Prospective multicenter study to identify optimal target population for motorized spiral enteroscopy.

Motorized spiral enteroscopy (MSE) enhances small bowel exploration, but the optimal target population for this technique is unknown. We aimed to identify the target population for MSE by evaluating its efficacy and safety, as well as detecting predictors of efficacy. A prospective multicenter observational study was conducted at 9 tertiary hospitals in Spain, enrolling patients between June 2020-2022. Analyzed data included demographics, indications for the procedure, exploration time, depth of maximum insertion (DMI), technical success, diagnostic yield, interventional yield, and adverse events (AE) up to 14 days from enteroscopy. Patients with prior gastrointestinal surgery, unsuccessful balloon enteroscopy and small bowel strictures were analyzed. A total of 326 enteroscopies (66.6% oral route) were performed in 294 patients (55.1% males, 65 years ± 21). Prior abdominal surgery was present in 50% of procedures (13.5% gastrointestinal surgery). Lower DMI (162 vs 275 cm, p = 0.037) and diagnostic yield (47.7 vs 67.5%, p = 0.016) were observed in patients with prior gastrointestinal surgery. MSE showed 92.2% technical success and 56.9% diagnostic yield after unsuccessful balloon enteroscopy (n = 51). In suspected small bowel strictures (n = 49), the finding was confirmed in 23 procedures (46.9%). The total AE rate was 10.7% (1.8% classified as major events) with no differences related to prior gastrointestinal/abdominal surgery, unsuccessful enteroscopy, or suspected small bowel strictures. The study demonstrates that MSE has a lower diagnostic yield and DMI in patients with prior gastrointestinal surgery but is feasible after unsuccessful balloon-enteroscopy and in suspected small bowel strictures without safety concerns.

A comprehensive examination of small-bowel capsule endoscopy in Spanish centers to meet European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy standards.

Background and study aims In 2019, the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) created a working group to develop technical and quality standards for small-bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) to improve the daily practice of endoscopy services. They developed 10 quality parameters, which have yet to be tested in a real-life setting. Our study aimed to evaluate the accomplishment of the quality standards in SBCE established by the ESGE in several Spanish centers. Materials and methods An online survey of 11 multiple-choice questions related to the ESGE performance measures was sent to Spanish centers with experience in SBCE. In order to participate and obtain reliable data, at least 100 questionnaires had to be answered per center because that is the minimum number established by ESGE. Results 20 centers participated in the study, compiling 2049 SBCEs for the analysis. Only one of 10 performance measures (cecal visualization) reached the minimum standard established by the ESGE. In five of 10 performance measures (Indication, lesion detection rate, terminology, and retention rate) the minimum standard was nearly achieved. Conclusions Our study is the first multicenter study regarding SBCE quality performance measures in a real setting. Our results show that the minimum standard is hardly reached in most procedures, which calls into question their clinical applicability in real life. We suggest performing similar studies in other countries to evaluate whether there is a need for quality improvement programs or a need to reevaluate the minimum and target values published so far.

Endoscopic management of intraluminal gastric band erosion using a laser lithotripsy probe.

Intraluminal erosion of adjustable and non adjustable gastric bands generally occurs years after placement. Different endoscopic techniques have been described for the management of bands that erode the gastric wall, using endoscopic scissors, rigid endoscopic guides wire coupled to a mechanical lithotripter or even less frequently used devices such as the Gastric Band Cutter System to cut it. We present a clinical case in which we used a lithotripsy laser probe to break the band with great effectiveness without complications.

