Accuracy of Ultrasound Imaging for Etiology of New-Onset Painless Jaundice.

PURPOSE: Ultrasound (US) is considered a first-line study for painless jaundice. However, in our hospital system, patients with new-onset painless jaundice often have a contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) regardless of the sonographic findings. Thus, we investigated the accuracy of US for detection of biliary dilatation in patients with new-onset painless jaundice. METHODS: Our electronic medical record was searched from January 1, 2012, to January 1, 2020, for adult patients with new-onset painless jaundice. Presenting complaint/setting, laboratory values, imaging studies/findings, and final diagnoses were recorded. Patients with pain or known liver disease were excluded. A gastrointestinal physician reviewed the laboratory values/chart to classify the type of suspected obstruction. Two radiologists blindly re-reviewed the US scans, and κ between the radiologists was calculated. Fisher exact test and the 2-sample t test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Three hundred sixty patients presented with jaundice (>3 mg/dL), of whom 68 met the inclusion criteria (no pain and no known liver disease). Laboratory values had an overall accuracy of 54%, but were accurate in 87.5% and 85% for obstructing stones/pancreaticobiliary cancer. Ultrasound demonstrated overall accuracy of 78%, but only 69% for pancreaticobiliary cancer and 12.5% for common bile duct stone. Seventy-five percent of the patients underwent follow-up CECT or MRCP regardless of presenting setting. In the emergency department or inpatient setting, 92% of the patients underwent CECT or MRCP regardless of US, and 81% had follow-up CECT or MRCP within 24 hours. CONCLUSION: A US-first strategy in the setting of new-onset painless jaundice is accurate only 78% of the time. In practice, US was almost never a stand-alone imaging examination in patients presenting to the emergency department or inpatient setting with new-onset painless jaundice, no matter the suspected diagnosis based on clinical and laboratory grounds or on the US findings themselves. However, for milder elevations of unconjugated bilirubin (suspicious for Gilbert disease) in the outpatient setting, a US demonstrating lack of biliary dilatation was often a definitive study for exclusion of pathology.

Portal air embolism after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

The authors present an uncommon case of portal venous gas and contrast opacification that occured during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. This report demonstrates that portal vein cannulation may be a source of confusion because the guided wire trajectory inside the portal vein may be similar to that of the biliary, and a contrast washout/opacified portal vein may be misinterpreted as an incompletely filled bile duct.

Functional discrepancy between two liver lobes after hemilobe biliary drainage in patients with jaundice and bile duct cancer: an appraisal using (99m)Tc-GSA SPECT/CT fusion imaging.

PURPOSE: To determine the functional discrepancy between the two liver lobes using technetium 99m ((99m)Tc) diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid-galactosyl human serum albumin ( GSA diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid-galactosyl human serum albumin ) single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT) fusion imaging following preoperative biliary drainage and portal vein embolization ( PVE portal vein embolization ) in patients with jaundice who have bile duct cancer ( BDC bile duct cancer ). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board, with waiver of informed consent. Preoperative (99m)Tc- GSA diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid-galactosyl human serum albumin SPECT/CT fusion images from 32 patients with extrahepatic BDC bile duct cancer were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were classified into four groups according to the extent of biliary drainage and presence of a preoperative right PVE portal vein embolization : right lobe drainage group (right drainage), bilateral lobe drainage group (bilateral drainage), left lobe drainage group (left drainage), and left lobe drainage with right PVE portal vein embolization group (left drainage with right PVE portal vein embolization ). Percentage volume and percentage function were measured in each lobe using fusion imaging. The ratio between percentage function and percentage volume (the function-to-volume ratio) was calculated for each lobe, and the results were compared among the four groups. Statistical analysis was performed with Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS: The median values for the function-to-volume ratio in the right drainage, bilateral drainage, left drainage, and left drainage with right PVE portal vein embolization group were 1.12, 1.05, 1.02, and 0.81 in the right lobe; and 0.51, 0.88, 0.96, and 1.17 in the left lobe. Significant differences in the function-to-volume ratio were observed among the four groups (right drainage vs bilateral drainage vs left drainage vs left drainage with right PVE portal vein embolization ; with P < .002, P = .023, and P < .002 for the right lobe and P < .001, P = .023, and P < .002 for the left lobe). CONCLUSION: Hepatic lobar function significantly differs between the two lobes, depending on the extent of biliary drainage and the presence of portal vein embolization.

Diagnostic bedside EUS in the intensive care unit: a single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: The knowledge of bedside diagnostic EUS in critically ill patients is limited. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the indications, feasibility, safety, and clinical utility of diagnostic EUS in the intensive care unit (ICU). DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: Tertiary-care referral teaching hospital. PATIENTS: All consecutive patients who had EUS done in the ICU within a 6-year period. INTERVENTION: Bedside EUS and EUS-guided FNA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: EUS indications, complications, and impact on management. RESULTS: A total of 64 EUS procedures were performed in 63 patients (38 men, 25 women; age range 27-78 years); 1 patient underwent 2 separate EUS procedures. EUS was performed while the patients were mechanically ventilated in 70% (45/64) of cases. Indications for EUS included jaundice (n = 24), mass of unknown etiology (n = 25), unexplained pancreatitis (n = 7), and staging of known cancer (n = 3). In 5 cases, EUS was used as an alternative to other imaging modalities because of morbid obesity (n = 3) or contraindication to intravenous contrast material (n = 2). Complications included reversible oxygen desaturation (n = 4), nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (n = 1), and transient hypotension (n = 1). Overall, EUS influenced management in 97% (62/64) of cases. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective, single-center study. CONCLUSION: ICU-based EUS can be performed with few intraprocedural complications and can be a valuable diagnostic modality in the ICU setting. It appears to be particularly useful for determining the etiology of jaundice, masses of unknown etiology, and pancreatitis. It may have particular value as a diagnostic technique on selected patients with unstaged cancer and when morbid obesity or the inability to use intravenous contrast material precludes the use of other imaging modalities in the critically ill patient.

Combined ERCP and EUS in one session is safe in elderly patients when compared to non-elderly patients: outcomes in 206 combined procedures.

AIMS: Combined ERCP/EUS is becoming common. Combined procedures are frequently performed in elderly patients. We hypothesized that combined ERCP/EUS is equally safe in elderly patients when compared to non-elderly patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective single-center study comparing outcomes in elderly and non-elderly patients undergoing combined ERCP/EUS. RESULTS: A total of 206 patients were included. Mean age was 65 years (M:F 113:93); 99 were <65 years and 107 were >65. Indications included: jaundice (51%), abnormal imaging (17%), pancreatic tumor (11%), abdominal pain (5%), stent placement/change (5%), acute or chronic pancreatitis (5%), other (6%). Fine needle aspiration was performed in 134 (65%) procedures. Malignancy was identified in 142/206 (69%) patients. Mean Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was 7.5 (range 0-22). Among patients <65 years old there were no immediate adverse events. Long-term adverse events in patients <65 (within 30 days) included cholangitis (1), increasing abdominal pain (4), post-ERCP pancreatitis (3), nausea/vomiting (1), increasing fatigue (1), and increasing jaundice (1). A subgroup analysis among geriatric patients (>65) was performed. Mean CCI was 8.2 (range 0-22). There was one immediate adverse event of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia in a 76-year old. Long-term adverse events included increasing fatigue (1), nausea/vomiting (2), increasing abdominal pain (2), urosepsis (1), fever (2) and dehydration (1). There were no statistically significant differences in outcomes in elderly compared to non-elderly patients. Elderly patients had higher CCI scores (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Combined ERCP/EUS in one session is safe in the general population and elderly patients, with no more adverse events than in non-elderly patients.

