High-Flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen in Patients Having Anesthesia for Advanced Esophagogastroduodenoscopy: HIFLOW-ENDO, a Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Over 6 million esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) procedures are performed in the United States each year. Patients having anesthesia for advanced EGD procedures, such as interventional procedures, are at high risk for hypoxemia. METHODS: Our primary study aim was to evaluate whether high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen reduces the incidence of hypoxemia during anesthesia for advanced EGD. Secondarily, we studied whether HFNC oxygen reduces hypercarbia or hypotension. After obtaining written informed consent, adults having anesthesia for advanced EGD, expected to last longer than 15 minutes, were randomly assigned to receive HFNC oxygen or standard nasal cannula (SNC) oxygen. The primary outcome was occurrence of one or more hypoxemia events during anesthesia, defined by arterial oxygen saturation <92% for at least 15 consecutive seconds. Secondary outcomes were occurrence of one or more hypercarbia or hypotension events. A hypercarbia event was defined by a transcutaneous CO2 measurement 20 mm Hg or more above baseline, and a hypotension event was defined by a mean arterial blood pressure measurement 25% or more below baseline. RESULTS: Two hundred seventy-one adult patients were enrolled and randomized, and 262 patients completed study procedures. Eight randomized patients did not complete study procedures due to changes in their anesthesia or endoscopy plan. One patient was excluded from analysis because their procedure was aborted after 1 minute. Patients who received HFNC oxygen (N = 132) had a significantly lower incidence of hypoxemia than those who received SNC oxygen (N = 130; 21.2% vs 33.1%; hazard ratio [HR] = 0.59 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.36-0.95]; P = .03). There was no difference in the incidence of hypercarbia or hypotension between the groups. The HR for hypercarbia with HFNC oxygen was 1.29 (95% CI, 0.89-1.88; P = .17), and the HR for hypotension was 1.25 (95% CI, 0.86-1.82; P = .25). CONCLUSIONS: HFNC oxygen reduces the incidence of hypoxemia during anesthesia for advanced EGD and may offer an opportunity to enhance patient safety during these procedures.

Endoscopic Therapy With Lumen-apposing Metal Stents Is Safe and Effective for Patients With Pancreatic Walled-off Necrosis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided transmural drainage and necrosectomy have become the standard treatment for patients with pancreatic walled-off necrosis (WON). Lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) have shown success in the management of pancreatic fluid collections. However, there are few data on their specific roles in management of WON. We investigated the efficacy and safety of LAMS in treatment of WON. METHODS: We performed a retrospective multicenter case series of 124 patients with WON who underwent endoscopic transmural drainage by using LAMS at 17 tertiary care centers from January 2014 through May 2015. Patients underwent endoscopic ultrasound-guided cystogastrostomy or cystoenterostomy with placement of an LAMS into the WON collection. At the discretion of the endoscopist, we performed direct endoscopic necrosectomy, irrigation with hydrogen peroxide, and/or nasocystic drain placement. We performed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with pancreatic duct stent placement when indicated. Concomitant therapies included direct endoscopic debridement (n = 78), pancreatic duct stent placement for leak (n = 19), hydrogen peroxide-assisted necrosectomy (n = 38), and nasocystic irrigation (n = 22). We collected data for a median time of 4 months (range, 1-34 months) after the LAMS placement. The primary outcomes were rates of technical success (successful placement of the LAMS), clinical success (resolution of WON, on the basis of image analysis, without need for further intervention via surgery or interventional radiology), and adverse events. RESULTS: The median size of the WON was 9.5 cm (range, 4-30 cm). Eight patients had 2 LAMS placed for multiport access, all with technical success (100%). Clinical success was achieved in 107 patients (86.3%) after 3 months of follow-up. Thirteen patients required a percutaneous drain, and 3 required a surgical intervention to manage their WON. The stents remained patent in 94% of patients (117 of 124) and migrated in 5.6% of patients (7 of 124). The median number of endoscopic interventions was 2 (range, 1-9 interventions). CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of a retrospective analysis of 124 patients, endoscopic therapy of WON by using LAMS is safe and effective. Creation of a large and sustained cystogastrostomy or cystoenterostomy tract is effective in the drainage and treatment of WON.

