Papillary stenosis

Evolution of Pancreatic Endotherapy

In the last half century, endotherapy for pancreatic diseases has changed considerably. Although endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) were introduced initially as diagnostic tools, they quickly evolved into therapeutic tools for preventing and managing complications of pancreatitis. More recently, therapeutic endoscopy has shown potential in palliation and cure of pancreatic neoplasms. This article discusses the changing landscape of pancreatic endotherapy as therapeutic ERCP and EUS were introduced and because they have evolved to treat different diseases.

Clinical features and management of painless biliary type sphincter of Oddi dysfunction

Objective

The objective of this study was to clarify the characteristics and management of painless biliary type sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD).

Methods

From June 2002 to July 2018, 12 patients who had recurrent liver dysfunction with a dilated bile duct or acute cholestasis of unknown cause without biliary pain (painless SOD) were included in this study. These patients’ characteristics were compared with those of 36 patients with biliary type SOD based on the conventional definition (criteria-based SOD).

Results

Patients with painless SOD had significantly more prominent bile duct dilation than patients with criteria-based SOD (13.9 vs. 12.2 mm, respectively). Prophylactic biliary drainage was performed significantly more often in patients with painless SOD than criteria-based SOD (67% vs. 11%, respectively). The short-term effectiveness rate of endoscopic sphincterotomy, the symptom recurrence rate, and the incidence of adverse events were not significantly different between the two groups.

Conclusions

Painless SOD is a specific subtype of biliary SOD that causes recurring liver dysfunction or acute cholestasis without biliary pain. Endoscopic sphincterotomy was effective in the present study, but the relapse rate was as high as that in typical SOD.

Clinical course of biliary-type sphincter of Oddi dysfunction: endoscopic sphincterotomy and functional dyspepsia as affecting factors

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

The objective of this study was to clarify the effectiveness of treatment selection for biliary-type sphincter of Oddi dysfunction by severe pain frequency and the risk factors for recurrence including the history of functional gastrointestinal disorder.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Thirty-six sphincter of Oddi dysfunction patients who were confirmed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography enrolled in this study. Endoscopic sphincterotomy was performed for type I and manometry-confirmed type II sphincter of Oddi dysfunction patients with severe pain (⩾2 times/year; endoscopic sphincterotomy group). Others were treated medically (non-endoscopic sphincterotomy group).

RESULTS

The short-term effectiveness rate of endoscopic sphincterotomy was 91%. The final remission rates of the endoscopic sphincterotomy and non-endoscopic sphincterotomy groups were 86% and 100%, respectively. Symptoms relapsed after endoscopic sphincterotomy in 32% of patients. Patients in the endoscopic sphincterotomy and non-endoscopic sphincterotomy groups had or developed functional dyspepsia in 41% and 14%, irritable bowel syndrome in 5% and 14%, and gastroesophageal reflux disorder in 14% and 0%, respectively. History or new onset of functional dyspepsia was related to recurrence on multivariate analysis. The frequency of occurrence of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis and post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography cholangitis was high in both groups. Two new occurrences of bile duct stone cases were observed in each group.

CONCLUSION

According to the treatment criteria, endoscopic and medical treatment for biliary-type sphincter of Oddi dysfunction has high effectiveness, but recurrences are common. Recurrences may be related to new onset or a history of functional dyspepsia.

Balloon Dilatation of the Ampulla of Vater

In order to evaluate possible local tissue injury following balloon dilatation of the ampulla of Vater, the ampullas of 10 rabbits were dilated. The ampullas and the common bile ducts were examined histologically two months afterwards. All the ampullas were found to be normal. In one case aggregations of lymphoid cells were found in the thin wall of the common bile duct. Cholangiography was performed in 8 of the animals two months after dilatation. This was done to evaluate gross signs of local injury, i.e. strictures. All these were normal.

