Predicting need for intervention in acute necrotizing pancreatitis following discharge- A single center experience in 525 patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The clinical course of necrotizing pancreatitis (NP) is variable and unpredictable, with some patients managed conservatively, but a significant proportion become symptomatic and needing intervention for drainage and/or necrosectomy. The aim of this study was to identify patients based on baseline clinical and imaging metrics who will likely need intervention and therefore closer follow-up. METHODS: All NP patients managed in our institution between 2010 and 2019 were identified from a prospective database and those who did not undergo intervention during initial hospitalization were followed longitudinally post discharge until clinical and imaging resolution of necrosis. Patients were categorized into a conservative arm or intervention arm (endoscopic/percutaneous/surgical drainage and/or necrosectomy) for criteria defined according to IAP/APA guidelines. Clinical and imaging characteristics during initial presentation were analyzed between the two groups to identify independent predictors for eventual intervention using multivariable logistic regression. A nomogram was designed based on factors that were significant as defined by P value < 0.05. RESULTS: Among 525 patients, 340 who did not meet criteria for intervention during initial admission were included for study and followed for an average 7.4 ± 11.3 months. 140 were managed conservatively and 200 needed intervention (168 within 6 months and 32 after 6 months). Independent predictors of need for eventual intervention were white race [OR 3.43 (1.11-10.62)], transferred status [OR 3.37 (1.81-6.27)], and need for TPN [OR 6.86 (1.63-28.9)], necrotic collection greater than 6 cm [OR 8.66 (4.10-18.32)] and necrotic collection with greater than 75% encapsulation [OR 41.3 (8.29-205.5)]. A prediction model incorporating these factors demonstrated an area under the curve of 0.88. CONCLUSIONS: Majority of NP patients do not need intervention during initial admission but may require drainage/necrosectomy mostly in the first 6 months following discharge. Need for subsequent intervention can be accurately predicted by a combination of clinical and imaging features on index admission.

Visceral artery pseudoaneurysms in necrotizing pancreatitis: risk of early bleeding with lumen-apposing metal stents.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Visceral artery pseudoaneurysm (PSA) in necrotizing pancreatitis (NP) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence, clinical presentation, management, and outcomes of PSA in NP. METHODS: All NP patients managed at our institution between 2010 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed from a prospectively maintained database for PSA. Demographics, clinical presentation, method of diagnosis, management, and outcomes were collected. RESULTS: Thirty-nine of 607 patients (6.4%) with NP had a confirmed diagnosis of PSA. Demographics, presence of infected necrosis, development of organ failure(s), and severity of disease were similar between PSA and no PSA. Endoscopic and percutaneous drainages for walled-off necrosis (WON) were more common in the PSA group. Seven patients developed PSA without requiring any intervention for WON, and 17 patients (43.6%) had lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMSs) placed before PSA diagnosis. The time from NP diagnosis to PSA diagnosis was shorter in these patients (n = 17) compared with the remaining patients (n=22; 47 days [interquartile range {IQR}: 17-85] vs 109 days [IQR: 61-180.5, P=0.009]). In addition, 7 of 11 patients (63.6%) with early PSA (defined by <3 weeks from index cystgastrostomy/cystduodenostomy) had an indwelling LAMS at the time of the PSA diagnosis. Seventy-seven percent of patients presented with anemia, 74.3% with GI bleeding, and 30% with hemorrhagic shock. CT was diagnostic for PSA in 83.9% with a false-negative rate of 16.1%. Splenic (50%) and gastroduodenal (28%) arteries were the most common arteries involved by PSA. Angiography and embolization for PSA were successful in 33 of 35 patients. In-hospital mortality was observed in 9 patients (23.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Although visceral artery PSA affects a small percentage of NP patients, it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In addition, bleeding from PSA induced by erosion of LAMSs may occur in the first 2 weeks, prompting individualization of removal intervals.

