Wide-area transepithelial sampling with computer-assisted analysis to detect high grade dysplasia and cancer in Barrett's esophagus: a multicenter randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Current surveillance for Barrett's esophagus (BE), consisting of four-quadrant random forceps biopsies (FBs), has an inherent risk of sampling error. Wide-area transepithelial sampling (WATS) may increase detection of high grade dysplasia (HGD) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). In this multicenter randomized trial, we aimed to evaluate WATS as a substitute for FB. METHODS: Patients with known BE and a recent history of dysplasia, without visible lesions, at 17 hospitals were randomized to receive either WATS followed by FB or vice versa. All WATS samples were examined, with computer assistance, by at least two experienced pathologists at the CDx Diagnostics laboratory. Similarly, all FBs were examined by two expert pathologists. The primary end point was concordance/discordance for detection of HGD/EAC between the two techniques. RESULTS: 172 patients were included, of whom 21 had HGD/EAC detected by both modalities, 18 had HGD/EAC detected by WATS but missed by FB, and 12 were detected by FB but missed by WATS. The detection rate of HGD/EAC did not differ between WATS and FB (P = 0.36). Using WATS as an adjunct to FB significantly increased the detection of HGD/EAC vs. FB alone (absolute increase 10 % [95 %CI 6 % to 16 %]). Mean procedural times in minutes for FB alone, WATS alone, and the combination were 6.6 (95 %CI 5.9 to 7.1), 4.9 (95 %CI 4.1 to 5.4), and 11.2 (95 %CI 10.5 to 14.0), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although the combination of WATS and FB increases dysplasia detection in a population of BE patients enriched for dysplasia, we did not find a statistically significant difference between WATS and FB for the detection of HGD/EAC as single modality.

Persistence of Sutures and Gastric Reduction After Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty: Radiological and Endoscopic Assessment.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is an effective medium-term procedure for obesity treatment. There are no consistent studies confirming persistence of maintained gastric tubular configuration. We determined sleeve duration, gastric reduction degree, and suture persistence at 12-month follow-up. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a prospective, single-center study, including patients with obesity undergoing ESG with at least 1-year follow-up, who underwent the following: (1) Barium X-ray study (BS) prior and at 6 months, assessing degree of gastric reduction (severe, moderate, or mild), and (2) gastroscopy at 12 months, accounting the number of persistent sutures (tense, lax, or absent). Secondary outcomes were weight loss data and procedure safety profile. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients (30 women), median age of 47.0 [40.0-51.0] years, and average baseline BMI of 37.6 [35.5-41.5] kg/m2 were included. Median %TWL of 17.1% [16.1-22.3%] with TWL > 10% in 94.7% of patients was obtained at 1 year. No major AEs were observed. Six months BS was performed on 30 patients: 12 (40.0%), 14 (46.7%), and 4 (13.3%) patients showed severe, moderate, and mild gastric reduction, respectively. Twelve months gastroscopy was performed on 22 patients with 83.64% of sutures persisting (92 of 110, mean 4.2 of 5.0 sutures/patient) and 70.9% with adequate tension. We found intact sutures in 12 patients (54.5%), and 10 patients (45.5%) had some suture detached (average 1.8, r = 1-3). There were no differences in %TWL according to BS reduction (p = 0.662) or number of persistent sutures (p = 0.678). CONCLUSIONS: ESG is an effective and safe weight loss strategy at 12-month follow-up with persistence of most sutures and maintenance of notable gastric reduction and remodeling.

Feasibility and patency of echoendoscopic anastomoses with lumen apposing metal stents depending on the gastrointestinal segment involved.

