Role of digital single-operator cholangioscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of biliary disorders

Digital single-operator cholangioscopy for difficult anastomotic biliary strictures in living donor liver transplant recipients after failure of standard ERCP: SPYPASS-2 study (with videos)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Liver transplantation (LT) is a curative treatment for end-stage liver disease. Anastomotic biliary strictures (ABSs) are more common in living donor LT (LDLT). However, the success rate of ERCP for ABSs remains unsatisfactory. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of single-operator cholangioscopy (SOC) for ABS treatment in LDLT recipients where standard ERCP failed to access the stricture.

METHODS

This prospective study included 40 LDLT patients undergoing ERCP with SOC (SpyGlass DS II; Boston Scientific Corp, Natick, Mass, USA) to treat ABSs when guidewire placement across the ABS was difficult during conventional ERCP (cannulation time >10 minutes) between October 2021 and May 2023. Our primary endpoint was technical success, defined as successful guidewire placement across the ABS and/or subsequent treatment. Secondary endpoints were rates of clinical success, adverse events, and reintervention.

RESULTS

The mean patient age was 59.7 ± 7.2 years, and the mean time from LDLT to the occurrence of ABS was 212 ± 230 days. Technical and clinical success were achieved in 92.5% (37/40) and 82.5% (33/40) of patients, respectively. The rates of post-ERCP cholangitis, pancreatitis, and bleeding were 10.0%, 15.0%, and 2.5%, respectively. Intestinal perforation did not occur, and all adverse events were mild in severity. Early stent migration within 1 month occurred in 2 patients (5.4%), and 4 patients (10.8%) required reintervention within 1 month.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows the efficacy and safety of SOC-facilitated management for difficult ABSs in LDLT patients after failure of standard ERCP. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT05065125.).

Per-oral Pancreatoscopy-Guided Lithotripsy Versus Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy in Pancreatic Stone: A Meta-Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Pancreatic duct stones (PDS) pose a significant clinical challenge, and choosing treatment modality is crucial to achieving optimal outcomes. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) has long been regarded as the primary intervention for PDS. However, per-oral pancreatoscopy-guided lithotripsy (POP), both electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL-POP) and laser lithotripsy (LL-POP), has emerged as a promising endoscopic alternative. This meta-analysis compares the efficacy and safety profiles of EHL-POP, LL-POP, and ESWL for treating PDS.

METHODS

A search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases until November 2023 was conducted to identify studies assessing the use of EHL-POP, LL-POP, or ESWL for the treatment of PDS. Primary outcomes were technical success and clinical success of stones. Secondary outcomes were any adverse events (AEs) and the incidence of post-intervention pancreatitis.

RESULTS

A total of 45 observational studies were included. Among the 9624 patients with PDS analyzed, 373 underwent POP (238 EHL-POP and 135 LL-POP), while 9,251 underwent ESWL. The pooled technical and clinical success rates of ESWL versus POP were 85.5% (95% CI: 79.1-90.2%) vs. 88.1% (95% CI: 75.1-94.8%) (p = 0.66) and 78.5% (95% CI: 70.9-84.5%) vs. 81.6% (95% CI: 65.1-91.4%) (p = 0.69), respectively. The pooled technical success rate of EHL-POP was 85.2% (95% CI: 68.5-93.9%, I2 = 63%), which was comparable to LL-POP at 92.7% (95% CI: 64.4-98.9%, I2 = 0%) (p = 0.48). The clinical success rates of EHL-POP and LL-POP were 74.4% (95% CI: 50.7-89.2%, I2 = 48%) and 85.7% (95% CI: 63.9-95.3%, I2 = 68%), respectively (p = 0.38). The rates of any adverse events and post-intervention pancreatitis for ESWL vs. POP were 10.1% (95% CI: 5.5-17.6%, I2 = 95%) vs. 9.3% (95% CI: 4.1-19.6%, I2 = 55%) (p = 0.87) and 4.3% (95% CI: 3.1-5.9%, I2 = 85%) vs. 2.8% (95% CI: 1.3-6.1%, I2 = 0%) (p = 0.32), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Both EHL-POP and LL-POP, emerges as highly effective and safe alternatives for managing PDS, with safety profiles comparable to ESWL. POP could be considered as an alternative first-line option to ESWL for PDS.

Assessing the Feasibility and Diagnostic Value of Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangioscopy Biopsy for Biliary Strictures

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the feasibility and diagnostic value of percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy biopsy (PTCB) for identifying the causes of biliary strictures.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 34 patients (18 females and 16 males), with a mean age of 59.4 ± 13 years. The study population consisted of patients with suspected malignant biliary strictures on imaging or biliary lesions suspected of malignancy during percutaneous transhepatic endoscopic biliary lithotripsy (PTEBL). The final diagnosis for each patient was confirmed based on surgical pathology results, additional histopathological data, or through close clinical and imaging follow-up for at least one year.

