Pancreatic duct epithelial malignancy suggested by large focal pancreatic parenchymal atrophy in cystic diseases of the pancreas.

BACKGROUND: /Objectives: A cystic lesion is common in the pancreas. Focal pancreatic parenchymal atrophy (FPPA) has been reported as a sign of high-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia/carcinoma in situ (HGP/CIS). Some cystic lesions accompany FPPA. However, the relationship between a cystic lesion, FPPA, and the histopathological background of the pancreatic duct is unknown. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the data of 98 patients with a cystic lesion who underwent serial pancreatic juice aspiration cytologic examination (SPACE) because of accompanying FPPA, increased size of the cystic lesion, and pancreatic duct stricture at the base. RESULTS: The clinical diagnosis of a cystic lesion was intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasia (IPMN) and cysts in 72 (73.5%) and 26 (26.5%) patients, respectively. Ninety of the 98 patients (91.8%) had FPPA. Positive results (adenocarcinoma and suspicion) on SPACE were observed in 56 of all cases (57.1%), 48 of IPMN (66.7%), 8 of cysts (30.8%), and 54 of FPPA (59.3%), and were significantly associated with IPMN (p = 0.002) and the large FPPA (>269.79 mm2,p = 0.0001); moreover, these disorders are considerably related (p = 0.0003). Fifty patients (51.0%) with positive results on SPACE underwent surgery, with the histopathological diagnosis of epithelial malignancy in 42 patients (42.9%, 42/50, 84%). Many cystic lesions clinically diagnosed as IPMN were dilated branches covered by pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia. CONCLUSIONS: Positive results on SPACE were significantly associated with the clinical diagnosis of IPMN and the large FPPA. Moreover, these disorders are significantly related. Surgery owing to positive results could lead to the histopathological diagnosis of HGP/CIS.

Focal pancreatic parenchyma atrophy is a harbinger of pancreatic cancer and a clue to the intraductal spreading subtype.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Radiological evidence of focal pancreatic parenchymal atrophy (FPPA) may presage early pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) development. We aimed to clarify the incidence of FPPA and the clinicopathological features of PDAC with FPPA before diagnosis. METHODS: Data on endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsies and surgical samples from 170 patients with pancreatic cancer histologically diagnosed between 2014 and 2019 were extracted from the pathology database of Komagome Hospital and Juntendo University hospital and retrospectively evaluated together with 51 patients without PDAC. RESULTS: FPPA was identified in 47/170 (28%) patients before PDAC diagnosis and in 2/51 (4%) patients in the control group (P < 0.01). The median duration from FPPA detection to diagnosis was 35 (interquartile range [IQR]:16-63) months. In 24/47 (51%) patients with FPPA, the atrophic area resolved. The lesion was in the head and body/tail in 7/40 and 67/56 of the patients with (n = 47) and without FPPA (n = 123), respectively (P < 0.001). Histopathologically confirmed non-invasive lesions in the main pancreatic duct and a positive surgical margin in the resected specimens occurred in 53% vs. 21% (P = 0.078) and 29% vs. 3% (P = 0.001) of the groups, respectively. The PDAC patients with FPPA accompanied by a malignant pancreatic resection margin had high-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia. CONCLUSIONS: FPPA occurred in 28% of the PDAC group at 35 months prediagnosis. The FPPA area resolved before PDAC onset. Benchmarking previous images of the pancreas with the focus on FPPA may enable prediction of PDAC. PDAC with FPPA involves widespread high-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia requiring a wide surgical margin for surgical excision.

