The efficacy of tumor characterization and tumor detectability of linked color imaging and blue laser imaging with an LED endoscope compared to a LASER endoscope.

OBJECTIVES: An endoscope with a light-emitting diode (LED) light source which has a 2-mm close-distance observation function without magnification, has been marketed, enabling linked color imaging (LCI) and blue laser imaging (BLI) for tumor detection and characterization. We analyzed the efficacy of a LED endoscope compared to a LASER endoscope. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 272 lesions observed using the LED endoscopic system (Fujifilm Co., Tokyo, Japan) from May 2018 to September 2019. The Japanese NBI Classification was used for tumor characterization. We analyzed the diagnostic accuracy and confidence level. Sixty-one lesions observed with both the LED and magnified LASER endoscopes were also analyzed to compare the diagnostic accuracy. Regarding the tumor detectability, we calculated color difference values (CDVs) and brightness values (BVs) of white-light imaging, BLI, and LCI modes between the two endoscopes for each tumor. RESULTS: The mean polyp size was 9.2 ± 11.3 mm. Histology showed 71 sessile serrated lesions, 193 adenoma and high-grade dysplasias, and 8 T1 cancers. The diagnostic accuracy of tumors ≥ 10 and < 10 mm was 72.0% and 92.9% (p < 0.001), respectively and the high confidence rate was 93.8%. The diagnostic accuracy of LED (77.0%) was a little higher than that of LASER without magnification (65.6%, p = 0.16) but was not inferior to that of LASER with magnification (82.0%, p = 0.50). The respective CDVs of LED and LASER endoscopes were 20.6 ± 11.2 and 21.6 ± 11.2 for LCI (p = 0.30), and the respective BVs were 210.0 ± 24.2 and 175.9 ± 21.1 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A LED endoscope with close-distance observation improved tumor detection and characterization due to high brightness.

Efficacy of scissor-type knives for endoscopic mucosal dissection of superficial gastrointestinal neoplasms.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for superficial gastrointestinal neoplasms has become widespread. However, certain aspects of the procedure remain difficult to manage, such as intraoperative bleeding and perforation. There are two kinds of scissor-type knife: the Clutch Cutter (Fujifilm Co., Tokyo, Japan) and the SB knife (Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Tokyo, Japan). These knives have different features from other types of ESD knives and enable the performance of all ESD procedures, including mucosal incision, submucosal dissection, and hemostasis. The standard approach with scissor-type knives involves first grabbing the tissue and then incising or dissecting it. Theoretically, perforation as a result of unintentional movement should never happen with scissor-type knives compared to needle- or blade-type knives, which may induce perforation through unintentional movement. Moreover, the rates of severe bleeding and self-completion of ESD with scissor-type knives by non-experts were reported to be significantly better than for other knives. Thus, scissor-type knives can resolve these problems and help to further standardize ESD globally. In this review, we summarize reports on the efficacy of such scissor-type knives for ESD of gastrointestinal tumors. We also present the pocket-creation method and the application of traction devices, such as dental floss and S-O clips (Zeon Medical Co., Tokyo, Japan) for improving the performance of ESD with a Clutch Cutter.

Promotion Effects of Smoking in Polyp Development in Monozygotic Twins with Atypical Colorectal Polyposis.

Smoking is a known risk factor for the development of colorectal polyps. Even in familial adenomatous polyposis and serrated polyposis syndrome, smoking is a risk factor of the development of polyps. Here, we report a case of monozygotic twins with atypical colorectal polyposis showing lots of hyperplastic polyps and adenomas and describe how the polyposis developed differently in the brothers based on the presence or absence of smoking. The case was of a set of monozygotic male twins, and the twins were in their 50s. The younger brother smoked 40 cigarettes a day since he was 16 years old. The older brother had smoked about 25 cigarettes a day since he was 16 years old but stopped smoking after he was diagnosed with polyposis. As we previously reported, we managed to remove polyps as much as possible from both twins without surgery. The median number of removed polyps (IQR: 25-75%) per colonoscopy for 20 years was 9.0 (3.5-14.8) in the older brother and 20.5 (7.5-35.5) in the younger brother. There was a significant difference between the twins (p < 0.01). Additionally, genetic tests found that the twins carried a rare missense variant of BRCA2, and this variation has not been previously reported. In conclusion, these monozygotic twins with atypical colorectal polyposis showing a new variant of BRCA2 suggest that smoking is related to the development of colorectal polyps. Further analysis will be required for the identified BRCA2 variant in possible involvement in the development of atypical polyposis.