RESULTS

Among the patients, 20 (58.9%) underwent PTCB alone, while 14 (41.1%) underwent PTCB combined with PTEBL. Biopsy locations included: 12 patients (35.3%) with intrahepatic bile duct, 12 patients (35.3%) with hilar bile duct, and 10 patients (29.4%) with common bile duct. Technical success of PTCB was defined as successful access to the biliary lesion, with the collection of an adequate histopathological tissue sample achieved in 100% of patients. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of PTCB were 90%, 100%, and 97.1%, respectively. Minor complications were observed in 3 patients (8.8%).

CONCLUSION

PTCB is a feasible and effective method for diagnosing the causes of biliary strictures, offering high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy.

Effectiveness of cholangioscopy guided biopsy versus ERCP guided brushings in diagnosing malignant biliary strictures

BACKGROUND

Evaluation of lesions of the biliary tract are essential to diagnose given the dismal outcomes of cholangiocarcinoma. Historically, these diagnoses were made using brush biopsies obtained under Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). To increase the accuracy of biliary biopsies, SpyGlassTM Discover cholangioscopy guided biopsy has been developed, providing greater tissue yield and direct visualization of the biliary epithelium. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of ERCP guided brushings and SpyGlassTM Discover guided biopsies at a single institution.

METHODS

Following IRB approval, all diagnostic biliary biopsies utilizing both ERCP guided brushings and/or SpyGlassTM Discover between 8/2015 and 6/2022 were retrospectively evaluated. Demographic and clinicopathologic data were collected. Fischer's t-tests and Chi-square analyses were completed as appropriate (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

Overall, 46 patients with an average age of 61 years were included in this study; 59% of the patients were female and 41% were male. 87% of patients had at least one SpyGlassTM Discover guided biopsy and one ERCP guided brushing and 13% of patients had at least one SpyGlassTM Discover guided biopsy alone. SpyGlassTM Discover correctly identified 82% of malignancies while brushings identified only 47% of malignancies.

CONCLUSIONS

SpyGlassTM Discover guided biopsies yield a greater diagnostic result than ERCP guided brushings. Therefore, SpyGlassTM Discover should be considered as the standard for diagnosing biliary lesions at our institution in conjunction with ERCP procedure. The classification of visual characteristics of biliary lesions should be investigated in the future as the high-resolution image generated by SpyGlassTM Discover can allow for detailed visual observation of strictures and potentially aid in better characterization and location of disease.

Feasibility, safety and efficacy of endoscopic single-operator cholangioscopy: a retrospective single-center study

Background

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) is the standard endoscopic procedure for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the pancreas and bile ducts. Cholangioscopy provides direct visualization of the bile ducts. It offers the possibility of more detailed diagnostic and therapeutic indications. Today, cholangioscopy is often performed as a single-operator (SOC) procedure.

Objectives

We were interested in the clinical efficacy of our SOC procedure in comparison with published studies, and performed this retrospective data analysis of all our consecutive patients from 2016 to 2022 to analyze the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of SOC.

Design and Methods

A retrospective single-center analysis of patients undergoing SOC at a tertiary center from 2016 to 2022 (N = 196) was performed. Demographic data, indication for SOC, exam-specific data, efficacy, and complications were included. Sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing indeterminate biliary strictures were calculated.

Results

The most common indications for SOC were indeterminate biliary strictures (n = 117; 60%), treatment of biliary stones (n = 45; 23%), and other indications (n = 34; 17%), for example, foreign body removal or intraoperative SOC. In 97% of the SOC (n = 191), the procedure was technically successful. The diagnostic or therapeutic goal was achieved in 91% of SOC (n = 173). In the subgroup where the SOC result was confirmed by subsequent surgery (n = 93), sensitivity was 86%, specificity 99%, and SOC treatment of stones was successful in 89%. Complications occurred in (20%; n = 37). The majority of these patients (n = 18; 10%) had minor bleeding requiring no intervention.

Conclusion

SOC is an effective and safe procedure that should be the standard of care when primary diagnostic and/or therapeutic ERCP has failed. The sensitivity and specificity for determining the dignity of biliary strictures and the efficacy for the treatment of difficult-to-treat stones are reproducibly very high.

Minimally Invasive Common Bile Duct Stone Management in Gastric Bypass Patients: Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration with Disposable Bronchoscope

BACKGROUND

Bariatric surgery patients may develop common bile duct stones, and the alterations in their anatomy present challenges in treating this condition. Methods such as laparoscopic bile duct exploration is impractical in many healthcare facilities, due to the absence of a choledochoscope. This study assesses the feasibility of laparoscopic exploration of the common bile duct using a disposable bronchoscope in these individuals.

METHOD

The study involved 32 participants who had undergone gastric bypass surgery. These participants presented with both bile duct stones and bile ducts exceeding 8 mm in diameter, diagnosed through either MRCP or cholangiography conducted during the surgery. Stone extraction was carried out through either choledotomy or transcystic routes using a disposable bronchoscope and endoscopic baskets.