EUS-guided anastomoses with LAMS have emerged as a therapeutic option for patients with obstruction of the digestive tract. However, the long-term permeability of these anastomoses remains unknown. Most of the published cases involve the gastric wall and experience in distal obstruction is limited to few case reports. We review our series of patients treated with LAMS for gastrointestinal obstruction and describe the technical success according to the anastomotic site and the long-term follow-up in those cases in which the stent migrated spontaneously or was removed. Out of 30 cases treated with LAMS, EUS-guided anastomosis did not involve the gastric wall in 6 patients. These procedures were technically more challenging as two failures were recorded (2/6, 33%) while technical success was achieved in 100% of the cases in which the stent was placed through the gastric wall. In two of the patients, one with entero-enteric and another with recto-colic anastomosis, stent removal after spontaneous displacement was followed by long term permeability of the EUS-guided anastomosis (172 and 234 days respectively). In a EUS-guided gastroenterostomy the stent was removed at 118 days, but closure of the fistula was confirmed 26 days later. Our experience suggests that LAMS placement between bowel loops is feasible and might allow the creation of an anastomosis with long-term patency. As compared to LAMS placement between bowel loops, when LAMS are placed through the gastric wall, removal of the LAMS seems to lead to closure of the fistula.

Pan-enteric capsule for bleeding high-risk patients. Can we limit endoscopies?

INTRODUCTION: obscure gastrointestinal bleeding is defined as bleeding from a source that cannot be identified on upper or lower gastrointestinal endoscopy and capsule endoscopy is the next step in these patients. Some patients may be unsuitable for conventional endoscopy and performing a capsule panendoscopic test as a first line procedure might potentially reduce the number of endoscopies and their subsequent risk. AIM: to analyze our experience with capsule endoscopy in the bleeding setting. METHODS: the first 100 panendoscopic capsule procedures performed in our center from August 2011 until December 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: positive findings were observed in 61.2 % of patients; 46.26 % had a previous negative gastroscopy and the capsule detected small bowel lesions in 67.7 % and colonic findings in 80.64 %. Taking into consideration that our population were high-risk patients (mainly because of comorbidities) and that we used up to 45 ml of sodium phosphate, sodium, potassium and creatinine changes were analyzed before and after procedure. The mean "before" values were 140.68, 4.04 and 1.36, respectively. The mean "after" values were 140.28, 3.9 and 1.35 (p = n.s.). According to our findings, no other endoscopic studies would be needed in 64.5 % of patients with negative gastroscopy. According to capsule results, conventional endoscopy could have been avoided in 68.6 % of cases. CONCLUSION: panendoscopy with a capsule may be useful and safe in bleeding high-risk patients, by selecting those who need therapeutic endoscopy, avoiding up to 68.6 % of diagnostic endoscopies in our series.

Early microscopic findings in preclinical inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND: The immune response involved in the pathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) may be present years before the diagnosis, but the characteristics of the disease during the preclinical period have been scarcely investigated. AIM: To describe the microscopic findings of preclinical IBD and its relationship with the natural history of the disease. METHODS: Medical records from all patients with an incidental diagnosis of IBD during a screening colonoscopy were included in this multicentric and retrospective study. We assessed 15 histologic items in the biopsy samples at diagnosis, and the Geboes score was calculated in patients with Ulcerative Colitis (UC). The main outcome was the development of gastrointestinal symptoms during follow-up. RESULTS: We included 110 patients (79 UC, 24 Crohn's Disease (CD) and 7 with unclassified disease). In UC the most common histologic findings were acute or chronic inflammatory infiltrate and crypt epithelial polymorphs, while in CD we observed acute or chronic neutrophilic infiltrate and epithelial irregularity. Granuloma were only observed in 4% of CD patients. Crypt distortion and the infiltration of neutrophils in the epithelium were associated with a higher risk of developing symptomatic disease. CONCLUSIONS: Preclinical IBD shows specific microscopic findings and they are associated with the progression to symptomatic disease.

Main prophylactic measures in bariatric endoscopy. Spanish Expert Recommendations Guideline.

