Correlation between miR-210 and serum levels of GGT, ALP and AST in patients with choledocholithiasis.

The purpose of this study was to explore the association between miR-210 and serum GGT, ALP and AST levels in patients with choledocholithiasis. The clinical data of 82 patients with biliary stones admitted to the hospital from May 2020 to May 2022 were collected and divided into observation group (n=40) and control group (n=42) according to whether asymptomatic combined. The relative expression level of miR-210 was measured by RT-PCR, serum GGT, ALP, and AST by rate method, and the correlation of miR-210 expression level with serum GGT, ALP, AST and the diagnostic value for choledochal stones was analyzed. The relative expression of serum GGT, ALP, AST and miR-210 were all higher than the control group (P <0.05); the relative expression level of miR-210 and serum GGT, ALP and AST, 0.756, 0.832, 0.326, r = P <0.05), 0.782, 0.776, 0.681, 0.568, respectively. Serum miR-210 level was upregulated in patients with choledocholithiasis, and its expression was positively correlated with serum GGT, ALP, and AST, which can be used for early auxiliary diagnosis of choledocholithiasis.

A Circular RNA, Cholangiocarcinoma-Associated Circular RNA 1, Contributes to Cholangiocarcinoma Progression, Induces Angiogenesis, and Disrupts Vascular Endothelial Barriers.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) are involved in various malignancies. We aimed to clarify the functions and mechanisms of dysregulated circRNAs in the cells and EVs of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). APPROACH AND RESULTS: CircRNA microarray was used to identify circRNA expression profiles in CCA tissues and bile-derived EVs (BEVs). CCA-associated circRNA 1 (circ-CCAC1) expression was measured by quantitative real-time PCR. The clinical importance of circ-CCAC1 was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curves, Fisher's exact test, Kaplan-Meier plots, and Cox regression model. The functions of circ-CCAC1 and exosomal circ-CCAC1 were explored in CCA cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), respectively. Different animal models were used to verify the in vitro results. RNA sequencing, bioinformatics, RNA immunoprecipitation, RNA pulldown, chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing, and luciferase reporter assays were used to determine the regulatory networks of circ-CCAC1 in CCA cells and HUVECs. Circ-CCAC1 levels were increased in cancerous bile-resident EVs and tissues. The diagnostic and prognostic values of circ-CCAC1 were identified in patients with CCA. For CCA cells, circ-CCAC1 increased cell progression by sponging miR-514a-5p to up-regulate Yin Yang 1 (YY1). Meanwhile, YY1 directly bound to the promoter of calcium modulating ligand to activate its transcription. Moreover, circ-CCAC1 from CCA-derived EVs was transferred to endothelial monolayer cells, disrupting endothelial barrier integrity and inducing angiogenesis. Mechanistically, circ-CCAC1 increased cell leakiness by sequestering enhancer of zeste homolog 2 in the cytoplasm, thus elevating SH3 domain-containing GRB2-like protein 2 expression to reduce the levels of intercellular junction proteins. In vivo studies further showed that increased circ-CCAC1 levels in circulating EVs and cells accelerated both CCA tumorigenesis and metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Circ-CCAC1 plays a vital role in CCA tumorigenesis and metastasis and may be an important biomarker/therapeutic target for CCA.

The Challenges of Implementing Artificial Intelligence into Surgical Practice.

BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence is touted as the future of medicine. Classical algorithms for the detection of common bile duct stones (CBD) have had poor clinical uptake due to low accuracy. This study explores the challenges of developing and implementing a machine-learning model for the prediction of CBD stones in patients presenting with acute biliary disease (ABD). METHODS: All patients presenting acutely to Christchurch Hospital over a two-year period with ABD were retrospectively identified. Clinical data points including lab test results, demographics and ethnicity were recorded. Several statistical techniques were utilised to develop a machine-learning model. Issues with data collection, quality, interpretation and barriers to implementation were identified and highlighted. RESULTS: Issues with patient identification, coding accuracy, and implementation were encountered. In total, 1315 patients met inclusion criteria. Incorrect international classification of disease 10 (ICD-10) coding was noted in 36% (137/382) of patients recorded as having CBD stones. Patients with CBD stones were significantly older and had higher aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), bilirubin and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels (p < 0.001). The no information rate was 81% (1070/1315 patients). The optimum model developed was the gradient boosted model with a PPV of 67%, NPV of 87%, sensitivity of 37% and a specificity of 96% for common bile duct stones. CONCLUSION: This paper highlights the utility of machine learning in predicting CBD stones. Accuracy is limited by current data and issues do exist around both the ethics and practicality of implementation. Regardless, machine learning represents a promising new paradigm for surgical practice.

