Dyspepsia - The Indian perspective: A cross sectional study on demographics and treatment patterns of Dyspepsia from across India (Power 1.0 study).

BACKGROUND: Dyspepsia includes a spectrum of symptoms ranging from epigastric pain and early satiety to postprandial fullness. The worldwide prevalence of dyspepsia is 20-30%. It is slightly higher in the Western population and occurs more frequently among women. While the precise prevalence of dyspepsia in India is not available, different studies estimate that it affects 7.6-49% of the Indian population. Through our current study, we wanted to understand the demographics, clinical profile, patient presentation, and management in India. We also wanted to document the pattern of use of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) and patient satisfaction with PPIs in Indian patients with dyspepsia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This pan-India, multi-centric, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based, noninterventional, observational study was conducted between February and October 2021 in patients >18 years of age with a clinical diagnosis of any form of dyspepsia. Descriptive statistics were used for categorical variables, and between-group comparisons were made using Fischer's exact test, with p < 0.05 denoting statistical significance. RESULTS: A total of 3,739 patients from across 29 states of India participated in the study. Most of the patients were male (70.8%) and were from urban areas (56.8%). The highest percentage of patients were aged 31-40 (33.8%), and most patients (60.2%) had dyspepsia for a duration of 6-12 months. Patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) (78.5%) were significantly higher compared to organic dyspepsia (OD) (21.5%) (p < 0.001). The most frequent presenting symptoms were epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, and heartburn. A quarter (25.6%) of the dyspepsia patients were associated with various comorbid conditions, of which diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and irritable bowel syndrome are the most common ones. A total of 619 patients in the study were on concomitant medications, of which the most common were antidiabetic drugs (271/619, 43.8%). Rabeprazole was the most frequently used PPI (2467/3739, 66.0%) among the study participants. The patient satisfaction analysis showed that, overall, patients were satisfied with PPIs, as most patients (~80%) agreed to almost all questions. The analysis for individual PPIs showed the highest "agree" responses in the rabeprazole group for almost all questions (12 of 13). Around 86.4% of patients on rabeprazole agreed with "immediate relief from acidity," 84.9% for "gives me complete relief," and 85.9% for "relief from nighttime acidity symptoms." CONCLUSION: Our study involving over 3,700 Indian patients with Dyspepsia adds to the growing knowledge of dyspepsia in India. Dyspepsia is more prevalent in males and in the 31-50 age group. FD is the most common form. Overall, patients were satisfied with PPIs in dyspepsia management in India. Patients on rabeprazole showed higher levels of medication adherence, satisfaction with symptom relief, convenience of therapy, and safety compared to patients on other PPIs. Against the backdrop of a paucity of reliable data about dyspepsia in India, our study results provide valuable insights into Dyspepsia and its management in an Indian setting.

Low skeletal muscle mass is associated with liver fibrosis in individuals with type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and low skeletal muscle mass (SMM) are associated with increased risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, data regarding the association between low SMM and NAFLD-related liver fibrosis in individuals with T2D are scarce. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between low SMM and liver fibrosis in individuals with T2D and NAFLD. METHODS: Controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) of ≥ 248 dB/m was taken as cutoff suggesting NAFLD. Clinically relevant liver fibrosis and advanced liver fibrosis were defined as liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by transient elastography (TE) of ≥ 8.0 and ≥ 9.6 kPa, respectively. SMM was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Low SMM was defined as appendicular SMM index of < 7.0 kg/m2 for men and < 5.4 kg/m2 for women. RESULTS: Of the 487 consecutive patients with T2D, 366 (75.1%) had NAFLD. Among individuals with NAFLD, 118 (32.2%) and 64 (17.5%) had clinically relevant liver fibrosis and advanced liver fibrosis, respectively. Low SMM was diagnosed in 78 (21.3%) individuals with NAFLD. Patients with low SMM were older (56.1 vs 52.8 years) and had longer duration of diabetes (10.3 vs 8.1 years). Low SMM was an independent risk factor associated with clinically relevant liver fibrosis (P = 0.002) and advanced liver fibrosis (P ≤ 0.0001). Associations between low SMM and clinically relevant- and advanced liver fibrosis were maintained even after sequential adjustment for confounding variables through the multivariate regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Low SMM is independently associated with liver fibrosis in individuals with T2D and NAFLD.

