Mucosectomy band ligation as a treatment for in situ esophageal carcinoma.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains the most prevalent subtype of esophageal cancer worldwide. Major risk factors include chronic alcohol consumption and heavy smoking. We present the case of a 65-year-old male with chronic alcoholism and a 75 pack-year smoking history, admitted for his first hydropic decompensation of alcoholic cirrhosis. The patient presented with abdominal distension and discomfort. Physical examination confirmed ascites, and further evaluation indicated decompensated cirrhosis. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a 15 mm flat mucosal lesion located 35 cm from the dental arcade, classified as IIb according to the Paris Classification. The lesion had a denuded surface, and narrow band imaging (NBI) showed a brownish appearance with abnormal intrapapillary capillary loops (IPCL), suggesting a degenerative squamous lesion of the esophagus. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed no signs of distant metastasis. Histopathological examination of biopsies confirmed high-grade dysplasia (carcinoma in situ).

Colonoscopy Satisfaction and Safety Questionnaire based on patient experience (CSSQP): A valuable quality tool for all colonoscopies.

INTRODUCTION: The Colonoscopy Satisfaction and Safety Questionnaire based on Patient experience (CSSQP) was recently developed and validated within a Bowel Cancer Screening Program. We aimed to identify factor related to patient experience through the CSSQP, including all indications for colonoscopy. Indicators of satisfaction and perceived safety with colonoscopy were also assessed to compare the different centers. METHODS: Multicenter study in nine Spanish hospitals. Consecutive patients who had undergone a colonoscopy completed the CSSQP adding a novel item on bowel preparation. Factors related to patient experiences and data from non-respondents were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 2200 patients, 1753 filled out the questionnaire (response rate 79.7%, sample error 2%). Patients whose colonoscopy indication was a primary colorectal cancer screening (OR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.15-2.44, p=0.007) or due to a +FIT (OR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.18-2.53) reported higher satisfaction than patients with gastrointestinal symptoms. In addition, college-educated patients (OR: 2.11, 95% CI: 1.25-3.56) were more likely to report better overall satisfaction than patients with lower education level. Significant differences were observed in the majority of the CSSQP items between centers. Safety incidents were reported by 35 (2%) patients, and 176 (10%) patients reported that they received insufficient information. CONCLUSION: The CSSQP identifies several significant factors on satisfaction and perceived safety in patients referred for colonoscopy for any reason. The CSSQP also allows comparison of patient-identified colonoscopy quality indicators between centers.

Long-Term Outcomes of Biological Therapy in Crohn's Disease Complicated With Internal Fistulizing Disease: BIOSCOPE Study From GETECCU.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of penetrating complications in Crohn's disease (CD) increases progressively over time, but evidence on the medical treatment in this setting is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of biologic agents in CD complicated with internal fistulizing disease. METHODS: Adult patients with CD-related fistulae who received at least 1 biologic agent for this condition from the prospectively maintained ENEIDA registry were included. Exclusion criteria involved those receiving biologics for perianal disease, enterocutaneous, rectovaginal, anastomotic, or peristomal fistulae. The primary end point was fistula-related surgery. Predictive factors associated with surgery and fistula closure were evaluated by multivariate logistic regression and survival analyses. RESULTS: A total of 760 patients from 53 hospitals (673 receiving anti-tumor necrosis factors, 69 ustekinumab, and 18 vedolizumab) were included. After a median follow-up of 56 months (interquartile range, 26-102 months), 240 patients required surgery, with surgery rates of 32%, 41%, and 24% among those under anti-tumor necrosis factor, vedolizumab, or ustekinumab, respectively. Fistula closure was observed in 24% of patients. Older patients, ileocolonic disease, entero-urinary fistulae, or an intestinal stricture distal to the origin of the fistula were associated with a higher risk of surgery, whereas nonsmokers and combination therapy with an immunomodulator reduced this risk. DISCUSSION: Biologic therapy is beneficial in approximately three-quarters of patients with fistulizing CD, achieving fistula closure in 24%. However, around one-third still undergo surgery due to refractory disease. Some patient- and lesion-related factors can identify patients who will obtain more benefit from these drugs.

Gastric variceal bleeding as a form of presentation of a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor.

