Endoscopic ultrasonography drainage and debridement of an infected subcapsular hepatic hematoma: A case report

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has evolved in the last years making it not only a diagnostic modality but a therapeutic procedure. EUS is now used as an alternative technique to percutaneous and surgical drainage. Even though EUS is a challenging procedure and not always suitable compared to percutaneous drainage, there is a need for developing new therapeutic approaches to the liver for when percutaneous drainage is not feasible. CASE SUMMARY: We present the case of a 82 years old male who developed an infected subcapsular hepatic hematoma (SHH) of the left lobe following percutaneous biliary drainage. After 2 failed attempts of percutaneous drainage of the SHH and because the patients couldn’t withstand surgery, we conducted a EUS drainage and debridement of the SHH. Using a lumen apposing metal stent (LAMS) by a transgastric approach, we were able to gain endoscopic access to the SHH. With our experience in the debridement of walled off pancreatic necrosis using this technique, we were confident it was the right approach. After four debridement sessions, the computed tomography scan showed a clear regression of the SHH. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first case of successful endoscopic debridement of a SHH using a LAMS which appear to be feasible and safe in this specific case.