Impact of metabolic unhealthiness and its changes on the risk of erosive esophagitis: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: We aimed to compare the risk of erosive esophagitis (EE) among individuals with different phenotypes based on metabolic health status and obesity and investigate the role of changes in metabolic health in EE risk. METHODS: A cohort of 258 892 asymptomatic adults without EE at baseline who underwent ollow-up esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) were categorized into the following four groups according to metabolic health and obesity status: (i) metabolically healthy (MH) non-obese; (ii) metabolically unhealthy (MU) non-obese; (iii) MH obese; and (iv) MU obese. EE was defined as the presence of grade A or higher mucosal breaks on EGD. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 4.5 years, the incidence rates of EE were 0.6/103 person-years (PY), 1.7/103 PY, 1.7/103 PY, and 3.1/103 PY in the MH non-obese, MU non-obese, MH obese, and MU obese groups, respectively. The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence intervals [CI]) for developing EE comparing the MH obese, MU non-obese, and MU obese groups with the MH non-obese group were 1.49 (1.29-1.71), 1.56 (1.25-1.94), and 2.18 (1.90-2.49), respectively. The multivariable-adjusted HR (95% CI) comparing the progression of MH to MU, regression of MU to MH, and persistent MU with the persistent MH group were 1.39 (1.10-1.76), 1.39 (1.09-1.77), and 1.86 (1.56-2.21), respectively. The increased risk of EE among the persistent MU group was consistently observed in individuals without obesity or abdominal obesity. CONCLUSION: Metabolic unhealthiness and obesity were independent risk factors for the development of EE, suggesting that maintaining both normal weight and metabolic health may help reduce the risk of EE.

Association of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease with erosive esophagitis development: a longitudinal observational study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Although erosive esophagitis (EE) is associated with fatty liver and metabolic dysregulation, the association between EE and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) remains unclear. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the longitudinal association between MASLD and EE. METHODS: We included 1578 patients without EE at baseline who underwent more than two health checkups over 2 years. Generalized estimation equations were used to analyze associations between MASLD and EE according to repeated measures at baseline and most recent stages. RESULTS: EE development rates in men and women were 14.5% and 7.2%, respectively. After adjusting for lifestyle habits, the odds ratios of MASLD for EE development in men and women were 1.907 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.289-2.832, P < 0.005) and 1.483 (95% CI: 0.783-2.811, P = 0.227), respectively. In the subgroup analysis, after adjusting for lifestyle habits, among men and women aged ≥50 years with more than three MASLD components, the odds ratios for EE development were 2.408 (95% CI: 1.505-3.855, P < 0.001) and 2.148 (95% CI: 1.093-4.221, P < 0.05), respectively. After adjusting for various factors, the significant risk factors for EE development were different between men and women. CONCLUSION: The influence of MASLD and other factors on EE development differed by sex and age. Particularly, patients aged ≥50 years with MASLD and with an increased number of MASLD components should be considered at increased risk for EE.

Cystine and theanine for chemoradiotherapy-induced esophagitis in non-small cell lung cancer: a prospective observational study.

PURPOSE: Although several potential radioprotectants have been explored, radiation esophagitis is still difficult to control. Further development of supportive therapies is required. Our purpose was to investigate the efficacy and safety of cystine and theanine for esophagitis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy (CRT). METHODS: This study is a prospective observational study. The participants were recruited from unresectable locally advanced NSCLC who had scheduled to receive weekly paclitaxel or nab-paclitaxel/carboplatin plus radiation therapy (60 Gy in 30 fractions) for 6 weeks. They took an oral amino acid supplement containing 700 mg cystine and 280 mg theanine once daily regardless of CRT timing from the start of CRT until completion. The primary endpoint was the incidence of any grade esophagitis. The secondary endpoints were quality of life (QoL) and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: A total of 26 patients were evaluated. All participants completed 60 Gy of RT in 30 fractions. The overall incidence of esophagitis was 73%; however, no ≥ grade 3 was reported. There were no AEs likely to be related to cystine and theanine. The mean EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5-Level health index score before and after chemoradiotherapy was 0.952 ± 0.0591 and 0.952 ± 0.0515 (P = 0.89), and the mean Visual Analogue Scale scores before and after treatment were 67.9 ± 15.4 and 79.4 ± 13.2 (P = 0.0047), respectively. CONCLUSION: Our study showed no severe esophagitis, any AEs, nor QoL decrease in NSCLC patients receiving CRT. Cystine and theanine are potentially effective to reduce severe CRT-induced esophagitis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN000052622, 26 October 2023, retrospectively registered.