RESULTS

The patients' ages ranged from 27 to 66 years, with a mean bile duct diameter of 11.6 mm (SD 3.1 mm). A 100% stone clearance rate was achieved for all patients. None of the patients required conversion to open surgery. No T-tubes were placed. One patient developed biloma and intra-abdominal abscesses, which were successfully treated with a percutaneous drain over the course of a week. No mortalities were recorded during the course of this study.

CONCLUSION

Our study results demonstrate that laparoscopic bile duct exploration is both feasible and safe in patients who have undergone gastric bypass surgery. The utilization of a disposable bronchoscope emerges as a practical and cost-effective alternative to a choledochoscope in this procedure.

Recurrent hemobilia secondary to extrahepatic biliary tract cholangiocarcinoma. A diagnostic challenge

The etiology of hemobilia has mainly iatrogenic (>50%), followed by traumatic causes. Others are biliopathy due to portal high pressure, or neoplastic or infective biliopathy. In the case of non-clear hemobilia, direct-vision-cholangioscopy can change the management in >34% of cases. Our patient had episodes of obstructive hemobilia with secondary cholangitis without objectifying underlying pathology. When she was referred to our center, SpyGlass®-cholangioscopy identified the suspicious lesion compatible with early-stage cholangiocarcinoma despite the diagnostic delay. In conclusion, it is important to keep in mind the neoformative etiology as a potential cause of hemobilia of unclear origin, in which case, cholangioscopy (SpyGlass®) can contribute to the recognition of the signs of malignancy of the lesion and, therefore, to the diagnosis.

Evaluation of the effectiveness and safety of single-operator cholangiopancreatoscopy with the SpyGlass™ system

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

The single-operator cholangiopancreatoscopy (SOCP) with the SpyGlass™ system is a endoscopy technique whose use has grown exponentially in recent years. The aims of this study were to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SOCP with SpyGlass™ and determine the factors related to the onset of adverse events (AEs).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective study at a single tertiary institution with inclusion of all consecutive patients undergoing SOCP with SpyGlass™ from February-2009 to December-2021. No exclusion criteria were considered. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed. The factors associated with the existence of AE were analyzed using Chi-square and Student's t-test.

RESULTS

A total of 95 cases were included. The most common indications were biliary strictures (BS) evaluation (66.3%) or treatment of difficult common bile duct stones (27.4%). Technical and clinical success was attained in 98.9%. Single-session stone clearance was obtained in 84%. The AE rate was 7.4%. To detect malignancy in BS, optical diagnosis presents a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 91.2%, respectively; while histology results were 36.4% and 100% respectively. A previous endoscopic sphincterotomy was associated with a lower rate of AEs (2.4% vs 41.7%; p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

SOCP with SpyGlass™ is a safe and effective technique to diagnose and treat pancreatobiliary pathology. The presence of sphincterotomy performed prior to the procedure could improve the technique's safety.

Role of cholangioscopy as a rescue technique in the retrieval of proximally migrated biliary stents

A 15-years-old boy with a medical history of an orthotopic liver transplant in 2021 due to methylmalonic aciduria, on a multi-stenting strategy for biliary anastomotic strictures, underwent a reassessment endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and the two previously placed biliary stents had migrated proximally, above the anastomosis. A digital single-operator cholangioscopy was performed (SpyGlass, Boston Scientific, Marlborough, Massachusetts) with direct visualization of the migrated stents, however, the accessories through the cholangiocope, such as the SpyBite forceps or the SpySnare (Boston Scientific), were not available in our department at that time. Nevertheless, the cholangioscopy allowed a successful guidewire advancement into the lumen of the stents and its subsequent removal to the duodenum using a Soehendra Stent Retriever (Cook Japan, Tokyo, Japan). Endoscopic removal of proximally migrated stents can be challenging and cholangioscopy has emerged as an additional tool in these cases. This case report represents a successful retrieval of two biliary stents guided by cholangioscopy, avoiding further invasive procedures or even surgery with significant morbidity and mortality.

Digital single-operator cholangioscopy in diagnostic and therapeutic bilio-pancreatic diseases: A prospective, multicenter study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Digital single-operator cholangioscopy (D-SOC) is an endoscopic procedure that is increasingly used for the management of bilio-pancreatic diseases. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of D-SOC for diagnostic and therapeutic indications.

METHODS

This is a multicenter, prospective study(January 2016-June 2019) across eighteen tertiary centers. The primary outcome was procedural success of D-SOC. Secondary outcomes were: D-SOC visual assessment and diagnostic yield of SpyBite biopsy in cases of biliary strictures, stone clearance rate in cases of difficult biliary stones, rate of adverse events(AEs) for all indications.

