Assessment of pancreatic ductal stone density on non-contrast computed tomography for predicting the outcome of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

Background and study aims The utility of stone density at non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) for predicting the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in chronic calcific pancreatitis (CCP) is relatively unexplored. Patients and methods This was a prospective observational study of patients with CCP. Hounsfield units (HU) were determined for the largest pancreatic ductal stone during pretreatment NCCT. All patients underwent ESWL until the largest stone was fragmented to <3mm, followed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for stone extraction. The predictive factors following ESWL for successful stone extraction were studied and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve determined the HU optimal cut-point. Results Eighty-two patients with a median (interquartile range) age of 36 years (range, 29-55); majority male 45 (54.9%), were included. Idiopathic CCP was noted in 78 patients (95.1%). The median stone density (SD) was 1095 HU (range, 860.7-1260.7) and the number of ESWL sessions was 2 (range, 2-3). Complete stone removal at index ERCP was achieved in 55 patients (67.1%). Those with partial clearance (n=27) needed a repeat ERCP, which was successful in 26 (96.3%); one patient (3.7%) underwent surgery. There was a significant, positive correlation between number of ESWL sessions and SD (r=0.797; P <0.001). On bivariate analysis, SD and the number of ESWL sessions revealed a significant association with complete ductal clearance. The optimal cut-point for complete stone removal by the ROC curve was 1106.5 HU (Youden index 0.726), with a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 80%. Conclusions The SD is a significant predictor of ESWL success followed by ductal clearance at ERCP, and <1106.5 HU is a predictor of good candidates for ESWL therapy.

Comparison of diagnostic outcomes, safety, and cost of Franseen-tip 19G versus 22G needles for endoscopic ultrasound-guided liver biopsies.

Background and study aims Favorable outcomes were noted with refinement in newer endoscopic ultrasound-guided liver biopsy (EUS-LB) needle tips. Still, the overall usefulness and benefit are yet to be well explored. Patients and methods This was a retrospective analysis of patients with EUS-LB (Franseen-tip 19G versus 22G FNB needle) over 2 years. EUS-LB was obtained in a one-pass, two-actuation, modified wet suction technique. Diagnostic yield, fragmentation rate, aggregate specimen length (AL), number of complete portal tracts (CPT), length of longest intact core (LIC), adverse events (AEs) (early), and cost of the procedure (1USD = 82 INR) were compared. Results Fifty-four patients (33 [61.1%], female) successfully underwent EUS-LB with a median age of 46 years (interquartile range [IQR] 34-54); the majority 32 (59.2%) underwent 19G biopsies. There was a significantly increased median (IQR) AL in the 19G compared with 22G (20 mm [19-21] vs. 15 [14-15], P < 0.001), respectively. Similarly, significantly lengthier median LIC and CPT were seen, respectively. A nonsignificant diagnostic yield was noted (100% vs. 90.9%, P = 0.082), respectively. The fragmentation rate was higher in 22G FNB needles (36.4% [95% CI 16-56] vs. 12.5% [95% CI 1-24], respectively; P = 0.038). Seven patients (12.9%) had mild AEs with no difference between groups. The average procedure cost with 19G was INR 63000 (768$), and with 22G needle was INR 54500 (664$). Conclusions The Franseen-tip 19G outperforms 22G with a significantly lower fragmentation rate, longer AL, LIC, and a higher number of CPT with a marginal increase in the procedure cost, without any difference in diagnostic yield and safety.

Endoscopic full-thickness plication for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux after peroral endoscopic myotomy: a randomized sham-controlled study.

BACKGROUND : Endoscopic full-thickness plication (EFTP) has shown promising results in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but its efficacy in GERD after peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is unclear. METHODS : In a prospective, randomized trial of post-POEM patients dependent on proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for documented GERD, patients underwent EFTP (plication to remodel the gastroesophageal flap valve) or an endoscopic sham procedure (positioning of the EFTP device, but no stapling). The primary end point was improvement in acid exposure time (AET) < 6 % (3 months). Secondary end points included improvement in esophagitis (3 months), GERD Questionnaire (GERDQ) score (3 and 6 months), and PPI usage (6 months). RESULTS : 60 patients were randomized (30 in each group). At 3 months, a significantly higher proportion of patients achieved improvement in AET < 6 % in the EFTP group compared with the sham group (69.0 % [95 %CI 52.1-85.8] vs. 10.3 % [95 %CI 0-21.4], respectively). EFTP was statistically superior to sham (within-group analysis) in improving esophageal AET, DeMeester Score, and all reflux episodes (P < 0.001). A nonsignificant improvement in esophagitis was noted in the EFTP group (P = 0.14). Median GERDQ scores (3 months) were significantly better (P < 0.001) in the EFTP group, and the same trend continued at 6 months. A higher proportion of patients in the sham group continued to use PPIs (72.4 % [95 %CI 56.1-88.7] vs. 27.6 % [95 %CI 11.3-43.8]). There were no major adverse events in either group. CONCLUSION : EFTP improved post-POEM GERD symptoms, 24-hour pH impedance findings with normalization in one-third, and reduced PPI usage at 6 months.

