Outcome of endoscopic vacuum therapy for duodenal perforation.

BACKGROUND: Duodenal defects are complex clinical situations, and their management is challenging and associated with high mortality. Besides surgery, endoscopic treatment options exist, but the size and location of the perforation can limit their application. We present a retrospective study, demonstrating a successful application of endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) for duodenal leaks. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of all patients who underwent EVT for duodenal perforations between 2016 and 2021 at two tertiary centers. We analyzed demographic and clinical patient characteristics, surgical outcomes, leak characteristics, sponge-related complications, and success rate. RESULTS: Indications for treatment with EVT in the duodenum consisted of leak after duodenal suture of a perforated ulcer (n = 4), iatrogenic perforation after endoscopic resection (n = 2), iatrogenic perforation during surgery (n = 2), and anastomotic leak after upper gastrointestinal surgery (n = 2). EVT was used as a first-line treatment in seven patients and as a second-line treatment in three patients. EVT was successfully applied in all interventions (n = 10, 100%). Overall, EVT lead to definitive closure of the defects in eight out of ten patients (80%). No severe EVT-related adverse events occurred. CONCLUSION: EVT is safe and technically feasible, so it emerges as a promising endoscopic treatment option for duodenal leaks. However, multidisciplinary collaboration and management are important to reduce the occurrence of postoperative complications, and to improve recovery rates.

[Screening for preneoplastic lesions of the upper gastrointestinal tract]. / Dépistage des lésions prénéoplasiques du tube digestif haut.

Preneoplastic lesions of the esophagus and stomach are cellular abnormalities that have the potential to develop into cancer over time. They are detected during endoscopy and can be classified according to their specific cellular characteristics. Their treatment depends on the severity of the lesion and the individual factors of each patient. Treatment options may include regular endoscopic monitoring, treatment to reduce the risk of progression to cancer (anti-reflux therapy, antibiotics for H. pylori eradication), or endoscopic removal of the lesion. It is important to discuss any concerns about these lesions with a gastroenterologist and to follow recommendations for proper screening and treatment.

Les lésions prénéoplasiques de l'œsophage et de l'estomac sont des anomalies cellulaires ayant le potentiel de se développer en cancer au fil du temps. Elles sont détectées lors d'une endoscopie et peuvent être classées en fonction de leurs caractéristiques cellulaires spécifiques. Leur traitement dépend de la gravité de la lésion et des facteurs individuels de chaque patient. Les options de traitement peuvent inclure la surveillance endoscopique régulière, la prise de traitement permettant de réduire le risque de progression vers le cancer (traitement antireflux, antibiotique pour l'éradication de H. pylori) ou l'ablation endoscopique de la lésion afin de prévenir sa progression vers un cancer. Il est important de discuter avec un gastroentérologue de toute préoccupation concernant ces lésions et de suivre les recommandations de dépistage et de traitement appropriées.

Study protocol of a phase II study to evaluate safety and efficacy of neo-adjuvant pembrolizumab and radiotherapy in localized rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Reshaping the tumor microenvironment by novel immunotherapies represents a key strategy to improve cancer treatment. Nevertheless, responsiveness to these treatments is often correlated with the extent of T cell infiltration at the tumor site. Remarkably, microsatellite stable rectal cancer is characterized by poor T cell infiltration and, therefore, does not respond to immune checkpoint blockade. To date, the only available curative option for these patients relies on extensive surgery. With the aim to broaden the application of promising immunotherapies, it is necessary to develop alternative approaches to promote T cell infiltration into the tumor microenvironment of these tumors. In this regard, recent evidence shows that radiotherapy has profound immunostimulatory effects, hinting at the possibility of combining it with immunotherapy. The combination of long-course chemoradiotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibition was recently shown to be safe and yielded promising results in rectal cancer, however short-course radiotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibition have never been tested in these tumors. METHODS: Our clinical trial investigates the clinical and biological impact of combining pembrolizumab with short-course radiotherapy in the neo-adjuvant treatment of localized rectal cancer. This phase II non-randomized study will recruit 25 patients who will receive short-course preoperative radiotherapy (5 Gy × 5 days) and four injections of pembrolizumab starting on the same day and on weeks 4, 7 and 10. Radical surgery will be performed three weeks after the last pembrolizumab injection. Our clinical trial includes an extensive translational research program involving the transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of tumor and blood samples throughout the course of the treatment. DISCUSSION: Our study is the first clinical trial to combine short-course radiotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibition in rectal cancer, which could potentially result in a major breakthrough in the treatment of this cancer. Additionally, the translational research program will offer insights into immunological changes within the tumor and blood and their correlation with patient outcome. Taken together, our work will help optimizing future treatment combinations and, possibly, better selecting patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered with www. CLINICALTRIAL: gov : NCT04109755 . Registration date: June, 2020.

