Preoperative EUS-guided FNA: effects on peritoneal recurrence and survival in patients with pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: EUS-guided FNA (EUS-FNA) is an accurate and relatively safe tissue confirmation method for pancreatic cancer. However, there is concern that this procedure may spread tumor cells along the needle track or within the peritoneum. We aimed to estimate the effect of preoperative EUS-FNA on the risk of peritoneal recurrence and long-term outcomes in resected pancreatic cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed records of patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer who had undergone curative resection between 2009 and 2013 to investigate the overall survival, cancer-free survival, and peritoneal recurrence. Peritoneal recurrence was diagnosed based on image findings or cytology-confirmed ascites. RESULTS: Of 411 patients, 90 underwent preoperative EUS-FNA (EUS-FNA group), whereas 321 did not (non-EUS-FNA group). The median length of follow-up was 16.2 months (range, 2-46). Peritoneal recurrence occurred in 131 patients: 30% (27/90) in the EUS-FNA group versus 32% (104/321) in the non-EUS-FNA group (P = .66). Cancer-free survival or overall survival was not significantly different between the 2 groups: median overall survival of 25.3 months in the EUS-FNA group versus 23.7 months in the non-EUS-FNA group (P = .36) and median cancer-free survival of 12.7 months in the EUS-FNA group versus 11.6 months in the non-EUS-FNA group (P = .38). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative EUS-FNA for pancreatic cancer was not associated with an increased rate of peritoneal recurrence or mortality. Therefore, EUS-FNA is an accurate and safe method to obtain suspicious pancreatic mass tissue.

Predictors of Malignancy in "Pure" Branch-Duct Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm of the Pancreas without Enhancing Mural Nodules on CT Imaging: A Nationwide Multicenter Study.

Background/Aims: Presence of enhanced mural nodules, which can be visualized using computed tomography (CT), is one of high-risk stigmata in branch-duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (BD-IPMNs). Conversely, the absence of enhanced mural nodules on preoperative imaging does not exclude malignant risk. The present study aimed to investigate other morphological features as predictors of malignancy in "pure" BD-IPMNs without enhanced mural nodules on CT. Methods: This retrospective study included 180 patients with surgically confirmed "pure" BD-IPMNs of the pancreas and no enhanced mural nodules on preoperative CT. The study was conducted at 15 tertiary referral centers throughout South Korea. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify significant predictors of malignancy. Results: BD-IPMNs with low-grade (n=84) or moderate-grade (n=76) dysplasia were classified as benign; those with high-grade dysplasia (n=8) or invasive carcinoma (n=12) were classified as malignant. The multivariate analysis revealed that cyst size ≥30 mm (odds ratio, 8.6; p=0.001) and main pancreatic duct diameter ≥5 mm (odds ratio, 4.1; p=0.01) were independent risk factors for malignancy in "pure" BD-IPMNs without enhanced mural nodules on CT. Endoscopic ultrasound detected enhanced mural nodules (6/82) that had been missed on CT, and two IPMNs with enhanced mural nodules were malignant. Conclusions: In patients with "pure" BD-IPMNs who have no enhanced mural nodules on CT, cyst size ≥30 mm and main pancreatic duct diameter ≥5 mm may be associated with malignancy.

Efficacy of EUS-guided and ERCP-guided biliary drainage for malignant biliary obstruction: prospective randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: ERCP-guided biliary drainage (ERCP-BD) is a criterion standard treatment for malignant biliary obstruction when curative surgery is not an option. Alternative methods such as percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage would significantly lower the quality of life. EUS-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) has been developed and performed by experienced endoscopists. Therefore, the aims of this study were to evaluate the efficacy and safety of EUS-BD compared with ERCP in malignant biliary obstruction. METHODS: The prospective randomized controlled study was conducted, and 30 patients were enrolled: 15 for each EUS-BD and ERCP-BD arms. The technical success, procedural time, clinical success, and adverse events were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty patients had extrahepatic malignant biliary tract obstruction (19 men, 11 women). Twenty-seven patients had unresectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas, 1 patient had distal common bile duct cancer, and 2 patients had metastatic malignant lymphadenopathy. There were no significant differences both in terms of technical success rate and clinical success rate (100% vs 93% and 93% vs 100% in ERCP-BD vs EUS-BD, respectively; P = 1.00, P = 1.00). Four patients (31%) had tumor ingrowth-caused stent dysfunction in the ERCP-BD group, whereas 2 patients had food impaction and 2 patients had stent migration in the EUS-BD group. No significant procedure-related adverse events occurred in either group. CONCLUSIONS: This prospective randomized controlled study suggests that EUS-BD has similar safety to ERCP-BD. EUS-BD was not superior to ERCP-BD in terms of relief of malignant biliary obstruction. EUS-BD may have fewer cases of tumor ingrowth but may also have more cases of food impaction or stent migration. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT01421836.).

Comparison of 22-gauge standard fine needle versus core biopsy needle for endoscopic ultrasound-guided sampling of suspected pancreatic cancer: a randomized crossover trial.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is effective for tissue diagnosis of pancreatic mass. To improve diagnostic yield and drawbacks, 22-gauge (G) core biopsy (FNB) needle has been developed. This study aims to compare 22G FNA and FNB needles for EUS-guided sampling of suspected pancreatic cancer. METHODS: This is a randomized controlled crossover trial. A total of 60 patients with suspected unresectable pancreatic cancer referred for EUS-guided sampling were randomly assigned to two groups. Both groups had 22G FNA and FNB needles performed in a randomized order. The primary endpoint was the cytological, histological and overall diagnostic accuracy of pancreatic cancer. RESULTS: FNA and FNB needles reported similar level of diagnostic accuracy (FNA needle 95% vs. FNB needle 93.3%; p = .564), and it was not statistically different. However, cytological cellularity was significantly higher in the FNB needles compared to FNA needles (odds ratio 2.75, 95% confidence interval (CI)). There were no procedure-related complications in both needles. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic accuracy of EUS-guided sampling for pancreatic cancer using 22G FNA is comparable to FNB needles. The cytological quality of specimen is better in the FNB needle.

Evidence from a familial case suggests maternal inheritance of primary biliary cholangitis.

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is an idiopathic autoimmune liver disease characterized by chronic cholestasis and destruction of the intrahepatic bile ducts. Similar to other autoimmune diseases, the pathogenesis of PBC is considered to be a complex etiologic phenomenon involving the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Although a number of common variants associated with PBC have been reported from genome-wide association studies, a precise genetic mechanism underlying PBC has yet to be identified. Here, we describe a family with four sisters who were diagnosed with PBC. After the diagnosis of the index patient who was in an advanced stage of PBC, one sister presented with acute hepatitis, and two sisters were subsequently diagnosed with PBC. Notably, one half-sister with a different mother exhibited no evidence of PBC following clinical investigation. Our report suggests the possibility of a maternal inheritance of PBC susceptibility. Moreover, judging from the high-penetrance of the disease observed in this family, we inferred that a pathogenic genetic variant might be the cause of PBC development. We describe a family that exhibited diverse clinical presentations of PBC that included asymptomatic stages with mildly increased liver enzyme levels and symptomatic stages with acute hepatitis or advanced liver fibrosis. Additional studies are needed to investigate the role of genetic factors in the pathogenesis of this rare autoimmune disease.

[Trend in the Eradication Rates of Helicobacter pylori Infection Over the Last 10 Years in West Gyeonggi-do, Korea: A Single Center Experience].

Background/Aims: The eradication rate of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has been decreasing recently in Korea due to antibiotics resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate the trend of eradication rate and clinical factors affecting the eradication rate of H. pylori in the last 10 years in west Gyeonggi-do, Korea. Methods: The trends of eradication rate of H. pylori, gender, age, concomitant mediations, and clinical factors were retrospectively evaluated in patients with H. pylori infection between 2006 and 2015 (n=2,485). Results: The overall H. pylori eradication rate for the standard triple therapy was 82.5%. The annual eradication rates from 2006 to 2015 were 90%, 77.9%, 75.8%, 83.2%, 85.6%, 90.1%, 81.3%, 81.1%, 78.7%, and 78.8%, respectively, showing a significant decrement during the last five years (p<0.001). Higher eradication rate was observed in males than in females (p<0.001). Esomeprazole showed a higher eradication rate compared with pantoprazole between 2006 and 2010 (p<0.022). Age and the use of probiotics and mucosal protective agents played no significant role in the H. pylori eradication rate. The overall eradication rate for bismuth-based quadruple therapy was 94.4%. Conclusions: The eradication rate of H. pylori over the last 10 years for first-line therapy ranged from 75.8 to 90.1%; the eradication rate for triple therapy has declined. However, the eradication rate for quadruple therapy has remained unchanged over the last 10 years.

Postoperative changes of liver enzymes can distinguish between biliary stricture and graft rejection after living donor liver transplantation: A longitudinal study.

There is no known useful clinical parameter that can specifically predict a biliary stricture and differentiate it from other related complications after living donor liver transplantations (LDLT). The aims of this study were to determine whether the changes of liver enzymes can predict postoperative biliary stricture apart from other complications. We reviewed the medical records of 203 patients who underwent LDLT with duct to duct anastomosis from 2008 to 2010. The longitudinal changes of liver enzyme over time and the occurrence of complication were evaluated. A total of 124 patients had no complication up to 2 years after LDLT, and 74 patients had complications including biliary stricture and graft rejection. Complications developed more frequently in patients who's alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) did not return to the baseline plateau at 30 days after LDLT (ALP; P = .045, GGT; P = .047). Aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) increased continuously until the diagnosis of complication in both stricture and rejection groups with more rapid increase in enzymes in the rejection versus stricture group (P < .05). In addition, AST and ALT were 2-fold higher in the rejection than the stricture group at the diagnosis of each complication (AST; P < .05, ALT; P < .05). The increasing slope and final levels of AST and ALT are potentially helpful parameters to differentiate rejection and stricture, the 2 most common posttransplantation complications.

22G versus 25G biopsy needles for EUS-guided tissue sampling of solid pancreatic masses: a randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: No comparative study of 22-gauge biopsy needles (PC22) and 25-gauge biopsy needles (PC25) has been conducted. We prospectively compared the diagnostic accuracy of PC22 and PC25 in patients with pancreatic and peripancreatic solid masses. METHODS: We conducted a randomized noninferiority clinical study from January 2013 to May 2014 at Samsung Medical Center. A cytological and histological specimen of each pass was analyzed separately by an experienced pathologist. The primary outcome was to assess the diagnostic accuracy using the PC22 or PC25. Secondary outcomes included the optimal number of passes for adequate diagnosis, core specimen yield, sample adequacy, and complication rates. RESULTS: Diagnostic accuracy of combining cytology with histology in three cumulative passes was 97.1% (100/103) for the PC22 and 91.3% (94/103) for the PC25 group. Thus, noninferiority of PC25 to PC22 was not shown with a 10% noninferiority margin (difference, -5.8%; 95% CI, -12.1 to -0.5%). In a pairwise comparison with each needle type, two passes was non-inferior to three passes in the PC22 (96.1% vs. 97.1%; difference, -0.97%; 95% CI -6.63 to 4.69%) but noninferiority of two passes to three passes was not shown in the PC25 group (87.4% vs. 91.3%; difference, -3.88%; 95% CI, -13.5 to 5.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Non-inferiority of PC25 to PC22 diagnostic accuracy was not observed for solid pancreatic or peripancreatic masses without on-site cytology. PC22 may be a more ideal device because only two PC22 needle passes was sufficient to establish an adequate diagnosis, whereas PC25 required three or more needle passes.

Clinical Approach to Incidental Pancreatic Cystic Neoplasm in Outpatient Clinics.

Cystic lesions of the pancreas are increasingly observed due to increased use of abdominal images. The malignant rate of pancreas cystic lesion varies widely between various types. Identification of malignant or high-risk lesions is important when determining the appropriate course of management. Using these image findings, including cyst size, presence of solid components, and pancreatic duct involvement, the 2012 International Association of Pancreatology (IAP) and the 2015 American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) guidelines provide a rationale in identifying higher risk patients requiring further workups using an endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). EUS with fine needle aspiration and cytology allows confirmation of the cyst type and determines the risk of malignancy. Small cysts with no suspicious features may undergo the regular imaging study for regular surveillance due to low risk for malignancy. In this review, the differences between the 2012 IAP and 2015 AGA guidelines are presented, In addition to possible recommendations for management and surveillance.

Epigastric symptoms of gallbladder dyskinesia mistaken for functional dyspepsia: Retrospective observational study.

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a constellation of epigastric symptoms originating in the gastroduodenal region without organic and metabolic cause. However, similar confounding symptoms can also appear in patients with gallbladder (GB) dyskinesia. Therefore, symptoms of GB dyskinesia may be mistaken for FD. We aimed to identify GB dyskinesia as a cause of FD symptoms compatible with the Rome IV criteria and the need for an evaluation of GB function in patients with FD symptoms.We investigated information of patients with FD symptoms who underwent a quantitative Tc-diisoproyl iminodiacetic acid cholescintigraphy (DISIDA scan) through electronic medical records, and GB dyskinesia was judged to be the cause of the FD symptoms if the symptoms disappeared as GB function normalized on the follow-up DISIA scan in patient with decreased GB function on the initial DISIDA scan.A total of 275 patients underwent a DISIDA scan. Eighteen patients of them had FD symptoms compatible with the Rome IV criteria. Three were lost after undergoing a DISIDA scan. Eight had normal GB function, and the other 7 had decreased GB function on the initial DISIDA scan. In 4 of the 7 patients with GB dyskinesia, FD symptoms disappeared as GB function normalized. As a result, GB dyskinesia was the cause of the symptoms in 4 of 18 patients with FD symptoms compatible with the Rome IV criteria.It is necessary to evaluate GB function in patients with refractory FD symptoms because the symptoms can be caused by GB dyskinesia.

Development of a scoring system for differentiating IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis from primary sclerosing cholangitis.

BACKGROUND: Recent research has shown that a substantial number of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) can also have elevated serum/tissue IgG4. The aim of our study was to develop a simple scoring system for the discrimination of IgG4-related sclerosing cholangits (IgG4-SC) from PSC. METHODS: Patients with IgG4-SC (n = 39) and PSC (n = 76) who had intrahepatic/hilar strictures were included. Candidate-differentiating variables included patient age, other organ involvement (OOI), inflammatory bowel disease, serum IgG4, and cholangiographic features. A scoring system was developed on the basis of these variables, and its performance was internally validated using a bootstrapping-based method. RESULTS: The scoring system in the final model included age (<30 years, 0 points; 30-39 years, 1 point; 40-49 years, 2 points; 50-59 years, 3 points; ≥60 years, 4 points), OOI (no, 0 points; yes, 3 points), and beaded appearance (yes, 0 points; no, 2 points). The patients were classified according to their total score into three categories: 0-4 points, probable PSC; 5-6 points, indicating diagnostic steroid trial; 7-9 points, probable IgG4-SC. The discrimination between IgG4-SC and PSC using the scoring system was excellent (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.986). CONCLUSIONS: A reliable differentiation of IgG4-SC from PSC can be made using the scoring system presented here. We suggest the diagnosis of IgG4-SC at a cutoff of 7 points or higher and the indication of diagnostic steroid trial at 5 or 6 points. External validation of our scoring system is warranted.

The Combination of Cyst Fluid Carcinoembryonic Antigen, Cytology and Viscosity Increases the Diagnostic Accuracy of Mucinous Pancreatic Cysts.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The objective of this study was to investigate the value of cyst fluid carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in combination with cytology and viscosity for the differential diagnosis of pancreatic cysts. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our data for patients who underwent endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) and cyst fluid analysis. We investigated the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the combination of cyst fluid CEA, cytology and viscosity testing. RESULTS: A total of 177 patients underwent EUS-FNA and cyst fluid analysis. Of these, 48 subjects were histologically and clinically confirmed to have pancreatic cysts and were therefore included in the analysis. Receiver operator curve analysis demonstrated that the optimal cutoff value of cyst fluid CEA for differentiating mucinous versus nonmucinous cystic lesions was 48.6 ng/mL. The accuracy of cyst fluid CEA (39/48, 81.3%) was greater than the accuracy of cytology (23/45, 51.1%) or the string sign (33/47, 70.2%). Cyst fluid CEA in combination with cytology and string sign assessment exhibited the highest accuracy (45/48, 93.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Cyst fluid CEA was the most useful single test for identifying mucinous pancreatic cysts. The addition of cytology and string sign assessment to cyst fluid CEA increased the overall accuracy for the diagnosis of mucinous pancreatic cysts.

Novel flower-type covered metal stent to prevent cholecystitis: experimental study in a pig model.

BACKGROUND: Covered self-expandable metal stent (CSEMS) has the risk of obstruction of the cystic duct, and the main and branch pancreatic ducts due to strong radial force and covering material, which results in cholecystitis and pancreatitis. A flower-type covered self-expandable metal stent (F-CSEMS) having a five-petal-shaped design with side grooves was constructed to prevent the obstruction of the cystic duct orifice. This study investigated the value of the F-CSEMS in protection for cholecystitis in a pig model. METHODS: Fourteen pigs randomly underwent endoscopic placement of either F-CSEMS or conventional CSEMS (C-CSEMS). The stent was placed across the cystic duct orifice to impede bile drainage from the gallbladder. Drainage was checked at 24, 48, 120 and 168 h after implantation. Blood was collected at baseline, on days 2 and 7 following implantation. The animals were killed for histologic evaluation on day 7. RESULTS: All stents were successfully inserted into bile duct without any procedure-related complications. At 48 h, the rate of contrast drainage from the gallbladder was higher in the F-CSEMS group than the C-CSEMS group without significant difference (71.4 vs. 28.6% p = 0.28). C-CSEMS was associated with higher levels of C-reactive protein (35.2 vs. 20.5 µg/dl, p = 0.03) and histologic inflammatory scores of gallbladder (score 4 vs. 2; p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: The F-CSEMS appears safe and helpful to prevent cholecystitis without disturbance of bile flow in a pig model.

Endoscopic Findings of Enteropathy-Associated T-Cell Lymphoma Type II: A Case Series.

Enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL) is a rare extranodal T-cell lymphoma arising from the intestine. Two types of EATL have been reported. In contrast to the classic EATL type I, EATL type II occurs sporadically, is unrelated to celiac disease, and comprises 10% to 20% of all EATL cases. A total of five cases of EATL type II were diagnosed at our clinic from January 2009 to September 2012. Four of the five patients were diagnosed with the help of endoscopy. Among the four patients, two of the cases involved both the small and large intestines, whereas in the other two patients, EATL was limited to the small intestine. Common endoscopic findings included innumerable fine granularities (also called mosaic mucosal patterns) and diffuse thickening of the mucosa with a semicircular shallow ulceration in the lesions of the small bowel. In contrast, the endoscopic findings of the colon were nonspecific and could not distinguish EATL type II from other diseases. There are only few published reports regarding the representative endoscopic findings of EATL. Here, we present the clinical and endoscopic findings of four cases of EATL type II diagnosed by endoscopy.

SpyGlass cholangioscopy-assisted guidewire placement for post-LDLT biliary strictures: a case series.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Anastomotic biliary strictures are common in patients that undergo living donor liver transplantation. Although endoscopic management has the advantage over percutaneous approaches, the initial success rate for the endoscopic management is unsatisfactory. The SpyGlass system can be a useful device in patients with a severe anastomotic stricture. METHODS: The SpyGlass cholangioscopy-assisted guidewire placement was performed in 15 patients with a difficult guidewire placement in which the guidewire could not transverse the stricture with conventional methods for 10 min or more. RESULTS: The visualization rate of the stricture orifice was 93.3 % (14 of 15 patients). The total success rate of the SpyGlass cholangioscopy-assisted guidewire placement was 60 % (9 of 15 patients). No procedure-related complications occurred during or after the SpyGlass cholangioscopy-assisted guidewire placement. CONCLUSIONS: This series demonstrated that the SpyGlass cholangioscopy-assisted guidewire placement is a useful method when the guidewire passage of the strictures site is impossible by conventional methods.

Behavior of Small, Asymptomatic, Nonfunctioning Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (NF-PNETs).

Small nonfunctioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NF-PNETs) usually exhibit minimal or no growth over many years. However, there is a controversy regarding the optimal management of incidentally discovered, small NF-PNETs. This study aimed to gain insights into tumor behavior and potential strategies for clinical management.We retrospectively reviewed a total of 202 patients with a suspected PNET (size 2 cm or smaller) at Samsung Medical Center from January 1, 1995 to April 30, 2012. Among these patients, 72 patients were excluded and 145 patients were enrolled in our study. Patients were included if the size of the tumor was ≤2 cm without familial syndrome, radiographic evidence of local invasion or metastases.Among the 145 patients, 76 patients (52.4%) had pathologically confirmed PNETs. Eleven (14.5%) and 3 (3.9%) of these 76 patients were diagnosed with NET G2 and G3, respectively. PNETs measuring 1.5 cm or more in size had a higher probability of being classified as NET G2 or G3 compared with PNETs measuring <1.5 cm (P = 0.03). Older age (≥55 years) and a meaningful tumor growth (≥20% or ≥5 mm) were significantly associated with NET G2 or G3 (P < 0.05).Older age (≥55 years), larger tumor size (≥1.5 cm), and a meaningful tumor growth (≥20% or ≥5 mm) were associated with NET G2 or G3. Intensive follow-up could be an acceptable approach in small (especially <1.5 cm), asymptomatic, NF-PNETs.

Comparison of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with papillary biopsy and endoscopic ultrasound-guided pancreatic biopsy in the diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: International consensus diagnostic criteria (ICDC) have been proposed for the diagnostic criteria and algorithm of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP). Although endoscopy is important in the diagnosis of AIP, practical patterns of its usage vary considerably worldwide. This study aimed to compare endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with papillary biopsy and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided pancreatic biopsy for diagnosing AIP using ICDC. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed and classified 165 Korean patients diagnosed by Korean criteria from June 2007 to October 2013. Among them, 61 patients underwent ERCP with duodenal papillary biopsy (group A) and 62 patients underwent EUS-guided pancreatic biopsy (group B). We analyzed the diagnostic criteria and levels of each criterion, and type of AIP before and after endoscopic procedures. RESULTS: ERCP with papillary biopsy increased the diagnostic sensitivity from 65.6% (40/61) to 95.1% (58/61) (P < 0.01). EUS-guided pancreatic biopsy increased the diagnostic sensitivity from 50.0% (27/62) to 88.7% (55/62) (P < 0.01). The increases of diagnostic sensitivity in two endoscopic methods were not different statistically. In diagnosing definite AIP, EUS-guided pancreatic biopsy was more useful than ERCP with papilla biopsy (sensitivity; 79.0% vs. 65.6%, P < 0.01). EUS-guided pancreatic biopsy was helpful to classify type 1 and type 2 AIP in some patients. Procedure-related complication (mild pancreatitis) developed in one patient (1.6%) in group A and two patients (3.2%) in group B. ERCP with papillary biopsy was less expensive than EUS-guided pancreatic biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: Both ERCP with papillary biopsy and EUS-guided pancreatic biopsy are safe and play important roles in diagnosing AIP according to the ICDC.

Is colonoscopy necessary after computed tomography diagnosis of acute diverticulitis?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A diagnosis of acute diverticulitis is based on computed tomography (CT). Colonoscopy is commonly performed after the acute event to exclude other diagnoses. This study aimed to determine whether colonoscopy is necessary and what additional information is gained from a colonoscopy after acute diverticulitis. METHODS: Acute diverticulitis was diagnosed by clinical criteria and characteristic CT findings. We analyzed the number of patients in whom colorectal cancers were diagnosed and other incidental findings of polyps and other diseases. RESULTS: A total of 177 patients were analyzed retrospectively. The mean age was 43.3±15.3 years (range, 13-82 years) and 97 patients (54.8%) were male. Sixty-one patients had undergone a colonoscopy within 1 year of the acute attack. Advanced adenomatous lesions and colonic malignancy were not detected. Nineteen patients (31.1%) had ≥1 polyp and 11 patients (18.0%) had an adenomatous polyp. No new or different diagnosis was made after colonoscopy. None of the 116 patients who did not undergo colonoscopy within a year after acute diverticulitis had a diagnosis of colorectal cancer registered with the Korea Central Cancer Registry. CONCLUSIONS: Routine colonoscopy yields little benefit in patients with acute diverticulitis diagnosed by typical clinical symptoms and CT. The current practice of a colonoscopy after acute diverticulitis needs to be reevaluated.