Spontaneous perforation of the common bile duct in a pediatric patient. Case report and short review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Spontaneous perforation of the common bile duct is rare. The cause is usually unknown, although it is sometimes related to the malformation of the bile duct. CLINICAL CASE: Female of 1 year, with abdominal distention, hyporexia and fever, tomography with ascites, surgical findings included retroperitoneal bilioma, peritonitis and perforation of common bile duct. Block resection and primary hepato-duodenal anastomosis were performed. DISCUSSION: Spontaneous perforation of the common bile duct tend to evolve insidiously and delay in diagnosis is frequent. Surgical management is decisive, and there are different techniques described. CONCLUSION: A high index of suspicion is important, treatment must be individualized according to each patient.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La perforación espontánea del colédoco es rara. La causa generalmente se desconoce, aunque en ocasiones guarda relación con una malformación de la vía biliar. CASO CLÍNICO: Niña de 1 año, con distensión abdominal, hiporexia y fiebre, tomografía con ascitis, se interviene y se encuentra bilioma retroperitoneal, peritonitis y perforación de colédoco. Se realiza resección en bloque y anastomosis hepatoduodenal primaria. DISCUSIÓN: La perforación espontánea del colédoco tiende a evolucionar insidiosamente y el retraso en el diagnóstico es frecuente. El manejo quirúrgico es resolutivo; existen distintas técnicas descritas. CONCLUSIÓN: Es importante un alto índice de sospecha. El tratamiento se debe individualizar en cada paciente.

Fasciola hepatica in the common bile duct: spyglass visualization and endoscopic extraction.

We report the case of a 60-year-old Peruvian female who was admitted with abdominal pain and jaundice. Cholangioscopy revealed a leaf-like trematode, Fasciola hepatica. This trematode was extracted with a Dormia's basket via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).

[Surgical treatment for liver haematoma following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography; An unusual case]. / Tratamiento quirúrgico para hematoma subcapsular hepático posterior a colangiografía retrógrada endoscópica; caso inusual.

BACKGROUND: Even in expert hands, there can be serious complications when performing an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. The most frequent complications are pancreatitis, cholangitis, bleeding, perforation, and acute cholecystitis. The hepatic subcapsular haematoma is a rare complication, with few cases described worldwide. OBJECTIVE: A case is presented of an extremely rare complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, which required surgical treatment for its resolution without success. This is second case of mortality reported in the literature. CLINICAL CASE: Female patient of 30 years old, with indication for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography due to benign strictures. A hydro-pneumatic dilation and stent placement of 2 gauge 10 fr was performed. She presented abdominal pain after the procedure and significant decline in haemoglobin with no evidence of haemodynamic instability so an abdominal tomography scan was performed, showing no evidence of liver injury. The patient was haemodynamic unstable within 72 h. A laparotomy was required for damage control, with fatal outcome in the intensive care unit due to multiple organ failure. CONCLUSION: Subcapsular hepatic haematoma after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is a rare complication, with few cases reported in the literature. Treatment described in the literature is conservative, resulting in a satisfactory resolution.

Estenosis crítica de conducto hepático común por anillo vascular: reporte de un caso / Common bile duct stricture caused by vascular ring: A case report

Introduction: The most common congenital malformations of the bile duct are biliary atresia and choledochal cyst. In addition, the most common liver anatomical variation is the right hepatic artery aberration. The goal of this study is to characterize a patient with this disease and propose the hepatoduodenal anastomosis as surgical treatment. Case report: One-month-old patient with suspected congenital biliary atresia due to progressive jaundice and acholia since birth. Liver tests consistent with a cholestatic pattern and brain MRI scan consistent with biliary atresia. Periods of decreased bilirubin and sporadic slight pigmentation of depositions were described. The surgical finding was a bile duct stricture due to a vascular ring caused by aberrant right hepatic artery. Resection of bile duct and hepatic-duodenal bypass were performed. The patient evolved satisfactorily from this condition. Conclusion: There are few reports of biliary obstruction due to vascular malformations. It is important to keep in mind that not all neonatal jaundice episodes are caused by biliary atresia or choledo-chal cyst. The clinical course, laboratory tests and imaging should be considered and in the case of suspicion, further exploration should take place.

