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Surgical approaches to recurrent choledocholithiasis. Choledochoduodenostomy versus T-tube drainage after choledochotomy.

To assess the value of choledochoduodenostomy versus T-tube drainage to manage patients with recurrent choledocholithiasis, a prospective, randomized study was carried out where under strict criteria of selection, 45 patients underwent choledochoduodenostomy after choledochotomy (Group A), and another 45 patients underwent T-tube drainage (Group B). Results revealed that patients in Group A had low early morbidity (8.8 percent), no mortality, and no reoperations due to recurrent choledocholithiasis. In contrast, in Group B patients there was a mortality of 4.4 percent, an early morbidity of 26.6 percent, and a late recurrence and reoperation rate of 20.9 percent. The difference in those elements between patients in Group A and Group B is considered significant (p less than 0.05, p less than 0.001, and p less than 0.0001, mortality and early and late morbidity, respectively). It is recommended that at least for a proportion of patients with recurrent choledocholithiasis who present with clinical and operative findings similar to those in this study, choledochoduodenostomy has to be considered the method of choice.

Adult↗

Alkaline phosphatase in the assessment of choledocholithiasis before surgery.

The pre-operative diagnosis of choledocholithiasis, or common bile-duct stones, is important in patients with cholelithiasis. Intraoperative cholangiography or choledochoscopy followed by exploration of the common bile duct could be limited to those patients with stones, if an adequate pre-operative diagnosis could be made. Many clinicians use pre-operative total alkaline phosphatase level alone or in combination with bilirubin level to determine the presence or absence of choledocholithiasis. Predictive value theory was used to analyze data reported by others to assess the value of alkaline phosphatase level alone or in combination with bilirubin level in identifying patients with choledocholithiasis. The authors conclude that alkaline phosphatase level is not useful either alone or in combination with bilirubin level in determining the presence of common bile duct stones in patients with cholelithiasis.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

Treatment of choice for choledocholithiasis in patients with acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis and liver cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the treatment of choice for choledocholithiasis in patients with versus without acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis (AOSC) or liver cirrhosis, the outcomes of surgical treatment and endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) were compared. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three hundred sixty-two consecutive patients with choledocholithiasis were divided into three groups: 27 with AOSC (Group 1), 12 with cirrhosis (Group 2), and 323 with neither AOSC nor cirrhosis (Group 3). RESULTS: Seventeen patients (63%) in Group 1 underwent emergent treatment, and 3 of them died. Two were treated by emergency surgery and both died; only 1 (7%) of 15 treated by emergent EST died. For all patients with AOSC, morbidity and mortality rates were 67% and 33% with surgery, and 24% and 5% with EST. In Group 2, 2 patients with Child C cirrhosis died after elective EST. One patient in Group 3 died. Mortality rates were significantly higher in Group 1 (11%) and Group 2 (17%) than in Group 3 (0.3%). Although comparisons between the two treatment approaches did not achieve statistical significance, EST had lower morbidity rates than surgery in both Group 1 (24% versus 67%) and Group 2 (22% versus 67%). The required hospital stay was half as long with EST as with surgery. CONCLUSIONS: EST is the recommended treatment for patients with choledocholithiasis associated with AOSC or liver cirrhosis.

Acute Disease↗

Unsuspected choledocholithiasis first diagnosed at laparoscopic cholecystectomy: treatment by trans-cystic duct stenting and elective stent-guided sphincterotomy.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in laparoscopic surgery, management of unsuspected choledocholithiasis diagnosed at laparoscopic cholecystectomy is controversial. We propose a simple maneuver of laparoscopic trans-cystic duct stenting of the papilla during cholecystectomy, followed by elective stent-guided sphincterotomy, as an expedient option. METHODS: We studied retrospectively 16 patients with choledocholithiasis first diagnosed in the course of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, treated with laparoscopic stenting of the papilla via the cystic duct using a short Cotton-Leung stent before completion of cholecystectomy. Elective stent-guided, needle-knife sphincterotomy and stone clearance was performed 2 to 3 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: Of 16 patients attempted, the procedure failed in one due to an impacted stone that prevented passage of the guidewire. Stenting time was 13 +/- 5 minutes (n = 15). Two stented patients had no stones at endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. Thirteen patients had successful elective stent-guided sphincterotomy with stone clearance without complications. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic biliary stenting combined with stent-guided sphincterotomy is a simple, safe, and cost-effective option for the management of uncomplicated choledocholithiasis.

