Pseudoaneurysms Post-biliary Stenting: A Comprehensive Literature Review.

Purpose: Pseudoaneurysms (PSA) following endoscopic biliary stenting are a rare, potentially life-threatening adverse event. Incidence, diagnostic approach, treatment, and prevention of PSA remain unknown. In this comprehensive literature review, we aimed to evaluate the association of developing PSA following biliary stent placement.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of databases for studies that reported development of PSA after placement of a biliary stent. Full text review and data extraction were performed according to the PRISMA guidelines.

Results: From 386 initial studies, 32 (n = 36 patients) met inclusion criteria. Thirty-one patients had stents placed in the common bile duct, four in the right or left hepatic ducts, and one in the cystic duct. The most common indication for stent placement was biliary obstruction from pancreatic adenocarcinoma with 69.4% of patients having primary pancreaticobiliary malignancy or metastases. 52.0% had received prior chemotherapy with or without localized radiation. Metal stents were used in 60.5% of cases and plastic stents in 37.2%. Average time to PSA presentation was 114 days, with gastrointestinal bleeding as the most common sign/symptom (75%). PSAs were most often located in the hepatic artery (55.6%), diagnosed by diagnostic angiography (55.6%), and treated with embolization (86.1%). No immediate deaths were reported and 83.3% of patients fully recovered.

Conclusion: The majority of PSAs presented with gastrointestinal bleeding and developed in patients who had metal stents placed for pancreaticobiliary malignancy. Prior history of previous chemotherapy/radiation or biliary procedures was common in this population. Angiography and embolization were used to diagnose and manage most cases.