Bariatric endoscopy (BE) encompasses a number of techniques -some consolidated, some under development- aiming to contribute to the management of obese patients and their associated metabolic diseases as a complement to dietary and lifestyle changes. To date different intragastric balloon models, suture systems, aspiration methods, substance injections and both gastric and duodenal malabsorptive devices have been developed, as well as endoscopic procedures for the revision of bariatric surgery. Their ongoing evolution conditions a gradual increase in the quantity and quality of scientific evidence about their effectiveness and safety. Despite this, scientific evidence remains inadequate to establish strong grades of recommendation allowing a unified perspective on prophylaxis in BE. This dearth of data conditions leads, in daily practice, to frequently extrapolate the measures that are used in bariatric surgery (BS) and/or in general therapeutic endoscopy. In this respect, this special article is intended to reach a consensus on the most common prophylactic measures we should apply in BE. The methodological design of this document was developed while attempting to comply with the following 5 phases: Phase 1: delimitation and scope of objectives, according to the GRADE Clinical Guidelines. Phase 2: setup of the Clinical Guide-developing Group: national experts, members of the Grupo Español de Endoscopia Bariátrica (GETTEMO, SEED), SEPD, and SECO, selecting 2 authors for each section. Phase 3: clinical question form (PICO): patients, intervention, comparison, outcomes. Phase 4: literature assessment and synthesis. Search for evidence and elaboration of recommendations. Based on the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine classification, most evidence in this article will correspond to level 5 (expert opinions without explicit critical appraisal) and grade of recommendation C (favorable yet inconclusive recommendation) or D (inconclusive or inconsistent studies). Phase 5: External review by experts. We hope that these basic preventive measures will be of interest for daily practice, and may help prevent medical and/or legal conflicts for the benefit of patients, physicians, and BE in general.

Metastatic tumors in the pancreas: the role of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: there are few published data on the use of EUS guided fine-needle aspiration in secondary pancreatic lesions. We describe the largest series published so far in a European country. PATIENTS AND METHODS: a retrospective review of the cases identified in our institution from 2004 to 2016 has been recorded. The clinical data are described, comparing the latency period from the primary tumor diagnosis to the detection of the pancreatic metastasis and the survival of patients according to the cytological diagnosis. RESULTS: forty-four patients were diagnosed with pancreatic metastasis using EUS guided fine needle aspiration. Ancillary cytological studies were performed in 28 (63.6%). The most common primary tumor sites were kidney and lung. Thirty-four patients (77.3%) had a previous history of malignancy, with a latency period ranging from 6 months to 18.8 years. Patients diagnosed with primary renal carcinoma had a significantly longer latency period and longer survival compared to those with primary lung cancer. In 13 patients, EUS was either the only technique that detected the PM or showed a greater number of intrapancreatic lesions. These metastases were significantly smaller than those diagnosed by other imaging studies (11.9 ± 4.1 mm vs 30.7 ± 19.8 mm, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: EUS guided fine-needle aspiration plays a crucial role in the diagnosis of pancreatic metastases and may have a major clinical impact. Patients with renal cell carcinoma could benefit from long-term follow-up with EUS.

Spanish consensus document on bariatric endoscopy. Part 2: specific endoscopic treatments.

During the last years we have been witnessing a significant increase in the number and type of bariatric endoscopic techniques: we have different types of balloons, suture systems, injection of substances and malabsorptive prosthesis, etc. Also, some endoscopic revisional procedures for patients with weight regain after bariatric surgery have been incorporated. This makes it necessary to protocolize, position and regularize all these techniques, through a consensus that allows their clinical application with the maximum medical rigor and scientific evidence available.

Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration for Assessing Suspected Deep Pelvic or Abdominal Recurrence in Gynecologic Cancer: A Feasibility Study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the feasibility of gastrointestinal endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) for histologic confirmation of cancer recurrence in women with gynecologic cancer. METHODS: This work was a retrospective cohort study comprising 46 consecutive women treated for gynecologic cancer and suspected of having a deep pelvic or abdominal recurrence on ultrasound imaging, computed tomography, positron emission tomography-computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging, evaluated at our institution from January 2010 to December 2017. Primary cancer was ovarian (n = 22), cervical (n = 13), endometrial (n = 4), sarcoma (n = 4), and other (n = 3). All women underwent EUS examinations for locating the lesion and guiding FNA. The results of FNA (benign/malignant) were assessed. Procedure-related complications were recorded. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 57.8 years. A total of 66 procedures were performed. Eleven women underwent 2 procedures; 2 women underwent 3 procedures; and 1 woman underwent 6 procedures at different times during the study period. In 1 case, no lesion was detected on the EUS assessment, and in 2 cases, FNA was not successful. Most lesions were located in the retroperitoneum or involved the intestine. Fine-needle aspiration could be performed in 63 cases (94.5%). Cytologic samples were adequate in 62 of 63 (98.4%). Recurrence was confirmed in 56 cases (90.3%) and ruled out in 6 (9.7%). No patient had any complication related to the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided FNA is a minimally invasive, feasible, and safe technique for confirming pelvic/abdominal recurrence of gynecologic cancer.

