P-BN16 Gallbladder agenesis in a gentleman presenting with biliary sepsis: a case report and review of literature

Background Gallbladder agenesis (GBA) is a well-recognised, yet rare embryological malformation, that is thought to stem from a failure of the gallbladder and cystic duct to bud from the common bile duct in the 5th week of gestation. The anomaly has an estimated incidence of 10-65 per 100 000 and is often an incidental finding. A quarter of those affected are symptomatic, often presenting in a similar manner to cholecystitis or choledocholithiasis. There is a lack of awareness and guidance on its investigation and management, making GBA a diagnostic challenge, which often leads to unnecessary high-risk surgical exploration. Methods A 64-year-old man presented with right upper quadrant abdominal pain, fevers, jaundice and persistent vomiting. On examination he was confused, visibly jaundiced and septic with deranged liver function tests. An initial ultrasound scan of the abdomen revealed dilated common bile ducts, with no evidence of choledocholithiasis, however, a gallbladder could not be identified. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography confirmed a ‘post-cholecystectomy’ picture, despite no history of abdominal surgery. This led us to the diagnosis of gallbladder agenesis. Results There are no dedicated guidelines regarding the investigation and management of GBA. Efforts have been made to stratify the diagnostic imaging of GBA. Malde et al suggest that if the gallbladder is not visualised on USS, the next most appropriate investigations in order of accuracy are MRCP, CT and ERCP, respectively. Interestingly, they further suggest that if results of imaging remain inconclusive, they should be repeated again once the acute phase of the illness or symptoms have resolved. Inadvertently, this suggestion was applied in our case, as the patient underwent a repeat MRCP following the resolution of his acute symptoms. In our case, MRCP allowed an effective final diagnosis, avoiding unnecessary investigations and exploratory surgery. It also provided a detailed anatomical picture, excluding the possibility of an ectopic gallbladder. Conclusions The present case accentuates the importance of non-invasive imaging such as MRCP in appropriately diagnosing this phenomenon and avoiding unnecessary operative exploration.

EP.TU.581Cholecysto-colonic fistula – A rare complication of gallstone

We present a 90year old male patient presenting to the emergency department with complaints of PR bleed for a month with no associated abdominal pain. He described that the blood was mixed with stools and dark in colour. He has a significant past medical history with multiple comorbidities. The patient is known to have gallstones and had ERCP with sphincterotomy in 2017 as a definitive treatment, as he wasn’t a fit candidate for surgical intervention. On clinical examination, his abdomen was soft and non-tender and per rectal examination showed stools mixed with the blood but no active bleeding or fresh blood. His haemoglobin was 72 g/L, inflammatory markers were significantly elevated with deranged liver enzymes and normal bilirubin. The medical team were involved in the management of this patient because of pneumonia and extensive medical issues. A gastroscopy was performed as there was a suspicion of UGI bleed, which was normal. Given a deranged liver function and there was a suspicion of biliary sepsis patient had MRCP and Computed tomography of the abdomen which confirmed that there is haematoma in the gallbladder with gas in the biliary tree, with possible cholecysto-colonic fistula, with a large gall stone (2.7cm lamellated structure within rectum) in the rectum. As the patient was not a surgical candidate decision was made to manage him conservatively with antibiotics under medical care. The cholecysto-colonic fistula is a rare complication of gallstone disease, and very few cases have been reported in the literature.

EP.FRI.4 Cholecystostomy presents as a viable option in acute biliary sepsis during the COVID-19 pandemic

Aim To audit and evaluate gallstone related admissions during the COVID-19 pandemic and assess cholecystostomy as an interim and potentially life-saving measure in acute biliary sepsis Methods Patients attending with gallstone disease related complaints from January to September 2020 were assessed, along with data collection on ‘hot’ gallbladder operations, elective cholecystectomies and cholecystostomies performed. Data was assessed on a month by month basis Results There were 306 gallstone related acute admissions in this audit time period. August had the highest number of admissions with 42 (14%) and March the lowest with 21 (7%). Despite 15 hot cholecystectomies (94%) being performed from January to March, only 1 was performed from April to September (6%). 116 elective cholecystectomies were performed during the time period, with 94 (81%) occurring from January to March. 15 cholecystostomies (9 radiologically, 6 surgically) were performed in the period, with 12 (80%) occurring from March onwards. All cholecystostomy patients have been subsequently listed for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Conclusions This study demonstrates a drop in elective surgery from March 2020 onwards consistent with the COVID-19 pandemic peak. Furthermore, acute admissions related to gallstones decreased over a similar timeframe. Cholecystostomy proved itself to be a viable and potentially life-saving option in dealing with acute biliary sepsis during the COVID-19 pandemic

Minimally-invasive technologies in the treatment of choledocholithiasis complicated by biliary pancreatitis

Minimal invasive endoscopic technologies are used in the treatment of patients with biliary pancreatitis with complicated cholangitis and biliary sepsis. 56 patients were treated for the period 2014 - 2018, aged 65.5 ± 15.18 years. ERCP was performed in 31 (55,3%) patients, in 13 (23,2%) - surgical intervention was performed without contrast of extrahepatic bile ducts. Papillotomy in 52 cases (96,4%) was performed by string papilloma and in 4 (7,1%) - by needle. In all cases, subtotal papilloprotectomy was performed [1], supplemented by balloon sphincteroplasty. In the I group, the patients included patients with biliary pancreatitis clinic, in group II patients with clinic of biliary sepsis, in the III group patients with purulent cholangitis clinic, biliary sepsis and septic shock. In the 1st and 2nd groups of patients, mortality was not observed. In the 3rd group, 3 patients died (37,5%). The rest of the patients are discharged from the hospital in a satisfactory condition. A decrease in the level of markers of hepatitis cytolysis (AlAT, AsAT, GGTP, L-FABP) was observed during surgical procedures without ERCP, indicating the toxic effect of contrast on the liver parenchyma. L-FABP is a highly informative marker for hepatocyte cytolysis and can be used as a criterion for hepatic insufficiency and prognosis of biliary sepsis. The high efficiency of transpacillary endoscopic surgical techniques in the treatment of biliary pancreatitis and biliary sepsis was noted.

Minimally-invasive technologies in the treatment of choledocholithiasis complicated by purulent cholangitis

Minimal invasive endoscopic technologies are used in the treatment of patients with choledocholithiasis with complicated cholangitis and biliary sepsis. 56 patients were treated for the period 2014 - 2018, aged 65.5 ± 15.18 years. ERCP was performed in 31 (55,3%) patients, in 13 (23,2%) - surgical intervention was performed without contrast of extrahepatic bile ducts. Papillotomy in 52 cases (96,4%) was performed by string papilloma and in 4 (7,1%) - by needle. In all cases, subtotal papilloprotectomy was performed [1], supplemented by balloon sphincteroplasty. In the I group, the patients included patients with acute cholangitis clinic, in group II patients with clinic of biliary sepsis, in the III group patients with purulent cholangitis clinic, biliary sepsis and septic shock. In the 1st and 2nd groups of patients, mortality was not observed. In the 3rd group, 3 patients died (37,5%). The rest of the patients are discharged from the hospital in a satisfactory condition. A decrease in the level of markers of hepatitis cytolysis (AlAT, AsAT, GGTP, L-FABP) was observed during surgical procedures without ERCP, indicating the toxic effect of contrast on the liver parenchyma. L-FABP is a highly informative marker for hepatocyte cytolysis and can be used as a criterion for hepatic insufficiency and prognosis of biliary sepsis. The high efficiency of transpacillary endoscopic surgical techniques in the treatment of cholangitis and biliary sepsis was noted.

Bedside Percutaneous Approach in a Critically Ill ICU Patient with Complex Pancreatobiliary Disorder Followed by Endoscopic Approach: Lessons Learnt from a Tertiary Referral Center

Pancreatobiliary disorder is a challenging clinical condition, especially when this condition is causing severe infection or biliary sepsis, and sometimes it requires intensive care unit (ICU) treatment. Biliary drainage is the mainstay of therapy; however, the choice of the drainage method is dependent on the patient’s clinical condition and the disease itself. A 79-year-old female was transferred on a ventilator to our ICU from another hospital due to biliary sepsis, a large common bile duct stone, and an infected pancreatic pseudocyst. The patient also has other comorbidities such as heart problems, hypothyroidism, and diabetes mellitus. Bedside percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage without fluoroscopy and percutaneous cyst aspiration was successfully performed, which improved the patient’s condition; this was followed by an endoscopic approach, i.e., endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic ultrasound-guided pancreatic pseudocyst drainage. The clinical improvement showed itself in the change of the patient’s respiratory status and ventilator mode. In conclusion, the percutaneous approach has a big role in managing critically ill patients in the ICU setting. However, expertise, training experience, and a multidisciplinary team approach are very important for successful management and patient outcome.

Unusual Biliary Complication following Christmas Eve dinner

We present a case of a fish bone impacted in the papilla of Vater resulting in dyspepsia and mild elevation in liver function tests, that was subsequently treated endoscopically. Fish bones are one of the most commonly encountered of swallowed foreign bodies. However involvement of the biliary tract, such as the one described by us, represents an extremely rare complication of fish bone ingestion. The diagnosis of a foreign body in the biliary tract can be difficult and early endoscopic or surgical extraction may be required to avoid complications such as biliary stone formation, obstructive jaundice, cholangitis or cholecystitis and/or biliary sepsis. Prompt endoscopic treatment can avoid severe biliary complications or surgical therapy.

Biliary sepsis due to hematoma in duodenal diverticulum: an uncommon etiology.

Resumen Los hematomas intramurales del tracto digestivo son poco frecuentes. La gran mayoría son de origen traumático. Los hematomas espontáneos suelen estar relacionados con terapia anticoagulante. Presentamos el caso de un hematoma espontáneo duodenal en una paciente anticoagulada, que provocó obstrucción biliar y colangitis aguda dado su gran tamaño.

Use of aerosol protective barrier in a patient with impending cholangitis and unknown COVID-19 status undergoing emergency ERCP during COVID-19 pandemic

WHO declared worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 a pandemic on 11 March 2020. Healthcare authorities have temporarily stopped all elective surgical and endoscopy procedures. Nevertheless, there is a subset of patients who require emergency treatment such as aerosol-generating procedures. Herein, we would like to discuss the management of a patient diagnosed with impending biliary sepsis during COVID-19 outbreak. The highlight of the discussion is mainly concerning the advantages of concurrent use of aerosol protective barrier in addition to personal protective equipment practice, necessary precautions to be taken during endoscopy retrograde cholangiopancreatography and handling of the patient preprocedure and postprocedure.