Comparing the 14-mm uncovered and 10-mm covered metal stents in patients with distal biliary obstruction caused by unresectable pancreatic cancer: a multicenter retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic biliary drainage using metal stent (MSs) is an established palliative treatment for patients with unresectable malignant distal biliary obstruction (MDBO). However, a major drawback of MS is recurrent biliary obstruction (RBO). Uncovered MSs with a diameter of 14 mm (UMS-14) were developed to overcome this. We aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of UMS-14 with those of conventional covered MSs having a diameter of 10 mm (CMS-10). METHODS: Consecutive patients with MDBO caused by unresectable pancreatic cancer, who underwent UMS-14 or CMS-10 placement at two tertiary-care centers, were retrospectively examined according to the Tokyo Criteria 2014. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty-eight patients who underwent UMS-14 (the UMS-14 group, n = 80) or CMS-10 (the CMS-10 group, n = 158) over a 62-month period were included. The technical and clinical success rates were similar between the two groups. RBO occurred in 20 (25%) and 59 (37%) patients of the UMS-14 and CMS-10 groups, respectively (p = 0.06). Median time till RBO was significantly longer in the UMS-14 group than in the CMS-10 group (not reached vs. 290 days, p = 0.04). Multivariate analysis revealed that CMS-10 placement was an independent risk factor for RBO (hazard ratio: 1.66, 95% confidence interval: 1.00-2.76). The incidence of early complications, including pancreatitis, and the overall survival (UMS-14 vs. CMS-10: 169 vs. 167 days, p = 0.83) were comparable between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: UMS-14 stents were safe and effective for treating patients with MDBO secondary to unresectable pancreatic cancer. The insertion of UMS-14 is recommended, because it is less likely to get occluded as compared to CMS-10.

Gallbladder wall thickening in patients with IgG4-related diseases, with special emphasis on IgG4-related cholecystitis.

OBJECTIVES: Gallbladder (GB) wall thickening sometimes occurs in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP), a condition for which the name, IgG4-related cholecystitis, was proposed. We examined the radiological findings of the GB in patients with IgG4-related diseases and clinical features of patients with GB wall thickening and presented a hypothesis of its pathogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: GB wall thickening was defined by thickness ≥ 4 mm. GB wall thickness was examined in 258 patients with IgG4-related disease. Clinical and imaging findings of 200 patients with AIP with and without GB wall thickening were then compared. RESULTS: GB wall thickening was detected in 58 patients (29%) with AIP and two patients with isolated IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis. In the 60 GBs examined, wall thickening was diffuse, with the walls possessing a smooth inner surface. No GB wall thickening was detected among the 56 patients with IgG4-related disease without AIP or IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis. Bile duct stenosis was detected in 56 patients (97%) with AIP with GB wall thickening. Intraductal ultrasonography indicated cystic duct wall thickening connected to bile duct wall thickening in 11 of 14 (79%) patients with AIP or IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis with GB wall thickening. Forty-eight patients in whom IgG4-related cholecystitis was diagnosed experienced resolution of the GB wall thickening after receiving steroid therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Most cases of GB wall thickening in IgG4-related diseases are closely associated with IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis and may be a manifestation of IgG4-related disease throughout the biliary tract, including the bile duct, cystic duct, and GB.

Focal parenchymal atrophy of pancreas: An important sign of underlying high-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia without invasive carcinoma, i.e., carcinoma in situ.

OBJECTIVES: Diagnosing high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia without invasion, traditionally referred to as carcinoma in situ (CIS), is essential for improving prognosis. We examined the imaging findings of patients with and without CIS to identify significant aspects for the diagnosis of CIS. METHODS: Forty-six patients strongly suspected of early pancreatic cancer without nodule on imaging (CIS group, n = 27; non-malignant group, n = 19) were retrospectively evaluated according to ten factors of computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (CT/MRI), endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) using hierarchical cluster and univariate analyses. RESULTS: Two clusters were formed by hierarchical cluster analysis. One cluster consisted of 83.3% CIS cases with similar image findings such as focal pancreatic parenchymal atrophy (FPPA) on CT/MRI, main pancreatic duct (MPD) stricture surrounded by hypoechoic areas on EUS, and MPD stricture with upstream MPD dilation on ERCP. On univariate analysis, the CIS and non-malignant groups had FPPA on CT/MRI in 15 (55.6%) and 3 (15.8%) cases (p = 0.013), and MPD stricture surrounded by hypoechoic areas on EUS in 20 (74.1%) and 4 (21.1%) cases (p = 0.001), respectively. MPD stricture surrounded by hypoechoic areas was observed in 80% (12/15) of CIS cases with FPPA on CT/MRI and correlated with FPPA. Moreover, FPPA and MPD stricture surrounded by hypoechoic areas had histopathologically observed fibrosis or fat replacement due to pancreatic parenchymal atrophy. CONCLUSIONS: FPPA and MPD stricture surrounded by hypoechoic areas are significant findings for the diagnosis of CIS.

