The add-on N-acetylcysteine is more effective than dimethicone alone to eliminate mucus during narrow-band imaging endoscopy: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have shown that pronase can improve mucosal visibility, but this agent is not uniformly available for human use worldwide. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a mucolytic agent, in improving mucus elimination as measured by decreased endoscopic water flushes during narrow-band imaging (NBI) endoscopy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A consecutive series of patients scheduled for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at outpatient clinics were enrolled in this double-blind, randomized controlled trial. The control group drank a preparation of 100 mg dimethicone (5 ml at 20 mg/ml) plus water up to 100 ml, and the NAC group drank 300 mg NAC plus 100 mg dimethicone and water up to 100 ml. During the endoscopy, the endoscopist used as many flushes of water as deemed necessary to produce a satisfactory NBI view of the entire gastric mucosa. RESULTS: In all, 177 patients with a mean age of 51 years were evaluated in this study. Significantly lesser water was used for flushing during NBI endoscopy for the NAC group than the control group; 40 ml (30-70, 0-120) versus 50 ml (30-100, 0-150) (median (interquartile range, range), p = 0.0095). CONCLUSIONS: Considering the safety profile of NAC, decreasing the number of water flushes for optimal vision and unavailability of pronase in some areas, the authors suggest the use of add-on NAC to eliminate mucus during NBI endoscopy.

Gender-specific association of the interleukin 18 gene with symptomatic gallstone disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Symptomatic gallstone disease (SGSD) induced several inflammatory responses and affected extrahepatic bile ducts. Although the pathology and environmental risk factors of gallstone disease are well documented, immune or inflammatory responses in SGSD development are still inconclusive. Interleukin 18 (IL18) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in immune, infectious, and inflammatory diseases because of the induction of interferon-γ. In this study, we investigated whether polymorphisms of the IL18 gene were associated with SGSD susceptibility. METHODS: Genomic DNA was isolated from the whole blood samples of 445 patients with SGSD and 1121 gallstone-free controls. The IL18 rs549908T>G, rs5744247C>G, rs187238G>C, rs1946518T>G, and rs360719A>G polymorphisms were genotyped using predeveloped TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. RESULTS: We found IL18 rs5744247G allele conferred protection against SGSD in female patients (odds ratio = 0.75, corrected P-value = 0.015). Haplotype analysis revealed that TGGTA protected females from SGSD development (odds ratio = 0.75, corrected P-value = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Based on our findings, IL18 rs5744247C>G polymorphism could be a potential genetic marker to predict SGSD susceptibility in Han Chinese women.

Evaluating the feasibility of direct peroral cholangioscopy training with an endoscopic simulator.

INTRODUCTION: Direct peroral cholangioscopy (DPOCS) was reported to present clinical potential, and creating a target-specific training program for biliary endoscopists who lack experience with DPOCS is an important task. METHODS: This prospective and observational study used five male domestic pigs. Optimal procedures were decided after pilot tests using an in vivo live porcine model. A total of three ERCP men were enrolled into the training program. The objective parameters, including the rate of success and complications, and the length of the procedure, were recorded for each participant. RESULTS: In the training program, all the trainees successfully performed DPOCS and biopsies without significant complications. Close observation, free discussions, and the sharing of experiences helped shorten the total procedure time from 37.3 to 18.5 min. CONCLUSIONS: This training program is a feasible approach to help biliary endoscopists acquire the experience for DPOCS with the ultrathin endoscope.

A randomized trial comparing the efficacy of single-dose and double-dose administration of rectal indomethacin in preventing post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The before-procedure or after-procedure rectal indomethacin administration was shown to be useful in preventing post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis. We designed this prospective randomized study to compare the efficacy of single-dose and double-dose rectal indomethacin administration in preventing post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). METHODS: We enrolled patients who underwent the ERCP in Taipei Mackay Memorial Hospital from 2016 June to 2017 November. Patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups: single and double-dose groups. The primary endpoint was the frequency of post-ERCP pancreatitis. RESULTS: A total 162 patients participated in this study, and there were 87 patients randomly assigned to the single-dose group, and 75 patients were assigned to the double-dose group. In the high-risk patients, the incidence of PEP was lower in double-dose patients (4.8%) than the single-dose patients (9.5%), but there was no significant difference (P =.24). Difficult cannulation was the only 1 risk factor for PEP after rectal indomethacin treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Single-dose rectal indomethacin administration immediately after ERCP in general population is good enough to prevent PEP, but difficult cannulation could induce the PEP frequency up to 15.4% even under rectal indomethacin use.

Gastric carcinoid tumor in a patient with a past history of gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the stomach.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor is the most common mesenchymal tumor in the gastrointestinal tract. It may coexist with other type of cancers, and if so, the tumors usually involve the stomach. The most common associated cancers are gastrointestinal carcinomas. We report a 65-year-old woman with a history of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor who had undergone subtotal segmental gastrectomy. New polypoid lesions were detected on a follow-up gastroscopy one year later. The lesions were biopsied and found to be carcinoid tumors. There was serum hypergastrinemia, and type 1 gastric carcinoid tumor was diagnosed. A total gastrectomy was performed. Pathologic examination revealed both carcinoid tumors and a recurrent gastrointestinal stromal tumor.

Clinical endoscopic management and outcome of post-endoscopic sphincterotomy bleeding.

Post-endoscopic sphincterotomy bleeding is a common complication of biliary sphincterotomy, and the incidence varies from 1% to 48%. It can be challenging to localize the bleeder or to administer various interventions through a side-viewing endoscope. This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors of post-endoscopic sphincterotomy bleeding and the outcome of endoscopic intervention therapies. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 513 patients who underwent biliary sphincterotomy in Mackay Memorial Hospital between 2011 and 2016. The blood biochemistry, comorbidities, indication for sphincterotomy, severity of bleeding, endoscopic features of bleeder, and type of endoscopic therapy were analyzed. Post-endoscopic sphincterotomy bleeding occurred in 65 (12.6%) patients. Forty-five patients had immediate bleeding and 20 patients had delayed bleeding. The multivariate analysis of risk factors associated with post-endoscopic sphincterotomy bleeding were liver cirrhosis (P = 0.029), end-stage renal disease (P = 0.038), previous antiplatelet drug use (P<0.001), and duodenal ulcer (P = 0.023). The complications of pancreatitis and cholangitis were higher in the bleeding group, with statistical significance. Delayed bleeding occurred within 1 to 7 days (mean, 2.5 days), and 60% (12/20) of the patients received endoscopic evaluation. In the delayed bleeding group, the successful hemostasis rate was 71.4% (5/7), and 65% (13/20) of the patients had ceased bleeding without endoscopic hemostasis therapy. Comparison of different therapeutic modalities showed that cholangitis was higher in patients who received epinephrine spray (P = 0.042) and pancreatitis was higher in patients who received epinephrine injection and electrocoagulation (P = 0.041 and P = 0.039 respectively). Clinically, post-endoscopic sphincterotomy bleeding and further endoscopic hemostasis therapy increase the complication rate of pancreatitis and cholangitis. Realizing the effectiveness of each therapeutic modalities and appropriate management of different levels bleeding are important.

Benign esophageal lesions: endoscopic and pathologic features.

Benign esophageal lesions have a wide spectrum of clinical and pathologic features. Understanding the endoscopic and pathologic features of esophageal lesions is essential for their detection, differential diagnosis, and management. The purpose of this review is to provide updated features that may help physicians to appropriately manage these esophageal lesions. The endoscopic features of 2997 patients are reviewed. In epithelial lesions, the frequency of occurrence was in the following order: glycogenic acanthosis, heterotopic gastric mucosa, squamous papilloma, hyperplastic polyp, ectopic sebaceous gland and xanthoma. In subepithelial lesions, the order was as follows: hemangioma, leiomyoma, dysphagia aortica and granular cell tumor. Most benign esophageal lesions can be diagnosed according to their endoscopic appearance and findings on routine biopsy, and submucosal lesions, by endoscopic resection. Management is generally based upon the confidence of diagnosis and whether the lesion causes symptoms. We suggest endoscopic resection of all granular cell tumors and squamous papillomas because, while rare, these lesions have malignant potential. Dysphagia aortica should be considered in the differential diagnosis of dysphagia in the elderly.

Meta-analysis: The effect of patient education on bowel preparation for colonoscopy.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The proportion of outpatients with inadequate bowel preparation before colonoscopy is high owing to patient unawareness of its importance and poor adherence to instructions. This meta-analysis aimed to determine the effect of educational intervention on the quality of bowel preparation before colonoscopy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A comprehensive literature review identified randomized controlled trials measuring the effect of educational intervention on the quality of bowel preparation. Two reviewers independently screened relevant articles, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias. The primary outcome was the quality of each bowel preparation before colonoscopy, using a particular assessment scale. The secondary outcomes were polyp detection rates during the procedure and the need for a repeat colonoscopy due to incomplete examination. RESULTS: Nine randomized controlled trials were included in this meta-analysis. In all, 2885 patients were enrolled, with 1458 receiving education and 1427 assigned to the control group. An educational intervention before colonoscopy significantly improved bowel preparation (relative risk [RR] = 1.22; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.10 - 1.36), however, no significant differences were identified in polyp detection rates (RR = 1.14; 95 %CI 0.87 - 1.51) or the need for repeat colonoscopy (RR = 0.52; 95 %CI 0.25 - 1.04) between the groups. Asymmetry in the appearance of the funnel plot and the result of Egger test (P < 0.001) suggested that publication bias existed. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence from these randomized controlled trials shows that a brief counseling session with patients before colonoscopy ensures better bowel preparation. However, evidence is insufficient to assess improvements in polyp detection rate and avoidance of a repeat colonoscopy. Despite these encouraging observations, this meta-analysis had some limitations, including potential publication bias and significant heterogeneity of the types of bowel purgatives. These results should be interpreted with caution.

The feasibility of using simulated targets in the stomachs of live pigs for full endoscopic submucosal dissection training.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) training, only a flat target lesion can usually be simulated in the normal mucosa. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of simulated targets in the stomachs of live pigs for complete training. METHODS: Six trained endoscopists with hands-on experience with ex vivo, isolated pig stomachs were enrolled in this pilot study. An endoscopic banding device was used to create a polyp that was snared, leaving an ulcerated lesion. This simulated target model was used to perform ESD in pigs. The en bloc resection rate, procedure time, complications, quality of resection, and participants' opinions on the simulated targets were compared with the conventional model. RESULTS: En bloc resections were achieved in all six simulated targets and six conventional models. The mean size of the resected specimens was 32.2 mm (range, 20 to 39 mm) in the simulated target group and 23.5 mm (range, 11 to 40 mm) in the conventional group. The target model had a high quality of resection and had a high satisfaction rate for margin identification and correct peripheral marking. CONCLUSIONS: Good identification of the lesion and ease of periphery marking in the target model may improve resection quality.

Effect of physician-delivered patient education on the quality of bowel preparation for screening colonoscopy.

Background. Inadequate bowel preparation is common in outpatients undergoing screening colonoscopy because of unawareness and poor adherence to instruction. Methods. Herein, 105 consecutive outpatients referred for screening colonoscopy were enrolled in this prospective, colonoscopist-blinded study. The patients were assigned to an intensive-education group, with 10 minutes of physician-delivered education, or to standard care. At the time of colonoscopy, the quality of bowel preparation was assessed using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS). The primary outcome was a BBPS score ≥5. The secondary outcomes were the mean BBPS score, insertion time, adenoma detection rate, and number of adenomas detected. Results. We analyzed 39 patients who received intensive education and 60 controls. The percentage of adequate bowel preparations with a BBPS score ≥5 was higher in the intensive-education group than in the control group (97.4% versus 80.0%; P = 0.01). The adjusted odds ratio for having a BBPS score ≥5 in the intensive-education group was 10.2 (95% confidence interval = 1.23-84.3; P = 0.03). Other secondary outcomes were similar in the 2 groups. Conclusions. Physician-delivered education consisting of a brief counseling session in addition to written instructions improves the quality of bowel preparation in outpatients undergoing screening colonoscopy.

Investigation of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 gene polymorphisms in symptomatic gallstone disease.

Gallstone disease (GSD), which is increasingly prevalent in Taiwan, develops through a complex process involving genetic, environmental, and immune factors. Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA4) limits T-cell proliferation. The present study looked for associations between symptomatic GSD and polymorphisms of the CTLA4 gene. For this case-control cross-sectional study among Taiwanese, 275 patients with symptomatic GSD and 852 controls were enrolled. Genotyping of CTLA4-318 C/T, +49 A/G, and CT60 A/G single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The genotype, allele, carrier, and haplotype frequencies were calculated by direct counting or with Haploview 4.1 software. Genotype, allele, carrier, and haplotype frequencies of the CTLA4 SNPs studied were equally distributed in symptomatic GSD patients and controls. No significant associations between symptomatic GSD and these 3 SNPs were observed. Our data suggest that CTLA4-318 C/T, +49 A/G, and CT60 A/G SNPs do not confer increased susceptibility to symptomatic GSD.