A European survey of perendoscopic treatment of biliary complications in patients with alveolar echinococcosis

Management of biliary obstruction in patients with newly diagnosed alveolar echinococcosis: a Swiss retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Alveolar echinococcosis, an orphan zoonosis affecting the liver, is of increasing concern worldwide. Most symptomatic cases present at an advanced and inoperable stage, sometimes with biliary obstruction prompting biliary tract interventions. These are, however, associated with a high risk of infectious complications. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the effectiveness and safety of conservative and interventional treatment approaches in patients with newly diagnosed alveolar echinococcosis and biliary obstruction.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Alveolar echinococcosis patients treated at two referral centres in Switzerland, presenting with hyperbilirubinaemia (total bilirubin >1.5 Upper Limit of Normal) at diagnosis were included, unless another underlying aetiology, i.e. common bile duct stones or decompensated cirrhosis, was identified. Patients were divided into two groups, according to whether they initially received a biliary tract intervention. The primary endpoint was normalisation of bilirubin levels within a 6-month period. Secondary endpoints included, among others, the occurrence of early and late biliary complications, the need for biliary tract interventions during follow-up and overall duration of hospital stays for treatment initiation and for biliary complications.

RESULTS

28 patients were included in this study, of whom 17 received benzimidazole therapy alone and 11 additionally received a biliary tract intervention. Baseline characteristics did not differ between groups. All but one patient in each group achieved the primary endpoint (p=0.747). Biliary tract intervention was associated with faster laboratory improvement (t1/2 1.3 vs 3.0 weeks), but also with more frequent early biliary complications (7/11 vs 1/17, p=0.002) and longer initial hospital stay (18 days vs 7 days, p=0.007).

CONCLUSION

Biliary obstruction in patients with newly diagnosed alveolar echinococcosis can be treated effectively with benzimidazole therapy alone. Biliary tract intervention, on the other hand, is associated with a high complication rate and should probably be reserved for patients with insufficient response to benzimidazole therapy.

Risk factors for post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography cholangitis in patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis-an observational study

BACKGROUND

Hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) is considered to be one of the most deadly chronic parasitic diseases in the world. We have shown that the incidence of cholangitis in patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was increased significantly. On this finding, we carried out, a preliminary study on the risk factors for cholangitis after ERCP.

AIMS

To retrospectively detect the risk factors for post-ERCP cholangitis in patients with biliary tract affected by HAE.

METHODS

The study included data from 51 cases of AE who had undergone therapeutic ERCP between January 2015 and December 2019. Demographic and treatment data were extracted from the medical records, and the association between potential risk factors and the development of post-ERCP cholangitis was evaluated using a collected database.

RESULTS

There were five cases of mild cholangitis after ERCP (Tokyo criteria), and no moderate or severe cholangitis occurred. The incidence rate of cholangitis after ERCP was 9.8%. Univariate analysis showed hilar bile duct stenosis (p = .016), endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage (p = .007), a stent diameter ≥8.5 Fr (p = .000) and single stent implantation (p = .010) were risk factors for post -ERCP cholangitis. All cases of cholangitis improved under conservative treatment.

CONCLUSION

Patients with hilar bile duct compression or endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage appeared to be more likely to develop post-ERCP cholangitis. The number and diameter of biliary stents may influence post-ERCP cholangitis. Sample size and clinical heterogeneity are two insurmountable difficulties, and a larger sample size needs to be collected to verify the risk factors for screening. KEY MESSAGESMany studies reported the post-ERCP complications in patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis and found that the incidence of post-ERCP cholangitis was significantly high. Therefore, we conducted a preliminary study on the risk factors of postoperative cholangitis in patients who underwent ERCP.The incidence rate of cholangitis after ERCP was 9.8%. We found that hilar bile duct stenosis, and endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage, were risk factors for cholangitis, and stent diameter and the number of stent implantation may influence the incidence rate of cholangitis after ERCP.Sample size and clinical heterogeneity are two insurmountable difficulties, and a larger sample size needs to be collected to verify the risk factors of screening.

