"Biliary Diseases with Pancreatic Counterparts": Cross-sectional Imaging Findings.

On the basis of the similarities in the histopathologic findings and the clinical-biologic behaviors of select biliary and pancreatic conditions, a new disease concept, "biliary diseases with pancreatic counterparts," has been proposed. Both nonneoplastic and neoplastic pathologic conditions of the biliary tract have their counterparts in the pancreas. Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related sclerosing cholangitis is the biliary manifestation of IgG4-related sclerosing disease, and type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis is its pancreatic counterpart. People with chronic alcoholism can develop peribiliary cysts and fibrosis as well as pancreatic fibrosis and chronic pancreatitis simultaneously. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, and mucinous cystic neoplasm are considered pancreatic counterparts for the biliary neoplasms of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, intraductal papillary neoplasm of the biliary tract, and hepatic mucinous cystic neoplasm, respectively. The anatomic proximity of the biliary tract and the pancreas, the nearly simultaneous development of both organs from the endoderm of the foregut, and the presence of pancreatic exocrine acini within the peribiliary glands surrounding the extrahepatic bile ducts are suggested as causative factors for these similarities. Interestingly, these diseases show "nearly" identical findings at cross-sectional imaging, an observation that further supports this new disease concept. New information obtained with regard to biliary diseases can be used for evaluation of pancreatic abnormalities, and vice versa. In addition, combined genetic and molecular studies may be performed to develop novel therapeutic targets. For both biliary and pancreatic diseases, imaging plays a pivotal role in initial diagnosis, evaluation of treatment response, efficacy testing of novel drugs, and long-term surveillance.

Prospective evaluation of the International Study Group for Liver Surgery definition of bile leak after a liver resection and the role of routine operative drainage: an international multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: The International Study Group for Liver Surgery (ISGLS) proposed a definition for bile leak after liver surgery. A multicentre international prospective study was designed to evaluate this definition. METHODS: Data collected prospectively from 949 consecutive patients on specific datasheets from 11 international centres were collated centrally. RESULTS: Bile leak occurred in 69 (7.3%) of patients, with 31 (3.3%), 32 (3.4%) and 6 (0.6%) classified as grade A, B and C, respectively. The grading system of severity correlated with the Dindo complication classification system (P < 0.001). Hospital length of stay was increased when bile leak occurred, from a median of 7 to 15 days (P < 0.001), as was intensive care stay (P < 0.001), and both correlated with increased severity grading of bile leak (P < 0.001). 96% of bile leaks occurred in patients with intra-operative drains. Drain placement did not prevent subsequent intervention in the bile leak group with a 5-15 times greater risk of intervention required in this group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The ISGLS definition of bile leak after liver surgery appears robust and intra-operative drain usage did not prevent the need for subsequent drain placement.

[Endoscopic transpapillary interventions in diagnostics and treatment of patients with diseases of the pancreatobiliary area].

It was performed analysis of efficiency of endoscopic retrograde transpapillary interventions in diagnostics and treatment of 1513 patients with diseases of the pancreatobiliary area for the period 2008--2012. About half of patients had choledocholithiasis. There were tumors in 9.5% of patients. Associated diseases confirmed or first identified during transpapillary intervention (stricture + choledocholithiasis, cancer + choledocholithiasis, etc.) were revealed in 6.8% of patients. We used almost all types of endoscopic transpapillary techniques which are applies for biliary hypertension including retrograde cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic papillotomy, endoscopic mechanical lithoextraction and lithotripsy, nasobiliary drainage, bougienage, balloon dilatation, stenting and endoscopic contact electrohydraulic lithotripsy of calculus of common bile duct. Efficiency of endoscopic transpapillary interventions was 96.5%. Complications were observed in 4.3% of patients. Mortality rate was 0.06%.

