Preview

Creative surgery and oncology

Advanced search

Direct Digital Cholangioscopy in a Patient with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and Hepatolithiasis: Clinical Case

https://doi.org/10.24060/2076-3093-2026-16-2-186-191

Abstract

Introduction. Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic progressive disease of the liver and biliary tract characterized by inflammation and fibrosis of the bile ducts, leading to multifocal strictures, impaired bile flow, cholestasis, and ultimately hepatolithiasis. One therapeutic option for this complication is endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with direct visualization using the SpyGlass DS system.

Materials and methods. This article describes a clinical case of a PSC progressing to liver cirrhosis and complicated by hepatolithiasis and choledocholithiasis. The clinical course was further aggravated by concomitant ulcerative colitis.

Results and discussion. A staged approach, including endoscopic retrograde papillotomy, cholangiopancreatography, and direct cholangioscopy using SpyGlass DS, enabled the complete removal of biliary stones and restoration of normal bile drainage.

Conclusion. The combined use of endoscopic retrograde papillotomy, cholangiopancreatography, and direct cholangioscopy with the SpyGlass DS system provides effective diagnostic and therapeutic management of hepatolithiasis. An individualized, multidisciplinary approach contributes to improved clinical outcomes.

About the Authors

O. V. Galimov
Bashkir State Medical University; Clinic of Bashkir State Medical University, Bashkir State Medical University
Russian Federation

Oleg V. Galimov — Dr. Sci. (Med.), Prof., Department of Surgical Diseases, Medical Faculty, Surgery Unit

Ufa



V. O. Khanov
Bashkir State Medical University; Clinic of Bashkir State Medical University, Bashkir State Medical University
Russian Federation

Vladislav O. Khanov — Dr. Sci. (Med.), Prof., Department of Surgical Diseases, Medical Faculty,ь Surgery Unit

Ufa



F. R. Nagaev
Bashkir State Medical University; Clinic of Bashkir State Medical University, Bashkir State Medical University
Russian Federation

Farit R. Nagaev — Surgery Unit, Department of General Surgery, Transplantology and X-ray Diagnostics

Ufa



A. A. Timurshin
Bashkir State Medical University; Clinic of Bashkir State Medical University, Bashkir State Medical University
Russian Federation

Aizat A. Timurshin — Resident, Department of Surgical Diseases, Medical Faculty, Surgery Unit

Ufa



D. M. Minigalin
Bashkir State Medical University; Clinic of Bashkir State Medical University, Bashkir State Medical University
Russian Federation

Daniil M. Minigalin — Cand. Sci. (Med.), Department of Surgical Diseases, Medical Faculty, Surgery Unit

Ufa



M. R. Bakeev
Bashkir State Medical University; Clinic of Bashkir State Medical University, Bashkir State Medical University
Russian Federation

Marat R. Bakeev — Resident, Department of Surgical Diseases, Medical Faculty, Surgery Unit

Ufa



R. F. Ganiev
Clinic of Bashkir State Medical University, Bashkir State Medical University
Russian Federation

Rashit F. Ganiev — Endoscopy Unit

Ufa



S. I. Blagodarov
Clinic of Bashkir State Medical University, Bashkir State Medical University
Russian Federation

Sergey I. Blagodarov — Unit of X-Ray Endovascular Methods of Diagnosis and Treatment

Ufa



R. E. Abdrakhmanov
Clinic of Bashkir State Medical University, Bashkir State Medical University
Russian Federation

Ruslan E. Abdrakhmanov — Unit of X-Ray Endovascular Methods of Diagnosis and Treatment

Ufa



References

1. Motta R.V, Saffioti F., Mavroeidis V.K Hepatolithiasis: epidemiology, presentation, classification and management of a complex disease. World J Gastroenterol. 2024;30(13):1836–50. DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i13.1836

2. Kim H.J., Kim J.S., Joo M.K., Lee B.J., Kim J.H., Yeon J.E. et al. Hepatolithiasis and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: A review. World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21(48):13418–31. DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i48.13418

3. Kim M.H., Lim B.C., Myung S.J., Lee S.K., Ohrr H.C., Kim Y.T., et al. Epidemiological study on Korean gallstone disease: a nationwide cooperative study. Dig Dis Sci. 1999;44(8):1674–83. DOI: 10.1023/a:1026643817349

4. Vullierme M.P., Desterke C., Hillaire S., Parfait B., Vilgrain V., Rebours V., et al. Primary intrahepatic lithiasis in western countries: role of ultrasound and comparison with MRI with MRCP. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2025;37(9):1078–87. DOI: 10.1097/MEG.0000000000002984

5. Dilek O.N., Atasever A., Acar N., Karasu Ş., Özlem Gür E., Özşay O., et al. Hepatolithiasis: clinical series, review and current management strategy. Turk J Surg. 2020;36(4):382–92. DOI: 10.47717/turkjsurg.2020.4551

6. Li G., Fang C.H., Fan Y.F., Wu T.C., Zhong S.Z. A comparative study of the diagnostic accuracy of the medical image three-dimensional visualization system, MRCP, CT and US in hepatolithiasis. Hepatogastroenterology. 2014;61(135):1901–7. DOI: 10.5754/hge14283