Introducción: Las malformaciones congénitas de la vía biliar más frecuentes son la atresia de vías biliares y quiste de colédoco. Por otro lado, la variante anatómica hepática más común es la aberración de la arteria hepática derecha. El objetivo es caracterizar un paciente portador de esta patología y plantear la hepato-duodeno anastomosis como tratamiento quirúrgico. Caso clínico: Paciente de 1 mes de edad, con sospecha de Atresia de Vía Biliar congénita por ictericia progresiva y acolia desde recién nacido. Pruebas hepáticas concordantes con un patrón colestásico y resonancia magnética compatible con atresia de vías biliares. Evolucionó con períodos de descenso de bilirrubina y leve pigmentación, esporádica, de deposiciones. El hallazgo quirúrgico fue una estenosis crítica de vía biliar a nivel del conducto hepático común debido a un anillo vascular por una arteria hepática derecha aberrante. Se realizó una sección de vía biliar y una derivación hepato-duodenal. Evolucionó con una resolución completa de su patología. Conclusión: Existen pocos reportes de obstrucción de vía biliar por malformaciones vasculares. Es importante tener presente que no todas las ictericias neonatales son por atresia de vías biliares o quiste de colédoco. Se debe considerar la evolución clínica, laboratorio e imágenes, y si existen sospechas, explorar.

[Common bile duct stricture caused by vascular ring: a case report]. / Estenosis crítica de conducto hepático común por anillo vascular: reporte de un caso.

INTRODUCTION: The most common congenital malformations of the bile duct are biliary atresia and choledochal cyst. In addition, the most common liver anatomical variation is the right hepatic artery aberration. The goal of this study is to characterize a patient with this disease and propose the hepatoduodenal anastomosis as surgical treatment. CASE REPORT: One-month-old patient with suspected congenital biliary atresia due to progressive jaundice and acholia since birth. Liver tests consistent with a cholestatic pattern and brain MRI scan consistent with biliary atresia. Periods of decreased bilirubin and sporadic slight pigmentation of depositions were described. The surgical finding was a bile duct stricture due to a vascular ring caused by aberrant right hepatic artery. Resection of bile duct and hepatic-duodenal bypass were performed. The patient evolved satisfactorily from this condition. CONCLUSION: There are few reports of biliary obstruction due to vascular malformations. It is important to keep in mind that not all neonatal jaundice episodes are caused by biliary atresia or choledochal cyst. The clinical course, laboratory tests and imaging should be considered and in the case of suspicion, further exploration should take place.

Mirizzi: o homem e a síndrome / Mirizzi: the man and the syndrome

A síndrome de Mirizzi é uma importante complicação da doença calculosa biliar. Pablo Luís Mirizzi, de Córdoba, Argentina, descreveu uma condição hoje conhecida como síndorme de Mirizzi, em 1948. Ele dedicou sua vida à Cirurgia e aos estudantes.

Mirizzi syndrome is an important complication of gallstone disease. Pablo Luís Mirizzi, from Córdoba, Argentina, described a condition now know as the Mirizzi syndrome, in 1948. He dedicated his life to surgery and his students.

Reconstrucción de lesiones de la vía biliar principal: la evolución hacia la técnica de Hepp-Couinaud / Surgical repair of bile duct injuries: experience in 25 patients

Background: Bile duct injury (BDI) is a complex problem, where adequate reconstruction has an impact on quality of life of patients. Aim: To describe the experience and results of bile duct reconstruction in BDI at reference center. Material and Methods: Retrospective review of 25 patients aged 44 +/- 14 (76 percent females) with BDI that were subjected to a surgical repair in a regional hospital between January 2000 and June 2009. The protocol, repair technique and postoperative morbidity and mortality are described. Results: In 40 percent of cases, the injury occurred during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The repair was performed using a Roux-en-Y hepato-jejunostomy (RYHJ) in 20 patients. In 14 patients (70 percent), the modified Hepp-Couinaud technique was used. Thirty two percent of patients had postoperative complications and one patient died due to a sepsis and liver failure. One patient presented RYHJ stenosis that was managed with percutaneous dilatation. Conclusions: The majority of patients of this series were managed using a RYHJ with the Hepp-Couinaud technique, with acceptable results in terms of postoperative morbidity and stenosis.

