Efficacy of early clip-with-line method for colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) remains demanding due to technical difficulties and high risk of perforation. Most of the reported traction methods are initiated after creating a mucosal flap, which is time consuming. To obtain a good visualization at the mucosal incision stage, we developed the early clip-with-line (ECL) method. This method was started immediately after injection of sodium hyaluronate solution into the submucosal layer. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and the safety of the ECL method for colorectal ESD. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed all cases of colorectal ESDs (41 cases in total) performed from January 2017 to February 2019 in our institution. From January 2017 to August 2018, 27 of these cases were performed using conventional (non-ECL) ESDs, while from September 2018 onwards, the remaining 14 cases were performed using the ECL method. Retrospective comparison between the ECL group and the non-ECL group was conducted in terms of clinical characteristics, treatment outcomes, and adverse events. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in clinical characteristics between two groups. Procedure time (median [range]) was significantly shorter in the ECL group than in the non-ECL group (66 [29-131] min vs 90 [30-410] min; P = 0.03). As for adverse events, no case of perforation occurred in the ECL group, whereas perforation was observed in 7.4% (2/27) cases in the non-ECL group (no significant difference). CONCLUSION: Early clip-with-line method for colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection reduced procedure time.

[A case of recurrent transverse colon cancer invading the pancreas and duodenum successfully treated with biliary and duodenal stenting].

We report a case of recurrent transverse colon cancer invading the pancreas and duodenum that was successfully treated with biliary and duodenal stenting. A 46-year-old man underwent ascending colostomy for the treatment of obstructive transverse colon cancer with hepatic metastasis. Chemotherapy achieved a partial response, but the levels of tumor markers later began to rise again. He then underwent right hemicolectomy and partial hepatectomy. Post-operative chemotherapy was administered, but the recurrent tumor caused obstructive jaundice and duodenal obstruction. These were successfully treated with biliary and duodenal stenting, and the patient was able to remain at home and maintain his quality of life.

Study of hemodynamic changes in portal systemic shunts and their relation to variceal relapse after endoscopic variceal ligation combined with ethanol sclerotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Among the factors influencing variceal relapse after endoscopic treatment, portal hemodynamic changes, especially in portal systemic shunts, could be the most important factor because hemodynamics are directly related to the development of esophageal varices. We aimed to clarify the influence of endoscopic treatment for esophageal varices on portal systemic shunts as well as its predictive value for variceal relapse. METHODS: Fifty patients who underwent combined endoscopic variceal ligation and injection sclerotherapy were examined with sonography and portography. RESULTS: Decrease of diameter, hepatopetal flow direction in the left gastric vein, or the presence of non-varices portal systemic shunt were sonographic findings related to a low incidence of variceal relapse. The presence of blood flow in and around the esophagus on venograms was highly predictive for variceal relapse. In patients with such venograms, non-varices portal systemic shunts did not develop. CONCLUSIONS: Sonographic assessment of hemodynamic changes in portal systemic shunt could be useful for estimating the results of endoscopic treatment for esophageal varices.

Portal-systemic encephalopathy in two patients without liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension.

The portal-systemic venous shunt is uncommon in patients without portal hypertension. We present two cases of portal-systemic encephalopathy due to extrahepatic shunt without liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Two women in their seventies were admitted to our hospital because of recurrent episodes of altered sensorium, drowsiness, slurred speech, disorientation, asterexis and high blood ammonia levels. There was no history of abdominal surgery or abdominal trauma. Clinical examination revealed no signs of portal hypertension or stigmata of chronic liver diseases. Brain CT and MRI scanning were unremarkable except for a high intensity signal in the basal ganglia on T1 weighted MRI images. Laboratory tests were almost normal except for the hyperammonemia occurring on several occasions. There was no evidence of liver cirrhosis by imaging. However, color Doppler showed an extra-hepatic shunt in both patients and pulsed Doppler showed decreased velocity and volume of the portal venous flow. These sonographic findings were confirmed during percutaneous transhepatic portography (PTP). Portal pressures measured during PTP were 9 and 11 mmHg. Needle biopsy ruled out idiopathic portal hypertension and liver cirrhosis. The diagnosis was portal systemic encephalopathy due to extra-hepatic portosystemic venous shunting. Both patients were treated by embolization of the shunting vessel with metallic coils.