Endoscopic features and associated histology of an basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus at the very early stage.

BACKGROUND: Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus (BSCCE) is generally detected at advanced stage and the prognosis is poorer than advanced conventional esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Therefore, early detection is a critical to improve patients' survival. However, only a few cases of early BSCCE have been reported and the endoscopic features of early BSCCE are not well described. We herein report the endoscopic features and associated histology of an early BSCCE limited within the mucosal lamina propria (m2). To our knowledge, this is the earliest BSCCE reported to date. CASE PRESENTATION: A 62-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital because of epigastric pain for 3 months. White light endoscopy revealed a flat lesion with mild sloping at the periphery. The lesion was covered with leukoplakia, and normal vascular network could not be seen in the lesion. Magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging showed abnormal intra-papillary capillary loop categorized as type B1 according to the classification of the Japan Esophageal Society. Iodine staining revealed a less-stained lesion. The lesion was completely resected through endoscopic submucosal dissection. Histopathologically, tumor cells, which were limited within the mucosal lamina propria, formed solid nests and lobule structures, with ribbon-like arrangement of sparse cytoplasm and round to ovoid hyperchromatic nuclei. A final diagnosis of early BSCCE was established. CONCLUSIONS: This is the earliest BSCCE reported to date. The prominent lesion with a gentle rising slope and less-staining or abnormal stain might be initial feature of early BSCCE.

Use of an abdominal obstetric binder in colonoscopy: A randomized, prospective trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Various methods have been reported as aids to cecal intubation. This study aimed to prospectively investigate whether an abdominal obstetric binder (AOB) used during pregnancy and attached to the patients' abdomen during colonoscopy could facilitate effective colonoscopic insertion. METHODS: This was a prospective study of 451 consecutive outpatient colonoscopies performed by a single experienced endoscopist. The recruited patients were randomly separated into two groups that received colonoscopy either with (Group A) or without an AOB attached (Group B). The cecal intubation time, cecal intubation length of the colonoscope, use of manual pressure, position change of each patient, and the number of patients with abdominal distension were collected for comparison. RESULTS: A total of 451 patients (224 in Group A and 227 in Group B) were ultimately included in this study. In Group A, cecal intubation time and cecal intubation length of colonoscope (CIL) were significantly reduced (P < 0.001). The patients had significantly fewer position changes and manual pressure in Group A (P < 0.001). Significantly less abdominal distension was reported by patients in Group A (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: During colonoscopy, the application of an AOB provided a significantly faster and more effective colonoscope insertion.

Validation study for development of the Japan NBI Expert Team classification of colorectal lesions.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The Japan narrow-band imaging (NBI) Expert Team (JNET) was organized to unify four previous magnifying NBI classifications (the Sano, Hiroshima, Showa, and Jikei classifications). The JNET working group created criteria (referred to as the NBI scale) for evaluation of vessel pattern (VP) and surface pattern (SP). We conducted a multicenter validation study of the NBI scale to develop the JNET classification of colorectal lesions. METHODS: Twenty-five expert JNET colonoscopists read 100 still NBI images with and without magnification on the web to evaluate the NBI findings and necessity of the each criterion for the final diagnosis. RESULTS: Surface pattern in magnifying NBI images was necessary for diagnosis of polyps in more than 60% of cases, whereas VP was required in around 90%. Univariate/multivariate analysis of candidate findings in the NBI scale identified three for type 2B (variable caliber of vessels, irregular distribution of vessels, and irregular or obscure surface pattern), and three for type 3 (loose vessel area, interruption of thick vessel, and amorphous areas of surface pattern). Evaluation of the diagnostic performance for these three findings in combination showed that the sensitivity for types 2B and 3 was highest (44.9% and 54.7%, respectively), and that the specificity for type 3 was acceptable (97.4%) when any one of the three findings was evident. We found that the macroscopic type (polypoid or non-polypoid) had a minor influence on the key diagnostic performance for types 2B and 3. CONCLUSION: Based on the present data, we reached a consensus for developing the JNET classification.

A modified endoscopic submucosal dissection for a superficial hypopharyngeal cancer: a case report and technical discussion.

