Outcomes of Colorectal Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection According to the Size of Colorectal Neoplasm: A HASID Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a valuable technique for treating colorectal neoplasms. However, there are insufficient data concerning the treatment outcomes in relation to the size of colorectal neoplasms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The data on ESD for colorectal epithelial neoplasms between January 2015 and December 2020 were retrospectively collected from five tertiary medical centers. Colorectal neoplasms were stratified into groups based on their longitudinal diameter: <20 mm as Group 1, 20-39 mm as Group 2, 40-59 mm as Group 3, and 60 mm or more as Group 4. RESULTS: Of the 1,446 patients, 132 patients were in Group 1 (<20 mm), 1,022 in Group 2 (20-39 mm), 249 in Group 3 (40-59 mm), and 43 in Group 4 (≥60 mm). There was an observed trend of increasing age from Group 1 to Group 4, accompanied by a corresponding increase in the Charlson Comorbidity Index. Procedure time also exhibited a gradual increase from Group 1 to Group 4. Similarly, the length of hospital stay tended to increase from Group 1 to Group 4. The predictive model, using restricted cubic spline curves, revealed that as the size of lesion exceeded 30 mm, complete resection steadily decreased, and major complications notably increased. CONCLUSION: As the size of colorectal neoplasms increases, the rate of complete resection decreases and the rate of complications increases.

Anticoagulants are a risk factor for delayed bleeding after colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection: A HASID multicenter study.

INTRODUCTION: Delayed bleeding is an important adverse event following colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). However, whether anticoagulants are risk factors for delayed bleeding after colorectal ESD remains debatable. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 1,708 patients who underwent colorectal ESDs between January 2015 and December 2020 at five academic medical centers in South Korea. We aimed to identify the risk factors for delayed bleeding in patients after colorectal ESD and, in particular, to evaluate the effect of anticoagulants. RESULTS: Delayed bleeding occurred in 40 of 1,708 patients (2.3 %). The risk factors for delayed bleeding were antithrombotic agents (odds ratio [OR], 6.155; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.201-11.825; p < 0.001), antiplatelet agents (OR, 4.609; 95% CI, 2.200-9.658; p < 0.001), anticoagulants (OR, 8.286; 95% CI, 2.934-23.402; p < 0.001), and tumor location in the rectum (OR, 2.055; 95% CI, 1.085-3.897; p = 0.027). In the analysis that excluded patients taking antiplatelet agents, the delayed bleeding rate was higher in patients taking anticoagulants (1.6% no antithrombotic agents vs. 12.5% taking anticoagulants, p < 0.001). There was no difference in the delayed bleeding rate (4.2% direct oral anticoagulants vs. 25.0% warfarin, p = 0.138) or clinical outcomes according to the type of anticoagulant used. CONCLUSIONS: Anticoagulants use was a risk factor for delayed bleeding after colorectal ESD, and there was no difference in the risk of delayed bleeding based on the type of anticoagulant used. Colorectal ESD in patients receiving anticoagulants requires careful observation and management for delayed bleeding.

Outcomes of Colorectal Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Elderly Patients: A Multicenter Study by the Honam Association for the Study of Intestinal Disease (HASID).

BACKGROUND/AIM: The aging population has been growing gradually; therefore, the proportion of elderly patients undergoing colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has also been increasing. However, there is a lack of large-scale studies on the efficacy and safety of colorectal ESD in elderly patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective analysis evaluated colorectal ESDs performed at five tertiary medical institutions between January 2015 and December 2020. Patients were categorized into the following four age groups: Middle-aged (<65 years), young-elderly (≥65 to <75 years), mid-elderly (≥75 to <85 years), and very elderly (≥85 years). Of the 1,446 patients included, 668 (46.2%), 466 (32.2%), 293 (20.3%), and 19 (1.3%) were in the middle-aged, young-elderly, mid-elderly, and very-elderly groups, respectively. RESULTS: Compared to younger patients, more older patients used aspirin, clopidogrel, and anti-thrombotic agents. Additionally, the Charlson comorbidity index increased significantly with increasing age. However, no significant differences were observed in the complete resection rates nor the rates of complications, such as perforation, bleeding, and post-ESD coagulation syndrome, among the different age groups. A restricted cubic spline curve was used to construct predictive models for complete resection and major complications based on age and showed that the need for complete resection did not decrease with increasing age. Furthermore, major complications did not significantly differ with age progression. CONCLUSION: Colorectal ESD should be actively considered as a relatively safe and effective treatment method for elderly patients.

Predictive factors associated with technical difficulty in colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection: A Honam Association for the Study of Intestinal Disease (HASID) multicenter study.

Colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a promising but challenging procedure. It is not widely performed due to its technical difficulty. We aimed to find the predictive factors associated with technical difficulty in colorectal ESD before the procedure. Clinical data from patients who underwent ESD for colorectal tumors in 5 hospitals in Honam province of South Korea between 2015 and 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. Technically difficult colorectal ESD procedure was defined in 3 points. Long procedure time (longer than 60 minutes), occurrence of perforation, and failure of en bloc resection. Factors associated with technically difficult ESD were included as main outcome measure. 1446 patients were identified and their data were analyzed. Median procedure time was 30.0 minutes and median long axis of the tumor was 20.1 mm. Technically difficult procedures including long procedure time were 231 cases (16.0%), perforation occurred in 34 cases (2.3%), and en bloc resection was done in 1292 cases (89.3%). Tumor size larger than 35 mm (odd ratio [OR]: 1.474, P = .047), central depression or ulceration in the lesion (OR: 1.474, P = .013), previous endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) or polypectomy procedure (OR: 2.428, P = .020) were associated with technically difficult ESD. Descending colon-located tumor (OR: 5.355, P < .001), and use of IT knife (OR: 4.157, P = .003) were associated with perforation. Recognizing factors associated with technically difficult ESD can help in planning the ESD procedure beforehand.

Effectiveness and Safety of Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Colorectal Neoplasm in Patients with High Charlson Comorbidity Index Score: A HASID Multicenter Study.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is an effective method for removing early colorectal lesions. However, research on the safety and efficacy of ESD in patients with various underlying conditions remains limited. This study retrospectively examined ESD outcomes in colorectal neoplasm patients from five tertiary medical centers. The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and age-adjusted CCI (ACCI) were analyzed, and the differences in complete resection and complication rates were analyzed. The CCI, ACCI, and complication rates tended to gradually increase proportionally, and the complication resection rate increased from CCI 2 to ACCI 4 as the starting point, followed by a decreasing trend. Of these, 140 patients (9.7%) had a CCI score of 3 or higher. The high CCI group was older (70.6% vs. 64.7%, p < 0.01) and had a higher proportion of men (70.7% vs. 58.7%, p < 0.01) than the low CCI group. The high CCI group had a higher incidence of cancer than the low CCI group (77.9% vs. 65.2%, p < 0.01). The en bloc resection rate (90.0% vs. 89.3%, p = 0.79) and complete resection rate (75.7% vs. 81.2%, p = 0.12) were not significantly different between the two groups. Colorectal ESD can be safely and effectively performed in patients with various underlying medical conditions.

Comparison of optimal bowel cleansing effects of 1L polyethylene glycol with ascorbic acid versus sodium picosulfate with magnesium citrate: A randomized controlled study.

Various low-volume bowel cleansing formulations that improve compliance have been approved and are being used in clinical practice. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of 1 L polyethylene glycol (PEG) with ascorbic acid with that of sodium picosulfate (PICO) with magnesium citrate. This was a multicenter, randomized controlled, non-inferiority study. Patients were randomized into a 1 L PEG with ascorbic acid group and a PICO with magnesium citrate group according to the bowel cleansing agent used. Colonoscopy was performed as a single-blind study wherein the endoscopist had no information about any bowel preparation agent. The efficacy of bowel cleansing was assessed using the Harefield Cleansing Scale (HCS), and adverse events, preferences, and satisfaction were evaluated using a patient-reported questionnaire before colonoscopy. A total of 254 participants were randomly assigned to two groups: 115 in the 1 L PEG with ascorbic acid group and 113 in the PICO with magnesium citrate group. Overall bowel cleansing success was not statistically different between the two groups (97.4 vs. 97.3%), confirming that 1 L PEG with ascorbic acid was not inferior to PICO with magnesium citrate (lower confidence limit, -4.15%; p = 1.00). High-quality bowel cleansing was achieved in 87% of the 1 L PEG with ascorbic acid group and 77% of the PICO with magnesium citrate group (Lower confidence limit, 1.29%, p = 0.05). In terms of patient satisfaction, PICO with magnesium citrate was better, but compliance and side effects were similar in both groups. The 1 L PEG with ascorbic acid showed similar efficacy and adverse events as PICO with magnesium citrate. Although 1 L PEG with ascorbic acid is very effective in bowel preparation despite its small volume, it is necessary to increase satisfaction such as taste and feeling.

5-Aminosalicylic Acid-induced Myocarditis in a Patient with Atypical Ulcerative Colitis.

5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) is used widely to treat ulcerative colitis. The common side effects of 5-ASA include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, and skin rash. 5-ASA-induced myocarditis is a rare side effect, and few cases have been reported. 5-ASA-induced myocarditis usually occurs within 2-4 weeks of drug use and causes chest pain and dyspnea. This paper reports 5-ASA-induced myocarditis in a 31-year-old male patient who took 5-ASA for 20 days prior. The patient was hospitalized with dyspnea that worsened when lying down, with chest pain radiating to the left neck, fever, and vomiting. Myocarditis was suspected. The work-up included electrocardiogram, transthoracic echocardiogram, cardiac MRI, and laboratory investigations. The patient's signs and symptoms improved within a few days after withdrawing 5-ASA. This case shows that an evaluation including the possibility of myocarditis should be performed when patients with ulcerative colitis receiving 5-ASA present with cardiac problems, such as dyspnea and chest pain.

