Colonic Histoplasmosis Presenting as Polyps in an Asymptomatic Patient With Liver Transplant.

Infection of the gastrointestinal tract by Histoplasma capsulatum is generally considered to be a manifestation of disseminated disease. The most common symptoms from gastrointestinal histoplasmosis include abdominal pain and diarrhea. Isolated asymptomatic gastrointestinal histoplasmosis is unusual, and diagnosis can be challenging. We report a 57-year-old man with a history of liver transplant presented with numerous colonic polyps, and the biopsies demonstrated granulomatous colitis with fungal microorganism consistent with H. capsulatum. Antigen/antibody tests for Histoplasma were confirmatory. The patient was asymptomatic with no clinical or radiological evidence of pulmonary involvement. He responded well to itraconazole treatment, and urine antigen tested negative 6 months after the initiation of the treatment. Follow-up colonoscopy performed 12 months after treatment with itraconazole showed no evidence of colonic histoplasmosis.

Epidemiology of Diverticulitis and Prevalence of First-Ever Colorectal Cancer Postdiverticulitis in Adults in the United States: A Population-Based National Study.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of acute diverticulitis is increasing, and previous studies showed a wide range of prevalence of colorectal cancer after diverticulitis. There is a lack of high-quality evidence to support performing colonoscopy after diverticulitis. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to describe the incidence of first-ever diverticulitis and prevalence of first-ever colorectal cancer postdiverticulitis in the United States. DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study. SETTINGS: We queried a national database that contains data from 26 major integrated healthcare systems in the United States. PATIENTS: We identified an aggregated patient cohort aged ≥18 years with a diagnosis of first-ever diverticulitis from February 2015 to February 2020, followed by first-ever colorectal cancer diagnosis, at least 1 day after and within 1 year of diverticulitis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The incidence of first-ever diverticulitis was calculated. The prevalence and OR of first-ever colorectal cancer after diverticulitis were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 31,778,290 individuals, we found the incidence of first-ever acute diverticulitis to be 2.9%. The prevalence of colorectal cancer within 1 year of first-ever acute diverticulitis was 0.57%, whereas the prevalence of colorectal cancer without a history of diverticulitis was 0.31% (OR = 1.8 (95% CI, 1.76-1.86)). The majority (92.3%) of the postdiverticulitis colorectal cancer were diagnosed within the first 6 months. The risk of colorectal cancer postdiverticulitis was higher in women (OR = 1.9), African Americans (OR = 2.0), and adults aged 18 to 65 years (OR = 2.3). LIMITATIONS: We are unable to validate the diagnostic code because patient information in our database is deidentified. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals are twice as likely to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer within 1 year of their first episode of acute diverticulitis compared with individuals without diverticulitis. We advocate for colonoscopy after the first occurrence of acute diverticulitis to screen for colorectal cancer, particularly for patients without a recent colonoscopy. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B412.

ANTECEDENTES: La incidencia de diverticulitis aguda está aumentando y los estudios anteriores mostraron una amplia gama de prevalencia de cáncer colorrectal después de diverticulitis. Hay una falta de evidencia de alta calidad para apoyar la realización de una colonoscopia después de la diverticulitis. OBJETIVOS: Nuestro objetivo fue describir la incidencia de la primera diverticulitis y la prevalencia del cáncer colorrectal posterior a la primera diverticulitis en los Estados Unidos.DISEÑO:Este es un estudio de cohorte retrospectivo. AJUSTES: Consultamos una base de datos nacional que contiene datos de 26 sistemas de salud integrados importantes en los Estados Unidos. PACIENTES: Identificamos una cohorte agregada de pacientes mayores de 18 años con un diagnóstico de diverticulitis por primera vez entre febrero de 2015 y febrero de 2020, seguido de un diagnóstico de cáncer colorrectal por primera vez, al menos 1 día después y dentro de 1 año de diverticulitis. PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO: Se calculó la incidencia de la primer diverticulitis. Se analizaron la prevalencia y el odds ratio del primer CCR después de la diverticulitis. RESULTADOS: Entre 31,778,290 individuos, encontramos que la incidencia de la primera diverticulitis aguda fue del 2.9%. La prevalencia de cáncer colorrectal dentro de 1 año de la primera diverticulitis aguda fue del 0,57%, mientras que la prevalencia del cáncer colorrectal sin antecedentes de diverticulitis fue del 0,31% (OR 1,8; IC del 95%: 1,76-1,86). La mayoría (92,3%) de los pacientes con cáncer colorrectal posterior a diverticulitis se diagnosticaron dentro de los primeros 6 meses. El riesgo de CCR después de diverticulitis fue mayor en mujeres (OR 1,9), afroamericanos (OR 2,0) y adultos de 18 a 65 años (OR 2,3). LIMITACIONES: No podemos validar el código de diagnóstico debido a que la información del paciente en nuestra base de datos no está identificada. CONCLUSIONES: Las personas tienen el doble de probabilidades de ser diagnosticadas con cáncer colorrectal dentro del primer año de su primer episodio de diverticulitis aguda en comparación con las personas sin diverticulitis. Abogamos por la colonoscopia después de la primera aparición de diverticulitis aguda para detectar cáncer colorrectal, particularmente en pacientes sin una colonoscopia reciente.