Low-dose pulsed vs standard pulsed fluoroscopy during ERCP to reduce radiation without change in image quality: Prospective randomized study.

Background and study aims Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) poses the risk of radiation exposure (RE) to patients and staff and increases the risk of adverse biological effects such as cataracts, sterility, and cancer. Newer fluoroscopy equipment (C-Arm) provides options to limit radiation in the form of lower radiation dose and frame rate or time-limited "pulsed" settings. However, the impact of lower settings on image quality has not been assessed, and no standard protocol exists for fluoroscopy settings used during ERCP. Patients and methods This was a single-center, double-blind, prospective randomized study of consecutive adult patients undergoing standard-of-care ERCP at a tertiary academic medical center. Patients were randomized into two groups: 1) standard-dose pulsed and 2) low-dose pulsed. Pulsed mode (8 fps) was defined as x-ray exposure either in the manufacturer standard-dose or low-dose settings limited to 3 seconds each time the foot-operated switch was depressed. Results Seventy-eight patients undergoing ERCP were enrolled and randomized. No difference in age, gender, or body mass index was found between the two groups. No significant difference in image quality was found between standard-dose and low-dose fluoroscopy P = 0.925). The low-dose group was exposed to significantly less radiation when compared with standard-dose P < 0.05). Fluoroscopy time (minutes) was similar in both groups (2.0 vs 1.9), further suggesting that group assignment had no impact on image quality or procedure time. Conclusions Low-dose pulsed fluoroscopy is a reliable method that substantially reduces radiation without compromising image quality or affecting procedure or fluoroscopy times. This underscores the need for standardization in ERCP fluoroscopy settings to limit radiation exposure.

The safety and efficacy of therapeutic ERCP in the pediatric population performed by adult gastroenterologists.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is much less commonly performed in the pediatric population compared to adults. As a result, few pediatric gastroenterologists receive adequate training in ERCP. At many institutions, pediatric ERCP is performed by adult gastroenterologists not formally trained in pediatric gastroenterology. AIM: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of ERCP performed in pediatric patients by adult gastroenterologists in a single tertiary care center. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of pooled endoscopic procedures in pediatric patients (age<18 years) at the University of Maryland Medical Center, between 2003 and 2011, by two adult therapeutic endoscopists. Neither endoscopist had formal training in pediatric ERCP prior to 2003. Outcome measures included the procedure indications, cannulation success rates, procedure success rates, type of anesthesia, therapeutic interventions, frequency and type of procedure related complications, and technical complexity. RESULTS: Forty-five patients were included with a mean age of 12 years (range 6-17). There were a total of 70 ERCP procedures. Choledocholithiasis was the most common indication. Modes of anesthesia included monitored anesthesia care (31, 44.3%), general anesthesia (22, 31.4%) and moderate conscious sedation (17, 24.3%). The papilla cannulation success rate was 98.6% (69/70). Therapeutic maneuvers included 31 biliary sphincterotomies, ten pancreatic sphincterotomies, 17 pancreatic duct stents, 16 bile duct stents, two cystgastrostomy stents, four biliary stricture dilations, one minor papillotomy site dilation, one mechanical lithotripsy and one ampullectomy. The procedural success rate was 97.1% (68/70). The overall complication rate was 7.1% (5/70) with a post-ERCP pancreatitis rate of 4.3% (3/70). Complications included infection (moderate-1), bleeding (moderate-1), and post-ERCP pancreatitis (mild-1, moderate-2). CONCLUSIONS: ERCP procedures in pediatric patients can be safely and efficaciously performed by adult gastroenterologists trained in advanced endoscopy.

Cytologic features of metastatic epithelioid uterine leiomyosarcoma to the pancreas.

