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The insensitivity of sonography in the detection of choledocholithiasis.

To determine the sensitivity of sonography in the detection of choledocholithiasis, the sonograms of 138 patients with surgically proven common bile duct stones were reviewed. A definite diagnosis of choledocholithiasis could be made on the basis of the sonograms in 22% of cases. Overall, 23% had common ducts of normal caliber (less than or equal to 7 mm diam) and 23% had normal total bilirubin levels at the time of the examination. Although a sonographic diagnosis of choledocholithiasis provides important information for the surgeon, the method is not sufficiently sensitive to serve as a definitive preoperative test for common bile duct stones.

Adult↗

Improved visualization of choledocholithiasis by sonography.

During a 20 month period, real-time sonography performed on 26 patients achieved an overall sensitivity of 75% for detecting choledocholithiasis. Although previous publications have stressed very low sensitivities for diagnosing choledocholithiasis (13%-55%), it was postulated that the reasons for these disappointing results are primarily related to technique. Most laboratories evaluate the distal common bile duct (where most calculi are located) by obtaining parasagittal scans. Detection of choledocholithiasis can be substantially improved by scanning the intrapancreatic part of the bile duct in a transverse fashion with the patient in an erect position. Advantages of the transverse view include the ability to demonstrate the distal common bile duct in a high percentage of patients and to differentiate shadowing caused by duodenal gas from ductal calculi. The proximal duct is best imaged by obtaining parasagittal scans with the patient in a supine left posterior oblique position. Using these scanning techniques, eight (89%) of nine proximal and 16 (70%) of 23 distal calculi were visualized.

Common Bile Duct↗

Diagnosis of choledocholithiasis: value of MR cholangiography.

OBJECTIVE: T2-weighted fast spin-echo MR imaging (MR cholangiography) of the right upper quadrant of the abdomen depicts the biliary tree in considerable detail. We studied the value of this procedure for detecting stones in the common bile duct in a series of patients with proved calculi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR images of 10 consecutive patients with stones in the common bile duct were retrospectively reviewed. The diagnosis of choledocholithiasis was proved by stone extraction in all cases. Axial, coronal, and oblique images were obtained by using heavily T2-weighted fast spin-echo sequences, and the images were processed by using a maximum-intensity-projection (MIP) algorithm and a commercially available multiplanar reformatting software. Two reviewers who were not blinded to the diagnosis analyzed hard copy images and reformatted images at the MR console. The rate of stone detection was evaluated for each acquisition plane. The mean stone/bile signal-intensity ratio and the number and size of stones were recorded. RESULTS: In all patients, the entire length of the extrahepatic bile ducts was visualized, and the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis could be made on the basis of findings on MR images. Eight stones, including two that were impacted in the ampulla, were located in the distal part of the common bile duct. On the hard copy films, the stones were visible in eight of 10 coronal images, six of 10 axial images, and four of 10 oblique images. On the three-dimensional (3D) MIP reconstructions, the stones were seen in five of the coronal sets and in six of the axial sets. The best results were obtained when the multiplanar reconstruction software was used: nine of the 10 coronal sets and eight of the 10 axial sets showed stones in the bile ducts. By use of a combination of 3D MIP and multiplanar reconstruction, choledocholithiasis was detected in all 10 patients. The mean signal intensity of the stones was 58 (range, 18-87). The mean stone/bile signal-intensity ratio was 0.15 (range, 0.05-0.24). CONCLUSION: In this preliminary study, we showed that MR cholangiography, based on T2-weighted fast spin-echo sequences, could be an important imaging technique for patients with suspected bile duct obstruction and equivocal sonography and/or CT results. However, a large prospective clinical trial is needed to confirm these results.

Cholangiography↗

[Endoscopic treatment of choledocholithiasis].

Since endoscopic access was possible to the choledochal conduit and to the intrahepatic bile ducts with the help of fluoroscopy, the ability of the endoscopist, his/her experience in technological development and in endoscopies as well as in the multiple accessories that allow us direct or indirect ingress to the bile ducts, choledocholithiasis has been able to be resolved with a success rate that oscillates between 95 and 99%, revolutionizing the management which formerly required from one to multiple surgical interventions with very high morbidity-mortality. Endoscopic management, with the passage of time, has shown itself to be the treatment of choice in choledocholithiasis as well as in other types of bile duct obstructive problems. The advent of new techniques of sphincterotomy, of the dilatation of the Oddi sphincter without the need for sphincterotomy, and also such as the diverse types of lithotripsy, including mechanical lithotripsy, electrohydraulic lithotripsy and extracorporeal lithotripsy, and the use of the laser for the destruction of the stones in the bile ducts, has increased the percentage of success in a significant way. This is of the utmost importance if we are to achieve working in a team with the surgeon, above all in the laparoscopic era in which we find ourselves, where the procedures are of minimum invasion, highly effective, come to resolve choledocholithiasis and chronic lithiasic cholecystitis with very low morbidity and mortality, and with a very short hospital stay.

Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde↗

Laparoscopic choledochotomy in the management of choledocholithiasis. A report of 32 cases.

OBJECTIVE: we describe a choledochotomy technique for the laparoscopic removal of calculi in the management of choledocholithiasis, with an analysis of the results obtained in our first 32 patients. METHODS: a prospective study was made of all patients who underwent laparoscopic choledochotomy in our surgical service in the period between December 1993 and December 1996. A total of 112 patients diagnosed as having choledocholithiasis were operated on in our service in the course of the study. Of the 54 patients who initially underwent laparoscopic surgery, 32 underwent cholecystectomy, choledochotomy, extraction of stones and laparoscopic choledochorrhaphy. RESULTS: in 30 patients (93.75%) laparoscopic surgery could be completed without resorting to open surgery; in 5 of these patients primary choledochorrhaphy was performed, and in the remaining patients suturing was performed on a Kehr T-tube. Mean surgical time was 176 min. Two slight complications (one acute gastric dilatation and one small biliary fistula) and one severe complication (bowel fistula) were recorded. Mean hospital stay was 7 days. CONCLUSIONS: choledocholithiasis was successfully managed with laparoscopic choledochotomy and the extraction of stones, with no increase in morbidity or mortality in comparison to other therapeutic modalities.

Adolescent↗

[Endoscopic sphincteroclasy for choledocholithiasis of the principal bile duct. Short-term results and follow-up].

AIMS: The hydrostatic dilatation of the papilla of Vater, or sphincteroclasy, has been recently proposed as an alternative to endoscopic sphincterotomy. Our aim was to assess short term results and follow-up after sphincteroclasy for choledocholithiasis. METHODS: From August, 1994 to December, 1996, 52 patients were included for endoscopic therapy of choledocholithiasis (mean age 66 +/- 17 years). Patients were prospectively followed on the short term-period (24 h, 48 h and 30 days) and longer term after treatment (every 6 months) by clinical and biological controls. MAIN RESULTS: Forty-eight sphincteroclasies were performed successfully (92.3%). Thirty seven patients had a choledocolithiasis. Eleven were stone-free. Eight had undergone former gastric surgery and 8 had impaired coagulation test. Complete stone clearance was achieved in 98% of patients. Mild pancreatitis were observed in three patients (6.25%). Thirty-day mortality was nil. Long term follow-up (mean 21.4 +/- 7 months) revealed: 2 patients with cholecystitis 6 and 13 months after treatment, one of which was followed 8 months later by a fatal septic shock, and 3 patients with cholangitis, 2 of which in the same patient, 9, 12 and 24 months after sphincteroclasy. The global long term biliary complication rate was 8.4%, 4.2% of which were potentially related to the endoscopic procedure. CONCLUSION: Sphincteroclasy is an efficient procedure for the treatment of choledocholithiasis. Its short term results are similar to those of endoscopic sphincterotomy. Complications after 2 years appear to be scarce, but longer follow-up is required before routinely performing sphincteroclasy.

Adult↗

[Usefulness of DIC-CT in choledocholithiasis].

In order to assess the efficacy of helical CT in drip-infusion cholangiography (DIC-CT) for diagnosis of choledocholithiasis, 82 patients with biliary diseases, including 25 patients with a definite diagnosis of choledocholithiasis obtained by direct cholangiography, were investigated by DIC-CT and EUS. Comparative investigation showed that, of the 25 cases, 94.7% could be imaged by DIC-CT and 87.5% by EUS, with respective sensitivities of 94.7% and 87.5%. The specificities in both cases were 100% and accuracies were 97.8% with DIC-CT and 96% with EUS respectively. Therefore, in diagnosis the choledocholithiasis, DIC-CT displays similar diagnostic efficiency as EUS or ERC, and can be recognized as the non-invasive and useful procedure for pre-operative diagnosis of cholecystolithiasis.

Biliary Tract Diseases↗

Laparoscopic transcystic management of choledocholithiasis.