Long-term outcomes of laparoscopic Heller's myotomy with angle of His accentuation in patients of achalasia cardia.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic Heller's myotomy (LHM) is an established treatment for achalasia cardia. Anti-reflux procedures (ARP) are recommended with LHM to reduce the post-operative reflux though the optimal anti-reflux procedure is still debatable. This study reports on the long-term outcomes of LHM with Angle-of-His accentuation (AOH) in patients of achalasia cardia. METHODS: One hundred thirty-six patients of achalasia cardia undergoing LHM with AOH between January 2010 to October 2021 with a minimum follow-up of one year were evaluated for symptomatic outcomes using Eckardt score (ES), DeMeester heartburn (DMH) score and achalasia disease specific quality of life (A-DsQoL) questionnaire. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, high resolution manometry (HRM) and timed barium esophagogram (TBE) were performed when feasible and rates of esophagitis and improvement in HRM and TBE parameters evaluated. Time dependent rates of success were calculated with respect to improvement in ES and dysphagia-, regurgitation- and heartburn-free survival using Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: At a median follow-up of 65.5 months, the overall success (ES ≤ 3) was 94.1%. There was statistically significant improvement in ES, heartburn score and A-DsQoL score (p < 0.00001, p = 0.002 and p < 0.00001). Significant heartburn (score ≥ 2) was seen in 12.5% subjects with 9.5% patients reporting frequent PPI use (> 3 days per week). LA-B and above esophagitis was seen in 12.7%. HRM and TBE parameters also showed a significant improvement as compared to pre-operative values (IRP: p < 0.0001, column height: p < 0.0001, column width: p = 0.0002). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed dysphagia, regurgitation, and heartburn free survival of 75%, 96.2% and 72.3% respectively at 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: LHM with AOH gives a lasting relief of symptoms in patients of achalasia cardia with heartburn rates similar to that reported in studies using Dor's or Toupet's fundoplication with LHM. Hence, LHM with AOH may be a preferred choice in patients of achalasia cardia given the simplicity of the procedure.

Outcomes of definitive carbon-ion radiotherapy for cT1bN0M0 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: A recent phase I/II study determined the optimal dose of definitive carbon-ion radiotherapy (CIRT) for cT1bN0M0 esophageal cancer. This study aimed to further confirm the efficacy and feasibility of the recommended dose fractionation of CIRT with long-term follow-up results in a larger sample size. METHODS: This single center retrospective study evaluated patients with cT1bN0M0 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma treated with the recommended dose fractionation of 50.4 Gy relative biological effectiveness in 12 fractions, between 2012 and 2022. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients underwent CIRT at our hospital. Although eight (21.1%) patients were older than 80 years, 15 (39.5%) had high surgical risk, and seven (18.4%) were at high risk for chemotherapy, all patients underwent CIRT as scheduled. Grade 3 esophagitis occurred in eight (21.1%) patients and grade 3 pneumonia in one (2.6%) patient in this study, but no grade 4 adverse events occurred. The only grade 3 late adverse event was pneumonia in one patient (2.6%). The 5-year overall survival rate, local control rate, and disease-free survival rates were 76.6% (95% CI, 90.9-62.4), 74.9% (95% CI, 90.7-59.0), and 66.4% (95% CI, 83.3-49.5), respectively. Additionally, post CIRT recurrence was as follows: seven (18.4%) patients had recurrence in another part of the esophagus, three (7.9%) in the primary site, three (7.9%) in lymph nodes outside the irradiated area, and one (2.6%) patient had liver metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that CIRT using the recommended dose fractionation is feasible and effective for cT1bN0M0 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Achalasia: laparoscopic Heller myotomy with fundoplication versus peroral endoscopic myotomy-a systematic review and meta-analysis.