Gut Microbiome Modification through Dietary Intervention in Patients with Colorectal Cancer: Protocol for a Prospective, Interventional, Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial in Patients with Scheduled Surgical Intervention for CRC.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the second cause of cancer death worldwide. Several factors have been postulated to be involved in CRC pathophysiology, including heritable and environmental factors, which are the latest to be closely associated with nutritional habits, physical activity, obesity, and the gut microbiota. The latter may also play a key role in CRC prognosis and derived complications in patients undergoing surgery. This is a single-center, open, controlled, randomized clinical trial, in patients with scheduled surgical intervention for CRC. The primary objective is to assess whether a pre-surgical nutritional intervention, based on a high-fiber diet rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), can reduce disturbances of the gut microbiota composition and, consequently, the rate of post-surgical complications in patients with CRC. Patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio after receiving a diagnosis of CRC. In the control arm, patients will receive standard nutritional recommendations, while patients in the intervention arm will be advised to follow a high-fiber diet rich in PUFAs before surgery. Participants will be followed up for one year to evaluate the overall rate of postsurgical complications, recurrences of CRC, response to adjuvant therapy, and overall/disease-free survival.

Dietary modulation of gut microbiota in patients with colorectal cancer undergoing surgery: A review.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequent malignancy and the second cause of cancer death worldwide. Several factors have been postulated to be involved in CRC pathophysiology, including physical inactivity, unhealthy dietary habits, obesity, and the gut microbiota. Emerging data suggest that the microbiome may play a key role in CRC prognosis and derived complications in patients undergoing colorectal surgery. On the other hand, dietary intervention has been demonstrated to be able to induce significant changes in the gut microbiota and related metabolites in different conditions; therefore, the manipulation of gut microbiota through dietary intervention may constitute a useful approach to improve perioperative dysbiosis and post-surgical outcomes in patients with CRC. In this article, we review the role of the gut microbiota in CRC surgery complications and the potential therapeutic modulation of gut microbiome through nutritional intervention in patients with CRC undergoing surgery.

A New Comorbidity in Periodontitis: Fusobacterium nucleatum and Colorectal Cancer.

There is very recent and strong evidence relating Fusobacterium nucleatum to colorectal cancer. In this narrative review, we update the knowledge about gingival dysbiosis and the characteristics of Fusobacterium nucleatum as one of the main bacteria related to periodontitis. We provide data on microbiome, epidemiology, risk factors, prognosis, and treatment of colorectal cancer, one of the most frequent tumours diagnosed and whose incidence increases every year. We describe, from its recent origin, the relationship between this bacterium and this type of cancer and the knowledge and emerging mechanisms that scientific evidence reveals in an updated way. A diagram provided synthesizes the pathogenic mechanisms of this relationship in a comprehensive manner. Finally, the main questions and further research perspectives are presented.

Extramedullary plasmacytoma with colonic involvement: experience in a tertiary hospital.

A 71-year-old woman diagnosed with type II diabetes mellitus with severe iron deficiency anemia and positive fecal occult blood. Colonoscopy was performed, showing a soft mass in the ascending colon, with biopsies compatible with plasmacytoma and restriction for Kappa light chains. After bone marrow aspiration, associated IgG multiple myeloma was detected, so chemotherapy with VMP (bortezomib, melphalan and prednisone) was started. Colonoscopy six months later showed that the ulcerated lesion had a reduction in tumor size of up to 80%. A 27-year-old male with a history of kidney transplantation and symptoms of chronic diarrhea, colonoscopy was indicated with the finding of a large exophytic and ulcerated lesion in the cecum. Pathology revealed plasmacytoma with restriction of lambda light chains. After ruling out lesions in other locations, the patient was treated with immunochemotherapy according to the Bortezomib-Rituximab-Dexamethasone scheme, with subsequent complete clinical and endoscopic remission. Plasmacytoma accounts for < 4 % of plasma cell tumours. It may appear isolated or associated with another plasma cell neoplasm, mainly multiple myeloma. Its presence in the gastrointestinal tract is rare, being infrequent in the stomach or small intestine, and even rarer in the colonic tract (incidence 1/10,000,000). The clinical manifestations are similar to those of other colon neoplasms, while the treatment or prognosis may differ from those of other neoplasms. In patients with clinical suspicion, it is important to perform an early endoscopic study, especially in patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

The role of endoscopy in caustic ingestion in the pediatric population: experience in a tertiary center.

