Does endoscopic therapy favorably affect the outcome of patients who have recurrent acute pancreatitis and pancreas divisum?
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Acute Disease↗
Biomedical subjects
Evan L Fogel
Publications and source records attributed to Evan L Fogel.
ERCP findings in idiopathic pancreatitis: patients who are cystic fibrosis gene positive and negative.
BACKGROUND: Our series of patients with idiopathic pancreatitis (IP) found a cystic fibrosis (CF) gene abnormality in 19% compared with 3.5% in patients without pancreatitis. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine whether the CF gene predicts more severe ERP findings. DESIGN: This was a retrospective case-control study. SETTING AND PATIENTS: From July 1998 to August 2004, CF gene analysis was performed in 819 patients with IP via Genzyme Genetics. The panel tests for 70 to 87 alleles and has a detection rate of more than 90% of the cases. Sixty-nine patients (8.4%) who had at least one CF gene positive mutation were the study cohort. A total of 218 patients with IP and negative CF gene mutation were randomly selected from our database to be in the control group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Pancreatograms were evaluated for chronic pancreatitis (CP) based on Cambridge criteria. The results of the gene analysis were not available at the time of pancreatogram interpretation. RESULTS: Among patients positive for the CF gene, 42 (61%) were women. The mean age at intervention was 40 years (range 14-80 years), and 48 patients (70%) had cholecystectomy. Among patients who were negative for the CF gene, 147 (67%) were women. The mean age at intervention was 41 years (range 9-89 years), and 125 patients (57%) had cholecystectomy. Compared with controls, cases had higher incidence of CP (62% vs. 48%, p = 0.05), grade III CP (35% vs. 18%, p = 0.004), pseudocysts (12% vs. 4%, p = 0.036) and pancreatic strictures (20% vs. 8%, p = 0.008). LIMITATIONS: The limitations of the study were (1) retrospective design and (2) the panel used tests only for 70 to 87 alleles (of approximately, 900 CF transmembrane conductance regulator genes known). CONCLUSIONS: The mean age at intervention in both groups was similar. CP, grade III CP, pseudocysts, and pancreatic strictures were more common among patients who were CF gene positive.
Adolescent↗
Effectiveness of a new long cytology brush in the evaluation of malignant biliary obstruction: a prospective study.
BACKGROUND: Cancer detection rates with biliary brush sampling remain disappointingly low. A low cellular yield is often the limiting factor in making a diagnosis of malignancy. The new Cytolong brush (Cook Endoscopy, Winston-Salem, NC) is 3 mm in diameter, 5 cm long, with stiffer bristles oriented at 45 degrees on a 7F sheath. We hypothesized that this new brush might improve cancer detection rates by increasing cellular yield. METHODS: Patients found to have a biliary stricture suspicious for neoplasia on ERCP were randomized to undergo brush sampling for cytology with a standard Geenen brush (GB; Cook Endoscopy, Winston-Salem, NC) [3 mm in diameter, 1.5 cm long, bristles oriented at 90 degrees on a 6F sheath] or the Cytolong brush (CB). Repeat sampling was then performed with the other brush. Stricture dilation was not performed prior to brushing. Specimen results were considered normal, atypical (considered benign), highly atypical (suspicious for cancer), or malignant. All specimens were assigned a cellularity score (0 to 3, insufficient to excellent). Final diagnosis was based on cytologic results plus surgery, EUS, autopsy, or clinical follow-up. RESULTS: From November 2001 to July 2003, 102 patients had specimens obtained from 94 malignancies (47% pancreatic cancer). The cancer detection rate was 25 of 94 (27%) using CB and 28 of 94 (30%) with GB (p = NS). No patient had positive cytology results with CB and negative cytology results with GB. The yield of the two brushes combined was 28 of 94 (30%). Cancer detection rates of 28% (18 of 64) and 31% (20 of 64) were found for CB and GB, respectively, in distal biliary strictures, and 23% (7 of 30) and 27% (8 of 30) in proximal strictures (p = NS). Insufficient or limited cellularity was seen less frequently with CB (11 of 98) than with GB (17 of 98), and the mean cellular yield was greater with CB than GB (2.6 vs 2.4, p = 0.006). SUMMARY: Despite improved cellularity, cancer detection rates were not improved by using the larger Cytolong brush in this study. There was no statistical difference between the brushes in both proximal and distal biliary strictures. CONCLUSIONS: The yield of biliary brush cytology at ERCP remains low. Increasing brush size and bristle stiffness does not increase detection rates. Newer devices and processing techniques are required to allow detection rates to approach those attained in other GI tract malignancies.