There are various therapeutic options for achalasia. Nevertheless, peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) and laparoscopic Heller myotomy with fundoplication (LHM) are distinguished by their efficacy and low incidence of complications. Compare POEM and LHM regarding several outcomes in patients with achalasia. This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. An exhaustive literature search was performed using PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases. Studies comparing several outcomes between POEM and LHM in patients with achalasia were included. Data on clinical success, operative time, intraoperative complications, length of stay, reintervention rates, postoperative pain, overall complications, occurrence of GERD symptoms, use of proton bomb inhibitors and esophagitis were extracted. Quality assessment of the included studies was performed using the MINORS scale. We included 20 retrospective observational studies with a combined total of 5139 participants. The results demonstrated that there was no statistically significant difference in terms of intraoperative complications, postoperative complications, reintervention rate, occurrence of GERD symptoms, GERD HRQL, use of proton pump inhibitors, and esophagitis between POEM and LHM groups. Conversely, POEM was associated with higher clinical success and shorter operative time, length of stay, and postoperative pain. This meta-analysis concludes that both POEM and LHM, are effective and safe treatments for achalasia. However, POEM demonstrates better results regarding clinical success, operative time, length of stay, postoperative pain, and a tendency towards lower recurrence.

Effects of PEG in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma during concurrent chemoradiotherapy: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: This prospective study aimed to compare the changes in nutritional status and adverse events among patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who received enteral nutrition through oral intake, PEG, and an enteral nasogastric tube (NGT) during concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). METHODS: Of 141 included patients, 38, 74, and 29 patients were fed through oral intake, PEG, and NGTs, respectively. The clinical characteristics and baseline nutritional status of the 3 groups were recorded and analyzed. The Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment score, skeletal muscle index, and quality of life were evaluated before and after CCRT; the incidence of adverse events during feeding using PEG and NGTs was also recorded. The correlations among the different nutritional pathways and the CCRT-related adverse events (eg, radiation esophagitis and myelosuppression) were assessed. RESULTS: At baseline, the oral intake group had a significantly better nutritional status and lower disease stage than those in the PEG and NGT groups. However, during CCRT, the oral intake group exhibited the most significant decreases in weight and skeletal muscle index. The synchronous chemotherapy completion rate was the highest in the PEG group. Multivariate analysis showed that the planning tumor volume and oral intake and NGT feeding pathways were associated with radiation esophagitis of at least grade 2. CONCLUSIONS: We found that PEG effectively maintained the body weight and skeletal muscle index of patients with esophageal cancer during CCRT. PEG also improved the synchronous chemotherapy completion rate and reduced the occurrence of at least grade 2 radiation esophagitis. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT04199832.).

The utility of endoscopy prior to bariatric surgery: an 11-year retrospective analysis of 885 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Our aim was to evaluate the diagnostic yield of routine preoperative esophagogastroduodenoscopy (p-EGD) in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Many medical problems that are common in patients with obesity, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernias, have important implications for patients undergoing bariatric surgery. While p-EGD is considered standard of care prior to antireflux surgery, the role of p-EGD in bariatric surgery patients remains controversial. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: We performed a retrospective chart review of 885 patients who underwent primary bariatric surgery at a university hospital-based bariatric surgery program between March 2011 and February 2022. Clinical history, demographics, and preoperative EGD reports were reviewed for abnormal findings. RESULTS: Of the 885 patients evaluated in this study, one or more abnormal EGD findings were observed in 83.2% of patients. More than half of our patients (54.7%) presented with history of heartburn, reflux, or GERD. EGD findings demonstrated a hernia in 43.1% of patients [(Type I: 40.6%; Type II: 0.5%; Type III: 2.1%)]. 68.0% of patients were biopsied. Among patients who were biopsied, other findings included gastritis (32.4%), esophagitis (8.0%), eosinophilic esophagitis (4.7%), or duodenitis (2.7%). We found ulcers in 6.7% of patients. Pathology was consistent with H. pylori in 9.8% of biopsies taken and consistent with BE in 2.7%. Following routine p-EGD, 11.2% of patients were placed on PPI and 8.3% were recommended to stop NSAIDs. CONCLUSION: Gastroesophageal reflux disease and associated pathology are common in the bariatric population. Preoperative EGD in patients undergoing bariatric surgery frequently identifies clinically significant UGI pathology. This may have important implications for medical and surgical management. Given the rate of abnormal preoperative endoscopic findings in obese patients, the work-up for bariatric surgery should align with the current recommendations for foregut surgery.

GERD-screening before bariatric surgery: the predictive value of the GERD-HRQL questionnaire score compared with preoperative EGD findings.

