Sho Mizukawa

Long-term outcomes and risk factors of biliary stent dysfunction after endoscopic double stenting for malignant biliary and duodenal obstructions

Few reports describe the endoscopic double‐stenting procedure for malignant biliary and duodenal obstructions. We evaluated the clinical outcomes from double stenting, and analyzed the risk factors for biliary stent dysfunction following double stenting.

Predictive factors for outcomes of patients undergoing endoscopic therapy for bile leak after hepatobiliary surgery

Endoscopic procedures are used as first‐line treatment for bile leak after hepatobiliary surgery. Advances have been made in endoscopic techniques and devices, but few reports have described the effectiveness of endoscopic procedures and the management principles based on severity of bile leak. We evaluated the effectiveness of an endoscopic procedure for the treatment of bile leak after hepatobiliary surgery.

Biliary Anastomotic Stricture After Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation With Duct-to-Duct Reconstruction: Outcome After Endoscopic Treatment Including Rendezvous Procedure.

Background To evaluate the outcomes and investigate the factors associated with restricture after endoscopic treatment. Methods Between April 2001 and July 2014, 98 patients experienced biliary anastomotic stricture (BAS) after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) with duct-to-duct reconstruction, and all were first referred to Okayama University Hospital for endoscopic stent deployment. When deployment was unsuccessful, a percutaneous transhepatic procedure was used. Treatment outcomes, including stricture resolution, BAS recurrence, and risk factors of BAS recurrence, were evaluated retrospectively. Results Successful stent deployment was achieved in 90 of 98 patients (91.8%) by both procedures. Among the 90 patients, stricture resolution was eventually observed in 72. The median number of endoscopic retrograde cholangiographies performed was 5. After a median follow-up period of 48.8 months from stent removal, BAS recurrence that required intervention occurred in 22 patients (30.6%). In multivariate analysis, portal vein stenosis after LDLT was associated with BAS recurrence after endoscopic treatment (P = 0.03). Among the 22 patients who required reintervention, 16 (73%) had their stents removed, and recurrence after retreatment occurred in 3 patients (18.8%). Conclusions Endoscopic treatment is a useful procedure for the treatment for BAS after LDLT with duct-to-duct reconstruction. Portal vein stenosis may be one of the risks associated with the recurrence of BAS.

Efficacy of endoscopic treatment using double-balloon enteroscopy for postoperative bile leakage in patients with hepaticojejunostomy

Background and study aims  Endoscopic treatment for post-operative bile is technically challenging in patients with altered gastrointestinal anatomy. This study evaluated the effectiveness of using a short-type double-balloon enteroscope to treat postoperative bile leakage after hepaticojejunostomy.

Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Hepaticogastrostomy Is Effective for Repeated Recurrent Cholangitis after Surgery: Two Case Reports

We report the cases of two patients who underwent endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy (EUS-HGS) using metallic stents (MS) for recurrent cholangitis due to benign biliary stenosis. The patients had repeatedly undergone double-balloon endoscopy and anastomotic stenosis. Thus, EUS-HGS was performed. The procedures were successful, and placement of a covered metallic stent (C-MS) relieved cholangitis. The occurrence of cholangitis was subsequently considerably reduced. For patients with postoperative recurrent cholangitis, EUS-HGS with MS should be considered because of its efficacy and safety.

Indications for Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Pancreatic Drainage: For Benign or Malignant Cases?

Background and Aims Recurrent pancreatitis associated with pancreatic strictures requires treatment with endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP), but it is sometimes technically unsuccessful. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided pancreatic drainage (EUS-PD) was developed as an alternative to a surgical approach after failed ERP; however, the indications for EUS-PD are unclear. In this study, we evaluated the outcomes of EUS-PD and established the indications for EUS-PD. Methods A total of 15 patients had indications for EUS-PD for recurrent pancreatitis due to pancreatic strictures. There were eight patients with benign pancreatic strictures and seven with malignant pancreatic strictures. The success rate, adverse events, and long-term outcomes were evaluated. Results The technical success rates of benign and malignant strictures were 75% (6/8) and 100% (7/7), respectively, and clinical success was achieved in 100% (6/6) and 87.5% of cases (6/7), respectively. Rendezvous procedures were performed in two patients with benign strictures. The adverse event (AE) rate was 26.7% (4/15) and included cases of peritonitis, bleeding, and stent migration. Reinterventions were performed in three patients with benign strictures and two with malignant strictures. Conclusions EUS-PD was an appropriate treatment for not only benign strictures but also malignant strictures with recurrent pancreatitis after failed ERP. However, the AE rate was high, and reinterventions were required in some cases during long-term follow-up. The indications for EUS-PD should be considered carefully, and careful follow-up is needed.

