Endoscopic bilateral drainage of high-grade hilar malignant biliary obstruction (HMBO)
is technically challenging, even for experienced endoscopists [1]. A novel device delivery system was recently developed, originally intended for
placement of a plastic stent in the bile duct. It comprises a slim-tip guide catheter
(diameter 1.13 mm) and pusher tube, which facilitate the insertion of devices up to
1.9 mm in diameter [2]
[3]
[4]
[5]. We successfully placed an endoscopic three-branch self-expandable metallic stent
(SEMS) using this novel device delivery system with partial stent-in-stent (SIS) for
a patient with HMBO.
A 74-year-old man presented to our hospital with jaundice. Contrast-enhanced computed
tomography showed that the hilar part of the tumor had spread to the umbilical portion
of the portal vein with right hepatic artery involvement ([Fig. 1]). A cholangiogram showed hilar biliary stricture (Bismuth type IIIa) ([Fig. 2]). The pathological diagnosis with brush cytology was adenocarcinoma, so we planned
multiple stenting using SEMSs with the SIS method.
Fig. 1 Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed that the hilar part of the tumor had
spread to the umbilical portion of the portal vein with right hepatic artery involvement
(arrowheads).
Fig. 2 A cholangiogram showed high-grade malignant hilar biliary stricture with Bismuth
type IIIa.
We placed the initial uncovered SEMS (10 × 80 mm, BileRush Selective; Piolax, Kanagawa,
Japan) at the left bile duct and then inserted the second SEMS into the right posterior
branch through the mesh. We sought the right anterior branch with a 0.025-inch hydrophilic
guidewire (Radifocus; Terumo, Tokyo, Japan) and followed the tapered tip catheter
(PR-220Q; Olympus Medical, Tokyo, Japan) after the guidewire, switching the hydrophilic
guidewire to a 0.025-inch versatile guidewire (Endoselector; Boston Scientific, Tokyo,
Japan). We inserted a third SEMS over the guidewire, but it could not be passed through
the mesh ([Fig. 3]). We thus inserted the novel delivery system (EndoSheather; Piolax) over the guidewire,
allowing smooth passage through the mesh ([Fig. 4]). After removing the inner catheter, we delivered the third SEMS (10 × 60 mm; BileRush
Selective) through the outer sheath and successfully deployed it at the target site
([Fig. 5], [Video 1]).
Fig. 3 The third metallic stent could not be passed though the mesh (arrow).
Fig. 4 A novel device delivery system was able to be passed though the mesh (arrow).
Fig. 5 After removing the inner catheter, the third metallic stent was placed through the
outer sheath (arrow, tip of the stent; arrowhead, proximal side of the stent).
Video 1 Successful endoscopic three-branch metallic stent placement using a novel device
delivery system for malignant hilar biliary stricture.
Endoscopy_UCTN_Code_CPL_1AK_2AD
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