Archives of the Balkan Medical Union Copyright 2017 Balkan Medical Union vol. 52, no. 2, pp. 225-229 June 2017 CASE REPORT PERCUTANEOUS TRANSHEPATIC BILIARY DRAINAGE IN A PATIENT WITH MALIGNANT STENOSIS AND ALTERED ANATOMY Gabriel Constantinescu 1,2, Oana Plotogea 2, Vasile Șandru 2, Radu Țincu 1,3, Alexandru Chiotoroiu 4, Dragoș Ene 1,4, Bogdan Popa 1,5, Mădălina Ilie 1,2 1 University of Medicine and Pharmacy Carol Davila, Bucharest, Romania 2 Gastroenterology Department, Clinical Emergency Hospital of Bucharest, Romania 3 Intensive Care and Toxicology Department, Clinical Emergency Hospital of Bucharest, Romania 4 General Surgery Department, Clinical Emergency Hospital of Bucharest, Romania 5 Radiology Department, Clinical Emergency Hospital of Bucharest, Romania ABSTRACT Introduction. We present the case of a 72-year-old patient admitted to our hospital with intense jaundice. Case presentation. Five months previously, he had undergone palliative digestive surgical intervention for massive carcinoma of the uncinate process of the pancreas, which obstructed the duodenal lumen but without biliary obstruction, so a digestive derivation had been performed. The endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was not an option due to the duodenal malignant obstruction. Therefore, we decided to insert a biliary drainage tube via percutaneous transhepatic route using ultrasound and radiological guidance. Initially, the evolution was favorable with a bilirubin drop by half. Two weeks later, the patient returns to our hospital with the biliary tube partially migrated outside and with pericatheter leakage. Before retrieving the percutaneous biliary drainage we inserted under X-rays a guidewire which was well placed in the distal duodenum. Afterwards, we extracted the biliary drainage over the guidewire, advanced over RÉSUMÉ Drainage biliaire transhépatique chez un patient avec sténose maligne et anatomie altérée- rapport de cas Introduction. Nous présentons le cas d un patient de 72 ans admis à notre hôpital avec une jaunisse intense. Présentation du cas. Cinq mois auparavant, il avait subi une intervention chirurgicale digestive palliative pour un carcinome massif du processus unciné du pancréas, qui obstruait la lumière duodénale, mais sans obstruction biliaire, donc une dérivation digestive avait été effectuée. La CPRE n était pas une option due à l obstruction maligne duodénale. Par conséquent, nous avons décidé d insérer un tube de drainage biliaire par voie transhépatique percutanée en utilisant l échographie et le guidage radiologique. Initialement, l évolution était favorable avec une baisse de la bilirubine de moitié. Deux semaines plus tard, le patient revient à notre hôpital avec le tube biliaire partiellement migré à l extérieur et avec fuite du péricathéter. Avant de récupérer le drainage biliaire percutané, nous Corresponding author: Dr. Mădălina Ilie Clinical Emergency Hospital of Bucharest, 8 Calea Floreasca, Bucharest, Romania e-mail: m_ilie2001@yahoo.com Conflicts of interests: none
Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage in a patient with malignant stenosis CONSTANTINESCU et al the guidewire a biliary dilator and injected contrast to confirm position. Bile drainage was subsequently obtained by percutaneous placement of fully covered self-expandable metal stent (SEMS). Conclusions. The particularity of the case is the fact that biliary drainage can be difficult to obtain when the anatomy has been modified. In these cases, percutaneous drainage under ultrasound guidance represents an alternative to ERCP, when the duodenum is obstructed and the papillary access is impossible. Keywords: percutaneous biliary drainage, ultrasound, radiologic guidance. avons inséré sous rayons X un fil de guidage bien placé dans le duodénum distal. Ensuite, nous avons extrait le drainage biliaire sur le fil guide, avancé sur le fil guide un dilatateur biliaire et injecté la substance de contraste pour confirmer la position. Le drainage biliaire a ensuite été obtenu par emplacement percutané d un stent métallique auto-expansible entièrement recouvert (SEMS). Conclusions. La particularité du cas est le fait que le drainage biliaire peut être difficile à obtenir lorsque l anatomie a été modifiée. Dans ces cas, le drainage percutané sous échographie représente une alternative à la cholangio-pancréatographie endoscopique rétrograde (CPRE), lorsque le duodénum est obstrué et l accès papillaire est impossible. Mots-clés: drainage biliaire percutané, échographie, guidage radiologique. INTRODUCTION Over the past decades, biliary interventions have evolved and increased in prevalence and utility. Current percutaneous biliary interventions include percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC), biliary drainage and percutaneous cholecystostomy. Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage (PTBD) is indicated in patients with non-operative lesions, when endoscopic stenting using endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) is impossible due to malignant duodenal infiltration, or because of modified postoperative anatomy of the digestive tract, complications or severe general state of the patient. In these patients, PTBD plays an important role in treatment. The procedure brings a decrease in plasma bilirubin level, as well as improvement in life quality by relieving symptoms associated with jaundice, thus optimizing the clinical state of patient, allowing for resection or palliative radio or chemotherapy 1,2. CASE PRESENTATION A 72-year-old man presented to our hospital with intense jaundice, dark urine, and light-colored stools. Regarding his disease history, we must mention that he had been operated, 5 months earlier, for massive carcinoma of the uncinate process of the pancreas. At that time, the patient presented important weight loss, vomiting, and abdominal pain, but had no jaundice. The computed tomography showed pancreatic tumor complicated with total stenosis of the second duodenum. The approach was a palliative intervention. Surgeons created a posterior transmesocolic gastrojejunostomy and Braun`s anastomosis in order to restore digestive transit. Five months later, at presentation, laboratory findings showed cholestasis (bilirubin level 16 mg/dl), hepatic cytolysis, positive inflammatory tests (erythrocyte sedimentation rate 50 mm/h and positive C reactive protein), moderate anemia. We performed esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy, which revealed total stenosis of the duodenum because of tumoral invasion and gastrojejunostomy but we could not pass the stenosis, so papilla was unreachable. The ultrasound examination showed dilated intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts (Figure 1, Figure 2) and hypoechoic pancreatic mass with imprecise delimitation (Figure 3). Taking into account that an ERCP procedure was not an option, we decided to drain the bile by percutaneous methods, using ultrasound and fluoroscopic guidance. Regarding the management, we started by administering broad spectrum antibiotics before the procedure. Afterward, the patient received intravenous conscious sedation (Midazolam). We injected Lidocaine 1% for local anesthesia. Then, we inserted a Chiba needle under ultrasound guidance and accessed the intrahepatic bile duct of the left lobe. The contrast was injected to opacify the intrahepatic bile ducts. The percutaneous cholangiogram showed dilated bile ducts in both left and right lobe and also a 14 mm common bile duct with distal stricture on the last 2 cm. Under fluoroscopic guidance, we placed a guidewire. The stricture could not be overcame, so we inserted an 8Fr bougie in order to dilate it. Finally, an 8Frx35cm biliary drainage catheter was inserted and bile stasis was externalized. The tube was sutured to the skin. 226 / vol. 52, no. 2
Archives of the Balkan Medical Union Figure 1. Ultrasound image of dilated intrahepatic bile ducts Figure 2. Ultrasound image of dilated common bile duct Figure 3. Ultrasound image of pancreatic tumor Figure 4. Percutaneous Biliary SEMS Figure 5. Fluoroscopic image of the SEMS Initially, the patient had a favorable evolution and the bilirubin level dropped to half, 36 hours after the procedure. He was discharged two days post procedure with a satisfactory general state. Two weeks later, the patient returned to our hospital with the biliary tube partially migrated outside and with pericatheter leakage. Laboratory results revealed a total bilirubin of 5 mg/dl, hepatic cytolysis, and mild anemia. We decided to retrieve percutaneously the biliary drainage catheter. Before that, we inserted under fluoroscopic