Spanish Consensus Document on Bariatric Endoscopy. Part 1. General considerations.

Obesity is a chronic multifactorial, incurable, recurrent, and progressive disease associated with significant physical and psychological complications, and considerable morbidity and mortality. For this reason, the assessment, management, and follow-up of obese patients should take place in the setting of a multidisciplinary unit equipped with adequate human and structural resources. Medical treatment using hygienic-dietary measures, while indispensable, may be insufficient, and surgery, which is reserved for severe or morbid obesity, is not exempt from complications neither is to the liking of many patients. In this context three situations may be considered where endoscopic treatment, used as a supplementary strategy with few complications, contributes to benefit obese patients: first, in a subgroup of patients with grade-II overweight or non-morbid obesity where medical therapy alone failed or needs supplementation. Second, in patients with morbid obesity when surgery is rejected, is contraindicated, or entails excessive risk. Finally, in patients with superobesity who need to lose weight before bariatric surgery in order to reduce surgery-related morbidity and mortality. In this regard, the Spanish Task Force on Bariatric Endoscopy (Grupo Español de Trabajo para el Tratamiento Endoscópico del Metabolismo y la Obesidad, GETTEMO) have developed this Consensus Document to serve as practical guidance for all professionals involved in the endoscopic management of obesity, and to facilitate establishing a minimum set of requirements for the proper functioning of a bariatric endoscopy unit.

Clinical guidelines for endoscopic mucosal resection of non-pedunculated colorectal lesions.

This document summarizes the contents of the Clinical Guidelines for the Endoscopic Mucosal Resection of Non-Pedunculated Colorectal Lesions that was developed by the working group of the Spanish Society of Digestive Endoscopy (GSEED of Endoscopic Resection). This document presents recommendations for the endoscopic management of superficial colorectal neoplastic lesions.

Characteristics and Progression of Preclinical Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disease usually diagnosed after the appearance of gastrointestinal symptoms. Little is known about IBD progression during its early and even preclinical phases. We aimed to determine the number of new incidental diagnoses of IBD in an older population, and evaluate disease progression from its early stages. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 31,005 colonoscopies performed during colorectal cancer screening of patients with positive results from fecal immunochemical tests, at 11 centers in the Basque Country (Spain) from 2009 through 2014. We collected clinical and laboratory data from all asymptomatic individuals suspected to have IBD during screening colonoscopies, with histologic confirmation. RESULTS: Colonoscopy screening led to 79 new diagnoses of ulcerative colitis, 24 of Crohn's disease, and 7 of unclassified colitis (average patient age, 57 y; interquartile range, 52-62 y; 57% male). Eleven patients had symptoms before colonoscopy and were excluded from the analysis. Among those patients who were asymptomatic at diagnosis, 36% developed symptoms after a follow-up period of 25 months (interquartile range, 10.5-42 mo), mostly rectal bleeding and diarrhea. Treatment was prescribed for 81 patients (88%), and 2 cases required surgery. CONCLUSIONS: We analyzed data from a large cohort of patients with IBD diagnosed at early or even preclinical stages, from an older population. New incidental diagnoses of IBD were made in 0.35% of individuals undergoing a population-based screening colonoscopy-most were classified as ulcerative colitis. Approximately one third of patients developed symptoms during the follow-up period.

Immune mediated colitis caused by lung cancer treatment with atezolizumab.

Atezolizumab is an IgG1 isotype monoclonal antibody against the protein programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD- L1). PD-L1 may be highly expressed in some tumors and is believed to inhibit immune cells that recognize and attack tumor cells. Inhibition of PD-L1 can remove its inhibitory effect and provoke an anti-tumor response. In October 2016, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) approved atezolizumab for the treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer after disease progression during or following platinum based chemotherapy. We present the case of a 43-year-old male with stage IV lung adenocarcinoma in progression, despite standard chemotherapy.