Portal cholangiopathy: radiological classification and natural history.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Portal cholangiopathy (PC) is identified in over 80% of patients with portal vein thrombosis (PVT), but the true impact of this condition is not well known. This study investigated the relationship between cholangiographic abnormalities and clinical symptoms and their evolution over time. PATIENTS/METHODS: 67 consecutive patients with non-tumoral non-cirrhotic PVT following a standardised diagnostic protocol were studied. Findings at magnetic resonance angiography and cholangiography (MRA/MRC) were classified as no PC, grade I PC (minimal irregularities), grade II PC (stenosis without dilation) and grade III PC (stenosis with dilation). These changes were related to the presence of symptoms. RESULTS: 22 patients were diagnosed with acute PVT and 45 presented with chronic PVT. Overall, 52 patients had PC (6 grade I, 12 grade II and 34 grade III). 14 patients developed symptoms, all of whom had grade III PC. 30% of patients with acute PVT developed grade III PC within 1 year. In those without grade III PC, follow-up MRC showed no progression of the biliary lesions to grade III. The 5-year probability of developing symptoms of PC after acute PVT was 19%. In 45 patients with chronic PVT, MRA/MRC showed grade III PC in 26. In those without grade III PC, no progression of PC was observed at further follow-up MRC. The prevalence of symptoms of PC in these patients was 22%. CONCLUSIONS: PC is a frequent complication that develops and stabilises early after PVT and becomes symptomatic in its more severe form (grade III). These data suggest that follow-up MRA/MRC is not mandatory and strategies to prevent the development of symptoms of PC should be tested in patients with grade III PC.

Miami classification for probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy.

An essential element for any new advanced imaging technology is standardization of indications, terminology, categorization of images, and research priorities. In this review, we propose a state-of-the-art classification system for normal and pathological states in gastrointestinal disease using probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE). The Miami classification system is based on a consensus of pCLE users reached during a meeting held in Miami, Florida, in February 2009.

[Biliary pathology. Key aspects of the problem].

Based on the clinical experience gained in the Department of Pathology biliary tract, Central Research Institute of Gastroenterology, were reviewed key aspects of biliary pathology on the issues of classification, diagnosis, treatment, and tactics for management of patients with various diseases of the biliary tract.

Proliferative and nonproliferative lesions of the rat and mouse hepatobiliary system.

The INHAND Project (International Harmonization of Nomenclature and Diagnostic Criteria for Lesions in Rats and Mice) is a joint initiative of the Societies of Toxicologic Pathology from Europe (ESTP), Great Britain (BSTP), Japan (JSTP) and North America (STP) to develop an internationally-accepted nomenclature for proliferative and non-proliferative lesions in laboratory animals. The purpose of this publication is to provide a standardized nomenclature and differential diagnosis for classifying microscopic lesions observed in the hepatobiliary system of laboratory rats and mice, with color microphotographs illustrating examples of some lesions. The standardized nomenclature presented in this document is also available for society members electronically on the internet (http://goreni.org). Sources of material included histopathology databases from government, academia, and industrial laboratories throughout the world. Content includes spontaneous and aging lesions as well as lesions induced by exposure to test materials. A widely accepted and utilized international harmonization of nomenclature for lesions of the hepatobiliary system in laboratory animals will decrease confusion among regulatory and scientific research organizations in different countries and provide a common language to increase and enrich international exchanges of information among toxicologists and pathologists.

[Current aspects of diseases biliary tract in childhood].

This article describes the current status of the issue of biliary tract disease in children. There were shown current differences according to age-appropriate. Was presented a new structure of the bile-excreting system diseases, among them dysfunction of the gallbladder and Oddi's sphincter, bile duct abnormalities, biliary sludge, cholelithiasis; cholesterosis of the gall bladder isn't casuistry. Was established necessity of modern intrascope research methods for the differential diagnosis of these diseases. Were identified promising areas of study of biliary tract diseases in childhood.

[Major achievements of biliary science for 40 years].

The review presents data on major achievements in the field of biliary pathology studies for the past 40 years. The article consists of several sections: choleresis and biliary excretion, pathogenesis, clinical picture, diagnostics and treatment. The article also discloses major achievements in biliary pathology studies of both foreign and native researchers including the contribution made by researchers from the Central Research Institute of Gastroenterology. In vitro study of the acid neutralizing effect of antiacid drugs.

Classification of pancreaticobiliary maljunction and clinical features in children.

