Changes in fecal metabolic and lipidomic features by anti-TNF treatment and prediction of clinical remission in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Background: Therapeutic targets for ulcerative colitis (UC) and prediction models of antitumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy outcomes have not been fully reported. Objective: Investigate the characteristic metabolite and lipid profiles of fecal samples of UC patients before and after adalimumab treatment and develop a prediction model of clinical remission following adalimumab treatment. Design: Prospective, observational, multicenter study was conducted on moderate-to-severe UC patients (n = 116). Methods: Fecal samples were collected from UC patients at 8 and 56 weeks of adalimumab treatment and from healthy controls (HC, n = 37). Clinical remission was assessed using the Mayo score. Metabolomic and lipidomic analyses were performed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry and nano electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, respectively. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis was performed to establish a remission prediction model. Results: Fecal metabolites in UC patients markedly differed from those in HC at baseline and were changed similarly to those in HC during treatment; however, lipid profiles did not show these patterns. After treatment, the fecal characteristics of remitters (RM) were closer to those of HC than to those of non-remitters (NRM). At 8 and 56 weeks, amino acid levels in RM were lower than those in NRM and similar to those in HC. After 56 weeks, levels of 3-hydroxybutyrate, lysine, and phenethylamine decreased, and dodecanoate level increased in RM similarly to those in HC. The prediction model of long-term remission in male patients based on lipid biomarkers showed a higher performance than clinical markers. Conclusion: Fecal metabolites in UC patients markedly differ from those in HC, and the levels in RM are changed similarly to those in HC after anti-TNF therapy. Moreover, 3-hydroxybutyrate, lysine, phenethylamine, and dodecanoate are suggested as potential therapeutic targets for UC. A prediction model of long-term remission based on lipid biomarkers may help implement personalized treatment.

Korean Guidelines for Postpolypectomy Colonoscopic Surveillance: 2022 revised edition.

Colonoscopic polypectomy is effective in decreasing the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer (CRC). Premalignant polyps discovered during colonoscopy are associated with the risk of metachronous advanced neoplasia. Postpolypectomy surveillance is the most important method for managing advanced metachronous neoplasia. A more efficient and evidence-based guideline for postpolypectomy surveillance is required because of the limited medical resources and concerns regarding colonoscopy complications. In these consensus guidelines, an analytic approach was used to address all reliable evidence to interpret the predictors of CRC or advanced neoplasia during surveillance colonoscopy. The key recommendations state that the high-risk findings for metachronous CRC following polypectomy are as follows: adenoma ≥10 mm in size; 3 to 5 (or more) adenomas; tubulovillous or villous adenoma; adenoma containing high-grade dysplasia; traditional serrated adenoma; sessile serrated lesion containing any grade of dysplasia; serrated polyp of at least 10 mm in size; and 3 to 5 (or more) sessile serrated lesions. More studies are needed to fully comprehend the patients who are most likely to benefit from surveillance colonoscopy and the ideal surveillance interval to prevent metachronous CRC.

Korean guidelines for postpolypectomy colonoscopic surveillance: 2022 revised edition.

Colonoscopic polypectomy is effective in decreasing the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer (CRC). Premalignant polyps discovered during colonoscopy are associated with the risk of metachronous advanced neoplasia. Postpolypectomy surveillance is the most important method for the management of advanced metachronous neoplasia. A more efficient and evidence-based guideline for postpolypectomy surveillance is required because of limited medical resources and concerns regarding colonoscopy complications. In these consensus guidelines, an analytic approach was used to address all reliable evidence to interpret the predictors of CRC or advanced neoplasia during surveillance colonoscopy. The key recommendations state that the high-risk findings for metachronous CRC following polypectomy are as follows: (1) adenoma ≥10 mm in size; (2) 3 to 5 (or more) adenomas; (3) tubulovillous or villous adenoma; (4) adenoma containing high-grade dysplasia; (5) traditional serrated adenoma; (6) sessile serrated lesion (SSL) containing any grade of dysplasia; (7) serrated polyp of at least 10 mm in size; and (8) 3 to 5 (or more) SSLs. More studies are needed to fully comprehend the patients most likely to benefit from surveillance colonoscopy and the ideal surveillance interval to prevent metachronous CRC.