guidance a guidewire (Jagwire.035 ) which was advanced via the drainage, through the left intrahepatic bile duct into the common duct, papilla, duodenum. Afterward, we advanced through the guidewire a biliary dilator and injected contrast to confirm position. The cholangiogram revealed a common bile duct of 10 mm, with a total stop of the contrast on last 2 cm. We inserted the pediatric Olympus endoscope N180, but it was impossible to overpass the duodenal stenosis. Therefore, we decided to insert percutaneously a fully covered self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) of 80/8 mm under fluoroscopic guidance and endoscopic visualization (Figures 4, 5). June 2017 / 227
Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage in a patient with malignant stenosis CONSTANTINESCU et al Figure 6. SEMS image in pancreatic head Figure 7. Aerobilia post SEMS insertion We successfully deployed the stent through the papilla in the duodenum, the final position being confirmed by injecting contrast via a biliary dilator. After the procedure, we repeated the ultrasound which confirmed the correct position of the stent (Figure 6) and also the presence of significant aerobilia, demonstrating the biliary drainage into the duodenum (Figure 7). Two days later, the patient was discharged with satisfactory general state and a bilirubin level of 2 mg/dl. This case highlights the need of ultrasound guidance combined with radiological guidance in performing PTBD in a patient with modified digestive anatomy. DISCUSSIONS In a patient with obstructive jaundice caused by biliary malignant stenosis, palliation is usually achieved by endoscopic insertion of an endoprosthesis for internal bile drainage. Endoscopic treatment can be difficult or impossible after duodenal malignant obstruction or after surgery when the normal anatomy has been changed. In these patients, percutaneous methods can be used to achieve adequate bile drainage 3. We presented from our practical experience the case of a patient with obstructive jaundice due to pancreatic carcinoma. One particularity of this case report is that the patient had altered anatomy which made impossible the drainage by using classical me thods. The alternative would have been the surgical approach, with more immediate risks. So, we performed PTBD using ultrasound and radiological guidance. Another particularity could be the paucity of reports regarding this approach if we take into consideration that ERCP and biliary stenting fails in only 5 10% of patients with malignant biliary obstruction because papilla is inaccessible 4. Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage (PTBD) was introduced in the 1960s. It is most often performed using a hybrid approach with ultrasound and radiological guidance. PTBD can provide biliary drainage in three ways. The simplest of these is external drainage through a percutaneous tube which exits the skin. The method is typically used when a tight stricture cannot be traversed with a guidewire. The second technique involves inserting a directional catheter through the percutaneous sheath and advancing it through the biliary obstruction. The internal-external catheter allows bile to drain externally and/or internally. The third technique establishes internal drainage by percutaneous placement of a plastic or self-expandable metal stent across the biliary stricture 5,6. Indications for percutaneous biliary drainage include relief of obstructive jaundice, cholangitis, brachytherapy access for malignant lesions, failed endoscopic biliary drainage or surgically altered anatomy which usually precludes endoscopy 6,7. Studies 2,8,9 have shown that PTBD prolongs life of the incurably ill, but is burdened with a large number of complications and inconveniences in further treatment. The complication rate can be important, and depends on the patient status and diagnosis. Patients with cholangitis, stones, coagulopathies, proximal or malignant obstruction, will have higher complication rates 10. Complications may occur during the procedure (intrahepatic bile ducts perforation, hemobilia, extrahepatic bile ducts perforation) or after the procedure (drain dislocation, hemobilia, peritonitis, sepsis, biliary fistula, fluid accumulation) 1. Several authors have suggested that complications related to internal/external tubes as a result of inadequate bile flow and tube dislodgment (sepsis and hemorrhage) can be minimized by placing a 228 / vol. 52, no. 2
