Clonorchiasis sinensis detected by laparoscopic exploration of biliary tracts in two patients with obstructive jaundice.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic clonorchiasis is one of the most prevalent food-borne parasitic diseases worldwide. Clonorchis sinensis, the pathogen, is the major parasitic trigger contributing to cholangitis, cholelithiasis, and even cholangiocarcinoma. Unfortunately, unspecific clinical manifestations of patients with hepatic clonorchiasis tend to mislead clinicians to neglect or misdiagnose them, following ignorance of appropriate therapy. Our case report may shed light on definite diagnosis of clonorchiasis with concomitant cholelithiasis, methodology for surgical drainage of the parasites, and postoperative anthelmintic therapy. CASE PRESENTATION: Two patients with habit of eating infected raw or undercooked freshwater fish were hospitalized due to right upper quadrant pain and jaundice. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)/computed tomography (CT) detection indicated cholangiolithiasis and cholangiolithiasis with concurrent cholecystolithiasis, respectively. Fecal examinations were both negative for adult worms or eggs of parasites. However, adults of Clonrochis sinensis were detected within hepatobiliary tracts during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Postoperative drainage and anthelmintic therapy contributed to complete recovery with good prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Clonorchiasis provokes cholangiolithiasis and cholecystolithiasis. Standardized treatments for these gallstone patients with concomitant clonorchiasis include surgical removal of the calculus, postoperative T tubule drainage and anthelmintic therapy. Serological test or polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based approaches might be helpful for diagnosis of clonorchiasis when no eggs are found by stool microscopy. Public health promotion on ceasing to eat raw freshwater fish is essential for prevention and control of clonorchiasis.

Obstructive jaundice of a parasitic etiology.

We present the case of a patient with colic pain in the epigastrium and right hypochondrium, which was accompanied by choluria and acholia and slightly elevated levels of bilirubin and eosinophilia. Abdominal echography and magnetic resonance imaging identified a biliary obstruction and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was used to extract 3 adult worms identified as Fasciola hepatica. This case highlights the need to consider the suspicion of biliary obstruction caused by Fasciola hepatica in the presence of obstructive jaundice, with or without eosinophilia.

Obstructive jaundice secondary to a hepatic hydatid cyst.

The rupture of a hepatic hydatid cyst into the intrahepatic bile ducts is one the most common and serious complication of hepatic hydatidosis and occurs in 5-25% of cases. (1, 2, 3). Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) plays an indisputable role in the diagnosis and treatment of this condition.

Manifestation of hydatid cyst of liver with pancreatitis, cholangitis and jaundice: A case report.

Hydatid disease or echinococcosis, a systemic zoonosis is caused by Echinococcusgranulosus larvae. This is a common disease found all over the world, especially in the Mediterranean region. We report a 40 year old male with no known comorbids who came with complaints of fever with rigors and chills, right hypochondriac pain, and yellow discolouration of the sclera. A CT scan abdomen with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) gave a diagnosis of hydatid cyst of the liver with pancreatitis, cholangitis and jaundice due to involvement of the biliary tree and common bile duct ERCP was done and a stent was placed after which the patient was referred to general surgery department where the resection of cyst was performed under general anaesthesia. Pancreatitis was managed conservatively. We could not find any case reported in the literature, which showed manifestation of hydatid cyst of liver with pancreatitis, cholangitis and jaundice simultaneously, which made us report this case.

Cholangiohydatidosis: an Infrequent Cause of Obstructive Jaundice and Acute Cholangitis.