[Korean Guidelines for Postpolypectomy Colonoscopic Surveillance: 2022 Revised Edition].

Colonoscopic polypectomy is effective in decreasing the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer (CRC). Premalignant polyps discovered during colonoscopy are associated with the risk of metachronous advanced neoplasia. Postpolypectomy surveillance is the most important method for managing advanced metachronous neoplasia. A more efficient and evidence-based guideline for postpolypectomy surveillance is required because of the limited medical resources and concerns regarding colonoscopy complications. In these consensus guidelines, an analytic approach was used to address all reliable evidence to interpret the predictors of CRC or advanced neoplasia during surveillance colonoscopy. The key recommendations state that the high-risk findings for metachronous CRC following polypectomy are as follows: 1) adenoma ≥10 mm in size; 2) 3-5 (or more) adenomas; 3) tubulovillous or villous adenoma; 4) adenoma containing high-grade dysplasia; 5) traditional serrated adenoma; 6) sessile serrated lesion (SSL) containing any grade of dysplasia; 7) serrated polyp of at least 10 mm in size; and 8) 3-5 (or more) SSLs. More studies are needed to fully comprehend the patients who are most likely to benefit from surveillance colonoscopy and the ideal surveillance interval to prevent metachronous CRC.

Clinical outcomes and predictors of response for adalimumab in patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis: a KASID prospective multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study assessed the efficacy and safety of adalimumab (ADA) and explored predictors of response in Korean patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). METHODS: A prospective, observational, multicenter study was conducted over 56 weeks in adult patients with moderately to severely active UC who received ADA. Clinical response, remission, and mucosal healing were assessed using the Mayo score. RESULTS: A total of 146 patients were enrolled from 17 academic hospitals. Clinical response rates were 52.1% and 37.7% and clinical remission rates were 24.0% and 22.0% at weeks 8 and 56, respectively. Mucosal healing rates were 39.0% and 30.1% at weeks 8 and 56, respectively. Prior use of anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (anti-TNF-α) did not affect clinical and endoscopic responses. The ADA drug level was significantly higher in patients with better outcomes at week 8 (P<0.05). In patients with lower endoscopic activity, higher body mass index, and higher serum albumin levels at baseline, the clinical response rate was higher at week 8. In patients with lower Mayo scores and C-reactive protein levels, clinical responses, and mucosal healing at week 8, the clinical response rate was higher at week 56. Serious adverse drug reactions were identified in 2.8% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: ADA is effective and safe for induction and maintenance in Korean patients with UC, regardless of prior anti-TNF-α therapy. The ADA drug level is associated with the efficacy of induction therapy. Patients with better short-term outcomes were predictive of those with an improved long-term response.

Efficacy of a novel hemostatic adhesive powder in patients with upper gastrointestinal tumor bleeding.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal tumor bleeding remains a clinical challenge because it is difficult to treat with conventional endoscopic hemostatic options. Recently, an endoscopic hemostatic powder (UI-EWD) was developed and reported to provide effective control of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The aim of current study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of this novel hemostatic powder in tumor bleeding. METHODS: A total of 41 consecutive patients with upper gastrointestinal tumor bleeding were included. UI-EWD was applied in all patients as an auxiliary hemostatic method as a salvage therapy or monotherapy during endoscopic treatment. Hemostasis success rates, adverse event related to UI-EWD, and rates of re-bleeding were evaluated. RESULTS: In all cases, UI-EWD application was successful at tumor bleeding sites. Immediate hemostasis occurred in 40/41 (97.5%) patients, and re-bleeding within 28 days occurred in 10 of 40 (22.5%) patients that achieved initial hemostasis. The success rate of immediate hemostasis for UI-EWD monotherapy was 100% (23/23). The re-bleeding rate at 28 days after UI-EWD monotherapy was 26.1% (6/23). No adverse events associated with UI-EWD application were encountered. CONCLUSIONS: The success rate of UI-EWD for immediate hemostasis in cases of GI tumor bleeding was excellent and UI-EWD produced promising results with respect to the prevention of re-bleeding. Based on these results, we suggest that UI-EWD be considered an effective salvage therapy or even monotherapy for GI tumor bleeding.