NETs (neuroendocrine tumors) constitute a heterogeneous group of epithelial-type neoplasms with a predominantly neuroendocrine differentiation. Although the most common locations are the pancreas, digestive tract, and lung, this type of neoplasm can arise in virtually any organ in the body. They are rare tumors with a wide variety of clinical presentations. Symptomatic tumors are more frequent in younger patients and present at more advanced pathological stages. We present the case of a 42-year-old male with idiopathic splenomegaly and bicytopenia (anaemia and thrombocytopenia) under study by haematology department who was admitted due to an episode of melena and hemoglobin of 4.5 mg/dl. Isolated gastric varices (IGV1) with red spots were confirmed at gastroscopy and endoscopic variceal obturation using cyanoacrylate was performed in two sessions. An endoscopic ultrasonography was performed, showing thrombosis of the splenic vein extending towards the splenoportal confluence with anechoic serpiginous structures outside and inside the gastric wall suggestive of collateral circulation with gastric varices (GV). An increase in portal caliber was observed, with no signs of liver cirrhosis. Computed tomography confirms the findings. Two months/week/days later he was readmitted with rebleeding signs after starting anticoagulant treatment, so it was decided to perform a splenectomy due to failure of the endoscopic treatment. Histology revealed infiltration of the spleen by a well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor (NET). Gallium PET/CT and Octreotid scan showed uptake in the body and tail of the pancreas with positivity for somatostatin receptors previously undetected by other means. Finally, treatment was completed with distal pancreatectomy and splenoportal axis trombectomy with vascular esplenic resection and the patient was discharged from hospital.

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to duodenum diverticulum: a challenge for the endoscopist.

An 80-year-old female with a mechanic mitral valve treated with acenocumarol was admitted to the hospital due to tarry stools over the last two days and hemoglobin levels of 5.6 g/dl. She had not biliary pathology. An emergency esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed lots of fresh clots over the second part of the duodenum that seemed to come from the major papilla. A duodenoscopy was performed in order to obtain a direct view, showing a huge clot near the papilla. Its removal with a polypectomy snare revealed a large duodenum diverticulum with little saculations inside, one of which showed a visible, actively bleeding vessel. Sclerosis with epinephrine was performed and subsequently, two through-the-scope Cook® 11 mm clips were placed, achieving the cessation of the hemorrhage. Several attempts with different clips were needed since they were separated by the elevator nail of the duodenoscope. No complications developed during the procedure or once anticoagulation was restarted.

Factors related to the effectiveness of variable stiffness colonoscope: results of a multivariate analysis.

BACKGROUND: Various studies and two meta-analysis have shown that a variable stiffness colonoscope improves cecal intubation rate. However, there are few studies on how this colonoscope should be used. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify factors related to the advancement of the colonoscope when the variable stiffness function is activated. METHODS: Prospective study enrolling consecutive patients referred for colonoscopy. The variable stiffness colonoscope (Olympus CF-H180DI/L®) was used. We performed univariate and multivariate analyses of factors associated with the success of the variable stiffness function. RESULTS: After the data inclusion period, 260 patients were analyzed. The variable stiffness function was used most in the proximal colon segments (ascending and transverse colon 85%; descending/sigmoid colon 15.2%). The body mass index was lower in patients in whom the endoscope advanced after activating the variable stiffness than those in which it could not be advanced (25.9 + or - 4.8 vs. 28.3 + or - 5.4 kg/m2, p = 0.009). The endoscope advanced less frequently when the stiffness function was activated in the ascending colon versus activation in other segments of the colon (25% vs. 64.5% ascending colon vs. other segments; p < 0.05). In the multivariate analysis, only the colon segment in which the variable stiffness was activated was an independent predictor of advancement of the colonoscope. CONCLUSIONS: The variable stiffness function is effective, allowing the colonoscope advancement especially when applied in the transverse colon, descending colon and sigmoid. However, when used in the ascending colon it has a lower effectiveness.

Real-time PCR for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding: comparison with other classical diagnostic methods.