Adult↗

Transhepatic laser lithotripsy of choledocholithiasis: initial clinical experience.

Three patients with symptomatic intra- and extrahepatic choledocholithiasis who were not good candidates for retrograde endoscopy, surgery, or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) were treated successfully with endoscopically guided tunable dye laser lithotripsy via a 12-F transhepatic sheath. There were no complications secondary to the use of the laser. On the basis of this initial experience, transhepatic laser lithotripsy is a technically feasible and safe alternative when choledocholithiasis cannot be managed with retrograde endoscopy, ESWL, or surgery. Its role in the management of choledocholithiasis relative to other transhepatic techniques remains to be determined.

Adult↗

Follow-up of more than 10 years after endoscopic sphincterotomy for choledocholithiasis in young patients.

BACKGROUND: With the advent of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the indications for endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) have been extended to young patients with choledocholithiasis. However, the long-term results of ES are largely unknown. METHODS: Between 1977 and 1986, 115 patients aged 60 years or less underwent ES for choledocholithiasis. Stone classification, and early and long-term outcomes of ES were analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: Early complications occurred in nine patients (7.8 per cent), but there were no deaths. ES and stone clearance were successful in 110 patients. Long-term information was available in 103 of the 110 patients, with a mean overall follow-up duration of 14-2 (range 10.4-19.3) years. Ten patients (9.7 per cent) developed late complications, including stone recurrence and/or cholangitis (nine patients) and acute cholecystitis (one of 23 patients with the gallbladder in situ). The choledochal complication rate was somewhat higher in patients with calcium bilirubinate stones at ES (seven of 65 patients) than in those with cholesterol stones (two of 38 patients). Choledochal complications were manageable endoscopically. CONCLUSION: Approximately 10 per cent of patients develop late complications. However, endoscopic retreatment is safe and effective. ES is a reasonable method for treating choledocholithiasis, even in young patients.

Adult↗

Diagnosis of choledocholithiasis and bile duct stenosis by magnetic resonance cholangiogram.

We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) in the diagnosis of bile duct calculi and stenosis. Two-dimensional fast spin echo (FSE) MR cholangiograms were performed using torso multicoil array as a surface coil and respiratory triggering in 50 patients suspected of having bile duct disease. Coronal and axial images were acquired and reviewed prospectively by two radiologists. Direct cholangiographic correlation (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography [ERCP], intraoperative cholangiogram, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram) and surgery were available for comparison and were reviewed by two radiologists. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MRC in diagnosing bile duct dilatation, choledocholithiasis and stenosis were evaluated. It yielded a sensitivity and a specificity of 100% in diagnosing bile duct dilatation. In the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis, MRC yielded a sensitivity of 95%, a specificity and an accuracy of 96%. Bile duct stenosis was diagnosed with a sensitivity and a specificity of 100%. We concluded that MRC exhibited high accuracy in diagnosing bile duct stenosis and choledocholithiasis.

Adult↗

Association of juxtapapillary diverticula with choledocholithiasis but not with cholecystolithiasis.

Juxtapapillary diverticula are often associated with biliary lithiasis. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of juxtapapillary diverticula in choledocholithiasis and in cholecystolithiasis without common bile duct stones. The results of 520 consecutive retrograde cholangiographies were retrospectively analysed. The prevalence of juxtapapillary diverticula was higher in patients with biliary lithiasis than in patients without: 26.0% vs 10.5% (p less than 0.001). However, juxtapapillary diverticula were more frequently encountered in patients with choledocholithiasis than in those with gallbladder lithiasis or previous cholecystectomy and a stone-free common bile duct: 40.0% vs 10.2% (p less than 0.001). There was no significant difference between the patients with cholecystolithiasis alone and those without biliary lithiasis. Among the patients with previous cholecystectomy or with gallbladder lithiasis, common bile duct stones were more frequently found in patients with juxtapapillary diverticula than in those without: 80.3% vs 40.6% (p less than 0.001). These data suggest that juxtapapillary diverticula are associated only with choledocholithiasis and not with gallbladder lithiasis.