Novel hemostatic adhesive powder for nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Background and study aims A new hemostatic adhesive powder (UI-EWD) was developed to reduce high rebleeding rates and technical challenges associated with application of currently available hemostatic powders. The aim of the current study was to assess performance of UI-EWD for nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB). Patients and methods A total of 56 consecutive patients that received UI-EWD monotherapy for endoscopic hemostasis due to NVUGIB were retrospectively reviewed. Main study outcomes were success rates with immediate hemostasis and rebleeding within 30 days. Outcomes were analyzed by reviewing patient medical records. Results Etiologies of bleeding were: post-endoscopic therapy bleeding in 46 (82.1 %), peptic ulcer in 8 (14.3 %), tumor in 1 (1.8 %), and other in 1 (1.8 %). UI-EWD was successfully applied at bleeding site in all cases. The success rate of immediate hemostasis was 96.4 % (54/56), and the 30-day rebleeding rate among patients that achieved immediate hemostasis was 3.7 % (2/54). No adverse event related to use of UI-EWD occurred. Conclusion UI-EWD was found to have a high immediate hemostasis success rate in NVUGIB when used as monotherapy and showed promising results in terms of preventing rebleeding.

Efficacy of a novel hemostatic adhesive powder in patients with refractory upper gastrointestinal bleeding: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: A new hemostatic adhesive powder (UI-EWD) has been developed to reduce the high re-bleeding rates associated with the currently available hemostatic powders. The current study aimed to assess the efficacy of UI-EWD as a salvage therapy for the treatment of refractory upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). METHODS: A total of 17 consecutive patients who had failed to achieve hemostasis with conventional endoscopic procedures and had undergone treatment with UI-EWD for endoscopic hemostasis in refractory UGIB were prospectively enrolled in the study. We evaluated the success rate of initial hemostasis and rate of re-bleeding within 30 days. RESULTS: All patients underwent successful UI-EWD application at the bleeding site. Initial hemostasis occurred in 16/17 patients (94 %). Re-bleeding within 30 days occurred in 3/16 patients (19 %) who had achieved initial hemostasis. In the second-look endoscopy after 24 hours, hydrogel from UI-EWD was found attached at the bleeding site in 11/16 patients (69 %). CONCLUSION: UI-EWD has a high success rate for initial hemostasis in refractory UGIB and shows promising results in the prevention of re-bleeding.

Endoscopic Enucleation Is Effective and Relatively Safe in Small Gastric Subepithelial Tumors Originating from Muscularis Propria.

BACKGROUND: Gastric subepithelial tumors originating from muscularis propria (MP) are usually benign, but some have malignant potential. AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of endoscopic enucleation for the diagnosis and treatment of MP tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2010 to February 2018, eighty patients with gastric MP tumors underwent endoscopic enucleation at our hospital. Band ligation and resection (BLR) or endoscopic muscularis resection (EMD) was performed based on considerations of tumor size (≤ 12 mm or > 12 mm). Tumor characteristics, procedure times, complete resection rates, adverse events and recurrence were analyzed. RESULTS: Eighty patients with 82 lesions were eligible for inclusion in this study. BLR was used to treat 41 lesions. For these lesions, mean tumor size was 9.5 mm, median procedural time was 17.6 min (range 4-52), and the endoscopic complete resection rate was 100% (41/41). Perforation was developed in four patients, and was closed by endoscopic clipping. EMD was used to treat 41 lesions. Median procedure time was 66.1 min (range 12-260) and the endoscopic complete resection rate was 85.4% (35/41). Perforation occurred in eight patients, four patients received endoscopic treatment and four underwent surgery. Tumor recurrence was not observed in any patient over follow-up (mean 26.3 months). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic enucleation appears to offer an effective, relatively safe means for diagnosing and treating gastric subepithelial tumors originating from the MP, and BLR provides a straightforward, effective, and relatively safe treatment for small MP tumors (≤ 12 mm).

