Tissue acquisition for diagnosis of biliary strictures using peroral cholangioscopy or endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration

Consensus statements on endoscopic radiofrequency ablation for malignant biliary strictures

Endoscopy-guided endobiliary radiofrequency ablation has emerged as a novel treatment for malignant biliary strictures in recent years. When combined with biliary stenting and systemic chemotherapy, it can effectively postpone local tumor progression, improve patient's quality of life, and prolong their survival, which is mainly indicated for patients with inoperable extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and ampullary cancer. Based on the existing clinical evidence, the Digestive Endoscopology Branch of Chinese Medical Association, the Digestive Endoscopy Professional Committee, Endoscopic Physicians Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association, and the National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases (Shanghai) organized relevant experts to discuss the indications, contraindications, technical operation specifications, and prevention and treatment of the complications during endoscopy-guided endobiliary radiofrequency ablation. Consensus statements were established, trying to provide references for standard treatment of malignant biliary tumors in clinical practice.

Endoscopic evaluation of indeterminate biliary strictures: Cholangioscopy, endoscopic ultrasound, or both?

Accurate and timely diagnosis of biliary strictures can be challenging. Because the diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy of standard endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-based tissue sampling for malignancy are suboptimal, additional endoscopic evaluation by cholangioscopy and/or endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is often necessary to differentiate between malignant and benign biliary strictures to guide clinical management. While direct visualization by cholangioscopy and/or high-resolution imaging by EUS are often the first step in the evaluation of an indeterminate biliary stricture (IDBS), tissue diagnosis by cholangioscopy-guided biopsy and/or EUS-guided fine-needle tissue acquisition is the preferred modality to establish a diagnosis of malignancy. Because each modality has its own strengths and limitations, selection of cholangioscopy and EUS is best guided by the biliary stricture location and local expertise. Artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis, biopsy forceps with improved design, contrast-enhanced EUS, and dedicated fine-needle biopsy devices are recent technological advances that may further improve the diagnostic performance of cholangioscopy and EUS in patients with IDBS.

American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guideline on the role of endoscopy in the diagnosis of malignancy in biliary strictures of undetermined etiology: summary and recommendations

This clinical practice guideline from the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy provides an evidence-based approach for the diagnosis of malignancy in patients with biliary strictures of undetermined etiology. This document was developed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework and addresses the role of fluoroscopic-guided biopsy sampling, brush cytology, cholangioscopy, and EUS in the diagnosis of malignancy in patients with biliary strictures. In the endoscopic workup of these patients, we suggest the use of fluoroscopic-guided biopsy sampling in addition to brush cytology over brush cytology alone, especially for hilar strictures. We suggest the use of cholangioscopic and EUS-guided biopsy sampling especially for patients who undergo nondiagnostic sampling, cholangioscopic biopsy sampling for nondistal strictures and EUS-guided biopsy sampling distal strictures or those with suspected spread to surrounding lymph nodes and other structures.

Current status and issues in genomic analysis using EUS-FNA/FNB specimens in hepatobiliary-pancreatic cancers

Comprehensive genomic profiling based on next-generation sequencing has recently been used to provide precision medicine for various advanced cancers. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) and EUS-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) play essential roles in the diagnosis of abdominal masses, mainly pancreatic cancers. In recent years, CGP analysis using EUS-FNA/FNB specimens for hepatobiliary-pancreatic cancers has increased; however, the success rate of CGP analysis is not clinically satisfactory, and many issues need to be resolved to improve the success rate of CGP analysis. In this article, we review the transition from EUS-FNA to FNB, compare each test, and discuss the current status and issues in genomic analysis of hepatobiliary-pancreatic cancers using EUS-FNA/FNB specimens.

