A “tandem approach” using sequential diagnostic (ultraslim) and therapeutic (standard size) direct freehand cholangioscopy to guide mechanical lithotripsy of a giant cystic duct remnant stone

This is the case of an 85-year-old woman with a distant history of cholecystectomy and complicated bile duct stone disease who had undergone several endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) procedures including standard-incision papillotomy elsewhere, and was now undergoing repeat ERC after resolution of an episode of acute cholangitis. Because of a complicated ERC anatomy, fluoroscopy provided limited information as to the location of the stone; basket capture was unsuccessful ([Fig. 1]).

Fig. 1 Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) image (mixed spontaneous air and dye cholangiogram) in the long axis provides limited information because of reduced maneuverability owing to a deep papilla location at the 3 o’clock position of a periampullary diverticulum. A large stone (25 mm in diameter) is seen, but its position is equivocal because of an overlying grossly dilated low-inserting cystic duct remnant.

With the patient still receiving piperacillin/tazobactam antibiotic treatment, we therefore proceeded to diagnostic direct cholangioscopy after freehand intubation using an ultraslim endoscope (GIF XP160; Olympus, Hamburg, Germany; outer diameter 5.9 mm, working channel 2.0 mm) [1], unequivocally identifying a cystic duct remnant stone, which was confirmed by cholangioscopy-directed injection of contrast media ([Fig. 2]). Biliary insertion of a standard-sized upper gastrointestinal endoscope was precluded because of an insufficiently large papillotomy opening; therefore, endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation (EPLBD; CRE Balloon Dilation Catheter, Boston Scientific, Ratingen, Germany) was performed ([Fig. 3 a]).

Fig. 2 Direct cholangioscopy was performed using an ultraslim upper gastrointestinal endoscope (note: neither CO₂ insufflation nor saline instillation was needed, given the markedly dilated biliary system). a Direct cholangioscopy view showing a stone in the cystic duct remnant. b Fluoroscopic image after cholangioscopy-guided contrast injection confirming the stone to be located in the hugely dilated cystic duct remnant.

Fig. 3 The subsequent stages of the tandem procedure. a Endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation (EPLBD) up to 18 mm was performed under prograde endoscopic visualization. b Direct cholangioscopy-directed basket capture was performed using standard endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) equipment. c Fluoroscopy was used to guide mechanical lithotripsy as the metal sheath diameter surpassed the diameter of the endoscope’s working channel. d Complete stone clearance up to the tip of the cystic duct remnant was confirmed by cholangioscopy after the mechanical lithotripsy fragments had been extracted by a basket and/or Roth net under direct cholangioscopic visualization.

Video 1: In light of equivocal findings on endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC), we first performed diagnostic (ultraslim) direct cholangioscopy in freehand fashion to identify a giant stone in the markedly dilated cystic duct remnant, and subsequently used balloon dilation-assisted therapeutic (standard size) direct cholangioscopy with cholangioscopy-facilitated mechanical lithotripsy to complete stone clearance.

EPLBD-assisted therapeutic (standard size) direct cholangioscopy was likewise performed freehand using a Fujinon EG590WR (Fujifilm, Düsseldorf, Germany; outer diameter 9.6 mm, working channel 2.8 mm) and was followed by cholangioscopy-guided stone capture using standard ERC equipment ([Fig. 3 b]). The metal sheath, which exceeded the diameter of the working channel, was introduced after the external plastic sheath had been cut and the scope had been removed; mechanical lithotripsy was then performed under fluoroscopic control ([Fig. 3 c]). Thereafter, the cystic duct remnant was completely cleared of mechanical lithotripsy fragments under direct cholangioscopic vision ([Fig. 3 d]).

In contrast to indirect visualization of the biliary system, for example by fluoroscopy-based ERC, direct cholangioscopy has advantages in both diagnosis and interventional potential in biliary diseases, and provides high quality imaging with a large field of view [2]. Here, we have presented a novel endoscopic technique for direct cholangioscopy-guided management of complex gall stone disease in a specifically committed endoscopy service. Cholangioscopy-guided mechanical lithotripsy of complex stone disease in the cystic duct stump is a novel innovative approach that integrates new and old endoscopic technology with widespread availability, contrary to catheter-based approaches, such as electrohydraulic or laser lithotripsy, with limited dissemination [3]. This novel, highly innovative concept of a “tandem approach,” sequentially using diagnostic (ultraslim) followed by therapeutic (standard size) direct cholangioscopy, may streamline complex biliary interventions in selected cases in the future.

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Competing interests

None

• References

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• 2 Komanduri S, Thosani N, Abu Dayyeh BK. et al. Cholangiopancreatoscopy. Gastrointest Endosc 2016; 84: 209-221
• 3 Forbes N, Ishikawa T, Mohamed R. High resolution cholangioscopic electrohydraulic lithotripsy for fragmentation and extraction of impacted cystic duct stones. Endoscopy 2016; 48 (Suppl. 01) E88-E89