Dynamic changes of echogenicity and the size of the papilla of Vater before and after cholecystectomy

This study investigated the changes in echogenicity, as measured by endoscopic ultrasound, and the surface area of the papilla of Vater (PV) and their relationship with postoperative symptoms in a group of 80 patients with symptomatic gallstones before and at 3 and 6 months after cholecystectomy. After cholecystectomy, 50 patients experienced early atypical symptoms characteristic of postcholecystectomy syndrome (PCS) and 30 patients were asymptomatic. The surface area of the PV was larger than normal prior to surgery and increased after surgery. The healthy PV is isoechogenic, but 48% of all patients were anisoechogenic preoperatively, increasing to 61% at 3 months after surgery, and decreasing to 25% at 6 months postsurgery. There was no significant difference between the two patient groups, suggesting that the changes observed in the PV do not explain the presence of the atypical symptoms of PCS.

The Size of the Papilla of Vater and Its Relation to Its Height in Comparison with the Visibility of the Sphincter of Oddi before and after Cholecystectomy

This study investigated the changes in the surface area and height of the papilla of Vater (PV) and the visibility of the sphincter of Oddi complex (SOK) using endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) examinations of 80 patients with symptomatic gallstones before and at 3 and 6 months after cholecystectomy. Following surgery, 50 patients experienced early atypical symptoms characteristic of postcholecystectomy syndrome (PCS) and 30 patients were asymptomatic. The PV measurements were greater in all patients compared with normal reference values and increased significantly from before surgery to 3 months postsurgery. At 6 months postsurgery, both the surface area and height of the PV had significantly decreased to preoperative values but remained higher than normal. The proportion of patients with a visible SOK had increased by 3 months postsurgery but had reduced again by 6 months. There were no significant differences between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, suggesting that the changes observed in the PV and SOK do not explain the presence of the atypical symptoms of PCS.

Is endoscopic sphincterotomy avoidable in patients with sphincter of Oddi dysfunction?

AIM

Endoscopic sphincterotomy is an efficient means of treating sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD), but it is associated with a morbidity rate of 20%. The aim of this study was to assess how frequently endoscopic sphincterotomy was performed to treat SOD in a group of patients with a 1-year history of medical management.

METHODS

A total of 59 patients, who had been cholecystectomized 9.3 years previously on average, were included in this study and they all underwent biliary scintigraphy. Medical treatment was prescribed for 1 year. Endoscopic sphincterotomy was proposed for patients whose medical treatment had been unsuccessful.

RESULTS

Eleven patients were rated group 1 on the Milwaukee classification scale, 34 group 2 and 14 group 3. The hile-duodenum transit time (HDTT) was lengthened in 32 patients. The medical treatment was efficient or fairly efficient in 45% of the group 1 patients, 67% of the group 2 patients, and 71.4% of the group 3 patients (P=0.29). Only 14 patients out of the 21 whose medical treatment was unsuccessful agreed to undergo endoscopic sphincterotomy. HDTT was lengthened in 11 of the 14 patients undergoing endoscopic sphincterotomy and in 21 of the 45 non-endoscopic sphincterotomy patients (P=0.03). Twelve of the 14 patients who underwent endoscopic sphincterotomy were cured.

CONCLUSION

In this prospective series of patients with a 1-year history of medical management, only 23% of the patients with suspected SOD underwent endoscopic sphincterotomy although 54% had an abnormally long HDTT.

Sphincter of Oddi (pancreatic) hypertension and recurrent pancreatitis

Major papilla pancreatic sphincter dysfunction, a variant of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, causes pancreatitis and pancreatic-type pain. The gold standard for diagnosis is sphincter of Oddi manometry, most commonly performed at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Noninvasive testing, such as secretin-stimulated transabdominal or endoscopic ultrasound assessment of pancreatic duct diameter, is less reliable and has relatively low sensitivity. Two thirds of patients with biliary sphincter of Oddi dysfunction have elevated pancreatic basal sphincter pressure. To maximize the diagnostic yield of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, both the biliary and pancreatic sphincter pressures should be measured. Patients with sphincter of Oddi dysfunction may respond to biliary sphincterotomy alone, but evaluation of their pancreatic sphincter is warranted if symptoms persist after biliary therapy alone. Whether both biliary and pancreatic sphincters should be treated at the first ERCP session is controversial. Biliary and pancreatic endoscopic sphincterotomies are associated with two- to fourfold increased incidence of pancreatitis following the procedure in patients with pancreatic sphincter hypertension. Prophylactic pancreatic duct stenting reduces the frequency and severity of complications by greater than 50%.