Using single-operator cholangioscopy for endoscopic evaluation of indeterminate biliary strictures: results from a large multinational registry.

BACKGROUND: Peroral cholangioscopy (POCS) of indeterminate biliary strictures aims to achieve a diagnosis through visual examination and/or by obtaining targeted biopsies under direct visualization. In this large, prospective, multinational, real-life experience of POCS-guided evaluation of indeterminate biliary strictures, we evaluated the performance of POCS in this difficult-to-manage patient population. METHODS: This prospective registry enrolled patients, with indeterminate biliary strictures across 20 centers in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. The primary end points were the ability to visualize the lesion, obtain histological sampling when intended, and an assessment of the diagnostic accuracy of POCS for malignant strictures. Patients were followed for 6 months after POCS or until a definitive malignant diagnosis was made, whichever occurred first. RESULTS: 289 patients underwent 290 POCS procedures with intent to biopsy in 182 cases. The stricture/filling defect was successfully visualized in 286/290 (98.6 %), providing a visual diagnostic impression in 253/290 (87.2 %) and obtaining adequate biopsies in 169/182 (92.9 %). Procedure-related adverse events occurred in 5/289 patients (1.7 %). POCS influenced patient management principally by elucidating filling defects or the causes of bile duct stricture or dilation. The visual impression of malignancy showed 86.7 % sensitivity, 71.2 % specificity, 65.8 % positive and 89.4 % negative predictive value, and 77.2 % overall accuracy compared with final diagnosis. Histological POCS-guided samples showed 75.3 % sensitivity, 100 % specificity, 100 % positive and 77.1 % negative predictive value, and 86.5 % overall accuracy. CONCLUSION: In this large, real-life, prospective series, POCS was demonstrated to be an effective and safe intervention guiding the management of patients with indeterminate biliary strictures.

Cholangioscopy-guided lithotripsy for difficult bile duct stone clearance in a single session of ERCP: results from a large multinational registry demonstrate high success rates.

BACKGROUND: Peroral cholangioscopy (POCS) can be useful for difficult bile duct stone clearance. Large prospective multinational data on POCS-guided lithotripsy for clearing difficult bile duct stones in a single session of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are missing. METHODS: Patients with difficult bile duct stones (defined as one or more of: largest stone diameter ≥ 15 mm, failed prior attempt at stone clearance, impacted, multiple, hepatic duct location, or located above a stricture) were enrolled at 17 centers in 10 countries. The principal endpoint was stone clearance in a single ERCP procedure using POCS. RESULTS : 156 patients underwent 174 sessions of POCS-guided electrohydraulic or laser lithotripsy. Stone clearance had failed in a previous ERCP using traditional techniques in 124/156 patients (80 %), while 32 /156 patients (21 %) were referred directly to POCS-guided therapy based on preprocedural assessment of the difficulty of stone clearance. In 101/156 patients (65 %), there were impacted stones. POCS-guided stone clearance was achieved in a single POCS procedure in 125 /156 patients (80 %, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 73 % - 86 %), and was significantly more likely for stones ≤ 30 mm compared with > 30 mm (odds ratio 7.9, 95 %CI 2.4 - 26.2; P = 0.002). Serious adverse events occurred in 3/156 patients (1.9 %, 95 %CI 0.4 % - 5.5 %), and included pancreatitis, perforation due to laser lithotripsy, and cholangitis (n = 1 each), all resolved within 1 week. CONCLUSION: POCS-guided lithotripsy is highly effective for clearance of difficult bile duct stones in a single procedure and successfully salvages most prior treatment failures. It may also be considered first-line therapy for patients with difficult choledocholithiasis to avoid serial procedures.

Sweet's Syndrome in a Case of Ulcerative Colitis-Case Report and Review of Literature.