Current Concepts in Severe Acute and Necrotizing Pancreatitis: An Evidence-Based Approach.

The incidence of acute pancreatitis continues to rise, inducing substantial medical and social burden, with annual costs exceeding $2 billion in the United States alone. Although most patients develop mild pancreatitis, 20% develop severe and/or necrotizing pancreatitis, requiring advanced medical and interventional care. Morbidity resulting from local and systemic complications as well as invasive interventions result in mortality rates historically as high as 30%. There has been substantial evolution of strategies for interventions in recent years, from open surgery to minimally invasive surgical and endoscopic step-up approaches. In contrast to the advances in invasive procedures for complications, early management still lacks curative options and consists of adequate fluid resuscitation, analgesics, and monitoring. Many challenges remain, including comprehensive management of the entire spectrum of the disease, which requires close involvement of multiple disciplines at specialized centers.

Three-way comparative study of endoscopic ultrasound-guided transmural gallbladder drainage using lumen-apposing metal stents versus endoscopic transpapillary drainage versus percutaneous cholecystostomy for gallbladder drainage in high-risk surgical patients with acute cholecystitis: clinical outcomes and success in an International, Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous cholecystostomy tube (PTGBD), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with transpapillary gallbladder drainage (TP), and endoscopic ultrasound-guided transmural gallbladder drainage (EGBD) using lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) have been offered for gallbladder decompression for acute cholecystitis in high-risk surgical patients. Yet, there are limited data comparing these therapies. Our aim was to compare the safety and efficacy of EGBD to TP and PTGBD for gallbladder drainage. METHODS: We retrospectively collected high-risk surgical patients from six centers with acute cholecystitis who underwent gallbladder drainage by EGBD, TP, or PTGBD. Data included technical success (gallbladder drainage), clinical success (acute cholecystitis resolution), adverse events (AE), and follow-up. RESULTS: From 2010 to 2016, 372 patients underwent gallbladder drainage, with 146 by PTGBD, 124 by TP, and 102 drained by EGBD. Technical (98% vs. 88% vs. 94%; p = 0.004) and Clinical (97% vs. 90% vs. 80%; p < 0.001) success rates were significantly higher with PTGBD and EGBD compared to TP. PTGBD group had statistically significantly higher number of complications as compared to EGBD and TP groups (2 0% vs. 2% vs. 5%; p = 0.01). Mean hospital stay in the EGBD group was significantly less than TP and PTGBD (16 vs. 18 vs. 19 days; p = 0.01), while additional surgical intervention was significantly higher in the PTGBD group compared to the EGBD and TP groups (49% vs. 4% vs. 11%; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: EGBD with LAMS is an effective and safer alternative to TP and PTGBD for treatment of patients with acute cholecystitis who cannot undergo surgery. EGBD with LAMS has significantly lower overall AEs, hospital stay, and unplanned admissions compared to PTGBD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01522573.