Effect of cholecystectomy for gallstones on the surface of the papilla of Vater and the diameter of the common bile duct

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

To date, little is known about changes in the size of the papilla of Vater in patients with gallstones. Most of the research concerning these patients has investigated changes in the diameter of the common bile duct and pressure in the sphincter of Oddi region. The latest research has not confirmed the prevalent opinion that the common bile duct dilates after cholecystectomy; moreover, knowledge about changes in the form and size of the papilla of Vater remains poor. The aim of our research was to measure the surface of the papilla of Vater and the diameter of the periampullary pancreatic part of the common bile duct before surgery, then 3 months and 6 months after surgery, using endoscopic ultrasound.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In patients with symptomatic gallstones but with no evidence of cholestasis or stones in the common bile duct, the surface of the papilla of Vater and the diameter of the periampullary pancreatic part of the common bile duct were measured before surgery by endoscopic ultrasound. In the postoperative period, measurements were repeated in patients with an early occurrence of nausea, distension, bloating and pain in the upper abdomen and in patients without any symptoms in the same time period. The surface of the normal papilla of Vater and the diameter of the periampullary pancreatic part of the common bile duct were determined in healthy subjects.

RESULTS

In all the patients included in our study, the surface of the papilla of Vater was enlarged before surgery and, after 3 months, was even larger. However, after 6 months, it was practically the same as before surgery. The diameter of the periampullary pancreatic part of the common bile duct before surgery and 6 months after surgery was within normal limits. However, a statistically significant and transient increase in the diameter was noticed in the third month after cholecystectomy. The results were almost the same for symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.

CONCLUSION

In patients with symptomatic gallstones, the surface of the papilla of Vater is increased while the diameter of the periampullary pancreatic part of the common bile duct is normal. Cholecystectomy is an intervention that causes an additional transient increase in the surface of the papilla of Vater and a transient increase in the diameter of the periampullary pancreatic part of the common bile duct. The surface of the papilla of Vater does not reach normal values but the diameter of the periampullary pancreatic part of the common bile duct is normalized 6 months after surgery. There is no relation between clinical disorders and changes in the morphology of the papilla of Vater and the periampullary pancreatic part of the common bile duct after cholecystectomy.

Effects of trimebutine on sphincter of Oddi motility in patients with post-cholecystectomy pain

BACKGROUND

Trimebutine is an opiate modulator of the gastrointestinal motility that interacts with enkephalinergic receptors.

AIM

To evaluate the effects of trimebutine (50 mg intravenous injection) on the motility of the sphincter of Oddi (SO) as assessed by endoscopic manometry.

METHODS

Endoscopic manometry was performed on 15 cholecystectomized patients who presented with symptoms suggestive of SO dysfunction. Prior to the endoscopic manometry, endoscopic ultrasonography was performed in order to rule out the possible presence of a bile duct stone.

RESULTS

Injecting trimebutine resulted in a significant increase in the SO antegrade phasic contraction rate (P = 0.02). Trimebutine decreased the basal pressure of the SO (32.5 vs. 27.5 mmHg), but the difference is not statistically significant (P = 0.11). The effects of trimebutine differed depending on the basal SO motility anomalies involved, but the period of latency was similar (mean 89 s: range 30-240 s). The basal anomalies were an increased basal SO pressure of > 40 mmHg in three patients, a tachyoddia (frequency of phasic contractions (PC) > 10/min) in six patients, prolonged PC (> 10 s) in two patients and an absence of phasic contraction in one patient. The basal pressure of the SO decreased in the three patients presenting with SO hyperpressure, but returned to a normal value in one case. The frequency of the PC decreased to normal in three out of the six patients with tachyoddia. The duration of the PC returned to normal in the two patients with prolonged PC whereas their frequencies increased. Prolonged PC developed in the patient without any detectable phasic contraction.