American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guideline on role of endoscopy in the diagnosis of malignancy in biliary strictures of undetermined etiology: methodology and review of evidence

Biliary strictures of undetermined etiology pose a diagnostic challenge for endoscopists. Despite advances in technology, diagnosing malignancy in biliary strictures often requires multiple procedures. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) framework was used to rigorously review and synthesize the available literature on strategies used to diagnose undetermined biliary strictures. Using a systematic review and meta-analysis of each diagnostic modality, including fluoroscopic-guided biopsy sampling, brush cytology, cholangioscopy, and EUS-guided FNA or fine-needle biopsy sampling, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Standards of Practice Committee provides this guideline on modalities used to diagnose biliary strictures of undetermined etiology. This document summarizes the methods used in the GRADE analysis to make recommendations, whereas the accompanying article subtitled "Summary and Recommendations" contains a concise summary of our findings and final recommendations.

Usefulness of artificial intelligence-assisted digital single-operator cholangioscopy as a second-opinion consultation tool during interhospital assessment of an indeterminate biliary stricture: a case report

Video 1Application of a novel digital single-operator cholangioscopy-based convolutional neuronal network to detect neoplastic lesions as a second-opinion consultation tool between 2 hospitals and biopsy sampling.

Endoscopic Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Extrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: What Do We Know in 2023?

Extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a rare and aggressive type of cancer, presenting as a mass or as a biliary stricture. This review summarizes the utility of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in the detection, staging, and determination of the differential diagnosis, especially when no cause of bile duct dilatation is revealed by cross-sectional imaging. The EUS detection rate for distal CCAs is higher than that for the proximal CCAs. The accuracy of T staging varies between 60 and 80%, and vascular involvement is correctly assessed by conventional EUS. EUS-tissue acquisition from the primary tumors is reserved for unresectable or metastatic CCA, especially in distal strictures or mass CCAs. For proximal lesions, EUS could be performed as an adjunctive to ERCP sampling when the latter is inconclusive. EUS is not appropriate for assessing the malignant features of lymph nodes in CCAs. Lymph node EUS-tissue acquisition should be performed only if it changes the surgical decision. Perhaps the development of EUS-fine needle biopsy and the detection of molecular genetic alteration will increase the diagnostic yield in CCAs.

Multidisciplinary Approach to Indeterminate Biliary Strictures

Biliary strictures that remain unclassified after cross-sectional imaging and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-based tissue sampling are defined as indeterminate biliary strictures (IDBS). A substantial proportion of biliary strictures fall into this category due to low sensitivity of brush cytology and intraductal biopsy. Over last few decades, several modalities have emerged for the evaluation of IDBS. Of these, cholangioscopy and endosonography are the frontrunners and have cemented their place for the evaluation of IDBS. Both of these modalities are widely available, and therefore, biliary strictures that remain uncharacterized after their utilization represent IDBS in the current era.

The Role of Cholangioscopy and EUS in the Evaluation of Indeterminate Biliary Strictures

Bile duct stenosis continues to present a diagnostic dilemma for clinicians. It is important to establish the benign or malignant nature of the stricture early in order to avoid any unnecessary delay in medical treatment or surgery. Tissue acquisition for histological diagnosis is particularly crucial when the initial diagnostic work up is inconclusive. The diagnostic yield from the conventional endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with brushing and biopsy is suboptimal. Patients with indeterminate biliary strictures (IDBSs) often require a multi-disciplinary diagnostic approach and additional endoscopic evaluation, including cholangioscopy and endoscopic ultrasound, before a final diagnosis can be reached. In this article, we discuss the recent endoscopic advancements in the diagnosis of biliary stricture with a focus on the roles of cholangioscopy and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS).

Endoscopic Ultrasound for the Diagnosis and Staging of Biliary Malignancy

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the most common neoplasm of the biliary tract. The biological behavior and prognosis of CCA vary depending on the tumor's location in the biliary tree, dictating a different diagnostic, and treatment approach. Establishing a diagnosis of CCA remains a challenge and up to 20% of biliary strictures can yield indeterminate results, despite extensive evaluation. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has become an effective diagnostic tool, as it provides high-quality images of the bile duct and allows for the sampling of strictures in the same plane of view. In this chapter, we explore the utility of EUS as a diagnostic and staging tool for biliary cancers.