BACKGROUND: Adequate working space and a clear view for the dissected lesion are crucial for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Pharyngeal ESD requires that an otorhinolaryngologist creates working space by lifting the larynx with a curved laryngoscope. However, many countries do not have this kind of curved laryngoscope, and the devices could interfere with endoscope because of the narrow space of the pharynx. To overcome these issues, we used a transparent hood (Elastic Touch, slit and hole type, M (long), Top company, Tokyo Japan) instead of the curved laryngoscope to create adequate working space by pushing the larynx, and pharyngeal ESD could be done by gastroenterologists. CASE PRESENTATION: A 64-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital because of chronic persistent swallowing dysfunction for 2 years. Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy showed a superficial hypopharyngeal cancer in the right pyriform sinus. We used a transparent hood (Elastic Touch, slit and hole type, M (long), Top company, Tokyo Japan) instead of the curved laryngoscope to create adequate working space by pushing the larynx, and dental floss tied to a haemoclip was applied to create counter traction during ESD. The lesion was pathologically confirmed as superficial squamous cell carcinoma and resected completely. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of modified ESD for a superficial hypopharyngeal cancer. The modified ESD enables early pharyngeal superficial cancer to be removed completely under endoscope by gastroenterologist.

A superficial esophageal cancer in an epiphrenic diverticulum treated by endoscopic submucosal dissection.

BACKGROUND: We report a unique case of a superficial esophageal cancer arising in a single diverticulum, diagnosed with magnifying image-enhanced endoscopy and then successfully treated by endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). CASE PRESENTATION: A 66-year-old man with alcohol-related liver injury visited our hospital for endoscopy for investigation of varix. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed no varix but a large epiphrenic diverticulum with an area of fainted redness just above the esophagogastric junction. Narrow band imaging revealed a sharply demarcated brownish dotted area, and dilated intra-epithelial papillary capillary loops (IPCL) were subsequently seen after magnification. Chromoendoscopy with 1% Lugol's iodine solution demonstrated a well-demarcated unstained area, approximately 20 mm in diameter. Endoscopic biopsy revealed a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). CONCLUSION: The tumor was completely resected by ESD without perforation. Histologically, it was an intraepithelial SCC without lympho-vascular invasion of cancer cells. No local recurrence or metastasis was detected at the last follow-up of 42 months.

Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection of Superficial Esophageal Neoplasms Is Feasible and Not Riskier for Patients with Liver Cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has rarely been reported for the treatment of cirrhotic patients. AIM: To report the results of ESD treatment of superficial esophageal neoplasms (SENs) for cirrhotic patients. METHODS: Forty patients with 50 consecutive SENs undergoing 46 sessions of ESD were retrospectively reviewed. The cirrhotic group included eight patients (11 SENs) with liver cirrhosis consisting of six patients classified as Child-Pugh class A liver cirrhosis and two patients classified as class B liver cirrhosis. Four patients (6 SENs) had coexisting esophageal varices. Parameters were compared between the cirrhotic patients and the non-cirrhotic controls (32 patients, 39 SENs). RESULTS: Platelet counts of the cirrhotic group were significantly lower, while international normalized ratio was significantly higher. When the cirrhotic group and non-cirrhotic group were compared, the mean tumor length (4 vs. 3.7 cm, p = 0.56) and median procedure time (15.1 vs. 11.5 min/cm2, p = 0.30) were similar. The en bloc resection rates were 81.8 and 89.7 % (p = 0.60). Within the cirrhotic group, both lesions without en bloc resection were patients with esophageal varices. The rates of submucosal disease for the cirrhotic group and non-cirrhotic groups were 54.5 and 25.6 % (p = 0.064), respectively, while the R0 resection rates were 77.8 and 94.3 % (p = 0.16), respectively. The two lesions without R0 resection in cirrhotic group had positive vertical but not horizontal margins due to submucosal invasion. Intraprocedural bleeding occurred more frequently in cirrhotic patients than non-cirrhotic patients (18.2 vs. 0 %, p = 0.045). None of the patients suffered from esophageal perforation, postoperative bleeding, or death that was related to the ESD. CONCLUSION: Esophageal ESD seems to be safely and can be effectively performed on cirrhotic patients, particularly those without severe liver dysfunction.

