EUS-guided gastrojejunostomy in the presence of ascites

EUS-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) is a novel procedure to palliate malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO). Retrospective studies reported a higher rate of clinical success with EUS-GE compared to duodenal stenting [1]. The presence of ascites is often considered a contraindication for this procedure because of concern over the development of anastomotic dehiscence or peritonitis [2] [3].

Here, I describe a case of malignant GOO with ascites treated with EUS-GE to relieve GOO symptoms. A 59-year-old woman with locally advanced pancreatic head cancer presented with symptoms of GOO. An upper endoscopy revealed a severe non-traversable stricture in the second part of duodenum. The patient declined a surgical procedure and elected for EUS-GE for relief of GOO.

A 7-F nasobiliary tube was advanced over the guidewire to the jejunum to distend the jejunal loops with saline infusion. Then, a linear echoendoscope was advanced to the stomach. EUS unexpectedly revealed considerable ascites in the peritoneal cavity ([Fig. 1]). Since the ascitic fluid did not interpose between the gastric wall and the target jejunal loop, it was decided to continue the procedure. A 15 × 10-mm electrocautery-enhanced lumen-apposing metallic stent (AXIOS; Boston Scientific, Natick, Massachusetts, USA) was deployed between the stomach and a distended jejunal loop. The proper location of the stent was further confirmed with an injection of contrast material through the stent ([Fig. 2], [Video 1]). The GOO symptoms completely resolved after the procedure. The patient was then treated with periodic paracentesis for malignant ascites every two weeks and was subsequently referred for placement of an indwelling peritoneal catheter for ascites control. The patient remained well after 4 months of follow-up. To my knowledge, this is the first report of EUS-GE in the presence of ascites.

Fig. 1 Endoscopic ultrasound image shows ascites in the peritoneal cavity.

Fig. 2 Fluoroscopic image shows the lumen-apposing metallic stent and the jejunal loop (arrows).

Video 1 Video demonstration of endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastrojejunostomy in the presence of ascites.

In conclusion, EUS-GE is feasible in the presence of considerable ascites. Care must be taken to distinguish fluid-filled jejunal loops from the peritoneal cavity filled with ascitic fluid ([Fig. 3]).

Fig. 3 Endoscopic ultrasound shows the distended jejunal loop and ascites in the peritoneal cavity (arrows).

Endoscopy_UCTN_Code_CPL_1AH_2AD

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

• References

• 1 Ge PS, Young JY, Dong W. et al. EUS-guided gastroenterostomy versus enteral stent placement for palliation of malignant gastric outlet obstruction. Surg Endosc 2019; 33: 3404-3411
• 2 Tonozuka R, Tsuchiya T, Mukai S. et al. Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided gastroenterostomy techniques for treatment of malignant gastric outlet obstruction. Clin Endosc 2020; 53: 510-518
• 3 Khashab MA. EUS-guided gastroenterostomy vs duodenal stenting for the palliation of malignant gastric outlet obstruction. Gastroenterol Hepatol (NY) 2019; 15: 323-325

Publication History

Article published online:
15 November 2021