Multicenter study of early pancreatic cancer in Japan.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The diagnosis of early-stage pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is still challenging. We conducted a multicenter study to clarify the clinical features of early-stage PDAC in Japan. METHODS: We collected patients with stage 0 and stage I PDAC according to the sixth edition of the Japanese Classification of Pancreatic Carcinoma. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical profiles including opportunities for medical examination, imaging modalities and findings, methods of cytological diagnosis, and prognosis according to the stages at diagnosis. RESULTS: Two hundred cases with Stage 0 and stage I PDAC were reported from 14 institutions, which accounted for approximately 0.7% and 3% of all PDAC cases, respectively. Overall, 20% of the early-stage PDAC cases were symptomatic. Indirect imaging findings such as dilatation of the main pancreatic duct were useful to detect early-stage PDAC. In particular, local fatty changes may be specific to early-stage PDAC. For preoperative pathologic diagnosis, cytology during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was more commonly applied than endoscopic ultrasound fine-needle aspiration. Although the overall prognosis was favorable, new PDAC lesions developed in the remnant pancreas in 11.5% cases. CONCLUSIONS: This multicenter study revealed several key points concerning the diagnosis and management of early-stage PDAC, including screening of asymptomatic cases, importance of indirect imaging findings, application of cytology during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, and the risk of carcinogenesis in the remnant pancreas.

Early dual drainage combining transpapillary endotherapy and percutaneous catheter drainage in patients with pancreatic fistula associated with severe acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: The development of pancreatic fistula (PF) associated with pancreatic necrosis is of great concern in the management of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). We expected that early recognition and intervention of PF combined with percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) for pancreatic infection may improve SAP outcomes. METHODS: Fifteen consecutive patients with SAP were enrolled. Whenever feasible, fine-needle aspiration for fluid collection was performed to determine infection and amylase concentration. For infection and PF with amylase-rich fluid, PCD and transpapillary endotherapy (preferably naso-pancreatic drainage) were carried out as soon as possible. PCD was intensively managed by irrigating the sized-up and multiple large bore catheters. RESULTS: Infected fluid collection and PF were both detected in 13 (86.7%) patients. Pancreatic duct (PD) disruption (n = 6) and organ failure (n = 5) occurred exclusively in patients with amylase-rich collection ≥10,000 U/L. The median timing of PCD and endotherapy was 15.5 and 16.5 days, respectively. No serious complications or mortality resulted from intervention procedures other than stent occlusion in one (6.7%) patient. Surgical intervention due to uncontrollable infection and visceral organ injury was avoided. Fistula closure was achieved in 12 (92.3%) of 13 PF patients with a median duration of 45 days. Disease-related mortality occurred in one (6.7%) patient. CONCLUSION: Amylase-rich fluid collection ≥10,000 U/L may be an indication for further endoscopic investigation of PD disruption. Early dual drainage combining pancreatic endotherapy and PCD is feasible and safe, and may improve treatment outcome.

[Endoscopic nasobiliary and nasopancreatic drainage contributing to healing of duodenal ulcer perforation: a case report].

A 75-year-old man with vomiting and right abdominal pain was admitted to the Department of Surgery in our hospital. With a diagnosis of perforated duodenal ulcer, he was treated conservatively. On the day 8 of hospitalization, his general condition worsened and he underwent surgery. During operation, the perforated duodenal ulcer and paraduodenal fluid collection was observed, and percutaneous drainage was accordingly established. After this procedure, renal dysfunction was exacerbated and he was transferred to our department for endoscopic treatment. On day 28 of hospitalization, nasobiliary and nasopancreatic drainage was administered. Renal dysfunction gradually improved, and healing of the perforated duodenal ulcer was recognized on day 93. On day 112, the patient was discharged.

[Three cases of enteroenteric intussusception examined by three-dimensional computed tomography enteroclysis].

Three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) enteroclysis or virtual enteroscopy is a novel technique to explore the entire small bowel using a modified protocol of virtual colonoscopy by inflating the small bowel with air. In our hospital, the procedure is performed routinely for cases with suspected gross lesions. We performed 3D CT enteroclysis for three cases with enteroenteric intussusception bowel. The lesions associated with intussusception were identified, single-incision laparoscopic surgery was performed, and diagnoses of lipoma and Peutz-Jeghers polyp were made in two cases. 3D CT enteroclysis did not reveal any associated lesion in the third case. This was followed by an intraoperative exploration during gastrectomy for stomach cancer, but no intestinal lesion was found. A diagnosis of idiopathic intussusception and its spontaneous release was made, and no recurrence was observed during the follow-up period. 3D CT enteroclysis seems to be an appropriate modality for the evaluation of enteroenteric intussusception.

Alcoholic severe acute pancreatitis with positive culture of pancreatic juice treated by nasopancreatic drainage.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is a serious disease associated with alcoholism and has a high mortality rate. Effective treatments have not been established. METHODS: A 58-year-old man was admitted due to alcoholic SAP. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed pancreatic calculi at the pancreas head and a stricture in the pancreatic duct from the pancreas head to the body. Endoscopically, nasopancreatic drainage (NPD) was placed through the minor papilla to the pancreas tail beyond the stricture. RESULTS: Pancreatic juice culture was positive for Streptococcus and Enterobacter. The day after NPD, upper abdominal pain was relieved. After changing NPD to a pancreatic stent, the patient was discharged on day 21 post-NPD. CONCLUSION: Alcoholic SAP may reflect aggravation of chronic pancreatitis. The possibility of acute bacterial inflammation should be considered in all cases of chronic alcoholic pancreatitis who present with severe features of inflammation, even in the early stages of an attack. Treatment of this subset of cases by drainage could be of great importance and NPD may be the preferred method.

[Meckel's diverticulum detected by virtual enteroscopy in a patient with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced enteropathy].

A 68-year-old female presented to our hospital with abdominal discomfort and obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. She had been prescribed aspirin for retinal venous occlusion. Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) revealed multiple erosions, annular ulcers, and bleeding, confirming a diagnosis of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced enteropathy. Virtual enteroscopy (VE) was performed to evaluate stenosis of the small intestine, during which a 5-cm long diverticulum was incidentally detected at a site 99cm from the ileocecal valve. On the basis of the location, size, and shape, a diagnosis of Meckel's diverticulum was made. Second look of the VCE images could not detect the Meckel's diverticulum. After the cessation of taking aspirin, the patient had no more abdominal symptoms, and we concluded NSAID-induced enteropathy was the cause of the symptoms. Meckel's diverticula are sometimes difficult to diagnose, but VE was able to depict the lesion clearly. Meckel's diverticulum is one of the best indications for VE.

[Virtual enteroscopy for the evaluation of stenosis in a case of chronic multiple ulcers of the small intestine].

A 39-year-old female presented to our hospital with diarrhea, vomiting, anemia, and hypoalbuminemia. Virtual enteroscopy was performed to evaluate the small bowel; we found annular stenoses at 89, 100, 116, 147, and 154 cm from the ligament of Treitz. Small bowel resection was performed, and annular ulcers were confirmed at 58, 71, 90, 130, 138, 218, and 225 cm from the ligament of Treitz. Clinical records and pathological examination failed to determine the cause of these ulcers, and we diagnosed chronic multiple ulcers of the small intestine. Thus, we believe that virtual enteroscopy can be beneficial in preoperatively diagnosing multiple ulcers and stenoses in the small bowel.

