Outcomes of Cold Snare Endoscopic Mucosal Resection of Nonampullary Duodenal Adenomas ≥1 cm: A Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) with use of electrocautery (conventional EMR) has historically been used to remove large duodenal adenomas, however, use of electrocautery can predispose to adverse events including delayed bleeding and perforation. Cold snare EMR (cs-EMR) has been shown to be safe and effective for removal of colon polyps, but data regarding its use in the duodenum is limited. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cs-EMR for nonampullary duodenal adenomas ≥1 cm. METHODS: This was a multicenter retrospective study of patients with nonampullary duodenal adenomas ≥1 cm who underwent cs-EMR between October 2014 and May 2023. Patients who received any form of thermal therapy were excluded. Primary outcomes were technical success and rate of recurrent adenoma. Secondary outcomes were adverse events and predictors of recurrence. RESULTS: A total of 125 patients underwent resection of 127 nonampullary duodenal adenomas with cs-EMR. Follow up data was available in 89 cases (70.1%). The recurrent adenoma rate was 31.5% (n=28). Adverse events occurred in 3.9% (n=5) with four cases of immediate bleeding (3.1%) and one case of delayed bleeding (0.8%). There were no cases of perforation. The presence of high-grade dysplasia was found to be an independent predictor of recurrence (OR: 10.9 [95% CI: 1.1-102.1], p=0.036). CONCLUSION: This retrospective multicenter study demonstrates that cs-EMR for nonampullary duodenal adenomas is safe and technically feasible with an acceptable recurrence rate. Future prospective studies are needed to directly compare outcomes of cs-EMR with conventional and underwater EMR.

Intraoperative Endoscopic-Guided Bowel Resection for Persistent Gastrointestinal Bleeding Caused by Angiodysplasia: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Gastrointestinal angiodysplasia is an uncommon condition often associated with significant gastrointestinal bleeding that is resistant to medical therapy. We report the clinical outcomes of two patients who successfully underwent simultaneous intraoperative endoscopic and surgical interventions for the treatment of angiodysplasia. Intraoperative endoscopic guidance was found to be useful in managing hemorrhage caused by angiodysplasia in both patients. Additionally, we performed an analysis of cases reported in the literature. Our review focused on the anatomic location of the resected bowel and the clinical outcomes of patients ( n = 21) with angiodysplasia managed with intraoperative endoscopy reported in the literature.

Use of the endoscopic powered resection device for the management of scarred polyps.

Background and Aims: The endoscopic powered resection (EPR) device (EndoRotor, Interscope Inc, Northbridge, Mass, USA) is a novel nonthermal device that can be used for polyp and tissue removal in the GI tract. Here, we review the EPR device and illustrate its use for resection of scarred or fibrotic lesions in the GI tract. Methods: In this article and accompanying video, we describe the EPR device features, provide step-by-step instructions for device setup, and review case examples in which the EPR device was used for scarred polyp resection. We also review the current literature describing the use of the EPR device for scarred or challenging polyps. Results: Four lesions with scarring or fibrosis were successfully resected with the EPR device, either with the EPR device alone or as an adjunct to conventional resection methods. No adverse events occurred. A follow-up endoscopy was available in 1 case, which demonstrated no endoscopic or histologic evidence of residual or recurrent lesion. Conclusions: The endoscopic powered resection device can be used alone or as an adjunct to facilitate resection of lesions with significant fibrosis or scarring. This device serves as a useful addition to endoscopists' toolbox in the management of scarred lesions where other modalities might be technically challenging to use.

Endoscopic full-thickness resection for upper gastrointestinal tract lesions: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) is used to resect difficult superficial mucosal lesions and sub-epithelial lesions (SELs). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of EFTR for upper gastrointestinal tract (GIT) lesions. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Scopus databases for studies published in the English language that addressed outcomes of EFTR for upper GIT lesions through November 2021. The weighted pooled rates with the 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Cochran Q test and I statistics were used to calculate heterogeneity. RESULTS: We identify 740 articles on the initial search and six studies met the inclusion criteria. 140 patients (45.7% females) with 142 lesions were analyzed. Four studies used the full-thickness resection device (FTRD®). EFTR was performed for 26 adenomas, 97 SELs, six adenocarcinomas, and ten full-thickness biopsies. The overall technical success rate was 86.9% (CI 79.8-94%, I 2 = 38.9%), R0 resection was 80% (CI 67.6-92.3%, I 2 = 75.6%), and the overall adverse events rate was 18.6% (9.8-27.2%, I 2 = 49.4%). Major adverse events included six episodes of major bleeding, three micro-perforations, one large duodenal perforation, and one case of mucosal damage from FTRD®. At 3-6 months follow-up, there were only two cases of recurrence (R0 was not achieved in both). CONCLUSION: EFTR has a high technical and clinical success rate in managing upper GIT lesions with an acceptable safety profile. Large prospective studies comparing EFTR with conventional endoscopic resection techniques are needed.

