Complex biliary intervention: Percutaneous small bowel access confirmation with cone-beam computed tomography and retrograde biliary obstruction recanalization

BACKGROUND: To describe our experience with percutaneous small bowel access in patients with surgically altered anatomy for complex biliary intervention where cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was used to confirm appropriate small bowel access. METHODS: Retrospective chart review from January 2012 to February 2016 identified 9 patients who underwent complex biliary procedures, which used CBCT assistance. Inclusion criteria were creation of percutaneous small bowel access, usage of CBCT, and biliary recanalization. Procedures were performed using percutaneous small bowel access to assist with antegrade or retrograde biliary recanalization using a variety of wire and catheter techniques. Non-contrast CBCT was used in all cases to confirm appropriate small bowel access. RESULTS: In three patients with disconnected biliary systems and failed prior attempts at percutaneous recanalization, new bilio-enteric anastomoses were successfully created. In 6 patients with prior hepaticojejunostomy and biliary obstructions, percutaneous jejunostomy was used successfully to recanalize the biliary stenoses and place multiple internal biliary stents, which were then managed with percutaneous retrograde exchanges. Five patients are catheter free; two are currently managed with long-term biliary drainage. One patient eventually required liver transplantation and another required surgical revision of anastomotic restenosis. There was a single major complication in one patient where the jejunostomy tube resulted in small bowel obstruction requiring surgical revision. A minor complication occurred in another patient, with the development of cellulitis around the jejunostomy tube. CONCLUSION: CBCT can effectively confirm appropriate percutaneous small bowel access in patients with surgically altered anatomy, and who require retrograde biliary recanalization. CBCT is also useful to guide percutaneous creation of new bilio-enteric anastomosis in patients with disconnected biliary systems.

Enteral stents: Complications and their management

The treatment of malignant colonic and gastric outlet obstruction with self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) is an established technique that can be performed by radiologic or a combination of radiologic and endoscopic guidance. The procedure is very effective to relieve the obstructive symptoms of advanced malignancies, with important clinical benefits and significant improvement in quality of life for the patients. Despite much advancement in the designs of SEMS, enteral stent placement is still associated with some significant early and late complications. Stent dysfunction mainly caused by tumor ingrowth/over growth, and stent migration when covered stent are used, are relatively common complications and many times require reinterventions.

Articulated percutaneous plastic biliary stents: How to do it

The use of articulated plastic biliary stents is not well known. This technique allows drainage of two or more biliary segments using a single percutaneous access in hilar lesions. In patients that need dilatation of benign biliary stenoses, articulated plastic biliary stent allows placing two or more plastic in the area of stenosis achieving a large internal temporal dilatation while using smaller external biliary drains.

Vascular Complications of Pancreatitis: Role of Interventional Therapy

Major vascular complications related to pancreatitis can cause life-threatening hemorrhage and have to be dealt with as an emergency, utilizing a multidisciplinary approach of angiography, endoscopy or surgery. These may occur secondary to direct vascular injuries, which result in the formation of splanchnic pseudoaneurysms, gastrointestinal etiologies such as peptic ulcer disease and gastroesophageal varices, and post-operative bleeding related to pancreatic surgery. In this review article, we discuss the pathophysiologic mechanisms, diagnostic modalities, and treatment of pancreatic vascular complications, with a focus on the role of minimally-invasive interventional therapies such as angioembolization, endovascular stenting, and ultrasound-guided percutaneous thrombin injection in their management.

Fluoroscopic Management of Complications after Colorectal Stent Placement

Colorectal self-expanding metal stents have been widely used as a bridge to surgery in patients with acute malignant colonic obstruction by allowing a single-stage operation, or as a definitive palliative procedure in patients with inoperable tumors. Colonic stents are placed under either fluoroscopic or combined endoscopic and fluoroscopic guidance, with similar technical-success and complication rates. Placement of colonic stents is a very safe procedure with a low procedure-related mortality rate, but serious complications can develop and reinterventions are not uncommon. Most of the complications can be treated by minimally invasive or conservative techniques, while surgical interventions are required for most patients with perforation.