[Endoscopic submucosal dissection: advances and perspectives]. / Dissection sous-muqueuse endoscopique : avancées et perspectives.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a mini-invasive technique allowing to resect superficial lesions of the digestive tract and maintaining organ function. High technical expertise is required as well as a network approach with referring physicians, pathologists, radiologists, surgeons and oncologists. Rigorous selection of cases as well as endoscopic management of potential complications (hemorrhage, perforation) is mandatory. Therefore, ESD should preferably be performed in expert centers with high volumes of cases, in order to maintain competency and offer optimal patient's management. Most frequent indications in the Western world are early cancers of the esophagus, stomach and colon as well as non-non-lifting polyps and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).

La dissection sous-muqueuse (DSM) est une technique permettant la résection des lésions superficielles du tube digestif, de façon mini-invasive, afin de conserver la fonction de l'organe atteint. L'expertise technique aboutissant à ce geste doit s'accompagner d'un travail en réseau associant médecins référents, pathologistes, radiologues, chirurgiens et oncologues. Elle nécessite une sélection rigoureuse des indications, ainsi que la maîtrise des complications éventuelles (hémorragie, perforation) et doit préférablement être réalisée en centre expert, avec un volume suffisant de cas afin de maintenir la compétence. Les indications les plus fréquentes en Occident concernent les cancers super­ficiels de l'œsophage, de l'estomac et du côlon ainsi que les polypes ne se soulevant pas lors de l'injection sous-muqueuse et les tumeurs stromales gastro-intestinales (GIST).

[Management of a cystic lesion of the pancreas discovered incidentally]. / Prise en charge d'une lésion kystique du pancréas de découverte fortuite.

Pancreatic cysts (PC) are common and often discovered incidentally. The distinction between PC is essential, because of the potential malignancy of some lesions requiring surgical resection. The clinical orientation will depend on the clinical history and the radiological characteristics. Indeed, in front of all PCs, it is essential to characterize them using cross-sectional imaging (MRI) in order to highlight the worrisome features requiring further examinations by endoscopic ultrasonography and fine needle aspiration of the cysts to guide the diagnosis. Referral to an expert center will allow to propose to each patient an adequate approach: surgical resection, surveillance according to the recommendations or therapeutic abstention.

Les lésions kystiques du pancréas (LKP) sont fréquentes et souvent découvertes de manière fortuite. La distinction entre les différentes LKP est primordiale, en raison du potentiel dégénératif de certaines lésions. L'orientation clinique dépendra des antécédents personnels, du profil clinique et des caractéristiques radiologiques. Devant tout kyste du pancréas, il est primordial de caractériser les LKP à l'aide d'une imagerie en coupe (IRM) afin de mettre en évidence les signes péjoratifs nécessitant un complément d'examen par écho-endoscopie digestive (EED) avec ponction du liquide intrakystique afin de guider le diagnostic. L'orientation vers un centre expert permettra de proposer une attitude adaptée à la lésion et au patient : résection chirurgicale, surveillance selon les recommandations ou abstention thérapeutique.

[Management of foreign bodies ingestion]. / Prise en charge des corps étrangers digestifs.