Hepatic Alveolar Echinococcosis

Hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) is a rare but severe zoonosis caused by the pseudotumoral intrahepatic development of the larval stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis. HAE is present only in the Northern Hemisphere, predominantly in China. Currently, there is a significant resurgence of cases in historically endemic areas associated with emergence of HAE in countries not previously concerned. Today, in European countries, HAE is often discovered by chance; however, clinicians should be made aware of opportunistic infections that progressively emerged recently as a result of therapeutic or pathological immunosuppression. Ultrasonography is the key first-line diagnostic procedure, with specific serology providing confirmation in 95% of the cases. Albendazole, only parasitostatic, is the mainstay for treatment. Surgical resection, if feasible, is the gold standard for treatment, and more patients are currently eligible for this option because of an earlier diagnosis. The prognosis has considerably improved but remains poor in countries where access to care is less favorable.

Intrahepatic manifestation and distant extrahepatic disease in alveolar echinococcosis: a multicenter cohort study

BACKGROUND

The main endemic areas of alveolar echinococcosis (AE) are in central Europe and western China. The infiltration of intrahepatic vascular and bile ducts as well as extrahepatic disease can lead to complications and may increase morbidity in AE.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the vascular/biliary involvement of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) and distant extrahepatic disease at each of four locations in Germany, France, and China.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Contrast-enhanced abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of patients with HAE, 200 in total, were evaluated by five examiners. AE liver lesions were classified according to Kodama's classification. Furthermore, distant extrahepatic manifestations were documented with additionally performed imaging modalities. Vascular/biliary involvement of hepatic manifestations as well as the presence of extrahepatic manifestations were correlated with the respective Kodama type of the liver lesion.

RESULTS

Distant extrahepatic AE manifestations were significantly more frequent in China than in Europe (12/100 vs. 3/100; Fisher's exact test: P=0.0286). A significant relationship exists between presence of distant extrahepatic disease manifestation and size of the AE liver lesion (132.53 ± 48.65 vs. 92.49 ± 50.06; P = 0.0030). Vascular/biliary involvement is significantly more frequent in China than in Europe (86/100 vs. 65/100; χ² = 11.92; P = 0.0006). Vascular/biliary involvement depends on lesion size (111.10 ± 47.44 vs. 47.36 ± 24.36; P<0.0001). Different types of AE liver lesions are associated with differences in vascular/biliary involvement and extrahepatic manifestations.

CONCLUSION

Vascular/biliary involvement and presence of distant extrahepatic manifestations depend on size of the HAE lesions and are more frequently detected in China. Different MRI morphological patterns influence vascular/biliary involvement and the occurrence of distant extrahepatic manifestations.

Parasites of the liver - epidemiology, diagnosis and clinical management in the European context

Parasites in the liver cause significant global morbidity and mortality, as they can lead to recurrent cholangitis, cirrhosis, liver failure and cancer. Due to climate change and globalisation, their incidence is increasing, especially in Europe. The correct diagnosis of a hepatic parasite is often delayed because clinicians are unfamiliar with respective entities. Therefore, in this review, we aim to provide clinicians with a comprehensive clinical picture of hepatic parasites and to bring these neglected parasitic liver diseases to the wider attention of hepatology stakeholders in Europe and around the world.

Laparoscopic or open treatment for hepatic alveolar echinococcosis: A single-institution experience

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of laparoscopy in the treatment of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (AE).

METHODS

Between January 2018 and December 2019, 213 hepatic AE patients were admitted to the authors' institution. Among them, 165 patients (77.46%, 165/213) underwent surgery. Of 13 patients who underwent laparoscopic treatment, two required conversion to open surgery. The remaining 11 patients (group 1) were analyzed. During the same period, 154 patients underwent open surgery, but only 14 records were compatible with the criteria for the laparoscopic approach and were reviewed retrospectively (group 2).

RESULTS

Conversion to open surgery occurred in two cases. Both groups were basically consistent in terms of detailed demographic data, characteristics of the lesions, and surgical strategy (P > 0.05). The laparoscopic group not only achieved the same R0 resection as the open group, but the results were also significantly superior to those of the open group in terms of postoperative complications, postoperative catheterization time, and postoperative hospital stay (P = 0.042, P = 0.046, and P = 0.045, respectively). No recurrences were observed in either group during this period.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic surgery provides a safe and efficacious approach for hepatic AE in selected patients. Large, prospective, randomized trials are needed to confirm its superiority.