Although uterine leiomyosarcoma (ULMS) is a rare disease, it accounts for a significant proportion uterine cancer-related deaths due to frequent metastasis and chemoresistance. The WHO currently recognizes the conventional (spindle), myxoid, and epithelioid variants of ULMS, the latter of which is the rarest, least understood, and cited as clinically more aggressive than the other variants. Descriptions of the histologic features of epithelioid ULMS are extremely limited, and are absent from the cytology literature which has only published descriptions of conventional ULMS or epithelioid variants of other LMS primaries. Therefore, we present a unique case of metastatic epithelioid ULMS to an unusual location, the pancreas, along with its cytologic features on endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration not previously described including pseudoglandular arrangements, scant cytoplasm, and frequent molding.

Intraoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for traumatic pancreatic ductal injuries: Two case reports.

BACKGROUND: In order to successfully manage traumatic pancreatic duct (PD) leaks, early diagnosis and operative management is paramount in reducing morbidity and mortality. In the acute setting, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) can be a useful, adjunctive modality during exploratory laparotomy. ERCP with sphincterotomy and stent placement improves preferential drainage in the setting of injury, allowing the pancreatic leak to properly heal. However, data in this acute setting is limited. CASE SUMMARY: In this case series, a 27-year-old male and 16-year-old female presented with PD leaks secondary to a gunshot wound and blunt abdominal trauma, respectively. Both underwent intraoperative ERCP within an average of 5.9 h from time of presentation. A sphincterotomy and plastic pancreatic stent placement was performed with a 100% technical and clinical success. There were no associated immediate or long-term complications. Following discharge, both patients underwent repeat ERCP for stent removal with resolution of ductal injury. CONCLUSION: These experiences further demonstrated that widespread adaption and optimal timing of ERCP may improve outcomes in trauma centers.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is an effective treatment for bile leak after severe liver trauma.

BACKGROUND: Biliary leak after severe hepatic trauma is a complex problem requiring multidisciplinary care. We report on our experience with endoscopic management of posttraumatic bile leaks and clarify the role of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on all patients who sustained liver injury and underwent ERCP from September 2003 to September 2009. Patients who had associated biliary leak were identified. Patient demographics, injury characteristics, liver operations, endoscopic treatment, and success of endoscopic intervention were reviewed. Liver injury was managed in an interdisciplinary fashion, including immediate or delayed operation or angiography or both for primary or adjunctive hemostasis. ERCP with stenting and sphincterotomy was used to treat biliary fistulae. Sequelae of liver injury including biloma or other perihepatic fluid collection were also managed by computed tomography scan-guided or ultrasound-guided drainage. RESULTS: A total of 26 patients underwent ERCP for the management of biliary fistula as a result of severe hepatic trauma. There were 14 (54%) blunt injuries. In every patient (100%), ERCP with stenting and sphincterotomy was successful in controlling bile leak. All patients eventually had removal of stents and drains, with resolution of leak. Two patients had concomitant treatment of associated pancreatic ductal injury. CONCLUSION: ERCP is useful as both a diagnostic and therapeutic tool for the safe treatment of biliary ductal injuries after severe liver trauma and should be part of a multidisciplinary treatment algorithm.

Jackson Pratt drain fluid-to-serum bilirubin concentration ratio for the diagnosis of bile leaks.

