Strain Elastography Evaluation of Rectal Tumors: Inter- and Intraobserver Reproducibility.

PURPOSE: Elastography is a promising method for the identification and differentiation of malignant tissue in several organ systems. The primary aim was to evaluate the inter- and intraobserver reproducibility of endorectal strain elastography differentiation of adenomas and adenocarcinomas. The secondary aim was to compare the performance of strain elastography to endorectal ultrasonography (ERUS) examinations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive inclusion of 95 ERUS examinations and 110 elastography video loops with ERUS overlay mode. Video loops were randomized and evaluated by eight observers on two separate occasions. Observers were blinded to all clinical information except the circumferential location of the tumor. A continuous visual analog scale (VAS) and a categorical scale (W-score) were used for elastography evaluation. ERUS loops were T-staged according to the TNM classification system. Histopathological evaluation of surgical resection specimen was used as the reference standard. RESULTS: Strain elastography visual evaluation yielded intraobserver variability from 0.86 to 0.97 and interobserver variability of 0.99. VAS strain elastography differentiation of adenomas (pT0) and adenocarcinomas (pT1 - 4) yielded sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values of 0.94, 0.71, 0.89, 0.92 and 0.78, respectively. The corresponding ERUS values were 0.83, 0.64, 0.79, 0.88 and 0.54, respectively. CONCLUSION: Visual evaluation of elastography loops is highly reproducible in an offline setting with blinded observers, and correlates significantly with pT-stages. Strain elastography performs better than ERUS and might consequently improve staging.

The impact of a dedicated multidisciplinary team on the management of early rectal cancer.

AIM: Local excision of early rectal cancer (ERCa) offers comparable survival and reduced operative morbidity compared with radical surgery, yet it risks an adverse oncological outcome if performed in the wrong setting. This retrospective review considers the impact of the introduction of a specialist early rectal cancer multidisciplinary team (ERCa MDT) on the investigation and management of ERCa. METHOD: A retrospective comparative cohort study was undertaken. Patients with a final diagnosis of pT1 rectal cancer at our unit were identified for two 12-month periods before and after the introduction of the specialist ERCa MDT. Data on investigations and therapeutic interventions were compared. RESULTS: Nineteen patients from 2006 and 24 from 2011 were included. In 2006, 12 patients underwent MRI and four transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) examination, while in 2011, 18 and 20, respectively, received MRI and TRUS. In 2006 four patients underwent incidental ERCa polypectomy, with all having a positive resection margin leading to anterior resection. In 2011 only one case with a positive margin following extended endoscopic mucosal resection was identified. Definitive local excision without subsequent resection occurred in two patients in 2006 and in 16 in 2011. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates an improvement in preoperative ERCa staging, a reduction in margin positivity and an increase in the use of local excision following the implementation of a specialist ERCa MDT. The increased detection of rectal neoplasms through screening and surveillance programmes requires further investigation and management. A specialist ERCa MDT will improve management and should be available to all practitioners involved with patients with ERCa.

Systematic analysis of missed colorectal cancer cases and common pitfalls in diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Missed colorectal cancer on endoscopic or radiological investigations may delay diagnosis and impact outcome. This study audits incidence of previous investigations in patients with colorectal cancer, considers outcome in 'missed' cancer cases and examines the diagnostic pathway in the derived case series to identify common pitfalls in diagnosis. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2011 at a single National Health Service (NHS) Trust were reviewed. Incidence of endoscopic and radiological investigations in the 3 years preceding diagnosis and outcome data were collected. Cases of prior investigation not leading to diagnosis were considered 'missed' cancers and survival compared with 'detected' cases. The diagnostic pathway in each 'missed' case was reviewed. RESULTS: 395 colorectal cancer cases were studied. Eighteen (4.6%) patients underwent previous investigation including colonoscopy (n=4), flexible sigmoidoscopy (n=5), barium enema (n=5) and diagnostic abdominal CT scan (n=12), median 708 days prior to diagnosis. Previous investigation predicted reduced overall and disease-free survival (HR 2.07, p=0.04 and HR 2.66, p<0.0001), after age and gender adjustment. Ten different categories termed 'pitfalls' were derived from analysis of the diagnostic pathway. These included CT scanning for abdominal pain without further investigation (n=7), rectosigmoid cancer following a previous diagnosis of diverticular disease (n=4) and incomplete diagnostic investigations without adequate follow-up (n=3). CONCLUSIONS: A proportion of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer have previously been investigated for gastrointestinal symptoms and survival appears reduced in these patients. Regular audit and analysis of previous investigations can identify common pitfalls in diagnosis, which should be used to inform training and improve practice.

