[Menetrier's disease and its association with gastric hyperplastic polyps]. / Enfermedad de Menetrier y su asociación a pólipos gástricos hiperplásicos.

Menetrier's disease represents a low prevalence clinical entity, characterized by complexity in its diagnosis, particularly due to the need to exclude its potential association with gastric cancer. In this context, we present the clinical case of a 54-year-old male with nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms and hypoalbuminemia. During the upper endoscopy procedure, a noticeable thickening of gastric folds was observed, associated with multiple polypoid lesions in the stomach, predominantly in the fundus and body. Since the patient did not show improvement in symptoms and given the inability to rule out gastric cancer, total gastrectomy was chosen as the treatment. Surgical specimen and histology confirmed the presence of Menetrier's disease.

Histological assessment of endometrial polyps resected by hysteroscopy.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the clinical data and pathologic aspects of endometrial polyps (EMPs) excised completely during surgical hysteroscopy and assess the connection between premalignant and malignant EMPs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study includes 489 participants who underwent hysteroscopy due to endometrial polyps, and the clinical features and histological findings of the resected polyps analyzed. RESULTS: Participants with EMPs were divided into six groups according to histologic findings. The histologic finding of most cases was simple benign endometrial polyp [397 patients (81.2%)]. Malignant polyp was detected in 3 patients (0.6%). The histologic findings according to age, menopausal status, and menstrual bleeding patterns at the time of presentation to the outpatient clinic were compared; however, no significant difference was observed. 237 patients were observed to have menometrorrhagia, which was the most prevalent symptom reported. The distribution of polyp sizes observed at hysteroscopy according to histologic findings was compared, but no significant difference was observed. CONCLUSIONS: EMPs are often benign but can include premalignant or malignant tissue changes. Hysteroscopy is used for direct observation of the uterine cervix and resection of existing polyps, considering the increasing frequency of its use as a diagnostic and treatment tool.

Misdiagnosed Asthma Turned Out to Be Bronchial Fibroepithelial Polyp: Case Report and Review of Literature.

Bronchial fibroepithelial polyps are exceedingly rare with few cases have been reported. They can manifest with a wide array of symptoms; ranging from being totally asymptomatic, cough, refractory dyspnea, and hemoptysis. In our case, our patient's condition was diagnosed and was managed as asthma. It is one of the rare benign conditions to be encountered, shares similar morphology with other tumors such as angiomyofibroblastoma, aggressive angiomyxoma, and cellular angiofibroma. These lesions have a slow growth pattern which may end up with obstruction. According to the tumor size and symptoms caused by it, treatment varies from observation to complete resection. This case describes an incidental finding of fibroepithelial polyp in the main bronchus for a patient with long-term refractory cough for 5 years, was misdiagnosed to have asthma. Diagnosis typically involves imaging and bronchoscopy, followed by appropriate therapeutic measures and careful monitoring to assess the prognosis.

Clinicopathologic and endoscopic characteristics of ten patients with gastric hamartomatous inverted polyp: a single center case series.

BACKGROUND: Gastric hamartomatous inverted polyps (GHIPs) are not well characterized and remain diagnostically challenging due to rarity. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the clinicopathologic and endoscopic characteristics of patients with GHIP. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed clinicopathologic and endoscopic features of ten patients with GHIP who were admitted to Beijing Friendship Hospital from March 2013 to July 2022. All patients were treated successfully by endoscopic resection. RESULTS: GHIPs were usually asymptomatic and found incidentally during gastroscopic examination. They may be sessile or pedunculated, with diffuse or local surface redness or erosion. On endoscopic ultrasonography, the sessile submucosal tumor-type GHIP demonstrated a heterogeneous lesion with cystic areas in the third layer of the gastric wall. Histologically, GHIPs were characterized by a submucosal inverted proliferation of cystically dilated hyperplastic gastric glands accompanied by a branching proliferation of smooth muscle bundles. Inflammatory cells infiltration was observed in the stroma, whereas only one patient was complicated with glandular low-grade dysplasia. Assessment of the surrounding mucosa demonstrated that six patients (60%) had atrophic gastritis or Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis, and four patients (40%) had non-specific gastritis. Endoscopic resection was safe and effective. CONCLUSIONS: GHIPs often arise from the background of abnormal mucosa, such as atrophic or H.pylori-associated gastritis. We make the hypothesis that acquired inflammation might lead to the development of GHIPs. We recommend to make a full assessment of the background mucosa and H. pylori infection status for evaluation of underlying gastric mucosal abnormalities, which may be the preneoplastic condition of the stomach.