Foreign bodies ingestion is a common event, with a potential morbidity and mortality. In the majority of cases, the foreign bodies pass through the digestive tract without any complication. An endoscopy for removal of the foreign body is necessary in 10 to 20 % of cases and a surgical intervention is required in < 1 % of cases. In this article, we describe the clinical presentation, the potential complications, as well as the timing and endoscopic technics of foreign bodies retrieval, essentially based on the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy recommendations.

L'ingestion de corps étrangers est un événement fréquent, potentiellement grevée d'une morbi-mortalité et engendrant des coûts importants. Dans la majorité des cas, les corps étrangers suivent le tube digestif sans complication. Une endoscopie est nécessaire dans 10 à 20 % des cas et une intervention chirurgicale pour extraction du corps étranger/complications dans moins de 1 % des cas. Dans cet article, nous traitons de la prise en charge des corps étrangers chez l'adulte et passons en revue leur présentation clinique, leurs complications potentielles, ainsi que les délais et modalités de la prise en charge endoscopique basée essentiellement sur les recommandations de la Société européenne d'endoscopie digestive.

[Innovations in endoscopy]. / Innovations en endoscopie.

Digestive endoscopy has met an enormous progress over the last decade, both in terms of diagnosis and treatment of gastro-intestinal diseases. This review article presents the role of confocal endomicroscopy in the management of pancreatic cysts. Moreover, it resumes the most important novel therapeutic endoscopic techniques, some already available in expert centers such as G-POEM or biliary drainage by Axios stent system and spiral enteroscopy, as well as techniques undergoing validation such as the radiofrequency ablation of pancreatic tumors and the bariatric and metabolic endoscopy techniques.

L'endoscopie digestive a connu de grandes avancées au cours de la dernière décennie, à la fois sur les plans diagnostique et thérapeutique. Cet article fait le point sur le rôle de l'endomicroscopie confocale dans les kystes pancréatiques et sur plusieurs techniques d'endoscopie thérapeutique, certaines déjà disponibles dans les centres experts comme le G-POEM (pylorotomie endoscopique), le drainage biliaire par prothèse d'apposition et l'entéroscopie spiralée motorisée, ou encore en cours de développement, comme l'ablation par radiofréquence des tumeurs pancréatiques ou l'endoscopie bariatrique et métabolique.

[Gastric intestinal metaplasia and cancer risk: how to follow ?] / Métaplasie intestinale gastrique et risque de cancer: quelle surveillance ?

In 2019, gastric cancer still has high mortality. Gastric intestinal metaplasia (IGM) is an intermediate step in the process of carcinogenesis of intestinal adenocarcinoma. Gastroscopy with biopsies can detect the presence of MIG. Characterization in terms of intensity and distribution allows to stratify the risks and to target the population in which surveillance endoscopies are indicated for the purpose of detecting endoscopic resectable neoplasia in endoscopy.

Le cancer gastrique a encore en 2019 une mortalité élevée. La métaplasie intestinale gastrique (MIG) est une étape intermédiaire dans le processus de cancérogenèse de l'adénocarcinome de type intestinal. La gastroscopie avec biopsies permet de détecter la présence de MIG. Sa caractérisation en termes d'intensité et de distribution permet de stratifier les risques et de cibler la population chez qui des endoscopies de surveillance sont indiquées dans le but de détecter les néoplasies superficielles résécables en endoscopie.

[How to deal with drug-induced diarrhoea]. / Diarrhée médicamenteuse : comment s'orienter ?

Diarrhoea is a frequent drug adverse event, implicating a number of different treatments. It occurs in an acute setting or even several months after the beginning of the treatment and different pathophysiological mechanisms are involved. It must be proactively suspected and promptly treated, however this diagnosis is often mentioned only after multiple diagnostic tests. In this review we aim to offer a practical approach to promptly identify drug-induced diarrhoea, recognise most common implicated drugs and establish the best clinical management.