Use of Doppler Probe in Nonvariceal Upper-Gastrointestinal Bleeding Is Less Costly and More Effective Than Standard of Care.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a common emergency and rebleeding is associated with an increased risk of death. Proper assessment of high-risk lesions and appropriate endoscopic hemostasis are required for the best outcomes. The endoscopic Doppler probe examination (DPE) allows for a more complete assessment of the stigmata of hemorrhage, providing better evaluation of the need for endoscopic hemostasis and determination of its completeness. We aimed to evaluate whether use of the DPE provides an additional advantage in cost and effectiveness compared with traditional endoscopic visual assessment (TEA) of high-risk stigmata in patients with nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding. METHODS: We drew a decision tree representing the choice between DPE and TEA approaches for patients undergoing an index endoscopy for active nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Clinical probabilities were retrieved from randomized controlled trial data. Costs were expressed in 2017 US dollars. A third-party payer perspective was adopted. We performed deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. The adopted time horizon was 30 days after the index endoscopy. RESULTS: We found that DPE is a dominant strategy over the TEA, in that DPE is more efficacious (92.6% of patients avoiding rebleeding vs 78.6% for TEA) and less expensive ($8502 vs $9104 for TEA). The economic dominance of DPE over TEA was robust to sensitivity analyses across all assumptions of the model when varied among ranges spanning 30% of their respective baseline values. CONCLUSIONS: In a cost-effectiveness analysis, we found DPE to be an economically dominant strategy to TEA (the traditional approach) in the management of high-risk lesions in patients with nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding. DPE was less costly and more effective.

Unusual Causes of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

Upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is an important clinical condition managed routinely by endoscopists. Diagnostic and therapeutic options vary immensely based on the source of bleeding and it is important for the gastroenterologist to be cognizant of both common and uncommon etiologies. The focus of this article is to highlight and discuss unusual sources of upper GI bleeding, with a particular emphasis on both the clinical and endoscopic features to help diagnose and treat these atypical causes of bleeding.

Endoscopic needle-knife therapy for ileal pouch sinus: a novel approach for the surgical adverse event (with video).

