[Management of Intrahepatic Duct Stone]

Application of DynaCT biliary soft tissue reconstruction technology in diagnosis and treatment of hepatolithiasis

BACKGROUND

Hepatobiliary stone disease involves an intrahepatic bile duct stone that occurs above the confluence of the right and left hepatic ducts. One-step percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotripsy (PTCSL) using the percutaneous transhepatic one-step biliary fistulation (PTOBF) technique enables the clearing of intrahepatic stones and the resolution of strictures. However, hepatolithiasis with associated strictures still has high residual and recurrence rates after one-step PTCSL. DynaCT can achieve synchronized acquisition with a flat-panel detector during C-arm rotation. The technical approach and application value of DynaCT biliary soft tissue reconstruction technology for the diagnosis and treatment of hepatolithiasis with bile duct stenosis were evaluated in this study.

AIM

To explore the value of DynaCT biliary soft tissue reconstruction technology for the diagnosis and treatment of hepatolithiasis with bile duct stenosis, and to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the PTOBF technique guided by DynaCT biliary soft tissue reconstruction technology.

METHODS

The clinical data of 140 patients with complex biliary stenosis disease combined with bile duct stenosis who received PTOBF and were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from January 2020 to December 2024 were collected. The patients were divided into two groups: DynaCT-PTOBF group (70 patients) and conventional PTOBF group (70 patients). These groups were compared in terms of the preoperative bile duct stenosis, location of the liver segment where the stone was located, intraoperative operative time, immediate stone retrieval rate, successful stenosis dilatation rate, postoperative complication rate, postoperative reoperation rate, stone recurrence rate, and stenosis recurrence rate.

RESULTS

DynaCT biliary soft tissue reconstruction technology was successfully performed in 70 patients. The DynaCT-PTOBF group had a higher detection rate of target bile ducts where bile duct stones and biliary strictures were located than the PTOBF group. Compared with the PTOBF group, the DynaCT-PTOBF group was characterized by a significantly greater immediate stone removal rate (68.6% vs 50.0%, P = 0.025), greater immediate stenosis dilatation success rate (72.9% vs 55.7%, P = 0.034), greater final stenosis release rate (91.4% vs 75.7%, P = 0.012), shorter duration of intraoperative hemorrhage (3.14 ± 2.00 vs 26.5 ± 52.1, P = 0.039), and lower incidence of distant cholangitis (2.9% vs 11.4%, P = 0.49). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of the final stone removal rate, reoperation rate, or long-term complication incidence rate.

CONCLUSION

DynaCT biliary soft tissue reconstruction technology guiding the PTOBF technique in patients with hepatolithiasis with bile duct stenosis is feasible and accurate. It may be beneficial for optimizing the preoperative evaluation of the PTOBF technique.

Utility of cholangioscopy in patients with surgically altered anatomy after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage

Background and study aims

Surgical therapy that alters the biliary anatomy makes endoscopic access to the biliary system difficult. These surgeries promote cholestasis, calculi development and lead to biliary stricture. Stricture resolution and removal of intrahepatic bile duct stones remain challenging.

Patients and methods

This was a retrospective analysis of prospective data from patients with altered surgical anatomy with intrahepatic bile duct stones/strictures. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) was attempted, followed by transhepatic SpyGlass cholangioscopy for stricture or removal of intrahepatic bile duct stones. The number of sessions, stricture dilatation, and complications were noted. A cholangiogram revealing a clear duct was a technical success, and stricture resolution was considered a clinical success. Complete ductal clearance was clinical success in those with stones. Patients with follow-up of a minimum of 6 months were included.

Results

Twenty-four patients, 16 of whom were male (66.7%), median age 41.5 years (interquartile range [IQR] 38.2-49) successfully underwent PTBD. The most common indication was biliary stricture in 13 (54.2%), followed by intrahepatic stones in six (25%) and stones with strictures in five patients (20.8%). Most patients had undergone Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (22; 91.7%), and the level of bile duct obstruction was hilum in 20 (83.3%). The median (IQR) total bilirubin levels reduced from 6.6 (5.1-8.3) to 1.8 mg/dL (1.2-2.8) after PTBD; P <0.001. The technical success was 90.9% after a median (IQR) number of two (1.7-2) SpyGlass sessions; clinical success was 88.9% after a median of three (3-4) SpyGlass sessions. Abdominal pain (8.3%) and cholangitis (12.5%) were the complications after cholangioscopy. The median (IQR) follow-up duration was 7 months (6-8).

