Significant Variation in the Detection Rates of Proximal Serrated Polyps Among Academic Gastroenterologists, Community Gastroenterologists, and Colorectal Surgeons in a Single Tertiary Care Center.

INTRODUCTION: Recent studies have demonstrated that the protective effect of colonoscopy against colorectal cancer is lower in the proximal colon. Proximal serrated polyps, including sessile serrated adenomas and proximal hyperplastic polyps, can be frequently missed and pose a risk of interval cancers. AIM: To investigate the overall adenoma detection rate (ADR) and the proximal serrated polyp detection rate (PSPDR) among academic gastroenterologists, community gastroenterologists, and colorectal surgeons from a single institution, all of whom have received formal training in colonoscopy during their fellowship. METHODS: All complete screening colonoscopies for patients aged 50 or older with a good to excellent bowel preparation performed by different endoscopists at Medstar Washington Hospital Center (Washington, DC) from July 2015 to December 2017 were reviewed. Pathology reports of the resected polyps were manually reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 2850 screening colonoscopies meeting the inclusion criteria were performed by 18 endoscopists (6 academic, 7 community, and 5 colorectal surgeons). There was no significant difference in the mean ADR among the three groups of endoscopists: academic gastroenterologists, community gastroenterologists, and colorectal surgeons (40.3% vs 36.0% vs 39.6%, respectively). However, academic gastroenterologists had a significantly higher PSPDR compared to community gastroenterologists or colorectal surgeons (12.3% vs 5.4% vs 4.5%, respectively, ANOVA p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Our novel data show that academic gastroenterologists had a significantly higher PSPDR compared to community gastroenterologists or colorectal surgeons despite a comparable overall ADR among the three groups. PSPDR may be considered as an important quality indicator for colonoscopy, apart from ADR.

Tisagenlecleucel: CAR-T cell therapy for adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma.

INTRODUCTION: Tisagenlecleucel (tisa-cel) is an anti CD19 CAR-T therapy that has demonstrated clinical activity in R/R large B-cell lymphoma and R/R B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It showed particularly high efficacy in R/R follicular lymphoma (FL) with a manageable toxicity profile. The pivotal ELARA study in R/R FL confirmed these findings and led to the FDA approval of tisa-cel in R/R FL after two lines of systemic therapies. AREAS COVERED: We start with an introduction of FL and the current treatment landscape with emphasis on the R/R setting. We review the role of CAR-T in R/R FL with focus on currently available products. We describe the ELARA study at a high level to give a perspective of the patient population that was treated. Finally, we discuss aspects related to product selection and whether bispecific antibodies will challenge the role of CAR-T in FL given their similar efficacy. EXPERT OPINION: Tisa-cel is a highly effective therapy for heavily pretreated R/R FL with a toxicity profile that is low grade and manageable. Durable remissions (including high-risk patients) are seen in the pivotal ELARA study. Clinicians should consider early referral of R/R FL patients for assessment and discussion.

Review of Current Systemic Therapy and Novel Systemic Therapy for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: This review aims to describe the systemic treatment options for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and includes a summary of the current treatments as well as the ongoing clinical trials which may be efficacious in the treatment of this aggressive malignancy. METHODS: A literature review was performed using MEDLINE/PubMed between August 1996 and February 2023. The reviewed studies are categorized into these categories: current standard of care treatments, targeted therapies, immunotherapy and clinical trials. The current treatment modality for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer is mainly systemic chemotherapy. RESULTS: The introduction of polychemotherapy regimens including gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel and FOLFIRINOX (oxaliplatin, irinotecan, folinic acid and fluorouracil) has improved the clinical outcome of advanced pancreatic cancer. For further improvement in clinical outcomes, several novel approaches have been extensively studied in pancreatic cancer. The review discusses the current standard chemotherapy regimen and the novel treatment options in the field. CONCLUSIONS: While there are novel treatments being explored for metastatic pancreatic, it remains a debilitating and aggressive disease with high mortality that warrants continued efforts to advance therapeutic options.

