PURPOSE: Undifferentiated carcinoma of the esophagus (UEC) is a rare malignancy. Deficiency in SMARCA genes, critical for chromatin regulation, has been observed in cases of UEC. Research in UEC is sparse, however, and we present a case series along with a comprehensive review of the literature. CASE SERIES: Case 1 is a 49-year-old female with abdominal pain and dysphagia and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) showing a friable mass at the gastroesophageal (GE) junction. Biopsies showed a poorly differentiated neoplasm and immunohistochemistry showed loss for SMARCA4. With metastatic disease, she agreed to undergo palliative chemotherapy and radiation, passing away at 4 months. Case 2 is an 88-year-old male with dysphagia, nausea, vomiting, and distal esophageal mass with biopsy showing a malignancy with loss of SMARCA4 expression. Due to extensive metastases, he was counseled on hospice care. Case 3 is a 53-year-old male with extensive alcohol and smoking history presenting with hematemesis, passing away shortly. Posthumous histopathology consistent with undifferentiated SMARCA4-deficient carcinoma of the esophagus. Results of the literature review indicate a predilection towards males (75.0%) and a variable age range (39-88 years). Majority (76.2%) reported with a distal esophagus location. Metastatic disease was common at initial presentation. Median survival was 2.60 months. Some were managed with chemotherapy and radiation. CONCLUSIONS: Research in SMARCA-deficient UEC is very limited. It is more common in men, age is variable, and associated with Barret's esophagus. Further research is necessary to better understand it and to establish treatment guidelines; however, it is clear that SMARCA4-deficient UEC carries a significantly poor prognosis.
Crohn Disease , Polyarteritis Nodosa , Humans , Crohn Disease/diagnosis , Crohn Disease/drug therapy , Crohn Disease/complications , Polyarteritis Nodosa/drug therapy , Polyarteritis Nodosa/diagnosis , Treatment Outcome , Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use , Female , Male , Drug Resistance , Biopsy , Adult
BACKGROUND: It is projected that the elderly population will continue to increase. Many will develop chronic conditions such as dementia. AIMS: Our aims are to describe the utilization of colonoscopy among patients with dementia and compare outcomes in those with and without dementia. METHODS: This population-based analysis utilized the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) during 2019. Patients with dementia over the age of 60 years receiving colonoscopy were identified utilizing ICD-10 codes. Logistic regression was used for propensity score matching between the comparison groups. A Greedy one-to-one matching algorithm was utilized along with standardized mean differences to assess balance. Mcnemar test, signed rank sum, and paired t-test were used to compare the outcomes. RESULTS: Initially, 50,692 patients without dementia were compared with 4323 patients with dementia. Patients with dementia were more likely to be female, older, less likely White, had lower income, and more likely to be on Medicare. In the matched comparison (4176 in each group), complication analysis showed that patients with dementia did not have higher colonoscopy-related complications. They did have higher rates of other complications including renal/AKI (p = 0.0042), pulmonary/pneumonia (p = 0.003), cerebrovascular accidents (p = 0.0063), and sepsis (< 0.0001). Patients with dementia were also less likely to have routine discharges (< 0.0001), had longer hospital stays (< 0.0001), and higher hospital costs (< 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients with dementia have similar colonoscopy-related complications as patients without dementia. However, they do have higher complications in general. The decision whether to perform colonoscopy in this patient population is multifactorial. A careful assessment of a dementia patient's history can help with this decision.
Plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma can histologically mimic gastrointestinal signet ring cell carcinoma, a potential diagnostic pitfall resulting in improper clinical management. We present a rare case of a malignant duodenal ulcer due to metastasis from plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma. Only by histological and retrospective immunohistochemical comparison with the primary bladder tumor was this revealed as a metastasis from a plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma. This case report highlights the importance of clinical correlation and comparison with any previous pathology specimens, the limitations of immunohistochemical staining, and the utilization of both old and new immunohistochemical tools when differentiating signet ring cell carcinomas of primary sites versus potential metastases.
Clostridium sordellii is a highly virulent microorganism that causes serious infections, most commonly of the uterus and perineum. It has a high associated mortality rate due to the various toxins that it produces. A review of the literature suggests that knowledge surrounding its proper management is limited. This report describes a case of Clostridium sordellii causing toxic shock syndrome posttranslocation through the GI tract. A 69-year-old man with a past medical history of renal cell carcinoma and small bowl obstruction complicating transverse colostomy presented to the emergency room with back pain and rigors. Vital signs showed that he was in hemodynamic shock, and imaging revealed a left renal mass invading the adjacent splenic flexure of the colon. There was also a significant leukemoid reaction. After receiving a series of antibiotics, blood cultures revealed Clostridium sordellii as the pathogen of interest. As the first report of its kind, we identify a unique presentation of this organism, serving as a primary example of a different setting that clinicians should be aware of while at the same time highlighting a successful course of therapy for this often deadly organism.
BACKGROUND: It was reported that about 60% of the physicians in the USA believed that their Gastroenterology fellowship poorly prepared them for large polyp resection. The aim of this study was to compare endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) efficacy and complication rates between skilled general gastroenterologists who perform high volume of EMR and advanced endoscopists. METHODS: We identified 140 patients with documented large colonic polyps treated by 4 providers using EMR technique at Carilion Clinic, in Roanoke, Virginia, USA between 01/01/2014-12/31/2017, with follow-up through 10-2018. Information on demographics, clinical and pathological features of high-risk polyps (i.e., size, histology, site, and degree of dysplasia), timing of surveillance endoscopies, tools used during resection, and skills of performing endoscopist's were extracted. The cumulative risks of polyp recurrence after first resection using EMR technique were estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS: One hundred and forty patients were identified (mean age, 64.1±11.2 years; 47.1% males). Fifty-five polyps (39.3%) were removed by 2 skilled gastroenterologists and 85 (60.7%) were removed by advanced endoscopists. Most of the polyps resected were located in the right colon (63.6%) and roughly half of the polyps were removed in piecemeal fashion. At follow-up endoscopy, the advanced endoscopy group had lower polyp recurrence rates. The median recurrence after polypectomy was significantly different between the groups (0.88 and 1.03 years for skilled gastroenterologists who did not complete and completed EMR hands-on workshops; respectively vs. 3.99 years for the advanced endoscopist who did not complete EMR hands-on workshop, P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for additional EMR training since polyp recurrence was significantly different between the groups despite high rates of piecemeal resection in the advanced endoscopy groups.
Colonic Polyps , Endoscopic Mucosal Resection , Male , Humans , Middle Aged , Aged , Female , Endoscopic Mucosal Resection/methods , Fellowships and Scholarships , Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal , Colonic Polyps/surgery , Colonic Polyps/pathology , Colon/pathology
Liver transplantation (LT) withstands as the most preferred therapeutic option for patients afflicted with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cirrhosis. To improve prognosis post-transplant, as well as to prevent the occurrence of rejection, a life-long immunosuppression strategy is implemented. The following letter to the editor highlights and provides novel evidence from recently published literature on topics discussed within the review article titled "Trends of rapamycin in survival benefits of liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma" in World J Gastrointest Surg 2021; 13: 953-966. In the recent manuscript, the authors compared immunosuppressive drugs such as the newer option first-generation mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor, also known as sirolimus, with the most widely used first-generation calcineurin inhibitors, such as tacrolimus (TAC). TAC is commonly known as the most effective immunosuppressive drug after LT, but it has been reported to cause intolerable side effects such as nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, diabetes, hypertension, gastrointestinal disturbances, increased risk of infections, and malignancies. It is necessary for physicians to be aware of recent advances in tacrolimus and sirolimus therapies to compare and understand distinctly the effectiveness and tolerability of these drugs. This will assist clinicians in making the best treatment decisions and improve the clinical prognosis of LT recipients with HCC.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the study of algorithms that enable machines to analyze and execute cognitive activities including problem solving, object and word recognition, reduce the inevitable errors to improve the diagnostic accuracy, and decision-making. Hepatobiliary procedures are technically complex and the use of AI in perioperative management can improve patient outcomes as discussed below. Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of images obtained via ultrasound, computed tomography scan or magnetic resonance imaging, can help surgeons better visualize the surgical sites with added depth perception. Pre-operative 3D planning is associated with lesser operative time and intraoperative complications. Also, a more accurate assessment is noted, which leads to fewer operative complications. Images can be converted into physical models with 3D printing technology, which can be of educational value to students and trainees. 3D images can be combined to provide 3D visualization, which is used for preoperative navigation, allowing for more precise localization of tumors and vessels. Nevertheless, AI enables surgeons to provide better, personalized care for each patient.
Intraluminal duodenal diverticulum (IDD) is a rare congenital anomaly resulting from the failure of the duodenum to recanalize during embryogenesis leaving a duodenal diaphragm or web within the lumen of the duodenum. In theory, the peristaltic force gradually stretches the tissue over time forming a diverticulum within the duodenal lumen. Identification of IDD by endoscopy or diagnostic imaging can be difficult, these lesions can be mistaken for other lesions or the collapsed diverticulum can be overlooked. The median age of presentation is the fourth decade. Although most cases are asymptomatic, some can present with vague abdominal complaints such as bloating, nausea, abdominal discomfort, or pain. Complications of IDD are intestinal bleeding, biliary pancreatic symptoms, intestinal obstruction, and perforation. Management of IDD complications could be challenging since data are limited. We present an unusual case of a 78-year-old female presenting with acute chest pain, palpitations, and incidental findings of IDD and pancreatic divisum. Her course was complicated by recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding and small bowel obstruction.
Secondary prevention of colorectal neoplasia with chemoprevention is long-studied area of research and clinical use in patients with the 2 most common hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes including Lynch syndrome and familial adenomatous polyposis. No medication is currently approved for use for the prevention of colorectal polyps or cancer in either the general population or individuals with the hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes. Emerging data in animal models and limited data in humans suggest vaccines may be the next breakthrough for neoplasia prevention in patients with hereditary colorectal cancer. Clinicians must acknowledge chemoprevention is an adjunct and does not supplant endoscopic surveillance.
Adenomatous Polyposis Coli , Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis , Colorectal Neoplasms , Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary , Adenomatous Polyposis Coli/genetics , Chemoprevention , Colorectal Neoplasms/genetics , Colorectal Neoplasms/prevention & control , Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis/genetics , Colorectal Neoplasms, Hereditary Nonpolyposis/prevention & control , Humans
BACKGROUND: Despite the use of current standard therapy, the prognosis of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is poor, with median survival times of 40 mo for intermediate HCC (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer [BCLC] stage B) and 6-8 mo for advanced HCC (BCLC stage C). Although patients with early-stage HCC are usually suitable for therapies with curative intention, up to 70% of patients experience relapse within 5 years. In the past decade, the United States Food and Drug Administration has approved different immunogenic treatment options for advanced HCC, the most common type of liver cancer among adults. Nevertheless, no treatment is useful in the adjuvant setting. Since 2007, the multi-kinase inhibitor sorafenib has been used as a first-line targeted drug to address the increased mortality and incidence rates of HCC. However, in 2020, the IMbrave150 trial demonstrated that combination therapy of atezolizumab (anti-programmed death-ligand 1 [PD-L1]) and bevacizumab (anti-vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]) is superior to sorafenib, a single anti-programmed death 1/PD-L1 antibody inhibitor used as an anti-cancer monotherapy for HCC treatment. AIM: To conduct a systematic literature review to evaluate the evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of atezolizumab/bevacizumab as preferred first-line drug therapy over the conventional sorafenib or atezolizumab monotherapies, which are used to improve survival outcomes and reduce disease progression in patients with unresectable HCC and non-decompensated liver disease. METHODS: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using the PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, clinicaltrials.gov, PubMed Central, Embase, EuropePMC, and CINAHL databases to identify studies that met the inclusion criteria using relevant MeSH terms. This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and risk of bias (RoB) were assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool and Sevis. RESULTS: In the atezolizumab/bevacizumab group, an improvement in overall tumor response, reduction of disease progression, and longer progression-free survival were observed compared to monotherapy with either sorafenib or atezolizumab. Hypertension and proteinuria were the most common adverse events, and the rates of adverse events were comparable to those with the monotherapy. Of the studies, there were two completed trials and two ongoing trials analyzed using high quality and low bias. A more thorough analysis was only performed on the completed trials. CONCLUSION: Treatment of HCC with atezolizumab/bevacizumab combination therapy was confirmed to be an effective first-line treatment to improve survival in patients with unresectable HCC and non-decompensated liver disease compared to monotherapy with either sorafenib or atezolizumab.
Background Alcoholic cirrhosis though uncommon in young patients is being reported more frequently and related mortality is also increasing. Study aim To evaluate risk factors associated with mortality among young patients (<40 years) with alcoholic cirrhosis and older patients (> 40 years old) after their first hospitalization in a tertiary referral academic center. Methods Carilion clinic's electronic medical record (EPIC) was queried to identify all alcoholic patients hospitalized for the first time with either a new diagnosis of alcoholic cirrhosis or a prior diagnosis of this from 2008 to 2016 with follow-up through June 2018. Information on demographics, comorbidities, lab values, procedures, and mortality was extracted. The cumulative risks of long-term mortality after the first hospitalization were estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves and compared between the two groups; those < 40 years of age and those > 40 years of age. Demographic data, lab values, and comorbidities associated with cirrhosis were assessed using multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis to determine risk factors associated with long-term mortality. Results We identified 65 young patients out of a total of 325 patients admitted for the first time for alcoholic cirrhosis (mean age: 34.6 ± 4.7 yrs, 72.3% males, 74.4% current alcohol users, 52.3% current smokers, 12.6% current illicit drugs users). The one, three, and five-year cumulative mortality after the first hospitalization was 21.1 %, 31.1%, and 49.7% respectively. The median survival for young patients was longer as compared to the older patients (p<0.001); likely related to high early mortality in older patients who had many other comorbidities. On multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis, increased age [hazard ratio (HR) 1.03; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01-1.05], neutrophils-to-lymphocytes ratio (NLR) at first hospital discharge (HR 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.04), the presence of encephalopathy (HR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.06-3.55), and initial MELD (model for end-stage liver disease) score (HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.08-1.19) were associated with increased risk of mortality. Though the majority of patients endorsed current alcohol and tobacco use before the admission, it was not significantly associated with mortality. Conclusions Five-year cumulative mortality for patients < 40 years of age with alcoholic cirrhosis after their first hospitalization is 49.7%. Old age, most recent NLR, hepatic encephalopathy, and MELD score on admission were associated with increased late mortality.
Introduction Identification of gender-specific prognostic factors in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC) is integral to understanding disease severity and mortality rates. We gathered data on various widely-used laboratory values and comorbid conditions among male and female patients with ALC after initial hospitalization. These individual risk factors were assessed for their relationship with mortality based on gender. Methods We performed a retrospective observational study of hospitalized patients with either a new or prior diagnosis of ALC from 2008 to 2016 with follow-up through June 2018. The electronic medical record (EMR) was queried for demographics, comorbidities, lab values, and mortality. The cumulative risks of mortality after the first hospitalization were estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves and compared among both genders. Demographic data, lab values, and comorbidities associated with cirrhosis were assessed using multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis to determine risk factors associated with mortality. Results We identified 247 male patients (mean age 54.19 ± 13.14 years) and 78 female patients (mean age 51.10 ± 11.60 years) hospitalized at Carilion Clinic with a diagnosis of ALC. About 70% (male) and 46% (female) endorsed alcohol use at the time of admission, 10% (male) and 13% (female) endorsed illicit drug use, and 56% (male and female) endorsed tobacco use. The one-, three- and five-year cumulative mortality after the first hospitalization was 43.4%, 53.2%, and 61.6%, respectively for males and 24.1%, 59.0%, and 67.2%, respectively for females. Median survival for younger male patients with ALC (age < 40 years old) after the first hospitalization was significantly different compared to the older male patients (age > 40 years) (p=0.0009), but age was not a significant factor for survival of female patients. Multivariate analysis further shows that illicit drug use, creatinine level at the time of admission, and age > 40 years had the highest hazard ratios for risk of mortality in male patients. For female patients, history of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level at the time of discharge were both associated with increased risk of mortality, with a history of HE being associated with a higher hazard ratio for risk of mortality. Conclusion Age, illicit drug use, and creatinine level were risk factors associated with mortality for male patients with ALC but not female patients. Hepatic encephalopathy and BUN were risk factors associated with mortality for female patients. The mortality for male patients was about twice the mortality of female patients at one year, but three-year and five-year mortality was higher in female patients.
The pancreas is an unusual source of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. GI bleeding from the pancreas is most frequently a result of complications from acute or chronic pancreatitis resulting in vascular damage and bleeding into the pancreatic duct. Rarely, however, a pancreatic pseudocyst can come into contact with the GI tract and form a fistula. However, these fistulas can be difficult to identify during endoscopy due to their lateral position, and computed tomography is often necessary to make a definitive diagnosis. Erosion of the nearby vasculature as a result of the fistula can lead to bleeding. Embolization of the affected vessel is the standard of care, but particular attention should be given to not empirically embolize due to risk of complications. Here, we describe a case of an upper GI bleed due to a pancreatic pseudocyst that fistulized through the duodenal wall.
The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an inflammatory marker which has been investigated as a prognostic indicator in post-therapeutic recurrence and survival of patients with HCC. Our aim was to review all studies that assessed the prognostic value of pre-treatment NLR in predicting patient survival, cancer recurrence, and graft survival in patients undergoing various therapies for HCC. We searched the database of PubMed and Google Scholar to review all studies that have the word "NLR" and the word "HCC." We included all studies that assessed pre-treatment NLR as a prognostic factor in predicting outcomes in HCC patients. We excluded studies that assessed the correlation between post-treatment NLR or dynamic changes in NLR after treatment and HCC outcomes in an effort to minimize the confounding effect of each treatment on NLR. We reviewed 123 studies that studied the correlation between pre-treatment NLR and patient survival, 72 studies that evaluated the correlation between pre-treatment NLR and tumor recurrence, 21 studies that evaluated the correlation between NLR and tumor behavior, and 4 studies that assessed the correlation between NLR and graft survival. We found a remarkable heterogeneity between the methods of the studies, which is likely responsible for the differences in outcomes. The majority of the studies suggested a correlation between higher levels of pre-treatment NLR and poor outcomes. We concluded that NLR is a reliable and inexpensive biomarker and should be incorporated into other prognostic models to help determine outcomes following HCC treatment.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/blood , Liver Neoplasms/blood , Lymphocyte Count , Neutrophils , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/mortality , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/therapy , Graft Survival , Humans , Liver Neoplasms/mortality , Liver Neoplasms/therapy , Liver Transplantation , Predictive Value of Tests , Prognosis , Survival Rate
Colonic Neoplasms/pathology , Colonic Polyps/pathology , Perivascular Epithelioid Cell Neoplasms/pathology , Biomarkers, Tumor/analysis , Biopsy , Colectomy , Colonic Neoplasms/chemistry , Colonic Neoplasms/surgery , Colonic Polyps/chemistry , Colonic Polyps/surgery , Desmin/analysis , Female , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , MART-1 Antigen/analysis , Middle Aged , Perivascular Epithelioid Cell Neoplasms/chemistry , Perivascular Epithelioid Cell Neoplasms/surgery , gp100 Melanoma Antigen/analysis
Objective Underwater endoscopic mucosal resection (UEMR) is reported to be superior to conventional endoscopic mucosal resection (CMER) for the complete resection of large polyps and may offer increased procedural efficiency. Aims To compare recurrence rates and adverse events between UEMR and CEMR and define risk factors related to recurrence. Also, to assess recurrence rates in piecemeal endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) based on the number of pieces resected. Methods We identified all patients with large polyps treated using the UEMR technique at Carilion Clinic, Roanoke, VA, USA between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2017 with follow-up through October of 2018. We matched the UEMR patients with patients treated using the CEMR technique (1:2 matching, respectively). The Kaplan-Meier curve was used to estimate the cumulative risks of polyp recurrence. The Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to assess risk factors for developing polyp recurrence. Results Sixty-eight patients (mean age: 63.4 ± 12.5 years; 52.9% males) with polyps removed using the UEMR technique (Group 1) were matched with 122 patients (mean age: 64.4 ± 10.0 years; 51.6% males) who had polyps removed using CEMR (Group 2). Polyps resected in fewer pieces (≤ 3) had lower recurrence rates compared to the ones resected in >3 pieces. Right colon polyps removed using UEMR had a lower recurrence rate compared to right colon polyps resected using CEMR. Polyp size and a high degree of dysplasia were associated with a high risk of polyp recurrence after resection. Completing advanced endoscopy training was also associated with a lower risk of recurrence. Conclusion UEMR had a lower recurrence rate compared with CEMR for right colon polyps. Factors associated with recurrence included the degree of training, high-grade dysplasia, and polyp size.
The novel over-the-scope Padlock clip was reported to assist in the management of esophageal fistulas, refractory gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, and GI defects closure. A little is known about the management of non-lifting colon polyps with fibrosis secondary to prior intervention. Resection could be challenging given prior intervention. The tools used to remove such polyps are different between institutions. In this study, we describe our experience with Padlock clip in removing non-lifting colon polyp.
Adenocarcinoma/complications , Colon/microbiology , Colon/pathology , Colonic Neoplasms/complications , Endocarditis, Bacterial/microbiology , Melena/etiology , Streptococcal Infections/microbiology , Streptococcus agalactiae/isolation & purification , Adenocarcinoma/pathology , Biopsy , Colonic Neoplasms/pathology , Colonoscopy , Endocarditis, Bacterial/diagnosis , Female , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Middle Aged , Necrosis , Streptococcal Infections/diagnosis
