Serum interleukin-6 levels at the start of the second course of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab therapy predict therapeutic efficacy in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a multicenter analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) before the administration of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atez + Bev) is a prognostic biomarker in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with Atez + Bev. We previously revealed that the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and serum chemokine levels during treatment with Atez + Bev were more useful as prognostic biomarkers. Therefore, we examined the predictive ability of serum IL-6 for the efficacy of Atez + Bev in patients with HCC. METHODS: We enrolled 94 patients with HCC who received treatment with Atez + Bev. Initial responses were assessed through dynamic computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. The levels of IL-6 in serum were measured before and at the initiation of the second course of Atez + Bev. Subsequently, the relationship of IL-6 levels with treatment efficacy was evaluated. RESULTS: IL-6 levels at the initiation of the second course tended to be higher in patients with progressive disease versus those with non-progressive disease in the initial evaluation (P = 0.054). Moreover, the cutoff value (7.4 pg/mL) was useful in stratifying patients by overall survival (i.e. low vs high: not reached vs 21.4 months, respectively, P = 0.001) and progression-free survival (low vs high: 11.9 vs 5.2 months, respectively, P = 0.004). This result was reproduced in patients with HCC who received Atez + Bev as first-line therapy. In the multivariate analyses, IL-6 levels at the initiation of the second course were independent predictive factors for progression-free and overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Serum levels of IL-6 at the initiation of the second course of treatment may predict Atez + Bev efficacy and prognosis in HCC.

[Gastric metastasis of breast cancer treated as primary gastric cancer due to difficulty in differentiating primary and metastatic cancer:a case report].

A female patient in her 50s who underwent chemotherapy for left primary breast cancer presented with cancerous pleurisy and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy and liver biopsy revealed gastric and liver cancer. Distinguishing between primary and metastatic cancer by pathological findings is difficult using hematoxylin and eosin staining. We diagnosed and treated simultaneous primary breast cancer (ER-positive) and gastric cancer with liver metastasis (ER-negative), based on differences in estrogen receptor expression. The patient lived for 10 months with chemotherapy. After death, an autopsy was performed because the endoscopic results were atypical for primary gastric cancer, and additional immunohistochemical studies indicated gastric metastasis of breast cancer.

Prognostic nutritional index after introduction of atezolizumab with bevacizumab predicts prognosis in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: A multicenter study.

INTRODUCTION: Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atez/Bev) is the preferred treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, biomarkers of therapeutic efficacy have remained unclear. We took a retrospective approach to explore the role of prognostic nutritional index (PNI) for predicting the outcomes of Atez/Bev treatment. METHODS: One hundred twenty-five HCC patients were enlisted; these patients received Atez/Bev treatment and underwent dynamic computerized tomography/magnetic resonance imaging to determine the treatment response on at least one occasion between October 2020 and January 2023, and their PNI before treatment and at the beginning of the second cycle (PNI-2c) was evaluated. RESULTS: During the initial evaluation, 2 (2%), 28 (22%), 70 (56%), and 25 (20%) patients exhibited a complete response (CR), partial response (PR), stable disease (SD), and progressive disease (PD), respectively. Patients with non-PD tended to have higher PNI at baseline and PNI-2c than those with PD (p = 0.245 and 0.122, respectively), with optimal baseline PNI and PNI-2c cut-off values of 42.6 and 40.4, respectively. PNI at baseline could not be used to predict overall survival (OS) or progression-free survival (PFS). However, PNI-2c predicted OS and PFS (PNI-2c ≥ 40.4 vs. < 40.4: 25.3 vs. 16.2 months, P = 0.008 for OS; 12.7 vs. 8.4 months, P = 0.036 for PFS). A multivariate analysis showed a significant association between PNI-2c and OS. CONCLUSIONS: PNI-2c is a predictor of prognosis in HCC patients treated with Atez/Bev therapy.