Conclusions

SpyGlass cholangioscopy, although challenging, is a safe option for intrahepatic stones and strictures with excellent short-term outcomes and minimal complications.

Intrahepatic Duct Incision and Closure for the Treatment of Multiple Cholelithiasis in a Dog

This report describes the successful intrahepatic duct incision and closure for the treatment of multiple cholelithiasis in a dog with untreated hypothyroidism. A 12-year-old spayed female Spitz dog weighing 11.3 kg was diagnosed with multiple cholelithiasis, and a quadrate liver lobectomy and cholecystectomy were performed. Large gallstones were located in the left liver lobe's intrahepatic duct distal to the anastomosis of the intrahepatic ducts of the left medial and lateral lobes. The dilated intrahepatic duct was packed off with wet gauze, and incision and closure were performed on the most dilated section, which was proximal to the largest gallstone. After surgery, the patient showed normal liver function and was discharged with normal total bilirubin and C-reactive protein levels. On postoperative day 83, no stones were observed in the dilated common bile duct (CBD), and the degree of dilatation of the CBD had decreased from 9 mm to 4 mm, with no obstructions. Right intrahepatic gallstones were confirmed without dilatation. Hypothyroidism was managed medically. Hepatic duct incision and closure can be performed in dogs with multiple cholelithiasis. Although not the first option, intrahepatic bile duct incision proves to be a new alternative for the successful treatment of cholelithiasis in dogs.

Three-dimensional visualization technology for guiding one-step percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotripsy for the treatment of complex hepatolithiasis

BACKGROUND

Biliary stone disease is a highly prevalent condition and a leading cause of hospitalization worldwide. Hepatolithiasis with associated strictures has high residual and recurrence rates after traditional multisession percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotripsy (PTCSL).

AIM

To study one-step PTCSL using the percutaneous transhepatic one-step biliary fistulation (PTOBF) technique guided by three-dimensional (3D) visualization.

METHODS

This was a retrospective, single-center study analyzing, 140 patients who, between October 2016 and October 2023, underwent one-step PTCSL for hepatolithiasis. The patients were divided into two groups: The 3D-PTOBF group and the PTOBF group. Stone clearance on choledochoscopy, complications, and long-term clearance and recurrence rates were assessed.

RESULTS

Age, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, Child-Pugh class, and stone location were similar between the 2 groups, but there was a significant difference in bile duct strictures, with biliary strictures more common in the 3D-PTOBF group (P = 0.001). The median follow-up time was 55.0 (55.0, 512.0) days. The immediate stone clearance ratio (88.6% vs 27.1%, P = 0.000) and stricture resolution ratio (97.1% vs 78.6%, P = 0.001) in the 3D-PTOBF group were significantly greater than those in the PTOBF group. Postoperative complication (8.6% vs 41.4%, P = 0.000) and stone recurrence rates (7.1% vs 38.6%, P = 0.000) were significantly lower in the 3D-PTOBF group.

CONCLUSION

Three-dimensional visualization helps make one-step PTCSL a safe, effective, and promising treatment for patients with complicated primary hepatolithiasis. The perioperative and long-term outcomes are satisfactory for patients with complicated primary hepatolithiasis. This minimally invasive method has the potential to be used as a substitute for hepatobiliary surgery.

Removal of intrahepatic bile duct stone could reduce the risk of cholangiocarcinoma: A single-center retrospective study in South Korea

BACKGROUND

Intrahepatic duct (IHD) stones are among the most important risk factors for cholangiocarcinoma (CCC). Approximately 10% of patients with IHD stones develop CCC; however, there are limited studies regarding the effect of IHD stone removal on CCC development.

AIM

To investigate the association between IHD stone removal and CCC development.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 397 patients with IHD stones at a tertiary referral center between January 2011 and December 2020.

RESULTS

CCC occurred in 36 of the 397 enrolled patients. In univariate analysis, chronic hepatitis B infection (11.1% vs 3.0%, P = 0.03), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9, 176.00 vs 11.96 II/mL, P = 0.010), stone located in left or both lobes (86.1% vs 70.1%, P = 0.042), focal atrophy (52.8% vs 26.9%, P = 0.001), duct stricture (47.2% vs 24.9%, P = 0.004), and removal status of IHD stone (33.3% vs 63.2%, P < 0.001) were significantly different between IHD stone patients with and without CCC. In the multivariate analysis, CA19-9 > upper normal limit, carcinoembryonic antigen > upper normal limit, stones located in the left or both lobes, focal atrophy, and complete removal of IHD stones without recurrence were independent factors influencing CCC development. However, the type of removal method was not associated with CCC risk.