The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic usefulness of quantification of the H. pylori genome in detection of infection in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGB). A total of 158 consecutive patients with digestive disorders, 80 of whom had clinical presentation of UGB, were studied. The number of microorganisms was quantified using a real-time PCR system which amplifies the urease gene with an internal control for eliminating the false negatives. A biopsy sample from the antrum and corpus of each patient was processed. The rapid urease test, culture, histological study, stool antigen test, and breath test were done. The gold standard was a positive culture or positive results in at least two of the other techniques. When a positive result was defined as any number of microorganisms/human cell, the sensitivity of real-time PCR was greater in bleeding patients, especially in the gastric corpus: 68.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 52.3 to 84.5%) in non-UGB patients versus 91.5% (95% CI, 79.6 to 97.6%) in UGB patients. When a positive result was defined as a number of microorganisms/human cell above the optimal value that maximizes the Youden index (>3.56 microorganisms/human cell in the antrum and >2.69 in the corpus), the sensitivity and specificity in UGB patients were over 80% in both antrum and corpus. Our findings suggest that some bleeding patients with infection caused by H. pylori may not be correctly diagnosed by classical methods, and such patients could benefit from the improved diagnosis provided by real-time PCR. However, the clinical significance of a small number of microorganisms in patients with negative results in classical tests should be evaluated.

Management and Long-term Outcomes of Crohn's Disease Complicated with Enterocutaneous Fistula: ECUFIT Study from GETECCU.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Crohn's disease [CD] can develop penetrating complications at any time during the disease course. Enterocutaneous fistulae [ECF] are disease-related complications with an important impact on quality of life. Our aim was to describe the outcomes of this complication, including its medical and/or surgical management and their temporal trends. The primary endpoint was fistula closure, defined as the absence of drainage, with no new abscess or surgery, over the preceding 6 months. METHODS: Clinical information from all adult patients with CD and at least one ECF-excluding perianal fistulae-were identified from the prospectively-maintained ENEIDA registry. All additional information regarding treatment for this complication was retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 301 ECF in 286 patients [January 1970-September 2020] were analysed out of 30 088 records. These lesions were mostly located in the ileum [67%] and they had a median of one external opening [range 1-10]. After a median follow-up of 146 months (interquartile range [IQR], 69-233), 69% of patients underwent surgery. Fistula closure was achieved in 84%, mostly after surgery, and fistula recurrence was uncommon [13%]. Spontaneous and low-output fistulae were associated with higher closure rates (hazard ratio [HR] 1.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17-1.93, p = 0.001, and HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.07-2.06, p = 0.03, respectively); this was obtained more frequently with medical therapy since biologics have been available. CONCLUSIONS: ECF complicating CD are rare but entail a high burden of medical and surgical resources. Closure rates are high, usually after surgery, and fistula recurrence is uncommon. A significant proportion of patients receiving medical therapy can achieve fistula closure.

[Familial adenomatous polyposis and liver metastases from a neuroendocrine tumor]. / Paciente con poliposis adenomatosa familiar y metástasis hepáticas de tumor neuroendocrino.

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is mainly characterized by the development of a large number of polyps in the gastrointestinal tract and by the risk of developing adenocarcinomas. We present the case of a woman diagnosed with FAP and liver metastases. Histological analysis revealed both diseases to be secondary to a neuroendocrine tumor. To date, only three cases showing the simultaneous occurrence of these two entities have been published. Currently, there is no genetic basis to explain the coexistence of these two diseases, both of which have a very low prevalence.

The Colonoscopy Satisfaction and Safety Questionnaire (CSSQP) for Colorectal Cancer Screening: A Development and Validation Study.

Colonoscopy services working in colorectal cancer screening programs must perform periodic controls to improve the quality based on patients' experiences. However, there are no validated instruments in this setting that include the two core dimensions for optimal care: satisfaction and safety. The aim of this study was to design and validate a specific questionnaire for patients undergoing screening colonoscopy after a positive fecal occult blood test, the Colonoscopy Satisfaction and Safety Questionnaire based on patients' experience (CSSQP). The design included a review of available evidence and used focus groups to identify the relevant dimensions to produce the instrument (content validity). Face validity was analyzed involving 15 patients. Reliability and construct and empirical validity were calculated. Validation involved patients from the colorectal cancer screening program at two referral hospitals in Spain. The CSSQP version 1 consisted of 15 items. The principal components analysis of the satisfaction items isolated three factors with saturation of elements above 0.52 and with high internal consistency and split-half readability: Information, Care, and Service and Facilities features. The analysis of the safety items isolated two factors with element saturations above 0.58: Information Gaps and Safety Incidents. The CSSQP is a new valid and reliable tool for measuring patient' experiences, including satisfaction and safety perception, after a colorectal cancer screening colonoscopy.

Relationship between tobacco, cagA and vacA i1 virulence factors and bacterial load in patients infected by Helicobacter pylori.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Several biological and epidemiological studies support a relationship between smoking and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) to increase the risk of pathology. However, there have been few studies on the potential synergistic association between specific cagA and vacA virulence factors and smoking in patients infected by Helicobacter pylori. We studied the relationship between smoking and cagA, vacA i1 virulence factors and bacterial load in H. pylori infected patients. METHODS: Biopsies of the gastric corpus and antrum from 155 consecutive patients in whom there was clinical suspicion of infection by H. pylori were processed. In 106 patients H. pylori infection was detected. Molecular methods were used to quantify the number of microorganisms and presence of cagA and vacA i1 genes. A standardized questionnaire was used to obtain patients' clinical data and lifestyle variables, including tobacco and alcohol consumption. Adjusted Odds Ratios (ORadjusted) were estimated by unconditional logistic regression. RESULTS: cagA was significantly associated with active-smoking at endoscope: ORadjusted 4.52. Evidence of association was found for vacA i1 (ORadjusted 3.15). Bacterial load was higher in active-smokers, although these differences did not yield statistical significance (median of 262.2 versus 79.4 copies of H. pylori per cell). CONCLUSIONS: The association between smoking and a higher risk of being infected by a virulent bacterial population and with higher bacterial load, support a complex interaction between H. pylori infection and environmental factors.

Quantification of Helicobacter pylori in gastric mucosa by real-time polymerase chain reaction: comparison with traditional diagnostic methods.

The aim of this study was to determine the main diagnostic validity parameters of a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system for detecting Helicobacter pylori in gastric biopsies. Prospective study. The real-time PCR has an internal control for eliminating the false negatives. Our system has a good diagnostic capacity compared with the gold standard and was superior in antral mucosa: area under the curve was 0.91 for antrum (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.87 to 0.96) and 0.83 for corpus (95% CI 0.77 to 0.9). The optimum cut-off point was 3.56 microorganisms/cell for antrum (sensitivity 83.5% [95% CI 74.2 to 89.9]; specificity 91.3% [95% CI 82.3 to 96.0]; positive predictive value 92.2%; negative predictive value 81.8%). The positive likelihood ratios were 9.61 and 8.52 for antrum and corpus, respectively. With the cut-off point that maximises the Youden index, 8.7% false positives were obtained. Our methodology is useful for diagnosing infection due to H. pylori and the false positives detected probably correspond to patients who were actually infected but the infection was not detected by traditional techniques. The clinical importance of these cases should be studied in greater detail since they may involve colonisations unrelated to the patient's digestive pathology.

Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage Secondary to Duodenal Cystic Dystrophy in Heterotopic Pancreas.

Cystic dystrophy of the duodenal wall (CDDW) is a complication of heterotopic pancreatic tissue located in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract, characterized by the presence of multiple small cysts, usually found in the wall of the second part of the duodenum. Gastrointestinal hemorrhage due to CDDW is a rare complication. We report the case of a 50-year-old man who was admitted to our hospital for persistent vomiting. The imaging tests confirmed the diagnosis of CDDW. During his stay in hospital, the patient had a gastrointestinal hemorrhage secondary to this disorder, which made it necessary to perform a Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy (Billroth III).

Does the use of a variable stiffness colonoscope offer advantages during colonoscopy under deep sedation? Results of a randomized trial.

INTRODUCTION: Variable stiffness colonoscope may be useful in performing colonoscopies in nonsedated patients or under endoscopist-controlled sedation. The objective of this study is to evaluate whether this instrument facilitates colonoscopy in patients under deep sedation monitored by an anaesthesiologist. METHODS: Prospective and randomized study enroling consecutive patients referred for colonoscopy under deep sedation monitored by an anaesthesiologist. In group I, a variable stiffness colonoscope was used, whereas in group II, a standard colonoscope was used. The main variable was the need to change the position of the patient during the endoscopy. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were included in group I (variable stiffness colonoscope) and 54 in group II (standard colonoscope). The caecum was reached in 92.9% of patients in group I and in 90.7% of group II (P=0.7). The time required to reach the caecum was significantly less in group I (6.14±3.5 vs. 7.7±3.8; P=0.035). The variable stiffness colonoscope was effective in 66.7% of cases. Changing the position of the patient was necessary in 12.5% of cases in group I compared with 33.3% of cases in group II (P=0.01). CONCLUSION: The variable stiffness colonoscope avoids the need to change the patient's position and reduces caecal intubation time in patients undergoing colonoscopy under deep sedation controlled by an anaesthesiologist.