Diagnosis and Management of Lemmel Syndrome: An Unusual Presentation and Literature Review

Lemmel syndrome is a rare clinical entity characterized by the presence of a periampullary duodenal diverticulum resulting in compression and dilatation of the pancreatic and common bile ducts, accompanied by obstructive jaundice. Gastric outlet obstruction is not a known complication of this syndrome, and there are no standardized approaches to its treatment. We present the first case of Lemmel syndrome presenting as gastric outlet obstruction and provide the results of a systematic literature review.

Choledocholithiasis characteristics with periampullary diverticulum and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography procedures: Comparison between two centers from Lanzhou and Kyoto

BACKGROUND

Most of study regarding periampullary diverticulum (PAD) impact on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) therapy for choledocholithiasis based on data from one endoscopy center and lacked to compare the clinical characteristic of choledocholithiasis with PAD from different geographical patients.

AIM

To compare the choledocholithiasis clinical characteristics between two regional endoscopy centers and analyze impacts of clinical characteristics on ERCP methods for choledocholithiasis patients with PAD.

METHODS

Patients seen in two endoscopy centers (The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China, and Kyoto Second Red Cross Hospital, Kyoto, Japan) underwent ERCP treatment for the first time between January 2012 and December 2017. The characteristics of choledocholithiasis with PAD were compared between the two centers, and their ERCP procedures and therapeutic outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 829 out of 3608 patients in the Lanzhou center and 241 out of 1198 in the Kyoto center had choledocholithiasis with PAD. Lots of clinical characteristics were significantly different between the two centers. The common bile duct (CBD) diameter was wider, choledocholithiasis size was lager and multiple CBD stones were more in the Lanzhou center patients than those in the Kyoto center patients (14.8 ± 5.2 mm vs 11.6 ± 4.2 mm, 12.2 ± 6.5 mm vs 8.2 ± 5.3 mm, 45.3% vs 20.3%, P < 0.001 for all). In addition, concomitant diseases, such as acute cholangitis, gallbladder stones, obstructive jaundice, cholecystectomy, and acute pancreatitis, were significantly different between the two centers (P = 0.03 to < 0.001). In the Lanzhou center, CBD diameter and choledocholithiasis size were lower, and multiple CBD stones and acute cholangitis were less in non-PAD patients than those in PAD patients (13.4 ± 5.1 mm vs 14.8 ± 5.2 mm, 10.3 ± 5.4 mm vs 12.2 ± 6.5, 39% vs 45.3%, 13.9% vs 18.5%, P = 0.002 to < 0.001). But all these characteristics were not significantly different in the Kyoto center. The proportions of endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST), endoscopic balloon dilatation (EPBD), and EST+EPBD were 50.5%, 1.7%, and 42.5% in the Lanzhou center and 90.0%, 0.0%, and 0.4% in the Kyoto center, respectively. However, the overall post-ERCP complication rate was not significantly different between the two centers (8.9% in the Lanzhou and 5.8% in the Kyoto. P = 0.12). In the Lanzhou center, the difficulty rate in removing CBD stones in PAD was higher than in non-PAD group (35.3% vs 26.0%, P < 0.001). But the rate was no significant difference between the two groups in Kyoto center. The residual rates of choledocholithiasis were not significantly different between the two groups in both centers. Post-ERCP complications occurred in 8.9% of the PAD patients and 8.1% of the non-PAD patients in the Lanzhou Center, and it occurred in 5.8% in PAD patients and 10.0% in non-PAD patients in the Kyoto center, all P > 0.05.

CONCLUSION

Many clinical characteristics of choledocholithiasis patients with PAD were significantly different between the Lanzhou and Kyoto centers. The patients had larger and multiple stones, wider CBD diameter, and more possibility of acute cholangitis and obstructive jaundice in the Lanzhou center than those in the Kyoto center. The ERCP procedures to manage native duodenal papilla were different depending on the different clinical characteristics while the overall post-ERCP complications were not significantly different between the two centers. The stone residual rate and post-ERCP complications were not significantly different between choledocholithiasis patients with PAD and without PAD in each center.

Impact of periampullary diverticulum on biliary cannulation and ERCP outcomes: a single-center experience

BACKGROUND

Periampullary diverticulum (PAD) is frequently come upon during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), especially in elderly patients. However, less is known about the role of PAD in biliary cannulation difficulty.

