Published online Apr 28, 2016. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i16.4264
Peer-review started: December 12, 2015
First decision: December 30, 2015
Revised: January 7, 2016
Accepted: January 30, 2016
Article in press: January 30, 2016
Published online: April 28, 2016
Processing time: 130 Days and 13.8 Hours
Acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis (AOSC) due to biliary lithiasis is a life-threatening condition that requires urgent biliary decompression. Although endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with stent placement is the current gold standard for biliary decompression, it can sometimes be difficult because of failed biliary cannulation. In this retrospective case series, we describe three cases of successful biliary drainage with recovery from septic shock after urgent endoscopic ultrasound-guided choledochoduodenostomy (EUS-CDS) was performed for AOSC due to biliary lithiasis. In all three cases, technical success in inserting the stents was achieved and the patients completely recovered from AOSC with sepsis in a few days after EUS-CDS. There were no procedure-related complications. When initial ERCP fails, EUS-CDS can be an effective life-saving endoscopic biliary decompression procedure that shortens the procedure time and prevents post-ERCP pancreatitis, particularly in patients with AOSC-induced sepsis.
Core tip: We present 3 cases of urgent endoscopic ultrasound-guided choledochoduodenostomy (EUS-CDS) performed for acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis (AOSC)-induced sepsis due to benign lesions. In all three cases, technical success in inserting the stents was achieved and the patients completely recovered from AOSC with sepsis in a few days after EUS-CDS. Although endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with transpapillary stent placement is the current gold standard for biliary decompression, this technique is not always successful. In this situation, EUS-CDS can be an effective life-saving biliary decompression procedure that can shorten the procedure time and prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis, particularly in patients with AOSC-induced sepsis.