Endoscopic management of radio-opaque bile duct stones

Majority of the bile duct stones (BDS) are radiolucent (RL) and are amenable to conventional endoscopic extraction techniques. There is no publication that specifically discusses the optimal management of radio-opaque (RO) BDS and makes a distinction from the strategy followed for RL BDS.

Data of patients with BDS managed endoscopically from January 2009 till June 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Diagnosis of RO stone was established during initial fluoroscopy, just prior to obtaining a cholangiogram. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was done using therapeutic duodenoscope. Stone extraction was attempted initially using conventional techniques. Balloon sphincteroplasty or mechanical lithotripsy (ML) or both were done if conventional techniques failed. Cholangioscopy-guided intracorporeal holmium laser lithotripsy (LL) was done when all the above techniques failed.

Fifteen patients were found to have RO stones in the bile duct during the study period. ERCP was successful in all patients. Discrepancy of the stone size in relation to the lower CBD diameter was seen in eight patients (53.34 %). Stone extraction with conventional techniques was successful in 2/15 patients (13 %). Successful controlled radial expansion (CRE) balloon sphincteroplasty/ML was possible in 5/15 patients (33 %). Cholangioscopy guided LL was done in eight patients (53.34 %) with successful pulverization of RO BDS (100 %).

RO bile duct stones provide unique challenges for endoscopic management with success of conventional techniques in only about half of them (46 %). RO stones detected on fluoroscopy are extremely hard and difficult to crush with lithotripsy basket probably due to high calcium content. Cholangioscopy guided LL provides an excellent alternative management strategy.