BACKGROUND: There is an ongoing debate on how to best identify patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) before bariatric surgery. The value of routine preoperative esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is questioned, and patient reported symptoms are commonly used for screening. The goal of this study is to determine if patient reported symptoms using a validated questionnaire correlate with preoperative EGD findings. METHODOLOGY: A prospective cohort study at a single institution was performed. Patients undergoing bariatric surgery between December 2020 and March 2023 were required to report symptoms of reflux by completing a preoperative GERD. Health-Related Quality of Life (GERD-HRQL) questionnaire and undergo a mandatory preoperative screening EGD. Patients were stratified into two cohorts: (group A) asymptomatic (score = 0) and (group B) symptomatic (score > 0). Statistical analysis was conducted using Pearson's chi-squared test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test in RStudio version 4.2.2. The predictive value of the GERD-HRQL score was analyzed using Areas Under the Curve (AUC; AUC = 0.5 not predictive, 0.5 < AUC ≥ 6 poor prediction & AUC > 0.9 excellent prediction) calculated from Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: 200 patients were included; median age was 42.0 years (IQR 36.0 to 49.2). There were 79 patients (39.5%) in Group A and 121 patients (60.5%) in Group B. There was no difference in the frequency esophagitis (27.8% vs 32.2%, p = 0.61) or hiatal hernias (49.4% vs 47.1%, p = 0. 867) between group A and group B, respectively. ROC analysis revealed that the total GERD HRQL scores, heartburn only scores and regurgitation only scores, were poor predictors of esophagitis found on EGD (AUC 0.52, 0.53, 0.52), respectively. In asymptomatic patients, higher BMI was significantly associated with esophagitis (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.06-1.27, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Symptoms, identified through the GERD-HRQL questionnaire, are a poor indicator of esophagitis or its severity in patients undergoing workup for bariatric surgery. Therefore, liberal screening upper endoscopy is recommended for pre-bariatric surgery patients to guide appropriate procedure selection.

Transoral incisionless fundoplication for recurrent symptoms after laparoscopic fundoplication.

BACKGROUND: Revision of a failed laparoscopic fundoplication carries higher risk of complication and lower chance of success compared to the original surgery. Transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) may be an endoscopic alternative for select GERD patients without need of a moderate/large hiatal hernia repair. The aim of this study was to assess feasibility, efficacy, and safety of TIF 2.0 after failed laparoscopic Nissen or Toupet fundoplication (TIFFF). METHODS: This is a multicenter retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent TIFFF between September 2017 and December 2020 using TIF 2.0 technique (EsophyX Z/Z+) performed by gastroenterologists and surgeons. Patients were included if they had (1) recurrent GERD symptoms, (2) pathologic reflux based upon pH testing or Grade C/D esophagitis or Barrett's esophagus, and (3) hiatal hernia ≤ 2 cm. The primary outcome was improvement in GERD Health-Related Quality of Life (GERD-HRQL) post-TIFFF. The TIFFF cohort was also compared to a similar surgical re-operative cohort using propensity score matching. RESULTS: Twenty patients underwent TIFFF (median 4.1 years after prior fundoplication) and mean GERD-HRQL score improved from 24.3 ± 22.9 to 14.75 ± 21.6 (p = 0.014); mean Reflux Severity Index (RSI) score improved from 14.1 ± 14.6 to 9.1 ± 8.0 (p = 0.046) with 8/10 (80%) of patients with normal RSI (< 13) post-TIF. Esophagitis healed in 78% of patients. PPI use decreased from 85 to 55% with 8/20 (45%) patients off of PPI. Importantly, mean acid exposure time decreased from 12% ± 17.8 to 0.8% ± 1.1 (p = 0.028) with 9/9 (100%) of patients with normalized pH post-TIF. There were no statistically significant differences in clinical efficacy outcomes between TIFFF and surgical revision, but TIFFF had significantly fewer late adverse events. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic rescue with TIF is a safe and efficacious alternative to redo laparoscopic surgery in symptomatic patients with appropriate anatomy and objective evidence of persistent or recurrent reflux.

Pepsin in saliva for the diagnosis of erosive esophagitis post-sleeve gastrectomy: a prospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has become the preferred bariatric procedure in many countries. However, new onset erosive esophagitis (EE) is a major shortcoming. Current recommendation is esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (EGD) should be performed routinely at 1 year and subsequently every 2-3 years to enable the early detection of Barrett's or esophageal adenocarcinoma. This would put significant strains on resources and costs of bariatric program. Our study assesses the association between and diagnostic value of salivary pepsin concentration and endoscopically proven EE in post-LSG patients as a surrogate for EGD. METHODS: Twenty patients on routine post-LSG endoscopy between June and September 2022 were recruited for this correlational pilot study. Under supervision, fasting and post-prandial saliva sample was collected and analyzed by Peptest lateral flow device. EGD examinations were performed, and patients completed a validated 25-item QoLRAD questionnaire. RESULTS: We found a significant correlation between positive endoscopy findings of EE and salivary pepsin concentrations. The normal group had a lower mean fasting pepsin level (13.13 ng/mL ± 18.97) versus the EE-group (90.55 ng/mL ± 81.28, p = 0.009) and lower mean post-prandial pepsin level (30.50 ng/mL ± 57.72) versus the EE-group (135.09 ng/mL ± 130.17, p = 0.02). The predictive probabilities from the binary regression of fasting and post-prandial pepsin concentrations yield AUC of 0.955 ± 0.044 (95% CI 0.868 to 1.000, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study distinctively identified salivary pepsin to have excellent sensitivity and negative predictive value in EE, potentially useful to preclude the need for post-LSG EGD in asymptomatic patients with low salivary pepsin.