ABSTRACT: Sweet syndrome,also known as acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis , is one of the rare cutaneous association of ulcerative colitis.Only few cases of Sweet syndrome associated with ulcerative colitis have been reported in literature. We herein describe a case of young female with acute exacerbation of ulcerative colitis associated with erythematous , papular skin lesions which on biopsy were consistent with Sweet syndrome. Treatment with intravenous steroids resulted in improvement of ulcerative colitis and disappearance of cutaneous lesions. Cutaneous lesions of Sweet syndrome in ulcerative colitis parallel the bowel disease activity in majority of the cases but sometimes may precede the intestinal symptoms and rarely may appear after procto-colectomy for acute severe ulcerative colitis.Introduction.

Gastrointestinal Histoplasmosis and CMV Co-Infection in an Immunocompetent Host.

A middle aged male with no known comorbidities presented with history of colicky abdominal pain, low grade fever and weight loss. Laboratory parameters were normal except low albumin. Imaging showed multiple areas of mural thickening with enhancement in jejunum & ileum. On Colonoscopy there was a thickened and deformed ileum with multiple ulcers. The biopsy showed co-infection of CMV and histoplasma, urine antigen for histoplasma was positive and CMV DNA detected in blood. He was successfully treated with combination of Valgancyclovir and Amphotericin-B followed by itraconazole.

Gastric Angioinvasive Mucormycosis in Immunocompetent Adult, A Rare Occurrence.

Mucormycosis is a rare, opportunistic fungal infection that occurs almost exclusively in immunocompromised hosts such as patients with diabetes mellitus, leukemia, lymphoma, renal disease, septicemia, burns, malnutrition, and following long-term treatment with steroids and antibiotics. Based on the clinical presentation and involvement, mucormycosis is classified as six major forms, namely, rhinocerebral, pulmonary, cutaneous, gastrointestinal (GI), disseminated and miscellaneous, with rhinocerebral and pulmonary being the common forms. GI mucormycosis is rare, accounting for only 7% of all cases; however, the mortality rate is as high as 85%. Here we report a case of a young immunocompetent male who developed gastric invasive mucormycosis during an acute illness and succumbed to it despite all supportive care.

Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Liver Biopsy: Missing the Limitations in the Hype.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided liver biopsy is increasingly being performed at several centers. It is also being promoted at endoscopy conferences. The currently available literature does not support the routine use of endoscopic ultrasound-guided liver biopsy as results are either inferior or comparable to percutaneous liver biopsy. We discuss the technical limitations of endoscopic ultrasound-guided liver biopsy when compared to percutaneous liver biopsy and the comparative studies in the current review. The routine use of endoscopic ultrasound-guided liver biopsy should be discouraged as it may get less tissue, the complication rate is similar and it is more costly.

Liver Stiffness Values in Persons with Normal Histology.

Background and aims: Most studies to date have focused on liver stiffness measurement (LSM) in patients with different chronic liver diseases, and normal LSM is defined based on normal liver function tests or the absence of fibrosis. Very few studies have defined LSM based on completely normal liver biopsies. The current study was done to define the distribution of LSM values in individuals with normal liver biopsies. Methods: All prospective liver donors presenting to Medanta, the Medicity hospital between September 2020 and September 2021 fulfilling the eligibility criteria were included in this study. Results: A total of 63 donors (36 females and 27 males) were included in the study, 37 (58.7%) donors had normal liver biopsies, and 26 (41.2%) donors showed the presence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. LSM values in the normal liver histology group were 5.01 ± 1.99 kPa by the M probe and 5.34 ± 2.25 kPa by the XL probe. Even though the correlation was weak (r = 0.29, P = 0.03), M probe LSM correlated positively with body mass index. There was a good correlation between the LSM measured by the M probe and the XL probe (r = 0.73, P = <0.001). Conclusions: LSM value in the biopsy-proven normal liver histology group was 5.01 ± 1.99 by the M probe and 5.34 ± 2.25 by the XL probe.