Aged↗

Preliminary experience using endoscopic ultrasonography in the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis.

Twenty patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis and suspected choledocholithiasis were evaluated in an ongoing prospective trial using endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), standard abdominal ultrasonography (US) and ERCP for the detection of choledocholithiasis prior to laparoscopic cholecystectomy. EUS was used successfully to image the extrahepatic bile duct in all patients. EUS detected three of four proven bile duct stones and correctly identified 16 bile ducts as stone free, thus being more accurate than standard abdominal US. The preliminary results of this ongoing prospective trial and the experience reported by other authors suggest that EUS may be as sensitive as ERCP in the detection of choledocholithiasis.

Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde↗

[The holmium-YAG laser: a suitable instrument for stone fragmentation in choledocholithiasis. The assessment of the results of its use under babyscopic control].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Stone fragmentation is required in ca. 5% of patients with choledocholithiasis to free the patients of stones. Several extra- and intracorporal methods of stone fragmentation (lithotripsy) have been available. We here report our experience with the recently available holmium-YAG laser, used under babyscopic monitoring. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between September 1997 and May 1998 lithotripsy was performed by holmium-YAG laser under monitoring in 20 patients with choledocholithiasis in whom conventional methods had failed to achieve stone fragmentation. RESULTS: All stones were cleared in 19 of the 20 patients. A second session was necessary in four patients, three sessions in one. There was no serious complication and no death during a 30-day follow-up. CONCLUSION: Holmium-YAG laser lithotripsy under babyscopic monitoring has been shown to be a suitable method in patients with choledocholithiasis in whom previous treatment has failed it is complementary to current methods of stone fragmentation.

Aged↗

Over-the-wire US catheter probe as an adjunct to ERCP in the detection of choledocholithiasis.

BACKGROUND: Intraductal ultrasound (IDUS) as an adjunct to ERCP for detection of extrahepatic bile duct stones is technically easy, accurate, and safe. This prospective study evaluated IDUS with an "over-the-wire" catheter US probe as an adjunct to ERCP. METHODS: Sixty-five patients, highly suspected to have choledocholithiasis, underwent IDUS during ERCP. The IDUS probe was inserted by means of the duodenoscope into the bile duct without performing a sphincterotomy. All stones identified by IDUS or retrograde cholangiography were removed with either a basket or retrieval balloon after endoscopic sphincterotomy. RESULTS: The final diagnosis was choledocholithiasis in 59 patients. Bile duct diameter ranged from 0.6 to 2.3 cm and stone size from 2 mm to 2 cm. IDUS successfully identified all stones in these patients. IDUS resulted in 2 false-positive diagnoses in the remaining 6 patients without stones (overall accuracy 97%, sensitivity 100%, specificity 67%). Cholangiography detected stones in 55 of the patients with stones (accuracy 94%, sensitivity 93%, specificity 100%). CONCLUSION: IDUS, a safe, technically easy procedure, is highly accurate in the detection of extrahepatic bile duct stones regardless of the diameter of the bile ducts. The "over-the-wire" technique preserves access to the cannulated duct. IDUS is an excellent adjunct to ERCP for the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis. IDUS differentiates stones from air bubbles and prevents unnecessary sphincterotomy.

Adult↗

Predictive ability of choledocholithiasis indicators. A prospective evaluation.

