Biliary Disease (biliary + disease)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Bone disorders in chronic liver disease,

HEPATOLOGY, Issue 4 2007
Jane Collier
Osteomalacia rarely occurs in adult patients with chronic liver disease despite a low serum vitamin D level being reported in up to two-thirds of patients with cirrhosis. In contrast, osteoporosis, which increases the risk of vertebral fractures, occurs in 12%-55% of patients with cirrhosis. Although the prevalence is probably falling, as shown by a fall from 57%-26% in patients with biliary disease requiring liver transplantation over the last 2 decades, it still accounts for significant patient morbidity. Bone density also falls in the first 3 months after liver transplantation, and pretransplant fractures are predictive of posttransplant fractures. Many of the known risk factors for postmenopausal osteoporosis exist in the cirrhotic population, such as excess alcohol intake, steroid use, poor nutrition, and hypogonadism. There is also an increased risk of osteoporosis in patients without cirrhosis, particularly those with hemochromatosis and biliary disease. The diagnosis is made with bone density measurements. The effective treatment is largely based on evidence from postmenopausal osteoporosis as there have been only a few small clinical trials of patients with chronic liver disease. Bisphosphonates are the mainstay of treatment; they have been shown to be effective in biliary disease and are well tolerated. (HEPATOLOGY 2007.) [source]


Biliary events and an increased risk of new onset irritable bowel syndrome: a population-based cohort study

ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 3 2008
M. A. MCNALLY
Aliment Pharmacol Ther,28, 334,343 Summary Background, Prospective data are lacking to determine if irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a risk factor for cholecystectomy, or if biliary disease and cholecystectomy predisposes to the development of IBS. Aim, To test the hypothesis that IBS and biliary tract disease are associated. Methods, Validated symptom surveys sent to cohorts of Olmsted County, MN, (1988,1994) with follow-up in 2003. Medical histories were reviewed to determine any ,biliary events' (defined by gallstones or cholecystectomy). Analyses examined were: (i) time to a biliary event post-initial survey and separately and (ii) risk of IBS (Rome II) in those with vs. without a prior biliary event. Results, A total of 1908 eligible subjects were mailed a follow-up survey. For analysis (i) of the 726 without IBS at initial survey, 44 (6.1%) had biliary events during follow up, in contrast to 5 of 93 (5.4%) with IBS at initial survey (HR 0.8, 95% CI 0.3,2.1). For analysis (ii) of the 59 subjects with a biliary event at initial survey, 10 (17%) reported new IBS on the follow-up survey, while in 682 without a biliary event up to 1.5 years prior to the second survey, 58 (8.5%) reported IBS on follow-up (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.1,4.6, P = 0.03). Conclusion, There is an increased risk of new IBS in community subjects who have been diagnosed as having a biliary event. [source]


Changing work patterns for benign upper gastrointestinal and biliary disease: 1994,2007

ANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 7-8 2010
Alexander P. M. Jay
Abstract Background:, The evolution of surgical technology has impacted on surgical practice. We determined trends in surgical caseload for common benign biliary and uppergastrointestinal conditions in Australia over the last 15 years. Methods:, Using the Medicare Australia web site, the use of Medicare item numbers specific to gall stone, bariatric and anti-reflux procedures were determined nationally and for each Australian state for each year from 1994 to 2007. Rates of operative cholangiography, laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy conversion and bile duct exploration were calculated. Per capita use of bariatric procedures was also determined. Anti-reflux surgery was analysed as total and specific subgroups of anti-reflux procedures. Results:, The use of intra-operative cholangiography has increased over time, and the conversion to open cholecystectomy and application of common bile duct exploration both decreased. A rapid increase in restrictive bariatric procedures has occurred, and this has been followed by a similar increase in revision bariatric surgery and lap band adjustments. The application of anti-reflux surgery has also increased significantly with the repair of large hiatus hernia accounting for most of the increase over the last five years, whereas revision anti-reflux surgery remains uncommon. Conclusions:, These data demonstrate significant increases in the application of some laparoscopic surgical techniques, particularly for morbid obesity. Future health-care planning will need to consider the impact of these changes. [source]


Impact of laparoscopic cholecystectomy on hospital utilization

ANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 4 2004
Michael S. Hobbs
Objective: The objective of the present study was to assess the impact of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and associated endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERCP) on hospital utilization. Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has resulted in marked reductions in average length of hospital stay; but population-based studies of hospital utilization have generally not taken into account increased cholecystectomy rates or associated increases in pre and postoperative admissions. Methods: We conducted a population-based study of all residents of Western Australia who underwent cholecystectomy in the period 1980,2000. Record linkage was used to identify pre and postoperative admissions, and to estimate aggregate length of stay per case based on all relevant admissions. We estimated trends in cholecystectomy rates, proportions of cases with related pre and postoperative hospital admissions, average aggregate length of stay per case and total bed utilization per unit of population. Results: The introduction of LC was associated with a sustained increase in rates of cholecystectomy of 25%. Similar increases occurred in the percentage of cases with related preoperative and postoperative admissions. Average length of stay for index admissions declined by nearly 60% compared with 50% for all related admissions. Per capita hospital utilization for index admissions decreased by 45% compared with 38% for index and associated admissions combined, and 32% for all admissions for biliary disease. Conclusions: Reduced hospital utilization associated with LC was partly offset by increases in pre and postoperative admissions and a sustained increase in cholecystectomy rates. Record linkage is required to assess the true impact of new technologies on hospital utilization. [source]


Outcomes of emergency common bile duct exploration: impact of preoperative endoscopic decompression

ANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 6 2003
Joyce S. B. Koh
Background: Emergency common bile duct exploration (CBDE) is still required in patients acutely ill with complicated biliary tract stone disease when endoscopic decompression fails to reverse their condition. This study looks at the clinical profile of patients requiring emergency CBDE and examines the various factors influencing the postoperative outcome. Methods: Clinical records of patients with emergency CBDE in Singapore General Hospital from January 1991 to December 1998 were reviewed. Factors influencing postoperative outcomes, for example, pre-existing medical problems, hepatic para­-­m­eters, the impact of endoscopic procedures (if any) and indications for surgery, were correlated with postoperative morbidity and 30-day mortality. Results: The records of 100 patients were available for review. Major indications for emergency CBDE were cholangitis (51%) and intraoperative findings of common bile duct obstruction during emergency laparotomy (23%). Six patients had emergency CBDE because of iatrogenic complication of attempted therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) for biliary stones. Overall mortality was 14.0% and 8.0% had retained stones. Mortality was significantly influenced by age, prior biliary disease, preoperative endoscopic biliary decompression in acute cholangitis (33.3%vs 9.4%, P = 0.035) and endoscopic complications. Conclusions: Among patients requiring emergency CBDE, uncomplicated preoperative endoscopic biliary decompression ben­efits patients with acute cholangitis. [source]


New school in liver development: Lessons from zebrafish,

HEPATOLOGY, Issue 5 2009
Jaime Chu
There is significant overlap in the genes and pathways that control liver development and those that regulate liver regeneration, hepatic progenitor cell expansion, response to injury, and cancer. Additionally, defects in liver development may underlie some congenital and perinatal liver diseases. Thus, studying hepatogenesis is important for understanding not only how the liver forms, but also how it functions. Elegant work in mice has uncovered a host of transcription factors and signaling molecules that govern the early steps of hepatic specification; however, the inherent difficulty of studying embryogenesis in utero has driven developmental biologists to seek new systems. The rapidly developing vertebrate zebrafish is a favorite model for embryology. The power of forward genetic screens combined with live real-time imaging of development in transparent zebrafish embryos has highlighted conserved processes essential for hepatogenesis and has uncovered some exciting new players. This review presents the advantages of zebrafish for studying liver development, underscoring how studies in zebrafish and mice complement each other. In addition to their value for studying development, zebrafish models of hepatic and biliary diseases are expanding, and using these small, inexpensive embryos for drug screening has become de rigueur. Zebrafish provide a shared platform for developmental biology and translational research, offering innovative methods for studying liver development and disease. The story of hepatogenesis has something for everyone. It involves transcriptional regulation, cell-cell interaction, signaling pathways, control of cell proliferation and apoptosis, plus morphogenic processes that sculpt vasculature, parenchymal cells, and mesenchyme to form the multifaceted liver. Decades of research on liver development in mice and other vertebrates offer valuable lessons in how the multipotent endoderm is programmed to form a functional liver. Of equal importance are insights that have illuminated the mechanisms by which hepatic progenitors are activated in a damaged liver, how the adult liver regenerates, and, possibly, the basis for engineering liver cells in vitro for cell transplantation to sustain patients with liver failure. Moreover, processes that are key to liver development are often co-opted during pathogenesis. Therefore, reviewing hepatogenesis is informative for both basic and translational researchers. In this review, we bring to light the many advantages offered by the tropical freshwater vertebrate zebrafish (Danio rerio) in studying hepatogenesis. By comparing zebrafish and mice, we highlight how work in each system complements the other and emphasize novel paradigms that have been uncovered using zebrafish. Finally, we highlight exciting efforts using zebrafish to model hepatobiliary diseases. (HEPATOLOGY 2009.) [source]


Drug therapy of primary biliary diseases: classical and modern strategies

JOURNAL OF CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE, Issue 1 2001
Julia Schlichting
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Immunohistochemical evidence for hepatic progenitor cells in liver diseases