Endoscopic Nasopancreatic Drainage Contributes to Early Resolution of Postgastrectomy Gastropancreatic Fistula.

A 76-year-old man experienced abdominal pain 43 days after gastric cancer resection. Computed tomography revealed a gastric wall defect extending to the pancreas, and endoscopic retrograde pancreatography revealed a gastropancreatic fistula. Afterward, a nasopancreatic duct drainage tube was inserted. Seven days later, no leakage of the contrast medium from the duct was observed, and the patient was discharged 22 days after endoscopic nasopancreatic duct drainage. Endoscopic nasopancreatic duct drainage prevents pancreatic juice leakage and promotes gastric ulcer healing.

Risk of cancer in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVES: Although simultaneous occurrences of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and cancer are occasionally observed, it remains largely unknown whether cancer and AIP occur independently or these disorders are interrelated. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between AIP and cancer. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, retrospective cohort study. One hundred and eight patients who met the Asian diagnostic criteria for AIP were included in the study. We calculated the proportion, standardized incidence ratio (SIR), relative risk, and time course of cancer development in patients with AIP. We also analyzed the clinicopathological characteristics of AIP patients with cancer in comparison with those without cancer. RESULTS: Of the 108 AIP patients, 18 cancers were found in 15 patients (13.9%) during the median follow-up period of 3.3 years. The SIR of cancer was 2.7 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4-3.9), which was stratified into the first year (6.1 (95% CI 2.3-9.9)) and subsequent years (1.5 (95% CI 0.3-2.8)) after AIP diagnosis. Relative risk of cancer among AIP patients at the time of AIP diagnosis was 4.9 (95% CI 1.7-14.9). In six of eight patients whose cancer lesions could be assessed before corticosteroid therapy for AIP, abundant IgG4-positive plasma cell infiltration was observed in the cancer stroma. These six patients experienced no AIP relapse after successful cancer treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with AIP are at high risk of having various cancers. The highest risk for cancer in the first year after AIP diagnosis and absence of AIP relapse after successful treatment of the coexisting cancers suggest that AIP may develop as a paraneoplastic syndrome in some patients.

Polymorphisms of the UDP-glucuronosyl transferase 1A genes are associated with adverse events in cancer patients receiving irinotecan-based chemotherapy.

A prodrug, irinotecan (CPT-11), is a semisynthetic derivative of camptothecin. It inhibits topoisomerase I and is used for treatment of lung, stomach, and colon cancers in Japan. The active form of CPT-11, SN-38, causes the adverse events such as neutropenia and diarrhea. Since SN-38 is metabolized to non-toxic SN-38-glucuronide by hepatic uridine diphosphate glucuronosyl transferase (UGT) 1A enzymes, UGT1A enzyme activities may influence adverse events of CPT-11. UGT1A enzymes consist of three isozymes (1A1, 1A7, 1A9), and their genes are characterized by polymorphisms. Here, to identify the genetic factors that affect the adverse events of CPT-11, we determined the polymorphism in three UGT 1A isozyme genes in 45 inpatients with lung, colon, or stomach cancer. The univariate and multivariate analysis of patients' physiological and genetic factors revealed that one or more genotypes of UGT1A1*6/*28, UGT1A7*3/*3, and UGT1A9*1/*1 may enhance the adverse events. Each of the first two genotypes is expected to generate the enzyme with low catalytic activity. The UGT1A9*1 represents the wild-type allele, which however provides the lower catalytic activity, compared to the UGT1A9*22 variant that is common in this study population. Indeed, four (67%) out of six patients who carry one or more of the above-mentioned genotypes suffered from adverse events, leading to the discontinuation of chemotherapy or the decreased dose of CPT-11. By contrast, only six (15%) out of 39 patients with other genotypes suffered from adverse events. In conclusion, UGT1A1*6/*28, UGT1A7*3/*3, and UGT1A9*1/*1 should be taken into consideration as markers for preventing severe adverse events of CPT-11 administration.

[Clinical features and CT findings in the differential diagnosis of IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis and cholangiocarcinoma].

