Case report: intestinal perforation--an unusual complication of endoscopic biliary stenting

Colonic diverticular perforation by a migrated biliary stent: A case report with literature review

RATIONALE

Plastic endobiliary stents, after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, can get spontaneously dislocated from the common bile duct and migrate intothe distal bowel. Most migrated biliary stents are removed with the passing of stool. However, migrated biliary stents can cause bowel perforation, albeit rarely, and surgical intervention may be required. Recently, we observed a colonic diverticular perforation caused by a migrated biliary stent, and we have reported this case with a review of the literature.

PATIENTS CONCERNS

A 74-year-old man presented with severe right lower quadrant pain after biliary stent insertion 1month ago.

DIAGNOSES

Abdominal computed tomography revealed perforation of the proximal ascending colon by the migrated biliary stent, combined with localized peritonitis.

INTERVENTIONS

Emergency diagnostic laparoscopic examination revealed penetration of the proximal ascending colon by the plastic biliary stent, and right hemicolectomy was performed.

OUTCOMES

On pathological examination, colonic diverticular perforation by the biliary stent was confirmed. The patient was discharged without any additional complications.

LESSONS

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography endoscopists must always be cautious of the possibility of stent migration in patients with biliary stents in situ. In cases of biliary stent dislocation from the common bile duct in asymptomatic patients, follow-up with serial, plain abdominal radiographs, and physical examination is needed until confirmation of spontaneous passage through stool. In symptomatic cases suggesting peritonitis, abdominal computed tomography scan confirmation is needed, and early intervention should be considered.

Percutaneous transhepatic techniques for removal of endoscopically placed biliary plastic endoprostheses

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-placed plastic biliary endoprostheses can migrate proximally and become impacted (4.9%). Endoscopy is resorted to first and percutaneous transhepatic techniques are resorted to second. Percutaneous transhepatic techniques are resorted to in probably less that 0.5% of all endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-placed plastic biliary endoprostheses and are rarely reported. The current article reviews the results, various techniques, and potential complications during the percutaneous transhepatic removal of these endoprostheses.

Complications and treatment of migrated biliary endoprostheses: A review of the literature

Endoscopic biliary stent insertion is a well-established procedure. It is especially successful in treating postoperative biliary leaks, and may prevent surgical intervention. A routine change of endoprostheses after 3 mo is a common practice but this can be prolonged to 6 mo. We reported a colonic perforation due to biliary stent dislocation and migration to the rectosigmoid colon, and reviewed the literature.

Sigmoid colonic perforation and pelvic abscess complicating biliary stent migration

Endoscopically placed biliary stents are a well-established procedure for the treatment of benign and malignant causes of obstructive jaundice in patients unfit for definitive surgical intervention. Stent migration has been described, though in most instances the stent will pass or remain in the bowel lumen for extended periods of time. Only a few cases of clinically significant complications of stent migration have been reported. This is the first case report of a pelvic abscess complicating stenting for choledocholithiasis. As the numbers of stenting procedures continue to increase it may be anticipated that the numbers of complications will similarly increase.

Displacement of occluded plastic endoprostheses into the duodenum during percutaneous biliary drainage: description of an under-reported technique

AIM

Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) is occasionally requested in patients with an occluded plastic stent in situ. We describe a technique for dislodging the stent into the duodenum during PTBD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twelve patients (M:F, 9:3 mean age 70 years) with plastic stents in the common bile duct (CBD) underwent PTBD. Eleven patients had malignant obstruction and one patient had Mirizzi's syndrome and a large duodenal diverticulum. PTBD was performed using right lobe access in nine patients and a left hepatic access in three patients. The level of biliary obstruction was at the lower CBD in five patients, mid-CBD in four patients and upper CBD in three patients. After standard percutaneous biliary access was established, an 8mm by 4 cm balloon catheter was gently inflated alongside the upper end of the plastic stent and advanced over a stiff guidewire, towards the duodenum, to dislodge the plastic stent.

RESULTS

Plastic stents were successfully dislodged in all 11 patients with malignancy and metallic stents were deployed for palliation. In nine of 11 patients with malignant lesions the PTBD dislodgement of the plastic stent and insertion of a metallic stent was carried out as a single-step procedure. In two patients with biliary sepsis, a two-step procedure was necessary. In the patient with Mirizzi's syndrome the plastic stent could not be dislodged. No complications were observed.

CONCLUSION

Plastic stents, inserted at ERCP, can be dislodged in the majority of cases at PTBD using a balloon catheter inserted alongside the failed stent without complication.

Colocutaneous fistula relating to the migration of a biliary stent

The endoscopic placement of endoprostheses to decompress biliary obstruction is a commonly used treatment for malignant biliary diseases and is also used in the treatment of benign biliary strictures. Complications of endoprosthesis placement have been described and include the migration of the stent. We present a case of a colonic-cutaneous fistula secondary to the migration of a plastic biliary stent with colonic perforation.

An unusual complication of a biliary stent-small bowel perforation of an incarcerated hernia sac

We present a case of small bowel perforation after migration of an endoscopically inserted biliary stent inside an incarcerated hernia sac. A review of the literature revealed no other report of stent morbidity associated with hernias. The management and implications are discussed.

Endoscopic biliary stent migration with small bowel perforation in a liver transplant recipient

Intestinal perforation from a migrated biliary stent is a rare complication after endoscopic stent placement for benign biliary stricture. We provide the first description of stent migration and distal small-bowel perforation after stent placement for biliary anastomotic stricture in a liver transplant recipient. We review the current literature on the diagnosis and management of stent migration and intestinal perforation after endoscopic or percutaneous stent placement for benign and malignant biliary strictures. Early diagnosis and treatment of biliary stent migration and subsequent intestinal perforation are essential in transplant patients, in whom immunosuppression sometimes blunts signs and symptoms of intestinal perforation.