Search Results (20)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming pancreaticobiliary endoscopy by enhancing diagnostic accuracy, procedural efficiency, and clinical outcomes. This narrative review explores AI’s applications in endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), emphasizing its potential to address diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in pancreaticobiliary diseases. In EUS, AI improves pancreatic mass differentiation, malignancy prediction, and landmark recognition, demonstrating high diagnostic accuracy and outperforming traditional guidelines. In ERCP, AI facilitates precise biliary stricture identification, optimizes procedural techniques, and supports decision-making through real-time data integration, improving ampulla recognition and predicting cannulation difficulty. Additionally, predictive analytics help mitigate complications like post-ERCP pancreatitis. The future of AI in pancreaticobiliary endoscopy lies in multimodal data fusion, integrating imaging, genomic, and molecular data to enable personalized medicine. However, challenges such as data quality, external validation, clinician training, and ethical concerns—like data privacy and algorithmic bias—must be addressed to ensure safe implementation. By overcoming these challenges, AI has the potential to redefine pancreaticobiliary healthcare, improving diagnostic accuracy, therapeutic outcomes, and personalized care. Full article

In recent years, pancreaticobiliary endoscopy (PBE) has evolved to include a wide range of endoscopic procedures used to treat various diseases. Several interventional endoscopic ultrasonography procedures have been developed for conditions that cannot be treated with conventional endoscopic methods. As PBE continues to advance, it is crucial to improve fluoroscopic systems to enhance image quality, ensure patient safety, reduce radiation exposure, and ensure the operation of video-recording systems. The difficult procedures require the precise imaging of thin pancreatic/biliary branch devices, including guidewires, catheters, and stents. It is crucial to reduce noise caused by patient breathing and movement, while retaining the necessary movement in the image on the screen. A stable table is effective for ensuring the safety of patients during the procedure. A reduction in radiation exposure is important, and the flame rate conversion technique is effective. Ensuring high-quality recording is useful for the video presentation of PBE procedures. In collaboration with Fujifilm (Tokyo, Japan), we researched and developed various functions in fluoroscopic systems for PBE. In this review, we outline the requirements for fluoroscopic procedures in PBE, the evolution of technology to date, and its prospects, while also presenting the commercial equipment currently available. Full article

Pancreaticobiliary diseases can lead to significant morbidity and their diagnoses rely on imaging and endoscopy which are dependent on operator expertise. Artificial intelligence (AI) has seen a rapid uptake in the field of luminal endoscopy, such as polyp detection during colonoscopy. However, its use for pancreaticobiliary endoscopic modalities such as endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and cholangioscopy remains scarce, with only few studies available. In this review, we delve into the current evidence, benefits, limitations, and future scope of AI technologies in pancreaticobiliary endoscopy. Full article

Endoscopic management of benign pancreaticobiliary disorders encompasses a range of procedures designed to address complications in gallstone disease, choledocholithiasis, and pancreatic disorders. Acute cholecystitis is typically treated with cholecystectomy or percutaneous drainage (PT-GBD), but for high-risk or future surgical candidates, alternative decompression methods, such as endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage (ETP-GBD), and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD), are effective. PT-GBD is associated with significant discomfort as well as variable adverse event rates. EUS-GBD leverages lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) for direct access to the gallbladder, providing the ability to treat an inflamed GB internally. Choledocholithiasis is primarily managed with ERCP, utilizing techniques to include balloon extraction, mechanical lithotripsy, or advanced methods such as electrohydraulic or laser lithotripsy in cases of complex stones. Altered anatomy from bariatric procedures like Roux-en-Y gastric bypass may necessitate specialized approaches, including balloon-assisted ERCP or EUS-directed transgastric ERCP (EDGE). Post-operative complications, including bile leaks and strictures, are managed endoscopically using sphincterotomy and stenting. Post-liver transplant anastomotic and non-anastomotic strictures often require repeated stent placements or advanced techniques like magnetic compression anastomosis in refractory cases. In chronic pancreatitis (CP), endoscopic approaches aim to relieve pain and address structural complications like pancreatic duct (PD) strictures and calculi. ERCP with sphincterotomy and stenting, along with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), achieves effective ductal clearance for PD stones. When traditional approaches are insufficient, direct visualization with peroral pancreatoscopy-assisted lithotripsy is utilized. EUS-guided interventions, such as cystgastrostomy, pancreaticogastrostomy, and celiac plexus blockade, offer alternative therapeutic options for pain management and drainage of peripancreatic fluid collections. EUS plays a diagnostic and therapeutic role in CP, with procedures tailored for high-risk patients or those with complex anatomy. As techniques evolve, endoscopic management provides minimally invasive alternatives for patients with complex benign pancreaticobiliary conditions, offering high clinical success and fewer complications. Full article

