Viability of single balloon enteroscopy performed under endoscopist-directed sedation.

INTRODUCTION: there is a lot of controversy with regard to who should be responsible for sedation during digestive endoscopy, particularly in advanced procedures that require deep sedation such as enteroscopy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the endoscopist-directed sedation viability during single balloon enteroscopy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: this was a prospective, observational study of a series of consecutive enteroscopies. The clinical staff included an endoscopist, scrub nurse and a nurse in charge of monitoring and sedative administration. The following parameters were monitored: pulse oximetry, blood pressure (every five minutes), electrocardiogram and respiratory rate. There was continuous supplemental oxygen and CO2 insufflation. The patient was in the left lateral decubitus position and a fluoroscopic control was used. RESULTS: forty-four explorations were performed in 39 patients, 24 were male and 15 female. The median age was 74 (18-89) and the ASA score was I in 12 cases, II in 23 cases and III in nine cases. Comorbidities were present in 68% of cases. The drugs used included propofol in 23 cases, propofol and midazolam in ten cases, propofol/midazolam/fentanyl in two cases, propofol and fentanyl in two cases, and midazolam/fentanyl in seven cases. All procedures were complete. The length of the procedure was 52 minutes (20-120). There were diagnostic findings in 65.9% of cases and therapeutic measures in 47.7%. There were no severe complications and the rate of complications derived from sedation was 22.7%. CONCLUSION: endoscopist-directed sedation is effective and safe for single balloon enteroscopy. Multi-center and wider studies are needed in order to better assess the efficacy, safety and efficiency of sedation controlled by a non-anesthetist during advanced endoscopy in this field.

Initial experience with EUS-guided cholangiopancreatography for biliary and pancreatic duct drainage: a Spanish national survey.

BACKGROUND: EUS-guided cholangiopancreatography (ESCP) allows transmural access to biliopancreatic ducts when ERCP fails. Data regarding technical details, safety, and outcomes of ESCP are still unknown. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate outcomes of ESCP in community and referral centers at the initial development phase of this procedure, to identify the ESCP stages with higher risk of failure, and to evaluate the influence on outcomes of factors related to the endoscopist. DESIGN: Multicenter retrospective study. SETTING: Public health system hospitals with experience in ESCP in Spain. PATIENTS: A total of 125 patients underwent ESCP in 19 hospitals, with an experience of <20 procedures. INTERVENTION: ESCP. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Technical success and complication rates in the initial phase of implantation of ESCP are described. The influence of technical characteristics and endoscopist features on outcomes was analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 125 patients from 19 hospitals were included. Biliary ESCP was performed in 106 patients and pancreatic ESCP was performed in 19. Technical success was achieved in 84 patients (67.2%) followed by clinical success in 79 (63.2%). Complications occurred in 29 patients (23.2%). Unsuccessful manipulation of the guidewire was responsible for 68.2% of technical failures, and 58.6% of complications were related to problems with the transmural fistula. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective study. CONCLUSION: Outcomes of ESCP during its implantation stage reached a technical success rate of 67.2%, with a complication rate of 23.2%. Intraductal manipulation of the guidewire seems to be the most difficult stage of the procedure.

Neutrophil Count Percentage and Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio as Prognostic Markers in Patients Hospitalized for Community-Acquired Pneumonia. / Estudio del porcentaje de neutrófilos y el cociente de neutrófilos-linfocitos como marcadores pronósticos en pacientes hospitalizados por neumonía adquirida en la comunidad.

