) is 76.5% (26 of 34 patients). Seven of eight patients with unsuccessful lithotripsy were transferred to surgery. We observed complications in 5.9%: In two cases the distal common bile duct was perforated with the tip of the lithotriptor basket. No death occurred. Technical problems appeared in 8.8%: In two cases we had fractures of the traction wire and in one case fracture of one branch of the lithotriptor basket. After performing endoscopic mechanical lithotripsy in patients suffering from common bile duct stones, we could improve our success rate (stone free system) from 89% up to 97.4%.

Endoscopic resection of large colorectal adenomas: a combination of snare and laser ablation.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Endoscopic resection of large colorectal adenomas is still not a standard procedure, treatment with a high diathermic snare is considered as difficult and risky, and the main disadvantage of laser vaporization is the unavailability of histological evaluation. We studied a combined technique that enjoys the benefits of both techniques and avoids the disadvantages and risks of each. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a prospective study, we combined the techniques of high-frequency snare resection as a preparatory method and Nd: YAG laser vaporisation as a second-stage treatment. In 72 patients, we resected 79 adenomas, most of them in the rectum (81.0%) and with a tubulovillous histology (69.6%), with a mean volume of 9.4 cm3 (1.5-29.0 cm3) and a base diameter ranging from 20 mm to 80 mm. RESULTS: After using the combined technique of preparatory mucosectomy as a first step and laser vaporization as the second step, follow-up evaluation was possible in 50 out of 72 patients (69.4%). Fourteen patients had a local relapse of adenoma (28.0%), with dysplasia histologically of the same grade or a lower one compared to the original grade, after a mean of 1.4 years. Since these local recurrences were diagnosed at a size of a few millimeters (less than 3 mm), a further session of laser treatment eliminated the material completely without complications. No colorectal carcinomas were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The high clinical long-term success of our combined electro-laser resection is not only a result of complete endoscopic adenoma resection, but also of a strong control regimen. This technique is applicable to the treatment of large colorectal adenomas with curative intent.

The wide-channel endoscope optimizes the success of emergency endoscopy.

INTRODUCTION: Success of emergency endoscopy in upper GI-hemorrhage for diagnostics and treatment is limited by masses of blood clots, food or both. Using standard endoscopes supported by adjuvant techniques bleeding source can be defined in 90 to 95%. These procedures are often time consuming. Only bleeding sources which are defined can be treated. This is difficult in cases of ongoing hemorrhage. Circulatory shock may occur as well as aspiration of gastric contents. For these reasons we developed the new wide-channel endoscope. METHODS: This endoscope (GIF-XT-30, Olympus, Tokyo) has two channels, one with a diameter of 6 mm and a jet channel with 1 mm. The outer diameter at the distal end is 13.7 mm. A three-way stopcock for suction and water input is connected to the 6 mm channel. RESULTS: We achieved complete evacuation of stomach contents in 122 of 123 patients (= 23% of all emergency patients in this series) with upper GI-bleeding, in whom complete gastric cleaning and identification of the bleeding source had proved impossible using standard endoscopes. Gastric emptying using the big channel endoscope was possible within 5 minutes in all successful cases. Optimal conditions for therapeutic procedures were therefore provided. CONCLUSIONS: The possibilities of this instrument enable a more aggressive technique of moving fixed coagula from ulcers to localize the vessel that is to be treated. Even in cases of provoked severe Forrest I A hemorrhage permanent visual control can be achieved. It is an indispensable tool for major endoscopic centers in emergency situations.

Improved endoscopic management of severe upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage using a new wide-channel endoscope.

Problems in emergency endoscopy for upper gastrointestinal bleeding may arise due to blood and food debris preventing proper endoscopic vision and orientation. We present here a new big channel endoscope with a 6 mm suction and drainage channel that achieved complete evacuation of stomach contents in 122 of 123 patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding, in whom complete gastric cleaning and identification of the bleeding source had proved impossible using standard endoscopes. Gastric emptying using the big-channel endoscope was possible within five minutes in all successful cases. Optimal conditions for therapeutic procedures were therefore provided. The size of the instrumentation channel may open up new indications also for non-emergency endoscopic diagnosis and treatment.