Influence of Adipose Tissue Distribution, Sarcopenia, and Nutritional Status on Clinical Outcomes After CD19 CAR T-cell Therapy.

Although CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CD19.CAR-T) has proven clinical efficacy for multiple refractory B-cell malignancies, over 50% of patients ultimately relapse. Recent evidence has underlined the critical role of the host in determining treatment responses. In this retrospective observational study of 106 patients with relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma receiving standard-of-care CD19.CAR-T, we analyzed the impact of immunometabolic host features and detailed body composition measurements on post-CAR T clinical outcomes. We extracted muscle and adipose tissue distributions from prelymphodepletion CT images and assessed laboratory-based immuno-nutritional scores. Early responders displayed increased total abdominal adipose tissue deposits (TAT: 336 mm3 vs. 266 mm3, P = 0.008) and favorable immuno-nutritional scores compared to nonresponding patients. On univariate Cox regression analysis, visceral fat distribution, sarcopenia, and nutritional indices significantly impacted both progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Patients with a low skeletal muscle index (SMI; e.g.<34.5), a sarcopenia indicator, exhibited poor clinical outcomes (mOS 3.0 months vs. 17.6 months, log-rank P = 0.0026). Prognostically adverse immuno-nutritional scores were linked to inferior survival [low PNI: HROS, 6.31; 95% confidence interval (CI), 3.35-11.90; P < 0.001]. In a multivariable analysis adjusting for baseline Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, C-reactive protein, and lactate dehydrogenase, increased TAT was independently associated with improved clinical outcomes (adjusted HROS, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.08-0.90; P = 0.03). We noted particularly favorable treatment outcomes in patients with both increased abdominal fat and muscle mass (TAThigh/SMIhigh: 1-year PFS 50%, 1-year OS 83%). These real-world data provide evidence for a role of body composition and immuno-nutritional status in the context of CD19.CAR-T and suggest that the obesity paradox may extend to modern T cell-based immunotherapies. See related Spotlight by Nawas and Scordo, p. 704.

The Impact of Clostridium Difficile Infections on In-Hospital Outcomes of Venous Thromboembolism (Deep Vein Thrombosis or Pulmonary Embolism) Hospitalizations.

Background Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is associated with high mortality. Studies have shown an increased rate of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with CDI. However, literature regarding the impact of CDI on outcomes of VTE-related hospitalizations is scarce. Our study aimed to assess the impact of CDI on in-hospital outcomes among VTE hospitalizations. Methods The 2016 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) was used to identify all adult hospitalizations in the United States with a primary discharge diagnosis of acute VTE. Hospitalizations with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) were included under VTE. The sample was stratified based on the presence or absence of active CDI. Chi-square test and weighted Student's t-test were used to analyze categorical and continuous variables, respectively. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for clinical outcomes were calculated using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Subgroup analyses for DVT and PE hospitalizations were performed. All analyses were completed in SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC), and a p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results We identified 382,585 weighted hospitalizations for VTE. Among them, 0.8% had concomitant CDI. The presence of CDI was associated with a statistically significant increase in in-hospital mortality (6% vs. 3%), hospitalization cost ($147,356.5 vs. $55,193), and length of stay (13.7 vs. 5.4 days). There were more incidents of bleeding and acute respiratory failure requiring prolonged ventilation in patients with CDI. The odds of stroke were significantly higher in patients with CDI and DVT. Conclusion CDI independently increased in-hospital mortality in VTE. Preventing CDI in the VTE population may mitigate complications, improve in-hospital outcomes, and reduce treatment costs.

Correction: The Impact of Clostridium Difficile Infections on In-Hospital Outcomes of Venous Thromboembolism (Deep Vein Thrombosis or Pulmonary Embolism) Hospitalizations.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.7759/cureus.9195.].

A Pain in the Neck - A Case of Intramedullary Spinal Ependymoma.