RESULTS

D-SOC was performed in 369 patients (201(54,5%) diagnostic and 168(45,5%)therapeutic). Overall, procedural success rate was achieved in 360(97,6%) patients. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy in biliary strictures were: 88,5%, 77,3%, 83,3%, 84,1% and 83,6% for D-SOC visual impression; 80,2%, 92,6%, 95,1%, 72,5% and 84,7% for the SpyBite biopsy, respectively. For difficult biliary stones, complete duct clearance was obtained in 92,1% patients (82,1% in a single session). Overall, AEs occurred in 37(10%) cases.The grade of AEs was mild or moderate for all cases, except one which was fatal.

CONCLUSION

D-SOC is effective for diagnostic and therapeutic indications.Most of the AEs were minor and managed conservatively, even though a fatal event has happened that is not negligible and should be considered before using D-SOC.

Clinical impact of a novel device delivery system in the diagnosis of bile duct lesions: A single-center experience

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Pathological evaluation is essential for the diagnosis of biliary tract diseases. However, existing evaluation methods have various challenges in terms of operability and diagnostic performance. The present study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, utility, and safety of a novel device delivery system for bile duct biopsy.

METHODS

This study was conducted as a retrospective, descriptive analysis at a single center. Overall, 25 examinations in 14 consecutive patients who underwent transpapillary biopsies for biliary lesions using the novel device delivery system from July to November 2020 were reviewed. Number and time of biopsy, technical success rate, adequate tissue sampling rate, adverse events, and diagnostic performance of bile duct biopsies using the novel device were evaluated. Moreover, negative surgical margins were assessed in patients who underwent surgical resection after mapping biopsy.

RESULTS

The median number of biopsy samples was five (range: 2-13), with a median biopsy time of 11.6 min. The technical success rate was 100% (140/140), with an adequate sampling rate of 82.9% (116/140). These rates did not differ depending on the biopsy site or purpose. There were no serious adverse events related to the procedures. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of biliary stricture were 90%, 100%, and 92.3%, respectively. Negative surgical margins were confirmed in all patients undergoing surgical resection, including one patient with a surgical procedure changed based on the results of mapping biopsy.

CONCLUSIONS

The novel device delivery system has potentials in diagnosing biliary tract diseases and determining appropriate treatment strategies.

Endobiliary biopsy

The differential diagnosis between benign and malignant biliary strictures is challenging and requires a multidisciplinary approach with the use of serum biomarkers, imaging techniques, and several modalities of endoscopic or percutaneous tissue sampling. The diagnosis of biliary strictures consists of laboratory markers, and invasive and non-invasive imaging examinations such as computed tomography (CT), contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS). Nevertheless, invasive imaging modalities combined with tissue sampling are usually required to confirm the diagnosis of suspected malignant biliary strictures, while pathological diagnosis is mandatory to decide the optimal therapeutic strategy. Although EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy is currently the standard procedure for tissue sampling of solid pancreatic mass lesions, its diagnostic value in intraductal infiltrating type of cholangiocarcinoma remains limited. Moreover, the "endobiliary approach" using novel slim biopsy forceps, transpapillary and percutaneous cholangioscopy, and intraductal ultrasound-guided biopsy, is gaining ground on traditional endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography endobiliary forceps biopsy. This review focuses on the available endobiliary techniques currently used to perform biliary strictures biopsy, comparing the diagnostic performance of endoscopic and percutaneous approaches.

Digital single-operator cholangioscopy for biliary stricture after cadaveric liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

Biliary strictures after liver transplantation (LT) remain clinically arduous and challenging situations, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has been considered as the gold standard for the management of biliary strictures after LT. Nevertheless, in the treatment of biliary strictures after LT with ERCP, many studies show that there is a large variation in diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic success rate. Digital single-operator peroral cholangioscopy (DSOC) is considered a valuable diagnostic modality for indeterminate biliary strictures.

AIM

To evaluate DSOC in addition to ERCP for management of biliary strictures after LT.

METHODS

Nineteen patients with duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction who underwent ERCP for suspected biliary complications between March 2019 and March 2020 at Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, were consecutively enrolled in this observational study. After evaluating bile ducts using fluoroscopy, cholangioscopy using a modern digital single-operator cholangioscopy system (SpyGlass DS™) was performed during the same procedure with patients under conscious sedation. All patients received peri-interventional antibiotic prophylaxis. Biliary strictures after LT were classified according to the manifestations of choledochoscopic strictures and the manifestations of transplanted hepatobiliary ducts.

RESULTS

Twenty-one biliary strictures were found in a total of 19 patients, among which anastomotic strictures were evident in 18 (94.7%) patients, while non-anastomotic strictures in 2 (10.5%), and space-occupying lesions in 1 (5.3%). Stones were found in 11 (57.9%) and loose sutures in 8 (42.1%). A benefit of cholangioscopy was seen in 15 (78.9%) patients. Cholangioscopy was crucial for selective guidewire placement prior to planned intervention in 4 patients. It was instrumental in identifying biliary stone and/or loose sutures in 9 patients in whom ERCP failed. It also provided a direct vision for laser lithotripsy. A space-occupying lesion in the bile duct was diagnosed by cholangioscopy in one patient. Patients with biliary stricture after LT displayed four types: (A) mild inflammatory change (n = 9); (B) acute inflammatory change edema, ulceration, and sloughing (n = 3); (C) chronic inflammatory change; and (D) acute suppurative change. Complications were seen in three patients with post-interventional cholangitis and another three with hyperamylasemia.

