Transluminal opening technique for multiple septa in liver abscess using novel cholangioscope

The gold standard technique for liver abscess drainage is the percutaneous transhepatic approach [1]; however, endoscopic ultrasound-guided liver abscess drainage (EUS-LAD) has been reported [2] [3] [4] [5] to overcome several disadvantages of percutaneous transhepatic liver abscess drainage, including external drainage or the risk of self-tube removal. However, if the liver abscess has multiple septa, the drainage effect after EUS-LAD might be limited. Several techniques, such as guidewire manipulation, can be used to divide the septa. However, breaking the septum might be challenging in cases with thick-walled septa. In addition, if a blood vessel is present in the septal wall, the procedure carries the risk of bleeding.

Recently, a novel cholangioscope (EyeMAX; Micro-Tech Co., Ltd, Nanjing, China), with a large working channel, has been developed. This scope has several benefits, such as allowing favorable visualization because of strong injection and aspiration functions due to the large working channel. Herein, we describe a novel technique, called the “transluminal opening technique,” for managing multiple septa in a liver abscess using the novel cholangioscope.

A 90-year-old man was admitted for the treatment of liver abscess. EUS imaging demonstrated a liver abscess with multiple septa ([Fig. 1]). As the patient had dementia, a transluminal approach to the abscess was selected. After liver abscess puncture and contrast medium injection ([Fig. 2]), a balloon catheter was inserted. Then, division of the septa was performed as much as possible ([Fig. 3]). Finally, EUS-LAD using a metal stent was performed.

Fig. 1 Multiple septa were observed within the liver abscess.

Fig. 2 The liver abscess was punctured using a 19-G needle and contrast medium was injected.

Fig. 3 The septa were broken, as much as possible, using a catheter and guidewire.

Owing to inadequate clinical effects, a transluminal opening technique was attempted after 7 days. First, an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography catheter was inserted within the EUS-LAD stent, and the contrast medium was injected. However, the cavity of the liver abscess was small. To break the septa, the novel cholangioscope was inserted within the liver abscess via a fistula. The septa were broken using biopsy forceps under direct visualization ([Fig. 4]), and the cavity of the liver abscess was opened. A double-pigtail plastic stent was deployed without any adverse events ([Fig. 5], [Video 1]). Following this procedure, the patient’s clinical course was excellent and he was discharged after 10 days.

Fig. 4 The septa were broken using biopsy forceps under cholangioscopic guidance.

Fig. 5 A plastic stent was deployed.

The septa were broken using biopsy forceps under cholangioscopic guidance.Video 1

In conclusion, the present technique might be useful for liver abscesses with multiple septa.

Endoscopy_UCTN_Code_TTT_1AS_2AG

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

• References

• 1 Ahmed S, Chia CL, Junnarkar SP. et al. Percutaneous drainage for giant pyogenic liver abscess – is it safe and sufficient?. Am J Surg 2016; 211: 95-101
• 2 Noh SH, Park DH, Kim YR. et al. EUS-guided drainage of hepatic abscesses not accessible to percutaneous drainage (with videos). Gastrointest Endosc 2010; 71: 1314-1319
• 3 Chandra S, Chandra U. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided transgastric drainage of radiologically inaccessible left lobe liver abscess involving segment 4, caudate lobe, and left lateral segments using a modified technique. Endosc Int Open 2021; 9: E35-E40
• 4 Ogura T, Sano T, Onda S. et al. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage for right hepatic bile duct obstruction: novel technical tips. Endoscopy 2015; 47: 72-75
• 5 Tonozuka R, Itoi T, Tsuchiya T. et al. EUS-guided drainage of hepatic abscess and infected biloma using short and long metal stents (with videos). Gastrointest Endosc 2015; 81: 1463-1469

Publication History

Article published online:
07 August 2024