Serum CXCL10 levels at the start of the second course of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab therapy predict therapeutic efficacy in patients with advanced BCLC stage C hepatocellular carcinoma: A multicenter analysis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Relationships of serum C-C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10) levels with hot immune features have been reported in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, we examined the utility of their levels for predicting the efficacy of atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atez/Bev) in patients with HCC. DESIGN: In total, 98 patients with HCC treated with Atez/Bev were enrolled, and their initial responses were evaluated at least once via dynamic computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Serum CCL5 and CXCL10 levels were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before treatment and at the start of the second course of Atez/Bev therapy, and their relationships with treatment efficacy were determined. RESULTS: No analyzed factor was associated with the initial therapeutic response. Among the 56 patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage C, serum CXCL10 levels at the beginning of course two (CXCL10-2c) tended to be higher in responders than in non-responders in the initial evaluation, and its optimal cutoff level of 690 pg/mL could be used to stratify patients regarding overall survival (OS; high vs. low: not reached vs. 17.6 months, p = 0.034) and progression-free survival (high vs. low: 13.6 vs. 5.1 months, p = 0.014). In multivariate analysis, high CXCL10 levels and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios at the start of course two and Child-Pugh stage A at baseline were independent predictive factors of improved OS. CONCLUSIONS: Serum CXCL10-2c levels were predictive of Atez/Bev efficacy in patients with BCLC stage C HCC.

Comparison of the long-term outcomes of EUS-guided gallbladder drainage and endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage for calculous cholecystitis in poor surgical candidates: a multicenter propensity score-matched analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Although long-term stent placement using endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage (ETGBD) and EUS-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) reportedly reduces cholecystitis recurrence, comparative evidence of their safety and efficacy is scarce. This study aimed to examine and compare the long-term utility of EUS-GBD versus that of ETGBD in poor surgical candidates. METHODS: A total of 379 high-risk surgical patients with acute calculous cholecystitis met the eligibility criteria for enrollment in this study. The technical success and adverse events (AEs) were compared between the EUS-GBD and ETGBD groups, and propensity score matching was performed to adjust for differences between the groups. Both groups underwent plastic stent placement, and scheduled stent exchange and removal were not performed in either group. RESULTS: The technical success rate of EUS-GBD was significantly higher than that of ETGBD (96.7% vs 78.9%, P < .001), whereas the early AE rate did not differ significantly between the 2 methods (7.8% vs 8.9%, P = 1.000). The rate of recurrent cholecystitis did not differ significantly (3.8% vs 3.0%, P = 1.000), but the rate of symptomatic late AEs, in addition to cholecystitis, was significantly lower with EUS-GBD than with ETGBD (1.3% vs 13.4%, P = .006). Consequently, the overall late AE rate was significantly lower with EUS-GBD (5.0% vs 16.4%, P = .029). Multivariate analysis revealed that EUS-GBD was associated with a significantly longer time to late AE (hazard ratio, .26; 95% confidence interval, .10-.67; P = .005). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term stent placement via EUS-GBD is a promising potential option for limiting late AEs, including recurrence, in poor surgical candidates with calculous cholecystitis.

[A rare case of hepatosplenic cat scratch disease].

A female patient in her 60s, treated with oral corticosteroids for scleroderma diagnosed 11 years ago, visited our hospital complaining of a persistent fever and liver dysfunction. She was treated with antibiotics, but her fever continued. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed multiple hypoechoic splenic masses. Splenic masses revealed multiple masses with no contrast effect in arterial and portal phases and nuclear in equilibrium phase by contrast computed tomography study, as well as hyperintensity masses with low signal areas in magnetic resonance imaging T2-weighted images. Liver tissue was obtained by percutaneous liver biopsy, and histological findings showed epithelioid cell granulomas without tumor cells. Further interview and physical examination revealed scratch scars from domestic cats and left axillary lymph node swelling. Hence, a cat scratch disease was suspected. She was diagnosed with cat scratch disease by serum indirect immunofluorescence. Her fever was resolved with minocycline administration. Therefore, persistent fever with splenic masses should be suspected of hepatosplenic cat scratch disease.

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio at the start of the second course during atezolizumab plus bevacizumab therapy predicts therapeutic efficacy in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: A multicenter analysis.