Traction with dental floss and endoscopic clip improves trainee success in performing gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD): a live porcine study (with video).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a prolonged procedure with serious adverse events. The clip with line traction method was reported to improve ESD. However, there was no comparison with conventional ESD especially for trainees. We report here on the feasibility and efficacy of traction using dental floss with endoscopic clip to facilitate ESD versus conventional method for ESD trainees. METHODS: Twenty simulated gastric lesions, paired with location and size, were created in porcine stomachs using a standard template. After a circular incision was made, submucosal dissection (control, n = 10) was performed with standard ESD, while the study (clip, n = 10) was performed with traction using dental floss and endoclip. Primary outcome was speed of submucosal dissection. Secondary outcome included frequency of submucosal injection and adverse event. RESULTS: Compared with controls, median procedure time was significantly shorter in the clip group (5.6 ± 1.1 vs. 13.6 ± 2.5 min, P = 0.003), with a significantly faster submucosal dissection time (1.8 ± 0.3 vs. 0.6 ± 0.1 cm(2)/min, P = 0.001) and less frequent submucosal injection (5.7 ± 0.6 vs. 8.5 ± 1.0 times, P = 0.024). There were no perforations in either group, but less adverse events (bleeding and injury to muscularis propria) in the clip group (1 vs. 7, P = 0.068, α = 0.1). CONCLUSIONS: Traction provided by dental floss and endoclip improves visualization of the submucosal layer during ESD. It allows a faster and safer gastric ESD especially among trainees in the early learning phase.

Narrow-band imaging (NBI) magnifying endoscopic classification of colorectal tumors proposed by the Japan NBI Expert Team.

Many clinical studies on narrow-band imaging (NBI) magnifying endoscopy classifications advocated so far in Japan (Sano, Hiroshima, Showa, and Jikei classifications) have reported the usefulness of NBI magnifying endoscopy for qualitative and quantitative diagnosis of colorectal lesions. However, discussions at professional meetings have raised issues such as: (i) the presence of multiple terms for the same or similar findings; (ii) the necessity of including surface patterns in magnifying endoscopic classifications; and (iii) differences in the NBI findings in elevated and superficial lesions. To resolve these problems, the Japan NBI Expert Team (JNET) was constituted with the aim of establishing a universal NBI magnifying endoscopic classification for colorectal tumors (JNET classification) in 2011. Consensus was reached on this classification using the modified Delphi method, and this classification was proposed in June 2014. The JNET classification consists of four categories of vessel and surface pattern (i.e. Types 1, 2A, 2B, and 3). Types 1, 2A, 2B, and 3 are correlated with the histopathological findings of hyperplastic polyp/sessile serrated polyp (SSP), low-grade intramucosal neoplasia, high-grade intramucosal neoplasia/shallow submucosal invasive cancer, and deep submucosal invasive cancer, respectively.

Feasibility of endoscopy-assisted laparoscopic full-thickness resection for superficial duodenal neoplasms.

BACKGROUND: Superficial duodenal neoplasms (SDNs) are a challenging target in the digestive tract. Surgical resection is invasive, and it is difficult to determine the site and extent of the lesion from outside the intestine and resect it locally. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has scarcely been utilized in the treatment of duodenal tumors because of technical difficulties and possible delayed perforation due to the action of digestive juices. Thus, no standard treatments for SDNs have been established. To challenge this issue, we elaborated endoscopy-assisted laparoscopic full-thickness resection (EALFTR) and analyzed its feasibility and safety. METHODS: Twenty-four SDNs in 22 consecutive patients treated by EALFTR between January 2011 and July 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: All lesions were removed en bloc. The lateral and vertical margins of the specimens were negative for tumor cells in all cases. The mean sizes of the resected specimens and lesions were 28.9 mm (SD±10.5) and 13.3 mm (SD±11.6), respectively. The mean operation time and intraoperative estimated blood loss were 133 min (SD±45.2) and 16 ml (SD±21.1), respectively. Anastomotic leakage occurred in three patients (13.6%) postoperatively, but all were minor leakage and recovered conservatively. Anastomotic stenosis or bleeding did not occur. CONCLUSIONS: EALFTR can be a safe and minimally invasive treatment option for SDNs. However, the number of cases in this study was small, and further accumulations of cases and investigation are necessary.

Endoscopic features with associated histological and molecular alterations in serrated polyps with dysplasia: Retrospective analysis of a tertiary case series.