Evaluation of abnormal gallbladder imaging findings: Surgical management and pathologic correlations in early-stage gallbladder cancer.

Gallbladder cancer is a rare but potentially fatal disease. It is often asymptomatic in early stages and is frequently found incidentally or during the workup for benign biliary disease. We present two patients who each had suspicious gallbladder imaging findings and highlight their differences on radiologic and pathologic examination.

Colon Polypectomy with Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection and Endoscopic Full-Thickness Resection.

Endoscopic resection has become the gold standard for the management of most of the large colorectal polyps. Various endoscopic resection techniques include endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), and endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR). ESD is a minimally invasive method for the resection of advanced lesions in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to achieve en-bloc resection. While, EFTR is more commonly used in lesions with suspected deeper submucosal invasion, lesions originating from muscularis propria, or those with advanced fibrosis. This article reviews the indications, technique, and adverse events for use of ESD and EFTR in the colon.

Visceral artery pseudoaneurysms in necrotizing pancreatitis: risk of early bleeding with lumen-apposing metal stents.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Visceral artery pseudoaneurysm (PSA) in necrotizing pancreatitis (NP) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence, clinical presentation, management, and outcomes of PSA in NP. METHODS: All NP patients managed at our institution between 2010 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed from a prospectively maintained database for PSA. Demographics, clinical presentation, method of diagnosis, management, and outcomes were collected. RESULTS: Thirty-nine of 607 patients (6.4%) with NP had a confirmed diagnosis of PSA. Demographics, presence of infected necrosis, development of organ failure(s), and severity of disease were similar between PSA and no PSA. Endoscopic and percutaneous drainages for walled-off necrosis (WON) were more common in the PSA group. Seven patients developed PSA without requiring any intervention for WON, and 17 patients (43.6%) had lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMSs) placed before PSA diagnosis. The time from NP diagnosis to PSA diagnosis was shorter in these patients (n = 17) compared with the remaining patients (n=22; 47 days [interquartile range {IQR}: 17-85] vs 109 days [IQR: 61-180.5, P=0.009]). In addition, 7 of 11 patients (63.6%) with early PSA (defined by <3 weeks from index cystgastrostomy/cystduodenostomy) had an indwelling LAMS at the time of the PSA diagnosis. Seventy-seven percent of patients presented with anemia, 74.3% with GI bleeding, and 30% with hemorrhagic shock. CT was diagnostic for PSA in 83.9% with a false-negative rate of 16.1%. Splenic (50%) and gastroduodenal (28%) arteries were the most common arteries involved by PSA. Angiography and embolization for PSA were successful in 33 of 35 patients. In-hospital mortality was observed in 9 patients (23.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Although visceral artery PSA affects a small percentage of NP patients, it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In addition, bleeding from PSA induced by erosion of LAMSs may occur in the first 2 weeks, prompting individualization of removal intervals.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided pancreatic duct intervention and pancreaticogastrostomy using a novel cross-platform technique with small-caliber devices.

Background and study aims Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided pancreaticogastrostomy (PG) has been used as an alternative to surgery to drain pancreatic ducts for treatment of disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome (DPDS). Previous techniques involved using needle-knife cautery, bougie dilation or a stent extraction screw to allow stent passage through the gastric wall and pancreatic parenchyma, with potential for severe complications including duct leak, especially if drainage fails. A novel technique employing EUS guided puncture of the main pancreatic duct (MPD) with a 19- or a 22-gauge needle, passage of an 0.018-guidewire, dilation of the tract with a small-diameter (4 F) angioplasty balloon and placement of 3F plastic stents with the pigtail curled inside the duct as an anchor. Methods This is a retrospective case series at a single tertiary center. EUS-guided PG was considered when conventional endoscopic pancreatic duct drainage failed. Main outcomes included technical and clinic success and complications. Results Eight patients underwent PG. Indications were DPDS (n = 4), stenotic pancreaticoenteral anastomosis after Whipple procedure (n = 3) and chronic pancreatitis with dilated MPD (n = 1). Median MPD diameter was 6.75 mm [IQR 2.8 - 7.6]. Technical success was achieved in seven of eight cases (88 %); angioplasty balloon passed into the pancreatic duct in all accessed ducts. There was one asymptomatic duct leak, and no major or delayed complications, with clinical improvement (complete or partial) in five of eight (71 %). Conclusions EUS-guided PG using a small-caliber guidewire, 4F angioplasty balloon, and reverse 3F single pigtail stents offers a safe and atraumatic alternative without use of cautery.