To assess the predictive ability of various indicators of common bile duct calculi, 457 patients undergoing cholecystectomy for gallstone disease were prospectively screened for the presence of 11 predefined criteria of possible choledocholithiasis. The predictive ability of the criteria, individually and in combinations, was determined. For all criteria, except a history of pancreatitis, a significantly increased incidence of choledocholithiasis was found. The number of positive criteria correlated positively with the frequency of common bile duct calculi. The negative predictive value and sensitivity of the total set of criteria were 98% and 89.5%, respectively. Following common duct exploration, the number of complications and the duration of postoperative hospitalization were significantly increased as compared with simple cholecystectomy. Peroperative cholangiography with cholecystectomy is recommended in all patients, with one or more criteria of possible choledocholithiasis. Routine peroperative cholangiography in patients with no positive criteria does not seem to be necessary.

Cholangiography↗

Treatment of choledocholithiasis in patients with liver cirrhosis. Surgical treatment or endoscopic sphincterotomy?

OBJECTIVE: The clinical features of choledocholithiasis were analyzed in cirrhotic patients. The outcomes of surgical treatment and endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) in this situation were compared and the risk factors predictive of an increased mortality rate were identified. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: In cirrhotic patients, high risk for gallbladder stones in cholecystectomy has been established. Common bile duct stones can often exacerbate liver dysfunction and might be more difficult to treat. METHODS: Among 16 cirrhotic patients with choledocholithiasis, 9 underwent choledocholithotomy and T-tube placement (surgery group) and 7 underwent EST (EST group). Pretreatment clinical data were comparable between groups. RESULTS: Among 16 patients, 15 had biliary tract symptoms and 7 had cholangitis. The surgery group had excessive intraoperative hemorrhage (1576 mL) and a high morbidity rate (66.7%). The mortality rate was 44.4%: 0% in Child A or B classification patients and 80% in Child C patients. The common causes of death were liver failure, postoperative hemorrhage, and sepsis. The EST group had no complications related to procedures, but there was one death (14.3%) due to preexisting liver failure. Hepatic dysfunction, coagulopathy, and cholangitis were factors predictive of an increased mortality rate. CONCLUSIONS: Choledocholithiasis in cirrhotic patients should be treated by EST after liver function and general condition are improved by medical management, except in emergency cases.

Adult↗

Reevaluation of spiral CT cholangiography: basic considerations and reliability for detecting choledocholithiasis in 80 patients.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this work was to reevaluate the characteristics and diagnostic accuracy of spiral CT cholangiography (CTC) for detecting biliary calculi. METHOD: Spiral CTC was performed in 133 patients with suspected biliary or pancreatic diseases. All source images were reviewed by two radiologists who were unaware of final diagnoses. Attenuation values of bile were correlated with biochemical data and visualization of anatomic detail. The statistical measures in detecting the presence of choledocholithiasis were calculated in 80 patients with confirmed diagnoses. RESULTS: Statistically significant correlations were found between the degree of biliary enhancement and both serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase levels. Of the 80 patients, 18 (23%) had choledocholithiasis and 62 did not. Observers diagnosed them with a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 98%. A mild adverse reaction to contrast material was observed in three (2.3%) patients. CONCLUSION: Spiral CTC is a reliable, noninvasive, and accessible technique for detecting choledocholithiasis.

Adult↗

Abnormal common bile duct sonography. The best predictor of choledocholithiasis before laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

We conducted a prospective study to determine the most reliable indicator of common bile duct stones before laparoscopic cholecystectomy. One hundred thirty-seven patients were referred for endoscopic retrograde cholangiography before laparoscopic cholecystectomy for suspected choledocholithiasis due to one or more of the following abnormalities: (a) altered liver function tests, (b) increased serum amylase levels, or (c) a dilated common bile duct (> 7 mm) with or without evidence of stones on sonography. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and the likelihood of the presence or absence of morbidity were calculated for 25 different variables. Common bile duct stones were detected in 63 (46%) patients. Abnormal result of sonography of the common bile duct was the best predictor of choledocholithiasis (p < 0.0001). Abnormalities of the combined liver function tests were statistically significant predictors only when combined with abnormal sonographic results. Improving liver function tests before endoscopy had a significant negative predictive value (p = 0.01). Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that abnormal ultrasound and the presence of common bile duct stones on ultrasound were significant (p = 0.009 and p = 0.049, respectively). Abnormal result of sonography of the common bile duct is the best predictor of choledocholithiasis before laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Adult↗