Cholangioscopic classification of post-living donor liver transplantation biliary strictures can predict their natural history and response to therapy.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to assess the morphology of post-living donor liver transplant (LDLT) anastomotic biliary strictures using cholangioscopy and assess the impact of morphology on its prognosis. METHODS: A single centre, prospective, observational study was conducted at a tertiary care teaching hospital from August 2014 to July 2016. Single operator cholangioscopy (SOC) was used to assess post-LDLT anastomotic biliary strictures at presentation in 24 patients. Analysis included demographic and biochemical characteristics, time to stricture development, endoscopic procedural details, time to remodelling and development of recurrence on follow-up. RESULTS: Two distinct patterns of strictures were identified, type I with minimal inflammatory changes and type II with severe inflammatory changes. Guidewire cannulation was successful in 23 out of 24 (95.8%) patients. There was no significant difference between the two types of strictures based on aetiology of liver disease, CTP and MELD scores, time taken for the development or laboratory parameters at presentation. However, type II strictures required more sessions of dilatation (4 vs. 2; P = 0.002), longer duration for resolution (282.5 vs. 201.5 days, P = 0.095) and more number of stents. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of cholangioscopy tends to improve stricture cannulation rates at ERCP. It offers a useful classification of post-LDLT strictures with prognostic and therapeutic significance. Type II strictures tend to require more sessions of endotherapy than type I strictures over a longer duration for remodelling.

Diagnostic yield of EUS-guided FNA and cytology in suspected tubercular intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy.

BACKGROUND: Intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy is a common diagnostic challenge faced by clinicians. In the absence of palpable peripheral nodes, tissue is usually obtained from the abdominal nodes by image-guided biopsy or surgery. We speculate that EUS-guided FNA (EUS-FNA) avoids the morbidity of a laparotomy and might be equally effective. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of EUS-FNA in abdominal lymphadenopathy. DESIGN: Prospective study conducted over 42 months. SETTING: Tertiary care center in New Delhi, India. PATIENTS: Patients with abdominal lymphadenopathy in whom image-guided node biopsy failed were considered for EUS-FNA. INTERVENTION: A total of 3 passes were performed at each site. Slides were prepared per protocol and sent for cytopathologic evaluation. RESULTS: A total of 142 patients were enrolled, but only 130 (91.5%) underwent FNA. The mean lymph node size was 22 ± 3.2 mm; 71.8% of the nodes were hypoechoic (n = 102), and 28.1% were heterogeneous with an anechoic center (n = 40). In 120 patients (84.5%), the lymph nodes were intra-abdominal only, and in 22 patients (15.5%), they were both intra-abdominal and mediastinal in location. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: EUS-FNA was successful in establishing a diagnosis in 90.8% of these patients; 76.1% were found to have tuberculosis, 7.04% sarcoidosis, 6.33% Hodgkin's lymphoma, and 0.74% non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. LIMITATIONS: In 8.4% patients, nodes were inaccessible because of their retropancreatic location. CONCLUSIONS: EUS-FNA is a safe, accurate, and minimally invasive modality for diagnosing the cause of abdominal lymphadenopathy. In highly endemic areas, tuberculosis is the most common cause.

Outcome and complications of endoscopic ultrasound guided pancreatic pseudocyst drainage using combined endoprosthesis and naso-cystic drain.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Endoscopic ultrasound guided pancreatic pseudocyst drainage (EUS-PPD) is increasingly being used for management of pancreatic pseudocysts. We evaluated the outcome and complications of EUS-PPD with modified combined technique by inserting both endoprosthesis and naso-cystic drain. METHODS: Forty patients referred between August 2007 and January 2010 for EUS-PPD were prospectively studied. EUS-PPD was attempted for symptomatic pancreatic pseudocysts which were; (i) resistant to conservative treatment, (ii) in contact with the gastric or duodenal wall on EUS and (iii) having no bulge seen on endoscopy. Controlled radial expansion wire guided balloon dilation of the puncture tract was performed followed by insertion of a 10 French double pigtail stent and 7-Fr naso-biliary drain. The early and late outcome and complications of EUS-PPD were analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients had non-infected and eight had infected pseudocysts. EUS-PPD was technically successful in all. Pseudocysts resolved completely in 39 patients, while one with infected pseudocyst underwent surgical resection for bleeding in the cyst. Naso-cystic drain was removed in 39 patients after median duration of 13 days. Thereafter, the double pigtail stent was removed in all cases after median duration of 10 weeks. Pseudocyst recurred in one patient requiring a second session of EUS-PPD. All 32 patients without cystic infection were successfully treated by EUS-PPD. Seven out of eight patients (87%) with cystic infection were successfully treated by EUS-PPD. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic ultrasound guided pancreatic pseudocyst drainage with modified combined technique is safe and is associated with high success rate.