Management of traction wire fracture complicating mechanical basket lithotripsy.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The application of basket catheters has become the main method of removing calculi from the biliary and pancreatic duct. However, larger or impacted stones have to be crushed and fragmented by mechanical lithotriptors before removal is possible. Sometimes, fracture of the traction wire occurs as a severe and fraught complication. We describe a precautionary measure which helps to manage this complication. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a series of 569 consecutive patients suffering from bile or pancreatic duct stones we found 60 (10.5%) who required mechanical lithotripsy for oversized or impacted calculi. Mechanical lithotripsy was always performed initially with a long metal sheath (80 cm) in combination with a standard traction wire. If the traction wire fractured we replaced the long metal sheath stepwise by shorter ones (70cm, 60cm and 50 cm, respectively), allowing immediate continuation of the lithotriptic procedure using the same traction wire. RESULTS: During the lithotriptic procedure three of our patients (5%) were afflicted by traction wire fracture. Two patients could be relieved directly by changing the initial metal sheath to shorter ones. Because of the exceptional hardness of a pancreatic duct stone the third patient needed stone fragmentation by extracorporeal shock wave lithrotripsy (ESWL) before complete mechanical clearance of the duct could be accomplished. CONCLUSION: We advocate the initial use of a long metal sheath (80cm) to perform mechanical lithotripsy. In case of traction wire fracture the use of a shorter metal sheath allows immediate successful continuation of the procedure, thereby frequently avoiding procedures such as ESWL or surgery.

Endoscopic access to the papilla of Vater for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in patients with billroth II or Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an established modality for the diagnosis and treatment of pancreaticobiliary disorders. In contrast to ERCP in patients who have not undergone gastrectomy, ERCP in patients with a Billroth II gastrojejunostomy or a Roux-en-Y anastomosis is considerably more difficult. It was nevertheless considered that ERCP might be possible in most patients with gastrectomies, and this hypothesis was tested. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 2256 patients were admitted to our hospital for ERCP from 1990 to 1994. Of these, 65 (3%) had gastrojejunostomies, either with Billroth II reconstructions or with the Roux-en-Y procedure. ERCP was always performed with a conventional side-viewing endoscope. RESULTS: We examined the 65 patients with gastrojejunostomies. Of these, 91% had Billroth II anastomoses and 9% had received Roux-en-Y reconstructions. We successfully reached the papilla of Vater with the endoscope in 92% of the patients with Billroth II gastrojejunostomies (54 of 59), but in only 33% of the patients with Roux-en-Y reconstructions (two of six). In 8% of the cases of Billroth II anastomosis, it was not possible to advance the endoscope into the duodenal stump, due to intestinal stenoses (5%) or excessive intestinal length (3%). Failure in case of regular Billroth II anatomy occurred only in patients who had not received Braun enteroenterostomies. Failure also occurred in 67% of the Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy cases due to excessive intestinal length. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with Billroth II gastrojejunostomy (92% of those in the present study) and some patients with Roux-en-Y anastomosis (33% of those in the present study) can be investigated by ERCP and endoscopically treated in cases of pancreaticobiliary disorder. Braun enteroenterostomy has no negative impact on the endoscopic access to the papilla of Vater in patients with Billroth II gastrojejunostomy. Surgical reconstruction of the gastrointestinal tract to perform gastrojejunostomy should also take endoscopic requirements into account. In view of both the potential postoperative complications and endoscopic requirements, the jejunojejunostomy should be placed nearer to the gastrojejunostomy than 60 cm, and the afferent loop should be as short as possible.