Clinicopathological Pattern of Endometrial Specimens in Women with Abnormal Uterine Bleeding and Ultrasonography Correlation.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) refers to any symptomatic deviation from normal menstruation. AUB is a common gynecological disorder in non-pregnant women of reproductive age, accounting for approximately 33% of gynecological outpatient visits. The early diagnosis and management cause of AUB is important because of increased incidence of endometrial carcinoma with rapid growth. Transvaginal ultrasound is non-invasive imaging technique used to find endometrial carcinoma before referring patients for invasive techniques. Dilatation and curettage (D&C) and endometrial biopsy are surgical procedures that scrape the endometrial lining of the uterus for diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study is to describe the clinicopathologic pattern of endometrial specimens in women with AUB and ultrasonographic correlation. METHODS: Tissues from endometrial biopsy and curettage of 411 patients with AUB who referred to Shahid Mohammadi hospital were prospectively selected from 2021 to 2023. Patients were divided into three groups based on age and menstrual status including: premenopausal (18-39 years), perimenopausal (40-49 years) and postmenopausal (≥50 years). The results were correlated to patient's age and other data and evaluated with statistical analysis. RESULTS: During the two-year study period, a total of 411 endometrial specimens with clinical diagnosis of AUB were submitted and the results were analyzed. The youngest patient presenting with AUB was 21 years old, while the oldest was 77 years old. The most common complaint was menorrhagia in 201 (48.0%) out of 411 patients. The most common pathology finding in three groups was polyp in 100 (24.3%) cases. Hormonal effect was the next commonly observed pattern seen in 70 (17.0%) cases. P value was calculated as 0.003 which was significant using chi-square for the trend seen in age. CONCLUSION: Endometrial sampling is a useful tool for evaluation of women with AUB and referring patients for treatment. Histopathological evaluation of the endometrium is very useful in detecting the etiology of AUB. Transvaginal sonography has high sensitivity in detecting polyps.

Proton Pump Inhibitor Associated Multiple Gastric Hyperplastic Polyps With Uncontrollable Bleeding: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) has been reported to be strongly associated with the development of fundic gland polyps (FGPs). Conversely, a few cases of gastric hyperplastic polyps (GHPs) associated with PPI use have been reported. We experienced a case of PPI-associated multiple GHPs with uncontrollable bleeding. CASE REPORT: A 64 year old man with a history of rheumatoid arthritis presented to the hospital with complaints of vertigo and black stools. Blood tests revealed anemia and hypoproteinemia. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) showed blood and black residue accumulated in the stomach. The source of the bleeding was multiple hyperplastic polyps. Bleeding could be stopped even with fasting, and total blood transfusions amounted to 28 units of RBCs were required in 18 days. After the cessation of PPI, EGD showed that the polyps had almost disappeared. Pathological diagnosis of resected polyp was hyperplastic polyp, which was characterized by capillary hyperplasia and edema. Gastrin receptors were over-expressed in the foveolar epithelium and not in the capillaries. Methotrexate (MTX)-induced portal hypertensive gastroenteropathy was revealed during follow-up. We consider that the effect of portal hypertension may have caused the capillary hyperplasia. CONCLUSION: Although PPI-related polyps are usually fundic gland polyps and do not cause life-threatening adverse events, we experienced PPI-related GHPs in which hemostasis was difficult to control.

