Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for Suspected Mirizzi Syndrome Type IV as Both a Diagnostic and Bridge-to-Surgery Procedure

Abstract

Mirizzi syndrome (MS) is a challenging diagnosis due to its similar presentation with other biliary diseases; thus, the role of endoscopy is sometimes unclear, especially in altered anatomy. Radiological examinations may usually suspect it, but deeper examinations could be necessary to confirm it. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) certainly has a therapeutic role in cases of jaundice, cholangitis or concurrent choledocolithiasis, although surgery is without doubt the definitive treatment in most of the cases. Therefore, surgeons may have a clearer picture of the condition of the biliary tree with respect to fistulas thanks to ERCP, particularly in patients with a higher grade of MS (type higher than 2 in the Csendes classification). Therefore, a complete removal of biliary stones is sometimes not possible due to size and location, so biliary stenting becomes the only option, even if transitory. Our brief report is a further demonstration of the fundamental role of ERCP in managing MS, even when it has no long-term therapeutic aim but is performed as bridge-to-surgery, especially in cases with a more difficult biliary anatomy due to the type of fistula. Moreover, we truly suggest discussing patients affected with MS in a multidisciplinary board, preferably in tertiary hepatobiliary centers.

Keywords

• Mirizzi syndrome
• surgery
• endoscopy
• biliary tract
• ERCP