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma associated with immunoglobulin G4-positive plasma cells and elevated serum immunoglobulin G4 levels.

Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease is a fibroinflammatory systemic disorder with multiorgan involvement. Proximal bile duct involvement results in IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis, which is characterized by a lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate with abundant IgG4-positive plasma cells and fibrosis. Differentiating between cholangiocarcinoma and IgG4-sclerosing cholangitis can present a diagnostic dilemma. We describe an unusual presentation of a hepatic mass meeting multiple criteria for IgG4-sclerosing cholangitis but was ultimately found to be cholangiocarcinoma. Several published case reports describe patients with suspected cholangiocarcinoma who are later found to have IgG4-sclerosing cholangitis, but few reports have demonstrated the reverse. Distinguishing between cholangiocarcinoma and IgG4-sclerosing cholangitis is challenging, and a high clinical suspicion for cholangiocarcinoma must always be maintained. (Hepatology Communications 2018;2:349-353).

Cholangioscopy with narrow-band imaging in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis undergoing ERCP.

BACKGROUND: Patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) have an increased lifetime risk of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Detection of localized CCA in patients with PSC may result in curative liver transplantation. Recently, high-resolution per-oral video cholangioscopy (PVCS) has become available and may be useful for evaluating for biliary dysplasia. Narrow-band imaging (NBI) has shown promising results in detecting dysplasia in the esophagus and colon, but its utility in the bile duct is unproven. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate NBI video PVCS in screening for dysplasia in patients with PSC. DESIGN: Prospective case series. SETTING: Tertiary-care referral center. PATIENTS: Patients with PSC undergoing ERCP between December 2008 and July 2010. INTERVENTION: ERCP with white-light and NBI PVCS and biopsy of suspicious lesions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Dysplasia detection. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients were enrolled. Median follow-up was 319.5 days. Four patients had a final diagnosis of CCA (2 extrahepatic, 2 intrahepatic). NBI visualized the 2 extrahepatic CCAs and allowed determination of tumor margins. The bile duct mucosa by NBI visual appearance in patients with PSC was variable. No correlation with CCA development could be determined. There was a 48% increase in suspicious lesions biopsied with NBI compared with white-light imaging, although NBI-directed biopsies did not improve the dysplasia detection rate. LIMITATIONS: Small sample size, single center, referral bias. CONCLUSION: NBI allowed visualization of tumor margins in CCA as compared with traditional fluoroscopy-based ERCP. An improvement in dysplasia detection in patients with PSC could not be demonstrated despite an increase in the biopsy rate. Additional experience is needed to assess the utility of NBI in screening for CCA in patients with PSC. ( CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT00951327.).

Outcomes of endoscopic and percutaneous drainage of pancreatic fluid collections arising after pancreatic tail resection.

BACKGROUND: Up to 15% to 30% of patients develop pancreatic fluid collections (PFCs) after pancreatic tail resection. Percutaneous and endoscopic methods have been used to drain these collections, though few data are available that compare outcomes of these modalities. STUDY DESIGN: From December 1998 to April 2011, we identified all patients who underwent pancreatic tail resection and developed PFCs requiring intervention. The primary aim was to compare overall success rates in resolution of PFCs using endoscopic and percutaneous modalities. Success rates, hospital length of stay, number of CT scans, sinograms and endoscopies performed, and days with drain(s) in place were compared. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients were identified. Percutaneous drainage was performed a median of 25 days postoperatively, compared with 85 days for endoscopic drainage (p < 0.001). Endoscopic and percutaneous methods had similar rates of technical success (100% vs 97%, p = 0.50) and treatment success (80% vs 81%, p = 0.92), respectively. Recurrence rates were 16.6% for the endoscopic group and 23% for the percutaneous group (p = 0.65), and adverse events occurred in 9.4% of those treated endoscopically vs 13.3% of those treated percutaneously (p = 0.68). Location and characteristics of PFCs did not influence success rates. Recurrences were often treated by "salvage" drainage via the other modality. Median hospital stay was longer after primary percutaneous drainage compared with primary endoscopic drainage (5.5 days vs 2 days, p = 0.046). Primary percutaneous drainage patients also had more CT scans (median 3 vs 2, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic drainage and percutaneous drainage appear to be equally effective and complementary interventions for PFCs occurring after pancreatic tail resection. Primary endoscopic drainage may be associated with shorter hospital stay and fewer CT scans.