CONCLUSION

DSOC can provide important diagnostic information, helping plan and perform interventional procedures in LT-related biliary strictures.

Peroral cholangioscopy: Update on the state-of-the-art

Peroral cholangioscopy (POC) is an endoscopic procedure that allows direct intraductal visualization of the biliary tract. POC has emerged as a vital tool for indeterminate biliary stricture evaluation and treatment of difficult biliary stones. Over several generations of devices, POC has fulfilled additional clinical needs where other diagnostic or therapeutic modalities have been inadequate. With adverse event rates comparable to standard endoscopic retrograde cholangioscopy and unique technical attributes, the role of POC is likely to continue expand. In this frontiers article, we highlight the existing and growing clinical applications of POC as well as areas of ongoing research.

Efficacy and Safety of Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangioscopy with the Spyglass DS Direct Visualization System in Patients with Surgically Altered Anatomy: A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS

: Percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS) is used for the diagnosis and treatment of biliary diseases in patients with failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, particularly those with surgically altered anatomy. However, few studies are available on the clinical use of Spyglass DS direct visualization system (SpyDS)-assisted PTCS. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of SpyDS-assisted PTCS in patients with surgically altered anatomy, particularly those with a Roux-en-Y reconstruction.

METHODS

Thirteen patients (six women, median age 71.4 years [range, 53 to 83 years]) with surgically altered anatomy (four Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomies, seven Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomies, and two Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomies) who underwent SpyDS-assisted PTCS between January 2019 and August 2020 were included and the data was acquired by retrospectively reviewing electronic medical record.

RESULTS

A total of 19 SpyDS-assisted PTCS procedures were performed in the 13 patients: eight had bile-duct stones, and five had biliary strictures. All SpyDS-assisted PTCS procedures were successfully performed. The total procedure time was 42.42±18.0 minutes (mean±standard deviation). Bile duct clearance was achieved in all bile duct stone cases after a median of 2 (range, 1 to 3) procedures. In the five biliary stricture cases, the results of SpyBite forceps-guided targeted biopsy were consistent with adenocarcinoma (100% accuracy). The median hospitalization duration was 20 days (range, 14 to 30 days). No procedure-related morbidity or mortality occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

SpyDS-assisted PTCS may be a safe, feasible, and effective procedure for the diagnosis and treatment of biliary diseases in patients with surgically altered anatomy, particularly in those with the Roux-en-Y reconstruction requiring a percutaneous approach. However, our findings need to be validated in further studies.

Choledochoscopy: An update

Choledochoscopy, or cholangioscopy, is an endoscopic procedure for direct visualization within the biliary tract for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Since its conception in 1879, many variations and improvements are made to ensure relevance in diagnosing and managing a range of intrahepatic and extrahepatic biliary pathologies. This ranges from improved visual impression and optical guided biopsies of indeterminate biliary strictures and clinically indistinguishable pathologies to therapeutic uses in stone fragmentation and other ablative therapies. Furthermore, with the evolving understanding of biliary disorders, there are significant innovative ideas and techniques to fill this void, such as nuanced instances of biliary stenting and retrieving migrated ductal stents. With this in mind, we present a review of the current advancements in choledo-choscopy with new supporting evidence that further delineates the role of choledochoscopy in various diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, complications, limitations and put forth areas for further study.

Diagnostic accuracy and interobserver agreement of digital single-operator cholangioscopy for indeterminate biliary strictures

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Digital single-operator cholangioscopy (d-SOC) with cholangioscopic biopsy sampling has shown promise in the evaluation of indeterminate biliary strictures. Some studies have suggested higher sensitivity for visual impression compared with biopsy sampling, although assessors were not blinded to previous investigations. We aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy and interobserver agreement (IOA) of d-SOC in the visual appraisal of biliary strictures when blinded to additional information.

METHODS

A multicenter, international cohort study was performed. Cholangioscopic videos in patients with a known final diagnosis were systematically scored. Pseudonymized videos were reviewed by 19 experts in 2 steps: blinded for patient history and investigations and unblinded.

RESULTS

Forty-four high-quality videos were reviewed of 19 benign and 25 malignant strictures. The sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of malignancy was 74.2% and 46.9% (blinded) and 72.7% and 62.5% (unblinded). Cholangioscopic certainty of a malignant diagnosis led to overdiagnosis (sensitivity, 90.6%; specificity, 33%), especially if no additional information was provided. The IOA for the presence of malignancy was fair for both assessments (Fleiss' κ = .245 [blinded] and κ = .321 [unblended]). For individual visual features, the IOA ranged from slight to moderate for both assessments (κ = .059-.400 vs κ = .031-.452).

