Advances in the endoscopic management of malignant biliary obstruction

Thomas Thomaidis; George Kallimanis; Gary May; Pinghong Zhou; Visvakanth Sivanathan; Jeff Mosko; John K. Triantafillidis; Christopher Teshima; Markus Moehler

Authors Thomas Thomaidis, George Kallimanis, Gary May, Pinghong Zhou, Visvakanth Sivanathan, Jeff Mosko, John K. Triantafillidis, Christopher Teshima, Markus Moehler.

Abstract

Biliary obstruction is common in pancreatobiliary malignancies and has a negative impact on the patient’s quality of life, postoperative complications, and survival rates. Particularly in the last decade, there has been enormous progress regarding the diagnostic and therapeutic options in patients with malignant biliary obstruction. Endoscopy has given a new insight in this direction and novel techniques have been developed for the better characterization and treatment of malignant strictures. We herein summarize the available data on the different endoscopic techniques, and clarify their role in the diagnosis and treatment of malignant biliary obstructive disease. Finally, we propose an algorithm that can facilitate management decisions in these patients.

Keywords Cholangiocarcinoma, pancreatic cancer, stricture, biliary obstruction, stent, endoscopic ultrasound

Ann Gastroenterol 2020; 33 (4): 338-347