Our objective was to review our community hospital experience with laparoscopic management of choledocholithiasis from 1991 to 1997. We performed a retrospective review of all case records of patients with choledocholithiasis managed surgically at St. Francis Hospital during the study period. Data regarding the history, presentation, investigations, operative details, and follow-up were recorded. Procedures were performed by multiple attending surgeons supervising surgical residents. All common bile duct explorations (CBDEs) were performed by a transcystic approach and followed routine cholangiography. In most cases, cystic duct dilatation over a guide wire was followed by transcystic CBDE with choledochoscopy. Stone extraction was accomplished through a combination of flushing, basket manipulation, fragmentation, retrieval, or advancement of stones through the ampulla. Data were analyzed using SPSS computer software, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. During the period of study there were 1053 laparoscopic cholecystectomies with and without cholangiography and 100 total CBDE performed. Of these, 54/100 had an attempt at laparoscopic CBDE. There were 39 females and 15 males, with a median age of 52 years (range 14-88). Presentation included acute cholecystitis or biliary colic (63%), gallstone pancreatitis (20%), and jaundice or cholangitis (17%). Successful laparoscopic stone removal was achieved in 36 of 54 (67%) cases. Eighteen of the remainder (33%) were converted to an open procedure. Size, number, position of stones, technical difficulties in accessing the common bile duct, and patient factors contributed to open conversion. The rate of successful laparoscopic CBDE improved for each individual surgeon from an average of 22 per cent in the first half of the study period (1991-1994) to 87 per cent in the second half (1995-1997). There was no operative mortality. Significant morbidity in the laparoscopic group included one retained stone and two cases of postoperative pancreatitis. There were three false negative preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography examinations. Multivariate analysis showed that experience of the individual surgeon was the only significant factor predicting successful laparoscopic CBDE. Low initial success rate in the early phase of the study period improved dramatically to reach an overall success rate of 87 per cent in the second half. Laparoscopic management of common bile duct stones is possible in a community setting with a high success rate and minimal morbidity. It precludes excessive use of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with its own set of complications but is associated with a significant learning curve. It is currently our preferred therapeutic approach for choledocholithiasis discovered pre- or intraoperatively.

Adolescent↗

Results of retrograde transhepatic biliary drainage after a common bile duct exploration for choledocholithiasis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The purpose of this study is to assess the benefits of retrograde transhepatic biliary drainage (RTBD) and a primary closure after a common bile duct (CBD) exploration for patients with choledocholithiasis. METHODOLOGY: We analyzed 143 patients with choledocholithiasis who had been managed by RTBD after undergoing a CBD exploration retrospectively over a 12-year period. The main outcome criteria were frequency of occurrence of post-operative complications which needed a relaparotomy and the clinical long-term results. In addition, the radiographic diameter changes of the CBD at the site of the primary closure and liver function tests after RTBD were also evaluated. RESULTS: The frequency of bile peritonitis in the patients undergoing the RTBD procedure was only 0.7% (1 out of 143 cases). Cholangiography via the RTBD tube revealed no severe stenosis at the site of primary closure. Liver function returned to normal on day 3 after RTBD (p<0.05). Recurrence of common bile duct stones developed in 2 patients in this series during the follow-up (1-12 years). CONCLUSIONS: RTBD and a primary closure of the CBD after CBD exploration appears to be a clinically safe and effective method for such patients with choledocholithiasis who had undergone a complete stone removal intra-operatively.

Adult↗

Management of choledocholithiasis in the era of laparoscopic surgery.

Laparoscopic biliary surgery is changing the management of choledocholithiasis. Between November 1989 and December 1998, 2834 cholecystectomies were performed at two institutions. Choledocholithiasis was suspected in 420 patients on the basis of elevated preoperative laboratory and ultrasound criteria [bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, and common bile duct (CBD) size]. One hundred seventeen patients had preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) because of persistent elevation in their enzymes beyond 24 to 48 hours or as an emergency. Laparoscopic intraoperative cholangiogram was attempted in 329 patients whose enzymes fell rapidly within the first 24 to 48 hours or had a failed ERCP. Eighty-one of the 329 were found to have stones. Seventy-three had laparoscopic attempt to clear the CBD, with success in 62 patients (85%). This included 41 transcystic duct and 21 direct CBD exploration. Eight patients had post-operative ERCP for retained stones. Six (0.25%) were in patients with normal preoperative enzymes. We conclude that choledocholithiasis can be suspected with preoperative laboratory and ultrasound criteria. By waiting 24 to 48 hours (except in an emergency), a good number of CBD stones will pass. With increases in laparoscopic experience, laparoscopic removal of CBD stones may replace preoperative ERCP. The small number of cases of retained or missed stones that occur with the use of selective cholangiography can be easily handled with postoperative ERCP.

Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde↗

Detection of choledocholithiasis: comparison of unenhanced spiral CT, US, and ERCP.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: ERCP is an established method for the diagnosis and treatment of common bile duct stones, however, it is invasive, time-consuming, and expensive. The purpose of this study was to determine whether unenhanced spiral CT and US, compared with ERCP, have sufficient sensitivity and negative predictive value to be useful screening techniques in patients suspected of having choledocholithiasis. METHODOLOGY: Over a period of 2 years, 82 patients with clinically suspected choledocholithiasis underwent unenhanced spiral computed tomography and US immediately before undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. CT/US scans and ERCP images were evaluated for the presence of bile duct stones, ampullary stones, and extrahepatic biliary dilatation. RESULTS: Unenhanced spiral computed tomography (US) depicted common bile duct stones in 24 (23) of 28 patients found to have stones at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Five patients had stones impacted at the ampulla, all (two) of which were detected with CT (US). Computed tomography (US) had a sensitivity of 86% (82%) and a specificity of 98% (98%) in the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis. CONCLUSIONS: Both unenhanced spiral CT and US are useful for evaluating suspected common bile duct stones. Unenhanced spiral CT is especially useful when the patient is likely to have ampullary stones and is a safe, more available and less expensive alternative to magnetic resonance cholangiography.

Adult↗

Application of peroral cholangioscopy in an endemic area with high prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma and choledocholithiasis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Peroral cholangioscopy with a mother-baby scope system has been introduced for two decades. The paper presents the experience of peroral cholangioscopy at a university hospital in Taiwan where the prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma and choledocholithiasis was high. METHODOLOGY: A total of 27 sessions of peroral cholangioscopy were performed in 26 patients during a period of 4 years. Of them, 20 patients were for diagnosis and the rest 6 for removing the retained biliary stones. RESULTS: The overall successful rate was 96.3%. The post-procedure complication rate was 11.5% with 2 cholangitis and 1 gram-negative septicemia. There were a total of 19 successful diagnostic sessions. These resulted in definite histological diagnosis in 5 patients and more precise diagnoses subsequently confirmed by surgery in 5 patients. In the remaining 9 patients with tentative diagnoses, 5 confirmed their diagnoses but 4 patients changed their diagnoses after peroral cholangioscopy. By this procedure, hepatocellular carcinoma and choledocholithiasis can be well identified and differentiated. CONCLUSIONS: Peroral cholangioscopy is a safe and valuable modality in diagnosing and treating difficult biliary tract disease when handled with care. It is particularly useful in an endemic area with high prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma and choledocholithiasis.

Adult↗

Endoscopic treatment of choledocholithiasis in the era of laparoscopic cholecystectomy: prospective analysis of 386 patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic papillotomy is a well-established procedure for treating choledocholithiasis. The aim of this study is to expose our experience with this method in a prospectively collected series of 386 patients and to analyze the safety and efficacy of the pre-cut procedure. METHODOLOGY: Between October 1995 and December 1999, 760 endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies were performed in 670 patients. Of these, 449 were done to treat 386 patients with choledocholithiasis. The pre-cut technique was performed after failure of multiple cannulation attempts. RESULTS: Bile duct clearance was achieved in 344 (89.1%) cases, however the success rate would increase to 95.1%, if the cases, which endoscopic stone extraction was not feasible, were excluded. Pre-cut was performed in 31 (8.03%) patients, and 11 of them presented some procedure-related complication, while the complication rate of standard sphincterotomy was 3.9% (relative risk = 8.4; 95% confidence interval = 4.2-16.7). Overall complication rate was 6.7% (26 out of 386)--pancreatitis = 13, bleeding = 9, acute cholecystitis = 2, cholangitis = 1, guide-wire-related choledochal perforation = 1. Thirty-day mortality was 1.55% (n = 6), but procedure-related mortality was 0.25% (n = 1). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic papillotomy is a safe and effective procedure for patients with symptomatic choledocholithiasis. The pre-cut procedure increases the complication rate of the endoscopic approach, and should be restricted to cases, in which an endoscopic intervention is mandatory.