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed low sensitivity and specificity for blinded and unblinded d-SOC video appraisal of indeterminate biliary strictures, with considerable interobserver variation. Although reaching a consensus on the optical features of biliary strictures remains important, optimizing visually directed biopsy sampling may be the most important role of cholangioscopy in biliary stricture assessment.

Biliary Obstruction After Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Placement

A 19-year-old man with noncirrhotic portal hypertension status post transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, gastric esophageal varices status post coil embolization, and thrombophilia because of Factor V Leiden heterozygosity presented with jaundice and elevated liver enzymes. His cholangiogram during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography demonstrated biliary tract obstruction at the bifurcation of the right and left hepatic ducts. With the aid of digital single-operator cholangioscopy, the patient was found to have a perforation of the common hepatic duct from the shunt. This case presents a novel use for digital single-operator cholangioscopy in identifying this rare complication and appropriately differentiating biliary compression vs perforation from transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt.

Coledocolitiasis y exploración laparoscópica de la vía biliar. Un estudio de cohorte

Introducción. La coledocolitiasis es la presencia de cálculos en las vías biliares. En la mayoría de los casos se trata mediante la colangio pancreatografía retrógrada endoscópica y menos comúnmente por intervención quirúrgica laparoscópica. El objetivo de este estudio fue describir una cohorte retrospectiva de pacientes sometidos a exploración laparoscópica de la vía biliar. Métodos. Se incluyeron pacientes intervenidos entre los años 2014 y 2018, en dos instituciones de nivel III en Cali, Colombia, referidos para valoración por cirugía hepato-biliar, por dificultad para la extracción de los cálculos por colangio pancreatografia retrograda endoscópica, debido al tamaño, la cantidad, o la dificultad para identificar o canular la papila duodenal. Resultados. De los 100 pacientes incluidos, se encontró que el 72 % fueron mujeres, con rango de edad entre 14 y 92 años. Al 39 % de los pacientes se les extrajo un solo cálculo y al 16 % 10 cálculos. Un 12 % presentaron cálculos gigantes (mayores de 2,5 cm de ancho) y un 44 % presentaron litiasis múltiple. Al 69 % de los pacientes se les realizó colecistectomía. El porcentaje de éxito de limpieza de la vía biliar por laparoscopia fue del 95 %. Discusión. La exploración laparoscópica de la vía biliar es una técnica posible, reproducible, segura y con excelentes resultados para el manejo de la coledocolitiasis.

Efficacy and safety of peroral cholangioscopy with intraductal lithotripsy for difficult biliary stones: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND : Peroral cholangioscopy with intraductal lithotripsy facilitates optically guided stone fragmentation of difficult biliary stones refractory to conventional endoscopic therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of peroral cholangioscopy with intraductal lithotripsy for difficult biliary stones. METHODS : Searches of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were performed in accordance with PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines. Measured outcomes included overall fragmentation success, single-session fragmentation and duct clearance, and rate of adverse events. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were performed based upon cholangioscopy technique and type of lithotripsy (laser versus electrohydraulic). Heterogeneity was assessed with I ² statistics. Publication bias was ascertained by funnel plot and Egger regression testing. RESULTS : 35 studies were included with 1762 participants (43.4 % men; mean age 61.5 [standard deviation (SD) 11.0]). Prior cholecystectomy had been performed in 37 % of patients, with a mean number of 1.6 (SD 0.5) ERCPs performed prior to lithotripsy. Mean stone size was 1.8 (SD 0.3) cm. Peroral cholangioscopy with intraductal lithotripsy achieved an overall stone fragmentation success of 91.2 % (95 %CI 88.1 % - 93.6 %; I ² = 63.2 %) with an average of 1.3 [SD 0.6] lithotripsy sessions performed. Complete single-session fragmentation success was 76.9 % (95 %CI 71.6 % - 81.4 %; I ² = 74.3 %). The adverse events rate was 8.9 % (95 %CI 6.5 % - 12.2 %; I ² = 60.6 %). Mean procedure time for peroral cholangioscopy was 67.1 (SD 21.4) minutes. There was no difference in overall fragmentation rate or adverse events; however, laser lithotripsy was associated with a higher single-session fragmentation rate and shorter procedure time compared with electrohydraulic lithotripsy. CONCLUSIONS : Peroral cholangioscopy with intraductal lithotripsy appears to be a relatively safe and effective modality for difficult biliary stones.

Artificial intelligence in biliopancreatic endoscopy: Is there any role?