Early (<4 Weeks) Versus Standard (≥ 4 Weeks) Endoscopically Centered Step-Up Interventions for Necrotizing Pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVES: Current guidelines for necrotizing pancreatitis (NP) recommend delay in drainage ± necrosectomy until 4 or more weeks after initial presentation to allow collections to wall off. However, evidence of infection with clinical deterioration despite maximum support may mandate earlier (<4 weeks) intervention. There are concerns, but scant data regarding risk of complications and outcomes with early endoscopic intervention. Our aim was to compare the results of an endoscopic centered step-up approach to NP when initiated before versus 4 or more weeks. METHODS: All patients undergoing intervention for NP were managed using an endoscopically centered step-up approach, with transluminal drainage whenever feasible, ±necrosectomy, and/or percutaneous catheter drainage as needed, with surgery only for failures. Interventions were categorized as early or standard based on timing of intervention (<4 weeks or ≥ 4 weeks from onset of pancreatitis). Demographic data, indications and timing for interventions, number and type of intervention, mortality and morbidity (length of stay in hospital and ICU) and complications were compared. RESULTS: Of 305 patients with collections associated with NP, 193 (63%) (median age-52 years) required intervention, performed by a step-up approach. Of the 193 patients, 76 patients underwent early and 117 patients standard intervention. 144 (75%) interventions included endoscopic drainage ± necrosectomy. As compared with standard intervention, early intervention was more often performed for infection (91% vs. 39%, p < 0.05), more associated with acute kidney injury (43% vs. 32%, p = 0.09), respiratory failure (41% vs. 22%, p = 0.005), and shock (13% vs. 4%, p < 0.05). Organ failure improved significantly after intervention in both groups. There was a significant difference in mortality (13% vs. 4%, p = 0.02) and need for rescue open necrosectomy (7% vs. 1%, p = 0.03) between groups. Patients undergoing early intervention had increased median hospital (37 days vs. 26 days, p = 0.01) and ICU stay (median 2.5 days vs. 0 days, p = 0.001). There was no difference in complications. CONCLUSIONS: When using an endoscopically centered step-up strategy in necrotizing pancreatitis, early (<4 weeks) interventions were more often performed for infection and organ failure, with no increase in complications, similar improvement in organ failure, slightly increased need for surgery, and relatively low mortality. Early endoscopic drainage ± necrosectomy should be considered when there is a strong indication for intervention.

Interventions for walled off necrosis using an algorithm based endoscopic step-up approach: Outcomes in a large cohort of patients.

OBJECTIVES: The minimally invasive step-up approach for treatment of walled off necrosis (WON) involves drainage followed by later necrosectomy as needed, and is superior to primary surgical necrosectomy. Reported series of endoscopic transluminal necrosectomy include highly selected patients. We report outcomes of a large series of patients with WON managed by an algorithm based on an endoscopically centered step-up approach. METHODS: Consecutive patients with necrotizing pancreatitis from 2009 to 2014, with intervention only for infected or persistently symptomatic WON. The primary approach involved endoscopic transluminal drainage plus minus necrosectomy whenever feasible, with percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) plus minus sinus tract endoscopy if not feasible or sufficient. Surgery was reserved for failures of the step up approach. RESULTS: Of 109 consecutive patients with necrotizing pancreatitis, intervention was required in 83, including endoscopic transluminal drainage in 73 (88%) (alone in 49 and combined with PCD in 24), and PCD alone in 10 (12%). 64 (77%) of the 83 patients required endoscopic transluminal and/or sinus tract necrosectomy. Adverse events occurred in 11 (13%). Three patients (4%) failed step up approach and required open surgical necrosectomy. All-cause mortality occurred in 6 (7%) of 83 patients after intervention, including 2 of 3 requiring surgery. CONCLUSIONS: An algorithm based step-up approach for interventions in necrotizing pancreatitis using primarily endoscopic techniques with adjunctive percutaneous approaches as needed resulted in favorable outcomes with small numbers proceeding to open surgery, and with acceptable rates of major complications and mortality. A purely endoscopic transluminal approach was feasible in approximately 60% of patients requiring intervention in this series.

