Pseudoaneurysm of splenic artery ruptured in pancreatic pseudocyst and complicated by wirsungorrhagia: the role of the ultrasound techniques and contrast substances

The Role of Contrast-Enhanced Harmonic Endoscopic Ultrasound in Interventional Endoscopic Ultrasound

Over the last decades, contrast-enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasound (CH-EUS) has emerged as an important diagnostic tool for the diagnosis and differentiation of several gastrointestinal diseases. The key advantage of CH-EUS is that the influx and washout of contrast in the target lesion can be observed in real time, accurately depicting microvasculature. CH-EUS is established as an evidence-based technique complementary to B-mode EUS to differentiate solid appearing structures, to characterize mass lesions, and to improve the staging of gastrointestinal and pancreatobiliary cancer. In the last few years, interest has increased in the use of CH-EUS in interventional procedures such as tissue acquisition, tumor ablation, biliary drainage, and the management of pancreatic fluid collections. The aim of this narrative review is to evaluate the available evidence and future expectations of CH-EUS in interventional EUS.

Do we need contrast agents for EUS?

We recently introduced a series of articles that dealt with controversies in EUS. In Part I, the authors discussed which clinical information is necessary prior to EUS and whether other imaging modalities are required before embarking on EUS examinations. Part II focuses on technical details and controversies about the use of EUS in special situations. In this article, important practical issues regarding the application of contrast-enhanced EUS in various clinical settings are raised and controversially discussed from different points of view.

Hemosuccus pancreaticus: a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding

BACKGROUND

Hemosuccus pancreaticus (HP) is defined as upper gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage from the papilla of Vater via the pancreatic duct and is a rare cause of digestive bleeding.

DATA SOURCE

A PubMed search of relevant articles published from January 1967 to September 2011 was performed to identify current information about HP in terms of its etiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and management.

RESULTS

A variety of etiological factors, most commonly chronic pancreatitis but also tumors and vascular diseases, can lead to this condition. Appropriate endoscopic or radiologic procedures should be chosen to establish a precise diagnosis for patients, especially those with a known history of pancreatic disorders, who present with abdominal pain, GI hemorrhage and hyperamylasemia. There are two main therapeutic options for this condition: angiographic embolotherapy and surgery. Both treatments can stop bleeding, but angiographic embolotherapy is the treatment of choice for stable patients. Recently, new and less invasive treatments have emerged to treat this condition.

CONCLUSIONS

Because of its rarity and broad spectrum of causes, HP is difficult to diagnose accurately. However, appropriate endoscopic and radiologic procedures are extremely helpful for establishing a correct diagnosis. Both angiographic embolotherapy and surgery are reliable treatment options for this condition, and transcatheter intervention is the treatment of choice for clinically stable patients. Additional innovative treatments have emerged, but their effectiveness and safety must be confirmed.