Artificial intelligence (AI) research in endoscopy is being translated at rapid pace with a number of approved devices now available for use in luminal endoscopy. However, the published literature for AI in biliopancreatic endoscopy is predominantly limited to early pre-clinical studies including applications for diagnostic EUS and patient risk stratification. Potential future use cases are highlighted in this manuscript including optical characterisation of strictures during cholangioscopy, prediction of post-ERCP acute pancreatitis and selective biliary duct cannulation difficulty, automated report generation and novel AI-based quality key performance metrics. To realise the full potential of AI and accelerate innovation, it is crucial that robust inter-disciplinary collaborations are formed between biliopancreatic endoscopists and AI researchers.

Per-oral pancreatoscopy with intraductal lithotripsy for difficult pancreatic duct stones: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and study aims  Per-oral pancreatoscopy (POP) with intraductal lithotripsy via electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) or laser lithotripsy (LL) facilitates optically-guided stone fragmentation of difficult pancreatic stones refractory to conventional endoscopic therapy. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of POP with intraductal lithotripsy for difficult pancreatic duct stones. Methods  Individualized search strategies were developed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines. This was a cumulative meta-analysis performed by calculating pooled proportions with rates estimated using random effects models. Measured outcomes included pooled technical success, complete or partial stone fragmentation success, complete duct clearance after initial lithotripsy session, and adverse events (AEs). Results  Ten studies (n = 302 patients; 67.72 % male; mean age 55.10 ± 3.22 years) were included with mean stone size of 10.66 ± 2.19 mm. The most common stone location was in the pancreatic head (66.17 %). Pooled technical success was 91.18 % with an overall fragmentation success of 85.77 %. Single lithotripsy session stone fragmentation and pancreatic duct clearance occurred in 62.05 % of cases. Overall, adverse events were reported in 14.09 % of patients with post-procedure pancreatitis developing in 8.73 %. Of these adverse events, 4.84 % were classified as serious. Comparing POP-EHL vs POP-LL, there was no significant difference in technical success, fragmentation success, single session duct clearance, or AEs ( P  > 0.0500). Conclusions  Based on this systematic review and meta-analysis, POP with intraductal lithotripsy appears to be an effective and relatively safe procedure for patients with difficult to remove pancreatic duct stones.

Morphological Characteristics of Biliary Strictures after Liver Transplantation Visualized Using SpyGlass™ Cholangioscopy

Biliary complications following liver transplant are common. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) are the main techniques used to diagnose and treat biliary complications; however, these techniques have limits to the depth of visualization. In this report, we present five cases of orthotopic liver transplant patients with biliary complications that underwent ERCP- or MRCP-guided cholangioscopy with the SpyGlass™ DS Direct Visualization System (SDDVS). The SDDVS allowed for the visualization of the morphological characteristics of biliary strictures, and images collected using the SDDVS allowed for four of the cases to be treated endoscopically. Our findings suggest that cholangioscopy with the SDDVS is a promising method to guide the endoscopic treatment of biliary complications after liver transplantation.

SpyGlass application for duodenoscope working channel inspection: Impact on the microbiological surveillance

BACKGROUND

Patient-ready duodenoscopes were designed with an assumed contamination rate of less than 0.4%; however, it has been reported that 5.4% of clinically used duodenoscopes remain contaminated with viable high-concern organisms despite following the manufacturer’s instructions. Visual inspection of working channels has been proposed as a quality control measure for endoscope reprocessing. There are few studies related to this issue.

AIM

To investigate the types, severity rate, and locations of abnormal visual inspection findings inside patient-ready duodenoscopes and their microbiological significance.

METHODS

Visual inspections of channels were performed in 19 patient-ready duodenoscopes using the SpyGlass visualization system in two endoscopy units of tertiary care teaching hospitals (Tri-Service General Hospital and National Taiwan University Hospital) in Taiwan. Inspections were recorded and reviewed to evaluate the presence of channel scratches, buckling, stains, debris, and fluids. These findings were used to analyze the relevance of microbiological surveillance.

RESULTS

Seventy-two abnormal visual inspection findings in the 19 duodenoscopes were found, including scratches (n = 10, 52.6%), buckling (n = 15, 78.9%), stains (n = 14, 73.7%), debris (n = 14, 73.7%), and fluids (n = 6, 31.6%). Duodenoscopes > 12 mo old had a significantly higher number of abnormal visual inspection findings than those ≤ 12 mo old (46 findings vs 26 findings, P < 0.001). Multivariable regression analyses demonstrated that the bending section had a significantly higher risk of being scratched, buckled, and stained, and accumulating debris than the insertion tube. Debris and fluids showed a significant positive correlation with microbiological contamination (P < 0.05). There was no significant positive Spearman’s correlation coefficient between negative bacterial cultures and debris, between that and fluids, and the concomitance of debris and fluids. This result demonstrated that the presence of fluid and debris was associated with positive cultures, but not negative cultures. Further multivariate analysis demonstrated that fluids, but not debris, is an independent factor for bacterial culture positivity.