Prediction of neoplastic gallbladder polyps in patients with different age level based on preoperative ultrasound: a multi-center retrospective real-world study.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of neoplastic polyps in gallbladder polyps (GPs) increases sharply with age and is associated with gallbladder carcinoma (GBC). This study aims to predict neoplastic polyps and provide appropriate treatment strategies based on preoperative ultrasound features in patients with different age level. METHODS: According to the age classification of WHO, 1523 patients with GPs who underwent cholecystectomy from January 2015 to December 2019 at 11 tertiary hospitals in China were divided into young adults group (n=622), middle-aged group (n=665) and elderly group (n=236). Linear scoring models were established based on independent risk variables screened by the Logistic regression model in different age groups. The area under ROC (AUC) to evaluate the predictive ability of linear scoring models, long- and short- diameter of GPs. RESULTS: Independent risk factors for neoplastic polyps included the number of polyps, polyp size (long diameter), and fundus in the young adults and elderly groups, while the number of polyps, polyp size (long diameter), and polyp size (short diameter) in the middle-aged groups. In different age groups, the AUCs of its linear scoring model were higher than the AUCs of the long- and short- diameter of GPs for differentiating neoplastic and non-neoplastic polyps (all P<0.05), and Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test showed that the prediction accuracy of the linear scoring models was higher than the long- and short- diameter of GPs (all P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The linear scoring models of the young adults, middle-aged and elderly groups can effectively distinguish neoplastic polyps from non-neoplastic polyps based on preoperative ultrasound features.

Risk prediction and analysis of gallbladder polyps with deep neural network.

The aim of this study is to analyze the risk factors associated with the development of adenomatous and malignant polyps in the gallbladder. Adenomatous polyps of the gallbladder are considered precancerous and have a high likelihood of progressing into malignancy. Preoperatively, distinguishing between benign gallbladder polyps, adenomatous polyps, and malignant polyps is challenging. Therefore, the objective is to develop a neural network model that utilizes these risk factors to accurately predict the nature of polyps. This predictive model can be employed to differentiate the nature of polyps before surgery, enhancing diagnostic accuracy. A retrospective study was done on patients who had cholecystectomy surgeries at the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of the Second People's Hospital of Shenzhen between January 2017 and December 2022. The patients' clinical characteristics, lab results, and ultrasonographic indices were examined. Using risk variables for the growth of adenomatous and malignant polyps in the gallbladder, a neural network model for predicting the kind of polyps will be created. A normalized confusion matrix, PR, and ROC curve were used to evaluate the performance of the model. In this comprehensive study, we meticulously analyzed a total of 287 cases of benign gallbladder polyps, 15 cases of adenomatous polyps, and 27 cases of malignant polyps. The data analysis revealed several significant findings. Specifically, hepatitis B core antibody (95% CI -0.237 to 0.061, p < 0.001), number of polyps (95% CI -0.214 to -0.052, p = 0.001), polyp size (95% CI 0.038 to 0.051, p < 0.001), wall thickness (95% CI 0.042 to 0.081, p < 0.001), and gallbladder size (95% CI 0.185 to 0.367, p < 0.001) emerged as independent predictors for gallbladder adenomatous polyps and malignant polyps. Based on these significant findings, we developed a predictive classification model for gallbladder polyps, represented as follows, Predictive classification model for GBPs = -0.149 * core antibody - 0.033 * number of polyps + 0.045 * polyp size + 0.061 * wall thickness + 0.276 * gallbladder size - 4.313. To assess the predictive efficiency of the model, we employed precision-recall (PR) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The area under the curve (AUC) for the prediction model was 0.945 and 0.930, respectively, indicating excellent predictive capability. We determined that a polyp size of 10 mm served as the optimal cutoff value for diagnosing gallbladder adenoma, with a sensitivity of 81.5% and specificity of 60.0%. For the diagnosis of gallbladder cancer, the sensitivity and specificity were 81.5% and 92.5%, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of our predictive model and provide valuable insights into accurate diagnosis and risk assessment for gallbladder polyps. We identified several risk factors associated with the development of adenomatous and malignant polyps in the gallbladder, including hepatitis B core antibodies, polyp number, polyp size, wall thickness, and gallbladder size. To address the need for accurate prediction, we introduced a novel neural network learning algorithm. This algorithm utilizes the aforementioned risk factors to predict the nature of gallbladder polyps. By accurately identifying the nature of these polyps, our model can assist patients in making informed decisions regarding their treatment and management strategies. This innovative approach aims to improve patient outcomes and enhance the overall effectiveness of care.