CEGP-003 Spray Has a Similar Hemostatic Effect to Epinephrine Injection in Cases of Acute Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopically applicable hemostatic agents have been demonstrated to have high initial hemostasis rates in cases of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). AIMS: The authors developed a new hemostatic powder (CEGP-003) and evaluated its hemostatic and ulcer healing effects in UGIB. METHODS: Patients with peptic ulcer or post-endoscopic resection bleeding were randomly assigned to be treated by epinephrine injection or CEGP-003 spray. All patients were placed under observation for 3 days and underwent second-look endoscopy. The primary outcome was initial hemostasis rate, and the secondary outcomes were rebleeding rate and ulcer healing effect. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients with UGIB were enrolled in this study. Causes of bleeding were peptic ulcer (15, 20.5%), post-endoscopic mucosal resection (11, 15.1%), and post-endoscopic submucosal dissection bleeding (47, 64.4%). Initial hemostasis was achieved in 89.2% (34/37) of patients in the epinephrine group and in 100% (35/35) in the CEGP-003 group (p = 0.115). Rebleeding occurred in 2.7% (1/37) and 8.6% (3/35) in the epinephrine and CEGP-003 groups, respectively (p = 0.35). Three days after endoscopic hemostasis, the ulcer healing effects of epinephrine and CEGP-003 were similar (p = 0.79). CONCLUSION: This study shows that CEGP-003 spray has a hemostatic effect similar to epinephrine in terms of initial hemostasis and rebleeding rates. The authors consider CEGP-003 a potential therapeutic tool for UGIB as a definitive or bridge therapy and that it is particularly useful for oozing lesions after endoscopic resection.

Risk factors associated with adverse events during endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue sampling.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is commonly used to obtain tissue external to the gastrointestinal tract. EUS-FNA is relatively safe, but occasionally adverse events have been reported. There is scarcity of data on risk factors of adverse events. The aim of this study is to identify risk factors associated with EUS-FNA. METHODS: In this multicenter case-control study, we retrospectively reviewed 4,097 cases between 2009 and 2012 at 15 hospitals in Korea. Among the patients there were 104 cases (2.5%) who had adverse events of which 12 (0.29%) were severe. We matched 520 controls (1:5 ratios) stratified by hospital to analyze the potential risk factors. RESULTS: The most common adverse events were pancreatitis (45/104, 43.3%) and infection (46/104, 44.2%). Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) on the same day was a risk factor of all adverse events [OR = 2.41, 95% CI (1.41, 4.12)], pancreatitis [OR = 2.31, 95% CI (1.02, 5.25)], and infection [OR = 2.75, 95% CI (1.31, 5.78)]. More than 15 to-and-fro movements during puncture increased the risk of pancreatitis [OR = 2.30, 95% CI (1.11, 4.77)] and infection [OR = 3.65, 95% CI (1.55, 8.59)]. A higher number of punctures was positively correlated with pancreatitis [OR = 1.34, 95% CI (1.08, 1.67)] but negatively correlated with infection [OR = 0.66, 95% CI (0.48, 0.89)]. CONCLUSIONS: EUS-FNA is a safe procedure in which serious adverse events are rare. We define some risk factors of adverse events during EUS-FNA, including ERCP on the same day, a higher number of punctures, and more than 15 to-and-fro movements.

A Case of Primary Small Bowel Melanoma Diagnosed by Single-Balloon Enteroscopy.

Although metastasis from cutaneous malignant melanoma to the small intestine is not uncommon, primary small bowel melanoma (SBM) is extremely rare. This case report describes a rare case of primary SBM, diagnosed by single-balloon enteroscopy. A 74-year-old man presented with recurrent melena. Upper endoscopy and colonoscopy were unremarkable. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed an ileal mass with ileo-ileal intussusception. Subsequent single-balloon enteroscopy identified an ileal tumor, which was histologically diagnosed as melanoma. Extensive clinical examination did not reveal any primary cutaneous lesions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of primary SBM in South Korea.

A Case of Thermal Esophageal Injury Induced by Sodium Picosulfate with Magnesium Citrate.

Although thermal esophageal injuries caused by hot food or tea have been reported, thermal esophageal injury due to sodium picosulfate with magnesium citrate (PSMC) used for bowel preparation is rarely reported. We report the case of a 56-year-old man who presented with esophageal injury after ingestion of PSMC. Instead of dissolving the PSMC in water before ingestion, he drank water immediately after swallowing PSMC powder. As soon as he drank water, he developed severe chest pain and hematemesis. Upper endoscopy revealed severe hemorrhagic, ulcerative mucosal change from upper to mid-esophagus. He was hospitalized for nine days, received conservative treatment (fasting and parenteral nutrition), and recovered without complications. When PSMC is used as a colonic cleansing agent, patients should be educated to take it after dissolving it sufficiently in 150 mL of water to avoid esophageal thermal injury.