LIVER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 5 2002
Jianyou Tan
Abstract:, Background/Aim: Proliferative bile ductular reactions occur in a variety of liver diseases in humans. It is a matter of debate whether such reactions result from progenitor cell proliferation with biliary and hepatocytic differentiation, versus biliary metaplasia of damaged hepatocytes. We investigated bile ductular reactions in liver diseases, paying particular attention to the presence of cells with intermediate (hepatocytic/biliary) features (oval-like cells). Methods: Five specimens each were selected of submassive hepatic necrosis and cirrhosis due to hepatitis B, hepatitis C, autoimmune hepatitis, alcohol injury, primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. Immunohistochemical stains were performed for biliary markers (cytokeratins [CKs] 7 and 19), as well as hepatocytic markers (HepParl and alpha-fetoprotein[AFP]) in sequential sections. The degree of staining of each cell type (biliary, hepatocytic, intermediate) was graded semiquantitatively. Results: Hepatocytes always stained diffusely for HepParl, occasionally for CK7, and rarely for CK19. Biliary cells were always diffusely positive for CK7 and CK19, and rarely for HepParl. Intermediate cells were identified in all cases and showed widespread staining for both HepParl and CK7, and less commonly for CK19. AFP was not expressed in any cell type. The morphologic and immunohistochemical features of bile ductular reactions were similar in the different diseases. Conclusions: Proliferating hepatic parenchymal cells with intermediate (hepatocytic/biliary) morphologic features and combined immunophenotype can be identified in a variety of acute and chronic liver diseases. The similarity of bile ductular reactions among chronic hepatitic, alcoholic and biliary diseases suggests that they result from proliferation of oval-like progenitor cells. [source]


Safety of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography during pregnancy

ANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 1-2 2009
Mohammed N. Bani Hani
Abstract Background:, The risk of choledocholithiasis is expected to be higher during pregnancy. This is attributed to alteration in bile composition as well as biliary stasis that take place during gestation. There is significant concern regarding application of endoscopic procedures especially the more invasive ones for treatment of choledocholithiasis during pregnancy. Our aim was to provide an additional support to the efficacy and safety of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the management of biliary diseases during pregnancy. Methods:, The medical records of 10 pregnant patients who underwent ERCP at King Abdullah University Hospital, during the period from 2002 to 2007 were reviewed. Pregnancy course and outcomes were followed up in all cases. Results were analysed and compared with published data on safety and efficacy of this procedure. Results:, The mean age for mothers was 24.3 years. The mean duration of gestation was 18.4 weeks. Two patients were in the first trimester, five were in their second trimester and another three in the third trimester. The main indication for ERCP was obstructive choledocholithiasis on ultrasound and liver function tests. Fetal radiation exposure was not routinely measured. During, or after, the procedure there was no need for tocolytic agents. Also there was no intrauterine fetal distress. Screening for congenital anomalies was negative in all cases. Conclusion:, Major complications of biliary obstruction have been prevented through this procedure. Short-term follow up for all neonates whom mothers underwent ERCP during pregnancy supports its safety. However, specific long-term fetal complications of radiation exposure have not been investigated yet. [source]


CHOLEDOCHODUODENOSTOMY: REAPPRAISAL IN THE LAPAROSCOPIC ERA

ANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 6 2008
Kamran Khalid
Background: With the advent of interventional endoscopic procedures and with growing experience of laparoscopic surgery, the indications for open biliary procedures have become limited. This prospective study reviews the indications of open choledochoduodenostomy for benign biliary diseases and presents the short-term and long-term outcomes of this procedure in the present minimally invasive surgical era. Methods: Side-to-side choledochoduodenostomy was carried out for various benign obstructive pathologies of the biliary tract. The various parameters recorded were the demographic data, indications for surgery, early and late complications and the long-term outcome of the procedure. Results: Results of choledochoduodenostomy on 54 consecutive patients over a 9-year period are presented. The mean age was 49.7 years with a male to female ratio of 1:2.6. Thirty (55.5%) patients presented with obstructive jaundice and 42.6% had cholangitis. Overall hospital morbidity was 13% with zero mortality. After a mean follow up of 7.8 years, 96.3% patients had ,good' or ,fair' and 3.7% experienced ,poor' results. No recurrent disease or biliary malignancy was observed. Conclusion: Open biliary drainage procedures may still be indicated in select patients where the facility or expertise for minimally invasive biliary procedures is not available. Choledochoduodenostomy remains an effective biliary drainage procedure with acceptable morbidity and mortality, especially in the high-risk and elderly population. The procedure should be regarded as an essential in the general surgical knowledge and training. [source]