Emerging human alveolar echinococcosis in Hungary (2003-2018): a retrospective case series analysis from a multi-centre study

Background

Human alveolar echinococcosis (AE) caused by Echinococcus multilocularis is an underreported, often misdiagnosed and mistreated parasitic disease mainly due to its low incidence. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of human AE patients in Hungary for the first time.

Method

Between 2003 and 2018, epidemiological and clinical data of suspected AE patients were collected retrospectively from health database management systems.

Results

This case series included a total of 16 AE patients. The mean age of patients was 53 years (range: 24–78 years). The sex ratio was 1:1. Four patients (25%) revealed no recurrence after radical surgery and adjuvant albendazole (ABZ) therapy. For five patients (31.3%) with unresectable lesions, a stabilization of lesions with ABZ treatment was achieved. In seven patients (43.8%), progression of AE was documented. The mean diagnostic delay was 33 months (range: 1–122 months). Three AE related deaths (fatality rate 18.8%) were recorded.

Conclusions

AE is an emerging infectious disease in Hungary with a high fatality rate since based on our results, almost every fifth AE patient died in the study period. Differential diagnosis and appropriate surgical and medical therapy for AE is an urging challenge for clinicians in Hungary, as well as in some other European countries where E. multilocularis is prevalent.

Laparoscopic hepatectomy for the treatment of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis

Background: At present, laparoscopy is relatively mature as a minimally invasive technique, but there are few reports on this approach for the radical treatment of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (AE). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) for AE treatment. Results: A retrospective review of medical records obtained from 13 patients diagnosed with AE between January 2018 and December 2019 and treated with laparoscopic hepatectomy was conducted at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University. All patients (n = 13) underwent hepatic resection using laparoscopy and none were transferred to open surgery. The average duration of surgery was 285 min (145–580 min). Intraoperative bleeding was 305 mL (20–2000 mL). The mean duration of postoperative catheterization was 6.9 days (3–21 days), and postoperative hospital stay was 7.2 days (4–14 days). No complication of Clavien-Dindo grade III or above occurred, except for the second patient with acute liver failure post-surgically. No recurrences or deaths were observed at 9–30 months of follow-up. Conclusions: Laparoscopic hepatectomy appears to be safe and effective in selected AE patients. The advantages of this technique for AE treatment need to be further compared with the classical open approach.

Evaluation of intrahepatic manifestation and distant extrahepatic disease in alveolar echinococcosis

BACKGROUND

The main endemic areas of alveolar echinococcosis (AE) are in Central Europe and Western China. Both the infiltration of intrahepatic vascular and bile duct structures as well as extrahepatic disease can lead to further complications and may increase morbidity in patients with AE.

AIM

To evaluate vascular/biliary involvement in hepatic AE and its distant extrahepatic disease manifestations in an international collective was the aim.

METHODS

Consecutively, five experienced examiners evaluated contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans for 200 patients with hepatic AE of each of four locations (n = 50) in Germany, France and China. Therefore, we retrospectively included the 50 most recent abdominal contrast-enhanced CT examinations at each center, performed because of hepatic AE from September 21, 2007 to March 21, 2018. AE liver lesions were classified according to the echinococcosis multilocularis Ulm classification for CT (EMUC-CT). Distant extrahepatic manifestations were documented either by whole body positron emission tomography–CT or with the addition of thoracic CT and cranial magnetic resonance imaging. Vascular/biliary involvement of the hepatic disease as well as the presence of distant extrahepatic manifestations were correlated with the EMUC-CT types of liver lesion. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS Version 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, United States).

RESULTS

Distant extrahepatic AE manifestations were significantly more frequent in China than in Europe (P = 0.0091). A significant relationship was found between the presence of distant extrahepatic disease and AE liver lesion size (P = 0.0075). Vascular/biliary structures were involved by the liver lesions significantly more frequently in China than in Europe (P < 0.0001), and vascular/biliary involvement depended on lesion size. Different morphological types of AE liver lesions led to varying frequencies of vascular/biliary involvement and were associated with different frequencies of distant extrahepatic manifestations: Vascular/biliary involvement as a function of lesions primary morphology ranged from 5.88% of type IV liver lesions to 100% among type III lesions. Type IV differed significantly in these associations from types I, II, and III (P < 0.0001). With respect to extrahepatic disease, the primary morphology types IV and V of liver lesions were not associated with any case of distant extrahepatic disease. In contrast, distant extrahepatic manifestations in types I–III were found to varying degrees, with a maximum of 22% for type III.