CONCLUSION

Complete removal of IHD stones without recurrence could reduce CCC risk.

Classification of left-side hepatolithiasis for laparoscopic middle hepatic vein-guided anatomical hemihepatectomy combined with transhepatic duct lithotomy

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic middle hepatic vein-guided anatomical hemihepatectomy combined with transhepatic duct lithotomy (MATL) is an approach that can substantially improve stone clearance rates while reducing the rate of postoperative biliary fistula formation, residual stone rates, and rates of recurrence. In this study, we classified left-side hepatolithiasis cases into four subtypes based upon the diseased stone-containing bile duct, the middle hepatic vein, and the right hepatic duct. We then investigated the risk associated with different subtypes and evaluated the safety and efficacy of the MATL procedure.

METHODS

In total, 372 patients who underwent left hemihepatectomy for left intrahepatic bile duct stones were enrolled. Based on the distribution of the stones, the cases could be divided into four types. The risk of surgical treatment was compared for the four types and the safety, short-term efficacy, and long-term efficacy of the MATL procedure in the four types of left intrahepatic bile duct stones were studied.

RESULTS

Type II was found to be the most likely to cause intraoperative bleeding while type III was likely to cause biliary tract damage and type IV was associated with the highest stone recurrence rate. The MATL procedure did not increase the risk of surgery and was found to reduce the rate of bile leakage, residual stones, and stone recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Left-side hepatolithiasis-associated risk classification is feasible and may represent a viable means of improving the safety and feasibility of the MATL procedure.

Risk factors of recurrent choledocholithiasis following therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

BACKGROUND

The risk factors for the recurrent choledocholithiasis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) have not been well studied. The aim of this study was to explore the risk factors of recurrent choledocholithiasis.

METHODS

We carried out a retrospective analysis of data collected between January 1, 2010 and January 1, 2020. Univariate analysis and multivariate analysis were used to explore the independent risk factors of recurrent choledocholithiasis following therapeutic ERCP.

RESULTS

In total, 598 patients were eventually selected for analysis, 299 patients in the recurrent choledocholithiasis group and 299 patients in the control group. The overall rate of recurrent choledocholithiasis was 6.91%. Multivariate analysis showed that diabetes [odds ratio (OR) = 3.677, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.875-7.209; P < 0.001], fatty liver (OR = 4.741, 95% CI: 1.205-18.653; P = 0.026), liver cirrhosis (OR = 3.900, 95% CI: 1.358-11.201; P = 0.011), history of smoking (OR = 3.773, 95% CI: 2.060-6.908; P < 0.001), intrahepatic bile duct stone (OR = 4.208, 95% CI: 2.220-7.976; P < 0.001), biliary stent (OR = 2.996, 95% CI: 1.870-4.800; P < 0.001), and endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD) (OR = 3.009, 95% CI: 1.921-4.715; P < 0.001) were independent risk factors of recurrent choledocholithiasis. However, history of drinking (OR = 0.183, 95% CI: 0.099-0.337; P < 0.001), eating light food frequently (OR = 0.511, 95% CI: 0.343-0.760; P = 0.001), and antibiotic use before ERCP (OR = 0.315, 95% CI: 0.200-0.497; P < 0.001) were independent protective factors of recurrent choledocholithiasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with the abovementioned risk factors are more likely to have recurrent CBD stones. Patients who eat light food frequently and have a history of drinking are less likely to present with recurrent CBD calculi.

Resection of extrahepatic bile ducts with partial hepatectomy for treating intra- and extrahepatic hepatolithiasis

Background

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of our new surgical procedures for primary intra- and extrahepatic hepatolithiasis. Hepatolithiasis is an intractable disease with frequent recurrences.

Methods

From 1996 to 2005, 142 patients with intrahepatic and/or extrahepatic hepatolithiasis treated with the conventional surgical methods were included as the control group, while 128 consecutive patients treated with new surgical methods from 2006 to 2015 were included as the observation group. The new surgical procedures included a comprehensive intraoperative exploration of the bile ducts, focusing on the structure and function of the hilar bile duct and duodenal papilla, exploration of the affected liver, and bile culture.