Adult↗
Droperidol, when used for sedation during ERCP, may prolong the QT interval.
BACKGROUND: Droperidol is a known effective adjunctive agent for sedation/analgesia during endoscopic procedures, particularly in patients who are difficult to sedate with narcotics and benzodiazepines alone. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning about potential droperidol-related fatal cardiac arrhythmias, issued in December 2001, led to concern about its safety in current clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we evaluated the effects of droperidol on the Bazett's corrected QT interval (QTcB) administered to patients undergoing ERCP and frequency of cardiac arrhythmias. DESIGN: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who, at our institute, underwent ERCP while under sedation/analgesia and who received droperidol. Our protocol for patients who are considered to be candidates for droperidol use includes obtaining an ECG before and 1 to 3 hours after the procedure. RESULTS: From April 2002 to October 2004, 6292 ERCPs were performed, of which 3113 patients with normal baseline QTcB (2001 women, 1112 men) received droperidol. Mean dosages were 4.3 mg (range, 1.25-10 mg) in women and 4.5 mg (range, 1.25-13.75 mg) in men. A total of 233 patients (7.48%; 133 women, 100 men) developed QTcB prolongation. Mean increases of the QTcB above the upper limit of normal were 16 milliseconds in women (range, 1-194 milliseconds) and 22 milliseconds in men (range, 1-310 milliseconds). Of these, 15 patients (0.48%; 8 women, 7 men) had marked prolongation of the QTcB (defined QTcB, >500 milliseconds). No serious dysrhythmias occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Droperidol at usual doses during sedation/analgesia may precipitate QTcB prolongation above the normal range. However, no QT-related arrhythmias were noted in this study. Clinically significant cardiac events are probably rare with droperidol, despite documented QTcB effects. Baseline electrocardiogram for excluding patients with prolonged baseline QTcB and 1 to 3 hours afterward monitoring appears adequate when using droperidol. The study is still too small to detect very infrequent arrhythmia events.
Adjuvants, Anesthesia↗
Chemotherapy-induced sclerosing cholangitis: long-term response to endoscopic therapy.
BACKGROUND: Hepatic arterial infusion of fluoropyrimidines has been widely used for the treatment of hepatic metastasis from colorectal cancer. One major complication of such treatment is biliary sclerosis resembling primary sclerosing cholangitis, which has an incidence ranging from 8% to 26%. AIM: We evaluated the efficacy and long-term outcome of endoscopic therapy in the management of chemotherapy-induced sclerosing cholangitis (CISC). METHODS: With the use of an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) database, all patients with a diagnosis of CISC who had endoscopic therapy between March 1995 and March 2005 were identified. The indications, findings, therapies, and complications for all patients undergoing ERCP were recorded in this database. Additional information was obtained by review of medical records. RESULTS: Eleven patients (six men and five women) were identified. The mean age at presentation was 59.5 years (range, 36-76 years). Cholangiogram findings revealed stricture confined to the common hepatic duct in two patients, involving the hilum in seven patients, involving the right and/or left main hepatic ducts in nine patients, and extending to the intrahepatic radicals in two patients. All patients had successful endoscopic therapy to alleviate the presenting symptom. The grade and extent of biliary strictures did not change in five patients, improved in one patient, recurred in two patients, and progressed in two patients over the follow-up period of 28.2 months (range, 4-60 months). CONCLUSION: Although long-term follow-up of patients with CISC is limited by the dismal prognosis of the underlying malignancy, CISC has a recalcitrant pattern that rarely improves with endoscopic therapy. However, endoscopic therapy seems to be an effective method of palliation.
Adult↗
Risk factors for post-ERCP pancreatitis: a prospective multicenter study.