INTRODUCTION: caustic ingestion in children is rare but has potentially serious consequences. AIM: to analyze the clinical and endoscopic features and the type of caustic ingested in our population. METHODS: the upper endoscopies performed in this setting, as well as the characteristics of patients and caustics, were analyzed from 2010 to 2018. RESULTS: fifty-one endoscopies were performed (48 cases of witnessed intake or high suspicion and three with a low suspicion) in patients with a mean age of 2.55 years. Alkali ingestion was more frequent (88.2 %) and 56.9 % of the endoscopies were normal, which was more frequent among those who ingested bleach (72 %). Alkali tended to produce more esophageal injuries (31.1 %) and acids tended to produce esophageal (20 %) and esophageal-gastric injuries (20 %). Four patients developed esophageal stenosis during follow-up. DISCUSSION: even though more than half of the studies were normal, endoscopy is important in the diagnosis and prognosis of these patients.

Leukocytoclastic vasculitis with cutaneous and systemic (intestinal) involvement. Diagnosis by capsule endoscopy.

A 26-year-old male diagnosed with cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis was admitted due to abdominal pain and rectal bleeding with slight clinical-analytical impact. On examination, he presented multiple palpable purpuric lesions on his legs.

Endoscopic treatment of postoperative esophagogastric leaks with fully covered self-expanding metal stents.

BACKGROUND: the management of postoperative esophageal leaks is a huge therapeutic challenge. Thanks to the advances in endoscopy, treatment with esophageal stents has been proposed as a valid option. AIMS: the main objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the use of fully covered esophageal metal stents in the treatment of postoperative esophageal leaks. METHODS: a retrospective observational study was performed in patients with postoperative esophageal leaks, treated with fully covered self-expandable metal stents between June 2011 and May 2018. RESULTS: twenty-five patients were evaluated and 34 stents were placed. The closure of the leak was observed in 21 patients after removal of the stent, with an overall technical success rate of 84 %. The mean time with a stent placed for closure of the fistula was 55.7 ± 27.11 days/patient (mean of 39 ± 24.30 days/stent). The most frequent complication was a partial distal stent migration (7/34 stents), followed by five cases of complete migration into the stomach. CONCLUSIONS: endoscopic treatment with fully covered self-expandable metal stents seems to be an effective and safe first-line treatment for postoperative esophageal leaks, according to the experience in our center.

Small Bowel Enteroscopy - A Joint Clinical Guideline from the Spanish and Portuguese Small Bowel Study Groups.

The present evidence-based guidelines are focused on the use of device-assisted enteroscopy in the management of small-bowel diseases. A panel of experts selected by the Spanish and Portuguese small bowel study groups reviewed the available evidence focusing on the main indications of this technique, its role in the management algorithm of each indication and on its diagnostic and therapeutic yields. A set of recommendations were issued accordingly.

Estas recomendações baseadas na evidência detalham o uso da enteroscopia assistida por dispositivo no manejo clínico das doenças do intestino delgado. Um conjunto de Gastrenterologistas diferenciados em patologia do intestino delgado foi selecionado pelos grupos de estudos Espanhol e Portugués de intestino delgado para rever a evidência disponível sobre as principais indicações desta técnica, o seu papel nos algoritmos de manejo de cada indicação e sobre o seu rendimento diagnóstico e terapêutico. Foi gerado um conjunto de recomendações pelos autores.

Perforation of the small bowel secondary to capsule endoscopy retention.

A 71-year-old female with liver cirrhosis underwent a capsule endoscopy (CE) due to middle gastrointestinal bleeding. A neoplastic stenotic lesion showing stigmata of a recent hemorrhage was observed in jejunum and the capsule was retained.

Factors associated with the presence of abnormal levels of fecal calprotectin in patients with negative panenteric studies.