Consensus guidelines on the role of cholangioscopy to diagnose indeterminate biliary stricture

BACKGROUND

Indeterminate strictures pose a therapeutic dilemma. In recent years, cholangioscopy has evolved and the availability of cholangioscopy has increased. However, the position of cholangioscopy in the diagnostic algorithm to diagnose malignancy have not been well established. We aim to develop a consensus statement regarding the clinical role of cholangioscopy in the diagnosis of indeterminate biliary strictures.

METHODS

The international experts reviewed the evidence and modified the statements using a three-step modified Delphi method. Each statement achieves consensus when it has at least 80% agreement.

RESULTS

Nine final statements were formulated. An indeterminate biliary stricture is defined as that of uncertain etiology under imaging or tissue diagnosis. When available, cholangioscopic assessment and guided biopsy during the first round of ERCP may reduce the need to perform multiple procedures. Cholangioscopy are helpful in diagnosing malignant biliary strictures by both direct visualization and targeted biopsy. The absence of disease progression for at least 6 months is supportive of non-malignant etiology. Direct per-oral cholangioscopy provides the largest accessory channel, better image definition, with image enhancement but is technically demanding. Image enhancement during cholangioscopy may increase the diagnostic sensitivity of visual impression of malignant biliary strictures. Cholangioscopic imaging characteristics including tumor vessels, papillary projection, nodular or polypoid mass, and infiltrative lesions are highly suggestive for neoplastic/malignant biliary disease. The risk of cholangioscopy related cholangitis is higher than in standard ERCP, necessitating prophylactic antibiotics and ensuring adequate biliary drainage. Per-oral cholangioscopy may not be the modality of choice in the evaluation of distal biliary strictures due to inherent technical difficulties.

CONCLUSION

Evidence supports that cholangioscopy has an adjunct role to abdominal imaging and ERCP tissue acquisition in order to evaluate and diagnose indeterminate biliary strictures.

[Oral cholangioscopy for biliary system diseases]

OBJECTIVE

To improve the results of treatment of obstructive jaundice by using of oral cholangioscopy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

There were 321 patients with obstructive jaundice between October 2020 and November 2021. Of these, cholangioscopy (SpyGlass video system) was used in 18 patients. Patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (n=9) - malignant biliary strictures; group 2 (n=9) - choledocholithiasis with large calculi (≥1.2 cm). At admission, all patients underwent laboratory and instrumental examination. In the first group, bilioduodenal stenting with plastic stents 7 and 10 Fr in diameter, 7 to 12 cm long or self-expanding nitinol stents 0.8-1.0 cm in diameter, 6 to 10 cm long was carried out. Patients with large calculi underwent targeted laser lithotripsy under endoscopic control until formation of 1-cm fragments. These fragments were removed using a lithoextraction balloon and Dormia basket.

RESULTS

Cholangioscopy (SpyGlass system) was performed within 2 days after admission. In group 1, tumor tissue overgrowths were found during cholangioscopy. Five out of 9 (55.6%) patients underwent bilioduodenal stenting for adequate biliary drainage. Of these, 4 (44.5%) patients developed acute edematous pancreatitis on the first postoperative day. This complication regressed after 3-4 days under therapy. Four (44.5%) patients died from cancer-related multiple organ failure. In group 2, cholangioscopy effectively visualized the calculus and ensured its destruction by laser contact lithotripsy. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were not revealed in both groups.

CONCLUSION

SpyGlass system is effective and safe for diagnosis and treatment in 100% of patients with extrahepatic biliary strictures and/or large calculi.

A rare case of malignant biliary stenosis due to retroperitoneal metastasis from breast invasive ductal carcinoma

A 50-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for elevated hepatobiliary enzymes. She had a medical history of mastectomy for left breast invasive ductal carcinoma about 10 years ago, and no apparent recurrence had been observed. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed soft-tissue shadows surrounding the portal vein, celiac artery, and other vessels. The lesions involved the hilar bile duct, and the upstream bile ducts were dilated. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography showed an obstruction in the hilar bile duct, and biopsies were taken at the site of biliary stenosis. H&E staining showed that cells with strong nuclear atypia and prominent chromatin staining infiltrated in the stroma. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the cells were positive for CK7, GATA3 and weakly positive for CK20. Based on these results, we made the diagnosis of biliary stenosis due to retroperitoneal metastasis from breast invasive ductal carcinoma. Biliary inside stents were placed across the biliary stricture, and she received chemotherapy plus endocrine therapy for breast cancer. So far, the partial response has been maintained for 1 year since the diagnosis of retroperitoneal metastasis. Although retroperitoneal metastasis from breast cancer, especially breast invasive ductal carcinoma, is extremely rare, it could be a differential diagnosis for biliary stenosis.