This longitudinal study examined how active gastrointestinal (GI) cancer types affect immune responses to SARS-CoV-2, focusing on the ability to neutralize the Omicron variants. Patients with GI cancer (n = 168) were categorized into those with hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatic metastatic GI cancer, non-hepatic metastatic GI cancer, and two control groups of patients with and without underlying liver diseases. Humoral and cellular immune responses were evaluated before and after Omicron antigen exposures. In the pre-Omicron era, humoral SARS-CoV-2 immunity decreased after three antigen contacts without further antigen exposure. While Omicron neutralization was significantly lower than wildtype neutralization (p < 0.01), Omicron infections were yet mild to moderate. Additional Omicron exposures improved IgG levels (p < 0.01) and Omicron neutralization (p < 0.01). However, this effect was significantly less intense in patients with active GI cancer, particularly in patients with pancreaticobiliary neoplasms (PBN; p = 0.04), with underlying immunodeficiency (p = 0.05), and/or under conventional chemotherapy (p = 0.05). Pre-Omicron SARS-CoV-2 immunity prevented severe clinical courses of infections with Omicron variants in patients with GI cancer. However, in patients with PBN, with underlying immunodeficiency, and/or under conventional chemotherapy initial contacts with Omicron antigens triggered only reduced immune responses. Thus, subgroups could be identified for whom booster vaccinations are of special clinical significance. Full article

Background and Aims: Pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBMJ) has a long common channel (CC) that causes pancreaticobiliary reflux (PBR), which has been implicated in gallstones, cholangiocarcinoma, and pancreatitis. By contrast, PBR has occurred in cases with normal and longer CCs than normal but shorter than PBMJ. This pathophysiology has been primarily reported in adults and rarely in children. We sometimes observe this pathophysiology in children with pancreatitis and cholelithiasis. Herein, we report the clinical figures on the diagnosis of children with PBR in normal and relatively long CCs. Patients and Methods: This study included seven children who complained of refractory pancreatitis and cholelithiasis diagnosed with PBR in normal and relatively long CCs at our institution from August 2018 to September 2024. We measured the lengths of their CCs and sphincter of Oddi muscles via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and cholangiography. In addition, amylase and lipase levels in bile juice were measured. Results: All seven children demonstrated elevated amylase and lipase levels in bile juice obtained from gallbladder drainage and/or the common bile duct. ERCP and cholangiography indicated 2.2–5.5-mm lengths of CCs in their cases, which are normal lengths in two cases and relatively longer (0.3–1.1 mm: mean 0.6 mm) than the normal upper limit of CC in children in five cases, with their CCs shorter than the sphincters of Oddi. All children underwent extrahepatic bile duct resection and bilio–jejunal anastomosis, demonstrating no clinical symptom recurrence postoperatively. Conclusions: Some children with cholelithiasis and pancreatitis exhibit normal and relatively long CCs, causing PBR and inducing gastrointestinal diseases. Careful investigation by ERCP and cholangiography focused on the CC length, and pancreatic enzyme level assessments in bile juice are useful for diagnosing PBR in children with cholelithiasis and refractory pancreatitis. Full article

Gallbladder carcinoma represents the most aggressive biliary tract cancer and the sixth most common gastrointestinal malignancy. The diagnosis is a challenging clinical task due to its clinical presentation, which is often non-specific, mimicking a heterogeneous group of diseases, as well as benign processes such as complicated cholecystitis, xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis, adenomyomatosis, porcelain gallbladder or metastasis to the gallbladder (most frequently derived from melanoma, renal cell carcinoma). Risk factors include gallstones, carcinogen exposure, porcelain gallbladder, typhoid carrier state, gallbladder polyps and abnormal pancreaticobiliary ductal junction. Typical imaging features on CT or MRI reveal three major patterns: asymmetric focal or diffuse wall-thickening of the gallbladder, a solid mass that replaces the gallbladder and invades the adjacent organs or as an intraluminal enhancement mass arising predominantly from the gallbladder fundus. The tumor can spread to the liver, the adjacent internal organs and lymph nodes. Depending on the disease stage, surgical resection is the curative treatment option in early stages and adjuvant combination chemotherapy at advanced stages. The purpose of this scientific paper is to fully illustrate and evaluate, through multimodality imaging findings (CT and MRI), different presentations and imaging scenarios of gallbladder cancer in six patients and thoroughly analyze the risk factors, patterns of spread and differential diagnosis regarding each particular case. Full article

