Long-term outcomes of endoscopic ultrasonography-guided balloon-occluded gastrojejunostomy bypass for malignant gastric outlet obstruction (with video).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) is a minimally invasive technique for gastric outlet obstruction (GOO). EUS-guided balloon-occluded gastrojejunostomy bypass (EPASS) aims to improve stent deployment and minimize migration in EUS-GE. In this study, we evaluated the long-term outcomes of EPASS. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 37 patients (mean age 71; 21 males) with symptomatic, non-refractory GOO who had undergone EPASS. RESULTS: EPASS achieved a 94.6 % (35/37) technical success rate including 2 cases of stent mis-deployment. The mean procedure time was 27.3 min, with a double-balloon tube insertion time of 10.4 min. Initial GOO scores improved from 0.43 to 2.14 and 2.60 at 7 and 28 days post-EPASS, respectively. The clinical success rate was 89.2%. The rate of adverse events, including fever and abdominal pain, was 16.2%. The mean overall survival post-EPASS was 193.5 days, with no stent occlusion or migration (100% patency). CONCLUSIONS: EPASS demonstrates safety and reliability in EUS-GE, offering a viable option for symptomatic malignant GOO treatment.

One-step tract dilation using a novel long balloon catheter during endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy.

Tract dilation prior to stent placement is an important step in endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy. Mukai and colleagues describe their use of a novel catheter with a longer balloon, which enables one-step tract dilation of the gastric wall, liver parenchyma, and bile duct wall, shortening the procedure and reducing bile leakage.

Multicenter comparative study on the usefulness of the optimal electrosurgical unit setting in endoscopic papillectomy for ampullary neoplasms (with video).

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic papillectomy (EP) is less invasive than surgery but procedure-related adverse events (AEs) still frequently occur. This study compared the benefits of EP using a new optimal endoCUT setting on the VIO (Erbe) electrosurgical unit (VIO-EP) with those using the conventional electrosurgical unit setting (ICC-EP, Erbe). METHODS: This multicenter, retrospective, comparative cohort study included 57 patients who underwent VIO-EP and 91 who underwent ICC-EP. The primary outcome was occurrence of EP-related AEs. Secondary outcomes were pathological findings (the resection margins, the R0 resection, and residual lesions). RESULTS: Pancreatitis tended to be less common in the VIO-EP group (5.3% vs. 9.9%, p = .248). Evaluation of computed tomography images showed that pancreatitis was confined to the pancreatic head in 77.8% of cases in the ICC-EP group and in 33.3% of those in the VIO-EP group. After exclusion of cases of delayed bleeding, pancreatitis tended to be less common in the VIO-EP group; this finding was not statistically significant (2.3% vs. 8.2%, p = .184). In pathological findings, residual lesions were significantly less common in the VIO-EP group. CONCLUSIONS: The risks of pancreatitis and residual lesions after EP may be lower when the VIO electrosurgical unit is used with the optimal setting.

Noninvasive rapid urinary trypsinogen-2 dipstick test for early exclusion of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis within hours after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: Clinical diagnosis and considerations.

Objective: Few reports have explored the application of urinary trypsinogen-2 measurement in the early diagnosis of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis, and none have demonstrated the benefits of noninvasive testing. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical application of the rapid urinary trypsinogen-2 dipstick test (Nipro, Japan) compared with serum amylase and lipase levels for the early diagnosis of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). Methods: A total of 100 consecutive patients (54 men and 46 women) who were admitted and underwent ERCP at Tokyo Medical University Hospital from August 2021 to December 2021 were recruited. All patients underwent rapid urinary trypsinogen-2 measurement using the dipstick test before and after ERCP. Measurements were taken 24 h before ERCP for pre-ERCP and 1-4 h after ERCP for post-ERCP. Additionally, serum amylase and lipase levels were measured at 8:00 a.m. of the day after ERCP (at least 8 h after ERCP), and their diagnostic abilities for PEP were compared and evaluated. Results: PEP occurred in 5/100 patients (5%). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the dipstick test for diagnosing PEP were 100%, 83.2%, 23.8%, and 100%, respectively. These results were comparable to the diagnostic performance of serum amylase and lipase levels at 8:00 a.m. on the day after ERCP (at least 8 h after ERCP). However, false positives must be considered. Conclusion: The dipstick test may be useful in clinical practice as a noninvasive screening test for the early prediction of PEP.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biopsy using a three-prong asymmetry tip needle for pancreatic tumors and peridigestive tract lesions: Retrospective single-center study.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition is vital for diagnosing pancreatic and peridigestive tract lesions. A new three-prong asymmetry tip needle has been developed for this procedure. In this study, we retrospectively assessed the diagnostic ability, tissue collection volume, and procedural adverse events of the three-prong asymmetry tip needle for solid pancreatic, subepithelial, and other organ lesions. METHODS: We analyzed the data of 58 consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition using a three-prong asymmetry tip needle between August 2022 and April 2023 at a single care center. RESULTS: The tissue collection rate was 91.4% with 89.7% accuracy, 89.3% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% positive predictive value, and 25% negative predictive value. No significant differences in collection rates or diagnostic performance were observed based on the target organ, puncture route, or lesion size. Using our original assessment method, the average histological core tissue score was 3.1 ± 0.8, whereas the blood contamination volume was 2.5 ± 0.8. Only one of 58 patients (1.7%) developed a pancreatic fistula of moderate severity as an adverse event. CONCLUSIONS: The three-prong asymmetry tip needle demonstrated good diagnostic capability and adequate sample volume with safety for pancreatic, subepithelial, and other organ lesions.