A significant proportion of patients with choledocholithiasis have markedly elevated alanine aminotransferase.

Objective: To determine the frequency and nature of liver enzyme elevations among patients presenting with choledocholithiasis (CDL). Methods: A prospective study identified all patients with serum level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≥500 U/L (normal levels: <70 U/L in men, <45 U/L in women) over 1 year. Additionally, other patients with CDL were identified during the same period retrospectively by diagnostic codes and ERCP procedures, providing data on all CDL patients. Symptoms, liver tests, history of cholecystectomy, and radiological imaging were analyzed. Patients with radiologically confirmed CDL or a clinical diagnosis of CDL were included. Results: During the study period, 110 patients had CDL, 60% women, mean age 65 years. Overall 86/110 (78%) had confirmed CDL on imaging and 24/110 (22%) clinically diagnosed. Overall 26% had undergone cholecystectomy, median bile duct diameter 10.0 mm, median maximal liver tests: ALT 436, ALP 226, bilirubin 60 µmol/L (<25). Overall 9/110 (8%) had ALT ≥1000, 43/110 (39%) ALT levels between 500 and 1000 IU/L and 58/110 (53%) had ALT <500 IU/L. Patients with ALT ≥1000 had smaller bile duct diameter of 7 versus 10 mm (p < .001) but similar proportions of cholecystectomies. In the multivariate analysis age, maximal AST and maximal bilirubin were independent predictors of ALT >500. Maximal AST and bile duct diameter were independent predictors of ALT >1000. Conclusions: Approximately 8% of patients with CDL had markedly elevated ALT. These patients had smaller bile duct diameter. Pronounced ALT elevation is a part of the clinical spectrum of CDL.

Acute obstructive cholangitis due to fishbone in the common bile duct: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Choledocholithiasis is an endemic condition in the world. Although rare, foreign body migration with biliary complications needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis for patients presenting with typical symptoms even many years after cholecystectomy, EPCP, war-wound, foreign body ingestion or any other particular history before. It is of great clinical value as the present review may offer some help when dealing with choledocholithiasis caused by foreign bodies. CASE PRESENTATION: We reported a case of choledocholithiasis caused by fishbone from choledochoduodenal anastomosis regurgitation. Moreover, we showed up all the instances of choledocholithiasis caused by foreign bodies published until June 2018 and wrote the world's first literature review of foreign bodies in the bile duct of 144 cases. The findings from this case suggest that the migration of fishbone can cause various consequences, one of these, as we reported here, is as a core of gallstone and a cause of choledocholithiasis. CONCLUSION: The literature review declared the choledocholithiasis caused by foreign bodies prefer the wrinkly and mainly comes from three parts: postoperative complications, foreign body ingestion, and post-war complications such as bullet injury and shrapnel wound. The Jonckheere-Terpstra test indicated the ERCP was currently the treatment of choice. It is a very singular case of choledocholithiasis caused by fishbone, and the present review is the first one concerning choledocholithiasis caused by foreign bodies all over the world.

External Validation of Different Scoring Systems for Suspected Choledocholithiasis.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The diagnosis of choledocholithiasis is challenging. Previously published scoring systems designed to calculate the risk of choledocholithiasis were evaluated to appraise the diagnostic performance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data of patients who were admitted between 2013 and 2015 with the following characteristics were retrieved: bile stone-related symptoms and signs, and indication to laparoscopic cholecystectomy. To validate and appraise the performance of the 6 scoring systems, the acknowledged domains of each metrics were applied to the present cohort. Sensitivity, specificity, positive, negative predictive, Youden index, and receiver operating characteristic curve with the area under the curve (AUC) values of the scores were calculated. RESULTS: Two-hundred patients were analyzed. The highest sensitivity and specificity were obtained from the Menezes' (96.6%) and Telem's (99.3%) metrics respectively. The Telem's and Menezes' scores had the best positive (75.0%) and negative (96.4%) predictive values respectively. The best accuracy, as computed by the Youden index and AUC, was found for the Soltan's scoring system (0.628 and 0.88, respectively). CONCLUSION: The available scoring systems are precise only in identifying patients with a negligible risk of common bile duct stone, but overall insufficiently accurate to suggest the routine use in clinical practice.