Does the incidence of unexpected malignancy in 'benign' rectal neoplasms undergoing trans-anal endoscopic microsurgery vary according to lesion morphology?

AIM: Mucosectomy by trans-anal endoscopic microsurgery (TEMS) allows safe and effective excision of benign rectal lesions. Preoperative endoscopic, clinical and ultrasonographic assessment aims to select benign lesions whilst avoiding inappropriate mucosectomy in lesions with malignancy. This study examines the relationship between lesion morphology and accurate benign preoperative classification of rectal lesions undergoing TEMS. METHOD: Primary lesions preoperatively assessed as benign were identified from a prospective TEMS database. Operative specimen morphology was independently classified by two blinded investigators, using photographs, into flat-sessile, exophytic or mixed morphology. The accuracy of the preoperative assessment by rectal ultrasonography was compared with the results of histological examination of the excised specimen (χ(2) and Fisher's exact tests). RESULTS: Of 167 lesions with adequate data, the morphological classification showed 60 flat-sessile, 56 mixed morphology and 51 exophytic tumours, of which 5, 7 and 9, respectively, contained unexpected malignancy (P=0.48). Accurate preoperative assessment of a lesion as benign occurred in 89% of flat-sessile and mixed morphology (n=55 and 49, respectively) and in 70% of exophytic lesions (n=36) (P=0.01). Only the exophytic group contained patients in whom preoperative endoscopic and ultrasonographic staging could not be confidently made (uTx). Histology demonstrated six of the seven uTx cases to be benign. CONCLUSION: In this study exophytic polyps were less likely to be accurately classified as benign using preoperative ultrasonography/endoscopy when compared with flat-sessile or mixed morphology polyps.

Prevalence and significance of anaemia in patients receiving long-course neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for rectal carcinoma.

AIM: The study aimed to assess the prevalence and significance of anaemia during long-course neoadjuvant radiotherapy for rectal cancer at our centre. METHOD: Hospital coding and a prospective oncology database were used to identify all patients undergoing long-course neoadjuvant radiotherapy for rectal cancer at our centre between 2004 and 2009. A retrospective review of computerized records was used to extract individual patient data. Anaemia was defined as a haemoglobin level of < 11.5 g/dl for women and of < 13 g/dl for men. Downstaging was assessed by comparing radiological stage (rTNM) with histological stage (ypTNM). Tumour regression after radiotherapy was assessed using the Rectal Cancer Regression Group (RCRG) scores of 1-3. The results were analysed using Gnu PSPP statistical software. RESULTS: There were 70 patients (51 men) of median age 66 (interquartile range 60-72.75) years. Of these, 24 were anaemic. Two (3%) had no haemoglobin level recorded and were excluded. Forty-two per cent of anaemic patients demonstrated mural (T) downstaging compared with 68% of nonanaemic patients (P = 0.03). There was no difference in nodal downstaging between the groups. The RCRG scores showed more tumour regression in nonanaemic patients than in anaemic patients, as follows: RCRG 1, 59%vs 30%; RCRG 2, 11%vs 17%; and RCRG 3, 38%vs 46% (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of anaemia in patients undergoing long-course neoadjuvant radiotherapy was 35%. Anaemia during long-course neoadjuvant radiotherapy was associated with significant reductions in tumour downstaging and regression.

Repeat 2-week wait referrals for colorectal cancer.