OBJECTIVES: Pancreatitis is the most common and serious complication of diagnostic and therapeutic ERCP. The aim of this study is to examine the potential patient- and procedure-related risk factors for post-ERCP pancreatitis in a prospective multicenter study. METHODS: A 160-variable database was prospectively collected by a defined protocol on patients undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic ERCP at 15 centers in the Midwest Pancreaticobiliary Group and participating in a randomized controlled study evaluating whether prophylactic corticosteroids will reduce the incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis. Data were collected prior to the procedure, at the time of procedure, and 24-72 h after discharge. Post-ERCP pancreatitis was diagnosed and its severity graded according to consensus criteria. RESULTS: Of the 1,115 patients enrolled, diagnostic ERCP with or without sphincter of Oddi manometry (SOM) was performed in 536 (48.1%) and therapeutic ERCP in 579 (51.9%). Suspected sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) was the indication for the ERCP in 378 patients (33.9%). Pancreatitis developed in 168 patients (15.1%) and was graded mild in 112 (10%), moderate in 45 (4%), and severe in 11(1%). There was no difference in the incidence of pancreatitis or the frequency of investigated potential pancreatitis risk factors between the corticosteroid and placebo groups. By univariate analysis, the incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis was significantly higher in 19 of 30 investigated variables. In the multivariate risk model, significant risk factors with adjusted odds ratios (OR) were: minor papilla sphincterotomy (OR: 3.8), suspected SOD (OR: 2.6), history of post-ERCP pancreatitis (OR: 2.0), age <60 yr (OR: 1.6), > or =2 contrast injections into the pancreatic duct (OR: 1.5), and trainee involvement (OR: 1.5). Female gender, history of recurrent idiopathic pancreatitis, pancreas divisum, SOM, difficult cannulation, and major papilla sphincterotomy (either biliary or pancreatic) were not multivariate risk factors for post-ERCP pancreatitis. CONCLUSION: This study emphasizes the role of patient factors (age, SOD, prior history of post-ERCP pancreatitis) and technical factors (number of PD injections, minor papilla sphincterotomy, and operator experience) as the determining high-risk predictors for post-ERCP pancreatitis.
Adult↗
Oral allopurinol does not prevent the frequency or the severity of post-ERCP pancreatitis.
BACKGROUND: Pancreatitis is the most common major complication of ERCP. Efforts have been made to identify pharmacologic agents capable of reducing its incidence and severity. The aim of this trial was to determine whether prophylactic allopurinol, an inhibitor of oxygen-derived free radical production, would reduce the frequency and severity of post-ERCP pancreatitis. Methods A total of 701 patients were randomized to receive either allopurinol or placebo 4 hours and 1 hour before ERCP. A database was prospectively collected by a defined protocol on patients who underwent ERCP. Standardized criteria were used to diagnose and grade the severity of postprocedure pancreatitis. RESULTS: The groups were similar with regard to patient demographics and to patient and procedure risk factors for pancreatitis. The overall incidence of pancreatitis was 12.55%. It occurred in 46 of 355 patients in the allopurinol group (12.96%) and in 42 of 346 patients in the control group (12.14%; p = 0.52). The pancreatitis was graded mild in 7.89%, moderate in 4.51%, and severe in 0.56% of the allopurinol group, and mild in 6.94%, moderate in 4.62%, and severe in 0.58% of the control group. There was no significant difference between the groups in the frequency or the severity of pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic oral allopurinol did not reduce the frequency or the severity of post-ERCP pancreatitis.
Administration, Oral↗
Abdominal pain with fluctuating elevation of amylase and AST.
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Abdominal Pain↗
Diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in children: a large series report.
