BACKGROUND Biliary decompression with endoscopic sphincterotomy (EPT) is beneficial in patients with biliary obstruction due to common bile duct (CBD) stones. However, it is not known whether EPT with decompression of the bile duct is beneficial in patients with acute cholangitis and gall bladder stones but without evidence of CBD stones. AIM A randomised controlled study to assess the effect...

This paper presents a retrospective comparison of plastic versus metallic stents in the drainage of malignant distal biliary obstructions. We compared single plastic stents (SPS), multiple plastic stents (MPS), and metallic stents (SEMS) regarding clinical decrease of TB < 2.0 mg/dL, long-term patency, and adverse event. 58 patients (38 women) with MDBO were included. Diagnoses were 44 pancreat...

BACKGROUND Portal hypertensive biliopathy is an underdiagnosed condition because only some patients have symptoms. The major clinical manifestations include cholestasis and cholangitis. The aim of this study is to present a series of cases evaluated, treated and followed at a tertiary-care public institution. CLINICAL CASE Four patients with portal hypertensive biliopathy were exposed to diff...

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) can fail in 3-10% of the cases even in experienced hands. Although percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) and surgery are the traditional alternatives, there are morbidity and mortality associated with both. In this paper, we have discussed the efficacy and safety of endoscopic-ultrasound-guided cholangiopancreatography (EUS-CP) in ...

Malignant obstructive jaundice caused by tumor obstruction at the head of pancreas, peri-ampullary area, bile duct or gall bladder, and hilar lymphadenopathy carries considerable morbidity and mortality (Fig. 2.1a, b ). Biliary obstruction can lead to severe itching, and prolonged obstruction leads to impaired immune (both humoral and cellular) defense mechanisms predisposing the patient to inc...

Endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage (ERBD) is useful for the palliative decompression of biliary obstruction. However, the complications of ERBD include cholangitis, hemorrhage, acute pancreatitis, obstruction of the stent, and duodenal perforation. Pressure necrosis on the duodenal mucosa by the stent may contribute to perforation. Although duodenal perforation following ERBD is very rare c...

Gallbladder carcinoma and carcinoma of the bile ducts are relatively rare cancers in the United States. These cancers are often diagnosed in an advanced stage due to their nonspecific symptomatology and until recently have been associated with a dismal prognosis. Recent advances in imaging and surgical techniques along with emerging options in palliative chemotherapy have improved the outlook i...

Liver enzyme levels are commonly obtained in the evaluation of many conditions. Elevated alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase have traditionally been considered a "hepatocellular" pattern concerning for ischemic, viral, or toxic hepatitis. Elevations in these levels pose a diagnostic dilemma in patients without a clinical picture consistent with liver disease. On the other hand, elev...

Acute cholangitis is associated with a high mortality and morbidity and often requires drainage of the obstructed biliary system. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness and safety of endoscopic nasobiliary drainage in the treatment and prevention of acute cholangitis due to diverse etiology. During a 32-month period, 143 patients (67 males, 76 females) with age range of 15 to ...