Advances in Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)-Guided Liver Biopsy.

Recent years have seen the emergence of endoscopic-ultrasound-guided liver biopsy (EUS-LB) as an effective alternative to traditional (percutaneous or transjugular) liver biopsy techniques. Comparative studies have demonstrated that both endoscopic and non-endoscopic approaches are similar in terms of diagnostic adequacy, accuracy, and adverse events; however, EUS-LB offers the advantage of reduced recovery time. Additionally, EUS-LB enables the sampling of both lobes of the liver as well as the advantage of portal pressure measurements. However, EUS-LB may be argued to have a high cost, although this procedure can be cost-effective if bundled with other endoscopic procedures. Approaches utilizing EUS-guided liver therapy, such as the administration of chemotherapeutic agents and EUS elastography, are in development, and their optimal integration into clinical care is likely to emerge in the coming years. In the present review, we evaluate the available literature on EUS-LB indications, contraindications, variations in needle biopsy techniques, comparative outcomes, advantages and disadvantages, and future trends and perspectives.

A Review of Endoscopic Full-thickness Resection, Submucosal Tunneling Endoscopic Resection, and Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Resection of Subepithelial Lesions.

Gastrointestinal subepithelial tumors (SETs) are often found while performing routine endoscopy. Recently, there has been the development of new endoscopic techniques such as endoscopic submucosal dissection, submucosal tunnel endoscopic resection, and endoscopic full-thickness resection, all minimally invasive approaches which have made it possible to resect SETs that were previously resected with surgery. This review discusses the endoscopic treatment of patients with SETs, outcomes for endoscopic treatment, procedure-related complications, and advantages and disadvantages of these endoscopic techniques.

EUS-guided drainage of pancreatic fluid collections using lumen apposing metal stents: An international, multicenter experience.

INTRODUCTION: Lumen apposing metal stents (LAMS) have been used increasingly for drainage of pancreatic fluid collections (PFC). We present an international, multicenter study evaluating the safety and efficacy of LAMS in PFCs. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing LAMS placement for PFC at 12 international centers were included (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01522573). Demographics, clinical history, and procedural details were recorded. Technical success was defined as successful LAMS deployment. Clinical success was defined as PFC resolution at three-month follow-up. RESULTS: 192 patients were included (140 males (72.9%), mean-age 53.8 years), with mean follow-up of 4.2 months ±â€¯3.8. Mean PFC size was 11.9 cm (range 2-25). The median number of endoscopic interventions was 2 (range 1-14). Etiologies for PFC were gallstone (n = 82, 42.7%), alcohol (n = 50, 26%), idiopathic (n = 26, 13.5%), and other (n = 34, 17.7%). Technical success was achieved in 189 patients (98.4%). Clinical success was observed in 125 of 135 patients (92.6%). Adverse events included bleeding (n = 11, 5.7), infection (n = 2, 1%), and perforation (n = 2, 1%). Three or more endoscopy sessions were a positive predictor for PFC resolution and the only significant predictor for AEs. CONCLUSION: LAMS has a high technical and clinical success rate with a low rate of AEs. PFC drainage via LAMS provides a minimally invasive, safe, and efficacious procedure for PFC resolution.

Colon cancer presenting as pseudo-obstruction during pregnancy - A case report.

The incidence of colorectal cancer in pregnancy is between 0.002 and 0.008%. Diagnosis is often delayed as symptoms of colorectal cancer can mimic as common complaints of pregnancy. We present the case of a 29-year-old with a history of chronic constipation who presented in the second trimester with abdominal pain, inability to tolerate anything orally and no bowel movement in more than three weeks. Non-contrast MRI at presentation failed to show an obstructing mass. Patient was treated conservatively for presumed pseudo-obstruction secondary to worsening constipation from chronic ondansetron use and pregnancy. After four days without clinical improvement, she had a colonoscopy that revealed a completely obstructing sigmoid mass, which biopsies confirmed was a primary colorectal adenocarcinoma. The patient underwent a total abdominal colectomy. She was referred to medical oncology and began adjuvant chemotherapy consisting of 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin and oxaloplatin four weeks post-operatively.

Pancreatic lymphoma complicating early stage chronic hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has also been associated with many extrahepatic manifestations including the development of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Primary pancreatic lymphoma is very rare and comprises 2.2% of NHL and 4.9% of all pancreatic malignancies. Our patient was a woman with a history of infection with HCV found to have a mass in the head of the pancreas. Biopsy of the mass revealed a high-grade B-cell lymphoma consistent with Burkitt's lymphoma. Our case reflects a need to initiate antiviral therapy for all patients infected with HCV even in early stages of fibrosis to prevent cirrhosis and other extrahepatic manifestations of infection with HCV.