Endoscopic tissue sampling - Part 1: Upper gastrointestinal and hepatopancreatobiliary tracts. European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Guideline

1: ESGE recommends that, where there is a suspicion of eosinophilic esophagitis, at least six biopsies should be taken, two to four biopsies from the distal esophagus and two to four biopsies from the proximal esophagus, targeting areas with endoscopic mucosal abnormalities. Distal and proximal biopsies should be placed in separate containers.Strong recommendation, low quality of evidence. 2: ESGE recommends obtaining six biopsies, including from the base and edge of the esophageal ulcers, for histologic analysis in patients with suspected viral esophagitis.Strong recommendation, low quality of evidence. 3: ESGE recommends at least six biopsies are taken in cases of suspected advanced esophageal cancer and suspected advanced gastric cancer.Strong recommendation, moderate quality of evidence. 4: ESGE recommends taking only one to two targeted biopsies for lesions in the esophagus or stomach that are potentially amenable to endoscopic resection (Paris classification 0-I, 0-II) in order to confirm the diagnosis and not compromise subsequent endoscopic resection.Strong recommendation, low quality of evidence. 5: ESGE recommends obtaining two biopsies from the antrum and two from the corpus in patients with suspected Helicobacter pylori infection and for gastritis staging.Strong recommendation, low quality of evidence. 6: ESGE recommends biopsies from or, if endoscopically resectable, resection of gastric adenomas.Strong recommendation, moderate quality of evidence. 7: ESGE recommends fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and fine-needle biopsy (FNB) needles equally for sampling of solid pancreatic masses.Strong recommendation, high quality evidence. 8: ESGE suggests performing peroral cholangioscopy (POC) and/or endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided tissue acquisition in indeterminate biliary strictures. For proximal and intrinsic strictures, POC is preferred. For distal and extrinsic strictures, EUS-guided sampling is preferred, with POC where this is not diagnostic.Weak recommendation, low quality evidence. 9: ESGE suggests obtaining possible non-neoplastic biopsies before sampling suspected malignant lesions to prevent intraluminal spread of malignant disease.Weak recommendation, low quality of evidence. 10: ESGE suggests dividing EUS-FNA material into smears (two per pass) and liquid-based cytology (LBC), or the whole of the EUS-FNA material can be processed as LBC, depending on local experience.Weak recommendation, low quality evidence.

Predicting Malignancy of Biliary Stricture with a Nomogram in Patients with a Non-Malignant Endoscopic Tissue Diagnosis: A Retrospective Study

Purpose

The accurate differentiation between benign and malignant biliary stricture is significant but challenging. Tissue diagnosis of biliary stricture by endoscopy sampling can provide excellent specificity but insufficient sensitivity. For patients with suspected malignant biliary stricture (MBS) but non-malignant was reported in endoscopy tissue samples, we constructed a nomogram to predict malignancy and improve the overall diagnostic performance.

Patients and Methods

232 patients with suspected MBS and underwent endoscopy tissue sampling from January 2017 to December 2019 were included, among which 123 patients’ endoscopy tissue samples were classified as non-malignant (including atypical, negative for malignancy, and nondiagnostic). Demographics, serum markers, radiological and sampling results of these 123 patients were collected to construct a nomogram using multivariate analysis.

Results

The nomogram was developed based on bilirubin, CA19-9, radiological result, and atypical sampling results and provided an AUC of 0.863 (95% CI 0.795–0.930) for predicting MBS. The specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy of endoscopy tissue diagnosis were 100.00%, 59.90%, and 68.53%, respectively. With the nomogram added, the overall diagnosis specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy were 95.24%, 89.20%, and 90.23%, respectively.