AIM: Atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atez/Bev) therapy is expected to have good therapeutic efficacy for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the clinical indicators that predict therapeutic efficacy have not been established. We retrospectively investigated whether the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) during Atez/Bev therapy could predict therapeutic efficacy. METHOD: In total, 110 patients with HCC were enrolled; they were treated with Atez/Bev therapy and evaluated for their initial response by dynamic CT or MRI at least once between October 2020 and July 2022. RESULTS: Of the 110 patients with HCC at the initial evaluation, two (2%) showed a complete response (CR), 22 (20%) partial response (PR), 62 (56%) stable disease (SD), and 24 (21%) progressive disease (PD). The NLR at the start of the second course (NLR-2c) increased from CR + PR to SD to PD. There was no significant association between the baseline NLR and the initial therapeutic response. Patients with CR + PR had lower NLR-2c values than those with SD + PD (p < 0.001) and the optimal cut-off value of NLR-2c was 1.97. Patients with NLR-2c <1.97 had better overall survival and progression-free survival (PFS) than those with NLR-2c ≥1.97 (p = 0.005 for overall survival; p < 0.001 for PFS). A multivariate analysis showed that female sex, higher PIVKA-II levels at baseline, and higher values of NLR-2c were significantly associated with poorer PFS. CONCLUSIONS: The NLR-2c value predicts the initial therapeutic response and prognosis of patients with HCC treated with Atez/Bev therapy.

Clinical impact of bile-derived exosomal microRNAs as novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for biliary tract cancers.

Sampling of bile juice during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has potential benefit of being amenable to the identification of novel biomarkers in liquid biopsy. This study reports the results of a global investigation of exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) in bile to identify potential biomarkers for biliary tract cancers (BTCs). Eighty-eight bile samples collected during ERCP (45 BTC and 43 noncancer control samples) were enrolled in this study. Eleven BTC samples and nine control samples were assigned as the discovery set. Exosomes in bile and serum samples were collected using a glass membrane column with size-controlled macroporous glass (MPG), and exosomal miRNA expression profiles were evaluated using comprehensive miRNA microarray analysis (3D-Gene). For validation, exosomal miRNA in the bile samples of 34 BTCs and 34 controls were comprehensively evaluated using 3D-Gene. In the discovery set, eight exosomal miRNAs in bile were identified as significant aberrant expression markers, while no miRNA with aberrant expression in serum was identified. In a comparison of the discovery and validation sets, miR-451a and miR-3619-3p were identified as reproducible upregulated markers, and the combination of the two bile miRNAs showed an excellent area under the curve (0.819) value for diagnosing BTCs. In addition, high miR-3619-3p expression in bile reflects poorer prognosis of BTCs (hazard ratio = 2.89). The MPG-extracted exosomal miRNAs in bile aspirated during ERCP provide a convenient new approach for diagnosing biliary diseases. Bile-derived miRNA analysis with miR-451a and miR-3619-3p represents a potentially valuable diagnostic strategy for identifying BTCs as well as a predictive indicator of BTC prognosis.

Outcome of nucleos(t)ide analog cessation in patients with treatment for prevention of or against hepatitis B virus reactivation.

AIM: We retrospectively investigated patients with administration of nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) for prevention of or against hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation, and their clinical outcomes after cessation of the NA. METHODS: We enrolled 180 patients who were positive for HBsAg when they started immunosuppressive therapy or chemotherapy and an NA was administered to prevent HBV reactivation (HBV carrier group), and 82 patients with resolved HBV infection who started administration of an NA after HBV reactivation (de novo HBV group). Cessation of the NA depended on each physician's judgment without definite criteria. RESULTS: A total of 27 patients in the HBV carrier group and 22 in the de novo HBV group stopped NA therapy. In the HBV carrier group, 16 patients experienced virological relapse, which was defined as HBV DNA levels ≥20 IU/ml, and one with hematological disease had an alanine aminotransferase flare after cessation of NA. Of the 16 patients, the NA was reintroduced in three, whereas, the remaining 13 had low levels of HBV DNA and no alanine aminotransferase flare. In the de novo HBV group, virological relapse occurred in six patients, and one with hematological disease had an alanine aminotransferase flare after cessation of the NA. The NA was reintroduced in four of the six patients. CONCLUSIONS: We may be able to consider to cease NA therapy proactively in HBV carriers and resolved patients with non-hematological disease, if their primary diseases are under remission after completion of immunosuppressive therapy or chemotherapy. However, careful follow up is necessary after stopping NA therapy.