CONCLUSION

Different CT morphological patterns of hepatic AE lesions influence vascular/biliary involvement and the occurrence of distant extrahepatic manifestations. There are intercontinental differences regarding the characteristics of AE manifestation.

International consensus on terminology to be used in the field of echinococcoses

Echinococcoses require the involvement of specialists from nearly all disciplines; standardization of the terminology used in the field is thus crucial. To harmonize echinococcosis terminology on sound scientific and linguistic grounds, the World Association of Echinococcosis launched a Formal Consensus process. Under the coordination of a Steering and Writing Group (SWG), a Consultation and Rating Group (CRG) had the main missions of (1) providing input on the list of terms drafted by the SWG, taking into account the available literature and the participants’ experience; and (2) providing independent rating on all debated terms submitted to vote. The mission of the Reading and Review Group (RRG) was to give an opinion about the recommendation paper in terms of readability, acceptability and applicability. The main achievements of this process were: (1) an update of the current nomenclature of Echinococcus spp.; (2) an agreement on three names of diseases due to Echinococcus spp.: Cystic Echinococcosis (CE), Alveolar Echinococcosis (AE) and Neotropical Echinococcosis (NE), and the exclusion of all other names; (3) an agreement on the restricted use of the adjective “hydatid” to refer to the cyst and fluid due to E. granulosus sensu lato; and (4) an agreement on a standardized description of the surgical operations for CE, according to the “Approach, cyst Opening, Resection, and Completeness” (AORC) framework. In addition, 95 “approved” and 60 “rejected” terms were listed. The recommendations provided in this paper will be applicable to scientific publications in English and communication with professionals. They will be used for translation into other languages spoken in endemic countries.

Surgical approaches for definitive treatment of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis: results of a survey in 178 patients

Hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) is a potentially fatal disease caused by the larval growth of Echinococcus multilocularis. We analysed the clinical data of 178 consecutive HAE patients treated with definitive radical surgery at our institution. According to the surgical approach: group A patients underwent direct radical hepatic resection; group B patients first underwent percutaneous puncture external drainage, followed by radical hepatic resection 2 months later; group C patients underwent a two-step hepatic resection; and group D patients underwent liver transplantation. The baseline characteristics, mortality, postoperative complications and recurrence rates were evaluated. Symptoms were present in 79.8% (142/178) patients. Bi-lobar lesion was found in 34 (19.1%, 34/178) patients, 47.2% (84/178) of whom had ⩾2 lesions each. There were no intraoperative deaths. The postoperative mortality was 2.29% in group A, 8.62% in group D and 0% in groups B and C. The main cause of death was a serious postoperative complication (Clavien–Dindo grades III–V). Patients were followed-up systematically for a median of 35.8 months (8–72) without recurrence. Active HAE should be treated by radical liver resection, and the complicated alveolar echinococcosis of the liver has been managed whenever possible using principles of radical liver resection by experienced hepatic surgeons.

Surgical treatment strategies for hepatic alveolar echinococcosis

Alveolar echinococcosis is a severe and rare helminthic disease with increasing incidence in endemic regions. Herein, available evidence on curative surgical and potential palliative approaches was reviewed. Such strategies have to be applied in the context of available resources in different health-care systems. Complete resection followed by adjuvant therapy remains the only curative treatment available. Curative surgery is performed by open or laparoscopic approach depending on the extent of the disease and the experience of the surgical team. Palliative resections are typically not indicated, because the availability of endoscopic treatments of biliary complications and long-term benzimidazoles represent efficient alternatives to surgery. Liver transplantation as an alternative to palliative surgery has not been shown to be superior to long-term conservative therapy. Immunosuppressive therapy might additionally contribute to fatal disease recurrence after transplantation.

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Alveolar echinococcosis is an aggressive zoonotic infection caused by the parasite Echinococcus multilocularis.

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Surgery remains the only curative treatment strategy for alveolar echinococcosis.