BACKGROUND: In 2015, the Committee on Diagnostic Criteria of the Japanese Study Group on Pancreaticobiliary Maljunction (PBM) proposed a classification of PBM into four types: (A) stenotic type, (B) non-stenotic type, (C) dilated channel type, and (D) complex type. To validate this classification and clarify the clinical features of the four types of PBM, a retrospective multicenter study was conducted. METHODS: The study group of 317 children with PBM was divided into the four types of PBM. Clinical features, preoperative complications, operations, and postoperative pancreatic complications were evaluated. RESULTS: All patients underwent excision of the extrahepatic bile duct. In type A, the age was younger and there was a higher incidence of cystic dilatation. Non-dilatation of the common bile duct was frequently seen in type B. Abdominal pain with hyperamylasemia was frequently seen in types B and C. In particular, the incidence of protein plugs and biliary perforation was high in type C (56.1% and 14.3%, respectively). The overall incidence of acute pancreatitis was 7.3%. Pancreatitis after excisional surgery was rare in the children in this study. Two patients with type D (0.6%) developed chronic pancreatitis postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: This proposed classification is simple and correlates well with clinical features.

Biliary complications following liver transplantation: single-center experience.

Biliary complications (BC) following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) remain one of the major causes of postoperative complications and treatment failures. The list of common BC consists of biliary stricture, fistula, ischemic type biliary lesions (ITBL), cholangitis, and bile leakage following T-drain removal. Between July 2000 and December 2004, 101 consecutive cadaveric OLTs were performed in our institution. All but three were first full-size grafts. Seventeen patients were transplanted from the urgent list, the remaining 84 (83.16%) from the elective list. All but three patients had a choledochocholedochostomy over a straight drain. Bile cultures were taken routinely. The bile drain was removed following cholangiography 6 weeks after OLT. All patients received antibiotic prophylaxis. Ursodeoxycholic acid was used in selected cases. During the first 6 weeks positive bile cultures in absence of clinical and biochemical symptoms of cholangitis were found in 61 (60.4%) cases. Symptomatic cholangitis requiring antibiotic treatment was observed in 19 (18.8%) patients during the first 6 weeks. Two patients required endoscopic sphincterotomy and temporary stenting due to anastomotic stricture (1) or papilla of Vater fibrosis (1). Bile leakage following drain removal was observed in 8 (7.9%) patients. Five of them were treated conservatively, the remaining 3 (2.9%) required surgery (lavage) and stenting. In one case extrahepatic bile duct necrosis was diagnosed requiring reconstruction of the biliary anastomosis. No case of ITBL, bile leak at the anastomostic site, or stricture requiring surgical repair was noted. Despite the high incidence of positive bile cultures most likely related to use of a drain, the overall number of BC was low.

Microbiological Assessment of Bile and Corresponding Antibiotic Treatment: A Strobe-Compliant Observational Study of 1401 Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiographies.

The aim of this study was to determine the antibiotic susceptibility profiles of bacteria in bile samples and to analyze the clinical relevance of the findings as only limited information about risk factors for elevated frequence of bacterial and fungal strains in routinely collected bile samples has been described so far.A prospective cohort study at a tertiary care center was conducted. Seven hundred forty-four patients underwent 1401 endoscopic retrograde cholangiographies (ERCs) as indicated by liver transplantation (427/1401), primary sclerosing cholangitis (222/1401), choledocholithiasis only (153/1401), obstruction due to malignancy (366/1401), or other conditions (233/1401). Bile samples for microbiological analysis were obtained in all patients.The 71.6% (823/1150) samples had a positive microbiological finding, and 57% (840/1491) of the bacterial isolates were gram-positive. The main species were Enterococcus spp (33%; 494/1491) and Escherichia coli (12%; 179/1491). Of the samples, 53.8% had enteric bacteria and 24.7% had Candida spp; both were associated with clinical and laboratory signs of cholangitis (C-reactive proteins 35.0 ±â€Š50.1 vs 44.8 ±â€Š57.6; 34.5 ±â€Š51.2 vs 52.9 ±â€Š59.7; P < 0.001), age, previous endoscopic intervention, and immunosuppression. Multi-resistant (MR) strains were found in 11.3% of all samples and were associated with clinical and laboratory signs of cholangitis, previous intervention, and immunocompromised status. In subgroup analysis, strain-specific antibiotic therapy based on bile sampling was achieved in 56.3% (89/158) of the patients. In cases with a positive bile culture and available blood culture, blood cultures were positive in 29% of cases (36/124), and 94% (34/36) of blood cultures had microbial species identical to the bile cultures.Bactobilia and fungobilia can usually be detected by routine microbiological sampling, allowing optimized, strain-specific antibiotic treatment. Previous endoscopic intervention, clinical and laboratory signs of cholangitis, and age are independent risk factors. MR bacteria and fungi are an evolving problem in cholangitis, especially in immunocompromised patients.

