Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) can be undertaken to remove obstructing gallstones within the biliary tree. This procedure combines endoluminal endoscopy with fluoroscopy to diagnose and treat problems in the biliary and pancreatic ducts. An endoscope with a side-viewing optical system is advanced through the esophagus and stomach and placed in the second part of the duodenum where the major papilla (the ampulla of Vater) is identified. This is where the pancreatic duct converges with the common bile duct. The papilla is initially examined for possible abnormalities (stuck stone or malignant growth) and a biopsy may be taken if necessary. Then either the bile duct or pancreatic duct is cannulated and a small amount of radiopaque contrast medium is injected to visualize either the bile duct (cholangiogram) or pancreatic duct (pancreatogram) (Fig. 4.119). If a stone is present, it can be removed with a stone basket or an extraction balloon. Usually, a sphincterotomy is performed before stone removal to ease its passage through the distal bile duct.
In cases of biliary tree obstruction caused by benign or malignant strictures, a stent can be placed into the common bile duct or into one of the main hepatic ducts to allow opening of the narrowed segment. The patency of the newly inserted stent is confirmed by instillation of more contrast medium to demonstrate free flow of contrast through the stent.
In the clinic
Jaundice is a yellow discoloration of the skin caused by excess bile pigment (bilirubin) within the plasma. The yellow color is best appreciated by looking at the normally white sclerae of the eyes, which turn yellow.
The extent of the elevation of the bile pigments and the duration for which they have been elevated account for the severity of jaundice.
Simplified explanation to understanding the types of jaundice and their anatomical causes
When red blood cells are destroyed by the reticuloendothelial system, the iron from the hemoglobin molecule is recycled, whereas the porphyrin ring (globin) compounds are broken down to form fat-soluble bilirubin. On reaching the liver via the bloodstream, the fat-soluble bilirubin is converted to a water-soluble form of bilirubin. This water-soluble bilirubin is secreted into the biliary tree and then in turn into the bowel, where it forms the dark color of the stool.
This type of jaundice is usually produced by conditions where there is an excessive breakdown of red blood cells (e.g., in incompatible blood transfusion and hemolytic anemia).
The complex biochemical reactions for converting fat-soluble into water-soluble bilirubin may be affected by inflammatory change within the liver (e.g., from hepatitis or chronic liver disease, such as liver cirrhosis) and poisons (e.g., paracetamol overdose).
Any obstruction of the biliary tree can produce jaundice, but the two most common causes are gallstones within the bile duct and an obstructing tumor at the head of the pancreas.
In the clinic
From a clinical point of view, there are two main categories of spleen disorders: rupture and enlargement.
This tends to occur when there is localized trauma to the left upper quadrant. It may be associated with left lower rib fractures. Because the spleen has such an extremely thin capsule, it is susceptible to injury even when there is no damage to surrounding structures, and because the spleen is highly vascular, when ruptured, it bleeds profusely into the peritoneal cavity. Splenic rupture should always be suspected with blunt abdominal injury. Current treatments preserve as much of the spleen as possible, but some patients require splenectomy.