Multicenter experience with digital single-operator cholangioscopy in pregnant patients

Abstract

Background and study aims The use of fluoroscopy during pregnancy should be minimized given that a clear-cut safe radiation dose in pregnancy is unknown. The role of digital single-operator cholangioscopy (D-SOC) as an alternative to standard enodoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in pregnant patients has not been comprehensively studied. This study assessed [1] Technical success defined as performance of ERCP with D-SOC without the use of fluoroscopy in pregnant patients; [2] safety of D-SOC in pregnancy; and [3] maternal and neonatal outcomes after D-SOC during/after pregnancy.

Patients and methods This was an international, multicenter, retrospective study at 6 tertiary centers. Pregnant patients who underwent D-SOC for the treatment of bile duct stones and/or strictures were included.

Results A total of 10 patients underwent D-SOC. Indications for ERCP were choledocholithiasis, strictures, previous stent removal, and choledocholithiasis/stent removal. Bile duct cannulation without fluoroscopy was achieved in 10 of 10 patients (100 %). Moreover, 50 % of patients (5/10) completed a fluoroless ERCP with D-SOC. Mean fluoroscopy dose and fluoroscopy time were 3.4 ± 7.2 mGy and 0.5 ± 0.8 min, respectively. One case of mild bleeding and one case of moderate post-ERCP pancreatitis occurred. The mean gestational age at delivery was 36.2 ± 2.6 weeks. Median birth weight was 2.5 kg [IQR: 2.2–2.8]. No birth defects were noted.

Conclusion ERCP guided by D-SOC appears to be a feasible and effective alternative to standard ERCP in pregnant patients. It enables avoidance of radiation in half of cases.

Introduction

Gallstone disease commonly leads to non-gynecologic interventions during pregnancy and can be a major cause of hospitalizations in the first year postpartum [1] [2]. The incidence of gallstone disease is markedly increased in pregnancy, given the differences in gallbladder motility as well as cholesterol saturation in bile. Increased gallstone disease can be associated with harmful maternal and neonatal outcomes, including preterm birth, readmission, and morbidity and mortality (maternal and neonatal) [3] [4]. The management of symptomatic disease during pregnancy is often non-surgical to avoid fetal and maternal compromise. However, patients treated conservatively have a readmission rate from 38 % to 70 % [5].

Although endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is effective in treating common bile duct (CBD) stones during pregnancy [6] [7] [8] [9], the major concern has been the use of fluoroscopy, which can expose the patient and fetus to significant radiation. A radiation exposure of 100 to 200 rads has been associated with major developmental anomalies [10] [11] [12]. During an ERCP procedure, the estimated radiation exposure dose to the fetus ranges from 0.1 to 3 mSv (10 mSv = 1 rad) as a result of scattered radiation absorbed by the mother’s body. While this dose may be lower than the one described to cause definite malformations, a safe radiation dose during pregnancy is still unknown and represents a risk, especially for potential DNA damage leading to genetic anomalies and cancer [8]. Therefore, non-fluoroscopic procedures that can allow the treatment of biliary disease are desirable [13] [14]. ERCP with cholangioscopy, which has gained acceptance in the management of difficult bile duct stones and biliary strictures, can be potentially useful to avoid the use of radiation in pregnant patients who need ERCP. However, there is scarce literature describing the utility and outcomes of this technique in pregnancy, with most of the studies describing very small cohorts of patients and mostly utilizing non-digital SOC [15] [16] [17]. Herein, we present our multicenter experience with use of digital single-operator cholangioscopy (D-SOC; Spyglass, Boston Scientific, Natick, Massachusetts, United States) for management of biliary disease in pregnant patients.

Patients and methods

This was a retrospective, international, multicenter study performed at six tertiary care centers from September 2015 to February 2020. Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval was obtained at all institutions. Medical records from female patients > 18 years old who underwent ERCP with D-SOC (Spyglass, Boston Scientific, Natick, Massachusetts, United States) for biliary disease during pregnancy were queried.

The study included pregnant patients who required ERCP for biliary diseases. Non-pregnant patients were excluded from the study.