To clarify the clinical features and CT findings of IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis (IgG4-SC), we reviewed 16 cases of IgG4-SC and 10 cases of cholangiocarcinoma concerning patient background, treatment, outcomes and CT findings. The median age of IgG4-SC cases was 70 (range 54-79) years, and only 1 was a woman. Serum IgG4 level of all IgG4-SC patients were elevated and in 13 patients steroid therapy proved effective. The CT findings were analyzed with regard to the biliary strictures (symmetry, outer margin, inner margin), wall enhancement pattern and pancreas size. The CT findings of symmetric wall thickness and total scores were significantly higher in IgG4-SC than in cholangiocarcinoma. Although the small number of patients in this study is a limitation, the CT findings may help distinguish IgG4-SC from cholangiocarcinoma.

A Novel Diagnostic Imaging Method for the Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has an extremely poor prognosis, with a survival rate of less than 10% [...].

The outcome of a multidisciplinary approach incorporating neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with S1 for resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Aim: This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of a multidisciplinary approach incorporating neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with S1 (S1-NACRT) for resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Methods: The medical records of 132 patients who received S1-NACRT for resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma from 2010 to 2019 were reviewed. The S1-NACRT regimen consisted of S1 at a dose of 80-120 mg/body/day together with 1.8 Gy of radiation in 28 fractions. The patients were re-evaluated 4 weeks after S1-NACRT completion, and a pancreatectomy was then considered. Results: Adverse events of S1-NACRT ≥grade 3 occurred in 22.7% of the patients, and 1.5% discontinued therapy. Of the 112 patients who underwent a pancreatectomy, 109 underwent R0 resection. Adjuvant chemotherapy with relative dose intensity ≥50% was administered to 74.1% of the patients who underwent resection. The median overall survival of all patients was 47 months, and the median overall survival and recurrence-free survival of patients who underwent resection was 71 and 32 months, respectively. According to the multivariate analyses of prognostic factors for overall survival in patients who underwent resection, negative margin status (hazard ratio: 0.182; P = 0.006) and relative dose intensity of adjuvant chemotherapy ≥50% (hazard ratio 0.294; P < 0.001) were independent prognostic factors of overall survival. Conclusions: A multidisciplinary approach incorporating S1-NACRT for resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma demonstrated acceptable tolerability and good local control and resulted in comparable survival benefits.

A multicenter, prospective, randomized study of selective bile duct cannulation performed by multiple endoscopists: the BIDMEN study.

BACKGROUND: Wire-guided cannulation (WGC) with a sphincterotome (S) for selective bile duct cannulation (SBDC) has been reported to have a higher success rate and lower incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) than conventional methods in some randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) that were both single center and limited to only a few endoscopists. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the difference in SBDC according to the method and catheter used in a multicenter and multiendoscopist study. DESIGN: A prospective, multicenter RCT with a 2 × 2 factorial design. SETTING: Fifteen referral endoscopy units. PATIENTS: In total, 400 consecutive patients with naive papillae who were candidates for ERCP were enrolled and randomized. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were assigned to 4 groups according to combined catheter (S or catheter [C]) and method (with/without guidewire [GW]). MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Success rate of SBDC performed in 10 minutes, SBDC time, fluoroscopy time, and incidence of complications. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the SBDC success rate between the groups with and without GW, between C and S, or among the 4 groups (C+GW, C, S+GW, S). WGC had a tendency to significantly shorten cannulation and fluoroscopy times only in approximately 70% of patients in this study in whom SBDC was achieved in 10 minutes or less (P = .036 and .00004, respectively). All 4 groups resulted in similar outcomes in PEP (4%, 5.9%, 2%, and 2.1%, respectively). LIMITATIONS: Non-double-blind study. CONCLUSIONS: WGC appears to significantly shorten cannulation and fluoroscopy times. However, neither the method nor type of catheter used resulted in significant differences in either SBDC success rate or incidence of PEP in this RCT. ( CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: UMIN000002572.).