Model development of dose and volume predictors for esophagitis induced during chemoradiotherapy for lung cancer as a step towards radiobiological treatment planning.

BACKGROUND: Currently, radiation therapy treatment planning system intends biological optimization that relies heavily upon plan metrics from tumor control probability (TCP) and normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) modeling. Implementation and expansion of TCP and NTCP models with alternative data is an important step towards reliable radiobiological treatment planning. In this retrospective single institution study, the treatment charts of 139 lung cancer patients treated with chemo-radiotherapy were reviewed and correlated dosimetric predictors with the incidence of esophagitis and established NTCP model of esophagitis grade 1 and 2 for lung cancer patients. METHODS: Esophagus is an organ at risk (OAR) in lung cancer radiotherapy (RT). Esophagitis is a common toxicity induced by RT. In this study, dose volume parameters Vx (Vx: percentage esophageal volume receiving ≥ x Gy) and mean esophagus dose (MED) as quantitative dose-volume metrics, the esophagitis grade 1 and 2 as endpoints, were reviewed and derived from the treatment planning system and the electronic medical record system. Statistical analysis of binary logistic regression and probit were performed to have correlated the probability of grade 1 and 2 esophagitis to MED and Vx. IBM SPSS software version 24 at 5% significant level (α = 0.05) was used in the statistical analysis. RESULTS: The probabilities of incidence of grade 1 and 2 esophagitis proportionally increased with increasing the values of Vx and MED. V20, V30, V40, V50 and MED are statistically significant good dosimetric predictors of esophagitis grade 1. 50% incidence probability (TD50) of MED for grade 1 and 2 esophagitis were determined. Lyman Kutcher Burman model parameters, such as, n, m and TD50, were fitted and compared with other published findings. Furthermore, the sigmoid shaped dose responding curve between probability of esophagitis grade 1 and MED were generated respecting to races, gender, age and smoking status. CONCLUSIONS: V20, V30, V40 and V50 were added onto Quantitative Analysis of Normal Tissue Effects in the clinic, or QUANTEC group's dose constrains of V35, V50, V70 and MED. Our findings may be useful as both validation of 3-Dimensional planning era models and also additional clinical guidelines in treatment planning and plan evaluation using radiobiology optimization.

[Analysis of risk factors of radiation-induced toxicity in limited-stage small cell lung cancer treated with hypofractionated intensity-modulated radiotherapy].

Objective: To compare the incidence of radiation-related toxicities between conventional and hypofractionated intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for limited-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC), and to explore the risk factors of hypofractionated radiotherapy-induced toxicities. Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from consecutive limited-stage SCLC patients treated with definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy in Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from March 2016 to April 2022. The enrolled patients were divided into two groups according to radiation fractionated regimens. Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE, version 5.0) was used to evaluate the grade of radiation esophagus injuries and lung injuries. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with radiation-related toxicities in the hypofractionated radiotherapy group. Results: Among 211 enrolled patients, 108 cases underwent conventional IMRT and 103 patients received hypofractionated IMRT. The cumulative incidences of acute esophagitis grade ≥2 [38.9% (42/108) vs 35.0% (36/103), P=0.895] and grade ≥ 3 [1.9% (2/108) vs 5.8% (6/103), P=0.132] were similar between conventional and hypofractionated IMRT group. Late esophagus injuries grade ≥2 occurred in one patient in either group. No differences in the cumulative incidence of acute pneumonitis grade ≥2[12.0% (13/108) vs 5.8% (6/103), P=0.172] and late lung injuries grade ≥2[5.6% (6/108) vs 10.7% (11/103), P=0.277] were observed. There was no grade ≥3 lung injuries occurred in either group. Using multiple regression analysis, mean esophageal dose ≥13 Gy (OR=3.33, 95% CI: 1.23-9.01, P=0.018) and the overlapping volume between planning target volume (PTV) and esophageal ≥8 cm(3)(OR=3.99, 95% CI: 1.24-12.79, P=0.020) were identified as the independent risk factors associated with acute esophagitis grade ≥2 in the hypofractionated radiotherapy group. Acute pneumonitis grade ≥2 was correlated with presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, P=0.025). Late lung injuries grade ≥2 was correlated with tumor location(P=0.036). Conclusions: Hypofractionated IMRT are tolerated with manageable toxicities for limited-stage SCLC patients treated with IMRT. Mean esophageal dose and the overlapping volume between PTV and esophageal are independently predictive factors of acute esophagitis grade ≥2, and COPD and tumor location are valuable factors of lung injuries for limited-stage SCLC patients receiving hyofractionated radiotherapy. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these results.