AIM

This study aims to investigate the association of PAD and difficult cannulation and evaluate the impact of different types of PAD on the cannulation success rate and adverse events.

METHODS

Prospectively collected data on a total of 636 patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of PAD. Besides, the patients were classified based on the PAD types into three groups. The primary outcomes were cannulation success rate, cannulation time, and ERCP-related adverse events. Further, the difficult cannulation and presence of PAD were analyzed using logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Significant higher rates of biliary stones, cholangitis, and biliary pancreatitis were observed in the PAD group. Successful selective cannulation was achieved in 97.6% in the PAD group and 95.3% in the control group. The cannulation time was significantly longer in the presence of PAD. There was no significant difference in the rate of overall adverse events and post-ERCP pancreatic PEP. Multivariate analysis showed that type 1 PAD, biliary stones, and cholangitis were factors related to difficult cannulation.

CONCLUSION

The presence of PAD did not affect the duration or success of the ERCP procedure. However, it was associated with longer cannulation time and an increase in the cannulation difficulty, especially with PAD type 1. Clinical Trial Study Registration This study is approved by Nanjing Medical University and registered at ClinicalTrial.gov PRS with ID/NCT03771547/.

Clinical significance of different periampullary diverticulum classifications for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography cannulation

BACKGROUND

Different types of periampullary diverticulum (PAD) may differentially affect the success of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) cannulation, but the clinical significance of the two current PAD classifications for cannulation is limited.

AIM

To verify the clinical value of our newly proposed PAD classification.

METHODS

A new PAD classification (Li-Tanaka classification) was proposed at our center. All PAD patients with native papillae who underwent ERCP from January 2012 to December 2017 were classified according to three classification systems, and the effects of various types of PAD on ERCP cannulation were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 3564 patients with native papillae were enrolled, including 967 (27.13%) PAD patients and 2597 (72.87%) non-PAD patients. In the Li-Tanaka classification, type I PAD patients exhibited the highest difficult cannulation rate (23.1%, P = 0.01), and type II and IV patients had the highest cannulation success rates (99.4% in type II and 99.3% in type IV, P < 0.001). In a multivariable-adjusted logistic model, the overall successful cannulation rate in PAD patients was higher than that in non-PAD patients [odds ratio (OR) = 1.87, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04-3037, P = 0.037]. In addition, compared to the non-PAD group, the difficulty of cannulation in the type I PAD group according to the Li-Tanaka classification was greater (OR = 2.04, 95%CI: 1.13-3.68, P = 0.004), and the successful cannulation rate was lower (OR = 0.27, 95%CI: 0.11-0.66, P < 0.001), while it was higher in the type II PAD group (OR = 4.44, 95%CI: 1.61-12.29, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Among the three PAD classifications, the Li-Tanaka classification has an obvious clinical advantage for ERCP cannulation, and it is helpful for evaluating potentially difficult and successful cannulation cases among different types of PAD patients.

Difficult biliary cannulation: Historical perspective, practical updates, and guide for the endoscopist

Despite improvements in endoscopic technologies and accessories, development of advanced endoscopy fellowship programs, and advances in ancillary imaging techniques, biliary cannulation in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) can still be unsuccessful in up to 20% of patients, even in referral centers. Once cannulation has been deemed to be difficult, the risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis and technical failure inherently increases. A number of factors, including endoscopist experience and patient anatomy, have been associated with difficult biliary cannulation, but predicting a case of difficult cannulation a priori is often not possible. Numerous techniques such as pancreatic guidewire and stenting, early pre-cut, and rendezvous may be employed when standard approaches fail. Data regarding the rate of success and adverse events of these techniques have been variable, though most studies suggest that pancreatic duct stenting generally reduces the rate of post-ERCP pancreatitis in instances of difficult biliary cannulation. Here we provide a review on difficult biliary cannulation and discuss how the choice of which techniques to employ and how to best employ them should be individualized and take into account the skill of the endoscopist, the disorder being treated, the anatomy of the patient, and the available biomedical literature.

Association Between Juxtapapillary Duodenal Diverticula and Risk of Choledocholithiasis: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Studies have suggested that the presence of juxtapapillary duodenal diverticula (JDD) could be a predisposing factor for choledocholithiasis. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted with the aims to summarize all available evidence to better characterize the risk.