Conclusion

The nomogram can predict malignancy in patients whose endoscopy tissue diagnoses were non-malignant. The overall diagnostic performance was improved with the nomogram added.

Biliary Strictures and Cholangiocarcinoma - Untangling a Diagnostic Conundrum

Cholangiocarcinoma is an uncommon and highly aggressive biliary tract malignancy with few manifestations until late disease stages. Diagnosis is currently achieved through a combination of clinical, biochemical, radiological and histological techniques. A number of reported cancer biomarkers have the potential to be incorporated into diagnostic pathways, but all lack sufficient sensitivity and specificity limiting their possible use in screening and early diagnosis. The limitations of standard serum markers such as CA19-9, CA125 and CEA have driven researchers to identify multiple novel biomarkers, yet their clinical translation has been slow with a general requirement for further validation in larger patient cohorts. We review recent advances in the diagnostic pathway for suspected CCA as well as emerging diagnostic biomarkers for early detection, with a particular focus on non-invasive approaches.

Tips and tricks for the diagnosis and management of biliary stenosis-state of the art review

Biliary stenosis may represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge resulting in a delay in diagnosis and initiation of therapy due to the frequent difficulty in distinguishing a benign from a malignant stricture. In such cases, the diagnostic flowchart includes the sequential execution of imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, and endoscopic ultrasound, while endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is performed to collect tissue for histopathological/cytological diagnosis or to treat the stenosis by insertion of stent. The execution of percutaneous transhepatic drainage with subsequent biopsy has been shown to increase the possibility of tissue diagnosis after failure of the above techniques. Although the diagnostic yield of histopathology and imaging has increased with improvements in endoscopic ultrasound and peroral cholangioscopy, differential diagnosis between malignant and benign stenosis may not be easy in some patients, and strictures are classified as indeterminate. In these cases, a multidisciplinary workup including biochemical marker assays and advanced technologies available may speed up a diagnosis of malignancy or avoid unnecessary surgery in the event of a benign stricture. Here, we review recent advancements in the diagnosis and management of biliary strictures and describe tips and tricks to increase diagnostic yields in clinical routine.

Diagnostic performance of digital and video cholangioscopes in patients with suspected malignant biliary strictures: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Per-oral cholangioscopy (POC) has evolved over the past decade from fiberoptic to digital and video imaging systems. Nowadays, only direct per-oral cholangioscopy (DPOC) and digital single-operator cholangioscopy (DS) are performed in daily practice. With better image resolution, POC is increasingly used as diagnostic tools in patients with suspected malignant biliary stricture (MBS). We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic yield of digital/video cholangioscopes for the diagnosis of MBS.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed in MEDLINE, Embase, and ISI Web of Knowledge databases until April 2020, to identify randomized controlled trials and prospective studies using digital or video POC. The meta-analysis of diagnostic accuracy study was performed to calculate summary estimates of the primary outcomes, including pooled sensitivity, and specificity of POC to diagnose MBS using bivariate random-effects models. Tissue histopathology was used as the reference standard for MBS diagnosis. For benign stricture, negative tissue histopathology and at least 6 months clinical follow-up were required.

RESULTS

Thirteen original articles with 876 patients were identified. The overall pooled sensitivity and specificity were 88 (95% CI 83-91) and 95 (95% CI 89-98), respectively. The area under the curve (AUROC) was 0.94 (95% CI 0.92-0.96). Subgroup analysis showed that cholangioscopic image impression provided significantly higher sensitivity (93% (95% CI 88-96) vs 82% (95% CI 76-87); p = 0.007), but lower specificity 86% (95% CI 75-92) vs 98 (95% CI 95-99); p < 0.001) than the tissue diagnosis from cholangioscopic-guided biopsy. In addition, biopsy obtained from DPOC had significantly higher sensitivity than that of DS (92% (95% CI 81-97) vs 79% (95% CI 72-84); p = 0.004). Diagnostic performance under image-enhanced endoscopy was not significantly better from white light endoscopy.