BACKGROUND: Pouch sinus is an adverse event in patients undergoing ileal pouch surgery. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of needle-knife therapy in managing pouch sinus and to assess factors associated with the healing of pouch sinus. DESIGN: An historical cohort study from a prospectively collected database. SETTING: A high-volume specialized pouch center. PATIENTS: From tertiary-care pouch center. INTERVENTIONS: Endoscopic needle-knife therapy. RESULTS: This cohort consisted of 65 patients. Men accounted for 76.9% (n = 50). The median interval from colectomy to the diagnosis of pouch sinus was 4.0 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 2.0-7.5). Pouch sinus was located at the anastomosis in 59 patients (90.8%), at the mid pouch suture line in 4 patients (6.2%), and at the tip of "J" in 2 patients (3.1%). The mean depth of the pouch sinus was 4.4 ± 1.8 cm. Twenty patients (30.8%) had complex pouch sinuses. After a median of 2.0 needle-knife therapies (IQR: 1.5-3.5) during a follow-up period of 1.1 years (IQR: 0.4-2.8), 28 patients (43.1%) with pouch sinus experienced a complete response, 27 (41.5%) had a partial response, and 10 (15.4%) had persistent sinus. Fifty-three patients (81.5%) maintained a functional pouch at the last follow-up. Multivariate analysis showed that a longer duration from colectomy to diagnosis of pouch sinus (odds ratio: 0.85; 95% confidence interval: 0.73-0.99; P = .033) and complex sinuses (odds ratio: 0.17; 95% confidence interval: 0.04-0.70; P = .014) were inversely associated with the healing of pouch sinuses, whereas the increased sessions of needle-knife therapy (odds ratio: 1.36; 95% confidence interval: 1.01-1.81; P = .041) improved the healing of the pouch sinuses. LIMITATIONS: Single-center study with a relatively small number of patients. CONCLUSION: In experienced hands, endoscopic needle-knife therapy is an efficacious and safe procedure for pouch sinuses. A longer duration from colectomy to diagnosis of pouch sinus and complex pouch sinuses appeared to be associated with a higher risk for nonhealing of the sinus, suggesting that early diagnosis and intervention have an impact on outcomes.

Immediate unprepared hydroflush colonoscopy for severe lower GI bleeding: a feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Urgent colonoscopy is not always the preferred initial intervention in severe lower GI bleeding because of the need for a large volume of oral bowel preparation, the time required for administering the preparation, and concern regarding adequate visualization. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and outcomes of immediate unprepared hydroflush colonoscopy for severe lower GI bleeding. DESIGN: Prospective feasibility study of immediate colonoscopy after tap-water enema without oral bowel preparation, aided by water-jet pumps and mechanical suction devices in patients admitted to the intensive care unit with a primary diagnosis of severe lower GI bleeding. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Primary outcome measurement was the percentage of colonoscopies in which the preparation permitted satisfactory evaluation of the entire length of the colon suspected to contain the source of bleeding. Secondary outcome measurements were visualization of a definite source of bleeding, length of hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stays, rebleeding rates, and transfusion requirements. RESULTS: Thirteen procedures were performed in 12 patients. Complete colonoscopy to the cecum was performed in 9 of 13 patients (69.2%). However, endoscopic visualization was thought to be adequate for definitive or presumptive identification of the source of bleeding in all procedures, with no colonoscopy repeated because of inadequate preparation. A definite source of bleeding was identified in 5 of 13 procedures (38.5%). The median length of ICU stay was 1.5 days; of hospital stay, 4.3 days. Recurrent bleeding during the same hospitalization, requiring repeated endoscopy, surgery, or angiotherapy, was seen in 3 of 12 patients (25%). LIMITATIONS: Uncontrolled feasibility study of selected patients. CONCLUSION: Immediate unprepared hydroflush colonoscopy in patients with severe lower GI bleeding is feasible with the hydroflush technique.

Characterization of the pancreas in vivo using EUS spectrum analysis with electronic array echoendoscopes.

BACKGROUND: Spectral analysis of the radiofrequency (RF) signals that underlie grayscale EUS images has been used to provide quantitative, objective information about tissue histology. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to validate RF spectral analysis as a method to distinguish between chronic pancreatitis (CP) and pancreatic cancer (PC). DESIGN AND SETTING: A prospective study of eligible patients was conducted to analyze the RF data obtained by using electronic array echoendoscopes. PATIENTS: Pancreatic images were obtained by using electronic array echoendoscopes from 41 patients in a prospective study, including 15 patients with PC, 15 with CP, and 11 with a normal pancreas. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Midband fit, slope, intercept, correlation coefficient, and root mean square deviation from a linear regression of the calibrated power spectra were determined and compared among the groups. RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed that significant differences were observable between groups for mean midband fit, intercept, and root mean square deviation (t test, P < .05). Discriminant analysis of these parameters was then performed to classify the data. For CP (n = 15) versus PC (n = 15), the same parameters provided 83% accuracy and an area under the curve of 0.83. LIMITATIONS: Moderate sample size and spatial averaging inherent in the technique. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that mean spectral parameters of the backscattered signals obtained by using electronic array echoendoscopes can provide a noninvasive method to quantitatively discriminate between CP and PC.