CONCLUSIONS

Trimebutine modulates SO motility in various ways depending on the basal SO motility anomaly observed after cholecystectomy. This regulatory effect suggests the existence of encephalinergic control of SO motility.

Papillary dilation vs sphincterotomy in endoscopic removal of bile duct stones. A randomized trial with manometric function

To circumvent the long-term effects of papillary ablation for extracting common bile duct stones (< 12 mm in diameter) in endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST), endoscopic papillary dilation (EPD) was attempted in 20 patients. To evaluate papillary function before and after the procedures, manometry of the sphincter of Oddi was carried out in 13 with EPD and 10 of 20 patients with EST. Extraction of all stones was successful (100%) in both groups at an equal rate. Repeated numbers of procedures were common in both groups. However, the mean duration of the procedure was high in EPD compared to EST (63 min vs 42 min, P < NS). Adjunctive therapies like mechanical lithotripsy (ML), nasobiliary drainage, and choledochoscopy were included in EPD, while EST required a basket catheter and ML. There was no significant difference on manometry before and after the procedures (P = NS), although papillary function was found to have decreased after the EPD. In contrast, all patients in the EST group lost papillary function after the procedure. Thirty-day morbidity and mortality rate were absent in both groups. Immediate and 2.5-year follow up complications were uncommon in both groups. As a simple method, EPD may be an effective and safe alternative to EST in the management of patients with bile duct stones who require maintenance of papillary function.

Endoscopic manometry of the sphincter of Oddi: its usefulness for the diagnosis and treatment of benign papillary stenosis

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic manometry is considered useful to identify dysfunction of the sphincter of Oddi (SO) and to predict in which patients good results can be expected after endoscopic sphincterotomy, but this has not been definitively demonstrated.

METHODS

Endoscopic manometry of the SO was used in a group of 30 patients with benign papillary stenosis (BPS), in comparison with 30 control subjects. During endoscopic manometry an intravenous bolus of cholecystokinin octapeptide was given to 12 patients and to 10 controls. In 24 BPS patients endoscopic sphincterotomy was performed.

RESULTS

No significant differences were observed between controls and patients with regard to median values of SO basal (20 and 21.5 mmHg) and peak pressure (123 and 126 mmHg), wave amplitude (100 mmHg), frequency (4 waves/min), and propagation of the common bile duct/duodenum gradient (12.5 and 12.1 mmHg). In two BPS patients a paradoxic response to CCK-OP was observed. Endoscopic sphincterotomy, performed in 24 BPS patients (17 with SO basal pressure less than 40 mmHg and 7 with more than 40 mmHg), gave good results in 23, without any complication. No differences were observed in the results of the endoscopic sphincterotomy among patients with basal pressure more than 40 mmHg and those with less than 40 mmHg.

CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of this study, manometric data do not seem helpful for diagnosis of BPS or to discriminate which patients can be treated with endoscopic sphincterotomy.

Evaluation of results of the prostigmine-morphine test with quantitative hepatobiliary scintigraphy: a new method for the diagnosis of sphincter of Oddi dyskinesia