Investigation of Clinical, Laboratory, Imaging Findings and Histopathological Features of Patients with Gastric Neuroendocrine Cell Hyperplasia.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia is a non-neoplastic proliferation of enterochromaffin-like cells and is considered a premalignant lesion because of their potential to progress to neuroendocrine tumor. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the demographic and clinical features, laboratory, radiological and endoscopic findings, gastric biopsy histopathological features, follow-up frequency, and histopathological findings of patients diagnosed with gastric neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia as well as to investigate the factors that play a role in the development of neuroendocrine tumors on the basis of neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study has been conducted in 2 centers with 282 patients that were grouped as those with and without neuroendocrine tumor. Individuals with control endoscopy were separated as those with regression of neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia and those without regression, and the determined parameters were evaluated between the groups. RESULTS: The most common histological subtype of neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia was linear+micronodular (50.4%). Neuroendocrine tumor developed in 4.3% (12/282) of the patients with neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia after a mean of 36 months. The presence of polyps as confirmed via endoscopy and dysplasia as confirmed via histopathological examination was significantly higher in favor of the group with neuroendocrine tumor (P = .01). In patients with neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia regressed and patients in whom it did not regress were examined, the rate of asymptomatic patients and increased sedimentation rate were found in favor of the group that did not regress (P = .02 and P = .02), but no difference was found in other parameters. CONCLUSION: Neuroendocrine tumor development rate was found to be 4.3% in the background of neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia. Two factors predicting progression from neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia to neuroendocrine tumor can be elaborated as the presence of polypoid appearance due to neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia as confirmed via endoscopy and dysplasia as confirmed via histopathological examination.

Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Intrinsic Abnormalities in Endometrial Polyps.

Endometrial polyps (EPs) are benign overgrowths of the endometrial tissue lining the uterus, often causing abnormal bleeding or infertility. This study analyzed gene expression differences between EPs and adjacent endometrial tissue to elucidate intrinsic abnormalities promoting pathological overgrowth. RNA sequencing of 12 pairs of EPs and the surrounding endometrial tissue from infertile women revealed 322 differentially expressed genes. Protein-protein interaction network analysis revealed significant alterations in specific signaling pathways, notably Wnt signaling and vascular smooth muscle regulation, suggesting these pathways play critical roles in the pathophysiology of EPs. Wnt-related genes DKK1 and DKKL1 were upregulated, while GPC3, GREM1, RSPO3, SFRP5, and WNT10B were downregulated. Relevant genes for vascular smooth muscle contraction were nearly all downregulated in EPs, including ACTA2, ACTG2, KCNMB1, KCNMB2, MYL9, PPP1R12B, and TAGLN. Overall, the results indicate fundamental gene expression changes promote EP formation through unrestrained growth signaling and vascular defects. The intrinsic signaling abnormalities likely contribute to clinical symptoms of abnormal uterine bleeding and infertility common in EP patients. This analysis provides molecular insights into abnormal endometrial overgrowth to guide improved diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for this troublesome women's health condition. Confirmation of expanded cohorts and further investigations into implicated regulatory relationships are warranted.

Enhancing endoscopic measurement: validating a quantitative method for polyp size and location estimation in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Accurate measurement of polyps size is crucial in predicting malignancy, planning relevant intervention strategies and surveillance schedules. Endoscopists' visual estimations can lack precision. This study builds on our prior research, with the aim to evaluate a recently developed quantitative method to measure the polyp size and location accurately during a simulated endoscopy session. METHODS: The quantitative method merges information about endoscopic positions obtained from an electromagnetic tracking sensor, with corresponding points on the images of the segmented polyp border. This yields real-scale 3D coordinates of the border of the polyp. By utilising the sensor, positions of any anatomical landmarks are attainable, enabling the estimation of a polyp's location relative to them. To verify the method's reliability and accuracy, simulated endoscopies were conducted in pig stomachs, where polyps were artificially created and assessed in a test-retest manner. The polyp measurements were subsequently compared against clipper measurements. RESULTS: The average size of the fifteen polyps evaluated was approximately 12 ± 4.3 mm, ranging from 5 to 20 mm. The test-retest reliability, measured by the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) for polyp size estimation, demonstrated an absolute agreement of 0.991 (95% CI 0.973-0.997, p < 0.05). Bland & Altman analysis revealed a mean estimation difference of - 0.17 mm (- 2.03%) for polyp size and, a mean difference of - 0.4 mm (- 0.21%) for polyp location. Both differences were statistically non-significant (p > 0.05). When comparing the proposed method with calliper measurements, the Bland & Altman plots showed 95% of size estimation differences between - 1.4 and 1.8 mm (- 13 to 17.4%) which was not significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The proposed method of measurements of polyp size and location was found to be highly accurate, offering great potential for clinical implementation to improve polyp assessment. This level of performance represents a notable improvement over visual estimation technique used in clinical practice.