BACKGROUND: Serrated polyps are incompletely understood lesions and include serrated sessile lesion (SSL) without or with dysplasia and traditional serrated adenoma (TSA). AIMS: We investigated prevalence and characteristics of serrated lesions, especially SSL with dysplasia (mixed polyps). METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed data from consecutive patients referred for colonoscopy at a tertiary care center. Endoscopic and histopathological characteristics of identified lesions were studied. SSLs with dysplasia were molecularly analyzed for mutations and microsatellite instability. RESULTS: Among 1147 patients, a total of 436 polyps were found, including 288 adenomas (66.1 %) and 114 serrated lesions (SLDR 26.2 %). PDR was 34.5 % and ADR was of 30.2 %. Serrated lesions included 75 hyperplastic polyps (17.2 %), 24 SSLs without dysplasia (5.5 %), 6 SSLs with dysplasia (mixed polyps) (1.4 %) and 9 TSA (2.1 %). The mixed polyps were evaluated molecularly: these analyses found no KRAS mutation, a single NRAS mutation in one lesion, the Val600Glu BRAF mutation in four lesions in both their serrated non-dysplastic and dysplastic areas, and microsatellite instability in four lesions, limited to the dysplastic areas. CONCLUSION: Our single-center experience confirms the high prevalence of serrated lesions, a part of which are SSL with dysplasia. These lesions seem to carry specific molecular alterations.

Magnifying gastroscopy using a soft black hood for difficult colonoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Various methods are reported as aids to cecal intubation for cases in which colonoscopy is difficult. This study aimed to investigate prospectively whether a gastroscope with magnification function, narrow-band imaging (NBI), and a soft black hood can aid insertion in cases of difficult colonoscopy and facilitate both accurate diagnosis and safe treatment. METHODS: This prospective study recruited 177 patients. All were examined with a magnifying gastroscope. A commercially available soft black hood was attached to the gastroscope during insertion and magnification. Difficult colonoscopy was anticipated before colonoscopy in cases of patients with at least one of the following factors: low BMI (<20 kg/m(2)), adhesion due to previous surgery, or previous colonoscopy that could not reach to the cecum. The success rate and duration of cecal intubation then were assessed. All detected lesions were evaluated by magnifying NBI and then classified as non-neoplastic or neoplastic for endoscopic diagnosis. Subsequently, all the lesions were removed and examined histologically for comparison. RESULTS: The overall success rate of cecal intubation was 100% (177/177), and the mean time taken to reach the cecum was 5.9 min. A total of 156 lesions were detected endoscopically, and the overall diagnostic accuracy of NBI with magnification was 98.7%. No associated complications occurred. CONCLUSION: Magnifying gastroscopy using a soft black hood and NBI is useful for cecal intubation in cases wherein colonoscopy is difficult, facilitating accurate diagnosis and safe treatment.

Diffuse xanthoma in early esophageal cancer: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal xanthomas are asymptomatic and infrequent non-neoplastic lesions that commonly occur in the stomach with Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis and rarely in the esophagus. To date, there have been no reports of esophageal xanthoma combined with esophageal cancer. Herein, we present the first case in the literature of a diffuse xanthoma complicated with early esophageal cancer. Moreover, this combination makes the endoscopic diagnosis difficult if it is not in mind. CASE SUMMARY: A 68-year-old man visited our department with a 2-mo history of epigastric discomfort. He underwent surgery for gastric cancer 6 years ago. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed a semi-circumferential irregular yellowish-colored and granular lesion in the esophagus (30-35 cm from the incisors). Using magnifying endoscopy with narrow band imaging, aggregated minute and yellowish-colored spots with tortuous microvessels on the surface were observed, and background coloration was clearly seen in the lesion. As endoscopic biopsy suggested a histologically high-grade dysplasia; the lesion was completely resected en bloc by endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). The resected specimen was confirmed to be a squamous cell carcinoma in situ with extensive foamy cells in the superficial mucosal layer. Immunohistochemically, the observed foamy cells were strongly positive for CD68, which is characteristic of xanthoma. The clinical course was favorable, and no recurrence was observed 2 years and 7 mo after ESD. CONCLUSION: Diffuse xanthoma concurrent with early esophageal cancer is extremely rare. The characteristic endoscopic features may assist endoscopists in diagnosing similar lesions.