Predictors for choledocholitiasis in patients undergoing endoscopic ultrasound.

AIM: Biliary lithiasis is common in most western countries. Symptomatic patients will also have choledocholithiasis in 10% of the cases. For patients with intermediate probability of CBD stones, the recommended imaging studies are endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) or MRCP. This study aims to identify early factors that can be used as predictors for the presence of CBD stones, and by that to find which patient should undergo ERCP without an early EUS. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study including all patients who underwent EUS for suspected choledocholithiasis at the Soroka University Medical Center (SUMC) in the years 2009-2014. Data collection was performed by manual surveillance of patients' computerized files and data gathering after approval by the Soroka Institutional Review Board Results: One hundred seventy-five (175) patients were included in the study. The average age was 57, and 111 patients were women (64.2%). Sixty-two patients (35%) had common bile duct stones by EUS and underwent an ERCP. Eighty-two percent of those 62 patients were found to have CBD stones at ERCP. Patients found positive for CBD stones by EUS were older than those who were negative (52 vs. 71 respectively, p < .001). These patients were also found to have a higher prevalence of ischemic heart disease and congestive heart failure. Common bile duct dilatation ≥8mm and gallstones presence in abdominal ultrasonography were more common in patients found positive for CBD stones by EUS than in those who were found negative (45% vs. 24% p < .05, and 81% vs. 66% p < .05, respectively). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) serum levels higher than 300 IU/L were found to be the only independent predictor for the existence of CBD stones (OR = 2.98, p = .001(. When ALP serum levels lower than 150 IU/L or GGT lower than 150 IU/L were measured, the probability of having CBD stones was low (NPV of 90% and 87%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: ALP serum levels higher than 300 IU/L are an independent predictor for the presence of CBD stones. EUS is an excellent screening tool for choledocholithiasis before performing ERCP. In most patients who undergo an early EUS, a subsequent diagnostic ERCP will not be needed.

Prospective validation of an initial cholecystectomy strategy for patients at intermediate-risk of common bile duct stone.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Initial cholecystectomy for patients at intermediate risk of common bile duct (CBD) stones (including increased liver function tests but bilirubin <4 mg/dL and no cholangitis) showed shorter length of stay and fewer CBD investigations without increased morbidity compared with sequential CBD endoscopic assessment and subsequent cholecystectomy in a randomized controlled trial. The objectives were to prospectively validate these results in daily clinical practice and discuss current guidelines. METHODS: Initial cholecystectomy has become the standard management strategy at Geneva University Hospitals since July 2013 for patients at intermediate risk of CBD stones admitted with acute gallstone-related conditions. Between July 2013 and December 2014, length of stay, number of CBD investigations, and number of adverse events were recorded for these patients and compared with the data of the patients in the randomized controlled trial. RESULTS: Data for 161 consecutive newly assessed patients at intermediate risk of CBD stones confirmed shorter length of stay (7.6 vs 9.8 days; P < .001), fewer CBD investigations (0.8 vs 1.4 investigations per patient; P < .001), and similar adverse event rates (5.6% vs 14%, P = .14 including all adverse events; 3.1% vs 8%, P = .22 including only grade ≥III adverse events, defined by endoscopic/surgical reintervention or intensive care unit admission) compared with the previously reported group of patients who underwent preoperative CBD investigations. CONCLUSIONS: These data confirm that initial cholecystectomy results in a shorter length of stay without increased morbidity among patients at intermediate risk of CBD stones compared with sequential CBD assessment and subsequent cholecystectomy. This approach may change current guidelines.