Clinical outcomes of positive resection margin after endoscopic mucosal resection of early colon cancers.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: When determining the subsequent management after endoscopic resection of the early colon cancer (ECC), various factors including the margin status should be considered. This study assessed the subsequent management and outcomes of ECCs according to margin status. METHODS: We examined the data of 223 ECCs treated by endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) from 215 patients during 2004 to 2014, and all patients were followed-up at least for 2 years. RESULTS: According to histological analyses, the margin statuses of all lesions after EMR were as follows: 138 cases (61.9%) were negative, 65 cases (29.1%) were positive for dysplastic cells on the resection margins, and 20 cases (8.9%) were uncertain. The decision regarding subsequent management was affected not only by pathologic outcomes but also by the endoscopist's opinion on whether complete resection was obtained. Surgery was preferred if the lesion extended to the submucosa (odds ratio [OR], 25.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.09-91.42), the endoscopic resection was presumed incomplete (OR, 15.55; 95% CI, 4.28-56.56), or the lymph system was invaded (OR, 13.69; 95% CI, 1.76-106.57). Fourteen patients (6.2%) had residual or recurrent malignancies at the site of the previous ECC resection and were significantly associated with presumed incomplete endoscopic resection (OR, 4.59; 95% CI, 1.21-17.39) and submucosal invasion (OR, 5.14; 95% CI, 1.18-22.34). CONCLUSIONS: Subsequent surgery was associated with submucosa invasion, lymphatic invasion, and cancer-positive margins. Presumed completeness of the resection may be helpful for guiding the subsequent management of patients who undergo endoscopic resection of ECC.

Could Transgastric Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Aspiration Alone Be Effective for the Treatment of Pancreatic Abscesses?

Drainage of pancreatic abscesses is required for effective control of sepsis. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided endoscopic drainage is less invasive than surgery and prevents local complications related to percutaneous drainage. Endoscopic drainage with stent placement in the uncinate process of the pancreas is a technically difficult procedure. We report a case of pancreatic abscess treated by repeated EUS-guided aspiration and intravenous antibiotics without an indwelling drainage catheter or surgical intervention.

Pleural fluid characteristics of pleuropulmonary paragonimiasis masquerading as pleural tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pleuropulmonary paragonimiasis produces no specific symptoms or radiologic findings, allowing for the possibility of misdiagnosis. We evaluated the specific clinical and pleural fluid features of pleuropulmonary paragonimiasis masquerading as pleural tuberculosis. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and radiologic characteristics of 20 patients diagnosed with pleuropulmonary paragonimiasis between 2001 and 2011. RESULTS: In total, 17 patients presented with respiratory symptoms, including dyspnea (30%), hemoptysis (20%), cough (20%), and pleuritic chest pain (15%). Chest radiographs revealed intrapulmonary parenchymal lesions, including air-space consolidation (30%), nodular opacities (20%), cystic lesions (15%), ground-glass opacities (10%), and pneumothorax (5%). A pleural fluid examination revealed eosinophilia, low glucose levels, and high lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in 87%, 76%, and 88% of the patients, respectively. These traits helped to distinguish pleuropulmonary paragonimiasis from other pleural diseases such as parapneumonic effusion, malignancy, and pleural tuberculosis. CONCLUSIONS: Pleuropulmonary paragonimiasis is often initially misdiagnosed as other pleural diseases. Therefore, it is important to establish the correct diagnosis. In patients with unexplained pleural effusion living in paragonimiasis-endemic areas, pleural fluid obtained by thoracentesis should be examined to distinguish pleuropulmonary paragonimiasis. When marked eosinophilia, high LDH levels, and low glucose levels are identified in pleural fluid, physicians could consider a diagnosis of pleuropulmonary paragonimiasis.

Optimal cutoff value of serum adenosine deaminase activity for diagnosing acute scrub typhus.

The objective of this study was to determine the optimal cutoff value of serum adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity for diagnosing scrub typhus in acute febrile patients, especially in the autumn. A total of 715 febrile patients were included; 286 of them were diagnosed with acute scrub typhus. The mean serum ADA activities in patients with and without scrub typhus were 42.8 ± 13.4 IU/L and 17.2 ± 11.5 IU/L, respectively. The optimal cutoff value for serum ADA activity was determined to be 25.0 IU/L with a sensitivity of 92.3%, specificity of 86.6%, and area under the curve of 89.4% using a receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis. The possibility of scrub typhus must be considered when acute febrile patients present with high ADA activity (>25 IU/L), especially in the autumn. Determining the optimal serum ADA activity cutoff value may help clinicians diagnose acute scrub typhus prior to serological confirmation.