Is there a link between periampullary diverticula and biliopancreatic disease? An EUS approach to answer the question.

BACKGROUND

Many studies, almost all in an Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) setting, have been conducted to establish if a link exists between periampullary diverticula (PADs) and biliopancreatic diseases but the issue is still debated.

AIMS: The objective was to clarify the link between PADs and biliopancreatic disease, for the first time using Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS).

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed our database seeking patients scheduled for EUS with an indication that entailed the exploration of the second duodenum. For each patient with a PAD enrolled in the study, 6 controls were randomly selected.

RESULTS

2475 patients met the inclusion criteria. Among them, 185 subjects with a PAD were found (prevalence 7.5%), 1110 subjects served as controls. Patients with a PAD had more frequently a history of cholangitis (8.1 vs 2.2%; OR 3.99, p < 0.001), a higher prevalence of common bile duct (CBD) dilation (44.3 vs 28.2%; OR 2, p < 0.0001) and a higher prevalence of CBD stones (34.1 vs 19.6%; OR 2.1, p < 0.0001). No differences were found about history of jaundice, acute/recurrent pancreatitis or EUS signs of chronic pancreatitis.

CONCLUSION

Whereas PADs were linked with history of cholangitis, CBD stones and dilation, no association was found with pancreatic diseases.