Although surgical resection is the definitive treatment method for intrahepatic bile duct stones, it might be contraindicated for patients with conditions such as advanced malignant tumors or organ failure.[1] An endoscopic approach might offer an alternative for treating intrahepatic bile duct stones. However, intrahepatic bile duct stone removal can be challenging if patients are complicated with bile duct stricture or surgical anastomoses.[2] EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy (HGS) has the potential for treating not only biliary drainage but also intrahepatic bile duct access.[3,4] Here, we offer technical tips for intrahepatic bile duct stone removal via an EUS-HGS route.
A 62-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with intrahepatic bile duct stones and frequent complication with acute cholangitis. She underwent distal gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy to treat gastric cancer 3 years ago, followed by hepatectomy for liver metastasis of colon cancer 2 years after that. Therefore, we initially considered an EUS-guided approach.
The intrahepatic bile duct was punctured using a 19G FNA needle, and contrast medium was injected. Cholangiography images showed several intrahepatic bile duct stones [Figure 1]. After, the fistula was dilated using a balloon catheter, a covered metal stent was deployed [Figure 2 and Video 1]. The stent was removed 1 week later, and the stones were fragmented by electrohydraulic lithotripsy through a digital single-operator cholangiopancreatoscope (SpyGlass DS; SPY-DS, Boston Scientific) inserted into the biliary tract through the EUS-HGS route [Figure 3]. After that, the stones were cleared without any adverse events using basket and balloon catheters [Figures 4 and 5]. The fistula was maintained by deploying an 8.5Fr plastic stent from the intrahepatic bile duct to the stomach [Figure 6 and Video 2]. This technique might be applicable to selected patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones.
Figure 1.
Cholangiography shows the intrahepatic bile duct stones (arrow)
Figure 2.
Covered metal stent is deployed from intrahepatic bile duct stones to the stomach
Figure 3.
Electrohydraulic lithotripsy under cholangioscopic guidance through EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy route
Figure 4.
Endoscopic view of stone removal
Figure 5.
Stones are cleared using a basket catheter through EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy route
Figure 6.
Plastic stent is placed to maintain the fistula
Declaration of patient consent
The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms. In the form the patient has given her consent for her images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patient understand that her name and initial will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal her identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed.
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Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
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