CONCLUSIONS

Digital/video POC has very high diagnostic performance to diagnose MBS. While image diagnosis provides higher sensitivity than biopsy, its specificity drops as a trade-off.

Personalized Endoscopy in Complex Malignant Hilar Biliary Strictures

Malignant hilar biliary obstruction (HBO) represents a complex clinical condition in terms of diagnosis, surgical and medical treatment, endoscopic approach, and palliation. The main etiology of malignant HBO is hilar cholangiocarcinoma that is considered an aggressive biliary tract's cancer and has still today a poor prognosis. Endoscopy plays a crucial role in malignant HBO from the diagnosis to the palliation. This technique allows the collection of cytological or histological samples, direct visualization of the suspect malignant tissue, and an echoendoscopic evaluation of the primary tumor and its locoregional staging. Because obstructive jaundice is the most common clinical presentation of malignant HBO, endoscopic biliary drainage, when indicated, is the preferred treatment over the percutaneous approach. Several endoscopic techniques are today available for both the diagnosis and the treatment of biliary obstruction. The choice among them can differ for each clinical scenario. In fact, a personalized endoscopic approach is mandatory in order to perform the proper procedure in the singular patient.

Hepatocellular carcinoma with tumor thrombus in bile duct: A proposal of new classification according to resectability of primary lesion

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with tumor thrombus in the bile duct (BDTT) is easily misdiagnosed or mistreated due to the clinicopathological diversity of the thrombus and its relationship with primary lesions.

AIM

To propose a new classification for HCC with BDTT in order to guide its diagnosis and treatment.

METHODS

A retrospective review of the diagnosis and treatment experience regarding seven typical HCC patients with BDTT between January 2010 and December 2019 was conducted.

RESULTS

BDTT was preoperatively confirmed by computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging in only four patients. Three patients with recurrent HCC and one patient with first-occurring HCC had no visible intrahepatic tumors; of these, misdiagnosis occurred in two patients, and three patients died. One patient was mistreated as having common bile duct stones, and another patient with a history of multiple recurrent HCC was misdiagnosed until obvious biliary dilation could be detected. Only one patient who received hepatectomy accompanied by BDTT extraction exhibited disease-free survival during the follow-up period. A new classification was proposed for HCC with BDTT as follows: HCC with microscopic BDTT (Type I); resectable primary or recurrent HCC mass in the liver with BDTT (Type II); BDTT without an obvious HCC mass in the liver (Type III) and BDTT accompanied with unresectable intra- or extrahepatic HCC lesions (Type IV).

CONCLUSION

We herein propose a new classification system for HCC with BDTT to reflect its pathological characteristics and emphasize the significance of primary tumor resectability in its treatment.

Italian Clinical Practice Guidelines on Cholangiocarcinoma - Part I: Classification, diagnosis and staging

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second most common primary liver cancer, characterized by a poor prognosis and resistance to chemotherapeutics. The progressive increase in CCA incidence and mortality registered worldwide in the last two decades and the need to clarify various aspects of clinical management have prompted the Italian Association for the Study of the Liver (AISF) to commission the drafting of dedicated guidelines in collaboration with a group of Italian scientific societies. These guidelines have been formulated in accordance with the Italian National Institute of Health indications and developed by following the GRADE method and related advancements.

Gallbladder Cancer Presenting as Mirizzi Syndrome Complicated by Rapidly Evolving 23 rRNA Gene-Linezolid Resistance with Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus Infection Resulting in Fatal Cholangial Sepsis

We describe the case of a 71-year-old woman who presented with obstructive jaundice and subhilar bile duct stenosis. MRI showed extensive cholecystolithiasis with an impacted bile stone in the cystic duct suggesting Mirizzi syndrome. Delayed enhancement of the thickened gallbladder wall suggested inflammation instead of carcinoma. After drainage of the obstructed bile duct via ERCP, the patient developed liver abscesses with a nosocomial vancomycin-resistant enterococcus infection treated by linezolid. After 4 weeks, the VRE infection was complicated by a new-onset 23 rRNA gene-mediated linezolid resistance in the same bacterial strain, which was proven via core genome multilocus sequencing. Meropenem and tigecycline were administered according to a resistogram. Furthermore, percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage of both sides of the liver was necessary. After demission, the patient had to be admitted again due to septic shock. An emergency operation revealed extended, inoperable gallbladder cancer. The patient died a few days later in the intensive care unit. An earlier diagnosis of bile duct infiltrating gallbladder cancer by cholangioscopy or laparoscopy and treatment of vancomycin-resistant enterococcus infection with daptomycin may have changed the clinical course of the disease.