METHODS

A literature search was performed using MEDLINE and EMBASE database from inception to January 2018. Cross-sectional studies that reported odd ratios (OR) comparing the risk of choledocholithiasis among individuals with JDD versus individuals without JDD were included. Pooled OR and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random-effect, generic inverse variance method.

RESULTS

Of 527 retrieved articles, 11 studies met our eligibility criteria and were included in analysis. We found a significant association between the presence of JDD and choledocholithiasis with the pooled OR of 2.30 (95% CI, 1.84-2.86). The statistical heterogeneity was moderate with an I² of 60%.

CONCLUSIONS

A significantly increased risk of choledocholithiasis among individuals with JDD was observed in this study.

Impact of Periampullary Diverticulum on ERCP Performance: A Matched Case-Control Study

Background/Aims

Periampullary diverticulum (PAD) is frequently encountered during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and has been associated with stone formation in the bile duct. The effects of PAD on the ERCP procedure have been often debated. We aimed to compare the therapeutic success of ERCP between patients with PAD and matched controls.

Methods

We reviewed all ERCPs with findings of PAD in a national database (n=1,089) and compared them with age- and gendermatched controls in a 1:3 fashion (n=3,267). Demographics, endoscopic findings, visualization of main structures, and therapeutic success rates were compared between groups. Secondary analysis compared PAD cases and controls who had gallstone disease.

Results

The average cohort age was 68.4±14.3 years and 55.1% were male. ERCP success was similar in both groups, and no significant inter-group differences were found in the multivariate analysis. The presence of PAD did not affect the rates of sphincterotomy or visualization of main biliary structures. Secondary analysis showed similar success rates for gallstone removal between patients with PAD and controls.

Conclusions

PAD may not be considered a hinderance to ERCP success. Further research is needed to determine the best approach to cannulate the ampulla and provide endoscopic therapy for different subtypes of PAD.

Endoscopic ultrasound of Lemmel's syndrome

Periampullary duodenal diverticula are common and are usually asymptomatic. However, complications like biliary or pancreatic obstruction, duodenal obstruction, perforation, or hemorrhage can occur occasionally. Obstructive jaundice is usually due to biliary stones and periampullary tumors. Rarely, duodenal diverticula may present with obstructive jaundice in the absence of cholelithiasis or other detectable obstacle. This condition is called Lemmel's syndrome. There are only few case reports of this rare condition. We report a case of 78-year-old man presenting with painless obstructive jaundice due to Lemmel's syndrome which was diagnosed on endoscopic ultrasonography.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in periampullary diverticulum: The challenge of cannulation

Periampullary diverticulum (PAD) is duodenal outpunching defined as herniation of the mucosa or submucosa that occurs via a defect in the muscle layer within an area of 2 to 3 cm around the papilla. Although PAD is usually asymptomatic and discovered incidentally during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), it is associated with different pathological conditions such as common bile duct obstruction, pancreatitis, perforation, bleeding, and rarely carcinoma. ERCP has a low rate of success in patients with PAD, suggesting that this condition may complicate the technical application of the ERCP procedure. Moreover, cannulation of PAD can be challenging, time consuming, and require the higher level of skill of more experienced endoscopists. A large portion of the failures of cannulation in patients with PAD can be attributed to inability of the endoscopist to detect the papilla. In cases where the papilla is identified but does not point in a suitable direction for cannulation, different techniques have been described. Endoscopists must be aware of papilla identification in the presence of PAD and of different cannulation techniques, including their technical feasibility and safety, to allow for an informed decision and ensure the best outcome. Herein, we review the literature on this practical topic and propose an algorithm to increase the success rate of biliary cannulation.

[Successful Management of Periampullary Diverticular Bleeding with Hemoclipping Using Side-viewing Endoscope during Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography]

Periampullary diverticulum is commonly found during endoscopy and can occur at any age although its prevalence increases with age. Periampullary diverticular bleeding is a rare and difficult to diagnose during clinical practice because of its unique appearance and location. This often can lead to massive bleeding and interfere with adequate bleeding control. Endoscopic management on duodenal diverticular bleeding is limited compared to colonic diverticular bleeding due to lack of experience. Herein, we report a case of active bleeding from a periampullary diverticulum during bile duct stone extraction diagnosed by side-viewing endoscope and successfully controlled using hemoclips without any complications.