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a very poor survival. The intra-tumoural microbiome can influence pancreatic tumourigenesis and chemoresistance and, therefore, patient survival. The role played by bile microbiota in PDAC is unknown. We aimed to define bile microbiome signatures that can effectively distinguish malignant from benign tumours in patients presenting with obstructive jaundice caused by benign and malignant pancreaticobiliary disease. Prospective bile samples were obtained from 31 patients who underwent either Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiogram (PTC). Variable regions (V3–V4) of the 16S rRNA genes of microorganisms present in the samples were amplified by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and sequenced. The cohort consisted of 12 PDAC, 10 choledocholithiasis, seven gallstone pancreatitis and two primary sclerosing cholangitis patients. Using the 16S rRNA method, we identified a total of 135 genera from 29 individuals (12 PDAC and 17 benign). The bile microbial beta diversity significantly differed between patients with PDAC vs. benign disease (Permanova p = 0.0173). The separation of PDAC from benign samples is clearly seen through unsupervised clustering of Aitchison distance. We found three genera to be of significantly lower abundance among PDAC samples vs. benign, adjusting for false discovery rate (FDR). These were Escherichia (FDR = 0.002) and two unclassified genera, one from Proteobacteria (FDR = 0.002) and one from Enterobacteriaceae (FDR = 0.011). In the same samples, the genus Streptococcus (FDR = 0.033) was found to be of increased abundance in the PDAC group. We show that patients with obstructive jaundice caused by PDAC have an altered microbiome composition in the bile compared to those with benign disease. These bile-based microbes could be developed into potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for PDAC and warrant further investigation. Full article

Embryological development of the pancreas is a complex phenomenon and, therefore, it can have multiple developmental aberrations. Fortunately, the majority of these pancreatic ductal anomalies are asymptomatic with no clinical relevance and are incidentally detected during diagnostic cross-sectional imaging or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or autopsy. Occasionally, pancreatic duct anomalies can result in symptoms like abdominal pain or recurrent pancreatitis. Also, an accurate pre-operative diagnosis of ductal anomalies can prevent inadvertent duct injury during surgery. Conventionally, ERCP had been used for an accurate diagnosis of pancreatic duct anomalies. However, because it is invasive and associated with a risk of pancreatitis, it has been replaced with magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). MRCP has demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of ductal anomalies, which can be further improved with the use of secretin-enhanced MRCP. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a new diagnostic and interventional tool in the armamentarium of endoscopists and has demonstrated promising results in the detection of pancreatic duct variations and anomalies. Along with the visualization of the course and configuration of the pancreatic duct, EUS can also visualize changes in the pancreatic parenchyma, thereby helping with an early diagnosis of any co-existent pancreatic disease. Absence of the stack sign and crossed duct sign are important EUS features to diagnose pancreas divisum. EUS can also help with the diagnosis of other congenital ductal anomalies like annular pancreas, ansa pancreatica, and anomalous pancreaticobiliary union, although the published experience is limited. Full article

The pancreaticobiliary system is a complex and vulnerable anatomic region. Small changes can lead to severe complications. Pancreaticobiliary disorders leading to severe complications include malignancies, pancreatitis, duodenal ulcer, duodenal diverticula, vascular malformations, and iatrogenic or traumatic injuries. Different therapeutic strategies, such as conservative, interventional (e.g., embolization, stent graft applications, or biliary interventions), or surgical therapy, are available in early disease stages. Therapeutic options in patients with severe complications such as duodenal perforation, acute bleeding, or sepsis are limited. If less invasive procedures are exhausted, an emergency pancreaticoduodenectomy (EPD) can be the only option left. The aim of this study was to analyze a single-center experience of EPD performed for benign non-trauma indications and to review the literature concerning EPD. Between January 2015 and January 2022, 11 patients received EPD due to benign non-trauma indications at our institution. Data were analyzed regarding sex, age, indication, operative parameters, length of hospital stay, postoperative morbidity, and mortality. Furthermore, we performed a literature survey using the PubMed database and reviewed reported cases of EPD. Eleven EPD cases due to benign non-trauma indications were analyzed. Indications included peptic duodenal ulcer with penetration into the hepatopancreatic duct and the pancreas, duodenal ulcer with acute uncontrollable bleeding, and penetration into the pancreas, and a massive perforated duodenal diverticulum with peritonitis and sepsis. The mean operative time was 369 min, and the median length of hospital stay was 35.8 days. Postoperative complications occurred in 4 out of 11 patients (36.4%). Total 90-day postoperative mortality was 9.1% (1 patient). We reviewed 17 studies and 22 case reports revealing 269 cases of EPD. Only 20 cases of EPD performed for benign non-trauma indications are reported in the literature. EPD performed for benign non-trauma indications remains a rare event, with only 31 reported cases. The data analysis of all available cases from the literature revealed an increased postoperative mortality rate of 25.8%. If less invasive approaches are exhausted, EPD is still a life-saving procedure with acceptable results. Performed by surgeons with a high level of experience in hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery, mortality rates below 10% can be achieved. Full article

