Endoscopic definitive treatment of liver hydatid cysts ruptured into bile duct

Intrabiliary rupture (IBR) is one of the most common complications of hepatic hydatid cysts (HHC),and the surgical treatment of major intrabiliary rupture (MIBR) leads to serious morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic definitive treatment of these patients.

This study included 38 patients who underwent ERCP for MIBR between 2004 and 2022. Endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) was performed, followed by evacuation of hydatid contents from the main bile ducts and cyst cavity. A nasobiliary drainage (NBD) catheter was placed inside the cyst cavity in 15 patients, while biliary stenting (BS) was performed in 23 patients. Demographic data, cyst characteristics, hospital stay, complications, treatment success, and recurrence were analyzed.

The mean age of patients was 46.5 years, with 12 female and 26 male. All patients had WHO-type-3B hydatid cysts with an average diameter of 7.9 cm. NBD was continued for definitive purposes in 13 of the 15 patients who underwent NBD, and full cure was achieved in 13 patients. Among the 23 patients who underwent biliary stenting (BS), 16 (69.5%) required a second ERCP due to jaundice or cholangitis, and 6 (26%) underwent percutaneous drainage due to hydatid cavity infection. The average length of hospital stay was 16.13 days in the BS group, while it was 8.3 days in the NBD group.The average follow-up period was 23 months. All patients achieved complete recovery.

The endoscopic approach is an effective and safe method for the treatment of MIBR, and can be considered as a definitive treatment option in centers with adequate resources and experienced endoscopists.