Large vulvar fibroepithelial polyp and review of differentials.

Vulval fibroepithelial polyps (FEPs) are a rare type of vulval fibroblastic tumour commonly found in premenopausal women. It is important to obtain an accurate pathological diagnosis because, despite being benign, the condition shares some characteristics with malignant vulva lesions in its differential diagnosis. We present a case of young woman in her 20s with a giant FEP. After surgical excision, the patient did not manifest any signs of recurrence after 1-year follow-up. Our review focuses on the distinguishing characteristics of these rare neoplasms as we explore their differential diagnosis.

Ultrasound finding of endometrial polyp and factors increasing risk of malignancy.

This article presents a comprehensive review of factors that increase the risk of malignancy in ultrasound findings of an endometrial polyp. We collected original studies, reviews, and meta-analyses that dealt with the topic of endometrial polyps and the risk of developing endometrial cancer. Each presumed risk factor was analysed individually. According to searched studies, abnormal uterine bleeding, old age, and body mass index are valid risk factors for developing endometrial cancer in endometrial polyps. Lynch syndrome patients are also in a high-risk group for endometrial cancer. On the other hand, the number of polyps, their size, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and positive family history are factors with inconclusive results. There are either not enough data or different results among several studies.

Evaluation of whether there is residual polyp tissue after hysteroscopic morcellation at Cam and Sakura City Hospital: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: In polypectomy with mechanical hysteroscopic morcellators, the tissue removal procedure continues until no polyp tissue remains. The decision that the polypoid tissues were removed completely is made based on visual evaluation. In a situation where the polyp tissue was visually completely removed and no doubt that the polyp has been completely removed, short spindle-like tissue fragments on the polyp floor continue in most patients. There are no studies in the literature on whether visual evaluation provides adequate information at the cellular level in many patients in whom polypoid tissues have been determined to be completely removed. The aim of the present study was to analyze the pathological results of the curettage procedure, which was applied following the completion of polyp removal with operative hysteroscopy, and to evaluate whether there was residual polyp tissue in the short spindle-like tissue fragments that the mechanical hysteroscopic morcellator could not remove. The secondary aims of this study were to compare conventional loop resection hysteroscopy with hysteroscopic morcellation for the removal of endometrial polyps in terms of hemoglobin/hematocrit changes, polypectomy time and the amount of medium deficit. METHODS: A total of 70 patients with a single pedunculate polypoid image of 1.5-2 cm, which was primarily visualized by office hysteroscopy, were included in the study. Patients who had undergone hysteroscopic polypectomy were divided into two groups according to the surgical device used: the morcellator group (n = 35, Group M) and the resectoscope group (n = 35, Group R). The histopathological results of hysteroscopic specimens and curettage materials of patients who had undergone curettage at the end of operative hysteroscopy were evaluated. In addition, the postoperative 24th hour Hb/HCT decrease amounts in percentage, the polypectomy time which was measured from the start of morcellation, and deficit differences were compared between groups. RESULTS: In total, 7 patients in the morcellator group had residual polyp tissue detected in the full curettage material. The blood loss was lower in the morcellator group than in the resectoscope group (M, R; (-0.07 ± 0.08), (-0,11 ± 0.06), (p < 0.05), respectively). The deficit value of the morcellator group were higher (M, R; (500 ml), (300 ml), (p < 0.05), respectively). The polypectomy time was shorter in the morcellator group (M, R; mean (2.30 min), (4.6 min), (p < 0.05)). CONCLUSIONS: Even if the lesion is completely visibly removed during hysteroscopic morcellation, extra caution should be taken regarding the possibility of residual tissue. There is a need for new studies investigating the presence of residual polyp tissue.