BACKGROUND: Jackson Pratt (JP) drain fluid bilirubin levels may be assayed in the evaluation of possible bile leaks. Although fluid color and bilirubin level may prompt additional evaluation, there are no reference data available. OBJECTIVE: To assess the JP drain fluid-to-serum bilirubin ratio in patients with documented bile leaks. DESIGN: Prospective case series. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. METHODS: Patients referred for ERCP for the management of documented bile leaks with a JP drain in place were included. Demographic data, bile leak etiology, and serum bilirubin levels were recorded. JP drain fluid was sent for color evaluation and bilirubin concentration. Control subjects included both patients after nonbiliary surgery with a JP drain in place and medical patients with ascites undergoing paracentesis. RESULTS: JP drain fluid-to-serum bilirubin concentration and fluid color evaluation was performed on 23 patients with documented bile leaks by ERCP and compared with 26 controls (16 surgical and 10 medical). The JP drain fluid/ascites-to-serum bilirubin ratio was significantly higher in those with bile leaks (mean ratio 45.6) compared with combined controls (mean ratio 0.9). Use of a cutoff JP drain fluid-to-serum bilirubin ratio of 5 would be 100% sensitive and specific for the prediction of a bile leak in the selected control group. There was overlap in fluid color evaluation between the groups. LIMITATIONS: Controls did not include those with suspected bile leaks and negative technetium 99m-HIDA scintigraphy or ERCP findings. CONCLUSIONS: JP drain fluid-to-serum bilirubin concentration ratio greater than 5 seems to be highly sensitive and specific for the detection of a bile leak. Used along with clinical criteria, this ratio could be used to select patients to proceed directly to ERCP.

A Rare Presentation of Pancreatic Lymphoepithelial Cyst: A Case Report and Review.

Pancreatic lymphoepithelial cyst (LEC) is a rare, benign collection of keratinizing squamous epithelial cells encapsulated by lymphoid tissue. Because of its limited data and nonspecific features that can mimic malignant lesions, LECs can lead to unnecessary operations. A 62-year-old male with a known pancreatic mass presented with abdominal pain. CT scan showed an increased mass in the pancreatic head, and endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) revealed "rare fragments of benign-appearing squamous epithelium in a background of keratin debris, cyst contents, and scattered lymphocytes," consistent with a lymphoepithelial cyst. Pancreatic LEC is an extremely rare lesion that comprises of only 0.5% of all pancreatic cysts. EUS-FNA has become the mainstay for diagnosing pancreatic LECs. Given the slow growing and benign nature, conservative management and observation is adequate for pancreatic LECs with excellent long-term outcome. With increasing number of imaging ordered by clinicians, it is anticipated that there will be a greater number of incidental pancreatic LECs detected. Thus, EUS-FNA should be utilized more frequently to help distinguish benign pancreatic LECs from premalignant or malignant lesions to avoid surgery.

Full thickness transanal re-excision following endoscopic removal of malignant rectal polyps.

PURPOSE: Segmental resection is recommended for malignant polyps of the colon that are removed endoscopically with questionable margins. However, when such a lesion is present in the rectum, radical resection may involve a higher risk procedure such as low anterior resection or abdominoperineal resection. We report our long-term results in patients treated by transanal re-excision (TAR) following endoscopic removal of malignant rectal polyps (MRP). METHODS: Twenty-three patients were identified between 2000 and 2006 as having undergone TAR following complete gross endoscopic removal of an MRP. All lesions demonstrated close, unclear, or microscopically positive polypectomy margins. RESULTS: Our population consisted of 13 men and 10 women with a median age of 61 years (range 52-86). Seventeen (74%) patients demonstrated no evidence of residual tumor. Six patients were found to have residual disease (three adenoma, two adenocarcinoma, one positive lymph node). Morbidity was minimal, and there were no mortalities. At a median follow-up of 64.6 months (range 11-90), there have been no recurrences. CONCLUSION: We conclude that in approximately one quarter of patients, residual disease is identified following TAR. Given the relatively safety and the low recurrence rate associated with this procedure, TAR may be considered as an alternative to radical resection for MRPs with unsatisfactory margins.