Accuracy of ASGE high-risk criteria in evaluation of patients with suspected common bile duct stones.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: ERCP is recommended for patients considered high risk for choledocholithiasis after biochemical testing and abdominal US. Our aim was to determine whether the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) guidelines accurately select patients for whom the risk of ERCP is justified. METHODS: Consecutive patients hospitalized with suspected choledocholithiasis at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital who received biochemical testing, abdominal US, and definitive testing for choledocholithiasis (MRCP, EUS, ERCP, intraoperative cholangiogram, and/or common bile duct [CBD] exploration) were identified. Patients with choledocholithiasis on abdominal US, with bilirubin levels >4 mg/dL (normal values <1.2 mg/dL), bilirubin levels ≥1.8 mg/dL plus a dilated CBD and/or clinical cholangitis were considered high risk per ASGE guidelines. RESULTS: Of 2724 patients with suspected choledocholithiasis, 1171 (43%) met high-risk criteria. Definitive testing (MRCP in 2442 [90%], EUS in 67 [2%], ERCP in 659 [24%], intraoperative cholangiogram in 229 [8%], and CBD exploration in 447 [16%]) revealed choledocholithiasis in 1076 [40%] patients. The specificity of the ASGE high-risk criteria was 74% (95% confidence interval [CI], 72%-77%) and positive predictive value was 64% (95% CI, 61%-67%). Using a more restrictive criteria (choledocholithiasis on abdominal US, bilirubin >4 mg/dL plus dilated CBD) improved the specificity to 94% (95% CI, 93%-95%) and positive predictive value to 85% (95% CI, 82%-88%). Doubling or more of bilirubin to >4 mg/dL and ≥1.8 mg/dL at second testing had specificities of 98% (95% CI, 96%-99%) and 95% (95% CI, 93%-96%), with positive predictive values of 62% (95% CI, 48%-76%) and 54% (95% CI, 44%-65%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although ASGE high-risk criteria demonstrated >50% probability of the patient having choledocholithiasis, more than a third of the patients would receive diagnostic ERCPs. Criteria with choledocholithiasis on abdominal US and/or bilirubin levels >4 mg/dL plus a dilated CBD showed higher specificity and positive predictive value.

Severe Elevation of Liver Tests in Choledocholithiasis: An Uncommon Occurrence With Important Clinical Implications.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Choledocholithiasis is not commonly associated with dramatic elevations in aminotransferase or total serum bilirubin. Ours is the largest case series thus far studying the prevalence of dramatic elevations in liver tests associated with choledocholithiasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients with choledocholithiasis diagnosed on endoscopic retrograde pancreatocholangiogram at a tertiary referral hospital over 7 years. We identified 740 patients with available liver tests and determined the prevalence of aspartate aminotransferase (AST)/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) >1000 IU/L and of total serum bilirubin >10 mg/dL. We compared clinical characteristics of these 2 nonoverlapping groups. RESULTS: Of 740 patients, AST and/or ALT values >1000 IU/L were present in 45 (6.1%) patients. On average AST and ALT decreased 79% and 56%, respectively, at discharge 1 to 8 days later. Total serum bilirubin levels >10 mg/dL were present in 35 (4.7%) patients and decreased by an average of 64% at discharge 1 to 8 days later. When compared with the group with total serum bilirubin >10 mg/dL, the group with elevated aminotransferases had significantly more females (93% vs. 43%, P<0.001), had smaller common bile duct diameter (8.5 vs. 10.6 mm, P=0.04), and were more likely to have had a prior cholecystectomy (40% vs. 14%, P=0.01). These 80 patients had higher utilization of health resources: half had additional laboratory studies and one fourth had additional imaging studies performed. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with high AST and/or ALT and serum total bilirubin levels with known choledocholithiasis, elaborate work up to look for another etiology is not required. As long as the values decrease significantly, they do not need to be followed until they normalize in the same hospitalization.

The Efficacy of Clinical Predictors for Patients with Intermediate Risk of Choledocholithiasis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: For the suspected choledocholithiasis, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy has proposed guidelines to assign risk based on clinical predictors. The study aimed to assess the usefulness of clinical predictors of choledocholithiasis set forth by the guidelines in patients with intermediate risk of choledocholithiasis. METHODS: In 2014, 109 patients with intermediate risk of choledocholithiasis underwent endoscopic ultrasound. Their medical records were retrospectively reviewed. The gold standard for choledocholithiasis was endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or clinical follow-up. RESULTS: Based on endoscopic ultrasound findings, choledocholithiasis was suspected in 18 patients, and it was removed in 17 patients. Choledocholithiasis was absent in the remaining 91 who did not show any signs from endoscopic ultrasound. Among the 2 strong (common bile duct (CBD) diameter >6 mm and bilirubin 1.8-4 mg/dl) and 3 moderate (abnormal liver biochemical test other than bilirubin, age >55 years and gallstone pancreatitis) clinical predictors, 28.8% of patients with one of the strong predictors had choledocholithiasis; however, only 3.5% of patients with any one of the moderate predictors had choledocholithiasis. As a result, only strong clinical predictors showed predictability: increased bilirubin level (OR 3.23; 90% CI 0.85-12.28) and dilated CBD diameter (OR 5.83; 90% CI 1.93-17.57). CONCLUSION: Only strong clinical predictors of choledocholithiasis showed predictability for patients with intermediate risk of choledocholithiasis.