Clinical triage decision vs risk scores in predicting the need for endotherapy in upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

BACKGROUND: Acute upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (UGIH) is a common reason for hospitalization with substantial associated morbidity, mortality, and cost. Differentiation of high- and low-risk patients using established risk scoring systems has been advocated. The aim of this study was to determine whether these scoring systems are more accurate than an emergency physician's clinical decision making in predicting the need for endoscopic intervention in acute UGIH. METHODS: Patients presenting to a tertiary care medical center with acute UGIH from 2003 to 2006 were identified from the hospital database, and their clinical data were abstracted. One hundred ninety-five patients met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. The clinical Rockall score and Blatchford score (BS) were calculated and compared with the clinical triage decision (intensive care unit vs non-intensive care unit admission) in predicting the need for endoscopic therapy. RESULTS: Clinical Rockall score greater than 0 and BS greater than 0 were sensitive predictors of the need for endoscopic therapy (95% and 100%) but were poorly specific (9% and 4%), with overall accuracies of 41% and 39%. At higher score cutoffs, clinical Rockall score greater than 2 and BS greater than 5 remained sensitive (84% and 87%) and were more specific (29% and 33%), with overall accuracies of 48% and 52%. Clinical triage decision, as a surrogate for predicting the need for endoscopic therapy, was moderately sensitive (67%) and specific (75%), with an overall accuracy (73%) that exceeded both risk scores. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical use of risk scoring systems in acute UGIH may not be as good as clinical decision making by emergency physicians.

New diagnostic imaging technologies in nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

This article covers new endoscopic imaging modalities in nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding, such as Doppler ultrasound probe technology, endoscopic ultrasonography, color Doppler optical coherence tomography, and magnification endoscopy. A more in-depth discussion of these modalities and the published evidence supporting their use are included. Furthermore, the shift in focus from identification of conventional visual surface stigmata of recent hemorrhage to an assessment and understanding of subsurface blood flow as it relates to the bleeding lesion is discussed.

Prevalence and clinical significance of pancreatic cysts associated with cysts in other organs.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Von Hippel-Lindau disease is associated with serous cysts in the pancreas and kidneys. In this study we determined the prevalence of pancreatic cysts occurring concurrently with other abdominal cysts and tested the hypothesis that these patients might represent a forme fruste of Von Hippel-Lindau disease and be more likely to be serous cysts. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients undergoing endoscopic ultrasound of pancreatic cysts. RESULTS: A total of 156 patients were included in the study. Eighty-five patients (54.8%) had cyst(s) in the pancreas and at least one other intra-abdominal cyst. These cysts included 24 (27.9%) serous cysts, 30 (34.9%), mucinous cysts, 6 (7%) adenocarcinoma and 25 (29.4%) unknowns. Seventy-one patients (45.2%) had isolated pancreatic cysts. These included 17 (23.9%) serous cysts, 28 (39.5%) mucinous cysts, 4 (5.6%) adenocarcinoma and 22 (31%) unknowns. The odds of serous cysts with concurrent extra-pancreatic and pancreatic cysts compared to odds of serous cysts with pancreatic cysts alone were 1.3 (95% CI: 0.6-2.9). CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic cysts are associated with cysts in other abdominal organs in 54.8% patients. The prevalence of serous cysts was not higher amongst individuals with multiple organ cysts compared to those with only pancreatic cysts.