BACKGROUND: fecal calprotectin is a selection tool prior to endoscopic studies in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms. However, some symptomatic patients with altered fecal calprotectin will not have any endoscopic lesions. The aim of the study was to determine the factors associated with the presence of altered fecal calprotectin in patients with negative endoscopic studies of the colon and small bowel. METHODS: this was an observational, prospective study of patients with digestive symptoms. The association of different clinical factors with elevated fecal calprotectin in the absence of endoscopic lesions of the colon and small bowel were analyzed. RESULTS: 143 patients were included in the study, 98 were female (68.5 %) and the mean age was 40.06 ± 16.42 (15-82) years. Smoking and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug intake were associated with altered fecal calprotectin in patients with a negative endoscopy of the colon and small bowel (p = 0.029 and p = 0.006). The mean values of fecal calprotectin were significantly higher in smokers, users of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and patients with small intestine bacterial overgrowth. Smoking (OR: 3.505; p = 0.028), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs intake (OR: 3.473; p = 0.021) and small intestine bacterial overgrowth (OR: 3.172; p = 0.013) were independent risk factors for altered fecal calprotectin in the absence of endoscopic lesions. No association was found for any of the other variables. CONCLUSIONS: smoking and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are strongly associated with elevated levels of fecal calprotectin in symptomatic patients with a negative colonoscopy and capsule endoscopy of the small bowel. Small intestine bacterial overgrowth is also associated.

Small bowel enteroscopy - A joint clinical guideline by the Spanish and Portuguese small-bowel study groups.

The present evidence-based guidelines are focused on the use of device-assisted enteroscopy in the management of small-bowel diseases. A panel of experts selected by the Spanish and Portuguese small-bowel study groups reviewed the available evidence focusing on the main indications of this technique, its role in the management algorithm of each indication, and its diagnostic and therapeutic yield. A set of recommendations was issued accordingly.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in the management of biliary complications after orthotopic liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: biliary complications are frequent after orthotopic liver transplantation and the management of these complications with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is available. The aims of the study were to analyze the experience in the endoscopic management of biliary complications after liver transplantation in a third level center. Furthermore, the factors associated with higher rates of technical and clinical success were determined. METHODS: this was an observational retrospective study of ERCPs performed in patients with biliary complications after liver transplantation between February 2012 and January 2017. The factors analyzed were: demographics, time between transplantation and ERCP, indications for ERCP, strategy of stenting (only plastic stents, only self-expandable metallic stents, plastic followed by metallic stents and metallic followed by plastic stents), technical and clinical success and complications. RESULTS: one hundred and sixty-eight endoscopies were performed in 58 patients. Thirty-three patients (56.9%) presented with early complications. The most frequent indication for ERCP was anastomotic stenosis (57.8%). Technical success in the first ERCP was achieved in 43 patients (74.1%). Early onset of biliary complications was associated with higher rates of technical success (OR: 6.49; p: 0.036). Clinical success was obtained in 36 cases (62.1%). Patients with early complications had a higher probability of having good clinical response (OR: 11.16; p: 0.033). The results were worse in patients with only plastic stents (50% of clinical success). Eleven complications were observed among 168 ERCPs (6.54%), including two pancreatitis, five bleeding events, three cholangitis and one micro-perforation. CONCLUSIONS: ERCP is safe and useful in the management of biliary complications after liver transplantation. Early onset of complications is associated with better results. Some patients will need repeated procedures to obtain a good clinical response.

Influence of demographic and clinical features of the patient on transit times and impact the on the diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy.

BACKGROUND: transit times in the gastric cavity and the small bowel can be easily calculated using capsule endoscopy software. The factors that can influence these times and impact on diagnostic yield have not been completely assessed. AIMS: to analyze the influence of demographic and clinical features on transit times and the impact on diagnostic yield. METHODS: a retrospective, single-center study of examinations between January 2013 and November 2017 was performed. The analyzed features included gender, age, body mass index, diabetes, thyroid disease and indications. The association and correlation between the variables were assessed, as well as the presence of positive and significant findings. RESULTS: six hundred and thirty-one patients were included in the study. Gastric and small bowel transit times were 36.10 ± 48.50 and 251.82 ± 116.42 minutes, respectively. Gastric time was not affected by any of the variables. Small bowel time was longer in males, patients over 60 years of age and diabetics. Prolonged small bowel time, male gender and older age were associated with a higher diagnostic yield. Age over 60 years was the only factor independently associated with positive findings (OR: 1.550 [1.369-1.754]; p: 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: patients over 60 years have a longer small bowel transit time and higher probability of having small bowel lesions. Males and diabetic patients also seem more likely to have longer transit times and higher rates of positive findings.

