ASGE high-risk criteria for choledocholithiasis - Are they applicable in cholecystectomized patients?

A clinician's guide to gallstones and common bile duct (CBD): A study protocol for a systematic review and evidence-based recommendations

Background and Aims

Gallstones are one of the most common and costly diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and occur when a combination of deposits consisting of fat or minerals accumulate in the gallbladder or common bile duct (CBD). This paper provides a comprehensive review of gallstone epidemiology, diagnosis, and management, focusing on current clinical guidelines and evidence-based approaches.

Methods

A systematic literature review gathered information from various sources, including PubMed, Trip, Google Scholar, Clinical Key, and reputable medical association websites. Keywords related to gallstones, CBD stones, cholelithiasis, choledocholithiasis, and guidelines were used to extract relevant recommendations. Expert consultations and consensus meetings localized the recommendations based on the target population and available resources.

Results

The paper discusses demographic factors, dietary habits, and lifestyle influences contributing to gallstone formation. Gallstones are categorized into cholesterol and pigment types, with varying prevalences across regions. Many individuals with gallstones remain asymptomatic, but complications can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening conditions. Diagnosis relies on history, physical examination, laboratory tests, and transabdominal ultrasound. Specific predictive factors help categorize patients into high, moderate, or low probability groups for CBD stones.

Conclusion

Evidence-based recommendations for gallstone diagnosis and management are presented, emphasizing individualized treatment plans. Surgical interventions, nonsurgical treatments like oral litholysis with UDCA, and stenting are discussed. The management of gallstones in pregnant women is also addressed, considering the potential risks and appropriate treatment options during pregnancy.

Enteroscopy in the Elderly: Review of Procedural Aspects, Indications, Yield, and Safety

Background

As human longevity continues to increase, age-related diseases are more common, which leads to a higher use of gastroenterology services. Endoscopic procedures are generally considered to be of higher risk in the elderly with multiple comorbidities. However, some endoscopic techniques have already been proved to be well tolerated in the elderly.

Summary

<underline></underline>Enteroscopy enables the nonsurgical diagnosis and therapeutic management of a wide variety of small bowel diseases. Although it has been shown to be safe and effective, with high diagnostic yield and therapeutic success rate in the general population, its safety and efficacy in the elderly is largely unknown, and there are still some concerns about its use in these patients.

Key Messages

This review will focus on enteroscopy in elderly people, taking into account patient and procedure characteristics, indications, findings, yield, and complication rate.