Endoscopic sphincterotomy using an S-shaped sphincterotome in patients with a Billroth II or Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Some patients admitted for endoscopy present a gastrojejunostomy with a Billroth II anastomosis or Roux-en-Y reconstruction. The gastrointestinal reconstruction hampers endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of the biliary and pancreatic tract. The present paper describes a new procedure facilitating endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients who have undergone gastrojejunostomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: ERCP was attempted in 65 patients with gastrojejunostomy. A conventional side-viewing endoscope was advanced into the duodenal stump, and a modified catheter was pushed through the endoscope. The cutting wire of the modified catheter winds round the catheter at a pivotal point between the catheter's proximal and distal holes. This allows the catheter tip to be forced into an S-shape when the wire is pulled. Since the cutting wire can easily be adjusted to the papillary roof, safe and successful endoscopic sphincterotomy can be carried out. RESULTS: We were able to advance the conventional side-viewing endoscope into the duodenal stump in 92% of the patients (n = 59) with Billroth II gastrojejunostomies, and in 33% of the patients (n = 6) with Roux-en-Y anastomoses. Whenever it was possible to reach the duodenal stump, cannulation and sphincterotomy of the papilla of Vater was successful. Ninety-six percent of the patients who underwent sphincterotomy (n = 54) immediately benefited from biliary decompression. One major complication occurred, with a patient suffering a retroperitoneal perforation during endoscopic sphincterotomy; the patient later died, despite three subsequent surgical operations. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of previous gastrojejunostomy, most patients with Billroth II anastomoses (92%) and many patients with Roux-en-Y reconstructions (33%) can be treated endoscopically for biliary diseases. The use of a conventional side-viewing endoscope in conjunction with an S-shaped sphincterotome can be recommended. This allows safe and successful endoscopic treatment of all patients in whom endoscopic access to the papilla of Vater is possible.

[Management of bile duct injuries following laparoscopic cholecystectomy]. / Management von Gallengangverletzungen nach laparoskopischer Cholezystektomie.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study is to analyse our experience in the treatment of bile duct injury following laparoscopic cholecystectomy and to propose an algorithm for the management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1990 to March 2002 175 patients with biliary tract injury sustained during laparoscopic cholecystectomy were treated at our institution. We divided the injuries into five basic types according to the mechanism, localisation and time of manifestation of the lesion. Risk factors affecting the outcome after operative repair were analysed by uni- and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: There were 46 patients with peripheral bile leak (Type A). Endoscopic treatment was successful in 92 %. 8 patients presented with an occlusion of the common bile duct (CBD) (Type B). Five of 6 patients with an incomplete occlusion of the CBD could be treated by endoscopic options. Of 52 patients that presented a lateral lesion of the CBD (Type C), endoscopic treatment was successful in 35 patients (67 %), but surgical treatment was necessary in 17 (33 %). 27 patients with a complete transsection of the CBD required surgical reconstruction. Endoscopic treatment was successful in 34 of 42 patients with a late stenosis of the CBD. 11 of 55 patients (20 %) developed postoperative biliary complications. Univariate analysis identified three factors to be significant predictors of outcome: 1. attempts of repair before referral, 2. combined bile duct and hepatic artery injury, 3. Reconstruction in a situation of peritonitis. After a median follow-up of 44.6 months (2-109) a successful outcome was obtained in 51 of 55 (93 %) patients, including those requiring a secondary procedure for recurrent stricture. CONCLUSIONS: Peripheral leakages, small lateral lesions and short stenosis usually can be treated endoscopically. Extended lateral injuries, complete CBD transsections and long stenoses require surgical therapy. For a successful therapy a specialized multidisciplinary team is crucial.

Clinical significance of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) compared to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The clinical importance of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) as a noninvasive diagnostic modality for investigation of the biliary tree and pancreatic duct system is under debate. Using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) as the gold standard, this study determined in a prospective, blinded fashion the sensitivity and further statistic values of MRCP findings for evaluation of the biliary and pancreatic tract. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-eight patients referred for ERCP were studied prospectively with MRCP and ERCP during a 12-month period. All images were interpreted on a blinded basis by two radiologists. Any dilations, strictures, and intraductal abnormalities were recorded and correlated with the clinical diagnoses. RESULTS: MRCP images of diagnostic quality were obtained in 76 of the 78 patients (97%). Magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) showed sensitivities (and positive predictive values) of 71% (62%) for recognition of normal bile ducts, 83% (91%) for recognition of dilation, 85% (100%) for recognition of strictures, 77% (91%) for correct stricture location, and 80% (100%) for diagnosing bile duct calculi. In addition, the sensitivity of MRC in classifying benign and malignant strictures was 50% and 80%, respectively. The statistical values (sensitivity and positive predictive value) for magnetic resonance pancreatography findings were determined for the recognition of normal pancreatic ducts (33% and 50%), recognition of dilation (62% and 100%), recognition of strictures (76% and 87%) and correct location (66% and 100%), diagnosis of benign strictures (87% and 87%) and malignant strictures (60% and 75%), and for diagnosing pancreatic duct stones (60% and 100%). CONCLUSIONS: MRCP is capable of providing diagnostic information equivalent to ERCP in many patients, and should be applied whenever established techniques provide no results, or inadequate results.