T-tube removal after liver transplantation: a new technique that reduces biliary complications.

This article discusses a new simple, fast, and easily performed technique that allows reduction of morbidity and hospital stay after T-tube removal. A retrospective analysis was conducted of 145 recipients who underwent T-tube removal 3 months after orthotopic liver transplantation. Patients were divided in two groups: group 1 (n=93) underwent T-tube removal and contemporary placement under fluoroscopic guidance of a counter-drain. Group 2 (n=52) T-tubes were removed from the bile duct under fluoroscopy but were left in place as a counter-drain. Overall, there were 33 (22.7%) complications related to T-tube removal. Treatment was always conservative and no deaths were related to T-tube. In group 1, 29 (31.2%) complications occurred; and the mean hospital stay was 9.4+/-9.3 days. In group 2, four complications (7.7%) occurred (P=0.002); and the mean hospital stay was 5.8+/-5.5 days (P=0.012). The adoption of this new technique-under fluoroscopic guidance, using the T-tube itself as a counter-drain-for T-tube removal allowed us to significantly reduce biliary complications and hospital stay.

Long-term results of metallic stents for benign biliary strictures.

BACKGROUND: Historically, surgical correction has been the treatment of choice for benign biliary strictures (BBS). Self-expandable metallic stents (MSs) have been useful for inoperable malignant biliary strictures; however, their use for BBS is controversial and their natural history unknown. HYPOTHESIS: To test our hypothesis that MSs provide only short-term benefit, we examined the long-term outcome of MSs for the treatment of BBS. Our goal was to develop a rational approach for treating BBS. DATA EXTRACTION: Between July 1990 and December 1995, 15 patients had MSs placed for BBS and have been followed up for a mean of 86.3 months (range, 55-120 months). The mean age of the patients was 66.6 years and 12 were women. Stents were placed for surgical injury in 5 patients and underlying disease in 10 patients (lithiasis, 7; pancreatitis, 2; and primary sclerosing cholangitis, 1). One or more MSs (Gianturco-Rosch "Z" for 4 patients and Wallstents for 11 patients) were placed by percutaneous, endoscopic, or combined approaches. We considered patients to have a good clinical outcome if the stent remained patent, they required 2 or fewer invasive interventions, and they had no biliary dilation on subsequent imaging. DATA SYNTHESIS: Metallic stents were successfully placed in all 15 patients, and the mean patency rate was 30.6 months (range, 7-120 months). Five patients (33%) had a good clinical result with stent patency from 55 to 120 months. Ten patients (67%) required more than 2 radiologic and/or endoscopic procedures for recurrent cholangitis and/or obstruction (range, 7-120 months). Five of the 10 patients developed complete stent obstruction at 8, 9, 10, 15, and 120 months and underwent surgical removal of the stent and bilioenteric anastomosis. Four of these 5 patients had strictures from surgical injuries. The patient who had surgical removal 10 years after MS placement developed cholangiocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical repair remains the treatment of choice for BBS. Metallic stents should only be considered for poor surgical candidates, intrahepatic biliary strictures, or failed attempts at surgical repair. Most patients with MSs will develop recurrent cholangitis or stent obstruction and require intervention. Chronic inflammation and obstruction may predispose the patient to cholangiocarcinoma.

Congenital bile duct cysts: Classification, operative procedures, and review of thirty-seven cases including cancer arising from choledochal cyst.

Congenital bile duct cysts are observed in any part of the bile duct from the liver to the duodenum. Reports of cases of cancer arising from it are increasing. Excision of the choledochal cyst seems to be the treatment of choice and partial resection of the intrahepatic cyst followed by intrahepatic cystoenterostomy at the porta hepatis is necessary for type IV-A cysts.

Choledochal cysts. A review of the cystic anomalies of the biliary tree.

Congenital cysts of the biliary tree, although uncommon, are being reported in increasing numbers. The widely accepted classification would seem to warrant modification in the light of recent observations. The clinical spectrum of the condition is reviewed, together with the surgical approach to treatment and its indications and complications.