La diarrhée est un effet secondaire fréquent de nombreux médicaments à travers des mécanismes physiopathologiques divers. Elle peut survenir dans un délai d'apparition variable et devrait être suspectée et prise en charge rapidement. Ce diagnostic est cependant souvent évoqué tardivement après de multiples investigations. Dans cet article, nous revoyons les différentes classes de médicaments incriminés, les examens complémentaires à réaliser en cas de suspicion de diarrhée médicamenteuse, et nous proposons une approche pratique de prise en charge.

Complete endoscopic sphincterotomy with vs. without large-balloon dilation for the removal of large bile duct stones: randomized multicenter study.

Background and study aims Endoscopic sphincterotomy plus large-balloon dilation (ES-LBD) has been reported as an alternative to endoscopic sphincterotomy for the removal of bile duct stones. This multicenter study compared complete endoscopic sphincterotomy with vs. without large-balloon dilation for the removal of large bile duct stones. This is the first randomized multicenter study to evaluate these procedures in patients with exclusively large common bile duct (CBD) stones. Methods Between 2010 and 2015, 150 patients with one or more common bile duct stones ≥ 13 mm were randomized to two groups: 73 without balloon dilation (conventional group), 77 with balloon dilation (ES-LBD group). Mechanical lithotripsy was subsequently performed only if the stones were too large for removal through the papilla. Endoscopic sphincterotomy was complete in both groups. Patients could switch to ES-LBD if the conventional procedure failed. Results There was no between-group difference in number and size of stones. CBD stone clearance was achieved in 74.0 % of patients in the conventional group and 96.1 % of patients in the ES-LBD group (P < 0.001). Mechanical lithotripsy was needed significantly more often in the conventional group (35.6 % vs. 3.9 %; P < 0.001). There was no difference in terms of morbidity (9.3 % in the conventional group vs. 8.1 % in the ES-LBD group; P = 0.82). The cost and procedure time were not significantly different between the groups overall, but became significantly higher for patients in the conventional group who underwent mechanical lithotripsy. The conventional procedure failed in 19 patients, 15 of whom underwent a rescue ES-LBD procedure that successfully cleared all stones. Conclusions Complete endoscopic sphincterotomy with large-balloon dilation for the removal of large CBD stones has similar safety but superior efficiency to conventional treatment, and should be considered as the first-line step in the treatment of large bile duct stones and in rescue treatment.Trial registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02592811).

[Bariatric surgery : complications and endoscopic treatment]. / Chirurgie bariatrique : complications et traitements endoscopiques.

Obesity is a major public health issue. Surgery is the most effective treatment to obtain weight loss, stabilize weight status and decrease comorbidities. Yet post-operative complications can be serious and their treatment can also be a real challenge. The low invasive nature of endoscopy makes it an alternative to surgery. It can be used to diagnose and treat digestive hemorrhage, ulcers, stenosis, anastomotic leakage or fistula. This article aims to review the different bariatric surgical techniques, complications and their specific endoscopic treatment options.

L'obésité constitue un problème de santé publique majeur. La chirurgie demeure le traitement le plus efficace afin de favoriser la perte de poids, stabiliser le statut pondéral et diminuer les comorbidités chez ces patients. Les complications postopératoires peuvent cependant être graves et leurs traitements représentent un réel défi. Le caractère peu invasif de l'endoscopie en fait une alternative à privilégier face à la chirurgie. Elle permet de diagnostiquer et de traiter les hémorragies digestives, les ulcères, les sténoses, les lâchages anastomotiques ou encore les fistules. Dans cet article, nous passerons en revue les différentes techniques chirurgicales bariatriques, les complications qu'elles peuvent induire et les traitements endoscopiques qu'il est possible de réaliser.

[Multidisciplinary management of localized rectal cancer]. / Prise en charge multidisciplinaire du cancer localisé du rectum.