Choledocholithiasis: evaluation of MR cholangiography for diagnosis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the test performance of magnetic resonance (MR) cholangiography for help in diagnosing choledocholithiasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fast spin-echo MR cholangiography was performed by using a torso multicoil array in 110 patients suspected of having bile duct obstruction. Axial and coronal images were reviewed by two observers who were blinded to results of direct cholangiography and final diagnoses. The final diagnosis was established by using direct cholangiographic (n = 103) or surgical (n = 7) findings. RESULTS: Of the 110 patients, 30 (27%) had choledocholithiasis, and 80 (73%) did not. Reviewer 1 used MR cholangiograms to achieve a sensitivity of 90%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100%, negative predictive value of 96%, and overall accuracy of 97%. Reviewer 2 achieved a sensitivity of 90%, specificity of 93%, positive predictive value of 82%, negative predictive value of 96%, and overall accuracy of 92%. Interobserver agreement for MR cholangiograms was 93% (kappa = 0.82). CONCLUSION: MR cholangiography exhibited excellent test performance and resulted in excellent interobserver agreement for the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis.

Cholangiography↗

Detection of choledocholithiasis with MR cholangiography: comparison of three-dimensional fast spin-echo and single- and multisection half-Fourier rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement sequences.

PURPOSE: To compare the performance of three pulse sequences commonly used at magnetic resonance (MR) cholangiography in the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR cholangiography was performed in 57 patients who were suspected of having choledocholithiasis and referred for endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. Non-breath-hold three-dimensional fast spin-echo, breath-hold single-section half-Fourier rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement (RARE), and breath-hold multisection half-Fourier RARE sequences were compared. Two radiologists independently interpreted the MR cholangiograms. Evaluated diagnostic performance parameters included sensitivity, specificity, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and interobserver agreement (kappa statistics). Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography was the standard of reference. RESULTS: Eight patients were excluded because of incomplete MR examinations (n = 4) or failure in the cannulation of the bile duct at retrograde cholangiography (n = 4). In 49 patients, the three MR cholangiographic sequences were completed successfully. In 24 (49%) of these patients, retrograde cholangiography demonstrated stones. Sensitivity and specificity of MR cholangiography exceeded 90%, and the area under the ROC curve was greater than 0.95 for both radiologists and for the three sequences. Interobserver agreement for presence of bile duct stones was at least 0.80 (very good) for the three sequences. CONCLUSION: The three MR cholangiographic sequences had similarly high sensitivities and specificities for the detection of choledocholithiasis.

Adolescent↗

Lipopolysaccharides and beta-glucuronidase activity in choledochal bile in relation to choledocholithiasis.

Common duct gallstones are mainly of the brown pigment type, which are usually attributed to bacterial factors. Bacterial beta-glucuronidase most probably plays a role in the pathogenesis in many but not all patients. The role of other bacterial factors is more undecided. The aims of this study were to investigate a possible association between lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and choledocholithiasis, and to examine the interrelationship to beta-glucuronidase. Common duct bile obtained at endoscopic retrograde cholangiography in 86 patients was assayed for LPS by a limulus amebocyte lysate test, and beta-glucuronidase activity at pH 7.0 was measured. We found that both elevated concentration of LPS and the presence of juxtapapillary duodenal diverticula were associated with common duct stones (p < 0.01, both). Patients who had their common duct stones removed recently had a lower LPS concentration and a lower activity of beta-glucuronidase than those who had a stone in situ (p < 0.01, both), but still higher LPS concentration than those without choledocholithiasis at all (p < 0.01). In multiple logistic regression analysis, elevated LPS was the significant predictor of common duct stones (p < 0.01), and not confounding with neither beta-glucuronidase nor juxtapapillary diverticula. We conclude that gram-negative bacteria convey bacterial factors associated with choledocholithiasis, by mechanisms independent of, and additional to beta-glucuronidase.

Aged↗