Pathologic interpretation of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology/biopsy for pancreatic lesions

Pathologic interpretation of endoscopic ultrasound–guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) cytology/biopsy specimens is one of the most challenging tasks in cytology and surgical pathology practice, as the procedure often yields minimal amounts of diagnostic material and contains contaminants, such as blood cells and normal intestinal mucosa. EUS-FNA cytology/biopsy will nevertheless become a more popular procedure for evaluation of various pancreatic lesions because they are difficult to approach with conventional endoscopic procedures. Pathologists should understand the structural differences and limitations of EUS-FNA that make pathologic diagnosis difficult. Ancillary tests are available for differential diagnosis of EUS-FNA for various pancreatic lesions. Immunostains are the most commonly used ancillary tests, and pathologists should able to choose the necessary panel for differential diagnosis. Pathologists should review clinical history and radiologic and/or EUS findings before selecting an immunostain panel and making a pathologic diagnosis. In addition, one’s threshold of malignancy should be adjusted according to the appropriate clinical setting to avoid under-evaluation of pathologic diagnoses. Clinico-pathologic correlation is essential in pathologic evaluation of EUS-FNA for pancreatic lesions. Pathologists can reduce errors by correlating clinical and radiologic findings when evaluating EUS-FNA. Some molecular tests can be applied in differential diagnosis of pancreatic neoplastic and cystic lesions. Molecular data should be used as supportive evidence of a specific disease entity, rather than direct evidence, and should be correlated with clinico-pathologic findings to avoid errors in pathologic diagnosis.

Endoscopic ultrasound in chronic liver disease

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic modality with a number of established as well as evolving uses in patients with chronic liver disease. Compared to other diagnostic tools such as cross-sectional imaging or conventional endoscopy, EUS has been shown to increase diagnostic sensitivity and therapeutic success for many clinical scenarios and applications with a low rate of adverse events. In this review, we discuss and focus on the current and growing role of EUS in the evaluation and/or treatment of hepatobiliary masses, hepatic parenchymal disease, portal hypertension, esophageal and other varices, and indeterminate biliary strictures.

Bimodal ERCP, a new way of seeing things

Background and study aims  Conventional endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is hampered by two-dimensional visualization, post-procedural adverse events (AEs), and exposure to ionizing radiation. Bimodal ERCP might mitigate these challenges, but no reports of its use are available to date. The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of bimodal ERCP, while investigating its potential clinical yield. Patients and methods  This was a retrospective observational study of patients that underwent bimodal ERCP in a single tertiary academic referral center. Thirteen patients undergoing conventional ERCP had a previously T2-weighted isotropic 3 D TSE MRCP sequence aligned and fused with the two-dimensional image generated from the fluoroscopy c-arm unit in real time. Results  Over a 2-month period, 13 patients with a mean age of 54 underwent bimodal ERCP for bile duct stricture (61.5 %), complex cholelithiasis (7.7 %) and ductal leakage (30.1 %). Bimodal ERCP was feasible in all 13 cases, and image quality was assessed as "good" in 11 patients (84.6 %). Bimodal ERCP aided in visualizing the lesion of interest (76.9 %), assisted in understanding the 3 D anatomy of the biliopancreatic ductal system (61.5 %), and aided in finding a favorable position for the c-arm (38.4 %) for subsequent therapeutic intervention. Conclusions  This first report on bimodal ERCP proves its feasibility and suggests that it may assist in increasing both the diagnostic and therapeutic yield of ERCP, while at the same time decreasing AEs during and after ERCP. Its main application might lie in treatment of complex intrahepatic disease.