CONCLUSION

In patient-ready duodenoscopes, scratches, buckling, stains, debris, and fluids inside the working channel are common, which increase the microbiological contamination susceptibility. The SpyGlass visualization system may be recommended to identify suboptimal reprocessing.

The utility of digital cholangioscopy (SpyGlass DS) in biliary and pancreatic diseases: A clinical feasibility study at two tertiary care centers in Saudi Arabia (with Videos)

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM

Since its inception in 2007, single-operator cholangioscopy (SOC) has gained popularity for many diagnostically and therapeutically challenging biliary and pancreatic conditions. Many studies have been published to evaluate the feasibility, usefulness, cost-effectiveness, and safety profile of the first generation. This paper is a descriptive study in which we aim to share the experience of two tertiary care centers with the novel version of SOC, SpyGlass DS.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the records of all the patients who went through the procedure from October 2015 - July 2019 to explore the scope of biliary and pancreatic conditions in which SOC was utilized. Technical success was defined as the ability to visualize the lesion and complete the procedure as planned, whereas clinical success was determined by the ability to achieve the desired diagnostic/therapeutic outcome.

RESULTS

During the period of interest, 66 patients (34 males) went through 84 cholangioscopy procedures. Forty-four patients failed the conventional extraction methods and needed the intervention for the treatment of difficult stones, 24 patients needed a diagnostic evaluation of biliary strictures, and 3 needed an intervention to remove migrated stents. Technical success was achieved in 98.8% (83/84) of the procedures (95% CI: 96-100%). Regarding clinical success, stone breakdown and removal was achieved in 92% of the procedures (49/53; 95% CI: 85-100%). Tissue samples were successfully obtained in 95.8% (23/24) of patients with strictures (95% CI: 88-100%). The biopsy was appropriate to make a histological diagnosis in 83.3% of cases (20/24; 95% CI: 68-98%). The median number of sessions needed to achieve the deisred outcome was one (ranging between 1 and 6 sessions).

CONCLUSION

The new version of SOC, SpyGlass DS, provides a feasible and an effective option for the management of difficult cholelithiasis, as well as visually evaluating and obtaining histological samples for indeterminate biliary strictures. However, data from more extensive studies are needed to establish its non-inferiority to the fiberoptic version in terms of short- and long-term outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and complications.

Removal of proximally migrated biliary stents by using single-operator cholangioscopy

Background and Aims

Migration is a late adverse event of biliary stent placement. It occurs in 1% to 20% of cases and is associated with a diverse array of adverse events. In this article, we report our take on endoscopic extraction of proximally migrated biliary stents by the use of single-operator cholangioscopy.

Methods

This report includes 3 patients who were found to have proximal stent migration while being treated for biliary stones. One patient had a migrated metal stent, and the other 2 had plastic stents. Single-operator cholangioscopy was used to retrieve the stents in all patients. The SpyBite biopsy forceps accessory was used to extract the metal stent, whereas the SpyBasket and the SpySnare were used to extract the plastic stents.

Results

All patients underwent successful stent removal by the techniques described in this report, with no immediate adverse events, and they completed more than 4 weeks of follow-up care with no further adverse events.

Conclusions

Digital single-operator cholangioscopy with SpyBasket, retrieval snare, and SpyBite biopsy forceps can be useful tools to remove migrated plastic and metallic stents, respectively.

Management of difficult bile duct stones and indeterminate bile duct structures: Reduced ERCP radiation exposure with adjunct use of digital single-operator cholangioscopy

INTRODUCTION

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography (ERCP) is an well-established endoscopic procedure for the management of biliary diseases. The use of fluoroscopy during ERCP has often raised concerns regarding potential risks from radiation exposure, particularly in complex cases. We investigated whether a new digital single-operator cholangioscopy (D-SOC) system, used adjunctively to ERCP, actually reduces patient radiation exposure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed a prospective database (April 2016 to October 2018) including consecutive patients who underwent successful management of difficult-to-treat biliary stones or indeterminate biliary strictures by using either conventional ERCP (ERCP cohort) or ERCP in conjunction with D-SOC (ERCP/D-SOC cohort). The overall patient radiation exposure outcomes were compared in terms of Kerma Area Product (KAP), Fluoroscopy time (T) and the total number of films (F).

RESULTS

Overall, 47 patients (mean 71.8 years, 59.6% males) were included (ERCP cohort = 29, ERCP/D-SOC cohort = 18), referred either for difficult bile duct stones (n = 36) or indeterminate biliary strictures (n = 11). The median KAP, T and F in the ERCP/D-SOC cohort were 12.3 Gycm², 3.7 min and 4 films respectively, compared with 52.1 Gycm², 8.4 min, and 5 films respectively in the ERCP cohort. Statistically significant differences (P = 0.0001) were found for KAP and T.

CONCLUSIONS

Adjunct use of a digital cholangioscopy platform appears to significantly reduce radiation exposure in patients undergoing ERCP for the management of difficult bile stones or indeterminate biliary strictures.