7. Bokemeyer A., Lenze F., Stoica V., Sensoy T.S., Kabar I., Schmidt H., et al. Digital single-operator video cholangioscopy improves endoscopic management in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis-a retrospective observational study. World J Gastroenterol. 2022;28(20):2201–13. DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v28.i20.2201

8. Itoi T., Sofuni A., Itokawa F., Tsuchiya T., Kurihara T., Ishii K., et al. Peroral cholangioscopic diagnosis of biliary-tract diseases by using narrow-band imaging (with videos). Gastrointest Endosc. 2007;66(4):730–6. DOI: 10.1016/j.gie.2007.02.056

9. Chathadi K.V., Chen Y.K. New kid on the block: development of a partially disposable system for cholangioscopy. Gastrointest Endosc Clin N Am. 2009;19(4):545–55. DOI: 10.1016/j.giec.2009.06.001

10. Büringer K., Schempf U., Fusco S., Wichmann D., Stüker D., Götz M., et al. Feasibility, safety and efficacy of endoscopic single-operator cholangioscopy: a retrospective single-center study. Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2024;17:17562848241288111. DOI: 10.1177/17562848241288111

11. Tu Q.Y., Li D.L., Liu D., Zheng Q.F., Liu B.R. Choledocholithotripsy using peroral direct cholangioscopy through a standard gastroscope for a giant common bile duct stone: a case report. Gastroenterol Rep (Oxf). 2024;30(4):goae014. DOI: 10.1093/gastro/goae014

12. Al Lehibi A., Aljahdali E., Al Balkhi A., Almasoudi T., Al Ghamdi A., Al Sayari K., et al. The utility of digital cholangioscopy (SpyGlass DS) in biliary and pancreatic diseases: A clinical feasibility study at two tertiary care centers in Saudi Arabia (with Videos). Arab J Gastroenterol. 2020;21(1):49–53. DOI: 10.1016/j.ajg.2019.12.003

13. Cheon Y.K., Cho Y.D., Moon J.H., Lee J.S., Shim C.S. Evaluation of long-term results and recurrent factors after operative and nonoperative treatment for hepatolithiasis. Surgery. 2009;146(5):843–53. DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2009.04.009

14. Da Cunha T., Vaziri H., Wu G.Y. Primary sclerosing cholangitis and inflammatory bowel disease: a review. J Clin Transl Hepatol. 2022;10(3):531–42. DOI: 10.14218/JCTH.2021.00344

15. Jalali P., Rezaee M., Yaghoobi A., Piroozkhah M., Zabihi M.R., Aliyari S., et al. Bioinformatics analysis reveals shared molecular pathways for relationship between ulcerative colitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. Genomics Inform. 2025;23(1):12. DOI: 10.1186/s44342-025-00045-4

16. Ayoub F., Yang D., Draganov P.V. Cholangioscopy in the digital era. Transl Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2018;3:82. DOI: 10.21037/tgh.2018.10.08

17. Fugazzaa A., Gabbiadinia R., Tringalib A., De Angelisc C.G., Moscad P., Mauranoe A., et al. Digital single-operator cholangioscopy in diagnostic and therapeutic bilio-pancreatic diseases: A prospective, multicenter study. Digestive and Liver Disease. 2022;54(9):1243–9. DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2022.04.019

18. Yan S., Tejaswi S. Clinical impact of digital cholangioscopy in management of indeterminate biliary strictures and complex biliary stones: a single-center study. Ther Adv Gastrointest Endosc. 2019;12:2631774519853160. DOI: 10.1177/2631774519853160

19. Minami H., Mukai S., Sofuni A., Tsuchiya T., Ishii K., Tanaka R., et al. Clinical outcomes of digital cholangioscopy-guided procedures for the diagnosis of biliary strictures and treatment of difficult bile duct stones: a single-center large cohort study. J Clin Med. 2021;10(8):1638. DOI: 10.3390/jcm10081638 2

20. Ang T.L., Kwek A.B.E. Safety and efficacy of SpyGlass cholangiopancreatoscopy in routine clinical practice in a regional Singapore hospital. Singapore Med J. 2019;60(10):538–44. DOI: 10.11622/smedj.2018158

21. Pathak P., Tsilimigras D.I., Hyer J.M., Diaz A., Pawlik T.M. Timing and severity of postoperative complications and associated 30-day mortality following hepatic resection: a national surgical quality improvement project study. J Gastrointest Surg. 2022;26(2):314– 22. DOI: 10.1007/s11605-021-05088-w


Review

For citations:


Galimov O.V., Khanov V.O., Nagaev F.R., Timurshin A.A., Minigalin D.M., Bakeev M.R., Ganiev R.F., Blagodarov S.I., Abdrakhmanov R.E. Direct Digital Cholangioscopy in a Patient with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis and Hepatolithiasis: Clinical Case. Creative surgery and oncology. 2026;16(2):186-191. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.24060/2076-3093-2026-16-2-186-191

Views: 24

JATS XML


Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.


ISSN 2076-3093 (Print)
ISSN 2307-0501 (Online)