INTRODUCTION: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common serious infection. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic utility of neutrophil count percentage (NCP) and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients with CAP. METHODS: Retrospective study of hospitalized patients with CAP. Patients had a blood test at admission and 3-5 days after hospitalization (early-stage test). The main outcome variables were 30-day and 90-day mortality. RESULTS: Two hundred and 9patients were included. Patients who survived had significant reductions in both NCP and NLR between admission and the day 3-5 blood tests (from 85.8% to 65.4% for NCP and from 10.1 to 3.2 for NLR). Twenty-five patients died in the first 90 days. Patients who died had lower, non-significant reductions in NCP (from 84.8% to 74%) and NLR (from 9.9 to 6.9) and significantly higher early-stage NCP and NLR than those who survived. NCP values higher than 85% and NLR values higher than 10 in the early-stage blood test were associated with a higher risk of mortality, even after multivariate adjustment (HR for NCP: 12; HR for NLR: 6.5). CONCLUSION: NCP and NLR are simple, low-cost parameters with prognostic utility, especially when measured 3-5 days after CAP diagnosis. High NLR and/or NCP levels are associated with a greater risk of mortality at 90 days.

Early Colorectal Cancers Provide New Evidence for a Lynch Syndrome-to-CMMRD Phenotypic Continuum.

Lynch syndrome (LS) is the most common hereditary colorectal cancer (CRC) syndrome, caused by heterozygous mutations in the mismatch repair (MMR) genes. Biallelic mutations in these genes lead however, to constitutive mismatch repair deficiency (CMMRD). In this study, we follow the diagnostic journey of a 12-year old patient with CRC, with a clinical phenotype overlapping CMMRD. We perform molecular and functional assays to discard a CMMRD diagnosis then identify by exome sequencing and validation in a cohort of 134 LS patients, a candidate variant in the MLH1 UTR region in homozygosis. We propose that this variant, together with other candidates, could be responsible for age-of-onset modulation. Our data support the idea that low-risk modifier alleles may influence early development of cancer in LS leading to a LS-to-CMMRD phenotypic continuum. Therefore, it is essential that larger efforts are directed to the identification and study of these genetic modifiers, in order to provide optimal cancer prevention strategies to these patients.

Correction: Inflammation biomarkers in blood as mortality predictors in community-acquired pneumonia admitted patients: Importance of comparison with neutrophil count percentage or neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0173947.].

Inflammation biomarkers in blood as mortality predictors in community-acquired pneumonia admitted patients: Importance of comparison with neutrophil count percentage or neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio.

INTRODUCTION: The increase and persistence of inflammation in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients can lead to higher mortality. Biomarkers capable of measuring this inadequate inflammatory response are likely candidates to be related with a bad outcome. We investigated the association between concentrations of several inflammatory markers and mortality of CAP patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a prospective study of hospitalised CAP patients in a Spanish university hospital. Blood tests upon admittance and in the early-stage evolution (72-120 hours) were carried out, where C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, proadrenomedullin, copeptin, white blood cell, Lymphocyte Count Percentage (LCP), Neutrophil Count Percentage (NCP) and Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) were measured. The outcome variable was mortality at 30 and 90 days. Statistical analysis included logistic regression, ROC analysis and area-under-curve test. RESULTS: 154 hospitalised CAP patients were included. Patients who died during follow-up had higher levels of procalcitonin, copeptin, proadrenomedullin, lower levels of LCP, and higher of NCP and NLR. Remarkably, multivariate analysis showed a relationship between NCP and mortality, regardless of age, severity of CAP and comorbidities. AUC analysis showed that NLR and NCP at admittance and during early-stage evolution achieved a good diagnostic power. ROC test for NCP and NLR were similar to those of the novel serum biomarkers analysed. CONCLUSIONS: NLR and NCP, are promising candidate predictors of mortality for hospitalised CAP patients, and both are cheaper, easier to perform, and at least as reliable as the new serum biomarkers. Future implementation of new biomarkers would require comparison not only with classic inflammatory parameters like White Blood Cell count but also with NLR and NCP.