BACKGROUND: One of the evolutionary complications of hepatic echinococcosis (HE) is cholangiohydatidosis, a rare cause of obstructive jaundice and cholangitis. The aim of this study was to describe the results of surgical treatment on a group of patients with cholangiohydatidosis and secondary cholangitis in terms of post-operative morbidity (POM). MATERIAL AND METHOD: Case series of patients operated on for cholangiohydatidosis and cholangitis in the Department at Surgery of the Universidad de La Frontera and the Clínica Mayor in Temuco, Chile between 2004 and 2014. The minimum follow-up time was six months. The principal outcome variable was the development of POM. Other variables of interest were age, sex, cyst diameter, hematocrit, leukocytes, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and transaminases, type of surgery, existence of concomitant evolutionary complications in the cyst, length of hospital stay, need for surgical re-intervention and mortality. Descriptive statistics were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 20 patients were studied characterized by a median age of 53 years, 50.0% female and 20.0% having two or more cysts with a mean diameter of 13.3 ± 6.3 cm. A median hospital stay of six days and follow-up of 34 months was recorded. POM was 30.0%, re-intervention rate was 10.0% and mortality rate was 5.0%. CONCLUSION: Cholangiohydatidosis is a rare cause of obstructive jaundice and cholangitis associated with significant rates of POM and mortality.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) involves both the vascular and biliary structures of the liver. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is said to be an alternative for the diagnosis and treatment of biliary complications of HAE. We present here our experience with ERCP in HAE. METHODS: We followed 13 patients who underwent ERCP for the treatment of biliary complications of HAE in the endoscopy unit of our clinic at Ataturk University School of Medicine, Erzurum between January 2002 and June 2008. RESULTS: Eight men and five women were followed up. Mean age was 43.2 (24-64 years). All patients had non-resectable HAE. Indications for ERCP were biliary fistula in seven patients, obstructive jaundice in five patients and cholangitis in one patient. Endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) was carried out in 12 patients, and in one patient with biliary leakage, a stent was inserted into the right hepatic branch. ERCP findings were dilated common bile duct, irregular narrowing and distortion of the common bile duct and common hepatic duct, communication with the cystic cavity or biliocutaneous fistula and complete disappearance of the biliary tree above the level of the common hepatic duct or hepatic bifurcation. In patients with biliary leakage, biliary drainage decreased only in two patients after ERCP and in patients with obstructive jaundice, the high bilirubin levels decreased in only one patient. CONCLUSION: ERCP showed structural changes of the external biliary tract and ES has a limited effect on these changes and stents can be used in selected cases.

[An elderly man with cholestatic jaundice due to biliary hydatidosis]. / Anciano con ictericia obstructiva secundaria a una colangiohidatidosis.

Hydatid disease is found throughout the world, with a higher prevalence in the Mediterranean area. In Spain, the most endemic regions are Rioja and Aragon, with rates above 10 cases/100,000 inhabitants, followed by Castilla-La Mancha and Castilla y Leon (5-10 cases/100,000 inhabitants). This parasitic disease is caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus (EG) and the main organs affected are the liver and the lung (85 % cases). We present a case of obstructive jaundice and secondary cholangitis due to a biliary hydatidosis. Abdominal computed tomography scan showed dilatation of the entire biliary tract. The technique used for diagnosis and treatment was endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

Hepatic fascioliasis presenting with bile duct obstruction: a case report.

Fascioliasis is a zoonotic infection caused by a liver trematode: fasciola hepatica; which commonly affects cattle and sheep, humans are accidental hosts. Several cases have been reported in the literature worldwide with a large geographical distribution. We present a case of bile duct obstruction due to a hepatic fascioliasis, successfully treated with both a combined surgical and medical approaches. A high index of suspicion should be kept in mind for all cases of obstructive jaundice, especially in areas in which human fascioliasis infection is repeatedly reported.

Strongyloides stercoralis Infection Causing Obstructive Jaundice and Refractory Pancreatitis: A Lesson Learned from a Case Study.

A 58-year-old Japanese woman came to our institution because of leg edema and abdominal distention. She had developed acute pancreatitis 5 times in the past 3 years. Dilation of the bile duct and main pancreatic duct without obstruction was observed on computed tomography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. The presence of Strongyloides stercoralis was highly suspected from the biopsy sample from the duodenal papilla. Polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing of small subunit rDNA from paraffin-embedded specimens identified the worm as S. stercoralis. All of the symptoms were considered to be associated with S. stercoralis infection. Therefore, the patient was treated with oral administration of ivermectin. Subsequently, symptoms and laboratory data improved. There has been no recurrence of the symptoms to date.

Intrabiliary rupture: an algorithm in the treatment of controversial complication of hepatic hydatidosis.

AIM: Intrabiliary rupture (IBR) is a common and serious complication of hepatic hydatid cyst. The incidence varies from 1% to 25%. The treatment of IBR is still controversial. We aimed to design an algorithm for the treatment of hepatic hydatidosis with IBR by reviewing our cases. METHODS: Eight cases of IBR were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were evaluated according to age, sex, clinical findings, cyst number and stage, abdominal ultrasonography and CT-scan, surgical methods, complications, results and coincidental diseases. RESULTS: Female/male ratio was 1/7. Mean age was 52.12+/-18.26 years (range 24-69 years). Right upper quadrant pain, flatulence, palpable hepatic mass were symptoms common in all patients. Cholestatic jaundice was found in four cases. In all patients, cyst evacuation and omentoplasty were performed, followed by either choledochoduodenostomy, T-tube drainage, intracavitary suturing of the orifice, two cases in each. Whereas in two patients diagnosed post-operatively percutaneous drainage of biliary collection or ERCP and sphincteroplasty were added. Morbidity and hospital stay were higher in these cases. CONCLUSION: When the diagnosis of IBR can be done pre- or intra-operatively, morbidity decreases. If a biliary fistula is seen post-operatively, endoscopic procedures such as ERCP, sphincteroplasty or nasobiliary drainage can be applied.