Therapeutic impact of colon capsule endoscopy with PillCam™ COLON 2 after incomplete standard colonoscopy: a Spanish multicenter study.

INTRODUCTION: Colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) is an alternative approach for the examination of the colon in patients who refuse colonoscopy or after incomplete colonoscopy (IC). We conducted a study to determine the frequency of complete colonoscopy after IC, the diagnostic yield of CCE, the therapeutic impact of lesions found in CCE, the level of colon cleanliness and the safety of the procedure. METHODS: We performed a prospective, multicenter study involving ten Spanish hospitals. Consecutive outpatients aged ≥ 18 years with previous IC were invited to participate. The latest version of the CCE device, PillCam™ COLON 2 (CCE-2), was administered to all patients according to the protocol. RESULTS: The study population comprised 96 patients. The most frequent cause of IC was the inability to move past a loop using standard maneuvers (75/96 patients, 78%). Complete visualization of the colon was obtained with CCE-2 in 69 patients (71.9%). Of the 27 patients in whom the CCE-2 did not reach the hemorrhoidal plexus, it passed the colonic segment explored with the previous colonoscopy in 20 cases; therefore, it could be inferred that a combined approach (CCE-2 plus colonoscopy) enabled complete visualization of the colonic mucosa in 92.7% of patients. CCE-2 revealed new lesions in 58 patients (60.4%). Polyps were the most frequent finding (41 patients; 42.7% of the total number of patients). In 43 of the 58 patients (44.8% of the total number of patients), the new lesions observed led to modification of therapy, which included a new colonoscopy for polyp resection or surgery in patients with colonic neoplasm. CONCLUSIONS: CCE-2 is a suitable diagnostic procedure that can lead to more frequent diagnosis of significant colonic lesions after IC.

Phosphate tablets or polyethylene glycol for preparation to colonoscopy? A multicentre non-inferiority randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Adequate bowel preparation is a crucial step in colonoscopy procedure and has been identified as the cornerstone of a quality colonoscopy. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) for bowel cleansing still had up to 10 % unprepared colon. AIM: We herein compare efficacy, acceptability, tolerance and safety of sodium phosphate (NaP) tablets and split-dose PEG for bowel cleansing. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective non-inferiority randomized trial was performed and registered on www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01840553). Patients were randomized to either 32 NaP tablets or 4 L of PEG. Blind readers assessed the efficacy of colon cleansing using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS). RESULTS: A total of 461 patients were randomized in groups (NaP group: n = 231; PEG group: n = 230). Median age was 54 and 52 in NaP group and PEG group, respectively (p < 0.01). Patients experienced an overall compliance to the treatment in 99.6 and 94.1 % in the NaP group and in the PEG group, respectively (p < 0.001). The mean time of withdrawal was 15.1 ± 8.9 and 15.4 ± 9.5 min in the NaP group and in the PEG group, respectively (p = 0.95). The good quality of bowel preparation, defined as BBPS score ≥7, was obtained in 86.4 and 89.0 % of cases in the NaP group and in the PEG group, respectively (p = 0.42). In all segment (right colon, transverse colon and left colon and rectum), the NaP group was non-inferior to the PEG group. Bowel prep regimen was more frequently considered as "easy" by patients from the NaP group (54.8 % of patients) than patients from the PEG group (29.0 % of patients; p < 0.001). No serious adverse events were reported. No statistical differences were found between the NaP group and the PEG group concerning the incidence of an adverse event (338 vs. 322, respectively). CONCLUSION: While NaP tablets appeared as efficient as PEG in terms of colon cleansing prior to a colonoscopy, they significantly improved the overall compliance and eased product administration. At an era where bowel cleansing appears to be the cornerstone of a quality colonoscopy, NaP tablets in patients without contraindication might be considered as an option.

Clip and endoloop lifting technique to assist cannulation of a hardly reachable papilla because of anatomical changes due to surgery.

Bile duct cannulation by ERCP can be difficult because of different reasons. We present a patient with a hardly reachable papilla because of anatomical changes due to surgery. A clip, an endoloop and a guide wire were used to lift the papilla and pull it, achieving a successful cannulation.