OBJECTIVES: Our goal is to evaluate the indications, findings, therapies, safety, and technical success of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in children. METHODS: Our database was searched for patients 17 years of age or younger undergoing ERCP between January 1994 and March 2003. Additional information was obtained by chart review. The safety and technical success of ERCP were examined. Complications were classified by the consensus criteria. RESULTS: A total of 245 patients (95 M, 150 F; mean age 12.3 years) underwent 329 examinations. Indications included biliary pathology (n = 93), pancreatic pathology (n = 111), and chronic abdominal pain of suspected biliary or pancreatic origin (n = 41). The ERCP findings were bile duct stone(s) (n = 29), benign biliary stricture (n = 19), primary sclerosing cholangitis (n = 7), anomalous pancreaticobiliary union (n = 8), choledochal cyst (n = 5), bile duct leak (n = 6), malignant biliary stricture (n = 2), biliary atresia (n = 1), chronic pancreatitis (n = 44), pancreas divisum (n = 26), pancreatic duct stricture with (n = 6) or without (n = 9) leak, pancreatic tumor (n = 1), periampullary adenoma (n = 2), and sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (n = 65). Endoscopic therapies were performed in 71% of the procedures and included sphincterotomy, stone extraction, stricture dilation, endoprosthesis placement, snare papillectomy, and cystoduodenostomy. Thirty-two (9.7%) post-ERCP complications occurred and included cholangitis in 1 patient and pancreatitis in 31. The pancreatitis was graded mild in 24, moderate in 5, and severe in 2. No mortality related to ERCP occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic and therapeutic ERCP results are similar in children and adults except for a lower incidence of malignant disease in children. Technical success rates are high. However, ERCP-related pancreatitis is not uncommon, and the risk and benefits should be carefully reviewed before proceeding. Outcome data are necessary and is currently being accumulated at our institution.
Adolescent↗
Endoscopic snare papillectomy for tumors of the duodenal papillae.
BACKGROUND: Tumors of the major and the minor duodenal papillae can be malignant or premalignant, and traditionally are treated by surgical excision. This study evaluated the safety and the outcome of endoscopic snare resection of such tumors. METHODS: All patients with tumors of the major or the minor papilla treated by endoscopic snare resection over a 10-year period (1994-2003) were identified from an ERCP database. Patients with tumors that had endoscopic features of malignancy and those proven to be cancerous by biopsy were excluded. Papillectomy was performed by electrosurgical snare resection. A pancreatic stent usually was placed before or after excision. Residual tumor was eradicated by repeated procedures. Endoscopic surveillance was at the discretion of the endoscopist. RESULTS: Seventy snare resections were performed in 55 patients (mean age 59 years). Histopathologic diagnoses were the following: adenoma (45 patients; 7 with focal high-grade dysplasia, 6 with intraductal extension), adenocarcinoma (5), carcinoid tumor (2), gastric heterotopia (1), and normal histology (2). Fourteen patients had familial adenomatous polyposis. Of the 39 patients with isolated extraductal adenoma per cholangiogram, two underwent surgical resection because of persistent high-grade dysplasia, and 37 were successfully treated by endoscopic papillectomy alone. During follow-up (mean 30 months), 18 of 37 patients (49%) had no recurrence, 7 had recurrent adenoma (mean time interval to recurrence 27 months), two died of unrelated illnesses, and 10 are awaiting follow-up. Of the 6 patients with intraductal adenoma per cholangiogram, two underwent surgical resection, two had intraductal photodynamic therapy, and two had endoscopic snare resection. Intraductal tumor in the 4 latter patients was eliminated, although it recurred in one of the patients who had photodynamic therapy. Of the 7 patients with adenocarcinoma or carcinoid tumor, pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed in 3 and palliative papillectomy was performed in 4 unsuitable for surgery. One patient with carcinoid tumor of the minor papilla is alive, without recurrence, at 5 years after papillectomy. There were 10 procedure-related complications (14.5%), including pancreatitis (5), bleeding (4), and mild perforation (1). There was no procedure-related death. CONCLUSIONS: Most adenomas of the duodenal papillae without intraductal extension can be fully resected by snare papillectomy. However, adenoma recurs in about a third of patients. Endoscopic therapy appears to be a reasonable alternative to surgery for management of papillary tumors. Longer follow-up is needed to determine the true recurrence rate and if endoscopic re-treatments are effective.
Adenoma↗
Improved stent characteristics for prophylaxis of post-ERCP pancreatitis.