Adolescent↗

[ASSOCIATION OF DUODENAL DIVERTICULUM PRESENCE WITH CHOLEDOCHOLITHIASIS]

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate in aretrospective way the frequency of duodenal diverticulum and its association with choledocholithiasis. Methods:This study included 2728 consecutive patients who underwent ERCP during the period 1993-1997. Duodenal diverticulum was discovered in 122 cases (4.5%). In 22 patients cannulation was not achieved since it was not technically possible. Results: In 100 patients with successful cannulation, 54 cases with juxtapapillary diverticulum were encountered associated with choledocholithiasis. CONCLUSION: These data suggestthat duodenal diverticulum is associated with choledocholithiasis.

Journal Article↗

[Integration of operative endoscopy and laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of cholecysto-choledocholithiasis].

UNLABELLED: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become first choice for symptomatic gallstones, but there are not agreement about therapy of supposed synchronous choledocholithiasis. We report our experience about the sequential treatment (endoscopic-laparoscopic) of the gallstone and the associated common bile duct stones. METHODS: During the period Jan. 1992 Dec. 1997 we have evaluated 128 patients that were submitted to ERCP for suspicion CBDS and gallstone. All patients undertook a systematic assessment: Patient age, sex, history of jaundice, history of pancreatitis, levels of serum alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, amylase, total and direct bilirubin and CBD diameter on ultrasonography. RESULTS: In the 96 (75%) cases of choledocholithiasis endoscopic sphincterotomy has been performed and combined with laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Thirty-two patients (25%) submitted to ERCP have been negative for stones. Only 4 patients have needed surgery because of big stones inside the CBD after ESWL failure. The incidence of complications of ERCP-ES has been, in our experience, 7.1% and mortality 0.8%. All the complications have been treated conservatively and did not need surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The sequential treatment (endoscopic-laparoscopic) of synchronous CBDS and gallstone, in hands of expertise, is efficient with high rate of success and low rate of complications in order to morbidity and mortality. Finally we believe that it is very important to discover CBDS preoperatively with the non invasive methods as the MRI-Colangiography and to assay the liver tests in order to avoid negative ERCP for choledocholithiasis.

Adult↗

[Results of surgical therapy of choledocholithiasis--a retrospective study].

A multimodal therapeutic concept of choledocholithiasis with endoscopic and surgical procedures is presented. Between January 1986 and December 1990 106 patients with choledocholithiasis were operated. These patients are retrospectively analyzed. The success rate is 95.3%, the morbidity 18.7% and the mortality 0. These results are compared with the published data of the surgical or endoscopic therapy of the choledocholithiasis.

Adolescent↗

[Extreme hyperbilirubinemia associated with spherocytosis and choledocholithiasis].

Spherocytosis conditions the severe destruction of red blood cells. The spleen plays an active and fundamental role in this destruction since it is responsible for the fragility and lability of the red blood cell to the splenic medium. The clinical manifestations are: anemia, jaundice, splenomegaly, and hemolytic and aplastic crisis associated to viral infections. Choledocholithiasis is a manifestation of the disease which can be seen at an early stage, even in less severe cases. Choledocholithiasis is rare and this may be due to immediate surgical intervention. The levels of indirect bilirubin may vary but usually do not exceed 10 mg%, on the rising of direct bilirubin may cause suspicion of liver obstruction or damage. A case of a ten year old boy is reported who was found to have spherocytosis, with severe manifestations, who later developed cholelithiasis and total obstruction of the choledocho and in who the most important clinical manifestation was jaundice due to the increase of total bilirubin to 89 mg%, doubly checked. Both a splenectomy and a cholecystectomy were performed. Subsequent checkups were normal. These levels of bilirubin have not been previously reported. Hyperbilirubinemia; spherocytosis; choledocholithiasis.

Child↗

Medium and long-term complications of endoscopic sphincterotomy for choledocholithiasis.

The medium and long-term complications of endoscopic sphincterotomy for choledocholithiasis were examined in patients referred to an endoscopy centre in an area general hospital. One hundred and thirty-eight patients were reviewed between 6 months and 7 years after successful endoscopic sphincterotomy for choledocholithiasis. The procedure was carried out post-cholecystectomy in 69 (50%) and with the gallbladder in situ in 69 patients. Four post-cholecystectomy patients and 10 with intact gallbladders had died by the time of review. A postal questionnaire was completed by the remaining 124 patients. Sixty-two post-cholecystectomy and 49 with gallbladders still intact remained symptom-free at follow-up. Eight patients had had the sphincterotomy as a preliminary to cholecystectomy. There were persistent symptoms in three post-cholecystectomy and two with intact gallbladders. Medium to long-term complications are uncommon after endoscopic sphincterotomy for choledocholithiasis.

Adult↗