Cholangioscopy-guided ERCP

The fluoroless ERCP technique is as follows. Once the major papilla is identified, a sphincterotome preloaded with a 0.025/0.035-inch guidewire is used for a selective biliary cannulation. Once engaged, the wire is advanced, and if no resistance is encountered, it is followed by the sphincterotome. Aspiration of bile content confirms successful bile duct cannulation without the need for fluoroscopy. Once biliary cannulation is confirmed, the wire is advanced until resistance is met. Other authors have described the use of enddoscopic ultrasound prior to ERCP to determine the distance from the papilla to the bile duct bifurcation, so the wire can be advanced based on prior distance calculation. Then a biliary sphincterotomy is performed in a standard fashion, using Endocut I setting, when required by the presence of biliary stones or to facilitate stent placement followed by the passage of the digital cholangioscope into the bile duct. Careful cholangioscopy is then performed to assess the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts. If stones are seen, the cholangioscope is removed and the stone is retrieved wth standard techniques, such as an extraction balloon. If a stricture is encountered, then a miniforceps is advanced through the cholangioscope channel and direct biopsies are taken. If a stent is required, then the wire is advanced under cholangioscopic guidance into the intrahepatic ducts and the stent is deployed over the wire.

Outcomes and definitions

The primary outcome was to determine technical success, defined as the ability to perform cholangioscopy-guided ERCP without the use of fluoroscopy. Secondary outcomes included clinical success, defined as resolution of initial symptoms; safety, defined by the rate and severity of maternal adverse events (AEs) graded per the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy lexicon classification (mild, moderate, severe, fatal) [18]; and maternal and neonatal outcomes after D-SOC during and after pregnancy. Other outcomes included improvement in liver function tests (LFTs); quality of cholangioscopy visualization rated as poor, good or excellent by the performing endoscopist; fluoroscopy dose; fluoroscopy time; and total procedure time, defined by the time from scope-in to scope-out. Fluoroscopy time was defined as the cumulative time (in minutes) that fluoroscopy was used. Similarly, fluoroscopy dose was defined as the cumulative dose of radiation used during ERCP in milligrays (mGy) (1 mGy = 0.1 rads).

Statistical analysis

Descriptive statistics was used for the analysis. Patient and disease characteristics were presented with percentages (%), means ± standard deviation (SD) and medians [IQR] according to the case. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Statistical Software ver. 22.0 (IBM, Armonk, New York, United States).

Results

A total of 10 patients underwent D-SOC while pregnant during the study period ([Table 1]). The mean age was 26.8 ± 4 years, and the mean gestational age at the time of the procedure was 23.2 ± 8.5 weeks. Clinical presentation was as follows: abdominal pain (n = 6), cholangitis (n = 1) and asymptomatic (n = 3). Most patients (70 %) had a prior cholecystectomy; in addition, more than half of the patients (60 %) underwent a prior ERCP, of whom two had a prior stent placed. Indications for previous ERCP were choledocholithiasis (n = 5) and stricture (n = 1). The patient with the stricture had a history of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).

Table 1 Detailed patient characteristics and outcomes.

Patient no.	Gestational age (weeks)	Symptoms	Prior ERCP	Indications for current ERCP	Successful D-SOC	Stent placement	Fluoroscopy during procedure	Adverse events	Complications during/after pregnancy	Delivery	Apgar scores (1 min, 5 min)	Additional ERCP
1	26	Abdominal pain	Yes	CBD stones	Yes	No	No	None	No	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
2	19	None	Yes	CBD stones, stent removal	Yes	Yes	No	Bleeding	No	Yes	8, 9	Yes
3	26	Cholangitis	Yes	Cholangitis, PSC with dominant stricture	yes	No	Yes	None	Preterm labor, post-partum hemorrhage	Yes	7, 7	Yes
4	17	None	Yes	Cystic duct stones, stent removal,	Yes	Yes	Yes	None	No	Ongoing pregnancy	n/a, n/a	No
5	19	Abdominal pain	Yes	CBD and intrahepatic stones, stent removal	Yes	No	Yes	None	No	Ongoing pregnancy	n/a, n/a	No
6	30	Abdominal pain	No	CBD stones	Yes	Yes	No	Pancreatitis	Preeclampsia, preterm labor	Yes	9, 9	Yes
7	22	Abdominal pain	No	CBD stones	Yes	Yes	Yes	None	No	Yes	8, 9	Yes
8	31	None	Yes	Stent removal	Yes	No	No	None	No	Yes	9, 9	No
9	36	Abdominal pain	No	CBD stones	Yes	Yes	No	None	No	Yes	n/a, n/a	Yes
10	6	Abdominal pain	No	CBD stones, Mirizzi syndrome	Yes	Yes	Yes	None	No	Ongoing pregnancy	n/a, n/a	n/a

ERCP, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography; D-SOC, digital single-operator cholangioscopy; CBD, common bile duct; PSC, primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Indications for current ERCP were choledocholithiasis (n = 7), stent removal (n = 1), biliary stricture (n = 1), and choledocholithiasis/stent removal (n = 1). One patient was contacted to undergo an ERCP to remove a stent that was placed more than 1 year before the index ERCP and was lost to follow-up. Liver function tests were obtained from eight patients at the time of presentation, with a median aspartate transaminase, alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase of 57 IU/L [IQR: 39–73.5], 55 IU/L [IQR: 40.5–83], 0.6 md/dL [IQR: 0.5–0.6], and 137 IU/L [IQR: 109–197.5], respectively.

Regarding details of the procedure, half of the patients received antibiotic prophylaxis during D-SOC. Successful bile duct cannulation without fluoroscopy was achieved in all patients ([Fig. 1]). Sphincterotomy was performed in five of 10 (50 %) cases. D-SOC was feasible in all patients. The quality of cholangioscopy visualization was rated as excellent by 40 % of the performing physicians and as good by 60 %. Cholangioscopy findings were stones (n = 6), strictures (n = 1), sludge (n = 3), and a cholecystocholedocal fistula (Mirizzi syndrome) (n = 1). The location of the stricture was in the CBD, while the stone location was as follows: CBD (n = 4), cystic duct (n = 1), and in the right main intrahepatic duct (n = 1). The cholecystocholedochal fistula was located at the level of the mid-CBD. The mean stone size and median stone number were 5.2 ± 2.7 mm and 2 [IQR: 1.5–4.5], respectively. One patient had a stone impacted in the right intrahepatic duct. Devices used for stone extraction were an extraction balloon in most of the cases (n = 4) and a retrieval basket (n = 2). A stent was placed in six patients (60 %). The patient with a history of PSC had a 70-mm-long stricture. Stricture brushing was performed, and pathology showed no malignancy. Successful stricture dilation to 6 mm, under fluoroscopy, was completed. The Mirizzi syndrome was confirmed by visualization of the gallbladder mucosa during cholangioscopy. The stone was removed using an extraction balloon, and a stent was placed. Half the patients required the use of some fluoroscopy during the procedure.

Fig. 1 Fluoroless ERCP with D-SOC in a pregnant patient. a After selective cannulation and aspiration of bile to confirm biliary cannulation, the guidewire is gently advanced and then a standard sphincterotomy is performed. Bile is seen coming from the papilla. b The D-SOC is advanced inside the CBD. Cholangioscopy is performed. The main right/left bifurcation is seen. Some sludge is noted. c A guidewire is advanced under cholangioscopy guidance into the right intrahepatic duct and exchanged with the cholangioscope. d Then a 10 F × 7 cm plastic stent was deployed over the wire.

Mean fluoroscopy dose and fluoroscopy time were 3.4 ± 7.2 mGy and 0.5 ± 0.8 min, respectively. The mean total procedure time was 40.3 ± 24 min. The median length of hospital stay was 2 days [IQR: 0–4]. Five patients required additional ERCPs with a median of one procedure [IQR: 0.3–1] for the following reasons: one patient underwent a post-pregnancy cholecystectomy complicated by a suspected biliary leak that required an additional ERCP, three patients underwent stent removal, and one patient experienced stent clogging and required stent replacement during pregnancy. Detailed patient characteristics and outcomes are described in [Table 1].

Adverse events

Two patients (20 %) presented with post-procedure AEs. One patient had post-ERCP bleeding managed conservatively and another patient developed post-ERCP pancreatitis that required extended hospitalization for 4 days with symptomatic management. The bleeding was classified as mild and pancreatitis as moderate per the ASGE Lexicon.

Primary and secondary outcomes

Technical success, defined as completion of the ERCP and D-SOC without the use of fluoroscopy, was achieved in half the patients (n = 5, 50 %). Clinical success was reported in 100 % of patients.

Maternal outcomes

The mean gestational age at delivery was 36.2 ± 2.6 weeks. Two patients (20 %) had preterm labor 3 and 8 weeks after undergoing ERCP with D-SOC at 33 and 34 weeks of gestation. Information regarding delivery method was obtained in five patients; three of five patients had a normal vaginal delivery while two of five had a cesarean section. There was no reported spontaneous abortion or intrauterine fetal demise. Two patients experienced post-delivery complications: one patient developed preeclampsia and another post-partum hemorrhage. Three patients were still pregnant at the conclusion of the study. One patient underwent ERCP with stent replacement due to stent clogging 1 week after the index ERCP and after 1 month, she developed right upper quadrant pain with distended gallbladder with sludge and stones on transabdominal ultrasound. The patient underwent percutaneous cholecystostomy tube placement. Three days later, she presented with features of preeclampsia and underwent a cesarean section at 33 weeks of gestation. To date, two patients have undergone postpartum stent removal at a median of 19.5 ± 23.3 months post-delivery.

Neonatal outcomes

Neonatal outcomes were obtained in five newborns. The mean birth weight was 2.5 kg [IQR: 2.2–2.8]; two newborns had low birth weight (defined as 2.5 kg/5.5 lb or less by the World Health Organization (WHO)). The mean Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes were 8.2 ± 0.8 and 8.6 ± 0.9, respectively. One newborn required post-delivery admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) while the mother experienced postpartum hemorrhage. No neonate presented with birth defects. Information about developmental milestones was obtained from two neonates, with no documented delay.

Discussion

The use of ionizing radiation during ERCP is discouraged in pregnant patients due to the unknown safe cutoff of the radiation dose and potentially harmful effects on the fetus, especially during the first trimester. Exposure of less than 1mGy is recommended during the first trimester, and exposure of less than 5mGy is recommended during the entire gestation, but a clear safe dose of radiation during pregnancy is unknown [19]. Total radiation time and dosage are the two most important factors during fetal exposure that can be minimized with lead shielding. However, the principal source of radiation affecting the fetus is scattered radiation, mainly absorbed by the mother’s body [13]. The use of techniques such as balloon dilation for biliary stone removal during pregnancy have shown to be effective; however, the high rate of post-ERCP pancreatitis makes unsafe to be routinely recommended [20] [21], probably due to the occurrence of a sphincter of Oddi spasm or post-endoscopic biliary balloon dilation peri-papillary edema [22]. D-SOC represents an alternative to standard ERCP in pregnant patients, because it provides direct and good visualization of the extrahepatic biliary tree during ERCP, reducing the need for or the dose of ionizing radiation.

There are no published data on the use of the digital version of SOC and few published data on the use of the fiberoptic version in pregnant patients. Shelton et al performed a retrospective review of consecutive ERCPs done on five pregnant patients using SOC to confirm stone clearance. The authors reported clear visualization of the biliary tree without difficulty. They also reported no complications related to the use of cholangioscopy in those patients [16]. Sethi et al published a case report of a 24-year-old and 28-week pregnant patient who presented with right upper quadrant pain and elevated LFTs. An ultrasound showed dilation of the CBD to 10 mm. The patient underwent EUS followed by ERCP; EUS demonstrated a 4-mm ductal dilation with multiple galltones in the mid-CBD. ERCP without fluoroscopy was performed and SOC was then used to confirm ductal clearance. An impacted stone at the junction of the cystic and bile duct was identified and removed using an extraction balloon. There were no reported complications [17].

In the current report, we demonstrated that the digital version of SOC is a potentially safe and effective alternative to standard ERCP. It can be used to diagnose and treat biliary stones and strictures, as well as to confirm the absence of residual stones, reducing radiation exposure in pregnant patients and the fetus. Bile duct cannulation without fluoroscopy was achieved in 100 % of the patients with 50 % having a completely fluoroless procedure. In those patients that required use of fluoroscopy, the dose was minimized below the recommended dose in three of five patients. The mean fluoroscopy dose and fluoroscopy time were 3.4 ± 7.2 mGy and 0.5 ± 0.8 min, respectively, which represents a minimal exposure.

Our study has several limitations. First and most importantly, it was retrospective with a small cohort. Second, some data were unavailable from a few centers. Finally, all cases were performed by experienced endoscopists at tertiary care centers, limiting the generalizability of the results. Nevertheless, to our knowledge, our multicenter experience represents the largest cohort published to date on the use of D-SOC in lieu of standard ERCP in pregnant patients. Larger cohorts are needed to define the safety and efficacy of this technique in this patient population.

Conclusion

In conclusion, ERCP with D-SOC might represent an efficient, safe, and minimally invasive technique for management of biliary disease, potentially reducing maternal and fetal exposure to ionizing radiation and its associated complications.

Competing interests

Dr. Jamidar is a speaker for Boston Scientific. Dr. Robles-Medranda is a key opinion leader and consultant for Pentax Medical, Boston Scientific, G-Tech medical supply, and MD Consulting group. Dr. Khashab is a consultant for Boston Scientific, Medtronic, and Olympus.

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Publication History

Received: 08 May 2020

Accepted: 19 October 2020

Article published online:
25 January 2021