AIM: The inappropriate use of the '2-week wait' pathway for suspected colorectal cancer (CRC2ww) may overload urgent clinics and delay the assessment and investigation of other patients. Those who have been previously referred and investigated for suspected colorectal cancer may present one group that does not warrant repeat urgent referral. This paper aims to identify the incidence and diagnostic yield of repeat CRC2ww referrals. METHOD: All CRC2ww patients referred to our unit over a 4-year period were identified retrospectively. Referral indication, outcome and instances of repeat referral were identified from multidisciplinary team, endoscopy and imaging databases. RESULTS: In all, 2735 CRC2ww referrals were made over the study period. Of these, 122 were repeated CRC2ww referrals, with the incidence increasing from 2% in 2008 to 6% in 2010 (P = 0.0006). The median time to repeat referral was 1070 days. After initial referral 267 cancers were detected, including 212 colorectal cancers. The diagnostic yield was lower but not significantly so after repeated referral (six cancers) compared with initial referral (5%vs 10%, P = 0.07). CONCLUSION: The incidence of repeat referral is low but the diagnostic yield is not insignificant. Exclusion of these patients from urgent assessment and investigation will not significantly reduce workload and may risk missing some patients with cancer.

Slipping through the bowel cancer screening programme.

AIM: Colorectal cancer is common and a leading cause of cancer death. Faecal occult blood screening has been shown to reduce mortality. The aim of this study was to identify patients in Gloucestershire with a new diagnosis of colorectal cancer who had previously been screened via the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (BCSP). METHOD: Between 2006 and 2009, 1030 patients were diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Of these 237 (23%) had been invited to be screened via the BCSP. Their clinical notes were analysed. RESULTS: Fifty-seven (24%) of the 237 patients had previously had a negative faecal occult blood result. Thirty-three (14%) had their cancer discovered as part of the BCSP. Seventy (30%) had already been diagnosed with colorectal cancer prior to invitation, 62 (26%) did not respond to the invitation, nine (4%) were registered outside Gloucestershire and had therefore not been invited, and three (3%) had died before the invitation. Of the 57 patients with a negative faecal occult blood test, 47 (83%) had colorectal cancer staged Dukes B or C, and 34 (60%) had a rectal or sigmoid cancer. CONCLUSION: Patients will present with colorectal cancer despite having been invited to participate in the BCSP, with many having received a negative faecal occult blood test. This could be considered a high false negative rate.

Laparo-endoscopic resection for extensive and inaccessible colorectal polyps: a feasible and safe procedure.

INTRODUCTION: Polypectomy at colonoscopy may be difficult or dangerous. In such instances colonic resection may be indicated. Novel combined laparoscopic-endoscopic procedures have the potential to allow safe extensive extramucosal resection, thus avoiding resection. Laparoscopic colon mobilisation provides a more favourable orientation for endoscopic mucosal resection and facilitates identification of possible perforation sites with immediate laparoscopic repair or resection if necessary. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of laparo-endoscopic resection (LER) of colonic polyps. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data were collected prospectively on consecutive patients undergoing LER. The mode of presentation, referral pattern, lesion site and size, hospital stay, procedural details, complications, histology and further treatment were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 13 patients underwent attempted LER (16 polyps in total) and this was completed for 10, with a median hospital stay of 2 days. Five polyps were removed whole and eight piecemeal. Excision was clinically complete in all cases. Three procedures were converted to colonic resection. One lesion appeared malignant, indicating a conversion to laparoscopic right hemicolectomy. Two polyps were not amenable to LER and resection was performed. One patient underwent subsequent colonic resection based on the histological findings. There were no perforations or serious complications. CONCLUSIONS: LER is a safe and effective treatment for large and inaccessible colonic polyps that would otherwise be treated by colonic resection.

Factors influencing selection for a day-case or 23-h stay procedure in transanal endoscopic microsurgery.

BACKGROUND: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEMS) is an alternative to radical resection of the rectum for benign lesions and early rectal cancer. This study aimed to identify whether day-case TEMS is safe and which factors dictate patient suitability and length of stay (LOS). METHODS: Details of patients undergoing TEMS resection were retrieved from a tertiary referral prospective database. RESULTS: Of 96 patients, 46 (48 per cent) were day cases, 24 (25 per cent) had a 23-h stay and 26 (27 per cent) were inpatients. The frequency of day-case surgery increased significantly over the study interval (P = 0.050). Distance of the lesion from the anorectal junction, malignant potential and travel distance had no bearing on LOS. Older age (P = 0.004) and duration of surgery (P = 0.002) correlated significantly with increased LOS. Lesions covering one quadrant involved a significantly shorter stay than those covering two or more quadrants (P = 0.002). Maximum diameter (mean 5.7 cm) was strongly related to LOS (P = 0.009). Day-case and 23-h stay patients had a significantly higher proportion of lower-risk lesions (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: High-volume day-case TEMS appears safe, even when long travel distances are involved. With advances in practice and procedural safety, traditional risk factors may not be as important as currently thought.

Referral letters for 2-week wait suspected colorectal cancer do not allow a 'straight-to-test' pathway.

INTRODUCTION: Some clinicians have argued that 2-week wait suspected colorectal cancer patients can go 'straight-to-test' to facilitate time to diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the currently used referral letters are reliable enough to allow that pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: General practitioner (GP) letters referring patients under the Two Week-Wait Rule for suspected colorectal cancer were prospectively reviewed over a 6-month period. Three examining consultants were asked to outline the tests they would perform having only read the letter, and then again after a clinical consultation with the patient. The outcome of these tests was tracked. RESULTS: A total of 217 referral letters of patients referred under Two Week Wait Rule for suspected colorectal cancer were studied. Having just read the referral letter, the most frequently requested test was colonoscopy (148), then CT scan (48), barium enema (44), followed by gastroscopy (23) and flexible sigmoidoscopy in 15 patients (some patients would have had more than one test requested). After consultation with the patients, tests requested as guided by the GP letter were changed in 67 patients (31%), where 142 colonoscopies, 61 CT scans, 37 barium enemas, 23 flexible sigmoidoscopies and 19 gastroscopies were organised. The referral indication which had tests changed most often was definite palpable rectal mass (67%), while patients referred with definite palpable right-sided abdominal mass had their tests least often changed (9%). A total of 22 patients were found to have colorectal cancers (10%) and 30 patients were diagnosed with polyps (14%). Out of 142 colonoscopies performed, 19 (13%) showed some pathology beyond the sigmoid colon and of the 23 patients who had flexible sigmoidoscopy initially, only three went on to have colonoscopy subsequently. During the 6-month period of the study, only five breaches of the waiting time targets were recorded (1 to the 31-day target and 4 to the 62-day target). CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of patients would have had tests changed after a clinical consultation. However, only a small number required further investigations having had a consultation prior to their initial investigations. We conclude that 2-week wait suspected colorectal cancer patients should be seen in the clinic first and should not proceed 'straight-to-test'.

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery is a safe and reliable technique even for complex rectal lesions.

BACKGROUND: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) is a minimally invasive technique for the excision of rectal lesions, with lower morbidity and mortality rates than open surgery. Following advances in laparoscopic colorectal surgery and endoscopic mucosal resection, this study evaluated the safety and efficacy of TEM in the treatment of complex rectal lesions. METHODS: All patients were entered into a prospective database. Complex lesions were identified as high (more than 15 cm from anorectal margin), large (maximum dimension over 8 cm), involving two or more rectal quadrants, or recurrent. RESULTS: Seventy-one lesions (13 carcinomas and 58 tubulovillous adenomas) were identified. The median duration of operation was 60 (interquartile range (i.q.r.) 30-80) min, with an estimated median blood loss of 0 (i.q.r. 0-10) ml. Median hospital stay was 2 (i.q.r. 1-3) days. One patient developed postoperative urinary retention and one returned with rectal bleeding that did not require further surgery. Two patients developed rectal strictures after operation that were dilated successfully. There was no recurrence of benign lesions during a median follow-up of 21 (i.q.r. 6.5-35) months. CONCLUSION: TEM is a safe technique with low associated morbidity, even when used to excise complex rectal lesions. As such it remains the treatment of choice for rectal lesions not requiring primary radical resection.

TEMS: an alternative method for the repair of benign recto-vaginal fistulae.

INDICATIONS: The repair of high recto-vaginal fistula can be challenging since access may be limited via the endo-anal approach yet the alternative trans-abdominal route carries significant morbidity. We report the use of TEMS to repair a recto-vaginal fistula following anterior resection and pelvic radiotherapy. METHOD: The patient was placed prone and a 25 cm rectoscope was inserted. A proximally based mucosal advancement flap was raised to repair the fistula. The patient was discharged 2 days later and a contrast study confirmed closure of the fistula. COMPARISON WITH OTHER TECHNIQUES: TEMS allows excellent visualisation of a rectovaginal fistula compared to standard endo-anal or trans-vaginal techniques. The morbidity is lower than the trans-abdominal route. COMMENTS: TEMS is a useful technique for the repair of benign recto-vaginal fistula and has distinct advantages over conventional techniques.

Evidence for separate disease phenotypes in intestinal Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the hypothesis that separate phenotypes of Crohn's disease exist which display differing patterns of recurrence with a tendency to preservation of phenotype between serial operations. METHODS: Some 483 abdominal operations (278 patients) were identified from a prospectively compiled database. Patterns of recurrence (reoperation) were analysed by Kaplan-Meier plots and log rank tests according to disease phenotype (perforated, stenosed or ulcerated). Serial operations were analysed by agreement of phenotype and microscopic features of disease using kappa statistics and correlation coefficients. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in recurrence according to disease phenotype (median reoperation-free survival time 43.0, 50.2 and 47.9 months for perforated, stenosed and ulcerated types respectively; log rank chi(2) = 3.5, P = 0.18). There was poor agreement in phenotype between serial operations (kappa = 0.22 for first/second operation and kappa= 0.15 for second/third operation) and no significant correlation between pathological features was identified (r between -0.19 and 0.48). CONCLUSION: No evidence was found for the existence of separate disease phenotypes with differing natural histories or underlying pathological characteristics.

Topical adhesive as a wound dressing for elective abdominal surgery.

The choice of wound dressing after abdominal surgery is not always easy. We describe a simple technique using acyanoacrylate wound adhesive to provide a water resistant, flexible, sealed dressing which is simple to use, requires no nursing time to 'maintain' and is particularly useful in the presence of stomas or open drains.

Connective tissue changes in ileal Crohn's disease: relationship to disease phenotype and ulcer-associated cell lineage.

PURPOSE: Abnormalities of enteric collagen and smooth-muscle cell content have been documented in Crohn's disease. We studied the relationships among connective tissue changes, disease "type," and other disease features using immunohistochemistry and image analysis. METHODS: Twenty consecutive ileal resections for Crohn's disease and ten normal terminal ileal specimens were evaluated using conventional histopathologic examination. Monoclonal antibodies to smooth-muscle actin and Type III collagen fibers were used to determine the percentage area of the submucosa occupied by these constituents using image analysis. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in smooth-muscle content among stenosed, perforated, and ulcerated specimens. There was a significantly increased submucosal Type III collagen content in stenosed vs. other types. The only factor that correlated with smooth-muscle cell content was the amount of ulcer-associated cell lineage present. CONCLUSIONS: Increased deposition of Type III collagen fibers rather than smooth-muscle proliferation is associated with a stenotic phenotype. Loss of Type III collagen fibers may play a role in the development of perforating complications. We have found no evidence that smooth-muscle cells are the source of Type III collagen fiber production although there is evidence that ulcer-associated cell lineage may be related to the stimulus leading to submucosal neomuscularization.

The relationship between inflammatory and serosal connective tissue changes in ileal Crohn's disease: evidence for a possible causative link.

The relationship between the gross connective tissue and inflammatory changes in ileal Crohn's disease remains unclear. This study investigated 20 patients undergoing ileal resection for Crohn's disease and 20 normal controls. The specimens were blocked in 1 cm serial sections and fully examined, including fresh morphometry and documentation of a range of pathological features. Pathological features of disease showed uniform distributions within affected segments, although specimens showed different patterns and severity of affliction. Serosal fat wrapping (FW) was present in all cases and was significantly greater than normals [mean 63.5% (SD 27. 8) vs. 21.0% (6.4), p<0.001], as was mesenteric thickening (MTh) [mean 18.0 mm (SD 11.1) vs. 5.9 mm (2.2), p<0.001]. The extent of FW correlated significantly with the degree of acute and chronic inflammation (r()=0.32 and 0.23 respectively, p<0.01), particularly the extent of transmural inflammation in the form of lymphoid aggregates (r()=0.35, p<0.01). MTh did not correlate with any features studied. These findings support the hypothesis that serosal connective tissue changes in Crohn's disease are related to the local effects of underlying chronic inflammatory infiltrates. Full thickness, radial samples from a grossly affected area are representative of the histopathological features present in a diseased segment as a whole.