Detachable string magnetically controlled capsule endoscopy for detecting high-risk varices in compensated advanced chronic liver disease (CHESS1801): A prospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal varices is a serious complication of compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD). Primary prophylaxis to reduce the risk of variceal hemorrhage is recommended if high-risk varices (HRV) are detected. We performed this study to compare the accuracy, patients' satisfaction and safety of detection of HRV by detachable string magnetically controlled capsule endoscopy (DS-MCCE) with esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) as the reference. METHODS: We prospectively recruited participants with cACLD from 12 university hospitals (11 in China and one in the United Kingdom) between November 2018 and December 2019 (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03749954). All participants underwent DS-MCCE, followed by EGD within a week in a blinded fashion. Following endoscopy, and on the same day, participants were asked to fill in a satisfaction questionnaire regarding their experience. FINDINGS: A total of 105 eligible participants were enrolled. With EGD as the reference standard, the concordance index, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio of DS-MCCE in diagnosis of HRV were 0•90 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0•83-0•95), 92% (95% CI: 78-98%), 88% (95% CI: 78-95%), 80% (95% CI: 70-92%), 95% (95% CI: 90-100%), 7•91 (95% CI: 4•10-15•30), and 0•09 (95% CI: 0•03-0•30), respectively. The kappa score of 0•78 (95% CI: 0•65-0•90) suggested substantial agreement between DS-MCCE and EGD. Moreover, in participants undergoing EGD without sedation, the satisfaction of DS-MCCE was significantly better than that of EGD (p < 0•0001, d = 1•15 [95%CI: 0•88-1•42]). All participants confirmed the excretion of the capsule, and no adverse events occurred. INTERPRETATION: DS-MCCE is an accurate alternative to EGD for detecting HRV in cACLD, which is safe and associated with better satisfaction. FUNDING: A full list of funding can be found in the Funding Support section.

Preliminary study of magnetically controlled capsule gastroscopy for diagnosing superficial gastric neoplasia.

BACKGROUND: Magnetically controlled capsule gastroscopy (MCCG) is a newly developed non-invasive method designed for gastric examination. Although favorable diagnostic accuracy has been reported, there is little if any data about its ability to diagnose gastric cancer. AIMS: To compare the detectability of superficial gastric neoplasia by MCCG and gastroscopy. METHODS: This study was a self-controlled comparison study. Ten subjects diagnosed with superficial gastric neoplasia and scheduled to undergo endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) at a tertiary hospital were prospectively invited for an MCCG examination. The diagnostic agreement of MCCG, ESD and pathology were compared, including location, size and endoscopic appearance of the lesions. RESULTS: Of the 10 enrolled patients, 6 were confirmed as having early gastric cancer/high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia, 2 gastric low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGIN), 1 tubular adenoma with LGIN and 1 neuroendocrine tumor. The per-patient and per-lesion sensitivities of MCCG for superficial gastric neoplasia detection were 100% and 91.7%. Location and size of the lesions were compared favorably to gastroscopy whilst one cardiac lesion was missed. Endoscopic appearances of these lesions observed on MCCG and EGD demonstrated good consistency. No adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION: With good gastric preparation and careful examination of stomach, MCCG is able to detect superficial gastric neoplasms.

Gastric preparation for magnetically controlled capsule endoscopy: A prospective, randomized single-blinded controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Magnetically controlled capsule endoscopy (MCE) is a novel technique for which there is no agreed gastric preparation. We aimed to determine an optimal standardized gastric preparation regimen. METHODS: 120 patients referred for MCE were randomly assigned to gastric preparation with either water alone (A), water with simethicone (B) or water, simethicone and pronase (C). Image quality was assessed using cleanliness and visualization scores, higher scores equating to better image quality. RESULTS: The total cleanliness scores were (mean±SD) 15.83±2.41 (A), 21.35±1.23 (B), and 20.82±1.90 (C). The total visualization scores (mean±SD) were 10.75±2.02 (A), 15.20±1.32 (B), and 15.08±1.86 (C). While the image quality of the whole stomach in groups B and C were significantly better than group A (P<0.0001), there was no statistical difference between group B and C (P>0.05). MCE detected positive findings in 21 (52.5%), 27 (67.5%) and 21 (53.8%) patients in group A, B and C respectively, with no significant difference between groups (P>0.5). CONCLUSIONS: Simethicone swallowed with water prior to MCE produced the optimal gastric mucosal image quality. The addition of pronase had no demonstrable additional benefit.

Gastric sarcoidosis mimicking irritable bowel syndrome--cause not association?

Sarcoidosis is a systemic disease of unknown aetiology that may affect any organ in the body. The gastrointestinal tract however is only rarely affected outside the liver. Symptoms may be non-specific. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common diagnosis. The recognition of IBS is aided by the use of the Rome II criteria - in the absence of organic disease. We describe the first case of a patient with gastric sarcoidosis who presented with IBS symptoms but subsequently responded to immunosuppressive therapy.

Current and future role of magnetically assisted gastric capsule endoscopy in the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Capsule endoscopy first captivated the medical world when it provided a means to visualize the small bowel, which was previously out of endoscopic reach. In the subsequent decade and a half we continue to learn of the true potential that capsule endoscopy has to offer. Of particular current interest is whether capsule endoscopy has any reliable investigative role in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Much research has already been dedicated to enhancing the diagnostic and indeed therapeutic properties of capsule endoscopy. Specific modifications to tackle the challenges of the gut have already been described in the current literature. In the upper gastrointestinal tract, the capacious anatomy of the stomach represents one of many challenges that capsule endoscopy must overcome. One solution to improving diagnostic yield is to utilize external magnetic steering of a magnetically receptive capsule endoscope. Notionally this would provide a navigation system to direct the capsule to different areas of the stomach and allow complete gastric mucosal examination. To date, several studies have presented promising data to support the feasibility of this endeavour. However the jury is still out as to whether this system will surpass conventional gastroscopy, which remains the gold standard diagnostic tool in the foregut. Nevertheless, a minimally invasive and patient-friendly alternative to gastroscopy remains irresistibly appealing, warranting further studies to test the potential of magnetically assisted capsule endoscopy. In this article the authors would like to share the current state of magnetically assisted capsule endoscopy and anticipate what is yet to come.