Management of ERCP-related small bowel perforations: the pivotal role of physical investigation.

BACKGROUND: Management of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-associated duodenal perforation remains controversial. Some recommend surgery, while others recommend conservative treatment. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted to identify patients treated at our institution for ERCP-related duodenal perforations. Study variables included indication for ERCP, clinical presentation, diagnostic procedures, time to diagnosis and treatment, location of injury, management, length of stay in hospital and survival. RESULTS: Between January 2000 and October 2009, 12 232 ERCP procedures were performed at our centre, and perforation occured in 11 patients (0.08%; 5 men, 6 women, mean age 71 yr). Six of the perforations were discovered during ERCP; 5 required radiologic imaging for diagnosis. Three perforations were diagnosed incidentally by follow-up ERCP. In 1 patient, perforation occurred 3 years after the procedure owing to a dislocated stent. Four of 11 perforations were stent-related; in 2 patients ERCP was performed in a nonanatomic situation (Billroth II gastroenterostomy). Free peritoneal perforation occurred in 4 patients; 1 was successfully managed conservatively. Four patients (36%) were treated surgically and none died. Five patients were managed conservatively with a successful outcome, and 2 patients died after conservative treatment (18%). Operative treatment included hepaticojejunostomy and duodenostomy (1 patient), suture of the perforation with T-drain (1 patient) and suture only (2 patients). The mean length of stay in hospital for all patients was 20 days. CONCLUSION: Post-ERCP duodenal perforations are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Immediate surgical evaluation and close monitoring is needed. Management should be individually tailored based on clinical findings only.

The impact of high-resolution ultrasound in the differential diagnosis of non-hemolytic jaundice.

Because jaundice is a common reason for hospital admission. A fast and correct differential diagnosis is very important to increase treatment efficacy. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of the high-resolution ultrasound in this kind of clinical setting. In a prospective study we included 30 patients and we divided them in patients with extrahepatic jaundice and patients with intrahepatic jaundice. We observed a high accuracy of the high-resolution sonography, with a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 100% for extrahepatic jaundice, and a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 95% for intrahepatic jaundice. We conclude that the high-resolution ultrasound should be used in the very beginning of the diagnostic algorithm for the evaluation of patients with unclear jaundice.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Jaundice.

Jaundice is the end result of myriad causes, which makes the role of imaging in this setting particularly challenging. In the United States, the most common causes of all types of jaundice fall into four categories including hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, blockage of the common bile duct by a gallstone or tumor, and toxic reaction to a drug or medicinal herb. Clinically, differentiating between the various potential etiologies of jaundice requires a detailed history, targeted physical examination, and pertinent laboratory studies, the results of which allow the physician to categorize the type of jaundice into mechanical or nonmechanical causes. Imaging modalities used to evaluate the jaundiced patient (all etiologies) include abdominal ultrasound (US), CT, MR cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic US. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where evidence is lacking or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence to recommend imaging or treatment.

Prospective evaluation of ERCP performance in an Italian regional database study.

BACKGROUND: Prospective studies about endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) in a community setting are rare. AIM: To assess success and complication rates of routinely-performed ERCP in a regional setting, and the priority quality indicators for ERCP practice. METHODS: Prospective region wide observational study on consecutive patients undergoing ERCP during a 6-month period. A centralized online ERCP questionnaire was built and used for data storage. Primary quality indicators provided by the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) were considered. RESULTS: 38 endoscopists from 18 centers performed a total of 2388 ERCP. The most common indication for ERCP was choledocholitiasis (54.8%) followed by malignant jaundice (22.6%). Cannulation of the desired duct was obtained in 2293 cases (96%) and ERCP was successful in 2176 cases (91.1%). Success and ERCP difficulty were significantly related to the experience of the operator (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). ERCP difficulty was also significantly related to volume centers (p < 0.01). The overall complication rate was 8.4%: post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) occurred in 4.1% of procedures, bleeding in 2.9%, infection in 0.8%, perforation in 0.4%. Mortality rate was 0.4%. All the ASGE priority quality indicators for ERCP were confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: The procedural questionnaire proved to be an important tool to assess and verify the quality of routinely-performed ERCP performance in a community setting.