High frequency electrocoagulation resection effect analysis and prognosis observation in the treatment of patients with gastric polyps under painless gastroscopy.

To explore high frequency electrocoagulation resection effect in treatment of patients with gastric polyps under painless gastroscopy. Sixty-four patients with gastric polyps were randomly divided into experimental group (32 cases) and control group (32 cases). Experimental group received basic treatment drugs for 8 weeks, and then treated with painless gastroscope high-frequency electrocoagulation resection. Control group was also given basic treatment drugs for 8 weeks, and then received high-frequency electrocoagulation resection under ordinary gastroscope. The patients in both groups were given rabeprazole sodium enteric coated capsules for 4 weeks. The improvement of symptom score, postoperative gastric mucosal healing and comprehensive curative effect of the 2 groups were observed after treatment. The patients with polyps cured under gastroscopy were subjected to a 6-month follow-up period during which gastroscopy was performed to assess the recurrence of polyps. Symptom scores comparison after treatment showed that experimental group had obvious advantages in improving epigastric fullness, fatigue and loose stool in patients with gastric polyps (P < .01 or P < .05). Gastric mucosa healing in experimental group was better at 2 weeks after operation (P < .05), showing no difference 4 weeks after operation (P > .05). Comprehensive curative effect comparison showed that the experimental group was better (P < .01), showing no difference in long-term efficacy (P > .05). In treating patients with gastric polyps, painless endoscopic high-frequency electrocoagulation resection effect is better, which not only promotes postoperative rehabilitation in patients but also reduces complications incidence, demonstrating a high level of safety. Therefore, it is highly recommended for widespread adoption and application.

Office-based blue laser therapy for vocal fold polyps and Reinke's edema: a case study and review of the literature.

PURPOSE: To report the efficacy of blue laser in the treatment of vocal fold polyps and Reinke's edema in an office setting. METHODS: The medical records and video-recordings of patients who underwent office-based blue laser therapy in a tertiary referral center for vocal fold polyps and/or Reinke's edema were reviewed. The primary outcome measures were the Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) score and disease regression. Acoustic and aerodynamic parameters were also analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients (21 with vocal fold polyps and 14 with Reinke's edema) were included and a total of 47 lesions were treated. Out of the 35 patients, 7 patients were lost for follow-up. The mean VHI-10 score dropped significantly after surgery by 17.41 ± 8.67 points (p < 0.001). The endoscopic examinations of 38 lesions were reviewed (17 vocal fold polyps and 21 Reinke's edema) before and up to 6 months after laser therapy. In the subgroup with vocal fold polyps (N = 17), there was complete disease regression in 13 and partial in 4. In the subgroup with Reinke's edema (N = 21), there was complete disease regression in 7 and partial disease regression in 14. For patients with vocal fold polyp, there was a significant decrease in shimmer and a significant increase in maximum phonation time postoperatively. For patients with Reinke's edema, there was a significant decrease in shimmer and noise-to-harmonic ratio following treatment. CONCLUSION: Office-based blue laser therapy is an effective treatment for vocal fold polyps and Reinke's edema leading to complete or partial disease regression. All patients had improvement in voice quality.