Viabilidad de la enteroscopia monobalón realizada bajo sedación dirigida por endoscopista / Viability of single balloon enteroscopy performed under endoscopist-directed sedation

Introducción: existe controversia sobre quién debe responsabilizarse de la sedación en endoscopia digestiva, sobre todo en los procedimientos avanzados que exigen sedación profunda. La enteroscopia es uno de ellos. El objetivo del trabajo es valorar la viabilidad de la sedación controlada por endoscopista durante la enteroscopia de monobalón. Material y método: estudio prospectivo observacional de una serie de enteroscopias consecutivas. Personal dedicado: endoscopista, enfermera instrumentista y enfermera encargada de monitorización y administración de sedantes. Monitorización: pulsioximetría, tensión arterial cada cinco minutos, registro electrocardiográfico y frecuencia respiratoria. Administración continua de oxígeno. Insuflación con CO2. Posición del paciente: decúbito izquierdo. Control fluoroscópico. Resultados: cuarenta y cuatro exploraciones en 39 pacientes (24 hombres, 15 mujeres). Edad 74 (18-89). Grado ASA: I-12, II-23, III-9. Comorbilidades en el 68% de los casos. Fármacos empleados: propofol, 23 casos; propofol y midazolam, diez casos; propofol, midazolam y fentanilo, dos casos; propofol y fentanilo, dos casos; y midazolam y fentanilo, siete casos. Procedimientos completados: 100%. Tiempo de exploración: 52 minutos (20-120). Hallazgos diagnósticos en el 65,9% de los casos; maniobras terapéuticas en el 47,7%. Complicaciones graves: ninguna. Complicaciones menores derivadas de la sedación: 22,7%. Conclusión: la sedación controlada por endoscopista es eficaz y segura en la realización de enteroscopia con monobalón. Son convenientes estudios multicéntricos y con mayor número de casos para una mejor valoración de la eficacia, seguridad y eficiencia de la sedación por no anestesista en endoscopia avanzada en nuestro medio

Introduction: there is a lot of controversy with regard to who should be responsible for sedation during digestive endoscopy, particularly in advanced procedures that require deep sedation such as enteroscopy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the endoscopist-directed sedation viability during single balloon enteroscopy. Material and method: this was a prospective, observational study of a series of consecutive enteroscopies. The clinical staff included an endoscopist, scrub nurse and a nurse in charge of monitoring and sedative administration. The following parameters were monitored: pulse oximetry, blood pressure (every five minutes), electrocardiogram and respiratory rate. There was continuous supplemental oxygen and CO2 insufflation. The patient was in the left lateral decubitus position and a fluoroscopic control was used. Results: forty-four explorations were performed in 39 patients, 24 were male and 15 female. The median age was 74 (18-89) and the ASA score was I in 12 cases, II in 23 cases and III in nine cases. Comorbidities were present in 68% of cases. The drugs used included propofol in 23 cases, propofol and midazolam in ten cases, propofol/midazolam/fentanyl in two cases, propofol and fentanyl in two cases, and midazolam/fentanyl in seven cases. All procedures were complete. The length of the procedure was 52 minutes (20-120). There were diagnostic findings in 65.9% of cases and therapeutic measures in 47.7%. There were no severe complications and the rate of complications derived from sedation was 22.7%. Conclusion: endoscopist-directed sedation is effective and safe for single balloon enteroscopy. Multi-center and wider studies are needed in order to better assess the efficacy, safety and efficiency of sedation controlled by a non-anesthetist during advanced endoscopy in this field