Evaluation of Rosemont criteria for non-calcific chronic pancreatitis (NCCP) based on histopathology - A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Rosemont classification for chronic pancreatitis has not been evaluated specifically in non-calcific chronic pancreatitis (NCCP) patients and to this date, it has not been correlated with the gold standard namely histopathology. OBJECTIVE: To assess the correlation of EUS Rosemont criteria for NCCP with histopathology from surgical specimens and evaluate the impact of age, sex, BMI, smoking and alcohol on Rosemont classification. METHODS: Adult patients undergoing TPIAT for NCCP between July 2009 and January 2013 were identified from our institutional database. The presence or absence of standard and Rosemont (major and minor) criteria were determined by expert endosonographers using linear endosonography. Patients were categorized into normal, indeterminate and suggestive with CP based on Rosemont classification. Histology was obtained at time of TPIAT from the resected pancreas by wedge biopsy of head, body and tail. All histopathology were re-reviewed by a GI pathologist blinded to endosonographic features and clinical outcomes. Available pancreatic tissue was graded for severity of intralobular and perilobular pancreatic fibrosis by the Ammann classification system. RESULTS: 50 patients with NCCP (42 females, mean age± SD = 37.9 ± 10.8) underwent TPIAT with preoperative EUS during the study period. Univariate analysis of features such as age, sex, BMI, smoking and alcohol history showed no significant difference between patients identified as normal and those identified as indeterminate/suggestive (p > 0.05). Rosemont "Normal" was poor in excluding CP as 5/9 patients (55.5%) had CP on histopathology. 25/26 patients (96.2%) with features "suggestive" of CP had evidence of CP on histopathology. 12/15 patients (80.0%) with "indeterminate" features had CP on histopathology. CONCLUSIONS: Rosemont classification can be used independent of patient characteristics (age, sex and BMI) and environmental factors (smoking and alcohol exposure). In our cohort, Rosemont classification was strongly predictive of CP in patients with features "suggestive" of CP. However, "normal" Rosemont classification had poor correlation in this study. This is maybe due to lack of true comparator "normal" pancreas which cannot be obtained reasonably. The strength of agreement for diagnosis of CP was substantial between the standard and Rosemont criteria.

Diagnostic Performance of Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) for Non-Calcific Chronic Pancreatitis (NCCP) Based on Histopathology.

OBJECTIVES: Studies correlating endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with histopathology for chronic pancreatitis (CP) are limited by small sample size, and/or inclusion of many patients without CP, limiting applicability to patients with painful CP. The aim of this study was to assess correlation of standard EUS features for CP with surgical histopathology in a large cohort of patients with non-calcific CP (NCCP). METHODS: Adult patients undergoing total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation (TPIAT) for NCCP, between 2008 and 2013, with EUS <1 year before surgery. Histology from resected pancreas at the time of TPIAT (from head, body, and tail) was graded by a GI pathologist blinded to the EUS features. A fibrosis score (FS) ≥2 was abnormal, and FS≥6 was considered severe fibrosis. A multivariate regression analysis for the EUS features predicting fibrosis, after taking age, sex, smoking, and body mass index into consideration, was performed. A quantitative receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed and Spearman rank correlation co-efficient (r) was calculated. RESULTS: 68 patients (56 females, mean±s.d. age-38.77±10.92) underwent TPIAT for NCCP with pre-operative EUS. ROC curve showed that four or more EUS features provided the best balance of sensitivity (61%), specificity (75%), and accuracy (63%). Although significant, correlation between standard EUS features and degree of fibrosis was poor (r=0.24, P<0.05). Multivariate regression analysis showed that main pancreatic duct irregularity was the only independent EUS feature (P=0.02) which predicted CP. CONCLUSIONS: Correlation between standard EUS features and histopathology is poor in NCCP. MPD irregularity is an independent predictor for NCCP.

Diagnostic Performance of Contrast-Enhanced MRI With Secretin-Stimulated MRCP for Non-Calcific Chronic Pancreatitis: A Comparison With Histopathology.