A novel technique for one-step dilation followed by bile aspiration using an ultra-tapered bougie dilator with side holes to minimize bile leakage during EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy.

Bile aspiration during endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy reduces the risk of bile leakage. Mukai and colleagues devised a method in which side holes for bile aspiration are created using a biopsy punch in a hard type ultra-tapered bougie dilator. Effective bile aspiration was achieved in all four cases attempted.

Potential versatile uses of a novel ultra-thin peroral cholangioscope.

Tonozuka and colleagues report the usefulness of a newly developed ultra-thin mother-baby type peroral cholangioscope with a tip external diameter of 2.3 mm for a case of biliary stricture in which conventional peroral cholangioscope insertion was challenging. The novel scope allows simple and low-cost peroral cholangioscopy, making it highly versatile.

Early and late effects of endoscopic interventions in patients with malignant afferent loop syndrome: A single-center experience and literature review.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Afferent loop syndrome (ALS) is a rare adverse event after gastrointestinal surgery requiring appropriate early decompression treatment. Several endoscopic interventions have been attempted for treatment, including endoscopic enteral metal stent placement (EMSP), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided entero-enterostomy (EUS-EE), and EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy (EUS-HGS). However, there are limited data on outcomes, including duration of stent patency. In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of each endoscopic intervention for malignant ALS. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated nine patients with malignant ALS who underwent EMSP, EUS-EE, or EUS-HGS. Information on technical success, clinical efficacy, adverse events, stent dysfunction, and overall survival was collected and analyzed. RESULTS: The most common symptoms were abdominal pain and cholangitis. ALS was treated by EMSP in three patients, EUS-EE in three patients, and EUS-HGS in three patients. Stent placement was successful and clinically effective in all patients with no adverse events. During follow-up, stent dysfunction occurred in two patients treated by EUS-HGS. Eight patients died of primary disease during a median follow-up of 157 days. CONCLUSIONS: Each of the available endoscopic interventions for malignant ALS can be expected to produce similar outcomes, including duration of stent patency. The choice of endoscopic intervention should be made based on the characteristics of each treatment.

Long-term outcomes after EUS-guided antegrade intervention for benign bilioenteric anastomotic stricture.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Bilioenteric anastomotic stricture (BES) is a well-known adverse event after bilioenterostomy. Recently, EUS-guided antegrade intervention (EUS-AI) has been developed for cases that are difficult to treat by balloon enteroscopy-assisted ERCP. However, no data are available on the long-term outcomes after EUS-AI. The main goal of the present study was to clarify the long-term outcomes of EUS-AI in such patients. METHODS: Between November 2013 and November 2021, 34 patients who were followed for more than 1 year after EUS-AI for BES were identified. The primary endpoint was the rate of stricture resolution. Secondary endpoints were factors associated with stricture resolution, rate of BES recurrence, rate of conversion to surgery, and rate of hepatic fibrosis progression during follow-up. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 56.7 months. Stricture resolution was achieved in 17 of 34 patients (50%). A multivariate analysis confirmed that the presence of bile duct stones (odds ratio, 9.473; 95% confidence interval, 1.66-53.98; P = .01) was significantly associated with stricture resolution. The stricture recurrence rate was 33%, and the median time from stent removal to recurrence was 31.2 months. Four patients underwent surgery because of recurrent cholangitis. During the median follow-up period of 56.7 months, 25% progressed to hepatic fibrosis based on the Fibrosis-4 index grade. Interestingly, patients without cholangitis during follow-up did not show progression of hepatic fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: EUS-AI has achieved acceptable long-term clinical outcomes. EUS-AI can be a viable alternative treatment of choice before surgical treatment in patients who are difficult to treat by conventional approaches.

