Combined Percutaneous Transhepatic Lymphatic Embolization and Peroral Duodenal Mucosal Radiofrequency Ablation to Manage Protein-Losing Enteropathy.

Percutaneous transhepatic lymphatic embolization (PTLE) and peroral esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) duodenal mucosal radiofrequency ablation (RFA) were performed to manage protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). Five procedures were performed in 4 patients (M/F = 3/1, median age: 49 years [range 31-71 years]). Transhepatic lymphangiography demonstrated abnormal peri-duodenal lymphatic channels. After methylene blue injection through transhepatic access, subsequent EGD evaluation showed methylene blue extravasation at various sites in the duodenal mucosa. Endoscopic RFA of the leakage sites followed by PTLE using 3:1 ethiodized oil to n-butyl cyanoacrylate glue resulted in improved symptoms and serum albumin (pre-procedure: 2.6 g/dL ± 0.2; post-procedure: 3.5 g/dL ± 0.4, p=0.004) over a median follow-up of 16 months (range 5-20). Transhepatic lymphangiography and methylene blue injection with EGD evaluation of the duodenal mucosa can help diagnose PLE. Combined PTLE and EGD-RFA can be considered to treat patients with PLE.

Percutaneous Cystic Duct Interventions and Drain Internalization for Calculous Cholecystitis in Patients Ineligible for Surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, and outcomes of percutaneous cholecystostomy drain internalization in patients with calculous cholecystitis who were not surgical candidates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Percutaneous cystic duct interventions were attempted in 17 patients (with the intent to place dual cholecystoduodenal stents) who were deemed unfit for surgery and had previously undergone percutaneous cholecystostomies for acute calculous cholecystitis. Baseline demographics, technical success, time from percutaneous cholecystostomy to internalization (dual cholecystoduodenal stent placement), stent patency duration, and adverse event rates were evaluated. RESULTS: Fifteen (88%) of 17 procedures to cross the cystic duct were technically successful. Of these 17 patients, 13 (76%) underwent successful placement of dual cholecystoduodenal stents. Two of these 13 patients (who had successful dual cholecystoduodenal stent placement) needed repeat percutaneous cholecystostomy drains (1 patient had stent migration leading to recurrent cholecystitis, and the other had a perihepatic biloma). The 1-year patency rate was 77% (95% CI, 47%-100%). CONCLUSIONS: Dual cholecystoduodenal stent placement in nonsurgical patients is a technically feasible treatment option with the goal to remove percutaneous cholecystostomy drains.

How Endoscopic Guidance Augments Nonvascular Image-guided Interventions.

Endoscopy can improve guidance in nonvascular procedures performed by interventional radiologists (IRs). Historically, the major limiting factors preventing the widespread use of endoscopic tools by IRs were the large diameter (>20F) and length of the endoscopes. IRs had to significantly upsize their access into vascular organs such as the kidney and liver to allow endoscope placement. With the advent of newer endoscopes with sizes smaller than 11F (approximately 4 mm in diameter), percutaneous endoscopy has become more feasible than before. IRs routinely place percutaneous drains (eg, abscess drains, biliary drains, percutaneous nephrostomies, and percutaneous cholecystostomies). Once the drain is in position and the acute infection (if present) has resolved, the IR can use the percutaneous access to perform image-guided and endoscopically guided procedures, depending on the clinical situation. Most percutaneous image- and endoscopically guided interventions performed by IRs involve procedures for biliary and gallbladder pathologic conditions. Image-guided procedures with additional endoscopic guidance can also be used to manage urinary, gastrointestinal, and gynecologic pathologic conditions. The authors review the current applications and techniques of percutaneous endoscopy in interventional radiology. In unique situations, IRs can also perform endoscopy through natural orifices (eg, the urethra) or surgically created orifices (eg, urostomies). The authors also discuss the adjunctive techniques that are enhanced or made possible because of endoscopy in interventional radiology, including but not limited to endoscopic forceps biopsies, endobiliary ablation, laser stricturotomy, lithotripsy, and stone extraction. An invited commentary by Srinivasa is available online. Online supplemental material is available for this article. ©RSNA, 2022.

Percutaneous Endoscopy and Image-guided Retrieval of Dropped Gallstones - A Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent abscesses can happen due to dropped gallstones (DGs) after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Recognition and appropriate percutaneous endoscopy and image-guided treatment options can decrease morbidity associated with this condition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report a minimally invasive endoscopy and image-guided technique for retrieval of dropped gallstones in a series of 6 patients (M/F=3/3; median age: 75.5 years [68 to 82]) presenting with recurrent or chronic intra-abdominal abscesses secondary to dropped gallstones. Technical success was defined as the visualization and retrieval of all stones. DGs were identified on pre-procedure imaging. Number of abscesses recurrence was 12 (1/6), 1 (3/6), and 0 (2/6) with a median interval of 2 months (1 to 21) between cholecystectomy and abscess development. RESULTS: Percutaneous endoscopy and fluoroscopy guidance were utilized in all cases. Technical success was achieved in 4 patients (66%). The median procedure time was 65.8 minutes (39 to 136). The median fluoroscopy time and dose were 12.6 min (3.3 to 67) and 234 mGy (31 to 1457), respectively. There were no intraprocedure and postprocedure complications. No abscess recurrence was reported among successful procedures during a median follow-up of 193 days (51 to 308). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous image and endoscopy-guided lithotripsy/lithectomy are safe and effective. This technique is a suitable alternative to open surgery for dropped gallstones. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4, Case Series.

Percutaneous Biliary Interventions via the Modified Hutson Loop in Patients with Biliary-Enteric Anastomoses: A Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to present the institutional experience and algorithm for performing biliary interventions in liver transplant patients using the modified Hutson loop access (MHLA) and the impact of percutaneous endoscopy via the MHLA on these procedures. METHODS: Over 13 years, 201 MHLA procedures were attempted on 52 patients (45 liver transplants; 24 living and 21 deceased donors) for diagnostic (e.g., cholangiography) and therapeutic (e.g., stent/drain insertion and cholangioplasty) purposes. The most common indications for MHLA were biliary strictures (60%) and bile leaks (23%). Percutaneous endoscopy was used to directly visualize the biliary-enteric anastomosis, diagnose pathology (e.g., ischemic cholangiopathy), and help in biliary hygiene (removing debris/casts/stones/stents) in 138/201 (69%) procedures. Technical success was defined as cannulating the biliary-enteric anastomosis and performing diagnostic/therapeutic procedure via the MHLA. RESULTS: The technical success rate was 95% (190/201). The failure rate among procedures performed with and without endoscopy was 2% (3/138) versus 13% (8/63) (P = 0.0024), and the need for new transhepatic access (to aid the procedure) was 12% (16/138) versus 30% (19/63) (P = 0.001). Despite endoscopy, failure in 2% of the cases resulted from inflamed/friable anastomosis (1/3) and high-grade stricture (2/3) obstructing retrograde cannulation of biliary-enteric anastomosis. Major adverse events (bowel perforation and injury) occurred in 1% of the procedures, with no procedure-related mortality. CONCLUSIONS: MHLA-based percutaneous biliary intervention is a safe and effective alternative to managing complications after liver transplant. Percutaneous endoscopy via the MHLA improves success rates and may reduce the need for new transhepatic access. Level of Evidence Level 4.