Brief Article
Copyright ©2009 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Nov 14, 2009; 15(42): 5316-5320
Published online Nov 14, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.5316
Sickle cell cholangiopathy: An endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography evaluation
Hussain Issa, Ali Al-Haddad, Ahmed Al-Salem
Hussain Issa, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Dammam 31444, Saudi Arabia
Ali Al-Haddad, Department of Internal Medicine, Qatif Central Hospital, Qatif 31911, Saudi Arabia
Ahmed Al-Salem, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Maternity and Children Hospital, Dammam, Qatif 31911, Saudi Arabia
Author contributions: Issa H performed the procedures, was involved in collecting the data, and in editing the manuscript; Al-Haddad A performed the procedures, was also involved in collecting the data, and in editing the manuscript; Al-Salem A designed the study, was involved in collecting the data, and in writing the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Dr. Ahmed Al-Salem, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Maternity and Children Hospital, Dammam, PO Box 61015, Qatif 31911, Saudi Arabia. ahsalsalem@hotmail.com
Telephone: +966-505818009 Fax: +966-38630009
Received: August 14, 2009
Revised: September 18, 2009
Accepted: September 25, 2009
Published online: November 14, 2009
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the role of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD).

METHODS: Two hundred and twenty four SCD patients with cholestatic jaundice (CJ) had ERCP. The indications for ERCP were based on clinical and biochemical evidence of CJ and ultrasound findings.

RESULTS: Two hundred and forty ERCPs were performed. The indications for ERCP were: CJ only in 79, CJ and dilated bile ducts without stones in 103, and CJ and bile duct stones in 42. For those with CJ only, ERCP was normal in 42 (53.2%), and 13 (16.5%) had dilated bile ducts without an obstructive cause. In the remaining 22, there were bile duct stones with or without dilation. For those with CJ, dilated bile ducts and no stones, ERCP was normal in 17 (16.5%), and 28 (27.2%) had dilated bile ducts without an obstructive cause. In the remaining 58, there were bile ducts stones with or without dilation. For those with CJ and bile duct stones, ERCP was normal in two (4.8%), and 14 (33.3%) had dilated bile ducts without an obstructive cause. In the remaining 26, there were bile duct stones with or without dilatation.

CONCLUSION: Considering the high frequency of biliary sludge and bile duct stones in SCD, endoscopic sphincterotomy might prove helpful in these patients.

Keywords: Sickle cell disease; Hepatobiliary; Cholestsatic jaundice; Sickle cell hepatopathy; Sickle cell cholangiopathy; Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography