A Comparison of the Effects of Alcohol Abstinence and Drinking Habit on the Survival of Patients with Alcohol-related Cirrhosis: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Objective Abstaining from alcohol improves the outcome of alcohol-related cirrhosis. This study evaluated the effect of alcohol abstinence on the outcomes of patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis recruited from a core hospital in Boso Peninsula, Japan. Methods This single-center retrospective study recruited 116 patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis who were admitted to our department between April 2014 and October 2022. Taking the day of discharge as day 0, the patients were divided into two groups based on their subsequent behavior (abstinence/non-abstinence from alcohol). The study analysis included 98 patients after excluding 13 who died during hospitalization and 5 for whom follow-up at our hospital ended after discharge. We evaluated differences in the patient survival between the abstaining and drinking groups. Results The abstaining and drinking groups comprised 57 and 41 patients, respectively. We excluded from the analysis 10 and 6 patients with viable hepatocellular carcinoma in the abstaining and drinking groups, respectively. The findings revealed that the survival rate plateaued in the abstaining group from the third year onward, whereas the survival rate in the drinking group gradually decreased with time. Conclusion Our findings suggest that at least two years of alcohol abstinence is required to sustain the survival of patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis. The data collected by our hospital retrospectively demonstrated the importance of abstinence on a timescale of years of sustained abstinence.

Addition of Mechanical Lithotripsy to Endoscopic Papillary Large Balloon Dilation in Patients with Difficult Common Bile Duct Stones: A Retrospective Single-Center Study.

Introduction: This study aimed to compare the treatment outcomes of endoscopic papillary large-balloon dilation (EPLBD) with and without mechanical lithotripsy (ML) in removing difficult common bile duct stones. Methods: Patients with difficult common bile duct stones treated with EPLBD, with or without ML, at the Eastern Chiba Medical Center between April 2014 and March 2020, were retrospectively evaluated. The rates of cumulative recurrence and complications were compared between the two groups. Results: Overall, 122 patients (n = 44, EPLBD + ML and n = 78, EPLBD) treated by 12 gastroenterologists were included. Patients in the EPLBD + ML group were older (85 years versus 81.5 years) and had larger maximum stone diameter (15 mm versus 12.5 mm) than those in the EPLBD group. Compared with the EPLBD group, the EPLBD + ML group required more endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures (≥2) (86% versus 67%) and longer total ERCP time after reaching the papilla (78.5 minutes versus 25 minutes). Complication rates were not significantly different (9.1% versus 12.8%); however, the cumulative recurrence rates were higher in the EPLBD + ML group than in the EPLBD group (69.4% versus 23.5% at 4 years). Conclusion: Although there were no differences in complication rates, the long-term recurrence rate was higher in the EPLBD + ML group than in the EPLBD group. This study emphasizes the added burden imposed by performing ML during ERCP and suggests that by appropriate case selection, it is possible to treat cases of difficult biliary stones using EPLBD without ML.

Long-term effects of endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation in patients with challenging bile duct calculi: A retrospective observational study.

ABSTRACT: Endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation (EPLBD) can be used to treat challenging common bile duct stones. No previous studies have reported intractable cases treated either by EPLBD or mechanical lithotripter use. We aimed to evaluate and compare the long-term effects of EPLBD with mechanical lithotripter use.This retrospective cohort study reviewed data from 153 patients admitted to the Eastern Chiba Medical Center from April 2014 to March 2020, presenting with common bile duct calculi that could not be removed using a basket or balloon catheter. Patients were divided into groups depending on whether the treatment was performed using a mechanical lithotripter or EPLBD. The primary outcome was the recurrence rate of common bile duct calculi, and the secondary outcome was the rate of postoperative adverse events. The Wilcoxon test was used to compare the 2 groups. Statistical significance was set at P < .05.The median age of patients included in the lithotripter and EPLBD groups were 73 years and 83 years, respectively (P = .006), while the sex ratio (male:female) in the groups was 18:13 and 55:67, respectively. The EPLBD group showed a statistically larger median bile duct diameter (13 mm [range: 8-24 mm] vs 11 mm [range: 5-16 mm]; P < .001), larger maximal calculus diameter (median, 13.5 mm [range: 8-25 mm] vs 11 mm [range: 7-16 mm]; P < .001), and shorter median cumulative treatment time after reaching the duodenal papilla (35.5 minutes [range: 10-176 minutes] vs 47 minutes [range: 22-321 minutes]; P = .026) in comparison to the lithotripter group. There was no significant difference in the rate of adverse events between the EPLBD and the mechanical lithotripter groups. The recurrence rate was significantly lower (P = .014) in the EPLBD group.EPLBD increases therapeutic efficacy and reduces treatment duration for patients in whom calculus removal is difficult, without increasing the frequency of adverse events. No serious adverse events were observed. Additionally, EPLBD appears to reduce the risk of long-term recurrence. Future studies are needed to evaluate long-term outcomes in younger patients.

