Deep learning analysis for differential diagnosis and risk classification of gastrointestinal tumors.

OBJECTIVES: Recently, artificial intelligence (AI) has been applied to clinical diagnosis. Although AI has already been developed for gastrointestinal (GI) tract endoscopy, few studies have applied AI to endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) images. In this study, we used a computer-assisted diagnosis (CAD) system with deep learning analysis of EUS images (EUS-CAD) and assessed its ability to differentiate GI stromal tumors (GISTs) from other mesenchymal tumors and their risk classification performance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 101 pathologically confirmed cases of subepithelial lesions (SELs) arising from the muscularis propria layer, including 69 GISTs, 17 leiomyomas and 15 schwannomas, were examined. A total of 3283 EUS images were used for training and five-fold-cross-validation, and 827 images were independently tested for diagnosing GISTs. For the risk classification of 69 GISTs, including very-low-, low-, intermediate- and high-risk GISTs, 2,784 EUS images were used for training and three-fold-cross-validation. RESULTS: For the differential diagnostic performance of GIST among all SELs, the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were 80.4%, 82.9%, 75.3% and 0.865, respectively, whereas those for intermediate- and high-risk GISTs were 71.8%, 70.2%, 72.0% and 0.771, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The EUS-CAD system showed a good diagnostic yield in differentiating GISTs from other mesenchymal tumors and successfully demonstrated the GIST risk classification feasibility. This system can determine whether treatment is necessary based on EUS imaging alone without the need for additional invasive examinations.

Efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition using stereo-microscopic on-site evaluation for possible comprehensive genome profile in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Stereomicroscopic on-site evaluation (SOSE) is a rapid evaluation method for endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA) with a high diagnostic sensitivity when the stereomicroscopically visible white core (SVWC) cut-off value (≥ 11 mm) is met. We prospectively examined the association between SVWCs and the adequacy of tissue specimens, assuming subsequent comprehensive genome profiling (CGP). METHODS: This study included 66 consecutive patients with suspected unresectable pancreatic cancer who underwent EUS-TA. The primary endpoint was the frequency of combined samples with ≥ 20% tumor cell content that met over twice the SVWC (T-SVWC) cut-off value, achieved through multiple punctures. The secondary endpoints were the number of punctures, the percentage of SVWC cut-off values, adverse events, the positive diagnosis rate, and the tissue section area. RESULTS: The median number of EUS-TA punctures for suspected unresectable pancreatic cancer was 3 (range, 3-4); SVWC and T-SVWC cut-off values were obtained in 171/206 specimens and 65/66 patients, respectively. There were no EUS-TA-related adverse events. The positive diagnosis rate of EUS-TA was 95.5%. Among the 63 patients meeting the T-SVWC cut-off value in pathological diagnoses, the median tumor cell content was 40% (range, 5-80%), with 57 patients having tumor cell content ≥ 20%. The median tissue section area was 15 (range, 3-40) mm2. CONCLUSIONS: When performing EUS-TA for unresectable pancreatic cancer with the intention of subsequent CGP, obtaining a high tumor cell content (≥ 20%) by assessing the T-SVWC cut-off value via SOSE may serve as a novel indicator for on-site estimation of CGP suitability for EUS-TA specimens.

Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Tissue Acquisition Using Fork-Tip Needle for Subepithelial Lesions: A Single-Center Validation Study.

BACKGROUND: The cutoff value for stereomicroscopic on-site evaluation (SOSE) in endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA) has high diagnostic sensitivity when a Franseen needle is employed for upper gastrointestinal subepithelial lesions (SELs) (stereomicroscopically visible white core [SVWC] ≥ 4 mm). AIM: We aimed to determine whether high diagnostic sensitivity could be obtained when EUS-TA was performed using a Fork-tip needle. METHODS: Twenty-one patients were prospectively registered. Patients underwent EUS-TA using a Fork-tip needle for upper gastrointestinal SELs at Kitasato University Hospital between January and November 2022. Punctures were made twice using the needle, and SOSE was conducted for each specimen. Blood and physical examination were performed to assess adverse events. Pathological diagnosis was made using hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections and immunohistochemical staining. Statistical comparisons were completed using Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: The diagnostic rate of EUS-TA was 100% (21/21 cases). The final diagnosis was gastrointestinal stromal tumor in 17 (81.0%) and leiomyoma in 4 (19.0%) patients. SOSE was conducted on all 42 punctures, and the tissue sampling rate was 100% (42/42 punctures). Specimens with SVWC ≥ 4 mm were collected in 97.6% punctures (41/42 punctures) and the diagnostic sensitivity for these specimens was 100% (41/41 punctures), which is significantly higher (p < 0.0238) compared to the absence of cutoff value (diagnostic sensitivity of 0%). No EUS-TA-related adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS: EUS-TA combined with SOSE for upper gastrointestinal SEL using a fork-tip needle had a high diagnostic rate, and the cutoff value of SVWC ≥ 4 mm had high diagnostic sensitivity.

Consensus statements on endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition. Guidelines from the Asian Endoscopic Ultrasound Group.

OBJECTIVES: This consensus was developed by the Asian EUS Group (AEG), who aimed to formulate a set of practice guidelines addressing various aspects of endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA). METHODS: The AEG initiated the development of consensus statements and formed an expert panel comprising surgeons, gastroenterologists, and pathologists. Three online consensus meetings were conducted to consolidate the statements and votes. The statements were presented and discussed in the first two consensus meetings and revised according to comments. Final voting was conducted at a third consensus meeting. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system was adopted to define the strength of the recommendations and quality of evidence. RESULTS: A total of 20 clinical questions and statements regarding EUS-TA were formulated. The committee recommended that fine-needle biopsy (FNB) needles be preferred over conventional fine-needle aspiration (FNA) needles for EUS-TA of subepithelial lesions. For solid pancreatic masses, rapid on-site evaluation is not routinely recommended when FNB needles are used. For dedicated FNB needles, fork-tip and Franseen-tip needles have essentially equivalent performance. CONCLUSION: This consensus provides guidance for EUS-TA, thereby enhancing the quality of EUS-TA.

Multicenter prospective study of the efficacy of stereomicroscopic on-site evaluation in endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition in patients with pancreatic cancer.

OBJECTIVE: In sample isolation processing by stereomicroscopy (SIPS), a technique used to assess the quality of specimens collected during endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA), the cutoff value of stereomicroscopically visible white core (SVWC) (≥11 mm) indicates high diagnostic sensitivity. However, the procedure of SIPS is complicated and time-consuming. Therefore, we devised the stereomicroscopic on-site evaluation (SOSE), a new rapid assessment method that is simpler than SIPS and only determines if the SVWC cutoff value is attained. We aimed to examine the usefulness of SOSE in a multicenter, prospective setting. METHODS: Seventy patients from multiple institutions with solid pancreatic masses suspected to be pancreatic cancer were included. EUS-TA was performed using a 22-gauge Franseen needle. SVWCs were measured on-site using stereomicroscopy. The primary outcome was the sensitivity of SVWC cutoff value in EUS-TA with SOSE. RESULTS: The total number of punctures was 214 and SOSE was performed on 150 punctures. The SVWC cutoff value collection rate was 100% per lesion, with 80% in the first pass, 79% in the second pass, and 78% per puncture in all passes. The median time taken to determine the SVWC cutoff value for SOSE was 47 s. The sensitivity of the SVWC cutoff value was 93.2% for histology and 96.6% for cytology + histology. The per-lesion accuracy of pathological diagnosis reached the highest level (98.6%) at the second puncture. CONCLUSIONS: SOSE showed high diagnostic sensitivity and may be a new rapid assessment method for the diagnosis of malignant pancreatic cancer using EUS-TA.

Efficacy and factors affecting procedure results of short-type single-balloon enteroscopy-assisted ERCP for altered anatomy: a multicenter cohort in Japan.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Although single-balloon enteroscopy (SBE)-assisted or short-type SBE (short SBE)-assisted ERCP has been reported as useful in patients with surgically altered anatomy, most studies had small sample sizes or single-center designs. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and factors affecting the procedure results of short SBE-assisted ERCP in patients with surgically altered anatomy. METHODS: This multicenter, retrospective study was conducted at 8 tertiary referral care centers in Japan. The data of patients who underwent ERCP-related procedures using short SBE between September 2011 and August 2019 at each facility were analyzed. RESULTS: Overall, 1318 patients were included in this analysis. The enteroscopy (reaching the target site), cannulation, and total procedural success rates were 87.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 86.1%-89.6%), 87.0% (95% CI, 84.9%-88.8%), and 74.9% (95% CI, 72.5%-77.2%), respectively. Adverse events occurred in 7.7% of patients (95% CI, 6.4%-9.3%). Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that age (≥75 years), Roux-en-Y reconstruction, pancreatic indication, and malignancy were factors affecting the total procedural failure. CONCLUSIONS: This large-scale study proved that short SBE-assisted ERCP in patients with surgically altered anatomy was effective. Moreover, it clarified factors affecting procedure results. Proficiency with alternative treatment techniques is required in difficult cases. (Clinical trial registration number: UMIN00004045.).

Endoscopic re-intervention after stent-in-stent versus side-by-side bilateral self-expandable metallic stent deployment.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Endoscopic bilateral self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) placement for unresectable malignant hilar biliary obstruction (MHBO) is widely performed; however, re-intervention after recurrent biliary obstruction (RBO) is often challenging. We compared stent-in-stent (SIS) and side-by-side (SBS) SEMS placement for MHBO considering re-intervention for RBO. METHODS: One hundred five consecutive patients with MHBO who underwent endoscopic bilateral SEMS placement in our hospital and its affiliated institutions were enrolled in this study; 75 patients underwent partial SIS deployment between December 2005 and December 2012; and 30 underwent SBS deployment between January 2013 and March 2019. Initial treatments and re-interventions in each group were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: Technical success rate (92% vs 100%, P = 0.179), procedure duration (46 vs 35 min, P = 0.382), functional success rate (97.1% vs 100%, P = 1.00), complication rate (24.6% vs 20.0%, P = 0.797), time to RBO (260 vs 312 days; Gray test, P = 0.815), and rate of RBO (59.4% vs 70.0%, P = 0.371) were not significantly different between the SIS and SBS groups. However, bilateral re-stenting with plastic stents through SEMS was successful in 63.4% of patients in the SIS group compared with 100% of patients in the SBS group (P = 0.0013). Median time to RBO upon first re-stenting with a plastic stent was 75 days (range, 11-195 days). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic re-stenting after RBO was significantly more successful in the SBS group than in the SIS group. SBS method is suitable for MHBO considering revisionary stent placement.

Risk Factors for Perforation During Endoscopic Papillary Large Balloon Dilation and Bile Duct Stone Removal.

BACKGROUND: Stone removal using endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation (EPLBD) is extremely effective. However, limited research exists regarding the risk factors for perforation of the duodenal papilla and bile duct, which may be fatal. AIMS: We aimed to investigate the risk factors for perforation during EPLBD + stone removal. METHODS: We included patients who underwent EPLBD + stone removal at four medical facilities between January 2008 and December 2018. We retrospectively analyzed the risk factors for perforation and their relationship between overdilation and adverse events. Overdilation was defined as a ratio of the balloon diameter to the diameter of the bile duct that exceeded 100%. The diameter of the distal bile duct was measured using the diameter of the intrapancreatic bile duct at a point 10 mm toward the liver from the narrow distal segment on a cholangiogram. RESULTS: We included 310 patients (177 males; median age: 79 years [range: 46-102 years]). Perforation occurred in five patients (1.6%). Multivariate analysis indicated that no surrounding-pancreas (half or less of the circumference of the intrapancreatic bile duct was surrounded by the pancreatic parenchyma) was a significant risk factor (perforation rate: 8.3%, p = 0.011, odds ratio: 12.7 [95% confidence interval: 1.8-90.5]). No significant difference was found between the overdilation and non-overdilation groups regarding the occurrence of pancreatitis, bleeding, and cholangitis. Perforation rate in patients with no surrounding pancreas + overdilation was 16.7% (2/12). Patients with perforation underwent conservative therapy, which improved their conditions. CONCLUSIONS: EPLBD + stone removal should be avoided in patients with no surrounding pancreas. Overdilation is not a risk factor for adverse procedural events; however, it should be limited in patients with surrounding pancreas.

Current status of diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopy in Japan: The Japan Endoscopic Database Project.

OBJECTIVES: The Japan Endoscopy Database Project was initiated to develop the world's largest endoscopy data repository. This study describes the first phase of the colonoscopy project in Japan. METHODS: Data were aggregated offline by integrating information from the endoscopy database software from January 2015 through March 2017. The study population included all patients who underwent colonoscopy at eight centers. RESULTS: A total of 31,395 patients who underwent 38,497 colonoscopy procedures were registered. The majority of procedures were performed for screening (n = 14,156), followed by fecal immunochemical test positivity (n = 3960), abdominal symptoms (n = 3864), post-colorectal surgery surveillance (n = 3431), post-endoscopic treatment surveillance (n = 3757), thorough pre-treatment examination (n = 2822), and therapeutic purposes (n = 6507). In the screening group, advanced cancers, early cancers, and adenomas were diagnosed endoscopically in 2.1%, 1.3%, and 28.7% of cases, respectively, while in the fecal immunochemical test-positive group, they were diagnosed in 2.5%, 1.9%, and 41.6% of cases, respectively. The incidence of complications was 0.177% and 0.152% in the screening and fecal immunochemical test-positive groups, respectively. The therapeutic procedures included 1446 cold forceps polypectomy procedures, 4770 cold snare polypectomy procedures, 368 hot biopsies, 2998 hot snare polypectomy procedures, 9775 endoscopic or piecemeal endoscopic mucosal resections, and 1660 endoscopic submucosal dissections. A total of 173 procedure-related complications (0.82%) occurred in 21,017 therapeutic procedures performed in 15,744 patients. CONCLUSIONS: The first phase of the Japan Endoscopy Database Project established the proportions of the diagnostic and therapeutic colonoscopy procedures, and complication rates in real-world settings.

Defining the endoscopic ultrasound features of chronic pancreatitis in Asians: a multicenter validation study.

BACKGROUND: Although endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) features and criteria have been described in chronic pancreatitis, challenges remain with interoperator variability and ease of adoption. The aim of this study was to define and validate the EUS features of chronic pancreatitis in a multicenter prospective study in Asia. METHOD: The study was divided into two parts: the first part was conducted to derive the EUS features of chronic pancreatitis with adequate interoperator agreement; the second was to prospectively evaluate these features in a multicenter cross-sectional study and determine the optimal combination of features for the diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis. Prospectively enrolled cases had standard internationally validated radiologic or histologic features of chronic pancreatitis, and controls were patients without chronic pancreatitis who underwent EUS examination. RESULTS: The top six EUS features that had good interobserver agreement (mean kappa 0.73, range 0.60 - 0.90) were selected to be further evaluated in part II of the study. These included: hyperechoic foci with shadowing, lobularity with honeycombing, cysts, dilated main pancreatic duct, dilated side branches, and calculi in the main pancreatic duct. A total of 284 subjects (132 cases, 152 controls) were enrolled from 12 centers in Asia. All six features had high accuracy ranging from 63.3 % to 89.1 %. Two or more of these six EUS features accurately defined chronic pancreatitis (sensitivity 94.7 %, specificity 98.0 %), with an area under the receiver operating curve of 0.986. CONCLUSION: This multicenter Asian study characterized and defined the EUS features of chronic pancreatitis. This provides a useful tool in clinical practice and further research in pancreatic cancer surveillance.

Nafamostat Mesylate is Not Effective in Preventing Post-Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is associated with complications such as post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). Protease inhibitors, including nafamostat mesylate (NM), have been evaluated for prophylaxis against PEP. AIM: We describe the first multicenter randomized controlled trial assessing the prophylactic efficacy of NM against PEP. METHODS: In this multicenter prospective study, we aimed to enroll 800 patients aged ≥ 20 years with a planned ERCP between December 2012 and March 2019. The primary outcome was the incidence and severity of PEP in patients who did not receive NM (non-NM) versus those who did (NM; 20 mg). Secondary outcomes included the incidence of PEP by NM initiation (pre- and post-ERCP), risk factors for PEP, and NM-related adverse events. RESULTS: Only 441 of the planned 800 patients were enrolled (non-NM: n = 149; NM: n = 292 [pre-ERCP NM: n = 144; post-ERCP NM: n = 148]). Patient characteristics were balanced at baseline with no significant differences between groups. PEP occurred in 40/441 (9%) patients (non-NM: n = 15 [10%]; NM: n = 25 [9%]), including 17 (12%) and eight (8%) in the pre-ERCP and post-ERCP NM groups, respectively. In the NM group, the incidence of PEP was lower in the low-risk group than in the high-risk group. Pancreatic injection and double-guidewire technique were independent risk factors for PEP. NM-related adverse events of hyperkalemia occurred in two (0.7%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: We found no evidence for the prophylactic effect of NM against PEP, regardless of the timing of administration; however, further studies are needed.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition with or without macroscopic on-site evaluation: randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The use of macroscopic on-site evaluation (MOSE) to estimate the adequacy of a specimen for histological diagnosis during endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine-needle tissue acquisition (FNTA) has recently been advocated. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic yield of MOSE compared with conventional EUS-FNTA without rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE). METHODS: This was an international, multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled study. After providing informed consent, consecutive adult patients referred for EUS-FNTA for solid lesions larger than 2 cm were randomized to a MOSE arm or to a conventional arm without ROSE. A designated cytopathologist from each center performed all cytopathological examinations for that center and was blinded to the randomization results. The primary outcome measure was the diagnostic yield, and the secondary outcomes included sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, diagnostic accuracy, and the rate of procedure-related complications. RESULTS: 244 patients (122 conventional, 122 MOSE) were enrolled during the study period. No significant differences between the two arms were found in procedure time or rate of procedure-related adverse events. The diagnostic yield for the MOSE technique (92.6 %) was similar to that for the conventional technique (89.3 %; P  = 0.37), with significantly fewer passes made (median: conventional 3, MOSE 2; P  < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: EUS-FNTA with the MOSE technique provided a similar diagnostic yield to conventional EUS-FNTA technique in the absence of ROSE but with fewer passes. This technique can be used when ROSE is not available.

Recent innovations in therapeutic endoscopy for pancreatobiliary diseases.

The development of endoscopic treatment for pancreatobiliary diseases in recent years is remarkable. In addition to conventional transpapillary treatments under endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), new endoscopic ultrasound-guided therapy is being developed and implemented. On the other hand, due to the development/improvement of various devices such as new metal stents, a new therapeutic strategy under ERCP is also advocated. The present review focuses on recent advances in the endoscopic treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts, walled-off necrosis, malignant biliary strictures, and benign biliary/pancreatic duct strictures.

Multicenter database registry for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: Japan Endoscopic Database Project.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Few studies have reported on a national, population-based endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) database. Hence, in 2015, we established a multicenter ERCP database registry, the Japan Endoscopic Database (JED) Project in preparation for a nationwide endoscopic database. The objective the present study was to evaluate this registry before the establishment of a nationwide endoscopic database. METHODS: From 1 January 2015 to 31 March 2017, we collected and analyzed the ERCP data of all patients who underwent ERCP in four participating centers in the JED Project based on the JED protocol. RESULTS: Four centers carried out 4104 ERCP on 2173 patients. Data entry of ERCP information (age, 100%; gender, 100%; American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification System, 74.5%; scope, 92.7%; time to ERCP, 100%; antithrombotic drug information, 55.0%; primary selective common bile duct [CBD] cannulation methods, 73.0%; number of attempts at primary selective CBD cannulation, 67.6%; overall selective CBD cannulation methods, 68.9%; ERCP procedure time, 66.3%; fluoroscopy time, 65.1%; adverse events, 74.9%; serum amylase levels 1 day post-ERCP, 36.5%) was accurately extracted from the four centers. Success rate of CBD cannulation by level of ERCP difficulty was 98.5%, 99.0%, and 96.4% in grades 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Complication rate by overall selective CBD cannulation method was 5.6%, 7.6%, and 10.5% in the contrast-assisted technique, guidewire-assisted technique, and cross-over method, respectively. CONCLUSION: Data from this evaluation of the JED Project, a multicenter ERCP database registry, suggest the feasibility of establishing a nationwide ERCP database and its challenges.

Stent-induced symptomatic pancreatic duct stricture after endoscopic prophylactic pancreatic duct stent placement for the normal pancreas.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Stent-induced pancreatic duct stricture (SI-PDS) is a complication associated with pancreatic stent placement. However, symptomatic SI-PDS associated with prophylactic pancreatic duct stents has not been sufficiently investigated. METHODS: We examined the incidence and characteristics of symptomatic SI-PDS in patients who underwent pancreatic duct stent placement to prevent post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP) between April 2007 and March 2017. RESULTS: We examined 124 patients with normal pancreases consisting of 75 men and 49 women with a median age of 67.5 years [interquartile range (IQR): 61-74 years]. The median main pancreatic duct (MPD) diameter was 3.3 mm (IQR: 2.6-4.1 mm). The median duration of stent placement was 7 days (IQR: 3-14 days). Spontaneous dislodgment stents were placed in 43.5% of cases (54/124). The diameter of the stent was 5 Fr in 93.5% of cases (116/124) and 7 Fr in 6.5% of cases (8/124). Symptomatic SI-PDS was observed in 2.4% (3/124) of patients overall: 6.5% of patients with an MPD diameter of <3 mm and 0% of patients with an MPD diameter of ≥3 mm. Univariate analysis revealed that an MPD diameter <3 mm was a significant factor for symptomatic SI-PDS (p = 0.048). All cases of symptomatic SI-PDS improved with endoscopic treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Symptomatic SI-PDS occurred in 2.4% of patients who underwent prophylactic pancreatic duct stent placement for normal pancreases. Patients with an MPD diameter of <3 mm may be susceptible to symptomatic SI-PDS.

Analysis of BRCAness with multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification using formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma tissue obtained via endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: A breakthrough in chemotherapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) may be achieved using precision medicine, which involves identifying cases that are highly likely to respond to a certain treatment and then performing that treatment. BRCAness has been receiving attention as a novel predictor of anticancer drug sensitivity in PDAC, making the screening of BRCAness paramount. METHODS: We conducted the first-ever examination of the feasibility of analyzing BRCAness using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA). Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples obtained via endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNAB) from 20 patients with the highest pancreatic carcinoma cell counts in tissue samples out of 40 consecutive PDAC patients who underwent EUS-FNAB at our hospital were analyzed by MLPA for BRCAness. RESULTS: We were able to accurately analyze BRCAness in 75% of the 20 cases of PDAC using FFPE tissue obtained by EUS-FNAB. BRCAness was observed in one of the 20 cases. CONCLUSIONS: In PDAC, analyzing BRCAness by MLPA using FFPE tissue obtained by EUS-FNAB offers the remarkable benefit of yielding results in a short period of time and at a low cost. In addition, this method of BRCAness analysis may prove to be a feasible and effective approach for performing precision medicine.

On-site stereomicroscope quality evaluations to estimate white core cutoff lengths using EUS-FNA biopsy sampling with 22-gauge needles.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Although rapid on-site cytologic evaluation (ROSE) during EUS-guided FNA biopsy (EUS-FNAB) sampling may improve accuracy of pathologic analyses, cytopathologists are not widely available. We calculated the cutoff lengths required for accurate pathologic diagnoses from stereomicroscopically visible white cores (SVWCs) sampled using 22-gauge needles. METHODS: Overall, 118 patients with mediastinal or upper abdominal solid masses requiring pathologic diagnoses were included. EUS-FNAB sampling was performed using 22-gauge needles. SVWCs were isolated and measured using stereomicroscopy, and the utility of calculated cutoff lengths in diagnosis was investigated. RESULTS: The procedure success and SVWC sampling rates were both 100%, and the median SVWC length was 10 mm. Pathologic examination identified 75, 31, and 12 patients with pancreatic neoplasms (PNs), subepithelial lesions (SELs), and other lesions, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy for diagnosing malignancy using EUS-FNAB sampling were 93.1%, 100%, 100%, 69.6%, and 94%, respectively. The final diagnostic accuracy in the entire cohort, PNs, and SELs was 92.4%, 90.7%, and 93.5%, respectively. Receiver operating characteristic curves demonstrated the overall SVWC cutoff length to be 11 mm (11 mm for PNs, 3.5 mm for SELs). The overall sensitivity according to SVWC cutoff length was 91.4% (87.6% for PNs, 98.8% for SELs). Compared with cutoff length, multivariate analysis confirmed SVWC length to be a stronger independent factor for tissue diagnosis in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis improved significantly with SVWC cutoff lengths ≥11 mm. This may be a useful index for endoscopists, particularly where ROSE is unavailable. (Clinical trial registration number: UMIN000023013.).

The Effects of Direct Oral Anticoagulants, Warfarin, Aspirin and Thienopyridine on the Performance of Immunochemical, Faecal, Occult Blood Tests.

AIM: To clarify whether antithrombotic drugs affect diagnosis using the immunochemical faecal occult blood test -(iFOBT) of colorectal neoplasia. METHODS: Using the Japan Endoscopy Database from 8 centres between 2015 and 2017, we analyzed data about patients who were iFOBT positive and had received direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC), warfarin, aspirin or thienopyridine. One-to-one matching-analogue propensity score weighted analyses were performed to compare the positive predictive value (PPV) of all neoplasms, invasive and non-invasive colorectal cancers and adenomas between drug users and non-users. All neoplasms included invasive and non-invasive colorectal cancer, and adenomas. RESULTS: We analyzed 197 DOAC users and 196 non-users, 153 warfarin users and 153 non-users, 408 aspirin users and 415 non-users, and 97 thienopyridine users and 97 non-users. No significant differences were observed in the PPV for all neoplasms (56.67 vs. 50.43%), invasive cancer (4.32 vs. 3.53%), non-invasive cancer (15.58 vs. 15.56%) or adenoma (53.13 vs. 48.09%) between the DOAC user and non-user groups. No significant differences were observed in the PPV for all neoplasia, invasive and non-invasive cancer, or adenoma between warfarin, aspirin and thienopyridine use and non-users. CONCLUSIONS: DOAC, warfarin, aspirin and thienopyridine use did not decrease the PPVs of the iFOBT used to evaluate all colorectal neoplasia.

Complications of Long-Term Indwelling Transmural Double Pigtail Stent Placement for Symptomatic Peripancreatic Fluid Collections.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic transmural drainage is performed for symptomatic peripancreatic fluid collections (PPFCs). Long-term transmural double-pigtail stent (DPS) placement is useful in preventing recurrences. There are few reports on the long-term safety of DPS placement. Thus, this study aimed to examine the complications of long-term indwelling DPS for PPFCs. METHODS: Among 53 patients who underwent endoscopic ultrasound-guided transmural drainage for symptomatic PPFCs between April 2006 and March 2017, those followed up for over one year were included. Complications of long-term indwelling DPS were examined retrospectively. RESULTS: This study enrolled 36 patients [30 men, median age 54 years (range 22-82)]. Walled-off necrosis was present in 22 cases (including 9 disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome cases) and pancreatic pseudocysts, in 14 cases. The median stenting period was 20.9 (range 0.8-142.3) months, and median observation period was 56.2 (range 12.4-147.1) months. Colon perforation due to DPS occurred in 3 cases (8.3%), at 5.8, 17.1, and 33.7 months after indwelling DPS placement; 2 cases developed perforation from the serosal side. In 1 case, the patient was treated surgically, and in 2 cases, the patients underwent endoscopic removal of the stent and showed improvement with conservative treatment. CONCLUSION: Long-term indwelling transmural DPS for symptomatic PPFCs poses a risk of intestinal perforation. Thus, if possible, it may be better to avoid long-term placement.

Endoscopic Balloon Dilation for Benign Bilioenteric Stricture: Outcomes and Factors Affecting Recurrence.

BACKGROUND: Balloon dilation (BD) is a simple, effective procedure for postoperative benign bilioenteric strictures (BBESs). Factors associated with BBES recurrence after endoscopic BD have not been studied adequately. This study examined the outcomes and 1-year recurrence factors in patients with BBES who underwent endoscopic BD. METHODS: Patients who underwent endoscopic BD as an initial treatment between April 2008 and March 2017 were retrospectively assessed. The median time to recurrence of BBES (RBBES) and recurrence factors were evaluated. RESULTS: The study group comprised 55 patients (median age 72 years). The rate of RBBES was 52.7% (29/55), and the median time to RBBES was 2.78 years (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17-4.40). RBBES was observed in 32.7% (18/55) within 1 year after endoscopic BD. The significant factors associated with recurrence within 1 year, revealed by multivariate analysis, were: postoperative bile leak (p = 0.001; hazard ratio [HR] 10.94; 95% CI 2.47-48.39); BBES onset within 6 months, postoperatively (p = 0.013; HR 6.18; 95% CI 1.46-26.21); no intrahepatic stones (p = 0.049; HR 3.05; 95% CI 1.01-9.22); and remaining balloon waist (p = 0.005; HR 5.71; 95% CI 1.69-19.31). The median time to RBBES was significantly shorter in patients with these recurrence factors (0.88 years vs. not reached, p = 0.004). Patients exhibiting at least two recurrence factors were significantly more likely to experience recurrence (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic BD is effective for BBES, especially for patients with no recurrence factors. Consideration of endoscopic BD and additional treatment may be necessary for patients with recurrence factors.