Use of biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease. / Marcadores de actividad en la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal.

There are many useful biomarkers for initial diagnosis and the management of inflammatory bowel disease. Serologic biomarkers have been traditionally used because they are widely disposable, but recently faecal biomarkers, especially faecal calprotectin, have acquired great importance as they have shown to be more precise when establishing suspicion of the disease and also as predictors of mucosal healing or persistence of inflammatory activity. Faecal calprotectin is a good tool for predicting abnormal endoscopic studies, but has limited specificity because its levels can be altered in many digestive diseases presenting with similar symptoms. The precision of faecal calprotectin is higher when associated with other altered parameters, especially with C-reactive protein, or with clinical scores of inflammatory activity. Finally, there are many new generation serologic and faecal biomarkers. Despite there not being much evidence about these yet, some of them have shown promising results in different studies.

Development and validation of a scoring index to predict the presence of lesions in capsule endoscopy in patients with suspected Crohn's disease of the small bowel: a Spanish multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Capsule endoscopy (CE) is the first-line investigation in cases of suspected Crohn's disease (CD) of the small bowel, but the factors associated with a higher diagnostic yield remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: Our aim is to develop and validate a scoring index to assess the risk of the patients in this setting on the basis of biomarkers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data on fecal calprotectin, C-reactive protein, and other biomarkers from a population of 124 patients with suspected CD of the small bowel studied by CE and included in a PhD study were used to build a scoring index. This was first used on this population (internal validation process) and after that on a different set of patients from a multicenter study (external validation process). RESULTS: An index was designed in which every biomarker is assigned a score. Three risk groups have been established (low, intermediate, and high). In the internal validation analysis (124 individuals), patients had a 10, 46.5, and 81% probability of showing inflammatory lesions in CE in the low-risk, intermediate-risk, and high-risk groups, respectively. In the external validation analysis, including 410 patients from 12 Spanish hospitals, this probability was 15.8, 49.7, and 80.6% for the low-risk, intermediate-risk, and high-risk groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: Results from the internal validation process show that the scoring index is coherent, and results from the external validation process confirm its reliability. This index can be a useful tool for selecting patients before CE studies in cases of suspected CD of the small bowel.

Role of capsule endoscopy in alarm features and non-responsive celiac disease: A European multicenter study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The role of capsule endoscopy (CE) in established celiac disease (CD) remains unclear. Our objective was to analyze the usefulness of CE in the suspicion of complicated CD. METHODS: This was a retrospective multicenter study. One hundred and eighty-nine celiac patients (mean age: 46.6 ± 16.6, 30.2% males) who underwent CE for alarm symptoms (n = 86, 45.5%) or non-responsive CD (n = 103, 54.5%) were included. Diagnostic yield (DY), therapeutic impact and safety were analyzed. RESULTS: Capsule endoscopy was completed in 95.2% of patients (small bowel transit time: 270.5 ± 100.2 min). Global DY was 67.2%, detecting atrophic mucosa (n = 92, 48.7%), ulcerative jejunoileitis (n = 21, 11.1%), intestinal lymphoma (n = 7, 3.7%) and other enteropathies (n = 7, 3.7%, six Crohn's disease cases and one neuroendocrine tumor). The DY of CE was significantly higher in patients presenting with non-responsive disease compared to patients with alarm symptoms (73.8% vs 59.3%, P = 0.035). The new findings of the CE modified management in 59.3% of the cases. There were no major complications. CONCLUSION: Capsule endoscopy may be a moderately helpful and safe diagnostic tool in the suspicion of complicated CD, modifying the clinical course of these patients.