Esophagogastric complications in radiofrequency and cryoballoon catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation.

INTRODUCTION: Direct comparison studies about the incidence of esophagogastric complications between radiofrequency (RF) and cryoballoon (CB) catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) have been scarce. We sought to elucidate the relationship between the pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) modalities and esophagogastric complications. METHODS: The study population consisted of 254 patients who underwent CA for AF from November 2017 to October 2018. Finally, 160 patients were enrolled and divided into the RF and CB groups. Esophageal ulcers, gastric hypomotility, and exfoliative esophagitis detected by esophagogastroduodenoscopy were defined as esophagogastric complications in this study. RESULTS: The median age was 68 years old, with 34% being females. Esophagogastric complications were observed in 42.5% of patients who underwent CA. According to the detailed esophagogastric complications, the RF group had a higher prevalence of esophageal ulcers than the CB group (19% vs. 0%, p < .0001). There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding gastric hypomotility and exfoliative esophagitis (18% vs. 28%; p = .15 and 16% vs. 21%; p = .42, respectively). CONCLUSION: Asymptomatic esophagogastric complications were common in CA for AF. The incidence of esophageal ulcers was higher in the RF group than in the CB group, whereas the other esophagogastric complications did not significantly differ.

Comparison of efficacy and safety between simultaneous integrated boost intensity-modulated radiotherapy and standard-dose intensity-modulated radiotherapy in locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of simultaneous integrated boost intensity-modulated radiotherapy (SIB-IMRT) versus standard-dose intensity-modulated radiotherapy (SD-IMRT) in the treatment of locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: From July 2003 to March 2014, 1748 patients in a single center who received definitive chemoradiotherapy were included in the analysis. A total of 109 patients who underwent SIB-IMRT and fulfilled all inclusion and exclusion criteria were identified as the study group. A total of 266 patients who underwent SD-IMRT (60 Gy/30 fractions, 2 Gy/fraction, 1 time/day, 5 times/week) during the same period were selected as the control group. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance the baseline characteristics. Survival status, treatment failure mode, and the occurrence of adverse events were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There were more women and more cervical and upper thoracic cancers (P = 0.038, < 0.001, respectively) in the SIB-IMRT group before case matching. The median progression-free survival (PFS) in the SD-IMRT and SIB-IMRT groups was 22 and 19 months, respectively, and the median overall survival duration was 24 and 22 months, respectively, with χ2 = 0.244 and P = 0.621. After PSM of 1:1, 138 patients entered the final analysis (69 cases from each group). The median PFS of the SD-IMRT group and the SIB-IMRT group was 13 and 18 months, respectively, with χ2 = 8.776 and P = 0.003. The 1­, 3­, and 5­year overall survival rates were 66.7, 21.7, and 8.7% and 65.2, 36.2, and 27.3%, respectively, and the median overall survival duration was 16 and 22 months, respectively, with χ2 = 5.362 and P = 0.021. Treatment failure mode: 5­year local regional recurrence rates of SD-IMRT and SIB-IMRT were 50.7 and 36.2%, respectively, with χ2 = 2.949 and P = 0.086. The 5­year distant metastasis rates of the two groups were 36.2 and 24.6%, respectively, with χ2 = 2.190 and P = 0.139. ADVERSE EVENTS: 3 patients experienced grade 4-5 toxicity (2.2%), including one case of grade 4 radiation esophagitis and two cases of grade 5 radiation pneumonitis, all in the SD-IMRT group; 14 patients experienced grade 3 adverse events (10.1%), primarily including radiation esophagitis, radiation pneumonitis, and hematological toxicity. CONCLUSION: The technique of SIB-IMRT was safe and reliable compared with SD-IMRT. In addition, SIB-IMRT had locoregional control advantages and potential survival benefits.

[Esophagitis dissecans superficialis: subdiagnosed entity in multi-morbid patients]. / Esofagitis disecante superficial: entidad subdiagnosticada en pacientes pluripatológicos.

A 76-year-old patient presents multiple comorbidities and gastrointestinal symptoms. The upper gastrointestinal endoscopy exam reveals distal stiffness esophageal mucosa. A biopsy was taking creating sloughing of 20 mm long by 6 mm wide with self-limited bleeding. Specimen is compatible with Esophagitis Dissecans Superficialis (EDS). This is a rare entity first described in 1800, characterized endoscopically by mucosal detachment in vertical strips like "gift paper tape", which is confirmed by pathology with a mucosa with "two tones", composed of a eosinophilic superficial layer and a normal-appearing basophilic area. It may be accompanied by minimal focal inflammation. The etiopathogenesis is not clear; however, it has a good response to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). In our case, the patient presented all the characteristics of EDS, and given its low reported frequency, a review of the literature and discussion of this rare entity was performed.

Effects of glutamine for prevention of radiation-induced esophagitis: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

Purpose Acute radiation-induced esophagitis (ARIE) leads to treatment delays, decreased quality of life (QOL), and secondary adverse events such as weight loss. Grade 3 ARIE occurs in 15%-30% of patients undergoing radiotherapy to the esophagus, leading to disruption or discontinuation of treatment. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of glutamine, a common nutritional supplement, on ARIE in patients with thoracic malignancies. Patients and methods This double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled patients with advanced thoracic malignancies receiving concurrent chemotherapy/radiotherapy or radiotherapy alone, with radiation doses to the esophagus ≥45 Gy. Patients were randomized (1:1) to receive 4 g of glutamine or glycine placebo twice daily. The primary objective was to determine whether glutamine decreases the severity of ARIE in these patients. Secondary objectives included assessment of the effects of glutamine on other measures of ARIE, weight, symptom burden measure assessed by the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI-HN) questionnaire and the toxicity profile of glutamine. Results At the time of interim analysis, 53 patients were enrolled: 27 in the glutamine arm and 26 in the placebo arm. There was no difference in the incidence of esophagitis in the first 6 weeks of radiotherapy between the glutamine and placebo arms (74% versus 68%; P = 1.00). There were no significant differences between the two arms for time to onset of esophagitis. The duration of ARIE was shorter (6.3 versus 7.1 weeks; P = 0.54) and median weight loss was lower (0.9 kg versus 2.8 kg; p = 0.83) in the glutamine arm versus the placebo arm. The groups differ significantly in core symptom severity (2.1 vs 1.5, p < .03) but not in head and neck specific symptom severity (1.2 vs 1.1, p < .60) nor in symptom interference (2.1 vs 1.7, p < .22). There was no grade 3 or higher adverse event at least possibly related to glutamine. The study was terminated for futility following interim analysis. Conclusion Oral glutamine was not associated with significant improvement in severity of ARIE, weight loss, head and neck specific symptoms or symptom interference compared with placebo in patients with advanced thoracic malignancies receiving radiotherapy to the esophagus.Clinical trial information. NCT01952847, and date of registration is September 30, 2013.

Dose coverage impacts local control in ultra-central lung oligometastases treated with stereotactic radiotherapy.

INTRODUCTION: The use of Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT) is controversial in Ultra-Central lung tumors, a subset of central lung tumors characterized by proximity to critical mediastinal structures. This is of interest in oligometastatic (≤3 metastases) patients, who can yield survival benefit from local treatments. The aim of our study is to assess the determinants of efficacy and toxicity in this setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical and dosimetric parameters were reviewed in a cohort of oligometastatic patients treated with SBRT for ultra-central tumors. Local control rate (LC) and toxicity were assessed. Statistical Analysis was carried out to assess the impact of those predictors on local recurrence and adverse events. RESULTS: One-hundred-nine consecutive patients were included. A median Biologic Effective Dose (BED) of 105 (75-132) Gy10 was prescribed. At a median follow-up of 17 (range 3-78) months, 2-year LC was 87%. Improved LC was correlated to Planning Treatment Volume (PTV) covered by 95% of the prescription dose (V95% PTV) > 85% (HR 0.15, 95%CI 0.05-0.49, p = 0.0017) and to Gross Tumor Volume (GTV) < 90 cm3 (HR 0.2, 95%CI 0.07-0.56, p = 0.0021). Overall and grade ≥ 3 toxicity incidence was 20% and 5%, respectively. Patients experiencing acute and late toxicities received significantly higher dose to 1 cm3 (D1cm3) of esophagus and lung volume receiving ≥5 Gy (V5Gy) (p = 0.016 and p = 0.013), and higher dose to 0.1 cm3 (D0.1cm3) of heart (p = 0.036), respectively. CONCLUSION: V95% PTV > 85% and GTV < 90 cm3 are independent predictors of LC. Dose to esophagus, lung and heart should be carefully assessed to minimize treatment-related toxicities.

