Successful treatment of complex cholangiolithiasis following orthotopic liver transplantation with interventional radiology

Abstract

Bile duct stones are a serious and the third most common complication of the biliary system that can occur following liver transplantation. The incidence rate of bile duct stones after liver transplantation is 1.8%-18%. The management of biliary stones is usually performed with endoscopic techniques; however, the technique may prove to be challenging in the treatment of the intrahepatic bile duct stones. We herein report a case of a 40-year-old man with rare, complex bile duct stones that were successfully eliminated with percutaneous interventional techniques. The complex bile duct stones were defined as a large number of bile stones filling the intra- and extrahepatic bile tracts, resulting in a cast formation within the biliary tree. Common complications such as hemobilia and acute pancreatitis were not present during the perioperative period. The follow-up period was 20 mo long. During the postoperative period, the patient maintained normal temperature, and normal total bilirubin and direct bilirubin levels. The patient is now living a high quality life. This case report highlights the safety and efficacy of the percutaneous interventional approach in the removal of complex bile duct stones following liver transplantation.

Key Words: Complex bile duct stones, Percutaneous interventional technique, Liver transplantation, Intrahepatic bile tract, Extrahepatic bile tract

Core tip: Bile duct stones are a rare, but serious complication that can occur following liver transplantation and can be very difficult to treat with endoscopic techniques. A case is presented involving a 40-year-old man who developed complex bile duct stones following liver transplantation, with a large number of stones filling the intra- and extrahepatic bile tracts and forming a cast in the biliary tree. The patient’s stones were successfully removed using percutaneous interventional techniques, highlighting the safety and efficacy of this approach in the removal of complex bile duct stones following liver transplantation.

INTRODUCTION

Liver transplantation is the only effective method for the treatment of terminal-stage chronic liver diseases. However, there is a high incidence of biliary complications following liver transplantation and long-term, repeated therapies, as the biliary epithelium appears to be more susceptible to ischemia than the liver parenchyma[1,2]. Biliary stones, though uncommon, are a serious complication of orthotopic liver transplantation, which, if not properly treated, may result in severe infection of the biliary tract, liver failure, and even graft loss. The incidence of biliary stones in liver transplant patients varies widely from 1.8%-18%[3-5]. Biliary stones are sometimes managed with interventional radiology, surgery or retransplantation, but most commonly treated with endoscopy[6-9]. The disadvantage of endoscopy is a potential for the development of serious complications such as hemobilia and acute pancreatitis. Furthermore, endoscopy is technically more challenging in the treatment of intrahepatic bile stones. Following stone extraction there is a recurrence rate of 17% within a median of six months[10,11].

Percutaneous interventional techniques represent an alternative approach for the treatment of bile duct stones. These techniques provide a safe and effective approach for the treatment of not only extrahepatic, but also intrahepatic, bile stones. Here, we present a case of rare, complex bile duct stones following orthotopic liver transplantation. The bile duct stones were considered complex, as a large number were found within the intra- and extrahepatic bile tracts, forming a cast in the biliary tree. The removal of bile duct stones was performed successfully using percutaneous interventional techniques. This case report provides an alternative option for managing difficult and serious complications following liver transplantation.

CASE REPORT

In May 2009, a 40-year-old man underwent classic orthotopic liver transplantation for the treatment of end-stage liver disease secondary to hepatocellular carcinoma from liver cirrhosis. The patient’s post-transplantation recovery was uneventful; however, three months after the surgery his skin and sclera gradually became yellow. The primary diagnosis was obstructive jaundice, which was confirmed by magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and cholangiography, and treated with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. In August 2011, due to persistent aggravated jaundice, the patient was referred to our section for further treatment.

The patient’s medical history showed presence of both hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis. The laboratory examination revealed: total bilirubin, 140 μmol/L (normal, 3.4-20.5 μmol/L); direct bilirubin, 125 μmol/L (normal, 0-6.8 μmol/L); alkaline phosphatase, 152 U/L (normal, 50-136 U/L); gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, 77 U/L (normal, 5-85 U/L); hepatitis B surface antigen, negative; alpha-fetoprotein, 2.5 ng/mL (normal, 0-13.6 ng/L); and normal total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The MRCP showed presence of a large number of bile duct stones in the intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts with a mild dilation of the intrahepatic bile duct. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) showed molding of the intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts into a duct cast by the stones (Figure 1).

Figure 1 Imaging of the intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts. A: Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography showing a large number of bile duct stones within the intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts (arrows) with a mild dilation of the intrahepatic bile duct; B: Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography showing the bile duct cast, which is a result of molding of the bile ducts by the stones (arrows).

Interventional procedures

Informed consent was obtained from the patient prior to the interventional procedures. The first procedure was carried out on September 20, 2011. First, a hydrophilic, coated guidewire was used to traverse the stenosis section of the biliary anastomotic stricture entering into the jejunum. Second, an 8 mm × 40 mm balloon catheter (ATB5-35-40-8-4.0; COOK Inc., Bloomington, IN, United States) was placed over the guidewire at the extrahepatic bile duct. Consequently, the extrahepatic bile duct stones were crushed from the proximal to distal bile duct using the inflated balloon catheter (Figure 2). Finally, a biliary tunnel was formed in the biliary cast, and the stone fragments were flushed with a 12 F biliary drainage tube. The procedure was carried out two more times afterwards. The inflated balloon catheter was used to push some of the bigger fragments to the duodenum via balloon sphincteroplasty. On December 5, 2011, a double balloon catheter technique was used for efficient elimination of the intrahepatic bile stones and left side percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage was performed. Balloon catheters [8 mm × 40 mm and 10 mm × 40 mm (ATB5-35-40-10-4.0; COOK Inc.)] were placed in the left- and right-side bile ducts and simultaneously inflated in order to crush the intrahepatic bile stones. On December 28, 2011, a basket extractor (Nitinol Tipless Stone Extractor, NTSE-030115-UDH-MB; COOK Inc.) was used to cut some of the large residual stones (Figure 3).

Figure 2 Crushing of the extrahepatic bile duct stones. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography showing that bile duct stones were crushed from the A: Proximal; B: Distal duct with the inflated balloon catheter.

Figure 3 Percutaneous interventional techniques used on the intrahepatic bile stones. A: The intrahepatic bile stones were crushed with the double balloon catheter technique; B: The large residual stones were cut with the basket extractor (arrow).

Four months after the percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage, PTC showed no presence of bile duct stones in either the intra- or extrahepatic or bile ducts. The intrahepatic bile duct was not dilated while the extrahepatic bile duct was mildly dilated (Figure 4). Hence, the left-side drainage tube was removed on April 16, 2012 while the right-side drainage tube was removed on May 23, 2012. All of the procedures were free from complications. The follow-up period was 20 mo (until February 2014). During the postoperative period, the patient maintained normal body temperature, as well as normal levels of total and direct bilirubin. The patient is now able to live a normal life.

Figure 4 Elimination of bile duct stones. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography showed no presence of the bile stones and a normal biliary tree four months after the percutaneous interventional procedures.

DISCUSSION

Orthotopic liver transplantation is currently the standard therapy for end-stage liver diseases. Despite great improvements in organ preservation, immunosuppression, and surgical techniques, biliary complications (BCs), including non-anastomotic and anastomotic strictures, stone formation, and bile leaks, remain a common source of morbidity. Consequently, patients may undergo long-term and repeated therapies including percutaneous, endoscopic, and surgical procedures. BCs may also increase liver retransplantation rates and influence graft and patient survival rates. The overall incidence of BCs after orthotopic liver transplantation is between 5% and 25%[6]. Although the underlying reasons for the bile stone formation are unknown, some research indicates that anastomotic strictures, bacterial infections, ischemia, elevated total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels could predispose a patient to the formation of biliary stones or sludge[5,6,12].

This case report presents a rare occurrence of complex bile stones following orthotopic liver transplantation and their successful elimination using the percutaneous interventional technique. The case presented a serious situation in which both the intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts were filled with a large number of stones, making their removal by endoscopy difficult. Hence, a series of percutaneous interventional techniques were used in the treatment of the patient. The extrahepatic bile duct stones were crushed with the inflated balloon catheter, and the stone fragments were flushed by a drainage tube. Some of the large stone fragments were pushed into the duodenum via balloon sphincteroplasty. The intrahepatic bile stones were eliminated with the double-balloon catheter technique and a basket extractor was used to cut the large residual stones. The biliary drainage tube was reserved, and ursodeoxycholic acid was administrated to promote biliary excretion and avoid biliary tract infection. Four months later, the bile stones were completely eliminated, and normal liver function was recovered with no perioperative complications. The patient had no clinical symptoms, and the laboratory examinations were normal at the last check-up. The patient is now living a high quality of life.

In conclusion, the percutaneous interventional technique provides a safe and effective treatment of bile stones following orthotopic liver transplantation without commonly associated complications, such as hemobilia or acute pancreatitis. The case presented here demonstrates that the percutaneous interventional technique is especially suitable for the removal of complex bile stones, which are otherwise difficult to treat endoscopically.

COMMENTS

Case characteristics

A 40-year-old male patient with a history of orthotopic liver transplantation presented with aggravated jaundice.

Clinical diagnosis

A large number of bile duct stones filled both the intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts with mild dilation of the intrahepatic bile duct.

Differential diagnosis

Anastomotic stenosis, common bile duct stone, and malignant obstructive jaundice.

Laboratory diagnosis

Total bilirubin, 140 μmol/L; direct bilirubin, 125 μmol/L; alpha-fetoprotein, 2.5 ng/mL.

Imaging diagnosis

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography showed a large number of bile duct stones in the intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts with an associated mild dilation of the intrahepatic bile duct.

Treatment

The patient was treated with a series of percutaneous interventional procedures.

Related reports

An endoscopy is commonly used in the management of biliary stones; however, endoscopy may be technically challenging in the treatment of the intrahepatic bile stones.

Term explanation

Complex bile duct stones are defined as a large number of bile stones within the intra- and extrahepatic bile tracts forming a cast in the biliary tree.

Experiences and lessons

This case report emphasizes the safety and efficacy of the percutaneous interventional approach in the removal of complex bile duct stones following liver transplantation.

Peer-review

This article applies a percutaneous interventional technique in the elimination of complex bile duct stones following orthotopic liver transplantation.