A comparative evaluation of treatment methods for bile duct stones after hepaticojejunostomy between percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy and peroral, short double-balloon enteroscopy

Background: Bile duct stones after hepaticojejunostomy are considered a troublesome adverse event. Although percutaneous transhepatic procedures using a cholangioscopy is performed to treat these bile duct stones, a peroral endoscopic procedure using a short, double-balloon enteroscope (sDBE) is an alternative. This study aimed to compare the immediate and long-term outcomes of both treatments for bile duct stones in patients who underwent prior hepaticojejunostomy. Methods: Between October 2001 and May 2013, 40 consecutive patients were treated for bile duct stones after hepaticojejunostomy at a tertiary care hospital. Initial success with biliary access, biliary intervention-related technical success, clinical success, adverse events, hospitalization duration, and stone-free survival were retrospectively evaluated. Results: The initial success rates for biliary access were 100% (8/8) with percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS) and 91% (29/32) with sDBE. In three patients in whom biliary access during initial sDBE failed, successful access with subsequent PTCS was achieved, and biliary intervention-related technical success and clinical success were eventually achieved in all 40 patients. The rate of adverse events was significantly lower with sDBE than with PTCS (10% versus 45%; p = 0.025). The median hospitalization duration for complete stone clearance was significantly shorter with sDBE than with PTCS (10 versus 35 days; p < 0.001). During the median 7.2 year or 3.1 year follow up, the probabilities of being stone-free at 1, 2, and 3 years were 100%, 73%, and 64% for PTCS and 85%, 65%, and 59% for sDBE, respectively (p = 0.919). Conclusions: sDBE was useful, with few adverse events and short hospitalization; therefore, experienced endoscopists can consider it as first-line treatment for bile duct stones in patients with prior hepaticojejunostomy.

Comparison of two fluoroscopic images to ensure efficient scope insertion for biliary intervention in patients with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy

Background and study aims No standard procedure for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is available for patients with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (RYHJ) with side-to-end hepaticojejunostomy. We therefore explored methods of efficient scope insertion at a hepaticojejunostomy site. Patients and methods Patients with suspected biliary disease were prospectively enrolled. Based on two fluoroscopic images obtained on scope insertion into each lumen of a two-pronged Roux-en-Y anastomosis, we selected the lumen in which the distal end of the scope progressed toward the patients liver or head. The accuracy of this method for selecting the correct lumen leading to the hepaticojejunostomy site was investigated. Results Of the 33 included patients, successful insertion to the hepaticojejunostomy site was achieved in 32 (97 %), 26 (81 %) of whom had undergone the imaging method. The accuracy of the method was 88 % (23/26). The time required for insertion between the anastomotic site and the hepaticojejunostomy site was shorter when the lumen selection had been correct (13 minutes [7 - 30] (n = 23) vs. 18 minutes [8 - 28] (n = 9); P = 0.95). Conclusion This method based on two fluoroscopic images was useful for achieving efficient scope insertion in patients with RYHJ.Trial registered at University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000014183).

Time-dependent image changes after ethanol injection into the pancreas: An experimental study using a porcine model

Background Ethanol, a commonly available agent, has been used to successfully ablate cystic and solid lesions in the pancreas. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of an ethanol injection into the porcine pancreas and observe the time-dependent image changes in the pancreatic parenchyma. Methods Pure ethanol was injected into the pancreatic tail using a 25-gauge EUS needle with direct ultrasound guidance under celiotomy: 1 mL and 2 mL were injected, respectively. The abdomen was closed after the injection. MRI was performed before the procedure, immediately after, and on postoperative day (POD) seven. Blood samples were taken before the procedure and on PODs one, three, five, and seven. The pigs were euthanised on POD seven. Results Immediately after the injection, linear high signal areas in the pancreatic tail on T2 and rounded speckled high signal areas on DWI images were detected in both animals, measuring 35 × 32 mm in the 1 mL injected pig and 42 × 38mm in the 2 mL injected pig. After POD seven, rounded high signal areas were noted on T2 images, measuring 22 × 18 mm and 36 × 28 mm respectively. On POD one, the 1 mL injected animal had a 53% elevation in serum amylase while the 2 mL injected animal had a 66% elevation. Histologically, cystic and necrotic changes in the parenchyma were observed, measuring 23 × 22 mm and 40 × 35 mm respectively. Conclusions Our results, which are limited to normal pancreas, suggested that a 1 mL injection caused localised changes within the pancreas while a 2 mL injection induced more widespread changes beyond the pancreas. The effective area of ethanol was widespread immediately after injection, and then the area was reduced with cystic and necrosis changes.