Archives of the Balkan Medical Union self-retaining tube of at least 10 Fr through the ampulla or anastomosis 10. Moreover, PTBD should not be performed on patients with non-dilated bile ducts, because of high risk of complications 11. In our case, the post-procedure complication was drain dislocation, which also appeared in other studies 12. After this complication, we decided to retrieve the drain and insert percutaneously a fully covered self-expandable metal stent. Relieving bile ducts tension with subsequent bile supply to the alimentary tract caused immediate improvement in the patient s general condition. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) is a recently developed alternative to PTBD for patients in whom ERCP is not an option 13. Also known as ESCP (endosonographic cholangiopancreatography), it combines EUS and ERCP techniques, to obtain biliary of pancreatic drainage. The complexity of ESCP, with a significant learning curve and the potential for complications and technical failure, makes it very inaccessible even though in the last decade has started to replace PTBD 14. CONCLUSIONS Jaundice secondary to malignant bile duct obstruction is commonly treated by endoscopic insertion of an endoprosthesis. If the endoscopic procedure is unsuccessful or cannot be performed, percutaneous drainage using a hybrid ultrasound and radiological guidance technique by inserting either a biliary drainage or a metallic expandable stent is a generally accepted alternative, in selected patients. REFERENCES 2. Ciesielczyk B, Murawa D. Percutaneous drainage of biliary ducts. Rep Pract Oncol Radiother 2004;9:69-72. 3. Cwikiel W. Percutaneous management of occluded biliary duct endoprostheses. Acta Radiologica 2000 (41): 338 342. 4. Bapaye A, Dubale N, Aher A. Comparison of endosonography-guided vs. percutaneous biliary stenting when papilla is inaccessible for ERCP. United European Gastroenterol J. 2013; 1(4): 285 293. 5. Katz MHG, Ahmad SA. Multimodality management of borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. Endoscopic and percutaneous biliary drainage procedures: role in preoperative management, diagnosis and palliation. Springer 2016:50-70. 6. Nedelcu C, Ilie M, Șandru V, et al. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangio-drainage and biliary stent placement a rendez-vous procedure in a patient with Billroth II anastomosis, Filodritto ISI proceedings, 2016. 7. Brant WE, Helms CA. Fundamentals of Diagnostic Radiology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins-4th Edition 2012; 24:666-668. 8. Gazzaniga GM, Faggioni A, Bondanzi G, Bagardo C, Filauro M. Percutaneus transhepatic biliary drainage twelve years experience. Hepatogastroenterology 1991;38:154-59. 9. Malangoni MA, Mc Coy M, Richardson JD, Flint LM. Effective palliation of malignant biliary duct obstruction. Ann Surg 1985;201:554-59. 10. Saad WEA, Wallace MJ, Wojak JC, Kundu S, Cardella JF. Quality improvement guidelines for percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, biliary drainage, and percutaneous cholecystostomy. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2010; 21:789 795. 11. Cozzi G, Severini A, Civelli E, et al. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage in the management of postsurgical biliary leaks in patients with nondilated intrahepatic bile ducts. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2006;29(3):380 8. 12. Robson PC, Heffernan N, Gonen M, et al. Prospective study of outcomes after percutaneous biliary drainage for malignant biliary obstruction. Ann Surg Oncol 2010;17:2303 11. 13. Hara K, Yamao K, Mizuno N et al. Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided biliary drainage: Who, when, which, and how? World J Gastroenterol 2016; 22(3): 1297 1303. 14. Perez-Miranda M., Barclay R., Kahaleh M. Endoscopic ultrasonography guided endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) therapeutic and advanced ERCP. Gastrointest Endoscopy Clin N Am 2012; 22: 491-509. 1. Knap D, Orlecka N, Judka R et al. Biliary duct obstruction treatment with aid of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. Alexandria Journal of Medicine 2016; 52:185 191. June 2017 / 229