Diagnostic value of IMP3 and p53 immunohistochemical staining in EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration for solid pancreatic tumors.

We previously identified insulin-like growth factor-II messenger ribonucleic acid-binding protein 3 (IMP3) as a valuable marker to distinguish malignant from benign lesions in pancreatic solid masses. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the usefulness of IMP3 and p53 immunohistochemical staining in endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) samples for pancreatic solid masses. The study recruited 90 consecutive patients with pancreatic masses, including 62 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs), 11 benign tumors, and 17 other tumors, who underwent EUS-FNA, and conducted IMP3 and p53 immunohistochemical staining. The main outcome measurement was improved diagnostic utility using IMP3 and p53 immunohistochemical staining. IMP3 and p53 expressions were detected in 60.8% and 49.4% of malignant lesions, 69.4% and 58.1% of PDACs, and 0% of benign lesions, respectively. In PDAC and benign tumors, the use of IMP3 and/or p53 immunostaining increased the sensitivity of cytohistological analysis from 88.7 to 93.5%, although the difference was not statistically significant. The sensitivity of histological analysis combined with that of IMP3 staining was 91.9%, which was significantly greater than that of histology alone (80.6%). The use of IMP3 and p53 immunohistochemical staining did not significantly improve the sensitivity of cytohistological analysis; however, IMP3 staining may be helpful for the histological analysis of malignant pancreatic tumors.

[Current state of hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance for chronic liver disease in 91 cases of primary hepatocellular carcinoma].

We retrospectively evaluated the effect of follow-up for chronic liver disease in 91 patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma. Of these patients, 38 (41.8%) were followed-up for chronic liver disease, while 53 patients (58.2%) were not followed-up. Regarding the baseline status of the liver, the proportion of patients with non-viral hepatitis was significantly higher among patients who were not followed-up (p<0.001). Furthermore, the cumulative survival rate was significantly lower among patients who were not followed-up (p=0.013). Among the 53 patients who were not followed-up, 20 (37.7%) patients did not undergo abdominal imaging for hepatic evaluation despite recorded hepatic issues, and 31 patients (58.5%) were treated by a primary care doctor. Our study suggests that the identification of patients with non-viral hepatitis and confirmation that they are followed-up are vital for improving the prognosis of patients with chronic liver disease.

Safety and Efficacy of Early Tube Removal Following Percutaneous Transhepatic Gallbladder Drainage: an Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: There are currently no guidelines concerning the advisability and timing of tube removal following percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD). The present study aimed to assess the feasibility and risks of early removal of the PTGBD tube under the scenario of subsiding inflammation, patent cystic and common bile ducts, and absence of intraperitoneal leakage. METHODS: Patient background and outcomes were assessed retrospectively in 701 cases of acute cholecystitis treated with PTGBD. The median times until tube removal and tube dislodgement and the cumulative rates of tube dislodgement were calculated. RESULTS: Tube removal was performed in 275 patients after a median time of 16 days (range: 6 to 213 d); biliary peritonitis was observed in 2 patients following tube removal. Tubes were removed in 8 and 35 patients within 7 and 10 days, respectively. Tube dislodgement was observed in 82 patients after a median time of 12 days (range: 1 to 125 d). CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that drainage tube removal is safe and effective when performed after a short drainage period of 7 to 10 days if the criteria for the removal of the drainage tube were met.

Immunohistochemical analysis of IMP3 and p53 expression in endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration and resected specimens of pancreatic diseases.