Endosonography, a minimally invasive imaging technique, has revolutionized the diagnosis and management of pancreatic diseases. This comprehensive review highlights the latest advancements in endosonography of the pancreas, focusing on key technological developments, procedural techniques, clinical applications and additional techniques, which include real-time elastography endoscopic ultrasound, contrast-enhanced-EUS, EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration or EUS-guided fine-needle biopsy. EUS is well established for T-staging and N-staging of pancreaticobiliary malignancies, for pancreatic cyst discovery, for identifying subepithelial lesions (SEL), for differentiation of benign pancreaticobiliary disorders or for acquisition of tissue by EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration or EUS-guided fine-needle biopsy. This review briefly describes principles and application of EUS and its related techniques. Full article

Controversy exists regarding the association of dietary advanced glycation end products (dAGEs) with the risk of disease outcomes and mortality. We aimed to examine, prospectively, the association between dAGEs intake and the risk of overall and cause-specific mortality in the Golestan Cohort Study. The cohort was conducted between 2004 and 2008 in Golestan Province (Iran) recruiting 50,045 participants aged 40–75 years. Assessment of dietary intake over the last year was performed at baseline using a 116-item food frequency questionnaire. The dAGEs values for each individual were calculated based on published databases of AGE values of various food items. The main outcome was overall mortality at the time of follow-up (13.5 years). Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for overall and cause-specific mortality were estimated according to the dAGEs quintiles. During 656, 532 person-years of follow-up, 5406 deaths in men and 4722 deaths in women were reported. Participants at the highest quintile of dAGE had a lower risk of overall mortality (HR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.84, 0.95), CVD mortality (HR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.84, 0.95), and death from other causes (HR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.84, 0.95) compared to those in the first quintile after adjusting for confounders. We found no association of dAGEs with risk of mortality from cancer (all), respiratory and infectious diseases, and injuries. Our findings do not confirm a positive association between dAGEs and the risk of mortality in Iranian adults. There is still no agreement among studies investigating dAGEs and their health-related aspects. So, further high-quality studies are required to clarify this association. Full article

The diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and immunoglobulin G4-related sclerosing cholangitis (IgG4-SC) may require a somewhat invasive pathological examination and steroid responsiveness. This retrospective study assessed the complemental diagnosis of AIP and IgG4-SC using submandibular gland (SG) ultrasonography (US) in 69 patients, including 54 patients with AIP, 2 patients with IgG4-SC, and 13 patients with both AIP and IgG4-SC. The data from the physical examination and US of SGs to diagnose AIP (n = 67) and IgG4-SC (n = 15) were analyzed. The steroid therapy efficacy in resolving hypoechoic lesions in SGs was evaluated in 36 cases. The presence of IgG4-related pancreaticobiliary disease with multiple hypoechoic lesions in SGs was reduced from 31 to 11 cases after steroid therapy, suggesting that multiple hypoechoic lesions in SGs are strongly associated with IgG4-positive cell infiltrations. Multiple hypoechoic lesions in SGs were observed in 53 cases, whereas submandibular swelling on palpation was observed in 21 cases of IgG4-related pancreaticobiliary diseases. A complemental diagnosis of IgG4-related pancreaticobiliary diseases without a histological diagnosis and steroid therapy was achieved in 57 and 68 cases without and with multiple hypoechoic lesions in SGs, respectively. In conclusion, multiple hypoechoic lesions in SGs are useful for the complemental diagnosis of IgG4-related pancreaticobiliary diseases. Full article

Choledochal cysts (CC) is characterized by extra- and/or intra-hepatic b\ile duct dilations. There are two main theories, “pancreaticobiliary maljunction” and “congenital stenosis of bile ducts” proposed for the pathogenesis of CC. Although family cases or CC associated with other anomalies have been reported, the molecular pathogenesis of CC is still poorly understood. Recent advances in transcriptomics and genomics analysis platforms have unveiled key expression signatures/genes/signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of human diseases including CC. This review summarizes insights from genomics and transcriptomics studies into the pathogenesis of CC, with the aim to improve (i) our understanding of its underlying complex pathomechanisms, and (ii) clinical management of different subtypes of CC, in particular their associated hepatic fibrotic change and their risk of malignancy transformation. Full article