[Endoscopic therapy of ischemia-type biliary lesions in patients following orthotopic liver transplantation]. / Endoskopische Therapie ischämietypischer biliärer Läsionen (ITBL) bei Patienten nach orthotoper Lebertransplantation.

Ischemic-type biliary lesions (ITBL) mainly induce stenoses in liver transplants causing cholestasis thus endangering the allograft. ERC enables distinction of ITBL from other differential diagnosis. From 1988 to 1998, 1,026 liver transplantations had been carried out at our clinic. 2.4% (25 out of 1,026) of liver transplanted patients were afflicted from ITBL. 60% (15 out of 25) of patients were endoscopically treated by means of sphincterotomy and balloon dilation. Furthermore, some patients needed extraction of calculi (n = 3), bile duct sequester (n = 6) or stenting (n = 4), respectively. Three patients suffered from ITBL type 1 (= only extrahepatic lesions) and five other patients were afflicted from ITBL type 2 (= circumscript intrahepatic lesions). 90% of those patients revealed long-term benefit from endoscopic therapy (follow-up to seven years). Another 15 patients elicited ITBL type 3 (= multiple intra- and extrahepatic lesions). Therefrom, nine patients had to be retransplanted directly while eight others were assigned to endoscopic treatment. Follow-up investigations revealed that retransplantation could be avoided in 50% of ITBL patients by means of endoscopic therapy for at least three years. In contrast, only 27% of ITBL patients could survive for more than three years without endoscopic therapy. Endoscopic success depends on localization and severity of ITBL complications in the biliary tract of the liver allograft. Therefore, benefit of endoscopic therapy depends on proper diagnosis as early as possible guiding further therapeutic strategy. Conclusively, endoscopic success enables maintenance of liver function in ITBL afflicted liver grafts and avoids or at least, delays retransplantation.

[Comparative imaging of HIV associated diseases of the hepatobiliary system in computerized tomography and cholangiography]. / Vergleichende Darstellung HIV-assoziierter Erkrankungen des hepatobiliären Systems in Computertomographie und Cholangiographie.

With the incidence of AIDS being on the rise, diagnostic work-up of hepatobiliary disease in these patients is of increasing interest. 57 x-ray cholangiograms and computed tomographic studies of 13 AIDS-patients with clinical signs of cholangitis were reviewed. Nine patients had abnormal cholangiographic findings. Computed tomography of 8 patients revealed hepatobiliary disease in six cases. Of three patients with cholangiograms reflecting bile duct dilatation of neoplastic aetiology, CT was required in two for definite diagnosis. Cholangiography is the method of choice for diagnosing AIDS-associated cholangitis, whereas computed tomography compares favourably in depicting neoplastic disease of the hepatobiliary system. Follow-up of AIDS-associated cholangitis usually delineates unchanged radiologic findings.

Complete bile duct sequestration after liver transplantation, caused by ischemic-type biliary lesions.