A case of endoscopic submucosal dissection for neuroendocrine carcinoma of the esophagus with invasion to the muscularis mucosae.

Neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) of the esophagus at early-stage is very rare due to its rapidly progression. Here, we reported a case of esophageal NEC at early stage treated with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). A 63-year-old man underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and a lesion was detected in the thoracic esophagus. The preoperative diagnosis was squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) based on magnifying endoscopy; however, the pathological diagnosis was NEC with an invasion of muscularis mucosa accompanied by lymphovascular invasion. Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy was recommended after ESD; however, the patient did not accept additional treatments. The patient was alive with no recurrence 15 months after ESD. In this case, there were three malignant components among SCC, NEC, and adenocarcinoma with transitional areas among each component in the superficial part of the lesion.

Situations Leading to Reduced Effectiveness of Current Hand Hygiene against Infectious Mucus from Influenza Virus-Infected Patients.

Both antiseptic hand rubbing (AHR) using ethanol-based disinfectants (EBDs) and antiseptic hand washing (AHW) are important means of infection control to prevent seasonal influenza A virus (IAV) outbreaks. However, previous reports suggest a reduced efficacy of ethanol disinfection against pathogens in mucus. We aimed to elucidate the situations and mechanisms underlying the reduced efficacy of EBDs against IAV in infectious mucus. We evaluated IAV inactivation and ethanol concentration change using IAV-infected patients' mucus (sputum). Additionally, AHR and AHW effectiveness against infectious mucus adhering to the hands and fingers was evaluated in 10 volunteers. Our clinical study showed that EBD effectiveness against IAV in mucus was extremely reduced compared to IAV in saline. IAV in mucus remained active despite 120 s of AHR; however, IAV in saline was completely inactivated within 30 s. Due to the low rate of diffusion/convection because of the physical properties of mucus as a hydrogel, the time required for the ethanol concentration to reach an IAV inactivation level and thus for EBDs to completely inactivate IAV was approximately eight times longer in mucus than in saline. On the other hand, AHR inactivated IAV in mucus within 30 s when the mucus dried completely because the hydrogel characteristics were lost. Additionally, AHW rapidly inactivated IAV. Until infectious mucus has completely dried, infectious IAV can remain on the hands and fingers, even after appropriate AHR using EBD, thereby increasing the risk of IAV transmission. We clarified the ineffectiveness of EBD use against IAV in infectious mucus.IMPORTANCE Antiseptic hand rubbing (AHR) and antiseptic hand washing (AHW) are important to prevent the spread of influenza A virus (IAV). This study elucidated the situations/mechanisms underlying the reduced efficacy of AHR against infectious mucus derived from IAV-infected individuals and indicated the weaknesses of the current hand hygiene regimens. Due to the low rate of diffusion/convection because of the physical properties of mucus as a hydrogel, the efficacy of AHR using ethanol-based disinfectant against mucus is greatly reduced until infectious mucus adhering to the hands/fingers has completely dried. If there is insufficient time before treating the next patient (i.e., if the infectious mucus is not completely dry), medical staff should be aware that effectiveness of AHR is reduced. Since AHW is effective against both dry and nondry infectious mucus, AHW should be adopted to compensate for these weaknesses of AHR.

Operative treatment by external fixation for polyostotic fibrous dysplasia in the elbow joint. A case report.

Fibrous dysplasia is a condition in which normal skeletal bone changes into fibroblastic stroma and immature bone. We report our experience of a unilateral external fixator applied for the treatment of polyostotic fibrous dysplasia arising in the elbow. The patient was a 38 year-old man. His main complaint was left elbow pain and a mass, which increased in size. The histological diagnosis from the needle biopsy was fibrous dysplasia. An articulated unilateral external fixator was used for immobilization. The lesions in the left distal humerus and proximal ulna were curetted and cancellous bone was packed into the cavity. An external fixator (Elbow Fixator, Orthofix Inc., McKinney, USA) was applied from the proximal humeral shaft to the distal ulnar shaft for postoperative tentative immobilization and preservation of the affected elbow joint movement. At two years after the operation, the range of motion of the affected elbow was 90 degrees in flexion and -35 degrees in extension. The range of motion in pronation and supination of the left forearm was normal. No evidence of recurrence was noted at two years after surgery. The merits of using an external fixator were: an earlier start of range of motion exercises, and a decrease in the risk of tumor dissemination.