The Role of Lumen Apposing Metal Stents in the Palliation of Distal Malignant Biliary Distal Obstruction.

Malignant biliary obstruction (DMBO) has been traditionally managed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). In the case of ERC failure, percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PT-BD) has been widely utilized as a salvage procedure. However, over the last decade, endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) has gained increasing popularity, especially after the advent of electrocautery-enhanced lumen apposing metal stent devices (EC-LAMSs) which enable a one-step procedure, granting prevention of biliary leakage and minimizing occurrence of adverse events (AEs). In parallel, increasing evidence suggests a possible role of EUS-BD in the management of DMBO as a primary palliative drainage modality. In the current paper, we aim to review all the available evidence on the role of EUS-BD performed with EC-LAMSs and discuss salient technical aspects of this type of procedure.

Endoscopic management of recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula induced by chronic use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: A case report and review of the literature.

Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is frequently congenital and requires surgical correction. TEF can also occur secondary to malignant esophageal tumors or benign diseases and these cases are managed by endoscopic means, such as closing the defect with metallic stents. Although esophageal injury can occur secondary to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), TEF secondary to chronic NSAIDs use has not been described in the literature. We report the case of a male patient with refractory migraine and chronic use of NSAIDs, with a history of esophageal stenosis presenting with acute-onset total dysphagia. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and CT-scan revealed TEF located at 25 cm from the incisors. An esophageal stent was placed endoscopically, and 6 weeks a second stent was placed in a stent-in-stent manner to allow removal of both stents. Endoscopic control after the removal of the stents showed the persistence of the fistula, so a third stent was placed as a rescue therapy. Against medical advice, the patient continued to use OTC painkillers and NSAIDs in large doses. Three months later, he was readmitted with total dysphagia and recent-onset dysphonia. CT scan revealed a new fistula above the already placed stent. A second metallic stent was endoscopically placed through the old stent to close the newly developed fistula. The patient was discharged on the third day with no complications and he remains well at 6 months follow-up. Due to small cases studies, recurrent TEF remains a therapeutic challenge. Endoscopic therapy is usually an effective solution, but complex cases might require multiple treatment sessions.

The diagnostic and prognostic value of serum endocan in patients with cirrhotic cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to determine the relationship between endocan and cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with liver cirrhosis and no heart disease were included in a prospective observational study with liver disease decompensation and death as primary outcomes. RESULTS: 83 cirrhotic patients were included and 32 had cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. Endocan levels were significantly lower in patients with cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (5.6 vs. 7 ng/mL, p = 0.034). Endocan correlated with severity of cirrhosis, time to decompensation or death from liver disease (OR 4.5 95% CI 1.06-31.1). CONCLUSION: Endocan is a promising biomarker of severity of cirrhosis and may help in the diagnosis of cardiac dysfunction in this population.

An atypical type I gastric neuroendocrine tumor.

BACKGROUND: Gastric neuroendocrine tumors (GI-NETs) are rare lesions, usually discovered incidentally during endoscopy. Based on their pathology, there are 4 types of GI-NETs. Type I are multiple small polypoid lesions with central ulceration located in the gastric body or the fundus, associated with atrophic gastritis usually noninvasive and very rarely metastatic. We report on a rare case of a gastric NET arising from the muscularis propria layer of the pyloric ring. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 65-year old woman with a history of alcoholic cirrhosis, investigated for melena. Upper endoscopy revealed a 30 mm submucosal pedunculated polypoid lesion located on the pylorus protruding in the duodenum, with normal overlying mucosa, fundic gastric atrophy and multiple small polyps at this level, with no active bleeding. CT scan did not reveal any distant metastases. An ultrasound endoscopy was performed, and a round hypoechoic heterogeneous solitary mass, evolving from the pyloric muscle was described. Considering a 30-mm tumor evolving from the gastric muscle layer in the absence of local invasion and with no distant metastases we decided against an endoscopical resection and we referred the patient to surgery. A laparoscopic wedge resection was performed. The pathology report described a 30/25 mm welldifferentiated neuroendocrine tumor invasive in the muscularis mucosa (pT3). CONCLUSIONS: Usually, type I neuroendocrine tumors are located in the body or the fundus of the stomach without submucosal invasion. The interesting feature in our case was that the tumor originated from the pylorus, making it an atypical presentation for a neuroendocrine tumor.