Spinal cord tumors are sporadic and account for around 2%-4% of central nervous system neoplasms. Ependymoma is one of the most common spinal cord neoplasms and can present with different neurological signs and symptoms. They commonly present with neck or back pain and associated neurological involvement, with sensory symptoms usually antedating the motor symptoms. We now present a rare case of spinal ependymoma in a 26-year-old female who presented with isolated neck pain and the absence of other neurological symptoms. Attention to peculiar characteristics like isolated neck pain might be an essential key to early diagnosis and better prognosis.

Atypical Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy with Hypokinetic Left Mid-ventricle and Apical Wall Sparing: A Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy (TTC) is an uncommon cause of acute reversible ventricular systolic dysfunction in the absence of obstructive Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). Typically manifesting as apical wall ballooning, TTC can rarely present atypically with apical wall sparing. CASE REPORT: A 62-year-old female presented with complaints of chest pain and features mimicking acute coronary syndrome. Coronary angiogram revealed no obstructive CAD and left ventriculogram showed reduced ejection fraction, normal left ventricular apex and hypokinetic mid-ventricles consistent with atypical TTC. The patient was discharged home on heart failure medications and a follow-up transthoracic echocardiogram demonstrated improved left ventricular function with no wall motion abnormality. CONCLUSION: This case report provides an insight into the diagnosis and management of TTC in the absence of pathognomic features.

Metastatic Calcinosis of Gastric Mucosa.

Calcinosis cutis refers to the deposition of calcium salts in the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue and is frequently associated with inflammation. Gastric calcinosis can be classified into metastatic, dystrophic, and idiopathic; metastatic calcinosis is the most common type. In metastatic calcification, calcium salts are deposited in normal soft tissues in the setting of altered metabolism of serum calcium and phosphorus and is a rare and serious complication of chronic renal failure. The important factors contributing to the development of metastatic calcinosis are hypercalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, and an elevated calcium-phosphate product. The most striking feature of this diagnosis is the calcification around the large joints. While it mostly involves dermis of small and medium-sized vessels, it can rarely affect the mucosal layers of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Calcinosis presents as a marker for the presence of calcifications in other organs, such as heart or lung, which can be life-threatening. Patients rarely present with clinical symptoms of GI upset, dyspepsia, or epigastric pain that are attributed to calcinosis. If patients present with GI symptoms, infectious causes remain to be higher on the differential. We present a case of incidental finding of gastric mucosal calcinosis during the workup and treatment of dysphagia.

Primary Pulmonary Involvement in Mucosa-associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma.

Pulmonary nodules have a broad differential diagnosis with primary lung cancer, lung metastases, benign tumors, carcinoid tumors, and infectious granulomas as their common cause. While relatively rare, pulmonary lymphoproliferative disorders such as primary pulmonary lymphomas, primary pulmonary plasmacytomas, secondary lymphomas involving the lung, multiple myeloma involving the lung, leukemias involving the lung should be considered in these patients presenting with lung nodules. Primary pulmonary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is an extremely rare lung tumor accounting for 0.4% of all lymphomas. Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma accounts for about 70%-90% of all primary pulmonary lymphomas, constituting less than 0.5% of all the lung neoplasms. Though it usually remains localized, it is a clonal B-cell neoplasm with a potential for systematic spread and transformation to an aggressive B-cell lymphoma. We hereby discuss the case of a 66-year-old woman with primary pulmonary MALT lymphoma.

Sarcoidosis and Its Splenic Wonder: A Rare Case of Isolated Splenic Sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology characterized by presence of noncaseating granulomas in the involved organs. The pulmonary interstitium is most commonly affected but extrapulmonary involvement can occur in almost any other organ system. Such an involvement can occur with or without the presence of pulmonary involvement, but isolated extrapulmonary involvement has been noted only in around 10% of cases. Isolated splenomegaly is very rare and an uncommon presentation of sarcoidosis. It is clinically challenging because of the extensive differential diagnosis. Among the many considerations are hematologic malignancies, primary splenic or metastatic tumors, infiltrative disorders, inflammatory disorders, and infections. We hereby discuss an interesting case of a 40-year-old female with isolated splenic sarcoidosis.