Attempts have long been made to use the prostigmine-morphine provocation test for the selection of postcholecystectomy patients suffering from sphincter of Oddi (SO) dyskinesia. Since the whole procedure is based upon the evaluation of subjective complaints, this test has frequently been criticized. To improve the diagnostic value of this method, we have visualized SO spasms during prostigmine-morphine provocation by means of quantitative hepatobiliary scintigraphy (QHBS). Twenty-two cholecystectomized patients with typical postprandial biliary pain were included in this study. In the first series of studies, QHBS with technetium-99m 2,6-diethylphenylcarbamoylmethyl-diacetic acid was performed in each patient 2 days before prostigmine-morphine provocation. The time to peak activity (Tmax) and the half-time of excretion (T1/2) over the liver parenchyma (LP), hepatic hilum (HH) and common bile duct (CBD), and the duodenum appearance time (DAT), were determined and served as control values. In the second series of experiments, sphincter spasms were evoked by prostigmine-morphine administration and visualized by means of QHBS. The same parameters were evaluated and serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were determined simultaneously at regular intervals. In 12 patients who responded to prostigmine-morphine provocation with typical biliary pain and a significant AST elevation (Nardi positive group) the hepatobiliary scintigram demonstrated a marked biliary obstruction. Tmax and T1/2 over the LP, HH and CBD were significantly increased, while DAT was significantly longer relative to the corresponding data obtained without provocation. Four of the remaining ten patients indicated atypical abdominal pain during prostigmine-morphine provocation, but the AST level remained unchanged in all ten (Nardi negative group).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction caused by an ampullary neoplasm

The case of a 50-year-old man with abdominal pain and abnormal liver test results is described. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with manometric studies showed biliary dilatation, poor ductal drainage, and sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. Clinical and radiographic clues suggested the possibility of an ampullary lesion; a small ampullary adenoma was detected after endoscopic sphincterotomy, and ampullary carcinoma was found in the operative specimen. Malignancy can cause sphincter dysfunction not only in the esophagus (as pseudoachalasia) but in the ampulla of Vater as well.

Endoscopic management of recurrent and chronic pancreatitis

Endoscopic therapy is now being utilized in the setting of recurrent acute and chronic pancreatitis. This review analyzes the current state of the art of these new applications of endoscopy. Selection of appropriate candidates for the various treatment modalities appears important for optimal results of therapy. Patients with gallstone pancreatitis, pancreas divisum, obstructing main pancreatic duct stones, and bulging pseudocysts appear to be the best candidates for endoscopic therapy.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the diagnosis of biliary and pancreatic duct disease: A prospective study on 668 Jordanian patients

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the method of choice in establishing the nature and the site of common bile and pancreatic duct disease and related complications. It was used in 668 Jordanian patients who presented with biliary or pancreatic disease and unexplained upper abdominal pain. Common bile duct (CBD) stones, postsurgical traumatic CBD strictures, papillary stenosis and malignant strictures were the most common findings in this study. The incidence of malignant strictures was less and the postsurgical CBD injuries, mainly CBD complete ligation, were more than what was reported by others. This procedure was also valuable in the investigation of unexplained upper abdominal pain and pancreatic disease.

Sphincter of Oddi motility in patients with bile duct stones. A comparative study using percutaneous transhepatic manometry

The motility of the sphincter of Oddi was measured by percutaneous transhepatic manometry of the sphincter of Oddi (PTMSO) in three groups of 57 patients with bile duct stones. The three groups were: (1) cholecystectomy group (N = 10)--patients with common bile duct stones (CBDS) who had already undergone cholecystectomy; (2) noncholecystectomy group (N = 37)--patients with CBDS who had not undergone cholecystectomy; and (3) intrahepatic stone (IHS) group (N = 10). The basal pressure, amplitude, frequency, and propagation direction of contraction waves and the response to cerulein injection or dried egg yolk ingestion were analyzed and compared among these groups. No significant differences in the basal pressure, amplitude, frequency, and propagation direction of the contraction waves were found among the three groups. There were also no differences in the response to cerulein or dried egg yolk ingestion. The frequency and duration of the burst contractions occurring in duodenal phase III of the migrating motor complex were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the cholecystectomy group than in the other two groups. These two differences in the burst contractions may be ascribed to the absence of the gallbladder.