Rectal cancer remains a frequent pathology, with a good prognosis, according to a proper management. During the last decades, we have been confronted with important improvements, notably regarding the diagnosis and the treatment. In the era of highly specialized medicine, it is clear that the management must be multidisciplinary, incorporating not only the surgeon, the oncologist and the radiation oncologist, but also the radiologist, the gastroenterologist, and the pathologist. We aim to review the recent concepts and the future developments in the management of rectal cancer.

Le cancer du rectum demeure une pathologie fréquente, dont le pronostic est heureusement bon. Ces dernières décennies, nous avons été confrontés à plusieurs avancées importantes, que ce soit au niveau du diagnostic ou du traitement. Sa prise en charge fait partie intégrante de la médecine hautement spécialisée, et il est devenu clair que l'approche se doit d'être multidisciplinaire, incorporant aussi bien le chirurgien, l'oncologue et le radio-oncologue, que le radiologue, le gastroentérologue et le pathologue. Dans cet article, les concepts récents ainsi que les perspectives futures sont analysés.

A novel hemostatic powder for upper gastrointestinal bleeding: a multicenter study (the "GRAPHE" registry).

Background and study aims: The hemostatic powder TC-325 (Hemospray; Cook Medical, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA) has shown promising results in the treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) in expert centers in pilot studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of TC-325 in a large prospective registry of use in routine practice. Patients and methods: The data of all patients treated with TC-325 were prospectively collected through a national registry. Outcomes were the immediate feasibility and efficacy of TC-325 application, as well as the rates of rebleeding at Day 8 and Day 30. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine predictive factors of rebleeding. Results: A total of 202 patients were enrolled and 64 endoscopists participated from 20 centers. TC-325 was used as salvage therapy in 108 patients (53.5 %). The etiology of bleeding was an ulcer in 75 patients (37.1 %), tumor in 61 (30.2 %), postendoscopic therapy in 35 (17.3 %), or other in 31 (15.3 %). Application of the hemostatic powder was found to be very easy or easy in 31.7 % and 55.4 %, respectively. The immediate efficacy rate was 96.5 %. Recurrence of UGIB was noted at Day 8 and Day 30 in 26.7 % and 33.5 %, respectively. Predictive factors of recurrence at Day 8 were melena at initial presentation and use of TC-325 as salvage therapy. Conclusion: These multicenter data confirmed the high rate of immediate hemostasis, excellent feasibility, and good safety profile of TC-325, which could become the treatment of choice in bleeding tumors or postendoscopic bleeding but not in bleeding ulcers where randomized studies are needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02595853).

[Benign esophageal strictures : endoscopic treatment options]. / Stenoses benignes de l'oesophage : quelle approche therapeutique ?

Bening strictures of the esophagus are a frequently encountered problem in endoscopy. Dilation by Savary-Gilliard dilators or balloon dilators is the first line treatment and relieves dysphagia in about 75 % of cases. Complex strictures are at higher risk of treatment failure than simple ones and are considered as refractory after repetitive unsuccessful dilations. Adjunction of locally injected corticoids favors outcome in strictures of peptic origin. Further treatment options of refractory strictures are endoscopic incision therapy in short ones and temporary self expandable metallic (SEMS), plastic (SEPS) or biodegradable stent insertion in complex ones. Ultimate rescue treatment consists in self bouginage or esophageal surgery.

Les sténoses œsophagiennes bénignes sont une pathologie fréquemment rencontrée en endoscopie. La distinction entre sténoses simples et complexes est importante en raison de leur réponse différente au traitement de première intention, à savoir la dilatation, qu'elle soit par bougies de Savary-Gilliard ou au ballon. En cas d'échec après trois dilatations, l'injection de corticoïdes peut être associée dans les sténoses à composante inflammatoire. La persistance d'une sténose malgré ce traitement définit une sténose réfractaire ; pour les sténoses courtes, l'incision endoscopique est une option thérapeutique et pour celles plus complexes, la pose d'une prothèse œsophagienne est à envisager. Des prothèses métalliques, plastiques et biodégradables temporaires sont utilisables avec des différences en termes de taux de migration et d'envahissement.