Diagnostic Accuracy and Optimal Cut-off of Controlled Attenuation Parameter for the Detection of Hepatic Steatosis in Indian Population.

Background and aims: Ultrasound of the liver is not good to pick up mild steatosis. Controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) evaluated in transient elastography (FibroScan) is widely available in India. However, data regarding the diagnostic accuracy and optimal cut-off values of CAP for diagnosing hepatic steatosis are scarce in Indian population. MRI-PDFF is an accurate technique for quantifying hepatic steatosis. Thus, this study examined the diagnostic accuracy and optimal cut-off values of CAP for diagnosing steatosis with MRI-PDFF as reference standard. Methods: A total of 137 adults underwent CAP and MRI-PDFF measurements prospectively. A subset of participants (n = 23) underwent liver biopsy as part of liver transplantation evaluation. The optimal cut-off values, area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves, sensitivity, and specificity for CAP in detecting MRI-PDFF ≥5% and ≥10% were assessed. Results: The mean age and body mass index (BMI) were 44.2 ±10.4 years and 28.3 ±3.9 kg/m2, respectively. The mean hepatic steatosis was 13.0 ±7.7% by MRI-PDFF and 303 ±54 dB/m by CAP. The AUROC of CAP for detecting hepatic steatosis (MRI-PDFF ≥5%) was 0.93 (95% CI, 0.88-0.98) at the cut-off of 262 dB/m, and of MRI-PDFF ≥10% was 0.89 (95% CI, 0.84-0.94) at the cut-off of 295 dB/m. The CAP of 262 dB/m had 90% sensitivity and 91% specificity for detecting MRI-PDFF ≥5%, while the CAP of 295 dB/m had 86% sensitivity and 77% specificity for detecting MRI-PDFF ≥10%. Conclusions: The optimal cut-off of CAP for the presence of liver steatosis (MRI-PDFF ≥5%) was 262 dB/m in Indian individuals. This CAP cut-off was associated with good sensitivity and specificity to pick up mild steatosis.

Therapeutic Approaches in Modulating the Inflammatory and Immunological Response in Patients With Sepsis, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, and Pancreatitis: An Expert Opinion Review.

Immunomodulation has long been an adjunct approach in treating critically ill patients with sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and acute pancreatitis (AP). Hyperactive immune response with immunopathogenesis leads to organ dysfunction and alters the clinical outcomes in critically ill. Though the immune response in the critically ill might have been overlooked, it has gathered greater attention during this novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Modulating hyperactive immune response, the cytokine storm, especially with steroids, has shown to improve the outcomes in COVID-19 patients. In this review, we find that immune response pathogenesis in critically ill patients with sepsis, ARDS, and AP is nearly similar. The use of immunomodulators such as steroids, broad-spectrum serine protease inhibitors such as ulinastatin, thymosin alpha, intravenous immunoglobulins, and therapies such as CytoSorb and therapeutic plasma exchange may help in improving the clinical outcomes in these conditions. As the experience of the majority of physicians in using such therapeutics may be limited, we provide our expert comments regarding immunomodulation to optimize outcomes in patients with sepsis/septic shock, ARDS, and AP.