OBJECTIVES: Diagnosis of non-calcific chronic pancreatitis (NCCP) in patients presenting with chronic abdominal pain is challenging and controversial. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with secretin-stimulated MRCP (sMRCP) offers a safe and noninvasive modality to diagnose mild CP, but its findings have not been correlated with histopathology. We aimed to assess the correlation of a spectrum of MRI/sMRCP findings with surgical histopathology in a cohort of NCCP patients undergoing total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT). METHODS: Adult patients undergoing TPIAT for NCCP between 2008 and 2013 were identified from our institution's surgery database and were included if they had MRI/sMRCP within a year before surgery. Histology was obtained from resected pancreas at the time of TPIAT by wedge biopsy of head, body, and tail, and was graded by a gastrointestinal pathologist who was blinded to the imaging features. A fibrosis score (FS) of 2 or more was considered as abnormal, with FS ≥6 as severe fibrosis. A multivariate regression analysis was performed for MRI features predicting fibrosis, after taking age, sex, smoking, alcohol, and body mass index (BMI) into consideration. A quantitative receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed and Spearman rank correlation coefficient (r) was calculated. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients (females=49, males=8) with NCCP and MRI/sMRCP were identified. ROC curve analysis showed that two or more MRI/sMRCP features provided the best balance of sensitivity (65%), specificity (89%), and accuracy (68%) to differentiate abnormal (FS≥2) from normal pancreatic tissue. Two or more features provided the best cutoff (sensitivity 88%, specificity 78%) for predicting severe fibrosis (FS≥6). There was a significant correlation between the number of features and severity of fibrosis (r=0.6, P<0.0001). A linear regression after taking age, smoking, and BMI into consideration showed that main pancreatic duct irregularity, T1-weighted signal intensity ratio between pancreas and paraspinal muscle, and duodenal filling after secretin injection to be significant independent predictors of fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: A strong correlation exists between MRI/sMRCP findings and histopathology of NCCP.

Endoscopic interventions for necrotizing pancreatitis.

Interventions for necrotizing pancreatitis have undergone a paradigm shift away from open surgical necrosectomy and toward minimally invasive techniques, with endoscopic transmural drainage (ETD) and necrosectomy emerging as principle forms of treatment. Recent multicenter studies, randomized trials, evidence-based guidelines, and consensus statements have endorsed the safety and efficacy of endoscopic and other minimally invasive techniques for the treatment of walled-off necrosis. A comprehensive review of indications, standard and novel approaches, outcomes, complications, and controversies regarding ETD and necrosectomy is presented. Given the inherent challenges and associated risks, endoscopic techniques for the management of necrotizing pancreatitis should be performed at specialized multidisciplinary centers by expert endoscopists well versed in the management of necrotizing pancreatitis.

Endoscopic transluminal drainage and necrosectomy by using a novel, through-the-scope, fully covered, large-bore esophageal metal stent: preliminary experience in 10 patients.

BACKGROUND: Interventions for necrotizing pancreatitis have undergone a recent paradigm shift toward minimally invasive techniques, including endoscopic transluminal necrosectomy (ETN). The optimal stent for endoscopic transmural drainage remains unsettled. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a novel large-bore, fully covered metal through-the-scope (TTS) esophageal stent for cystenterostomy in large walled-off necrosis (WON). DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: Single tertiary care academic center. PATIENTS: Ten patients with large (>10 cm) WON collections who underwent endoscopic transmural drainage and ETN. INTERVENTION: Initial cystenterostomy was performed by using EUS, and in the same session, a TTS (18 × 60 mm), fully covered esophageal stent was placed to create a wide-bore fistula into the cavity. In 1 or more later sessions, the stent was removed, and ETN was performed as needed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Technical and clinical success rates and adverse events. RESULTS: The TTS stent was successfully deployed at the initial cystogastrostomy in all 10 patients. All patients had large WON (median size 17 cm, range 11-30 cm) and underwent intervention at a median of 30 days (range 12-117 days) after onset of acute pancreatitis. Resolution of WON was achieved in 9 of the 10 patients (90%) after a median of 3 endoscopic sessions. There were no early adverse events. Late adverse events occurred in 3 patients (30%); worsening of infection from stent migration and occlusion of cystogastrostomy (2 patients), and fatal pseudoaneurysmal bleeding from erosion of infected necrosis into a major artery distant from the stent (1 patient). The stent was easily removed in all the cases after resolution or improvement of the necrotic cavity. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective, single-center evaluation of a small number of cases. No comparative arm to determine the relative efficacy or cost-effectiveness of these stents compared with conventional plastic stents. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic therapy using a large-bore TTS, fully covered esophageal stent is feasible for use in the treatment of large WON. Further studies are needed to validate these findings.