An assessment of existing risk stratification guidelines for the evaluation of patients with suspected choledocholithiasis.

BACKGROUND: Prior studies have demonstrated that existing risk stratification guidelines for the evaluation of suspected choledocholithiasis lack accuracy, leading to the overutilization of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The aim of our study was to evaluate the performance characteristics of published guidelines in predicting choledocholithiasis and to determine the impact of laboratory trends on diagnostic accuracy. METHODS: We identified patients with suspected choledocholithiasis hospitalized over a 5-year period (2009-2014) at a tertiary care academic medical center. Among eligible patients, we assessed the performance characteristics of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) guidelines predicting the presence of choledocholithiasis, confirmed by endoscopic ultrasound, magnetic resonance cholangiography, ERCP, or intra-operative cholangiography. We also evaluated whether a second set of liver function tests improved the accuracy of the guidelines. RESULTS: On presentation, 71 of the 173 eligible patients (41.4 %) met ASGE high-probability criteria for choledocholithiasis. Of these, only 39 (54.9 %) were found to have a choledocholithiasis on confirmatory testing. Conversely, of the 102 patients (58.6 %) who were classified as low or intermediate probability, 32 (31.4 %) had choledocholithiasis. Overall, the accuracy of the guidelines was 63 % (sensitivity 54.9 %; specificity 68.6 %). Incorporating a second set of laboratory tests did not improve accuracy (62.7 %), and a significant decline in liver function tests did not reliably predict spontaneous stone passage. CONCLUSIONS: Existing guidelines performed suboptimally for predicting choledocholithiasis in our patient population, similar to other validation studies. These findings further underscore the importance of developing alternate risk stratification tools for choledocholithiasis, aiming to minimize unnecessary diagnostic ERCP.

Use of Liver Function Tests as First-line Diagnostic Tools for Predicting Common Bile Duct Stones in Acute Cholecystitis Patients.

BACKGROUND: Prior studies have examined the use of liver function tests (LFT) for predicting the presence of common bile duct (CBD) stones in chronic cholecystitis (CC) patients. It is currently unclear whether LFT are also useful for predicting CBD stones in patients with acute cholecystitis (AC). METHODS: Of 1059 patients who visited an emergency room with gallbladder-related symptoms between March 2004 and December 2009, 854 patients were analyzed, and were divided into three groups (556 AC patients without CBD stones (AC - CBD), 98 AC patients with CBD stones (AC + CBD), and 200 CC patients without CBD stones). We compared the LFT values at admission and the changes in LFT values over time following admission among the three groups. RESULTS: The LFT values were significantly greater in the AC + CBD group than in the AC - CBD groups. Of all the LFT variables analyzed, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase was the most reliable variable for predicting the presence of CBD stones, with a sensitivity of 80.6 % and a specificity of 75.3 % at the cut-off level of 224 IU/L. The elevated LFT values decreased significantly from the start of the follow-up assessment to before cholecystectomy in the AC - CBD group, but were unchanged before stone removal in the AC + CBD group. CONCLUSION: The LFT values on initial admission and the changes in LFT values over time are reliable predictors of CBD stones in patients with AC.

Predicting the likelihood of a persistent bile duct stone in patients with suspected choledocholithiasis: accuracy of existing guidelines and the impact of laboratory trends.