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for Refractory and Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection: A Case Series of Nine Patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a highly effective therapy for refractory and recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Despite its excellent efficacy and recent widespread use, FMT has not been widely used in South Korea thus far. We describe our experience with FMT to treat refractory/recurrent CDI. METHODS: We conducted a chart review of patients who underwent FMT for refractory/recurrent CDI at Inha University Hospital, between March 2014 and June 2016. The demographic information, treatment data, and adverse events were reviewed. FMT was administered via colonoscopy and/or duodenoscopy. All stool donors were rigorously screened to prevent infectious disease transmission. RESULTS: FMT was performed in nine patients with refractory/recurrent CDI. All patients were dramatically cured. Bowel movement was normalized within one week after FMT. There were no procedure-related adverse events, except aspiration pneumonia in one patient. During the follow-up period (mean 11.4 months), recurrence of CDI was observed in one patient at one month after FMT due to antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: FMT is a safe, well-tolerated and highly effective treatment for refractory/recurrent CDI. Although there are many barriers to using FMT, we expect that FMT will be widely used to treat refractory/recurrent CDI in South Korea.

Endoscopic Resection for Small Rectal Neuroendocrine Tumors: Comparison of Endoscopic Submucosal Resection with Band Ligation and Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection.

Background and Aims. There is no consensus so far regarding the optimal endoscopic method for treatment of small rectal neuroendocrine tumor (NET). The aim of this study was to compare treatment efficacy, safety, and procedure time between endoscopic submucosal resection with band ligation (ESMR-L) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Methods. We conducted a prospective study of patients who visited Inha University Hospital for endoscopic resection of rectal NET (≦10 mm). Pathological complete resection rate, procedure time, and complications were evaluated. Results. A total of 77 patients were treated by ESMR-L (n = 53) or ESD (n = 24). En bloc resection was achieved in all patients. A significantly higher pathological complete resection rate was observed in the ESMR-L group (53/53, 100%) than in the ESD group (13/24, 54.2%) (P = 0.000). The procedure time of ESD (17.9 ± 9.1 min) was significantly longer compared to that of ESMR-L (5.3 ± 2.8 min) (P = 0.000). Conclusions. Considering the clinical efficacy, technical difficulty, and procedure time, the ESMR-L method should be considered as the first-line therapy for the small rectal NET (≤10 mm). ESD should be left as a second-line treatment for the fibrotic lesion which could not be removed using the ESMR-L method.

Post-marketing study of biosimilar infliximab (CT-P13) to evaluate its safety and efficacy in Korea.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of CT-P13 (Remsima(®)) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in South Korea. METHODS: This post-marketing study included patients with active moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease (CD), fistulizing CD (FCD), or moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis (UC) treated with CT-P13 and followed for 30 weeks. Assessments included treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and disease-specific clinical response and remission. RESULTS: No unexpected TEAEs were observed in the 173 patients recruited to date. TEAEs occurred in 18.1, 16.7, and 26.9% of CD, FCD, and UC patients, respectively. Treatment-related TEAEs occurred in 10% of patients and were mostly mild-moderate in severity. There were five serious TEAEs (two infusion-related reactions, two infections, one abdominal pain) and no cases of malignancy, pneumonia, or death. Positive outcomes for response/remission were reported regardless of whether patients had received prior infliximab or not. CONCLUSION: CT-P13 was well tolerated and efficacious in patients with IBD.

Effectiveness of contrast-enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasound for the evaluation of solid pancreatic masses.

AIM: To evaluate the usefulness of contrast-enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasound (CH-EUS) in differentiating between pancreatic adenocarcinomas and other pancreatic disease. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study evaluated 90 patients who were seen between November 2010 and May 2013. All these patients had solid pancreatic masses that had a hypoechoic appearance on EUS. All patients underwent CH-EUS to evaluate this diagnostic method's usefulness. The mass lesions observed on CH-EUS were classified into three categories based on their echo intensity: hypoenhanced, isoenhanced, and hyperenhanced lesions. We adjusted the sensitivity and the specificity of each category for detecting malignancies. We also estimated the accuracy of CH-EUS by comparing it to a pathological diagnosis. RESULTS: Of the 90 patients, 62 had a pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Fifty-seven out of 62 pancreatic adenocarcinomas showed a hypoenhanced pattern on CH-EUS. The sensitivity was 92%, the specificity 68% and the accuracy approximately 82%. The area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic analysis for CH-EUS was 0.799. There is a significant association between the hypoenhanced pattern on CH-EUS and pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma (χ(2) = 35.264, P < 0.001). In pathological examinations, the number of specimens for EUS-fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) was considered insufficient for diagnosis in three patients, and in two patients, the results were reported to be negative for malignancy. Pancreatic masses in all five patients revealed a hypoenhanced pattern with CH-EUS. Three patients were diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma based on the pathology results of a biopsy, and the remaining two patients were clinically diagnosed with malignancy. CONCLUSION: CH-EUS is useful for distinguishing between pancreatic adenocarcinoma and other pancreatic disease. When a pancreatic mass shows a hypoenhanced pattern on CH-EUS but involves either insufficient samples or negative results with EUS-FNA, clinicians might consider performing another pathologic diagnosis on the basis of an EUS-FNA sample or a biopsy.

Comparison of 22-gauge aspiration needle with 22-gauge biopsy needle in endoscopic ultrasonography-guided subepithelial tumor sampling.

OBJECTIVE. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) may facilitate tissue sampling for histopathological diagnosis of subepithelial tumors (SETs) in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. However, immunohistochemistry is not always feasible using EUS-FNA samples due to the low quality of specimens often obtained by aspiration. This study aimed to compare the use of 22-gauge (G) EUS-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) with 22G EUS-FNA for core sampling used for histopathological examination, including immunohistochemistry, in patients with GI SETs. METHODS. Twenty-eight patients with GI SETs ≥2 cm in size were prospectively enrolled at five university hospitals in Korea between January and June 2013. They were randomized to undergo either EUS-FNB or EUS-FNA. RESULTS. A total of 22 patients was finally analyzed in this study: 10 and 12 patients underwent EUS-FNA and EUS-FNB, respectively. Compared to the EUS-FNA group, the EUS-FNB group had a significantly lower median number of needle passes to obtain macroscopically optimal core samples (4 vs. 2, p = 0.025); higher yield rates of macroscopically and histologically optimal core samples with three needle passes (30% vs. 92%, p = 0.006; 20% vs. 75%, p = 0.010, respectively); and a higher diagnostic sufficiency rate (20% vs. 75%, p = 0.010). No technical difficulties were encountered in either group. CONCLUSIONS. This study shows that EUS-FNB has a better ability to obtain histological core samples and a higher diagnostic sufficiency rate than EUS-FNA and that EUS-FNB is a feasible, safe, and preferable modality for adequate core sampling for histopathological diagnosis of GI SETs.

Risk factors for long-term outcomes after initial treatment in hepatolithiasis.

Hepatobiliary complications, such as stone recurrence, recurrent cholangitis, liver abscess, secondary biliary cirrhosis, and cholangiocarcinoma may occur after treatment for hepatolithiasis. However, few previous studies have addressed the risk factors and long-term outcomes after initial treatment. Eighty-five patients with newly diagnosed hepatolithiasis, actively treated for hepatolithiasis, constituted the cohort of this retrospective study. Patients were treated by hepatectomy or nonoperative percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotomy. Long-term complications, such as recurrent cholangitis, liver abscess, secondary biliary cirrhosis, and cholangiocarcinoma, and their relationships with clinical parameters were analyzed. The mean follow-up period was 57.4 months. The overall hepatobiliary complication rate after the treatment was 17.6%. Multivariate analysis of suspected risk factors showed that complications were associated with age (HR, 1.046; CI, 1.006-1.089), bile duct stricture (HR, 4.894; CI, 1.295-18.495), and residual stones (HR, 3.482; CI, 1.214-9.981). In conclusion, several long-term hepatobiliary complications occur after hepatolithiasis treatment, and regular observation is necessary in patients with concomitant biliary stricture or residual stones.