Metastatic merkel cell carcinoma of the pancreas mimicking primary pancreatic endocrine tumor diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a relatively infrequent, rapidly progressive and often fatal cutaneous malignancy exhibiting neuroendocrine differentiation. It has a penchant for local recurrence and distant metastasis to various sites, including regional lymph nodes, distant skin, lung, liver, testis and other rare organs, such as the pancreas. There are only 4 cases of MCC metastatic to the pancreas reported in the English-language literature, and they were all diagnosed by histology from pancreatic resection. CASE: A 79-year-old woman with a large pancreatic tail mass underwent endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). She had a history of MCC of the upper extremity with wide local excision 15 months earlier. Metastatic MCC was diagnosed based on the cytomorphology, characteristic immunohistochemical staining pattern, clinical history and comparison of the morphology with that of the primary tumor. CONCLUSION: The cytomorphology and immunohistochemical profile of this neoplasm mimicked a pancreatic endocrine tumor. We discuss the diagnostic pitfalls and differential diagnoses of the metastatic pancreatic MCC, highlighting the importance of thorough clinical history, attention to cytologic detail and corroborating immunohirtochemistry in arriving at the correct diagns. This is the first case ofa metastatic pancreatic MCC diagnosed by EUS-FNA cytology.

CholedochoClip: A Case of Obstructive Jaundice 14 Years after Cholecystectomy.

Gallstone disease is a common gastrointestinal pathology that may result in surgical intervention. While cholecystectomy has relatively minimal risks, surgical clip migration is a rare complication that can cause severe morbidity and mortality. This report describes a rare phenomenon of a biliary stone forming onto a migrated surgical clip 14 years after cholecystectomy causing an obstructive jaundice. This case illustrates the importance of keeping a migrated surgical clip on the differential when encountering patients with symptoms of cholangitis after cholecystectomy.

Recognizing intrapancreatic accessory spleen via EUS: Interobserver variability.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Accessory spleen (AS) may be encountered as an intrapancreatic lesion on EUS. This can look similar to other pancreatic pathologies and may lead to unnecessary interventions. The goal of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of EUS in distinguishing intrapancreatic AS (IPAS) from other pancreatic lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve sets of endoscopic images of the spleen and various pancreatic lesions confirmed on histology or cytology were gathered. Ten endosonographers were asked to characterize and identify the lesions. The responses were analyzed via Excel and the interobserver agreement was analyzed using Gwet's agreement coefficient statistic via Stata I/C v15. RESULTS: In our sample, the interobserver agreement was 0.37 (-+1-1; 0-0.2 poor, 0.2-0.4 fair, 0.4-0.6 moderate, 0.6-0.8 substantial, and 0.8-1.0 almost perfect) for determining whether or not the pancreatic lesion is IPAS. The reviewers were able to correctly determine IPAS endosonographically with a sensitivity of 77%, specificity of 74%, and positive and negative predictive values of 50% and 92%, respectively. CONCLUSION: There is a moderate-to-substantial interobserver agreement in describing the sonographic characteristics of the pancreatic lesions, such as the shape, echogenicity compared to spleen, echotexture, and border of the lesions. However, the interobserver agreement is only fair when deciding if the pancreatic lesion is an IPAS. The similar profile of IPAS and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor could confound the diagnosis of IPAS, thus contributing to the decreased interobserver agreement. This study demonstrates that EUS criteria alone are not accurate for IPAS diagnosis. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) may be required for a confirmatory diagnosis.

Brunner's Gland Adenoma with High-Grade Dysplasia.

Brunner's gland adenoma is a rare, benign, small-bowel neoplasm. In a few reported cases, it can cause gastrointestinal hemorrhage and can be associated with cellular atypia. We report an 84-year-old woman with a 12-mm Brunner's gland adenoma in the second part of the duodenum that was successfully removed with a saline injection-lift technique using a hot snare, followed by placement of clips to prevent postpolypectomy bleeding. Pathological examination revealed Brunner's gland adenoma with high-grade dysplasia and oncocytic features with negative resection margins. The patient recovered uneventfully. Brunner's gland adenoma is traditionally considered a benign lesion, and few cases in the published literature have reported Brunner's gland adenoma with dysplasia or neoplasia. This suggests a dysplastic stage in the natural history of Brunner's gland adenoma and questions the malignant potential of such lesions.