BACKGROUND: Insulin-like growth factor II messenger ribonucleic acid-binding protein 3 (IMP3) is a valuable marker that distinguishes malignant from benign lesions and predicts prognosis. METHODS: First, we evaluated IMP3 expression in 77 resected specimens of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), and chronic pancreatitis (CP). Eleven PDAC patients preoperatively underwent endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). Survival analysis of IMP3 and clinicopathological factors was performed. IMP3 and p53 expression was evaluated in another 127 EUS-FNA samples of solid pancreatic masses to compare the diagnostic value of routine and immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: IMP3 expression was detected in 72.3%, 50%, 20%, and 0% of PDAC, malignant IPMN, benign IPMN, and CP, respectively. Evaluation of IMP3 expression in EUS-FNA specimens coincided with that in resected specimens in 10 of 11. IMP3 expression correlated with tumor differentiation in PDAC samples (p = .006) and with poor prognosis through univariate analysis (p = .045). Tumor differentiation and lymph node metastasis were significantly associated with poor prognosis through multivariate analysis. In EUS-FNA specimens, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of cytohistological analysis were 80.8%, 100%, and 85.0%, respectively. IMP3 and p53 expression were detected in 80.8% and 44.9% of malignant and 0% and 5% of benign lesions. Combined with IMP3 immunostaining, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of cytohistological analysis significantly increased to 87.9%, 100%, and 90.8% (p = .016), respectively. Meanwhile, p53 staining had no impact on the results. CONCLUSIONS: IMP3 immunohistochemical staining can improve the diagnostic accuracy of EUS-FNA for malignant pancreatic tumors.

Prevention of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis by pancreatic duct stenting using a loop-tipped guidewire.

AIM: To examine whether it is possible to prevent the occurrence of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis in patients experiencing difficulties with selective biliary duct cannulation by pancreatic duct stenting using a loop-tipped guidewire. METHODS: Procedure success rate, frequency of unintended insertion of the guidewire into side branches of the pancreatic duct, and incidence of procedural accidents were examined using a loop-tipped guidewire (Group A, 20 patients), and a conventional straight-type guidewire (Group B, 20 patients). RESULTS: The success rate of the procedure was 100% in both groups. Unintended insertion of the guidewire into a side branch of the pancreatic duct occurred 0.056 ± 0.23 (0-1) times in Group A and 2.3 ± 1.84 (0-5) times in Group B; thus, unintended insertion of the guidewire into a side branch of the pancreatic duct was seen significantly less frequently in Group A. There were no procedural accidents in Group A, whereas pancreatitis occurred in one Group B patient; however, the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant. The serum amylase level after ERCP was 257.15 ± 136.4 (88-628) IU/L in Group A, and 552.05 ± 534.57 (101-2389) IU/L in Group B, showing a significantly lower value in Group A. Hyperamylasemia was found in two patients (10%) in Group A, and nine (45%) in Group B, showing a significantly lower value in Group A. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that in patients who experience difficulties with biliary cannulation, the use of a loop-tipped guidewire for pancreatic duct stenting may assist with the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis, and thereby to a reduction of the risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis or hyperamylasemia.

Comparison of endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation and endoscopic sphincterotomy for bile duct stones.

Endoscopic treatment for bile duct stones is low-invasive and currently considered as the first choice of the treatment. For the treatment of bile duct stones, papillary treatment is necessary, and the treatments used at the time are broadly classified into two types; endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation where bile duct closing part is dilated with a balloon and endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) where bile duct closing part is incised. Both procedures have advantages and disadvantages. Golden standard is EST, however, there are patients with difficulty for EST, thus we must select the procedure based on understanding of the characteristics of the procedure, and patient backgrounds.

Current status of preoperative drainage for distal biliary obstruction.

Preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) was developed to improve obstructive jaundice, which affects a number of organs and physiological mechanisms in patients waiting for surgery. However, its role in patients who will undergo pancreaticoduodenectomy for biliary obstruction remains controversial. This article aims to review the current status of the use of preoperative drainage for distal biliary obstruction. Relevant articles published from 1980 to 2015 were identified by searching MEDLINE and PubMed using the keywords "PBD", "pancreaticoduodenectomy", and "obstructive jaundice". Additional papers were identified by a manual search of the references from key articles. Current studies have demonstrated that PBD should not be routinely performed because of the postoperative complications. PBD should only be considered in carefully selected patients, particularly in cases where surgery had to be delayed. PBD may be needed in patients with severe jaundice, concomitant cholangitis, or severe malnutrition. The optimal method of biliary drainage has yet to be confirmed. PBD should be performed by endoscopic routes rather than by percutaneous routes to avoid metastatic tumor seeding. Endoscopic stenting or nasobiliary drainage can be selected. Although more expensive, the use of metallic stents remains a viable option to achieve effective drainage without cholangitis and reintervention.