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In non-resectable patients, benzimidazole treatment is preferred over palliative surgery or liver transplantation.

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Follow-up is based on annual serological testing using Em18-Antigen and cross-sectional imaging.

Echinococcosis: Advances in the 21st Century

Echinococcosis is a zoonosis caused by cestodes of the genus Echinococcus (family Taeniidae). This serious and near-cosmopolitan disease continues to be a significant public health issue, with western China being the area of highest endemicity for both the cystic (CE) and alveolar (AE) forms of echinococcosis. Considerable advances have been made in the 21st century on the genetics, genomics, and molecular epidemiology of the causative parasites, on diagnostic tools, and on treatment techniques and control strategies, including the development and deployment of vaccines. In terms of surgery, new procedures have superseded traditional techniques, and total cystectomy in CE, ex vivo resection with autotransplantation in AE, and percutaneous and perendoscopic procedures in both diseases have improved treatment efficacy and the quality of life of patients. In this review, we summarize recent progress on the biology, epidemiology, diagnosis, management, control, and prevention of CE and AE. Currently there is no alternative drug to albendazole to treat echinococcosis, and new compounds are required urgently. Recently acquired genomic and proteomic information can provide a platform for improving diagnosis and for finding new drug and vaccine targets, with direct impact in the future on the control of echinococcosis, which continues to be a global challenge.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for biliary system parasites

OBJECTIVE

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography may be useful in the diagnosis and management of biliary system parasites.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Investigators retrospectively evaluated patients with biliary system parasites who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography procedures over an eight-year period. We collected data regarding patient demographics, clinical features, and parasite type. We aimed to determine the utility of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography as a diagnostic and therapeutic intervention in patients with biliary system parasites.

RESULTS

We identified 22 patients with biliary system parasites from a total of 3,450 endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography procedures performed during an eight-year period. Parasite types included Echinococcus granulosus (n=19), Fasciola hepatica (n=2), and Ascaris lumbricoides (n=1). Fifteen patients with liver hydatid cysts underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography prior to surgery due to obstructive jaundice. The endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography procedure enabled definitive treatment without the need for surgery in the remaining two patients. Two patients with fascioliasis underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography due to clinical presentation of cholangitis, cholecystitis, and obstructive jaundice, leading to presumptive diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma. However, the final diagnosis was made using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography following inspection of flat, leaf-shaped, motile flukes extracted from the bile duct. In one patient with ascariasis, a longitudinal tubular structure was identified in the bile duct; emergency surgery was required.

CONCLUSION

The diagnosis of parasitic diseases is clinically challenging, and definitive diagnosis requires endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in some cases. Moreover, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography provides a therapeutic option for ascariasis, fascioliasis, and some forms of hydatidosis. Accordingly, the use of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography may change preoperative management and treatment strategies for biliary system parasite infections.

The Echinococcoses: Diagnosis, Clinical Management and Burden of Disease

The echinococcoses are chronic, parasitic diseases that are acquired after ingestion of infective taeniid tapeworm eggs from certain species of the genus Echinococcus. Cystic echinococcosis (CE) occurs worldwide, whereas, alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is restricted to the northern hemisphere, and neotropical echinococcosis (NE) has only been identified in Central and South America. Clinical manifestations and disease courses vary profoundly for the different species of Echinococcus. CE presents as small to large cysts, and has commonly been referred to as 'hydatid disease', or 'hydatidosis'. A structured stage-specific approach to CE management, based on the World Health Organization (WHO) ultrasound classification of liver cysts, is now recommended. Management options include percutaneous sterilization techniques, surgery, drug treatment, a 'watch-and-wait' approach or combinations thereof. In contrast, clinical manifestations associated with AE resemble those of a 'malignant', silently-progressing liver disease, with local tissue infiltration and metastases. Structured care is important for AE management and includes WHO staging, drug therapy and long-term follow-up for at least a decade. NE presents as polycystic or unicystic disease. Clinical characteristics resemble those of AE, and management needs to be structured accordingly. However, to date, only a few hundreds of cases have been reported in the literature. The echinococcoses are often expensive and complicated to treat, and prospective clinical studies are needed to better inform case management decisions.