Results

The observation group had a significantly higher complete stone clearance rate than the control group (100% vs. 65.96%). The observation group had significantly lower incidences of cholangitis and bile duct stones, as well as a higher excellent and good long-term surgical efficacy rate (86.24% vs. 52.73%). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that the control group had a higher risk for fair + poor efficacy than the observation group (HR: 8.47).

Conclusions

Our new surgical procedures are safe and can provide a good long-term efficacy for treating primary hepatolithiasis intra- and extrahepatic hepatolithiasis.

Percutaneous Management of Biliary Stones

Bile duct stone disease is the most common causes of nonmalignant bile duct obstructions. The range of common bile duct stone formation in patients with cholecystectomy is 3 to 14.7%. Hepatolithiasis, although endemic in some parts of the world, is a rare disease that is difficult to manage. Endoscopic intervention is accepted as the first-line management of common bile duct stones. However, when the bile duct cannot be cannulated for various reasons, the endoscopic procedure fails. In this circumstance, percutaneous approach is an alternative technique for the nonsurgical treatment of bile duct stones. This article reviews the indications, technique, outcomes, and complications of the percutaneous treatment of bile duct stone disease.

Modified percutaneous transhepatic papillary balloon dilation for patients with refractory hepatolithiasis

BACKGROUND

Some patients with hepatolithiasis cannot tolerate surgery due to severe cardiac or pulmonary comorbidities, or cannot be endoscopically treated because of altered gastrointestinal anatomies.

AIM

To propose a modified percutaneous transhepatic papillary balloon dilation procedure, and evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of this modality.

METHODS

Data from 21 consecutive patients who underwent modified percutaneous transhepatic papillary balloon dilation with hepatolithiasis were retrospectively analyzed. Using auxiliary devices, intrahepatic bile duct stones were pushed into the common bile duct and expelled into the duodenum with an inflated balloon catheter. The outcomes recorded included success rate, procedure time, hospital stay, causes of failure, and procedure-related complications. Patients with possible long-term complications were followed up for 2 years.

RESULTS

Intrahepatic bile duct stones were successfully removed in 20 (95.23%) patients. Mean procedure time was 65.8 ± 5.3 min. Mean hospital stay was 10.7 ± 1.5 d. No pancreatitis, gastrointestinal, or biliary duct perforation was observed. All patients were followed up for 2 years, and there was no evidence of reflux cholangitis or calculi recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Modified percutaneous transhepatic papillary balloon dilation was feasible and safe with a small number of patients with hepatolithiasis, and may be a treatment option in patients with severe comorbidities or in patients in whom endoscopic procedure was not successful.

Perihilar Hepatectomy for Hepatolithiasis with Compressed Hilar Bile Duct Induced by Perihilar Hyperplasia of Liver

Background: Stone recurrence is a major problem limiting the effects of surgical treatment for hepatolithiasis. It was showed that hyperplasia of perihilar liver may compress the hepatic portal and cause deficient bile flow because of compressed hilar bile duct, thereby leading to the formation of bile stasis and precipitating stone recurrence. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of perihilar hepatectomy for hepatolithiasis with compressed hilar bile duct induced by perihilar hyperplasia of liver. Methods: 135 patients with compressed hilar bile duct induced by hypertrophied perihilar liver were included in this study from January 2011 to July 2016. Among these patients, 77 underwent conventional operation procedure (control group) and 58 underwent conventional operation procedure added by perihilar hepatectomy (perihilar hepatectomy group). Clinical data containing preoperative data, intraoperative data, operation complications, and short-term and long-term outcomes were collected. Results: The demographic and disease-related characteristics of the two groups were comparable. The two groups were not remarkably different in operation-related characteristics. The incidence of bile leakage in the perihilar hepatectomy group was substantially higher than that in the control group. Other postoperative complications were not remarkably different between the two groups. In the long-term postoperative follow-up period, the incidence of the recurrence of stones and cholangitis in the control group was considerably higher than that in the perihilar hepatectomy group. Conclusions: Based on conventional operation procedure, additional perihilar hepatectomy is a reliable intervention with definite clinical effects for hepatolithiasis with compressed hilar bile duct induced by hypertrophied perihilar liver.