Experience with the new 4-way, 5.5-mm ultrathin endoscope: a case series.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Use of ultrathin (ut) endoscopes is sometimes limited by their design (outer diameter, tip angulation and image quality). New ut-endoscopes are being designed to address these limitations. A new ut-endoscope, XGIF-PV70N5 (Olympus America Inc.), with an outer diameter of 5.5 mm, 4-way angulation and narrow band imaging has recently been introduced. In this study, we report our subjective experience with this prototype ut-endoscope and discuss the practical uses of its new features. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this prospective case series, ut-endoscopy was performed on selected patients scheduled for endoscopy at a tertiary referral center. RESULTS: Ut-endoscopy was successfully performed on 15 patients with varied indications. The 4-way angulation proved advantageous but not necessary. Narrow band imaging was not very useful in this group of patients. The image quality was satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: The prototype ut-endoscope can be used for a broad range of indications. The 4-way angulation may prove advantageous in specific situations and the role of narrow-band imaging remains to be defined.

EUS compared with endoscopy plus transabdominal US in the initial diagnostic evaluation of patients with upper abdominal pain.

BACKGROUND: Primary upper endoscopy (EGD) and transabdominal US (TUS) are often performed in patients with upper abdominal pain. OBJECTIVE: Primary: Determine whether the combination of EGD and EUS was equivalent to EGD plus TUS in the diagnostic evaluation of upper abdominal pain. Secondary: Compare EUS versus TUS in detecting abdominal lesions, and compare EGD by using an oblique-viewing echoendoscope versus the standard, forward-viewing endoscope in detecting mucosal lesions. DESIGN: Prospective, paired design. SETTING: Six academic endoscopy centers. PATIENTS: This study involved patients with upper abdominal pain referred for endoscopy. INTERVENTION: All patients had EGD, EUS, and TUS. The EGD was done using both an oblique-viewing echoendoscope and the standard, forward-viewing endoscope (randomized order) by two separate endoscopists in a blinded fashion, followed by EUS. TUS was performed within 4 weeks of EGD/EUS, also in a blinded fashion. FOLLOW-UP: telephone interviews and chart reviews. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Diagnose possible etiology of upper abdominal pain and detect clinically significant lesions. RESULTS: A diagnosis of the etiology of upper abdominal pain was made in 66 of 172 patients (38%). The diagnostic rate was 42 of 66 patients (64%) for EGD plus EUS versus 41 of 66 patients (62%) for EGD plus TUS, which was statistically equivalent (McNemar test; P = .27). One hundred ninety-eight lesions were diagnosed with either EUS or TUS. EUS was superior to TUS for visualizing the pancreas (P < .0001) and for diagnosing chronic pancreatitis (P = .03). Two biliary stones were detected only by EUS. Two hundred fifty-one mucosal lesions were similarly diagnosed with EGD with either the standard, forward-viewing endoscope or the oblique-viewing echoendoscope (kappa = 0.48 [95% CI, .43-.54]). EGD with the standard, forward-viewing endoscope was preferred for biopsies. LIMITATIONS: No cost analysis. CONCLUSION: The combination of EGD with EUS is equivalent to EGD plus TUS for diagnosing a potential etiology of upper abdominal pain. EUS is superior to TUS for detecting chronic pancreatitis. EGD combined with EUS should be considered in the first-line diagnostic evaluation of patients with upper abdominal pain.

Endoscopic Doppler US for the prevention of ulcer bleeding after endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastric cancer: a preliminary study (with video).

BACKGROUND: After endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric cancer (EGC), delayed bleeding occurs in 1.7% to 38% of cases. Routine coagulation of all nonbleeding visible vessels (NBVVs) in post-ESD ulcers is currently performed as standard practice, but it cannot eliminate bleeding. An endoscopic Doppler US (DOP-US) probe system has possible benefits for the prediction of recurrent bleeding in peptic ulcer hemorrhage. OBJECTIVE: To establish optimum use and evaluate feasibility of DOP-US for post-ESD ulcers. DESIGN: Case series study. SETTING: Cancer referral center. PATIENTS: Eight patients with mucosal EGC larger than 2 cm without ulceration or scarring and 2 patients with EGC less than 3 cm with scarring. INTERVENTIONS: We searched for a positive DOP-US signal (DOP-US+), which was defined as pulsatile sound at a depth of 1.5 mm, and NBVVs or areas with DOP-US+ were coagulated with hemostatic forceps. A multibending, double-channel videoendoscope that was fitted with a transparent hood was used. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Detectability of DOP-US signals in post-ESD ulcers. RESULTS: One of 13 oozing bleeding sites, 24 (18%) of 136 NBVVs, and 7 areas without any bleeding stigmata had DOP-US+ and were coagulated until the signal became silent. One hundred twelve NBVVs (82%) and 8 adherent clots without DOP-US signals were left untreated. No delayed bleeding was experienced at 30 days. Median time required for Doppler examination was 34 minutes, but it improved to 18 and 19 minutes in patients 9 and 10, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: DOP-US might be helpful in the endoscopic management of post-ESD ulcers in EGC. Our setting and maneuver warrant further investigation to clarify whether DOP-US can reduce delayed bleeding and avoid unnecessary coagulation for NBVVs in post-ESD ulcers.

Variability in measurements of pancreatic cyst size among EUS, CT, and magnetic resonance imaging modalities.

BACKGROUND: Cyst size is an important factor in the management of pancreatic cysts, both in predicting the need for surgery and the frequency of follow-up. OBJECTIVE: To determine agreement and precision of EUS, CT, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) modalities in the evaluation of pancreatic cyst diameter. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Tertiary-care center, January 2000 to June 2009. PATIENTS: This study involved 175 patients presenting for EUS evaluation of pancreatic cysts, with size measured by at least two of the aforementioned imaging studies within a 90-day period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Largest cyst diameter from EUS, CT, MRI/MRCP, and surgical pathology. RESULTS: A total of 175 patients underwent EUS. Seventy-three had CT plus EUS, 33 had MRI/MRCP plus EUS, 23 had MRI/MRCP plus CT, and 15 had all imaging studies, occurring within 90 days of each other. Median size differences between studies: EUS and CT (ie, absolute value of size determined by EUS minus size determined by CT) = 4 mm (range 0-25 mm), EUS and MRI = 4 mm (range 0-17 mm), CT and MRI = 3 mm (range 2-20 mm). Median size differences for surgical pathology specimens compared with results of 12 EUS, 13 CT, and 8 MRI/MRCP studies were as follows: EUS and pathology = 9.5 mm (range 0-20 mm), CT and pathology = 5 mm (range 0-21 mm), MRI and pathology = 5.5 mm (range 2-44 mm). LIMITATIONS: Interobserver variability and small sample of surgical pathology cysts. CONCLUSION: There is considerable variation in size estimates of pancreatic cysts by different imaging modalities, which practitioners should take into account when making management decisions. Use of a single imaging modality is recommended during follow-up. The precision of imaging studies for measuring pancreatic cysts must be prospectively defined if change in size is to be reliably used for clinical management.

In vivo characterization of pancreatic and lymph node tissue by using EUS spectrum analysis: a validation study.

BACKGROUND: Quantitative spectral analysis of the radiofrequency (RF) signals that underlie grayscale EUS images can be used to provide additional, objective information about tissue state. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to validate RF spectral analysis as a method to distinguish between (1) benign and malignant lymph nodes and (2) normal pancreas, chronic pancreatitis, and pancreatic cancer. DESIGN AND SETTING: A prospective validation study of eligible patients was conducted to compare with pilot study RF data. PATIENTS: Forty-three patients underwent EUS of the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, and surrounding intra-abdominal and mediastinal lymph nodes (19 from a previous pilot study and 24 additional patients). MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Midband fit, slope, intercept, and correlation coefficient from a linear regression of the calibrated RF power spectra were determined. RESULTS: Discriminant analysis of mean pilot-study parameters was then performed to classify validation-study parameters. For benign versus malignant lymph nodes, midband fit and intercept (both with t test P < .058) provided classification with 67% accuracy and area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) of 0.86. For diseased versus normal pancreas, midband fit and correlation coefficient (both with analysis of variance P < .001) provided 93% accuracy and an AUC of 0.98. For pancreatic cancer versus chronic pancreatitis, the same parameters provided 77% accuracy and an AUC of 0.89. Results improved further when classification was performed with all data. LIMITATIONS: Moderate sample size and spatial averaging inherent to the technique. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that mean spectral parameters provide a noninvasive method to quantitatively discriminate benign and malignant lymph nodes as well as normal and diseased pancreas.

Characterization of pancreatic cancer and intra-abdominal lymph node malignancy using spectrum analysis of endoscopic ultrasound imaging.

This study assessed the ability of spectral analysis of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) RF signals acquired in humans in vivo to distinguish between (1) benign and malignant intraabdominal and mediastinal lymph nodes and (2) pancreatic cancer, chronic pancreatitis, and normal pancreas. Mean midband fit, slope, intercept, and correlation coefficient from a linear regression of the calibrated RF power spectra were computed over regions of interest defined by the endoscopist. Linear discriminant analysis was then performed to develop a classification of the resulting spectral parameters. For lymph nodes, classification based on the midband fit and intercept provided 67% sensitivity, 82% specificity, and 73% accuracy for malignant vs. benign nodes. For pancreas, classification based on midband fit and correlation coefficient provided 95% sensitivity, 93% specificity, and 93% accuracy for diseased vs. normal pancreas and 85% sensitivity, 71% specificity, and 85% accuracy for pancreatic cancer vs. chronic pancreatitis. These promising results suggest that mean spectral parameters can provide a non-invasive method to quantitatively characterize pancreatic cancer and lymph malignancy in vivo.

Use and impact of early endoscopy in elderly patients with peptic ulcer hemorrhage: a population-based analysis.

BACKGROUND: Upper endoscopy performed within 1 day of presentation, or early endoscopy, has been proposed as an intervention to improve the efficiency and outcomes of care for patients with peptic ulcer hemorrhage. However, the use and outcomes have not been studied in a national, U.S.-based sample. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and associated outcomes of early versus delayed endoscopy in bleeding peptic ulcers. DESIGN: Using a 5% random sample of inpatient and outpatient Medicare claims from 2004 in patients aged 66 years and older (mean [standard deviation] age 78.4 +/- 7.7 years), we identified 2592 patients, all of whom underwent endoscopy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Univariate and multivariate models were used to determine factors associated with 30-day mortality, upper GI surgery, and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: Early endoscopy was performed in 1854 patients (71.5%) and was somewhat more common with outpatient management. Early endoscopy was independently associated with a significant decrease in the length of hospital stay (-1.95 days, 95% CI, -2.60 to -1.29 days) as well as a lower likelihood of surgery (odds ratio, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.21-0.66). Early endoscopy was not associated with 30-day mortality in either univariate or multivariate analyses. LIMITATIONS: Use of claims data lacking clinical detail and restriction to the Medicare-age population. CONCLUSIONS: In this population-based study of older patients with peptic ulcer hemorrhage, early endoscopy was associated with increased efficiency of care, lower rates of surgery, and potentially improved control of hemorrhage. Thus, unless specific contraindications exist, the data support the routine use of early endoscopy.

Outpatient management of nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage: unexpected mortality in Medicare beneficiaries.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Outpatient management of selected patients with nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (UGIH) has been proposed as a mechanism to decrease resource utilization and expenditures. However, the true prevalence and outcomes of this practice have not been well evaluated in population-based studies. METHODS: We identified a cohort of 9123 episodes of UGIH in 2004 Medicare claims data, including 3506 (38.4%) managed as outpatients. Clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcomes were compared between inpatient and outpatient groups. In order to adjust for potential selection bias in outpatient treatment, propensity score analysis was used to divide patients into quartiles of likelihood for inpatient treatment. RESULTS: Inpatients tended to be older, with higher comorbidity scores, and were more likely to have a bleeding ulcer or tear. Inpatients were also more likely to undergo endoscopy, including early endoscopy and therapeutics, and require surgery. The overall 30-day mortality rate was 8.0% in the inpatient group and 6.3% in the outpatient group (P< .001), and in the quartile of patients most likely to be managed as inpatients, the 30-day mortality rate was higher in outpatients than in inpatients. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of outpatient management of UGIH in the Medicare population was almost 40%, and although patients were likely selected for outpatient management based on clinical criteria, the overall mortality rate in outpatients was considerable. Any potential financial benefit should be balanced against significant mortality rates, at least some of which could possibly be avoided with hospitalization. More optimal selection of candidates for outpatient therapy is likely needed.