[Epidemiology, treatment and follow-up of colorectal polyps]. / Epidémiologie, prise en charge et suivi des polypes colorectaux.

Colorectal polyps are frequent in the general population. The diagnostic is made by endoscopy. Polyp's characteristics determine the technic to be used to remove them. Transanal endoscopic microsurgery offers an alternative to radical surgery for large rectal polyps or rectal tumors with low risk of node invasion. One peace resection is necessary to evaluate the resection margins. Lymphatic invasion, ≥ 1 mm submucosae invasion, tumor budding and poorly differentiated tumor are the four main risk factors for node invasion. In case of high risk of lymph node invasion a radical surgery is recommended. Surveillance must be adapted to the polyp type, their number, size, presence of a carcinomatous component as well as age and clinical status of the patient.

Long-term follow-up of patients undergoing capsule and double-balloon enteroscopy for identification and treatment of small-bowel vascular lesions: a prospective, multicenter study.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Few data are available concerning the long-term outcome of patients treated endoscopically for bleeding small-bowel vascular lesions (SBVL). The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of rebleeding after endoscopic therapy for SBVLs detected by video capsule enteroscopy (VCE). The secondary aim was to assess risk factors for rebleeding. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective, multicenter study (15 centers) was conducted, involving patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding and SBVL on VCE who were treated during double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE). The likelihood of bleeding was defined according to VCE findings, as high or low. RESULTS: A total of 183 patients underwent endotherapy during DBE, and 64 (35 %) had rebleeding during the 1 year follow-up period. Multivariate analysis indicated that cardiac disease (hazard ratio [HR] 2.04, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.20 - 3.48; P < 0.01) and the presence of overt bleeding (HR 1.78, 95 %CI 1.07 - 2.97; P = 0.03) at presentation were associated with the risk of rebleeding. The association between chronic renal failure and the risk of rebleeding was close to statistical significance (HR 1.77, 95 %CI 0.94 - 3.33; P = 0.08). Kaplan-Meier analysis suggested that patients treated during DBE for a lesion with low likelihood of bleeding on VCE had higher rebleeding rates than those with a high likelihood of bleeding (HR 1.87, 95 %CI 0.94 - 3.37; P = 0.07). CONCLUSION: Despite long-term remission in most patients, about one-third had rebleeding at 1 year. Independent risk factors for rebleeding were cardiac disease and overt bleeding at original presentation. The lesion characteristics on VCE may be useful to evaluate the bleeding potential of the lesion and may be used for better selection of patients for DBE.

Core needle versus standard needle for endoscopic ultrasound-guided biopsy of solid pancreatic masses: a randomized crossover study.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: A new core biopsy needle for endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided sampling has recently been developed. The aim of this prospective multicenter study was to compare this needle with a standard needle in patients with solid pancreatic masses. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients with solid pancreatic masses referred to 17 centers for EUS-guided sampling were included. Each patient had two passes with a standard 22G needle and a single pass with a 22G core needle performed in a randomized order. Samples from both needles were separately processed for liquid-based cytology and cell-block preparation and were assessed independently by two blinded expert pathologists. The primary endpoint was the accuracy of the detection of malignancy. The reference standard was based on further cytohistological analysis obtained under ultrasound or computed tomography scanning, endoscopic or surgical guidance, and/or by clinical follow-up with repeated imaging examinations for at least 12 months. The secondary endpoints were the rate of technical failure and the quality of the cytohistological samples obtained. RESULTS: Of the 80 patients included (49 men; mean age 67.1 ±â€Š11.1), 87.5 % had final malignant diagnoses (adenocarcinoma n = 62, 77.5 %). There was no difference between the needles in diagnostic accuracy (standard needle 92.5 % vs. core needle 90 %; P = 0.68) or technical failure. Both pathologists found the overall sample quality significantly better for the standard needle (expert 1, P = 0.009; expert 2, P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic accuracy of EUS sampling for solid pancreatic masses using standard and core needles seems comparable but with a better overall histological sample quality for the former. ClinicalTrial.gov identifier: NCT01479803.