Long-Term Impact of Endoscopic Gallbladder Stenting for Calculous Cholecystitis in Poor Surgical Candidates: A Multi-center Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: Although long-term stent placement using endoscopic gallbladder stenting (EGBS) reportedly reduces cholecystitis recurrence in patients unfit to undergo cholecystectomy, its efficacy and safety remain uncertain. AIMS: This study aimed to examine the long-term effect of EGBS in poor surgical candidates of cholecystectomy. METHODS: A total of 528 high-risk surgical patients with acute calculous cholecystitis met this study's eligibility criteria. The technical success and adverse events (AE) were compared between patients who underwent EGBS and those who underwent percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD). Elective stent exchange and removal were not performed after EGBS. The external tube was removed after improvement of cholecystitis following PTGBD. RESULTS: The technical success rate was significantly lower with EGBS compared to PTGBD (75.4% versus 98.7%, P < 0.001), while the early-AE rate did not differ significantly between the two methods (7.7% versus 4.3%, P = 0.146). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year cumulative incidence rates of cholecystitis were 3.8%, 7.2%, and 7.2% with EGBS, and 11.7%, 17.6%, and 30.2% with PTGBD, respectively (P = 0.001). Conversely, those of symptomatic late-AE (except cholecystitis) were 8.2%, 22.7%, and 31.4% with EGBS, and 7.5%, 10.9%, and 13.1% with PTGBD, respectively (P = 0.035). Thus, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year cumulative incidence of overall late-AE was 12.0%, 30.4%, and 40.4% with EGBS, and 19.2%, 28.3%, and 42.5% with PTGBD, respectively (P = 0.649). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term stent placement via EGBS is useful for preventing the recurrence of cholecystitis, but the success rate is low and the frequency of other late-AE increases with the prolongation of the indwelling period.

A Case of Segmental Arterial Mediolysis of Multiple Visceral Arteries Following Anti-COVID-19 Vaccination: Late Complication or Rare Coincidence?

BACKGROUND Segmental arterial mediolysis (SAM) is a rare noninflammatory, nonatherosclerotic vascular disorder characterized by arterial media disruption. In conjunction with the SARS-CoV-2 infection or anti-COVID-19 vaccination, vascular disorders have been recognized as organ-specific immune-mediated complications, and the number of reported cases is gradually increasing. CASE REPORT A 68-year-old man presented with severe upper abdominal pain and nausea 58 days after a third injection of Pfizer-BioNTech anti-COVID-19 mRNA vaccination. An abdominal dynamic computed tomography angiography showed stenosis and dilatation of multiple visceral arteries, including the middle and right colic arteries. In the omental arteries, spindle-shaped dilatation and stenosis were identified. The left epiploic artery was not visualized, suggesting the development of occlusion due to arterial dissection. Based on these findings, SAM of multiple visceral arteries was diagnosed. Because the patient's vital condition was stable, treatment by observation, with restriction of daily living, was chosen. Seventy-five days later, the pathological lesions in the affected vessels spontaneously resolved. CONCLUSIONS While coincidence could not be completely excluded in this case, anti-COVID-19 mRNA vaccination should be noted for its potential association with SAM as a possible late complication.

Class III ß-Tubulin Expression Is of Value in Selecting nab -Paclitaxel and Gemcitabine as First-Line Therapy in Unresectable Pancreatic Cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Nab -paclitaxel and gemcitabine (GnP) or FOLFIRINOX (a combination of leucovorin, fluorouracil, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin [FFX]) is currently recognized as the standard first-line regimen for unresectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Class III ß-tubulin (TUBB3) has the potential to predict resistance to taxane in various tumors; therefore, this study aimed to clarify whether TUBB3 is a predictive marker for GnP response. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 113 patients with PDAC who received GnP or FFX as first-line chemotherapy and examined immunohistochemically the TUBB3 expression in specimens obtained by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration. RESULTS: High TUBB3 expression was associated with a significantly lower disease control rate ( P = 0.017) and shorter progression-free survival (PFS) ( P = 0.019), and multivariate analysis revealed that TUBB3 expression was an independent variable for PFS in the GnP first-line group ( P = 0.045). In addition, in the FFX first-line group, TUBB3 expression was not correlated with PFS or overall survival (OS). In all 113 patients, TUBB3 expression was not also associated with OS. CONCLUSIONS: Class III ß-tubulin might be a predictive factor for the response of GnP, but not a prognostic factor for OS, helping the selection of an optimized first-line chemotherapy regimen for unresectable PDAC.

State transitions among groups of cyclists in cycling points races.