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Pancreatic stenting is an effective method to prevent post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis in high-risk patients. This retrospective study evaluated the impact of modified stent characteristics on the rate of post-ERCP pancreatitis, spontaneous stent dislodgment, and stent-related sequelae. METHODS: A total of 2283 patients underwent 2447 ERCPs over a 6-year period with placement of 3-4F diameter, unflanged pancreatic stents. The indication for stenting was pancreatitis prophylaxis predominantly in suspected sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD), pancreas divisum therapy, and precut sphincterotomy. An abdominal radiograph was obtained 10-14 days later to assess spontaneous stent passage. Post-ERCP pancreatitis was defined according to established criteria. A total of 479 patients underwent repeat ERCPs after an initial ERCP with pancreatic stent placement. The prestenting pancreatogram was then compared with follow-up studies. RESULTS: The pancreatitis rate with 3F, 4F, 5F, and 6F stents was 7.5%, 10.6%, 9.8%, and 14.6%, respectively (3F vs. 4F, 5F, 6F: P = 0.047). Spontaneous stent dislodgment was 86%, 73%, 67%, and 65%, respectively (3F vs. 4F, 5F, 6F: P < 0.0001). The frequency of ductal changes was 24% in patients with 3-4F stents compared with 80% with 5-6F stents. Ductal perforation from the stents occurred in 3 patients (0.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Small diameter (3-4F), unflanged pancreatic stents are more effective than the traditionally used stents (5-6F) in preventing post-ERCP pancreatitis. Stent-induced ductal changes and the need for endoscopic removal are also significantly less with 3-4F stents. The 3F stent appears to be superior in all aspects studied. Additional studies are needed to define the ideal method to eliminate post-ERCP pancreatitis.
Acute Disease↗
Acute biliary pancreatitis: when should the endoscopist intervene?
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Acute Disease↗
Use of methylene blue to identify the minor papilla or its orifice in patients with pancreas divisum.
BACKGROUND: In some patients with pancreas divisum, minor papilla cannulation is difficult because of uncertain identification of the papilla or its orifice, even after pancreatic secretory stimulation with secretin or cholecystokinin agonist. METHODS: Two techniques with methylene blue were used to identify the minor papilla and its orifice more clearly in a series of patients: spraying methylene blue over duodenal mucosa in the region suspected to contain the minor papilla with/without secretin or cholecystokinin agonist administration, and injection of contrast medium containing methylene blue into the ventral pancreatic duct by means of the major papilla in cases of incomplete pancreas divisum. Results were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: From January 2001 to May 2002, minor papilla cannulation with conventional methods initially failed in 38 of 305 patients with pancreas divisum because of an inconspicuous minor papilla orifice. Methylene blue was used to identity the minor papilla orifice in 14 of 38 patients (spraying, 13; injection, 1). Minor papilla cannulation was successful in 12 of 14 (86%) patients (spraying 11, injection 1). Mild pancreatitis developed in 1 patient. CONCLUSIONS: Methylene blue spraying or injection appears to be a helpful technique for identification of the inconspicuous minor papilla orifice in patients with pancreas divisum.
Catheterization↗
Long-term outcome of endoscopic dual pancreatobiliary sphincterotomy in patients with manometry-documented sphincter of Oddi dysfunction and normal pancreatogram.
BACKGROUND: For patients with sphincter of Oddi dysfunction and abnormal pancreatic basal sphincter pressure, additional pancreatic sphincterotomy has been recommended. The outcome of endoscopic dual pancreatobiliary sphincterotomy in patients with manometry-documented sphincter of Oddi dysfunction was evaluated. METHODS: An ERCP database was searched for data entered from January 1995 to November 2000 on patients with sphincter of Oddi dysfunction who met the following parameters: sphincter of Oddi manometry of both ducts, abnormal pressure for at least 1 sphincter (> or =40 mm Hg), no evidence of chronic pancreatitis, and endoscopic dual pancreatobiliary sphincterotomy. Patients were offered reintervention by repeat ERCP if clinical symptoms were not improved. The frequency of reintervention was analyzed according to ducts with abnormal basal sphincter pressure, previous cholecystectomy, sphincter of Oddi dysfunction type, and endoscopic dual pancreatobiliary sphincterotomy method. RESULTS: A total of 313 patients were followed for a mean of 43.1 months (median, 41.0 months; interquartile range: 29.8-60.0 months). Immediate postendoscopic dual pancreatobiliary sphincterotomy complications occurred in 15% of patients. Reintervention was required in 24.6% of patients at a median follow-up (interquartile range) of 8.0 (5.5-22.5) months. The frequency of reintervention was similar irrespective of ducts with abnormal basal sphincter pressure, previous cholecystectomy, or endoscopic dual pancreatobiliary sphincterotomy method. Of patients with type III sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, 28.3% underwent reintervention compared with 20.4% with combined types I and II sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (p = 0.105). When compared with endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy alone in historical control patients from our unit, endoscopic dual pancreatobiliary sphincterotomy had a lower reintervention rate in patients with pancreatic sphincter of Oddi dysfuntion alone and a comparable outcome in those with sphincter of Oddi dysfunction of both ducts. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic dual pancreatobiliary sphincterotomy is useful in patients with pancreatic sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. Prospective randomized trials of endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy alone versus endoscopic dual pancreatobiliary sphincterotomy based on sphincter of Oddi manometry findings are in progress.
