Endobiliary radiofrequency ablation through an EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy fistula for hilar malignant biliary stenosis

Endobiliary radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for malignant biliary strictures due to unresectable cholangiocarcinoma is reportedly expected to prolong the patency of self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS) [1] [2] [3]. Transpapillary endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has been reported for endobiliary RFA; however, a few reports discuss the approach from the fistula made during endoscopic ultrasound biliary drainage (EUS-BD)[4] [5].

In a 75-year-old man with hilar cholangiocarcinoma ( [Fig. 1]), a plastic stent was deployed in the right hepatic duct. Left hepatic duct drainage using ERCP was difficult due to ductal stenosis. Thus, EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy (EUS-HGS) was performed ( [Fig. 2]).

Fig. 1 Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Fig. 2 A plastic stent was deployed in the right hepatic duct and drainage of the left hepatic duct was performed using endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy.

Because the cholangitis relapsed 5 months after EUS-HGS, stent-in-stent (SIS) deployment of SEMS was considered. After SIS deployment of SEMS, endobiliary RFA was expected to be difficult. Therefore, endobiliary RFA was performed in anticipation of a longer patency period before SEMS deployment.

A guidewire was placed through the EUS-HGS fistula. An endobiliary RFA catheter (Habib EndoHPB Catheter, Boston Scientific Corporation, Marlborough, Massachusetts, United States) was guided to the stenosis site, which was ablated for 90 seconds through the EUS-HGS fistula (VIO 200 D, Effect8, 7 W, Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH, Tubingen, Germany) ( [Fig. 3]). An uncovered SEMS (HANAROSTENT uncover, M.I TECH, Gyeonggi, Korea) was deployed through the fistula. After that, a plastic stent (Thorough and Pass Type IT, GADELIUS MEDICAL, Tokyo, Japan) was inserted into the EUS-HGS fistula after SEMS deployment to maintain the EUS-HGS fistula. ERCP was then performed. A guidewire was inserted into the right hepatic duct and another uncovered SEMS (ZEOSTENT V, Zeon Medical Inc., Tokyo, Japan) was deployed therein ( [Fig. 4], [Video 1]). There was minor postprocedural liver damage due to mild cholangitis; however, no serious adverse events were observed.

Fig. 3 An endobiliary radiofrequency ablation catheter was guided to the stenosis site, which was ablated for 90 seconds.

Fig. 4 Stent-in-stent deployment of self-expandable metallic stent was performed.

Video 1 After cholangiography of the fistula site, the stenosis was ablated. An uncovered SEMS was deployed through the fistula. Then, another uncovered SEMS was deployed in the right hepatic duct with transpapillary ERCP.

Conclusions

Reintervention was possible through the EUS-BD fistula. Endobiliary RFA from the EUS-BD fistula is effective when the guidewire from the transpapillary approach cannot pass the biliary stricture.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

• References

• 1 Cho JH, Jeong S, Kim EJ. et al. Long-term results of temperature-controlled endobiliary radiofrequency ablation in a normal swine model. Gastrointest Endosc 2018; 87: 1147-1150
• 2 Lee YN, Jeong S, Choi HJ. et al. The safety of newly developed automatic temperature-controlled endobiliary radiofrequency ablation system for malignant biliary strictures: A prospective study. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019; 34: 1454-1459
• 3 Larghi A, Rimbas M, Tringali A. et al. Endoscopic radiofrequency biliary ablation treatment: A comprehensive review. Dig Endosc 2019; 31: 245-255
• 4 Inoue T, Ito K, Yoneda M. Antegrade radiofrequency ablation and stenting for biliary stricture thorough endoscopic ultrasound-guided heapticogastrostomy. Dig Endosc 2018; 30: 793-794
• 5 Inoue T, Ibusuki M, Kitano R. et al. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided antegrade radiofrequency ablation and metal stenting with hepaticoenterostomy for malignant biliary obstruction: a prospective preliminary study. Clin Transl Gastroenterol 2020; 11: e00250

Publication History

Article published online:
22 April 2021