BACKGROUND: Existing guidelines aim to stratify the likelihood of choledocholithiasis to guide the use of ERCP versus a lower-risk diagnostic study such as EUS, MRCP, or intraoperative cholangiography. OBJECTIVE: To assess the performance of existing guidelines in predicting choledocholithiasis and to determine whether trends in laboratory parameters improve diagnostic accuracy. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary-care hospital. PATIENTS: Hospitalized patients presenting with suspected choledocholithiasis over a 6-year period. INTERVENTIONS: Assessment of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) guidelines, its component variables, and laboratory trends in predicting choledocholithiasis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The presence of choledocholithiasis confirmed by EUS, MRCP, or ERCP. RESULTS: A total of 179 (35.9%) of the 498 eligible patients met ASGE high-probability criteria for choledocholithiasis on initial presentation. Of those, 99 patients (56.3%) had a stone/sludge on subsequent confirmatory test. Of patients not meeting high-probability criteria on presentation, 111 (34.8%) had a stone/sludge. The overall accuracy of the guidelines in detecting choledocholithiasis was 62.1% (47.4% sensitivity, 73% specificity) based on data available at presentation. The accuracy was unchanged when incorporating the second set of liver chemistries obtained after admission (63.2%), suggesting that laboratory trends do not improve performance. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective study, inconsistent timing of the second set of biochemical markers. CONCLUSION: In our cohort of patients, existing choledocholithiasis guidelines lacked diagnostic accuracy, likely resulting in overuse of ERCP. Incorporation of laboratory trends did not improve performance. Additional research focused on risk stratification is necessary to meet the goal of eliminating unnecessary diagnostic ERCP.

Clearance of refractory bile duct stones with Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy: higher failure rate in obese patients.

OBJECTIVE: Bile duct stones that cannot be removed endoscopically are still a challenge in interventional gastroenterology. Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) with subsequent endoscopic extraction of residual fragments is an established treatment option if other endoscopic means are not successful. Our study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of ESWL for clearance of refractory bile duct stones. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 73 consecutive patients treated for refractory choledocholithiasis with ESWL were retrospectively analyzed. Success and complication rates were calculated. RESULTS: Complete stone clearance was achieved in 66 cases (90%). Patients with complete clearance had a significantly lower body mass index or BMI (25.55 ± 5.01 kg/m² vs. 31.60 ± 6.26 kg/m², p = 0.035) and needed less ESWL treatments (3.61 ± 1.87 vs. 5.00 ± 1.63, p = 0.048). A relevant drop of hemoglobin occurred significantly more often in the group with partial clearance (43% vs. 6%, p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: ESWL proves to be an excellent clearing approach to refractory bile duct stones with high success rates. However, obesity is one risk factor for ESWL failure and higher procedural hazard.

Diagnostic yield of endoscopic ultrasonography in patients with intermediate or high likelihood of choledocholithiasis: a retrospective study from one university-based endoscopy center.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of choledocholithiasis requires clinical manifestations and imaging examination findings suggesting a stone in the common bile duct (CBD), but these factors are not highly sensitive or specific. The choledocholithiasis management algorithm proposed by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) may not be appropriate for patients who fulfill the clinical criteria for a high likelihood of choledocholithiasis. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) may replace endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for the detection of CBD stones in all patients. The aims of this study were to determine the diagnostic yield and optimal timing of EUS in patients with an intermediate or high likelihood of choledocholithiasis requiring therapeutic ERCP. METHODS: Patients with suspected choledocholithiasis who underwent EUS between June 2009 and January 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups based on the likelihood of choledocholithiasis according to the clinical predictors described by the ASGE guidelines: an intermediate likelihood group and a high likelihood group. The demographic data, clinical manifestations at presentation, blood test results, EUS and ERCP findings, and clinical manifestations during the follow-up period were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: Ninety-three patients were enrolled in the study (52.7% in the intermediate likelihood group and 47.3% in the high likelihood group). CBD stones were detected in 22.44% of patients in the intermediate likelihood group and 38.63% of patients in the high likelihood group. EUS had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 80% for detection of CBD stones. An alkaline phosphatase level of > 133 mg/dL (area under the curve, 0.576) was the only factor that was significantly associated with detection of CBD stones in patients who underwent EUS > 7 days after the initial clinical presentation (odds ratio 4.87, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: EUS is an accurate diagnostic tool for the detection of CBD stones, and can prevent the unnecessary use of ERCP. This study found that use of clinical criteria alone might not provide a good prediction of the presence of CBD stones, even in patients who fulfill the criteria for a high likelihood of choledocholithiasis.

