Noncalcified pancreatic stone treated with electrohydraulic lithotripsy using SpyGlass pancreatoscopy

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Endoscopic removal of pancreatic stones remains challenging, especially when the stones are larger than 1 cm in diameter. Although electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) with a baby endoscope is useful in some cases [1], it can be difficult because of poor operability of the baby scope or incomplete irrigation with the EHL probe loaded in the working channel of the scope. Recently, the SpyGlass Direct Visualization System (SDVS; Boston Scientific, Natick, Massachusetts, USA) has allowed more effective diagnostic and therapeutic applications [2] [3]. Here we report the successful fragmentation of a large noncalcified pancreatic stone using SDVS-guided EHL.

A 58-year-old man with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis was referred to our hospital for management of recurrent pancreatitis. Computed tomography (CT) showed a noncalcified stone of 1.5 cm in diameter in the dilated main pancreatic duct ([Fig. 1]).

Fig. 1 Computed tomography (CT) scan showing a noncalcified stone of 1.5 cm in diameter in the dilated main pancreatic duct.

Because of the difficulty of targeting noncalcified stones under fluoroscopic guidance for extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL), we employed EHL under the guidance of SpyGlass pancreatoscopy instead.

Following pancreatic sphincterotomy and balloon dilation of a stricture within the main pancreatic duct in the head of the pancreas, a large white stone was visualized by SDVS although it was located just behind a bend within the duct ([Fig. 2]).

Fig. 2 View through the SpyGlass Direct Visualization System showing a large white stone in the main pancreatic duct.

EHL was applied using a lithotriptor (Northgate Autolith; Nortech, Elgin, Illinois, USA) and the stone was disintegrated under direct visualization combined with frequent irrigation through the dedicated channel ([Video 1]).

Video 1 Electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) performed to disintegrate a large pancreatic stone using the SpyGlass Direct Visualization System.

Complete clearance of the main pancreatic duct was obtained and the patient was discharged with complete resolution of his pain.

EHL for pancreatic stones guided by a conventional baby endoscope is very difficult because of poor visualization in the tortuous and narrow pancreatic duct and inefficient irrigation. As the SDVS has 4-way tip deflection and a dedicated irrigation channel, we were able to successfully perform fragmentation of the pancreatic stones by SDVS-guided EHL. The efficacy of SDVS in the management of pancreatic stones needs to be assessed in further cases.

Endoscopy_UCTN_Code_TTT_1AR_2AH

Competing interests: None

References

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