Adolescent↗
A new synthetic porcine secretin for facilitation of cannulation of the dorsal pancreatic duct at ERCP in patients with pancreas divisum: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind comparative study.
BACKGROUND: Secretin, a 27 amino acid polypeptide released in response to duodenal luminal acidification, stimulates secretion of water and bicarbonate from pancreatic ductal cells. To date the only secretin available for clinical use has been a biologically derived compound extracted from porcine duodenums. Although used to facilitate pancreatic duct cannulation, secretin has not been approved for this indication. In this study, a new synthetic porcine secretin with an identical amino acid composition was compared with saline solution for the facilitation of minor papilla cannulation in patients with pancreas divisum. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, comparative trial was conducted at 4 centers with expertise in pancreaticobiliary endoscopy. Patients with pancreas divisum in whom minor papilla cannulation initially was unsuccessful were enrolled. Either saline solution (placebo) or synthetic porcine secretin was administered. If the minor papilla orifice and/or pancreatic juice flow was noted, cannulation was attempted and success or failure was documented (phase 1), as well as the time taken for successful cannulation. If cannulation was unsuccessful, no juice flow was noted, or the orifice was not seen, the alternate agent was administered (phase 2). RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients (7 men, 22 women; mean age 51 years, range 21-76 years) were enrolled. In phase 1, cannulation was achieved in 1 of 13 patients (7.7%) after the placebo was given and in 13 of 16 patients (81.3%) after synthetic porcine secretin was given (p < 0.0001). In phase 2, cannulation was achieved in 12 of 12 patients (100%) after synthetic porcine secretin was given and in 0 of 3 patients (0%) after the placebo was given (p = 0.0022). Overall, cannulation was successful in 25 of 28 patients (89.3%) who received synthetic porcine secretin and in 1 of 16 (6.3%) who received the placebo (p < 0.0001). Mean time to cannulation was significantly greater for the placebo than for the synthetic porcine secretin (4.75 min vs. 2.63 min; p = 0.0001). No adverse events directly attributable to synthetic porcine secretin administration were documented. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed the use and safety of synthetic porcine secretin in facilitating cannulation of the minor papilla in patients with pancreas divisum in whom cannulation was difficult. Use of this agent has the potential to further increase the cannulation success rate in this group of patients.
Adult↗
Does prophylactic administration of corticosteroid reduce the risk and severity of post-ERCP pancreatitis: a randomized, prospective, multicenter study.