Introducción: La lesión de vía biliar (LVB) es una complicación de enfrentamiento complejo, donde una adecuada reconstrucción tiene impacto en la calidad de vida de los pacientes. Objetivo: Describir la experiencia y resultados de la reconstrucción de via biliar por LVB en un centro de referencia. Material y Método: Diseño de estudio: Cohorte retrospectiva. Período de estudio: Enero de 2000 a Junio de 2009. Población: Pacientes mayores de 18 años con LVB que fueron sometidas a reconstrucción de vía biliar por el equipo de cirugía hepatopancreática y biliar del Hospital Regional de Temuco. Maniobra: Se describe el protocolo de evaluación y la técnica de reconstrucción. Resultados: La cohorte está constituida por 25 pacientes. La edad promedio es 44 +/- 13,7 años y el 76 por ciento género femenino. La lesión se produjo más frecuentemente en una colecistectomía laparoscópica (40 por ciento). La reparación se ha realizado con hepaticoyeyuno anastomosis en Y de Roux (HPYA) en 20 pacientes, utilizando la técnica de Hepp-Couinaud modificada en el 70 por ciento de ellos. Ocho pacientes presentaron alguna morbilidad asociada a la reparación y un paciente falleció en el postoperatorio. Un paciente presentó estenosis de HPYA cuya terapia fue dilataciones por vía percutanea. Conclusión: La HPYA con técnica de Hepp-Couinaud es la técnica más utilizada por nuestro equipo en la reconstrucción de vía biliar por LVB con resultados aceptables en términos de morbilidad postoperatoria y estenosis.

[Difficulty to cannulate papilla of Vater in the presence of periampullary duodenal diverticulum]. / Grado de dificultad para canular papila de Vater en presencia de divertículo duodenal periampular.

BACKGROUND: There are conflicting results in the literature regarding the impact of duodenal diverticula on the technical success and complications of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). AIM: To evaluate if the presence of periampullary duodenal diverticulum increases the risk of failure of ampulla cannulation. METHODS: Patients who underwent ERCP between January 2008 and December 2009 were evaluated. They were divided in group A (without duodenal diverticulum) or group B (with duodenal diverticulum). Gender, age, endoscopic and radiological diagnosis, difficulty to cannulate, endoscopic sphincterotomy, precut technique, therapeutic procedure and complications were documented. RESULTS: 1159 patients were included: 1100 in group A and 59 in group B. A successful cannulation was obtained in 1061 patients of group A and 53 of group B (96.46 vs. 89.83%, p < 0.0001, OR 0.03). The failure of cannulation was observed in 39 patients of group A and 6 of group B (3.54 vs. 10.17%, p= 0.021, OR 2.94). The presence of intradiverticular papilla was the cause of failure in all cases. The therapeutic procedures showed statistical differences in choledocholithiasis clearance as well as endoscopic sphincterotomy and biliary stents insertion, but there was no significant difference in complications. We found statistical significant differences in biliary lithiasis, malignant stenosis, mechanical lithotripsy and insertion of biliary stents. CONCLUSIONS: Periampullary duodenal diverticula increase the risk of failure for cannulation of ampulla. However, it should not be considered as contraindication for ERCP.

Endoscopic biliary large-balloon dilation after endoscopic sphincterotomy for the treatment of large common bile duct stones. Case report.

Common bile duct (CBD) stones extraction is usually performed by endoscopic sphincterotomy followed by removal by either a Dormia basket or extraction balloon catheter. However, some stones due to their size are not amenable to these procedures and extracorporeal or mechanical lithotripsy devices need to be used. Mechanical lithotripsy involves usage of a basket that will be inevitably destroyed which increases cost to the patient and endoscopy unit. The use of extracorporeal wave shock lithotripsy is an alternative; however it is not available widely. Reports about the use of hydrostatic large caliber balloon dilator (HLCBD) aiding in the extraction of large caliber CBD stones have concluded that is a safe and feasible therapeutic alternative. We present the case of a 25 mm x 30 mm CBD stone that could not be extracted using conventional methods. CBD dilation using HLCBD was performed after endoscopic sphincterotomy in an attempt to avoid mechanical lithotripsy.

Parásitos de fasciola hepática intracoledociano / Common bile duct fasciolasis: report of one case

La fasciolasis es una enfermedad parasitaria producida por el tremátodo digeneo Fasciola hepática. Durante la fase crónica de la enfermedad los parásitos pueden entran en los conductos biliares, y ser causa de ictericia obstructiva, colangitis, pancreatitis y otras complicaciones. Se presenta el caso clínico de una paciente intervenida por sospecha de colelitiasis y colédocolitiasis, a la cual durante la exploración coledociana intraoperatoria le fueron extraídos múltiples parásitos adultos de Fasciola hepática. Este hallazgo sólo fue aclarado posteriormente en la biopsia diferida. Se realiza una revisión breve del tema, métodos de diagnóstico, tratamiento médico y alternativas quirúrgicas de tratamiento.

Fasciolasis is a zoonotic disease caused by the digenean trematode Fasciola hepatica. During the chronic phase of the disease the parasites invade the main biliary ducts, causing obstructive jaundice, cholangitis, pancreatitis and other complications. We report a 75 years old female, operated due to the suspicion of a choledocholithiasis. During the exploration of the choledochus, adult F. hepatica parasites were extracted. The pathology report of the parasites confirmed the diagnosis.

The relationship of Mirizzi syndrome and cholecystoenteric fistula: validation of a modified classification.

BACKGROUND: Mirizzi syndrome and cholecystoenteric fistula with or without gallstone ileus are late complications of gallstone disease. We previously suggested that the natural history of Mirizzi syndrome may not end with just a cholecystobiliary fistula and that the continuous inflammation in the triangle of Calot area may result in a complex fistula involving the biliary tract and the adjacent viscera. The purpose of this study was to establish the relationship of Mirizzi syndrome with cholecystoenteric fistulas. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of all patients older than aged 18 years submitted to emergency or elective cholecystectomy from 1995 to 2006. Of 5,673 cholecystectomies performed during that period, we found 327 (5.7%) patients with Mirizzi syndrome and 105 (1.8%) patients with cholecystoenteric fistula. Ninety-four (89.5%) patients with cholecystoenteric fistula also had an associated Mirizzi syndrome. RESULTS: Cholecystoenteric fistula was associated with Mirizzi syndrome (p < 0.0001), increased age was associated with Mirizzi syndrome and cholecystoenteric fistula (p < 0.0001), and female gender was associated with Mirizzi syndrome (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: When during surgery for gallstone disease a cholecystoenteric fistula is encountered, the possibility of an associated Mirizzi syndrome must be considered. The findings of this study confirm the association of Mirizzi syndrome with cholecystoenteric fistula.

Mirizzi syndrome in a patient with anomalous connection of the cystic duct into the right hepatic duct.

In 1948, Mirizzi described a syndrome characterized as the obstruction of the common hepatic duct by a stone located in the gallbladder's neck or in the cystic duct. We present a rare case of Mirizzi syndrome resulting from a fistula involving the cystic duct, the neck of the gallbladder, and the right hepatic duct. This finding was possible because the patient had a rare biliary anatomic variation: the insertion of the cystic duct straight in the right hepatic duct. The diagnosis was suggested by abdominal ultrasonography and confirmed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. The surgical approach was performed by means of an open cholecystectomy, common biliary duct exploration using the right hepatic duct and a transduodenal papillotomy, and insertion of a long limb T-tube through the right hepatic duct to drain the common duct. The procedure was successful, and after an 18-month period, the patient is free of symptoms.

Guidewire cannulation reduces risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis and facilitates bile duct cannulation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if using a soft-tipped guidewire to cannulate the common bile duct may ameliorate development of post-ERCP pancreatitis and facilitate cannulation of the CBD. DESIGN AND SETTING: A single-center, blinded, randomized trial of conventional cannulation technique using sphinctertome and contrast injection versus guidewire cannulation technique. METHODS: We prospectively randomized 300 patients to conventional cannulation (group I) or guidewire cannulation (group II) technique. OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome measure was incidence of acute pancreatitis and secondary outcome measures were ease of cannulation of common bile duct (assessed by attempts required for common bile duct cannulation & rates of precut sphincterotomy) and overall complication rates. RESULTS: Guidewire cannulation was associated with significantly lower likelihood of post-ERCP pancreatitis (adjusted OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.21-0.89, P= 0.02). Twenty-five patients (16.6%) in group I and thirteen patients (8.6%) in group II developed acute pancreatitis, P= 0.037. All instances of pancreatitis were mild. There were more women in group II; 41 in group I and 59 in group II, P= 0.028. Otherwise the two groups were comparable for age, age under 35 yr, indication for ERCP, diagnosis, and number of patients with SOD. The number of patients requiring 0-3, 4-6, and 7-10 attempts for successful cannulation of the common bile duct were 87, 48, and 15 in group I and 117, 24, and 9 in group II, respectively, P= 0.001. A total of 33 patients in group I and 13 patients in group II required precut sphincterotomy, P= 0.007. Rates of accidental pancreatic duct cannulation were 21 in group I and 27 in group II, P= 0.34. Rates of overall complication were not significantly different in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Guidewire technique for bile duct cannulation lowers likelihood of post-ERCP pancreatitis by facilitating cannulation and reducing need for precut sphincterotomy.

Experiencia en tratamiento del síndrome de Mirizzi / Mirizzi Syndrome

Antecedentes: Los trastornos del drenaje del árbol biliar, agrupados bajo la denominación de Síndrome de Mirizzi (SM), resultan de alteraciones de la unión cístico-coledociana debidas a procesos inflamatorios secundarios a cálculos biliares. Los cambios anatómicos pueden facilitar lesiones de la vía biliar durante la colecistectomía. Material y Método: 32 casos de SM fueron intervenidos entre 1994 y 2004 sobre un total de 3250 colecistectomías; estos casos fueron seleccionados para un estudio descriptivo y retrospectivo que estudia la frecuencia, características clínicas, diagnóstico, táctica quirúrgica y resultados inmediatos. Resultados: La frecuencia del SM es del 1 por ciento; la serie comprende 3 varones y 29 mujeres con edad media de 48 años (r 23-84). Treinta pacientes refirieron dolor cólico, 22 ictericia y 18 fiebre. En 25 de ellos se comprobó hiperbilirrubinemia. La ecografía mostró colecistolitiasis en todos y dilatación de las vías biliares en 18 casos. Siete pacientes tenían lesión de tipo I, 19 de tipo II; 2 de tipo III y 4 pacientes tipo IV (Clasificación de Csendes). En las lesiones de tipo I y II se realizó la colecistectomía: en 2 de ellos se asoció una plastia del colédoco. En las lesiones tipo III se practicó la derivación bilio-digestiva. En las de tipo IV, se efectuaron 2 anastomosis bilio-digestivas y 2 plastias de la vía biliar. Fallecieron 2 pacientes por complicaciones sépticas. Conclusión: El SM fue encontrado en una ocasión por cada 100 colecistectomías; el diagnóstico preoperatorio es difícil; el laboratorio y la ecografía orientan poco. En el adulto mayor, con ictericia obstructiva reciente, la colangiografía se revela fundamental antes de la colecistectomía.

[Pneumobilia. A case report]. / Neumobilia. Informe de un caso.

Pneumobilia, gas within the biliary tract, is due to an abnormal connection between the gastrointestinal tract and the biliary tract and is considered a serious pathology usually requiring surgical intervention. Most cases of pneumobilia are related to gallstone disease, and spontaneous biliary-enteric fistula is reported to be the most common cause of pneumobilia. Another well-documented cause of pneumobilia is a surgically created anastomosis between the biliary tract and the bowel, the Whipple procedure, and choledocho-jejunostomy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with papillosphincterotomy or surgical transduodenal sphincteroplasty. Transient incompetence of the sphincter of Oddi, gas-forming infections, and trauma have also been reported to cause pneumobilia. We present the case of a 74-year-old woman with asymptomatic cholelithiasis, pneumobilia and cholecystoduodenal fistula treated with cholecystectomy, fistula closure with Graham patch, Stamm-Kader gastrostomy and needle catheter jejunostomy. On the first postoperative day she developed a biliary duodenal fistula that required nutritional support with parenteral, enteral nutrition and octreotide acetate with fistula closure 2 weeks later. We review the etiology, surgical treatment and economic burden. Laparoscopic cholecysto-fistulectomy by skilled laparoscopic surgeons can be adopted as a first-choice treatment for cholecystoduodenal fistula to reduce morbility risks and costs.

Mirizzi syndrome and gallstone ileus: an unusual presentation of gallstone disease.

We discuss the case of a man with an unusual complication of gallstone disease. An 85-year-old patient presented to the emergency department with a 3-week history of abdominal pain in the right upper abdominal quadrant. Thoracoabdominal radiography demonstrated that the whole extrahepatic biliary tree, including the common bile duct, common hepatic duct, gallbladder, and left and right hepatic ducts, were visibly delineated by air. The operative findings revealed a small shrunken gallbladder, a fistula between the gallbladder fundus and the gastric antrum, and a cholecystohepatic fistula, corresponding to Mirizzi syndrome, type II. A large gallstone was found impacted in the jejunum. This patient seems to have developed initially a cholecystohepatic fistula. Due to the acute inflammatory process, the stone eroded through the gallbladder wall and into the gastric antrum, passing from the antrum into the small bowel, where it became impacted. We suggest that the natural history of Mirizzi syndrome does not end with a cholecystobiliary fistula but that the continuous inflammation in the triangle of Calot may result in a complex fistula involving not only the biliary tract but also the adjacent viscera.