Ischemic-type biliary lesions (ITBLs) are the most frequent cause of nonanastomotic biliary strictures in liver grafts, affecting about 2-19 % of patients after liver transplantation. ITBL is characterized by bile duct destruction, subsequent stricture formation, and sequestration. We report here the case of a patient affected by extremely severe ITBL, with sequestration and disintegration of the entire bile duct system, in which it was possible to extract the complete biliary tree endoscopically in a single piece. Histological examination revealed that all cells of the bile duct wall had been destroyed within 3 months after liver transplantation and replaced by connective tissue. Subsequently, biliary stricture formation occurred at the hepatic hilum, as well as the adjacent large bile ducts. It may be hypothesized that cellular rejection of small bile ducts leads to the vanishing bile duct syndrome, whereas cellular rejection of large bile ducts results in ITBL. The strictures were repeatedly dilated by endoscopic means, allowing successful control of stricture formation, as well as maintenance of liver function. At the time of writing, the grafted organ and the patient had survived for more than 3 years in good health. This is the first detailed report on a sequestration of the entire bile duct system caused by ITBL, successfully treated for several years by endoscopic means.

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography-guided unilateral endoscopic stent placement for Klatskin tumors.

BACKGROUND: Advanced and incurable Klatskin tumors of Bismuth-type III and IV cause obstructive jaundice. Palliation of patients with Klatskin tumors is usually carried out by bilateral endoscopic stent placement. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) in such patients is associated with a comparatively high morbidity and mortality mainly due to postprocedure bacterial cholangitis. To reduce ERC-related complications the outcome of replacing ERC with magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) was investigated. Subsequently, unilateral contrast injection and stent placement were performed, thus avoiding bilateral contrast injection and stent insertion. METHODS: Patients thought to have a Klatskin tumor underwent clinical evaluation, laboratory, and noninvasive imaging studies before ERC. Patients were enrolled in this feasibility study if investigators agreed with the clinical diagnosis of an advanced and incurable Klatskin tumor. MRCP images were used to determine the predominate ductal drainage for the liver segments thus directing stent placement. Based on these findings, unilateral ERC and subsequent unilateral stent placement were performed. Antibiotics were not given before ERC. Amsterdam-type stents (10F) were placed and replaced routinely at 2 months. In cases of earlier occlusion, the stents were replaced immediately. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients underwent MRCP, ERC, and unilateral stent deployment. Two further patients enrolled after MRCP were withdrawn because ERC could not be carried out. In 35 patients with unilateral stents bilirubin levels decreased (18.9 +/- 6.3 mg/dL to 3.2 +/- 2.3 mg/dL) and jaundice resolved in 86%. After first stent deployment, post-ERC bacterial cholangitis occurred in 6% (2 of 35) of patients. CONCLUSIONS: This new method of MRCP-guided endoscopic unilateral stent placement could reduce ERC-related complications caused by initial stent deployment. The results of this study justify a randomized prospective comparative trial.

Intestinal disease in acquired immunodeficiency: evaluation by CT.

Intestinal symptoms affect most AIDS patients at some point in their disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of CT in this setting. A total of 339 abdominal CT exams were reviewed for signs of intestinal disease. Abdominal CT scans of 45 patients with intestinal symptoms were compared with colonoscopy and histologic data. The CT results were correlated with CD4( +) T-lymphocyte counts and patient survival. More than 14 % of all abdominal CT exams displayed signs of enteric disease. Of the 45 patients studied with both CT and colonoscopy, 35 (78 %) had signs of intestinal disease by CT. Of these 35 patients, colonoscopic signs of an intestinal lesion were found in 29 and histologic proof of disease was established in 30 cases. Colonoscopy and histology detected 8 lesions missed by CT. There were 14 cases of unspecific colitis, 15 cases of cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis, and 4 cases of enteric tuberculosis as per biopsy. Five patients presented with Kaposi's sarcoma and 1 with a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Neither colonoscopic nor CT signs of intestinal disease did reliably distinguish between histologic subgroups. Specifically, CMV colitis could not be distinguished from unspecific colitis. CD4( +) T-lymphocyte counts for histologic subgroups were not significantly different, either. No colonoscopic or histologic feature predicted survival, whereas low CD4 counts and ascites on CT indicated a poor prognosis. Whereas CT detects signs of intestinal disease in most AIDS patients, these signs remain largely unspecific. Colonoscopy and biopsies provide no consistently valid standard with which to compare CT because of controversial sensitivity and specificity of these methods. The CT technique detects small bowel as well as extraintestinal disease. Therefore, CT is an important diagnostic modality in abdominal disease of immunocompromised patients.