Utility of the Novel SpyGlassTM DS II System and Laser Lithotripsy for Choledocholithiasis in Pregnancy.

Background and Aim: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is considered a safe therapeutic modality even in pregnant women; however, adequate care needs to be taken. The utility of the SpyGlassTM DS II system in choledocholithiasis among pregnant women is unexplored. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent ERCP for choledocholithiasis in the absence of fluoroscopy using the SpyGlass DS II system from October 2019 to November 2020. Depending on the size and location of the stones, we used laser lithotripsy (LL) for large impacted stones, the balloon extraction technique for multiple stones, and the SpyGlass retrieval basket for single solitary stones. Results: A total of 10 (100% female) patients with a mean (±SD) age of 29.5 (±2.5) years underwent ERCP. Abdominal pain was the commonest presenting symptom in all patients. Four (40%) patients had cholangitis and 3 (30%) had pancreatitis. The majority of the patients (9; 90%) were in the second trimester. MRCP was the commonest radiological entity, used in 9 (90%) patients. ERCP was technically successful and the stones were removed from all of the patients in a mean (±SD) time of 30 (±3.5) min. LL was used successfully in 4 (40%) patients, balloon extraction in 3 (30%) patients, and the SpyGlass retrieval basket in 3 (30%) patients. There were no pre- or post-procedural complications. All of the patients had an uneventful childbirth, after which they underwent cholecystectomy and subsequent stent removal 2 weeks later. Conclusions: Use of the SpyGlass DS II system and LL during ERCP appears safe and effective for the treatment of choledocholithiasis among pregnant women.

Introdução e objectivo: A colangiopancreatografia retrógrada endoscópica (CPRE) é considerada uma modalidade terapêutica segura mesmo nas grávidas, contudo, alguns cuidados são necessários. A utilidade do novo sistema Spyglass DS II na coledocolitíase da gravidez continua por investigar. Métodos: Analisamos retrospectivamente doentes que fizeram CPRE por coledocolitíase sem fluoroscopia usando o sistema Spyglass DS II de Outubro de 2019 a Novembro de 2020. Dependendo do sítio e localização dos cálculos, usou-se as seguintes técnicas: litotripsia por lazer (LL) para cálculos grandes impactados; técnica de extração por balão para múltiplos cálculos; e extração com cesta guiada por spyglass para cálculo único. Resultados: Um total de 10 doentes (100% mulheres) realizou CPRE com uma média (dp) de idade de 29.5 anos (2.5). A dor abdominal foi o sintoma de apresentação principal em todos os doentes. Quatro (40%) doentes tinham colangite e 3 (30%) tinham pancreatite. A maioria das doentes estava no segundo trimestre da gravidez. A colangioRMN foi utilizada em 9 (90%) dos doentes. A CPRE e a extração dos cálculos foi possível em todos os doentes numa média (dp) de tempo de 30 (3.5) minutos. A LL foi usada com sucesso em 4 (40%) doentes, extração por balão em 3 (30%) doentes e extração com cesta guiada por spyglass em 3 (30%) doentes. Não se verificaram complicações pré ou pós procedimento. Todas as doentes tiveram um parto sem complicações, a seguir ao qual fizeram colecistectomia e subsequente remoção de prótese biliar em duas semanas. Conclusões: O sistema SpyGlass DS II e a LL durante a CPRE parecem seguros e eficazes no tratamento da coledocolitíase nas grávidas.

Safety and efficacy of different techniques in difficult biliary cannulation at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

BACKGROUND: Adverse events (AEs) are commonly seen at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) during difficult biliary cannulation (DBC). Therefore, attaining the right technique is essential to have improved outcomes. METHODS: Patients who had DBC over a 3-year period were assessed for outcomes. The protocol included double guidewire (DGW) technique, wire-guided cannulation (WGC) after pancreatic stent, precut sphincterotomy/fistulotomy, and EUS-guided rendezvous (RV). The success of various techniques and AE was studied. RESULTS: As per available case analysis, a total of 3680 patient details were assessed out of which DBC was noted in 471 (12.8%) patients with a mean (SD) age of 51.5 (17.4) years; majority being 330 (70.1%) males. Most patients underwent precut sphincterotomy 230 (48.8%); however, it was not successful in the first attempt in 10 (2.1%) patients with the success rate of 220 (95.6%). The success rate of DGW cannulation was 120 (95.2%), WGC after pancreatic stent was 64 (94.1%), EUS-RV was 34 (97.1%), and wire-guided repeat ERCP after 48 h was 10 (98.3%). AEs were noted in 52 (11.1%) patients. After precut, 32 (13.9%) patients developed AE out of which post-ERCP pancreatitis was noted in 20 (8.7%). Twenty-three patients had failed biliary access after all methods and 20 (86.9%) of those received successful percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. CONCLUSION: Repeat ERCP after 48 h and EUS-RV appear prudent for DBC. Precut remains one of the preferred choices for most endoscopists when there is no entrance to PD. Further utilizing an algorithmic approach can contribute to higher success rates without compromising safety.