Prevalence of clinically relevant liver fibrosis due to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in Indian individuals with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) in associated with higher prevalence and worse outcomes of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, data regarding the prevalence of clinically relevant liver fibrosis (CRLF) in Indian individuals with T2D are scarce. We investigated the prevalence of, and factors associated with, CRLF in Indians with T2D. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of 601 consecutive adults with T2D. Steatosis was diagnosed using ultrasonography. Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by transient elastography of ≥8.0 kPa was taken as cutoff suggesting CRLF. Individuals with LSM > 13.0 kPa underwent dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of liver for detecting changes consistent with cirrhosis. RESULTS: The prevalence of steatosis was 84.2%. Higher body mass index (BMI, P = 0.022), alanine aminotransferase (ALT; P = 0.001), and lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL; P = 0.002) were independent factors associated with steatosis. The prevalence of CRLF was 28.2%. Higher BMI (P = 0.001), aspartate aminotransferase (AST; P < 0.0001), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT; P < 0.0001), and concomitant hypertension (P = 0.03) were independent factors associated with CRLF. Elevated ALT and AST (≥40 units/L) levels were present in 70.6 and 51.6% individuals with CRLF, respectively. Thirty-one (7.2%) individuals had LSM > 13.0 kPa. Among them, 25 individuals underwent dynamic MRI of liver, which revealed features consistent with cirrhosis in 18 patients. CONCLUSION: CRLF, an established risk factor for cirrhosis and overall mortality, affects at least one out of four (25%) Indians with T2D. These results support screening of all patients with T2D and NAFLD for liver fibrosis.

Air cholangiogram: a new technique for biliary imaging during ERCP.

BACKGROUND: Palliation of patients with malignant hilar stenosis by stent insertion is fraught with risk of cholangitis because of contrast injection in the undrained segment. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of unilateral metal stenting in type II and III malignant hilar biliary obstruction by using air as a contrast medium. DESIGN: Prospective, uncontrolled, single center pilot study. SETTING: Tertiary care referral center. PATIENTS: Cohort of 17 patients with malignant hilar obstruction. INTERVENTION: A single metallic stent was inserted in type II and III malignant hilar obstruction by using air as a contrast medium. Patients were evaluated weekly up to 1 month after stent placement. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Successful implantation, successful drainage, early complications, procedure-related mortality, 30-day mortality. RESULT: Successful stent placement and drainage was achieved in 100% of the patients (17 of 17). No patient developed cholangitis or died within 30 days of the procedure. LIMITATIONS: Small cohort of patients. CONCLUSION: Air cholangiography provides a safe and effective roadmap for unilateral metallic stenting in type II and III malignant hilar biliary obstruction.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage of pelvic abscess without fluoroscopy guidance.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Few case series are reported on endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided drainage of pelvic abscesses under fluoroscopy guidance. We hypothesized that EUS-guided drainage of pelvic abscesses without fluoroscopy is an effective alternative to surgery in patients whose abscesses are not amenable to percutaneous drainage techniques. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy of EUS-guided trans-rectal/transcolonic drainage of pelvic abscess without fluoroscopy. METHODS: Fourteen consecutive patients with pelvic abscesses not amenable to percutaneous drainage underwent EUS-guided drainage over a period of 22 months. Main outcome measures were the resolution of the pelvic abscess on repeat imaging and improved clinical symptoms. RESULTS: Fourteen consecutive patients were enrolled. EUS-guided aspiration was performed in three patients. In two patients, dilatation and aspiration was performed, while trans-rectal stent was placed in nine patients. All patients became afebrile within 72 h. Stent was removed in all patients, after confirming the resolution of the abscess on repeat computed tomography after 7 days. One patient in whom only aspiration was done had recurrence of fever and abscess on the seventh day and was treated by surgical drainage. A follow-up EUS done in 13 of the patients after 3 months revealed no recurrence, and all patients were asymptomatic at 6 months. The procedure was uneventful in all patients. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage without fluoroscopy is a safe and effective modality of treatment for pelvic abscesses not amenable to radiologically guided drainage, thus reducing the need for surgical intervention.