P-BN53 The ‘Difficult Gallbladder’: do no harm!

Background Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for a ‘difficult gallbladder’ can incur increased risk of biliary complications. In these challenging conditions where anatomical delineation (commonly through the critical view of safety) is unachievable, it is important to recognise when to proceed and when to consider a bail-out strategy. Subtotal cholecystectomy (SC), cholecystostomy insertion, conversion to open or abandoning the procedure are accepted solutions. In this study we review the outcomes of patients who underwent LC following previous intervention. Methods We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent LC under a single surgeon between January 2009 to July 2020 following a previous intervention with LC, SC or cholecystostomy tube insertion. Data was collected with regards to demographics, clinical presentation, intraoperative details, imaging, conversion to open, length of hospital stay and complications. Results 40 patients with previous intervention underwent LC. Previous intervention included abandoned LC in 24(60%), on-table cholecystostomy in 8 (20%) and SC in 8 (20%), with 5(13%) converted to open. Reasons for referral included adhesions, intrahepatic gallbladder, possible malignancy, empyema and abnormal anatomy. Laparoscopic approach attempted in 39/40 (98%), conversion to open in 25%. Reasons for conversion included cholecystoduodenal fistula, and suspected malignancy. Median hospital stay was 4 days (1 – 22). Morbidity was seen in 2(4%) with no biliary complications. Completion of treatment, from previous intervention to definitive LC was 9 months (1-48). Conclusions In patients with previously attempted cholecystectomy, LC is feasible and can be performed with low morbidity. When faced with a difficult gallbladder intra-operatively, aborting the procedure and re-attempting at a later date, locally or referral to a specialist Unit, should be considered.

Percutaneous Cholecystostomy Tubes versus Medical Management for Acute Cholecystitis

Background Cholecystitis is one of the most common infections treated surgically in the United States. Surgical risk is prohibitive in some patients, leading to alternative therapeutic strategies, including medical management (antibiotics) with or without percutaneous cholecystostomy tube (PCT) drainage. Materials and methods Using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) National Readmission Database (NRD), we performed a retrospective review to compare medically managed patients with or without PCT placement by evaluating 60-day readmissions rates, health care costs, and hospital length of stay (LOS). Both study groups were matched using the Elixhauser comorbidity index, age, and sex. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed using STATA. Results 776,766 patients were included in the analysis. The population receiving PCT placement was on average 16 years older (69.9 vs 53.6 years; P < .01), less likely to be female (40.7% vs 59.3%; P < .01), and had almost twice as many comorbidities (3.36 vs 1.81; P < .01) compared to the population receiving medical management. After matching our data to account for these incongruities, PCT patients were still 10.4 times more likely to be readmitted, had a 11.6% increase in the cost of care, and a 37.6% increase in LOS compared to those managed medically. Discussion Percutaneous cholecystostomy tube placement for cholecystitis is associated with a higher readmission rate, increased charges, and increased LOS compared to antibiotic therapy alone, even after correcting for age, sex, and comorbidities.

Open Cholecystostomy Under Local Anesthesia for Acute Cholecystitis in the Elderly and High-Risk Surgical Patients

Background The morbidity and mortality rates associated with cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis are higher in the critically ill elderly population. As an alternative to cholecystectomy, we report the results of treatment of acute cholecystitis in the elderly after open cholecystolithotomy with cholecystostomy tube placement under local anesthesia. Methods A case series was performed on 5 patients from August 2007 to April 2010 who presented with acute cholecystitis and underwent an open cholecystolithotomy and tube placement. Thirty-day mortality, intra- and immediate-postoperative complications, clinical improvement after drainage, additional biliary procedures needed, and outcome after cholecystostomy tube removal were recorded. Results Open cholecystolithotomy and tube placement were performed successfully in all patients and permitted resolution of the acute attack in all after a mean period of 3.75 days. Thirty-day mortality was 0%. Patients did not experience any intraoperative complications. We observed 100% rate of successful short-term outcomes in our patients including resolution pain, and objectively, normalization of leukocytosis, and defervescence. None of the patients required emergency cholecystectomy. All patients had their cholecystostomy tubes removed at a mean postoperative day 27. There were no cases of biliary leakage or tube dislodgement. There were no recurrences of acute cholecystitis within the mean follow-up of 20.75 months. Discussion Emergency open cholecystolithotomy and cholecystostomy tube placement represent an effective, safe, and definitive alternative treatment strategy for acute gallstone cholecystitis in selected elderly patients with a mortality rate of 0% in the authors’ experience.

Retrospective evaluation of image-guided cholecystostomy tube utilization and outcomes during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic

Objectives: During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a perceived increase in the number of cholecystostomy tube placements. We have retrospectively analyzed the incidence and outcomes of cholecystostomy tube placement during the COVID-19 pandemic surge. Material and Methods: Cholecystostomy tube placement and overall interventional radiology (IR) case volume were analyzed at our tertiary care center during the pandemic (March 15, 2020–July 30, 2020) and compared to the same time period in 2019. In addition, an age- and gender-matched control study of outcomes for 40 patients (25 from our home institution and 15 from our affiliated hospitals) grouped by COVID-19 status who received percutaneous cholecystostomy tubes between March 15, 2020, and July 30, 2020, was performed. Results: We observed a significant increase in relative cholecystostomy tube volume during the pandemic, despite a decrease in total IR case volume. There was no significant difference in pre- or post-procedural laboratory data, vital signs, imaging, or mortality between COVID-positive and COVID-negative patients who received cholecystostomy tubes. Conclusion: Percutaneous cholecystostomy tube placement is likely a safe treatment for acalculous cholecystitis in patients with COVID-19 with equivalent outcomes to patients without COVID-19.

First case report of acute cholangitis secondary to Cronobacter sakazakii

Introduction Cronobacter sakazakii is an opportunistic Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium which may be a causative agent of meningitis in premature infants and enterocolitis and bacteremia in neonates and adults. While there have been multiple cases of C. sakazakii infections, there have been no acute cholangitis cases reported in humans. Case presentation An 81-year-old male with a past medical history of basal cell carcinoma, alcoholic liver cirrhosis, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt procedure, complicated by staphylococcus bacteremia, pituitary tumor, glaucoma, and hypothyroidism presented to the emergency room with the complaint of diffuse and generalized 10/10 abdominal pain of 1 day’s duration. There was a concern for pancreatitis, acute cholangitis, and possible cholecystitis, and the patient underwent a percutaneous cholecystostomy tube placement. Blood cultures from admission and biliary fluid cultures both grew C. sakazakii. The patient was treated with a carbapenem and clinically improved. Conclusions The case study described a patient with multiple medical comorbidities that presented with C. sakazakii bacteremia and cholangitis. While this bacterium has been implicated in other infections, we believe this is the first time the bacteria is being documented to have caused acute cholangitis.

Calcitriol-Mediated Hypercalcemia from Hepatic Granulomatosis Following Percutaneous Cholecystostomy Tube

Granulomatous conditions can present with calcitriol-mediated hypercalcemia via increased 1-hydroxylase activity—activity that is not inhibited by calcium or calcitriol—indicating a lack of feedback inhibition. Differential diagnosis of granulomatosis is quite broad and can require extensive workup as highlighted by this case. Our patient is a 69-year-old white female admitted to the hospital with altered mental status and hypotension. Initial evaluation was concerning for infection, due to leukopenia and thrombocytopenia. CT abdomen revealed cholecystitis, percutaneous cholecystostomy tube was placed, and the patient’s mental status improved. One month after discharge, the patient presented to the hospital with a corrected calcium of 15.2 mg/dl. PTH was 22 pg/mL with normal renal function and phosphorus. The patient was treated with intravenous fluids, calcitonin, and zoledronic acid. Calcitriol was 69 pg/ml (18–75 pg/ml) and corrected calcium responded by time of discharge. During outpatient follow up, she was found to have corrected calcium 11.2 mg/dl and calcitriol 166 pg/ml with appropriately low PTH. Additional workup of apparent calcitriol-mediated hypercalcemia with whole-body CT imaging, tuberculosis screening, and flow cytometry only notable for possible right cervical lymphadenopathy on CT. Subsequent lymph node biopsy was benign. The patient completed a 30-day course of prednisone 20 mg daily followed by prednisone taper and her corrected calcium and calcitriol levels normalized. However, after discontinuation of prednisone, lab work demonstrated increase in calcium and liver enzymes. Repeat CT scan showed multiple hypoechoic areas with subsequent biopsy consistent with necrotizing hepatic granulomatosis. PAS-A, Fite, and AFB stains were negative for fungi and mycobacteria. Removal of cholecystostomy tube resulted in complete resolution of hypercalcemia and elevated calcitriol levels. Foreign body-induced granulomatosis is associated with PTH-independent hypercalcemia. Silicone has been implicated in foreign body granuloma. Hepatic granulomatosis is associated with percutaneous tube, especially with prolonged placement (approximately 11 months in this case). Removal of the foreign body is associated with improvement in hypercalcemia. Follow-up liver ultrasound demonstrated complete resolution of hepatic granulomas at three months following removal of the cholecystostomy tube.