[Pancreatic cancer in 2014: screening and epidemiology]. / Cancer pancréatique en 2014: epidémiologie et dépistage.

Pancreatic cancer remains today the cancer with the worst prognosis with 330300 deaths per year worldwide with a cancer prevalence of 211500 cases in 2012. Despite progress made in the understanding of the pathophysiology of this neoplasia, morbidity and mortality have not been modified. Tobacco remains the only modifiable risk factor with an impact on the incidence of pancreatic cancer. Screening programs involving medical imaging and serum markers have so far failed to alter the incidence and prognosis of the disease, even in selected populations with high risk. However, screening programs allowed some high-risk patients to be diagnosed early and therefore have been received care at an asymptomatic stage. The impact on the prognosis has nevertheless not been demonstrated yet.

Recent advances in the management of autoimmune pancreatitis in the era of artificial intelligence.

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a type of immune-mediated pancreatitis subdivided into two subtypes, type 1 and type 2 AIP. Furthermore, type 1 AIP is considered to be the pancreatic manifestation of the immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease. Nowadays, AIP is increasingly researched and recognized, although its diagnosis represents a challenge for several reasons: False positive ultrasound-guided cytological samples for a neoplastic process, difficult to interpret levels of IgG4, the absence of biological markers to diagnose type 2 AIP, and the challenging clinical identification of atypical forms. Furthermore, 60% and 78% of type 1 and type 2 AIP, respectively, are retrospectively diagnosed on surgical specimens of resected pancreas for suspected cancer. As distinguishing AIP from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma can be challenging, obtaining a definitive diagnosis can therefore prove difficult, since endoscopic ultrasound fine-needle aspiration or biopsy of the pancreas are suboptimal. This paper focuses on recent innovations in the management of AIP with regard to the use of artificial intelligence, new serum markers, and new therapeutic approaches, while it also outlines the current management recommendations. A better knowledge of AIP can reduce the recourse to surgery and avoid its overuse, although such an approach requires close collaboration between gastroenterologists, surgeons and radiologists. Better knowledge on AIP and IgG4-related disease remains necessary to diagnose and manage patients.

Evaluation of 30-day mortality in patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy in a tertiary hospital: a 3-year retrospective survey.

OBJECTIVE: Despite international guidelines recommendations to use mortality as a quality criterion for gastrointestinal (GI) procedures, recent studies reporting these data are lacking. Our objective was to report death causes and rate following GI endoscopies in a tertiary university hospital. DESIGN: We retrospectively reviewed all GI procedures made between January 2017 and December 2019 in our tertiary hospital in Switzerland. Data from patients who died within 30 days of the procedure were recorded. RESULTS: Of 18 233 procedures, 251 patients died within 30 days following 345 (1.89%) procedures (244/9180 gastroscopies, 53/5826 colonoscopies, 23/2119 endoscopic ultrasound, 19/911 endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, 6/197 percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomies). Median age was 70 years (IQR 61-79) and 173/251 (68.92%) were male. Median Charlson Comorbidity Index was 5 (IQR 3-7), and 305/345 procedures (88.4%) were undertaken on patients with an ASA score ≥3. Most frequent indications were suspected GI bleeding (162/345; 46.96%) and suspected cancer or tumourous staging (50/345; 14.49%). Major causes of death were oncological progression (72/251; 28.68%), cardiopulmonary failure or cardiac arrest of unkown origin (62/251; 24,7%) and liver failure (20/251; 7.96%). No deaths were caused by complications such as perforation or bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: Progression of malignancies unrelated to the procedure was the leading cause of short-term death following a GI procedure. After improvements in periprocedural care in the last decades, we should focus on patient selection in this era of new oncological and intensive care therapies. Death rate as a quality criterion is subject to caution as it depends on indication, setting and risk benefit ratio.