Endoscopic necrosectomy in children.

Acute pancreatitis in children is rarely complicated by the development of necrosis. Although endoscopic transluminal necrosectomy is evolving as the standard of care in adults, its feasibility in the pediatric population has not been established. We hereby report the first case series of children with necrotizing pancreatitis successfully treated with endoscopic therapy. We believe the use of fully covered self-expanding metallic stents in the cystgastrostomy may reduce the number of transluminal necrosectomy sessions for large necrotic collections in children.

In Search of Nodular Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia: A Distinct Entity or Simply Hyperplastic Polyps Arising in Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia?

CONTEXT.­: Nodular gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is a reported phenotype of GAVE that has histologic features overlapping with gastric hyperplastic polyps (GHPs), with additional features often seen in flat mucosa of GAVE. OBJECTIVE.­: To determine if nodular GAVE and GHPs are distinct lesions by evaluating the prevalence of features reported in nodular GAVE in GHPs with or without associated GAVE. DESIGN.­: A review of all lesions diagnosed as GHPs between 2014 and 2017 was performed. Slides were analyzed for a number of features including established histologic features of GAVE without knowledge of clinical or endoscopic features. RESULTS.­: A total of 90 polyps were analyzed including 18 from patients with GAVE (20%). GAVE polyps were larger than non-GAVE polyps (average size, 1.3 cm versus 0.68 cm; P < .001), with more common extensive ulceration and associated granulation tissue (61.11% [n = 11] versus 4.17% [n = 3]; P = .004), fibrin thrombi (50% [n = 9] versus 15% [n = 11]; P = .003), moderate to marked vascular ectasia (83% [n = 15] versus 35% [n = 11]; P = .001), and fibrohyalinosis (72% [n = 13] versus 28% [n = 20]; P = .001). All polyps showed foveolar hyperplasia and smooth muscle proliferation. There were no features that were exclusively found in GAVE or non-GAVE cases. CONCLUSIONS.­: Nodular GAVE appears to represent GHPs arising in a background of GAVE, with superimposed features found in flat mucosa of GAVE stomachs. The presence of fibrin thrombi, marked vascular ectasia, fibrohyalinosis, and/or ulceration in a GHP is suggestive but not diagnostic of GAVE, and the absence of these features does not rule out GAVE.

Diagnostic bedside EUS in the intensive care unit: a single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: The knowledge of bedside diagnostic EUS in critically ill patients is limited. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the indications, feasibility, safety, and clinical utility of diagnostic EUS in the intensive care unit (ICU). DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: Tertiary-care referral teaching hospital. PATIENTS: All consecutive patients who had EUS done in the ICU within a 6-year period. INTERVENTION: Bedside EUS and EUS-guided FNA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: EUS indications, complications, and impact on management. RESULTS: A total of 64 EUS procedures were performed in 63 patients (38 men, 25 women; age range 27-78 years); 1 patient underwent 2 separate EUS procedures. EUS was performed while the patients were mechanically ventilated in 70% (45/64) of cases. Indications for EUS included jaundice (n = 24), mass of unknown etiology (n = 25), unexplained pancreatitis (n = 7), and staging of known cancer (n = 3). In 5 cases, EUS was used as an alternative to other imaging modalities because of morbid obesity (n = 3) or contraindication to intravenous contrast material (n = 2). Complications included reversible oxygen desaturation (n = 4), nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (n = 1), and transient hypotension (n = 1). Overall, EUS influenced management in 97% (62/64) of cases. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective, single-center study. CONCLUSION: ICU-based EUS can be performed with few intraprocedural complications and can be a valuable diagnostic modality in the ICU setting. It appears to be particularly useful for determining the etiology of jaundice, masses of unknown etiology, and pancreatitis. It may have particular value as a diagnostic technique on selected patients with unstaged cancer and when morbid obesity or the inability to use intravenous contrast material precludes the use of other imaging modalities in the critically ill patient.

Primary Pancreatic Liposarcoma: An Unexpected Cause of a Pancreatic Mass.

Liposarcoma is the most common type of soft-tissue sarcoma and typically occurs in the extremities or retroperitoneum. Primary liposarcoma of the pancreas is exceedingly rare, with only 10 cases reported since 1979. We present a patient who was incidentally discovered to have a pancreatic mass on imaging, which was ultimately diagnosed as dedifferentiated pancreatic liposarcoma. We review the clinical and histologic features of pancreatic liposarcoma in this case and in the 10 previously reported cases to increase awareness and knowledge of this rare disease.

Histologic and imaging features of mural nodules in mucinous pancreatic cysts.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Mural nodules predict malignancy within pancreatic cysts, but it is not clear whether endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and computed tomography (CT) accurately identify nodules. We assessed images and the histology of mural nodules in branch duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (BD-IPMNs) and mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs) and identified criteria to distinguish mural nodules from mucus. METHODS: We reviewed pathology specimens and EUS and CT images from consecutive patients with resected BD-IPMNs or MCNs. A blinded interobserver study of the EUS images was then conducted to identify features that distinguished nodules from mucus. After education about these features, the raters interpreted the EUS images again. RESULTS: On the basis of histologic analysis, 22 of 57 cases had epithelial nodules. Cancer or high-grade dysplasia was found in 23% of cysts with nodules versus 3% without nodules (P = .02). On the basis of reports, EUS detected epithelial nodules with 75% sensitivity and 83% specificity, whereas these values were 24% and 100%, respectively, for CT. Mucus accounted for 65% of intracystic lesions detected by EUS and was often diagnosed by using change in body position and fine-needle aspiration. Interobserver analysis identified 3 features that were detected by EUS (echogenicity, edge, and rim) that distinguished mucus from epithelial nodules. The diagnostic accuracy of the raters improved from a mean of 57% to 79% after education about these features (P = .004); accuracy was 90% when all 3 features of mucus were present. CONCLUSIONS: Malignancy is associated with epithelial nodules in BD-IPMNs and MCNs, but most echogenic lesions detected in cysts by EUS are mucus. Knowledge of features that discriminate mucus from mural nodules improves the diagnostic accuracy of EUS.

Single-Session Endoscopic Ultrasound-Directed Transgastric ERCP ("EDGE") in a Bariatric Patient with Pancreatic Mass and Biliary Obstruction.

This video case report presents a patient with an invasive pancreatic mass and a history of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery who underwent single-session endoscopic ultrasound-directed transgastric ERCP for tissue sampling and biliary stenting with subsequent maintenance of the newly established gastrogastrostomy. The demonstrated technique enables spectrum of endoscopic interventions in gastric bypass patients by facilitating a direct endoscopic passage through the reconnected stomach. Importantly, the method carries a risk of weight regain by essentially reversing the bypass. However, this can be an actual desire in selected cases, e.g., oncologic patients, making it a favorable choice over other alternatives.

Mediastinal ganglioneuroma diagnosed by transesophageal endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA).

Ganglioneuromas are rare benign tumors that arise from the sympathetic nerve fibers and represent the final maturation stage of neuroblast tumors. The most common sites of involvement in the body include posterior mediastinum, followed by retroperitoneum, adrenal gland, and soft tissues of the head and neck. In the mediastinum, this tumor is most frequently located in posterior compartment, together with other neurogenic tumors. The reports of mediastinal ganglioneuroma diagnosed by fine needle aspiration (FNA), especially endoscopic ultrasound-guided FNA (EUS-FNA) are very sparse. We describe the clinical, radiologic, cytologic, gross and histologic features of mediastinal ganglioneuroma diagnosed by transesophageal endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration.