Digital cholangioscopy-guided removal of an Ascaris worm from the biliary tree

A-37-year woman, who had undergone endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and sphincterotomy for common bile duct (CBD) stones followed by cholecystectomy 3 years ago, presented to us complaining of right upper quadrant pain for 3 days. Laboratory investigations showed raised liver enzymes (alanine transaminase 100 U/L and alkaline phosphatase 320 U/L), with normal bilirubin levels. An ultrasound of the abdomen showed a mildly dilated CBD with aerobilia. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) was performed, which showed long, moving, linear hyperechoic strips, without any acoustic shadow within the CBD, consistent with the “strip” sign and a central, longitudinal anechoic shadow, consistent with the “inner-tube” or “double-tube” sign, which suggests a diagnosis of biliary ascariasis ([Fig. 1]). EUS examination of the ampulla showed an open biliary orifice ([Fig. 2]) owing to the previous sphincterotomy, with flow of water within the CBD on ingestion and aerobilia.

Fig. 1 Endoscopic ultrasound images showing: a a long, linear hyperechoic strip without any acoustic shadow within the common bile duct, consistent with the “strip” sign (dotted red line outlines the worm); b a central, longitudinal anechoic shadow, consistent with the “inner-tube” or “double-tube” sign (red arrows), within the common bile duct (dotted green line).

Fig. 2 Endoscopic ultrasound showing the papilla that had been opened up by the previous sphincterotomy.

The patient underwent ERCP with a therapeutic duodenoscope (TJF-180F; Olympus, Japan), which showed the previous papillary sphincterotomy, but no worm was seen at the papillary orifice. Contrast was not injected as the patient had a history of contrast allergy. Digital single-operator cholangioscopy (DSOC; SpyGlass; Boston Scientific, USA) of the CBD was performed through the duodenoscope. DSOC showed a long, live, linear tubular worm occupying the whole CBD and piercing into the right anterior hepatic duct ([Video 1]). The worm was removed with forceps (SpyBite; Boston Scientific) under direct visualization ([Fig. 3]). Following the procedure, the patient was stable and albendazole was given as deworming therapy.

Video 1 Endoscopic ultrasound showing the features of a live Ascaris within the bile duct and its cholangioscopy-guided removal.

Fig. 3 Photographs of the 14-cm Ascaris that was pulled alive from the bile duct.

Biliary ascariasis is a common cause of pancreaticobiliary disease in tropical countries. Risk factors for biliary ascariasis include a history of cholecystectomy, choledocholithotomy, sphincteroplasty, or endoscopic sphincterotomy, and pregnancy [1]. Our patient had a history of both cholecystectomy and biliary sphincterotomy ([Fig. 2]). ERCP plays an important role in the diagnosis of pancreaticobiliary ascariasis, as well as in its therapy by direct extraction of the worm [2]. In this case, biliary ascariasis was suspected on EUS and DSOC confirmed the diagnosis and also assisted with removal of the worm under direct visualization.

Endoscopy_UCTN_Code_CCL_1AZ_2AI

Publication History

Article published online:
04 August 2022

• References

• 1 Khuroo MS, Rather AA, Khuroo NS. et al. Hepatobiliary and pancreatic ascariasis. World J Gastroenterol 2016; 22: 7507-7517
• 2 Chavan R, Ramchandani M, Nabi Z. et al. Recurrent acute pancreatitis due to pancreatic duct ascariasis in a young man. Endoscopy 2018; 50: E292-E293