Ascariasis of the pancreatic duct.

Ascariasis is a common helminthic disease worldwide, although Lithuania and other European countries are not considered endemic areas. The presence of the Ascaris worm in the biliary tree causes choledocholithiasis-like symptoms. We report a case of pancreatic duct ascariasis causing such symptoms. A 73-year-old Lithuanian woman underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) suspecting choledocholithiasis. Contrast injection into the common bile duct demonstrated a slightly dilated biliary tree without any filling defects, and the tail of an Ascaris worm protruding from the opening of the papilla Vater. The worm was captured by a snare but escaped deep into the duct. After a small wirsungotomy the worm was retrieved from the pancreatic duct. The patient received a 150 mg dose of levamisole orally repeated 7 days later and was discharged after complete resolution of symptoms. This first reported sporadic case of pancreatic duct ascariasis in Lithuania was successfully treated with ERCP and Levamisole.

Ascariasis as a cause of obstructive jaundice in a renal transplant patient.

Jaundice and pancreatitis are serious complications in post renal transplantations; hepatotropic viruses and drugs are commonly implicated. We describe ascaris infestation causing pancreatitis and obstructive jaundice in a renal transplant patient.

Alveolar hydatid disease causing total occlusion of the inferior vena cava.

Alveolar hydatid disease is a malignancy-like parasitic disease. It is invasive, metastatic, and almost always lethal if left untreated. A case of alveolar hyatid disease presenting with total of the inferior vena cava is reported. This 28-year-old man was referred for elevation of obstructive jaundice. He was a lama and had recently arrived in Taiwan after touring temples in Nepal, India, and Singapore. Computed tomography showed calcified mass which occupied the right hepatic lobe with extension to the left hepatic lobe. The inferior vena cava was occluded and stricture of biliary tree and portal vein at the hilum was also noted. The patient was treated successfully with palliative resection combined with postoperative albendazole. With increasing travel and immigration, clinicians will be more likely to encounter this rare disease, and thus should be able to recognize its symptoms.

Obstructive jaundice induced by biliary ascariasis.

Ascaris lumbricoides is one of the most prevalent parasitic infections, especially in developing countries. Its presence can lead to a multitude of presentations, one of the rarer ones being obstructive jaundice due to migration of the worm in to the biliary tree. We describe a case of a man who presented as an emergency to the general surgeons complaining of abdominal pain, fever, jaundice and vomiting. Ultrasound was used and the diagnosis of biliary ascariasis was made. The patient underwent surgery consisting of a cholecystectomy, common bile duct exploration and T-tube choledochostomy. Our report highlights the varied aetiology of obstructive jaundice and the importance of including biliary ascariasis in the differential diagnosis of the jaundiced patient, especially from endemic areas.

A rare cause of obstructive jaundice: Fasciola hepatica mimicking cholangiocarcinoma.

Fasciola hepatica is an endemic zoonotic disease in Turkey and neighboring countries. The usual definitive host is the sheep; humans are accidental hosts in the life cycle of the Fasciola. There are two disease stages: the hepatic (acute) and biliary (chronic) stages. When the flukes enter the bile ducts, the symptoms of cholestasis and cholangitis may present, which can easily be misdiagnosed as obstructive jaundice of other causes. We present a case of fascioliasis, which was difficult to differentiate from cholangiocarcinoma. A 47-year-old woman from Eastern Turkey presented with fever, right upper quadrant abdominal pain, and jaundice. Total bilirubin was 4.2 mg/dl, aspartate aminotransferase 55 IU/L, alanine aminotransferase 65 IU/L, alkaline phosphatase 325 IU/L, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase 172 IU/L. All tumor markers including carcinoembryonic antigen and Ca19-9 were in normal values. After extended evaluation, an explorative laparotomy with cholecystectomy, choledochostomy and T-tube drainage was performed. Multiple flukes were removed from the choledochus. One of the parasites was sent to the parasitological clinic for identification. The result of an indirect hemagglutination test for F. hepatica was 1/320 (+). In conclusion, the chronic phase of this zoonotic infection can be easily misdiagnosed as any other cause of obstructive jaundice. Thus, F. hepatica should be considered in the differential diagnosis of common bile duct obstruction, especially in endemic areas.