BACKGROUND: Pancreatitis is the most common major complication of diagnostic and therapeutic ERCP. There have been continuing efforts to identify a pharmacologic agent capable of reducing the frequency and severity of this complication. On the basis of several case reports, experimental data, and knowledge of their mechanism of action, corticosteroids might be effective in this regard. The aim of this randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was to determine whether prophylactic, orally administered corticosteroid reduces the frequency and/or severity of post-ERCP pancreatitis. METHODS: A total of 1115 patients were randomized to receive either prednisone (40 mg) or a placebo orally 15 hours and 3 hours before ERCP. A 160 variable database was prospectively collected according to a defined protocol on patients undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic ERCP at 15 centers in the Midwest Pancreaticobiliary Group. Standardized criteria were used to diagnose and grade the severity of postprocedure pancreatitis. RESULTS: The overall frequency of pancreatitis was 15.07%. It occurred in 92 of 555 patients in the corticosteroid group (16.6%), and in 76 of 560 patients in the control group (13.6%; p = 0.19). The pancreatitis was mild in 10.04%, moderate in 4.04%, and severe in 0.99%. There was no difference between the groups with regard to the severity of pancreatitis. Moreover, the groups were similar with regard to age, gender, body mass index, frequency of prior pancreatitis, type of procedure performed (diagnostic or therapeutic), difficulty of cannulation, frequency of pre-cut sphincterotomy, pancreatic sphincterotomy, sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, sphincter of Oddi manometry, pancreatic acinarization, chronic pancreatitis, number of pancreatic duct injections, and bile duct diameter. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic orally administered corticosteroid did not reduce the frequency or severity of post-ERCP pancreatitis.
Administration, Oral↗
Influence of stricture dilation and repeat brushing on the cancer detection rate of brush cytology in the evaluation of malignant biliary obstruction.
BACKGROUND: The sensitivity for cancer detection of brush cytology at ERCP is relatively low. Manipulation of the stricture and repeated tissue sampling may increase the yield. This study compared the cancer detection rate of brush cytology before and after biliary stricture dilation. METHODS: In patients with a biliary stricture at ERCP of suspected malignant origin, the stricture was sampled with a cytology brush and then dilated with either a graduated dilating catheter or a dilating balloon (4-8 mm). Brushing was then repeated in all patients. Specimens were interpreted as normal, atypical (benign), highly atypical (suspicious for cancer), and malignant. Final diagnoses were based on cytology plus surgery, EUS, percutaneous biopsy, autopsy, or clinical follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 139 patients with suspected malignant obstructive jaundice underwent 143 ERCPs (116 ultimately found to have malignant obstruction, and 27 benign disease). Dilation was performed with a catheter in 68 cases, balloon in 73, and both in 2. Brush cytology had a sensitivity of 34.5% (40/116) before dilation and 31% (36/116) after dilation (p = NS). However, sensitivity with predilation and postdilation brushing specimens combined was 44% (51/116), which was higher than that for either the predilation or postdilation brush cytology (p = 0.001). Cancer detection rates were 34.7% (17/49) after dilation with the catheter and 27.7% (18/65) after balloon dilation (p = NS). CONCLUSIONS: Stricture dilation does not improve the sensitivity of brush cytology for the detection of cancer, which remains relatively low. However, repeat brushing increases the diagnostic yield and should be performed when sampling biliary strictures with a cytology brush at ERCP.
Bile Duct Neoplasms↗
Effects of droperidol on the pancreatic and biliary sphincters.
BACKGROUND: Performance of sphincter of Oddi manometry at ERCP is technically demanding and requires that the patient be well sedated. Droperidol is frequently administered when adequate sedation cannot be achieved with a benzodiazepine and meperidine. This study examined the effects of droperidol on the biliary and pancreatic sphincters. METHODS: A total of 31 patients were prospectively evaluated by sphincter of Oddi manometry in the conventional retrograde fashion. Manometry was initially performed with intravenous administration of diazepam alone, diazepam plus meperidine or midazolam plus meperidine. Manometry was then repeated 5 minutes after droperidol was administered. RESULTS: The basal pressure of the biliary sphincter and of the pancreatic sphincter were not significantly altered by droperidol. Concordance (normal vs. abnormal) between the basal sphincter pressure before and after droperidol was seen in 30 patients (97%). Droperidol also did not lead to a difference in phasic wave amplitude, duration, or frequency. Thirteen manometry tracings (42%) were judged as being qualitatively better after droperidol, whereas two (6.5%; </= p 0.001) were qualitatively better before droperidol administration. CONCLUSIONS: Droperidol does not significantly affect sphincter of Oddi manometric parameters. It appears that it can be added to the armamentarium of agents needed for performance of sphincter of Oddi manometry. However, further study is needed to determine whether recent safety concerns with droperidol use are valid.
Adjuvants, Anesthesia↗