The Spigelman Staging System and the Risk of Duodenal and Papillary Cancer in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Individuals with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) have an almost 20% lifetime risk of duodenal adenocarcinoma, currently the leading cause of death in FAP. The Spigelman staging system provides guidance on the surveillance intervals and timing of prophylactic surgery. Still, its accuracy in predicting duodenal and papillary cancer development has not been systematically evaluated. We investigated the sensitivity and cancer risk of the Spigelman stages. METHODS: We performed a systematic review on PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane and used a random-effects model to pool effect sizes. RESULTS: After removing duplicate entries, we screened 1,170 records and included 27 studies for quantitative analysis. Once duodenal polyposis reaches Spigelman stage IV, the risk of duodenal and papillary cancers increased to 25% (95% confidence interval [CI] 12%-45%). However, the sensitivity of Spigelman stage IV for these cancers was low (51%, 95% CI 42%-60%), especially for papillary adenocarcinoma (39%, 95% CI 16%-68%). We investigated the reasons behind these low values and observed that duodenal cancer risk factors included polyps >10 mm, polyp count >20, and polyps with high-grade dysplasia. Risk factors associated with papillary cancer included a papilla with high-grade dysplasia or >10 mm. The evidence on other risk factors was inconclusive. DISCUSSION: The current Spigelman staging system had a low sensitivity for duodenal and papillary adenocarcinomas. Two Spigelman variables (duodenal villous histology and polyp count) and the lack of papilla-specific variables likely contributed to the low sensitivity values for duodenal and papillary cancers, respectively. While clinicians may be familiar with its current form, there is an urgent need to update it.

Advances in the management of gallbladder polyps: establishment of predictive models and the rise of gallbladder-preserving polypectomy procedures.

Gallbladder polyps are a common biliary tract disease whose treatment options have yet to be fully established. The indication of "polyps ≥ 10 mm in diameter" for cholecystectomy increases the possibility of gallbladder excision due to benign polyps. Compared to enumeration of risk factors in clinical guidelines, predictive models based on statistical methods and artificial intelligence provide a more intuitive representation of the malignancy degree of gallbladder polyps. Minimally invasive gallbladder-preserving polypectomy procedures, as a combination of checking and therapeutic approaches that allow for eradication of lesions and preservation of a functional gallbladder at the same time, have been shown to maximize the benefits to patients with benign polyps. Despite the reported good outcomes of predictive models and gallbladder-preserving polypectomy procedures, the studies were associated with various limitations, including small sample sizes, insufficient data types, and unknown long-term efficacy, thereby enhancing the need for multicenter and large-scale clinical studies. In conclusion, the emergence of predictive models and minimally invasive gallbladder-preserving polypectomy procedures has signaled an ever increasing attention to the role of the gallbladder and clinical management of gallbladder polyps.

In Search of Nodular Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia: A Distinct Entity or Simply Hyperplastic Polyps Arising in Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia?

CONTEXT.­: Nodular gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is a reported phenotype of GAVE that has histologic features overlapping with gastric hyperplastic polyps (GHPs), with additional features often seen in flat mucosa of GAVE. OBJECTIVE.­: To determine if nodular GAVE and GHPs are distinct lesions by evaluating the prevalence of features reported in nodular GAVE in GHPs with or without associated GAVE. DESIGN.­: A review of all lesions diagnosed as GHPs between 2014 and 2017 was performed. Slides were analyzed for a number of features including established histologic features of GAVE without knowledge of clinical or endoscopic features. RESULTS.­: A total of 90 polyps were analyzed including 18 from patients with GAVE (20%). GAVE polyps were larger than non-GAVE polyps (average size, 1.3 cm versus 0.68 cm; P < .001), with more common extensive ulceration and associated granulation tissue (61.11% [n = 11] versus 4.17% [n = 3]; P = .004), fibrin thrombi (50% [n = 9] versus 15% [n = 11]; P = .003), moderate to marked vascular ectasia (83% [n = 15] versus 35% [n = 11]; P = .001), and fibrohyalinosis (72% [n = 13] versus 28% [n = 20]; P = .001). All polyps showed foveolar hyperplasia and smooth muscle proliferation. There were no features that were exclusively found in GAVE or non-GAVE cases. CONCLUSIONS.­: Nodular GAVE appears to represent GHPs arising in a background of GAVE, with superimposed features found in flat mucosa of GAVE stomachs. The presence of fibrin thrombi, marked vascular ectasia, fibrohyalinosis, and/or ulceration in a GHP is suggestive but not diagnostic of GAVE, and the absence of these features does not rule out GAVE.

What Are Vocal Cord Nodules?

This Patient Page describes the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of vocal cord nodules.