A fatal case of massive hemobilia caused by invasive pancreatic cancer with median arcuate ligament syndrome: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: In median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS), the celiac artery is compressed, causing an arcade to develop in the pancreatic head, leading to ischemic symptoms and aneurysms. PATIENT CONCERNS: The patient was diagnosed with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (PC) and MALS. Endoscopic biliary drainage with a covered metal stent (CMS) was performed for the obstructive jaundice. After the jaundice improved, a modified FOLFIRINOX regimen was initiated. Several days later, cardiopulmonary arrest occurred after hematemesis occurred. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed, his blood pressure stabilized, and emergent upper endoscopy was performed. The CMS was dislodged and active bleeding was observed in the papillae. The CMS was replaced, and temporary hemostasis was achieved. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a diagnosis of extravasation from the posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal artery (PSPDA) into the biliary tract. Transcatheter arterial embolization was performed. However, the patient was subsequently diagnosed with hypoxic encephalopathy and died on day 14 of hospitalization. DIAGNOSIS: Biliary hemorrhage due to invasion of pancreatic cancer from the PSPDA associated with MALS. INTERVENTION: None. OUTCOMES: Biliary hemorrhage from the PSPDA was fatal in the patient with invasive PC with MALS. LESSONS: Since MALS associated with PC is not a rare disease, the purpose of this study was to keep in mind the possibility of fatal biliary hemorrhage.

Endoscopic retrieval of a proximally migrated fully covered self-expandable metal stent using biopsy forceps with a guiding sheath cannula.

Transpapillary endoscopic biliary drainage is the gold standard for resolving malignant biliary obstruction. Stent migration occasionally occurs and is troublesome to retrieve. Yamamoto and colleagues report with accompanying video on the successful retrieval of a proximally migrated stent using biopsy forceps through a guiding sheath cannula.

Objective evaluation of the resistance forces of 22-gauge EUS-FNA and fine-needle biopsy needles.

Background and Objectives: EUS-guided tissue acquisition is routinely performed for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal tract and adjacent organ lesions. Recently, various types of needles have been developed. However, how the shape of the needle tip and echoendoscope tip angle affect puncturability, has not been clarified. The aim of this experimental study was to compare the puncturability of several 22-gauge EUS-FNA and EUS-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) needles, and to evaluate the effects of the needle tip shape and echoendoscope tip angle on tissue puncturability. Materials and Methods: The following six major FNA and FNB needles were evaluated: SonoTip® ProControl, EZ Shot 3 Plus, Expect™ Standard Handle, SonoTip® TopGain, Acquire™, and SharkCore™. The mean maximum resistance force against needle advancement was evaluated and compared under several conditions using an echoendoscope. Results: The mean maximum resistance force of the needle alone was higher for the FNB needles than for the FNA needles. The mean maximum resistance force of the needle in the echoendoscope with free angle demonstrated that the resistance forces were between 2.10 and 2.34 Newton (N). The mean maximum resistance force increased upon increases in angle of the tip of echoendoscope, particularly in the FNA needles. Among the FNB needles, SharkCore™ had the lowest resistance force (2.23 N). The mean maximum resistance force of the needle alone, the needle in the echoendoscope with free angle, and the needle in the echoendoscope with full-up angle for SonoTip® TopGain were all similar to that of Acquire™. Conclusion: SonoTip® TopGain had similar puncturability to Acquire™ in all tested situations. Regarding the puncturability, SharkCore™ is most suitable for insertion into target lesions, when tight echoendoscope tip angle is necessary.

Urgent and emergency endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for gallstone-induced acute cholangitis and pancreatitis.

Urgent or emergency endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is indicated for gallstone-induced acute cholangitis and pancreatitis. The technique and optimal timing of ERCP depend on the disease state, its severity, anatomy, patient background, and the institutional situation. Endoscopic transpapillary biliary drainage within 24 h is recommended for moderate to severe acute cholangitis. The clinical outcomes of biliary drainage with nasobiliary drainage tube placement and plastic stent placement are comparable, and the choice is made on a case-by-case basis considering the advantages and disadvantages of each. The addition of endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) is basically not necessary when performing drainage alone, but single-session stone removal following EST is acceptable in mild to moderate cholangitis cases without antithrombotic therapy or coagulopathy. For gallstone pancreatitis, early ERCP/EST are recommended in cases with impacted gallstones in the papilla. In some cases of gallstone pancreatitis, a gallstone impacted in the papilla has already spontaneously passed into the duodenum, and early ERCP/EST lacks efficacy in such cases, with unfavorable findings of cholangitis or cholestasis. If it is difficult to diagnose the presence of gallstones impacted in the papilla on imaging, endoscopic ultrasonography can be useful in determining the indication for ERCP.

Two cases of endoscopic closure using an over-the-scope clip for endoscopy-related duodenal perforation: How to handle the over-the-scope clip.

Yamamoto et al. report two cases of endoscopic closure using an over-the-scope clip for scope-induced perforation encountered during endoscopic ultrasound and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, respectively. In a supporting video, they explain how to prepare the over-the-scope clip and clearly show how the actual procedures were performed.