Human sphincter of Oddi motility and cholecystokinin response following liver transplantation

The reported incidence of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction following orthotopic liver transplantation has ranged from 3% to 7%. If sphincteric dysfunction is unrecognized, therapy may be inappropriate; when recognized, extensive surgery may be required. To prospectively identify patients with sphincteric dysfunction, we performed sphincter of Oddi motility studies through the t-tube tract three months after transplantation. Baseline sphincter motility and response to intravenous cholecystokinin were evaluated. The results of 10 subjects are reported; nine had normal basal sphincter pressure (16 +/- 5.8 mm Hg), and all had normal frequency (3.6 +/- 1/min), amplitude (86 +/- 31 mm Hg), and duration (4.5 +/- 1 sec) of phasic contractions. One subject had an elevated basal pressure (47 mm Hg). All, including the subject with elevated basal pressure, demonstrated a normal response to intravenous cholecystokinin with significant inhibition of phasic contraction frequency and amplitude. We demonstrate that simultaneous studies of the sphincter and duodenum can be obtained via the t-tube tract, providing the opportunity for prospective evaluation of sphincteric function. We conclude that sphincter of Oddi function usually remains normal following liver transplantation with choledochocholedochostomy.

Sphincter of Oddi manometry: decreased risk of clinical pancreatitis with use of a modified aspirating catheter

This study was undertaken to determine whether routine use of a modified triple-lumen five French sphincter of Oddi manometry catheter would reduce the frequency and severity of post-manometry pancreatitis and pancreatic enzyme elevation. Seventy-six patients were alternately assigned to undergo sphincter of Oddi manometry (SOM) with a standard perfusion (infused group) catheter or the newly developed aspiration (aspirated group) catheter. After SOM, there were significantly more patients in the infused group with both amylase and lipase values elevated at least two times the upper limits of normal at 2 (p less than 0.001), 6 (p = 0.01), and 18 hours (p = 0.03) after the procedure. As compared with the standard perfusion system, the aspiration catheter was associated with a decreased frequency of clinical pancreatitis (23.5% vs. 3%, p = 0.01) reduced hospital stay (5 +/- 1.83 days, mean +/- SE, versus 1 day; p = 0.03) and milder pancreatitis. The aspiration manometry catheter should be considered for standard use for SOM, particularly if the pancreatic duct sphincter is being evaluated.

Sphincter of Oddi response to caerulein after endoscopic sphincterotomy for papillary stenosis

Using a percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS) catheter, sphincter of Oddi motility was measured in a patient with papillary stenosis secondary to bile duct stones. Prior to sphincterotomy, intramuscular injection of 20 micrograms caerulein did not inhibit pathological contraction waves of the sphincter of Oddi or relieve abdominal pain. Endoscopic sphincterotomy of the lower segment of the sphincter of Oddi resulted in recovery of the normal response to caerulein, i.e. relaxation of the sphincter of Oddi. This observation indicates that the pathological contraction and lack of relaxation to cholecystokinin in a patient with papillary stenosis is due to high common bile duct pressure. The measurement of motility of sphincter of Oddi via the PTCS route is useful in diagnosing motor disorders in the sphincter of Oddi and is helpful in deciding to perform endoscopic sphincterotomy.

Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. Dynamic cholescintigraphy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with papillotomy in diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up study

The study compares dynamic cholescintigraphy with traditional methods in diagnosing sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. Five patients with dysfunction of the sphincter, in accordance with traditional diagnostic criteria, are compared with 25 patients with postcholecystectomy syndrome. Dynamic cholescintigraphy showed complete separation of the two groups, T1/2 distinguishing better than Tmax. The patients with sphincter dysfunction were treated with endoscopic papillotomy (EPT) for symptomatic relief. Three had early complications. At follow-up study the courses were uneventful. Their symptoms had disappeared or markedly improved, and dynamic cholescintigraphy was normalized. In conclusion, dynamic cholescintigraphy seems to be a reliable noninvasive method for identification and control of patients with sphincter of Oddi dysfunction suitable for treatment with EPT.