Rapid formation of a radiolucent pancreatic stone: a case report (with video)

Background Over 90% of pancreatic stones are radiopaque and can be treated with endoscopy or surgery. However, radiolucent stones are different than radiopaque stones in nature and formation, and therefore, treatment varies. Case presentation: A 25-year-old woman was admitted because of recurrent acute pancreatitis. Imaging examinations confirmed the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis (CP), and which revealed the existence of radiolucent stones. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was performed and abundant protein-like radiolucent stones were extracted. Three 10F, 7-cm plastic stents were placed. However, the stents were completely occluded by radiolucent stones 1 month later. A nasopancreatic tube was then inserted and flushed regularly, but protein-like stones formed continuously. After multidisciplinary consultation, the following conservative treatment strategy was applied: 1) no more endotherapy; 2) a diet with 40% to 50% of calories from fat was recommended; 3) no pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy; and 4) regular exercise. The above advice aimed to stimulate the secretion of pancreatic fluid to achieve auto-flushing of the pancreatic duct and prevent protein-like stones from depositing. No acute pancreatitis recurred during the 5-year follow-up. Conclusions This strategy was effective for auto-flushing the pancreatic duct in patients with radiolucent pancreatic stones after the main pancreatic duct stricture was resolved.

Cholangiopancreatoscopy-guided laser dissection and ablation for pancreas and biliary strictures and neoplasia

Background and study aims Cholangiopancreatoscopy-guided laser dissection or ablation (CPL) is a novel therapeutic modality for refractory benign strictures. Our aim was to describe the safety and efficacy of CPL for pancreaticobiliary disorders. Patients and methods Patients who underwent CPL using holmium or thulium laser between February 2017 and September 2019 were included. For stricture dissection, gentle strokes of the laser fiber from a distal to proximal approach were applied until luminal patency permitted advancement of the cholangiopancreatoscope. Immediate technical success was defined as ability to traverse the stricture with the cholangiopancreatoscope after CPL. Short-term technical success was defined as > 90 % resolution of the stricture on follow-up pancreatogram. Results Eleven patients underwent a mean of 3.6 ERCPs (mean total diameter of 14.2 Fr of stenting) prior to CPL. Indications included pancreatic duct stricture (n = 8), pancreaticojejunostomy anastomotic stricture (n = 1), bile duct stricture (n = 1) and pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm ablation (n = 1). Immediate technical success was 94.1 % and short-term technical success rates was 88.2 %. At a mean follow-up of 12.1 months, there have been no stricture recurrences. Conclusions CPL may be an effective therapy for strictures refractory to conventional dilation and multiple stenting.

Chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis is a major source of morbidity, loss in quality of life, and healthcare expenditure. It is most commonly caused by chronic alcoholism in adults and cystic fibrosis in children, but there are many other causes. Patients typically present with severe abdominal pain, but this may vary and even be absent. Exo- and endocrine insufficiency usually occur late in the disease course and reflect permanent loss of pancreatic parenchyma due to ongoing inflammation and fibrosis, exocrine insufficiency manifesting as steatorrhea and weight loss due to fat maldigestion and endocrine insufficiency as diabetes mellitus. Diagnosis is confirmed by imaging investigations such as CT, MRI, and endoscopic ultrasonography. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography to diagnose chronic pancreatitis is obsolete. Hormone stimulation tests (e.g. secretin–cholecystokinin stimulation test) to diagnose exocrine insufficiency are largely abandoned because of their complexity and burden to patients. They are replaced by faecal elastase testing, even though this test is less sensitive. Management focuses on the treatment of pain using a stepwise approach. Initially, nonopioid analgesics are prescribed. Next, when feasible, endoscopic therapy is initiated, including pancreatic stone fragmentation by extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy, endotherapy to remove stone fragments, and placement of plastic stents to dilate any concomitant pancreatic duct stricture. If that fails or when, for example, the pancreatic head is enlarged, surgical intervention is indicated. Medical management includes enteric-coated pancreatic enzyme preparations and treatment of diabetes mellitus, usually by means of insulin. Abstinence from alcohol and smoking cessation are important predictors of disease and treatment outcome.