This study analyzed the global state of groups formed by cyclists competing in three different points races and considered the behaviour of individual cyclists in those races. We measured the time difference between the front cyclist and the other cyclists when they crossed the centrelines of home and back straights in order to quantify the global configuration of cyclists in terms of their density and features of states, extracted using principal components analysis (PCA). We examined whether the group separation and group density that characterize the cycling race can be extracted by PCA. We interpreted the PCA results to explain the separation and density of the group using the first and second principal components. Then, we defined the state of configuration of the cyclists in each lap in the plane of the first and second principal components. Subsequently, the state transition probabilities were obtained. States 1, 2, 3, and 4 corresponded to the third, second, first, and fourth quadrants, respectively. State 1 represented a state comprising one dense group, state 2 represented one stretched group, state 3 represented a divided group, and state 4 represented an escape group far from a single dense group.HighlightsAn approach to understand the collective behaviour of cycling points races through principal component analysis was effective for quantifying the configuration of the cyclists.Principal component analysis of the global configuration of the cyclists in the points races revealed the fission-fusion dynamics was characterized by two components. The density of a group and number of groups, and transitions among four states was defined by these two components.State transition probabilities indicate that the group separation states were more frequent in the latter half of the sprint interval, and it was difficult to re-combine the separated groups into one.The riders and coaches need to be aware of the stretching and separation of the group, even if it does not occur immediately before the sprint as the positioning of a cyclist in the group would be important at that time.

Long-Term Outcomes of Endoscopic Gallbladder Drainage for Cholecystitis in Poor Surgical Candidates: An Updated Comprehensive Review.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the standard and fundamental treatment of choice for acute cholecystitis; however, there are cases in which patients may be poor surgical candidates due to advanced age, comorbidities, and/or general condition. The rate of recurrent cholecystitis is high in patients who are not surgically treated; therefore, the prevention of recurrence in this patient population is an important subject of investigation in the management of cholecystitis. Although it has recently been reported that long-term stent placement by endoscopic gallbladder stenting or endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage may reduce the recurrence rate, its efficacy and safety remain controversial. Additionally, details surrounding the long-term stent management of these treatment methods should be further investigated. In this review, we summarize the updated evidence regarding the usefulness of long-term stent placement with endoscopic gallbladder stenting or endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage as a preventive measure for recurrence of cholecystitis and discuss issues that should be addressed in future studies.

[A case of adult intussusception associated with Escherichia coli enterocolitis].

A 38-year-old man visited our hospital with a complaint of diarrhea and abdominal pain. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed that the ileocecal site was intussuscepted to the transverse colon without ischemia. After we reduced intussusception with an enema using a water-soluble contrast agent, his abdominal pain disappeared. Colonoscopy was performed immediately after reduction and showed erosion and edema at the ileocecal site without tumor. The stool culture at admission revealed verotoxin 1 producing Escherichia coli O-26;therefore, we established a diagnosis of intussusception associated with Escherichia coli enterocolitis. Bacterial enteritis should be considered as a potential cause in adult patients with intussusception.

One-step versus two-step distal self-expandable metal stent placement: A multicenter prospective randomized trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Two methods of transpapillary covered self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) placement are used for distal malignant biliary obstruction (MBO): after initial drainage by plastic stent (two-step method) and without previous drainage (one-step method). METHODS: In total, 90 patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer and distal MBO were enrolled in this prospective multicenter randomized study and allocated to one-step (n = 45) and two-step (n = 45) groups. The main outcome was the time to recurrent biliary obstruction (TRBO). Secondary outcomes were the rates of early and late adverse events, survival time, the time required for bilirubin level reduction, and cost-effectiveness. RESULTS: The median TRBO did not differ significantly between the one-step and two-step groups (not available vs 314 days, P = 0.134). SEMS migration occurred significantly more frequently in the two-step group (14.3% vs 0%, P = 0.026). No significant difference was observed between groups in early (7.3% vs 14.3%, P = 0.483) or late (12.2% and 11.9%, P = 1) adverse events other than RBO, survival time (P = 0.104), or the median number of days required to reach a bilirubin level considered to be acceptable for chemotherapy administration (<3 mg/dL; P = 0.881). The total costs of stent placement and reintervention were significantly lower in the one-step SEMS group (3347 vs 5465 US dollars, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The superiority of TRBO with two-step SEMS placement was not demonstrated. One-step SEMS placement might be a promising method from the viewpoints of cost-effectiveness and less invasiveness (UMIN-CTR clinical trial registration number: UMIN000016010).

Multi-center study of endoscopic revision after side-by-side metal stent placement for malignant hilar biliary obstruction.