Endosonography for Pancreatic Duct Dilatation without Definite Pathology on Ultrasonography.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Main pancreatic duct dilatation raises concerns about the possibility of pancreatobiliary malignancy. We evaluated the etiologic yield of endosonography (EUS) for main pancreatic duct dilatation without definite pathology on Ultrasonography (US). METHODOLOGY: A retrospective review was conducted in 54 consecutive patients referred for EUS. RESULTS: No pathological finding (37.0%, 20/54), followed by periampullary cancer (35.2%, 19/54), was the most common finding. Elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALK-P) and marked common bile duct (CBD) dilatation (≥ 12 mm) were the predictors of malignancy (p < 0.05). Among the 37 subjects with available ALK-P and CBD diameter, the probability of malignancy was 84.6% (11/13) for both elevated ALK-P and marked CBD dilatation, 16.7% (1/6) for isolated elevated ALK-P, 18.2% (2/11) for isolated marked CBD dilatation, and none (0/7) was for subjects with neither elevated ALK-P nor marked CBD dilatation, respectively. The overall accuracy of EUS for periampullary carcinomas was 94.7% (18/19) and for choledocholithiasis was 100% (7/7), respectively. EUS had a 100.0% (20/20) sensitivity and a 97.1% (33/34) specificity in the diagnosis of no pathological obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: EUS is accurate for main pancreatic duct dilatation without definite pathology on US, and the presence of concomitant elevated ALK-P and CBD dilatation highly suggests malignancy.

[Endosonography in diagnosis of choledocholithiasis].

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: In 38-80% patients with suspicion to choledocholithiasis were no stones in common bile duct (CBD) after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). ERCP is not safe procedure and has a risk of complications ranging 4-15%. The aim of our study was to estimate the diagnostic value and safety of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in CBD stones diagnosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In patients with medium probability of CBD stones (i.e. CBD ≤ 10 mm and/or bilirubin ≤ 2 times upper normal) was performed BUS with Pentax EG-3870UTK and Hitachi EUB-7000HV. From September 2012 till December 2013 it were done 72 investigations in patients with suspicion of CBD stones. RESULTS: After EUS suspicion for CBD stones were in 21 patients. Average size of hyperechoic defects was 5.6 ± 3.3 (2-12) mm. ERCP was performed in 20 of them. Stones were confirmed and removed in 18 patients, in 2 patients without stones it was found a stricture of terminal part of CBD. In 9 patients absence of stones was confirmed during laparoscopic cholecystectomy with IOC. Patients without indications to cholecystectomy were followed for six months and there were no additional investigations. It were no complications after EUS. EUS sensitivity was 100%, specificity--96.2%, PPV--90%, NPV--100%. CONCLUSION: EUS is effective tool for diagnosis of CBD stones in patients with medium probability of choledocholithiasis. It could be recommended as a first diagnostic step in these patients because the risk of complications is negligible.

[Changes of the hemostasis system in patients with obturation jaundice caused by choledocholithiasis, and possibilities of their correction with the help of miniinvasive operative interventions].

Changes in the hemostasis system in choledocholithiasis, taking into account the obturation jaundice severity and possibility of the correction conduction, using miniinvasive operative interventions, were studied. Dynamic of changes in the hemostasis system in patients preoperatively, in 1 and 3 days after endoscopic papillosphincterotomy were monitored, using the method of a low--rate piezoelectric thromboelastography. Basing on analysis of the results, the changes in hemostasis in obturation jaundice were classified, taking into account its degree of severity, what have permitted to select a correct tactics for prophylaxis of hemorrhagic complications intraoperatively and postoperatively.

[Estimation of endosonography method in the patients with moderate risk for choledocholithiasis].

Efficacy of endoultrasonography application in conditions of moderate risk for choledocholithiasis occurrence was estimated in 33 patients, in whom ultrasonography (US) did not reveal the common biliary duct concrements. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative prognostic values of the method in suspicion for choledocholithiasis presence while US performance have had constituted 78.6, 94.7, 82.0, 98.2 and 54.5%; vs for endoultrasonography--100, 94.4, 97, 93.8 and 100% accordingly. Endoultrasonography constitutes a safe and highly effective method of investigation in patients in suspicion of the biliary ducts disease presence, it permits to reveal choledocholithiasis in significant part of patients after ineffective US. This diagnostic option permits to reduce the need for performance of diagnostic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography.