Comparison of endoscopic resection therapies for rectal carcinoid tumor: endoscopic submucosal dissection versus endoscopic mucosal resection using band ligation.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) has been the endoscopic treatment of choice for rectal carcinoid tumors <10 mm in size. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) may cause more severe complications, longer operation time, and higher cost than EMR. AIM: : To compare EMR using band ligation (EMR-B) method with ESD for the endoscopic treatment of rectal carcinoid tumors. METHODS: From November 2008 to September 2011, we enrolled consecutive patients with rectal carcinoid tumors <10 mm in diameter and without lymph node enlargement. Rate of complete resection rate, incidence of complications, and length of procedures were evaluated. RESULTS: Sixty patients were enrolled (31 ESD cases and 29 EMR-B cases). The mean age was 48.03±13.09 years. Both groups had similar mean tumor diameter (EMR-B 4.34±1.75 vs. ESD 5.22±2.09 mm; P=0.084). Resection time was longer in the ESD group than in the EMR-B group (15.09±5.73 vs. 6.37±5.52 min; P<0.001). The complete resection rate was 80.6% (25 of 31) in the ESD group and 82.8% (24 of 29) in the EMR-B group (P=0.833). In incomplete resection cases, neither local recurrence nor distant metastasis was detected during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with ESD, EMR-B resulted in a comparable histologically complete resection rate and took less time to perform. Given the advantages of easier and shorter procedure time, EMR-B may be considered the treatment of choice for small rectal carcinoid tumors.

Cimetropium bromide does not improve polyp and adenoma detection during colonoscope withdrawal: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic inspection of colonic mucosa is disturbed by colonic folds and peristalsis, which may result in missed polyps. Cimetropium bromide, an antispasmodic agent, inhibits peristalsis and colonic spasms, which may improve polyp detection. The purpose of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to investigate whether cimetropium bromide could improve polyp and adenoma detection in the colorectum and right colon. METHODS: Patients undergoing screening or diagnostic colonoscopy were randomized to receive intravenous cimetropium bromide (5 mg) or placebo after cecal intubation. The primary outcomes were the number of polyps per patient (PPP) and adenomas per patient (APP); secondary outcomes were the polyp detection rate (PDR), adenoma detection rate (ADR), and advanced neoplasm detection rate (ANDR). RESULTS: A total of 181 patients were analyzed; 91 patients received cimetropium bromide and 90 patients received placebo. Cimetropium bromide and placebo groups did not significantly differ in the PPP and APP for the colorectum (1.38 ±â€Š1.58 vs 1.69 ±â€Š2.28, P = .298; 0.96 ±â€Š1.27 vs 1.11 ±â€Š1.89, P = .517, respectively) and right colon (0.70 ±â€Š0.95 vs 0.78 ±â€Š1.21, P = .645; 0.47 ±â€Š0.81 vs 0.51 ±â€Š0.81, P = .757, respectively). Two groups also did not significantly differ in the PDR, ADR, and ANDR for the colorectum and right colon. Furthermore, there were no difference between groups in the PPP, APP, PDR, ADR, and ADNR in a sub-analysis of expert and non-expert endoscopists. CONCLUSIONS: Cimetropium bromide did not improve polyp and adenoma detection in the colorectum and right colon during colonoscope withdrawal, regardless of the expertness of the endoscopist. However, its use may be helpful in patients with active peristalsis or for beginning endoscopists during standard colonoscopy without a transparent cap.

Predictive factors to diagnosis undifferentiated early gastric cancer after endoscopic submucosal dissection.

It is difficult to predict precisely whether the lesion corresponds to endoscopic resection indication. Furthermore, discrepancy may occur between endoscopic forceps biopsy (EFB) and finally resected specimen, which may be diagnosed as undifferentiated cancer and additional surgery may be required. Our study aimed to evaluate predictive factors to diagnose undifferentiated cancer after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD).Among the 532 patients diagnosed by ESD between January 2009 and December 2015, 557 early gastric cancer (EGC) cases were studied. Factors predicting diagnosis of undifferentiated cancer and clinical outcomes of the lesions were retrospectively analyzed.Among the 557 cases with EGC, 535 (96.1%) were diagnosed as differentiated cancer and 22 (3.9%) as the undifferentiated type with ESD. Tumor size was larger (mean size 20.67 vs 13.59 mm, P < .001) and age was lower (60.24 vs 64.50 years, P < .001) in the group with undifferentiated cancer. En bloc resection rate was similar (95.5% vs 95.9%, P = .886), but the complete resection rate was lower (72.7% vs 92.4%, P < .001) in the group with undifferentiated cancer. On multivariate analysis, tumor size ≥10 mm (OR = 11.340, P = .032), age <55 years (OR = 5.972, P = .004), surface redness (OR = 11.562, P = .024), and whitish discoloration (OR = 35.368, P < .001) were predominantly associated with undifferentiated cancer.Young age (<55 years), large tumor size (≥10 mm), surface redness, and whitish discoloration are predictors of undifferentiated cancer, and lesions with these features detected need to be treated cautiously.

Impact of cytomegalovirus in organ transplant recipients in the era of antiviral prophylaxis.

BACKGROUND: Antiviral prophylaxis has been shown to decrease the incidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease in organ transplant recipients, but whether CMV disease that occurs despite prophylaxis is associated with mortality remains unknown. METHODS: The clinical features and risk factors for CMV disease in a cohort of liver transplant recipients who received antiviral prophylaxis were assessed retrospectively. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to assess the relationship of CMV to mortality during the first posttransplant year. RESULTS: CMV disease developed in 37 of 437 (8.5%) recipients at a median of 4.5 (range, 2.5 to 12) months posttransplant and was associated only with donor-seropositive/recipient-seronegative serostatus in multivariate analysis (P<0.0001). Mortality at 1 year was 12% (51 of 437) and was infection-associated in 49% of cases. In multivariate analysis, CMV disease was independently associated with overall mortality at 1 year (HR, 5.1, P=0.002) and even more strongly with infection-associated mortality (HR 11, P=0.002). There was no association of CMV with noninfection-associated mortality (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Late CMV disease is an important clinical problem in liver transplant recipients who receive antiviral prophylaxis, and is strongly and independently associated with mortality. Strategies to prevent late CMV disease are warranted.

Differential expression profiling of head and neck squamous carcinoma: significance in their phenotypic and biological classification.

The genetic events associated with the development and progression of head and neck squamous carcinoma (HNSC) are largely unknown. We analysed 12 matched pairs of histologically normal squamous mucosa and tumor specimens from six conventional and six phenotypic variants HNSC to define the differentially expressed genes in these tumors. Parallel expression analysis of 8055 unique genes was performed, and the level of the hybridization signal for each gene was measured after normalization. Hierarchical cluster analysis of the expressed genes showed distinct inter- and intra-tumoral patterns in and between conventional squamous carcinoma and squamous carcinoma variants. We also identified 26 (0.32%) differentially expressed genes that were consistently different between matched pairs of normal and tumor specimens; a selected set of the overexpressed genes was validated using real-time quantitative RT-PCR. The majority of the genes were associated with differentiation and proliferation. Our study defines a set of genes that could form the basis for the construction of limited HNSC targeted expression array and in-depth studies and further highlights gene profile differences that may be useful in pathobiologic classification of HNSC.

Clinical outcomes of human herpesvirus 6 reactivation after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Although human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is known to reactivate during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), the clinical significance of this finding is controversial. METHODS: We used a quantitative PCR test for HHV-6 to assay plasma samples prospectively collected from a cohort of 110 allogeneic HSCT recipients to evaluate the clinical effects of HHV-6 infection. A retrospective review of medical records was performed to determine clinical end points. RESULTS: HHV-6 reactivation occurred in 52 (47%) of the 110 subjects. Factors that increased the risk of subsequent HHV-6 reactivation were hematologic malignancy that occurred at a time other than the first remission (adjusted P = .002), a mismatch in the sexes of donor and recipient (adjusted P=.05), younger age (adjusted P = .01), and the receipt of glucocorticoids (adjusted P = .06). HHV-6 reactivation was associated with subsequent all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ration [HR], 2.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-7.5), grade 3-4 graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) (adjusted HR, 4.9; 95% CI, 1.5-16), a lower probability of monocyte engraftment (adjusted HR, 0.42; 95% CI; 0.22-0.80), a lower probability of platelet engraftment (adjusted HR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.21-1.1; P = .05) and a higher platelet transfusion requirement (adjusted P = .02). A higher level of HHV-6 DNA was associated with subsequent central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction (HR, 21; 95% CI, 1.8-249). CONCLUSIONS: HHV-6 reactivation is common after allogeneic HSCT and is associated with subsequent delayed monocyte and platelet engraftment, increased platelet transfusion requirements, all-cause mortality, grade 3-4 GVHD, and CNS dysfunction.

Late-onset cytomegalovirus disease in liver transplant recipients despite antiviral prophylaxis.

BACKGROUND: The incidence and impact of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease that occurs despite CMV prophylaxis among liver transplant recipients have been incompletely defined. METHODS: The incidence and risk factors for CMV disease during the first posttransplant year in a cohort of liver transplant recipients who received antiviral prophylaxis with oral ganciclovir were retrospectively analyzed using Cox proportional-hazard regression models. RESULTS: CMV disease developed in 19 of 259 recipients (7% [95% confidence interval 0.04-0.11]) at a median of 4.5 months posttransplant, included syndrome (63%) or tissue-invasive disease (37%), and was independently associated with an increased risk of mortality during the first posttransplant year (hazard ratio 14 [95% confidence interval 3.8-54], P=0.0007). The incidence was higher (10/38 [26%] vs. 8/180 [4.5%], P<0.0001) in seronegative recipients (R-) of an organ from a seropositive donor (D+) compared with seropositive (R+) patients, respectively. D+R- status was the only variable significantly associated with CMV disease in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Late CMV disease develops in a substantial proportion of D+R- recipients after prophylaxis is discontinued, is not accurately predicted by patient factors, and is associated with increased mortality. New strategies to identify D+R- patients at risk and to reduce the incidence and impact of late CMV disease in this group are warranted.

Severe carbamazepine intoxication unresponsive to albumin-enhanced continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration with low dialysate flow.

Carbamazepine (CBZ) intoxication can be associated with severe toxicity, including neurological and cardio-respiratory abnormalities. Highly protein-bound, CBZ is not removed efficiently through conventional hemodialysis. Charcoal hemoperfusion is the most effective extracorporeal elimination therapy for CBZ intoxication. Recent reports have indicated that continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF), albumin-enhanced continuous venovenous hemodialysis, high-flux hemodialysis and plasma exchange can be as effective as charcoal hemoperfusion. In contrast to recent reports, which demonstrated the effectiveness of CVVHDF with high dialysate flow in CBZ intoxication, we observed that serum CBZ level was decreased minimally by albumin-enhanced CVVHDF with low dialysate flow. Therefore, albumin-enhanced CVVHDF with high dialysate flow should be considered in severe CBZ intoxication, if hemoperfusion is unavailable because of the lack of facilities or if it cannot be performed.

Long-term acyclovir for prevention of varicella zoster virus disease after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation--a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) disease occurs in 30% of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients who had a history of VZV infection. A safe and effective prevention strategy has not been established. In a double-blind controlled trial, 77 hematopoietic cell transplant recipients at risk for VZV reactivation were randomized to acyclovir 800 mg twice daily or placebo given from 1 to 2 months until 1 year after transplantation. VZV disease at 1 year was the primary end point; VZV disease after discontinuation of prophylaxis, VZV-specific T-cell immunity, herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection, cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease, survival, and safety were secondary end points. Acyclovir significantly reduced VZV infections at 1 year after transplantation (HR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.035-0.74; P = .006). In the post-intervention observation period, this difference was not statistically significant (2 years: HR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.21-1.3; 5 years: HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.36-1.6). There was no statistically significant difference in reconstitution of VZV-specific T-helper cell responses, HSV infections, CMV disease, chronic graft-versus-host disease, and overall survival between the groups. Acyclovir was well tolerated. Post-study VZV disease predominantly occurred in patients with continued need for systemic immunosuppression. In conclusion, acyclovir effectively and safely prevents VZV disease during the first year after hematopoietic cell transplantation. Periods of prophylaxis longer than 12 months may be beneficial for those hematopoietic cell transplant recipients on continued immune suppression.

Airflow decline after myeloablative allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation: the role of community respiratory viruses.

We conducted a 12-year retrospective study to determine the effects that the community respiratory-virus species and the localization of respiratory-tract virus infection have on severe airflow decline, a serious and fatal complication occurring after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Of 132 HCT recipients with respiratory-tract virus infection during the initial 100 days after HCT, 50 (38%) developed airflow decline < or =1 year after HCT. Lower-respiratory-tract infection with parainfluenza (odds ratio [OR], 17.9 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 2.0-160]; P=.01) and respiratory syncytial virus (OR, 3.6 [95% CI, 1.0-13]; P=.05) independently increased the risk of development of airflow decline < or =1 year after HCT. The airflow decline was immediately detectable after infection and was strongest for lower-respiratory-tract infection with parainfluenza virus; it stabilized during the months after the respiratory-tract virus infection, but, at < or =1 year after HCT, the initial lung function was not restored. Thus, community respiratory virus-associated airflow decline seems to be specific to viral species and infection localization.

Cytomegalovirus disease before hematopoietic cell transplantation as a risk for complications after transplantation.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease in candidates for hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is increasingly observed. Among 22 patients with CMV disease before HCT, the incidence of CMV disease before HCT was significantly higher in patients with severe underlying immune deficiency syndromes compared with patients with hematologic malignancies (P < .001). The lung was the most commonly involved site of infection, followed by the gastrointestinal tract and the retina. Fourteen of 22 patients with CMV disease before HCT responded to treatment and proceeded to HCT; 8 of 22 did not receive an HCT because of fatal CMV disease (n = 2) or other complications (n = 6). Of 14 patients with CMV disease who subsequently underwent HCT, 6 (42%) had CMV disease diagnosed after transplantation despite antiviral prophylaxis or preemptive therapy, and 1 patient had evidence of persistent CMV disease before day 100 after HCT. This proportion was significantly higher than that in patients without CMV disease before HCT during the same time period (day 30, adjusted P = .003; day 100, adjusted P = .02). Thirteen of 14 patients with pretransplantation CMV disease died a median of 36 days after transplantation (range, 19-399 days; adjusted P = .005 compared with CMV-seropositive transplant recipients without a history of pretransplantation CMV disease). In summary, although CMV disease before HCT may be mild and responsive to treatment, it is associated with a high risk of early CMV disease and death after transplantation.