A novel nomogram containing acute radiation esophagitis predicting radiation pneumonitis in thoracic cancer receiving radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Radiation-induced pneumonitis (RP) is a non-negligible and sometimes life-threatening complication among patients with thoracic radiation. We initially aimed to ascertain the predictive value of acute radiation-induced esophagitis (SARE, grade ≥ 2) to symptomatic RP (SRP, grade ≥ 2) among thoracic cancer patients receiving radiotherapy. Based on that, we established a novel nomogram model to provide individualized risk assessment for SRP. METHODS: Thoracic cancer patients who were treated with thoracic radiation from Jan 2018 to Jan 2019 in Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute were enrolled prospectively. All patients were followed up during and after radiotherapy (RT) to observe the development of esophagitis as well as pneumonitis. Variables were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis using the logistic regression model, and a nomogram model was established to predict SRP by "R" version 3.6.0. RESULTS: A total of 123 patients were enrolled (64 esophageal cancer, 57 lung cancer and 2 mediastinal cancer) in this study prospectively. RP grades of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 occurred in 29, 57, 31, 0, 3 and 3 patients, respectively. SRP appeared in 37 patients (30.1%). In univariate analysis, SARE was shown to be a significant predictive factor for SRP (P < 0.001), with the sensitivity 91.9% and the negative predictive value 93.5%. The incidence of SRP in different grades of ARE were as follows: Grade 0-1: 6.5%; Grade 2: 36.9%; Grade 3: 80.0%; Grade 4: 100%. Besides that, the dosimetric factors considering total lung mean dose, total lung V5, V20, ipsilateral lung mean dose, ipsilateral lung V5, and mean esophagus dose were correlated with SRP (all P < 0.05) by univariate analysis. The incidence of SRP was significantly higher in patients whose symptoms of RP appeared early. SARE, mean esophagus dose and ipsilateral mean lung dose were still significant in multivariate analysis, and they were included to build a predictive nomogram model for SRP. CONCLUSIONS: As an early index that can reflect the tissue's radiosensitivity visually, SARE can be used as a predictor for SRP in patients receiving thoracic radiation. And the nomogram containing SARE may be fully applied in future's clinical work.

A randomized trial of sodium alginate prevention of esophagitis in LA-NSCLC receiving chemoradiotherapy: OLCSG1401.

BACKGROUND: Radiation esophagitis is a critical adverse event that needs to be appropriately managed while administering thoracic irradiation. This trial aimed to investigate whether sodium alginate has preventative effects on esophagitis in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT). METHODS: Patients with untreated stage III NSCLC who were eligible for concurrent CRT were randomly assigned at a 1:1:1 ratio to receive one of the following treatments: initial or late use of oral sodium alginate (arms A and B) or water as control (arm C). The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients developing G3 or worse esophagitis. RESULTS: Overall, 94 patients were randomly assigned between February 2014 and September 2018. The study was prematurely terminated because of slow accrual. The proportions of patients with G3 or worse esophagitis were 12.5%, 9.8%, and 19.4% in arms A, B, and C, respectively. Patients receiving sodium alginate had fewer onsets of G3 esophagitis; however, differences compared with arm C were not significant (A vs. C: p = 0.46; B vs. C: p = 0.28). The rates of grade 3 or worse non-hematologic toxicities besides esophagitis were 29%, 26%, and 43% in arms A, B, and C, respectively. Interestingly, compared with arm C, a low rate of febrile neutropenia was observed in arm A (3.1% vs. 19.4%: p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Sodium alginate did not show significant preventative effects on radiation-induced esophagitis in patients with NSCLC. The frequency of CRT-induced febrile neutropenia was lower in the early use sodium alginate arm. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier Registry number: UMIN000013133.