Estudio del porcentaje de neutrófilos y el cociente de neutrófilos-linfocitos como marcadores pronósticos en pacientes hospitalizados por neumonía adquirida en la comunidad / Neutrophil Count Percentage and Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio as Prognostic Markers in Patients Hospitalized for Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Introducción: La neumonía adquirida en la comunidad (NAC) es una infección frecuente y grave. El objetivo de este trabajo es estudiar la utilidad pronóstica del porcentaje de neutrófilos (NCP) y del cociente neutrófilos/linfocitos (NLR) en pacientes con NAC. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de pacientes hospitalizados por NAC con analítica al ingreso y una segunda extracción de control a los 3-5 días. Se consideraron variables desenlace la mortalidad a 30 y 90 días. Resultados: Se incluyó a 209 pacientes. Los pacientes que sobrevivieron redujeron significativamente el NCP y el NLR entre la analítica al diagnóstico y la de control (desde el 85,8 hasta el 65,4% para NCP y de 10,1 a 3,2 para NLR). Fallecieron 25 pacientes en los primeros 90 días. En ellos hubo un menor descenso no significativo para el NCP (del 84,8 al 74,0%) y para NLR (de 9,9 a 6,9). Los valores de NCP y NLR en la analítica de control fueron significativamente mayores en los pacientes fallecidos que en los supervivientes. Aquellos pacientes que presentaron en la analítica de control un NCP superior al 85% o un NLR superior a 10, presentaron un riesgo de mortalidad superior tras ajuste multivariable (HR para NCP 12 y para NLR 6,5). Conclusión: NCP y NLR son parámetros sencillos y de bajo coste, con utilidad pronóstica especialmente al medirse a los 3-5 días del diagnóstico de NAC. Niveles altos de NLR o NCP se asocian con mayor riesgo de mortalidad a los 90 días

Introduction: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common serious infection. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic utility of neutrophil count percentage (NCP) and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients with CAP. Methods: Retrospective study of hospitalized patients with CAP. Patients had a blood test at admission and 3-5 days after hospitalization (early-stage test). The main outcome variables were 30-day and 90-day mortality. Results: Two hundred and 9 patients were included. Patients who survived had significant reductions in both NCP and NLR between admission and the day 3-5 blood tests (from 85.8% to 65.4% for NCP and from 10.1 to 3.2 for NLR). Twenty-five patients died in the first 90 days. Patients who died had lower, non-significant reductions in NCP (from 84.8% to 74%) and NLR (from 9.9 to 6.9) and significantly higher early-stage NCP and NLR than those who survived. NCP values higher than 85% and NLR values higher than 10 in the early-stage blood test were associated with a higher risk of mortality, even after multivariate adjustment (HR for NCP: 12; HR for NLR: 6.5). Conclusion: NCP and NLR are simple, low-cost parameters with prognostic utility, especially when measured 3-5 days after CAP diagnosis. High NLR and/or NCP levels are associated with a greater risk of mortality at 90 days

Comparación entre colangiografía por resonancia magnética (CPRM) y colangiografía retrógrada endoscópica (cpre) / Comparison between magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

Objetivo: Valorar la correlacióm entre la colangiografía por resonancia magnética (CPRM) y la colangiografía retrógrada endoscópica (CPRE).Material y métodos: Estudio prospectivo de 71 pacientes con sospecha de patología biliar. Realización de CPRM y posteriormente de CPRE. La CPRM se realizó con un equipo de 1,5 T con hipergradientes, bobina 'phase array' abdominal y secuencias 'single-shot fast spin-echo' (SSFSE) con máxima potenciación en T2. Con esta secuencia sólo se ven los líquidos, consiguiéndose imágenes similares a las obtenidas por CPRE. Se tomó como patrón de referencia los resultados de la CPRE.Resultados: En 30 pacientes se demostró estenosis (19 malignas y 11 benignas), en 25 coledocolitiasis y en 16 no se encontraron alteraciones.La correlación fue total en los casos de estenosis. La CPRM detectó 23 coledocolitiasis (en las dos restantes la colangiografía por CPRE fue normal, pero salieron cálculos tras esfinterotomía). La CPRM confirmó la normalidad de la vía biliar en 12 de los 16 pacientes normales (dos pacientes con CPRE normal se diagnosticaron de dilatación biliar por coledocolitiasis 24 horas y 10 días antes respectivamente, y dos supuestas ectasias por fibrosis del Oddi mostraron un buen vaciado durante la CPRE).Conclusión: La CPRM con técnica SSFSE muestra una alta correlación con la CPRE, que se reservaría para casos dudosos o que precisen terapia endoscópica (AU)