Spontaneous biliary perforation in an infant: an unusual chronic presentation.

Spontaneous perforation of the biliary ducts is a rare disorder in infants. Early diagnosis of this entity is important because it can be treated surgically. We report on a 4-month-old child presenting with jaundice and progressive abdominal distention present since birth. Hepatobiliary scintigraphy, which was done to rule out any obstructive pathology, showed a biliary leak from the porta hepatis region leading to biliary ascites and bilateral hydroceles. Surgical exploration and intraoperative cholangiogram confirmed cystic duct perforation. Cholecystectomy and inguinal herniorrhaphy were performed. Follow-up hepatobiliary scintigraphy demonstrated complete resolution of the bile leak and hydroceles.

Chromatic techniques for in vivo monitoring jaundice in neonate tissues.

OBJECTIVE: A chromatic method is described for providing a preliminary indication of unacceptable bilirubin levels in a newly born baby in order to avoid the development of serious mental deficiencies. The aim was to investigate the reliability of a new chromatic approach using a novel template unit for a preliminary, non-invasive monitoring of the skin tissue of newly born babies with jaundice and its capability for use with different mobile phone cameras. APPROACH: A description of the monitoring system is given along with an explanation of the monitoring technique used. Preliminary tests have been performed on 48 different neonates each being addressed by one of six different mobile phone cameras, which were randomly available to the operating clinicians. MAIN RESULTS: The test results have a correlation (R 2) of 0.81, a sensitivity (Sn) of 0.97, a specificity (Sp) of 0.82, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.95 and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 0.9. SIGNIFICANCE: The significance of the results obtained is that they show the approach to have a high level of fail-safe reliability in indicating the bilirubin levels when compared with blood test results. The results also show that the approach can be used with a few different mobile phone cameras and that because of its non-invasive nature and its cost effectiveness, has the potential for remote use from a medical hospital to provide an immediate preliminary diagnosis.

A rare variation of celiac trunk and hepatic artery complicating pancreaticoduodenectomy: A case report and literature review.

RATIONALE: Anatomical variations of the celiac trunk and the hepatic artery are of considerable importance in hepatopancreatobiliary surgery, liver transplants, and radiological abdominal interventions. PATIENT CONCERNS: Here, we report a 57-year-old man with 2 weeks of painless progressive jaundice. Preoperative imaging and cytology brush results suggested an ampullary tumor and common hepatic artery anomaly (CTA) was reported. The patient underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Intraoperatively, the CHA and gastroduodenal artery (GDA) were abnormal. The CHA emerged from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). Computer tomography angiography (CTA) was performed postoperatively; surprisingly, the left gastric artery (LGA) and splenic artery (SA) arising from the anterior wall of the abdominal aorta replaced the normal structure of the celiac trunk, and an accessory left hepatic artery (LHA) emerged from the LGA. DIAGNOSES: The patient was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma and accompanying extremely rare variation of celiac trunk and hepatic artery. INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOMES: The patient underwent PD and had an uneventful postoperative evolution. There was no recurrence of the tumor and with normal liver function during the 10-month follow-up. INTERVENTIONS: The patient underwent PD and had an uneventful postoperative evolution. OUTCOMES: There was no recurrence of the tumor and with normal liver function during the 10-month follow-up. LESSONS: Surgeons must keep in mind that arterial variation may be present in the vascular structures intraoperatively, even if it was not revealed in preoperative imaging. The preoperative identification of arterial variation and its relationship with the tumor is necessary to avoid intraoperative vascular injury and complications after surgery.

Efficacy and safety assessment of ERCP in patients with malignant biliary obstruction.

BACKGROUND: To assess the efficacy and safety of Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for malignant biliary obstruction (MBO). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A review of all ERCP-procedures performed at Akershus University Hospital during the six year period between 2009-2014 was analysed. Data for the period 2009- 2013 were obtained retrospectively and prospectively for 2014. Patients with jaundice due to MBO were selected for the present study. RESULTS: A total of 210 patients (51% females), median age of 70 years (range 33-96) were included. The total number of procedures were 314, whereof 218 (69%) were successful and 96 (31%) were failures. 292 procedures were palliative and 22 procedures were intended as 'bridge to surgery' whereof 15 patients underwent surgery. Pancreatic carcinoma occurred in 105 (50%) patients and was the most common reason for MBO. Straight plastic stents (I-stents) were applied in 145 (74%), double-pigtail stents (JJ-stents) in 29 (15%), self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) in 18 (9%) procedures and in 3 procedures (1.5%) an I-stent was inserted through an indwelling SEMS. Median duration of stentpatency in months was 2 (range 0-74) for I-stent, 1 (range 0-29) for JJ-stent and 4 (range 0-29) for SEMS. The rates of complication and mortality due to complication were 8.9% and 1.3% per procedure. CONCLUSION: Adequate drainage of MBO by ERCP was obtained in 69%. The rates of complication and procedure related mortality were at acceptable levels.

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in the Elderly.

BACKGROUND: The use of gastrointestinal endoscopy in geriatric patients is rising as an increasing proportion of the population is reaching an advanced age. Most studies of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the elderly have been done in tertiary care or referral centers. METHODS: We analyzed the clinical and endoscopic data on all ERCPs in patients aged 65 years and older in a retrospective review of medical records of patients at the county hospitals in El Paso and Lubbock, Texas between 2004 and 2008. ERCP data in patients aged 75 years and older were compared with those who were 65-74 years. RESULTS: There were 125 ERCPs performed in 89 patients (74 procedures in 54 patients older than 75 years, 51 procedures in 35 patients younger than 75 years). The average age was 76.0 (range: 65-94), 62.4% were female and 79.2% were Hispanic. Indications were similar between groups: jaundice (66.9%), abnormal liver tests (87.2%), abdominal pain (79.2%), cholangitis (24.0%), pancreatitis (32.8%) and stent change (12.9%). Concomitant illnesses were also similar. Lower doses of midazolam and meperidine were used for moderate sedation in the older group (P < 0.01). ERCP findings were similar in both groups: stones (40.8%), stricture (18.4%) and stent placement (30.4%). Complications occurred in 6.4%. CONCLUSIONS: This study of ERCP in elderly predominantly Hispanic patients found similar indications, efficacy and safety in patients 75 years and older compared with those 65-74 years old. Advanced age is not a contraindication to ERCP, but issues related to sedation and the use of antithrombotic therapy need to be addressed in the elderly.

Primary Pancreatic Malignant Lymphoma Diagnosed from Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Fine-needle Aspiration Findings.

A 60-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with upper abdominal pain and jaundice. Computed tomography showed a 9-cm mass that was penetrated by the common hepatic artery in the pancreatic head area. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography revealed no stenosis or obstruction of the main pancreatic duct, and a cytologic examination of the patient's pancreatic juice was negative. Next, endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration was performed. The immunohistological findings of the specimen revealed a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The size of the tumor was significantly reduced after 8 cycles of R-CHOP chemotherapy (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone).

[Ultrasound diagnostics of jaundice].

Ultrasound enables to diagnose jaundice resulted from obturation at some level of bile-ducts in 92,2% of patients with jaundice of the origin by detecting the widening of bile duct system. Ultrasound helps in 95,3% detecting outhepatic obturation of bile ducts, in 72,6% - the cause of the disease. Having this technique as high informative and harmless one can use it to screen patients with jaundice.