BACKGROUND: The recent development of ultra-thin delivery systems, which enable simultaneous insertion of two metal stents, has encouraged wider adoption of side-by-side (SBS) stent placement for malignant hilar biliary obstruction (MHBO). However, the management of stent occlusion after SBS placement has not been well-characterized. This study aimed to examine the outcomes of endoscopic reintervention (E-RI) after SBS placement in patients with MHBO. METHODS: Sixty-seven patients who underwent E-RI for stent occlusion after SBS placement between 2013 and 2020 at three tertiary-care referral centers were investigated. We evaluated the technical success, clinical success, recurrent biliary obstruction (RBO), and adverse events other than RBO rates associated with E-RI. Furthermore, the factors associated with successful E-RI were also evaluated. RESULTS: The technical success and clinical success rates were 79.1% (53/67) and 76.1% (51/67), respectively. Early adverse events other than RBO occurred in 4.5% (3/67) and late events in 3.9% (2/51). The RBO rate after E-RI was 52.9% (27/51), and the median time to RBO after E-RI was 85 days. Common bile duct (CBD) diameter (odds ratio 2.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.37-5.01; P = 0.003) and metastatic disease (odds ratio, 0.11; 95% confidence interval, 0.02-0.64; P = 0.015) were independently correlated with E-RI success in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that E-RI after SBS placement is technically feasible and safe, but the success rate was significantly lower in patients with narrow CBDs and metastatic diseases. These factors may be useful for the selection of the initial stenting method.

Intraductal placement of a fully covered metal stent with a long string for distal malignant biliary obstruction without endoscopic sphincterotomy: Prospective multi-center feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Stent migration and sludge clogging are characteristic problems in biliary covered self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) placement. Intraductal placement without endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) may help reduce their occurrence. We examined the feasibility of intraductal placement of a covered SEMS with a long string without ES in patients with unresectable distal malignant biliary obstruction (MBO). METHODS: This was a prospective multi-center observational study. Forty patients with distal MBO were enrolled between July 2016 and August 2018. We evaluated recurrent biliary obstruction (RBO), adverse events other than RBO, and reintervention associated with intraductal placement without ES. RESULTS: Both technical and functional success rates were 100% (40/40). The rate of adverse events other than RBO was 5% (2/40). The RBO rate was 33% (13/40), and the median time to RBO was 339 days. RBO was mainly caused by overgrowth on the papillary side, occurring in six patients; all such patients had pancreatic cancer and a distance between the papilla and the stricture of ≤20 mm. Other causes were overgrowth at the hepatic side in two patients and sludge in five patients. No instances of stent migration occurred. Success rates of endoscopic transpapillary reintervention and stent removal using the string were 92% (12/13) and 77% (10/13), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Intraductal placement without ES using a long-stringed covered SEMS is a promising option for distal MBO. Since overgrowth on the papillary side is frequent, the procedure should be avoided in patients with short distances between the stricture and the papilla. (Clinical Trial Registry: UMIN000023370).

Impact of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy on the diagnosis of subepithelial tumors: A propensity score-matching analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Immunohistological evaluations are essential for diagnosing subepithelial tumors (SET). However, endoscopic ultrasound-guided sampling using fine-needle aspiration (FNA) needles is limited in its ability to procure core tissue for immunostaining. Fine-needle biopsy (FNB) needles may mitigate this limitation. The present study aimed to examine the efficacy of FNB needles for procuring samples that enable the diagnosis of SET. METHODS: One hundred sixty patients were included in the study and separated into those whose samples were obtained using FNB needles (FNB group) and those whose samples were procured using FNA needles (FNA group). Groups were compared regarding the conclusive diagnosis rate and unwarranted resection rate. Propensity score matching was introduced to reduce selection bias. RESULTS: Rates at which conclusive diagnoses were reached through adequate immunohistological evaluations were 82% and 60% in the FNB and FNA groups, respectively; this difference was significant (P = 0.013). Unwarranted resection rate was significantly lower in the FNB group (2%) than in the FNA group (14%; P = 0.032). Multivariate analyses showed that lesions ≤20 mm were a significant risk factor for lower conclusive diagnosis rates following the use of FNB needles (P = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Fine-needle biopsy needles can be useful for obtaining samples that facilitate the diagnosis of SET and for avoiding unwarranted resections. However, FNB needles may be less advantageous for small SET.