Needle-based confocal endomicroscopy for evaluation of malignant lymph nodes - a feasibility study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Current modalities for lymph node staging in cancer can be limited. We sought to evaluate the feasibility of needle-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (nCLE) at the time of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and to describe the nCLE features that distinguish between benign, malignant, and inflammatory lymph nodes. METHODS: We collected data on 28 consecutive patients during EUS staging of malignancy or assessment of enlarged lymph nodes. Patients underwent nCLE at the time of EUS followed by fine needle biopsy. nCLE images were correlated with the patients' final histopathology. RESULTS: All 28 patients successfully underwent nCLE during EUS without adverse events. There were 17 cases of carcinoma, 4 lymphoid malignancies, and 7 benign lymph nodes. We characterized the various nCLE features of the lymph node capsule and cortex. Features of carcinoma, such as clusters of dark pleomorphic tumor cells, were identified and found to correlate well with the final pathology. Lymphoid malignancies often had enlarged follicles, but this was inconsistent. CONCLUSIONS: nCLE of lymph nodes at the time of EUS is feasible and appears to be safe. Dark pleomorphic cells were readily identified in all of the malignant lymph nodes and correlated with tumor cells seen on histology.

Acute Liver Toxicity due to Efavirenz/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir.

The fixed-dose combination of Efavirenz/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir is a first-line agent for the treatment of HIV; however few cases have reported hepatotoxicity associated with the drug. We report a case of Efavirenz/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir-associated hepatotoxicity presenting mainly with hepatocellular injury characterized by extremely elevated aminotransferase levels, which resolved without acute liver failure or need for liver transplant referral.

Hemostatic powder spray: a new method for managing gastrointestinal bleeding.

Gastrointestinal bleeding is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. The management of gastrointestinal bleeding is often challenging, depending on its location and severity. To date, widely accepted hemostatic treatment options include injection of epinephrine and tissue adhesives such as cyanoacrylate, ablative therapy with contact modalities such as thermal coagulation with heater probe and bipolar hemostatic forceps, noncontact modalities such as photodynamic therapy and argon plasma coagulation, and mechanical hemostasis with band ligation, endoscopic hemoclips, and over-the-scope clips. These approaches, albeit effective in achieving hemostasis, are associated with a 5-10% rebleeding risk. New simple, effective, universal, and safe methods are needed to address some of the challenges posed by the current endoscopic hemostatic techniques. The use of a novel hemostatic powder spray appears to be effective and safe in controlling upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Although initial reports of hemostatic powder spray as an innovative approach to manage gastrointestinal bleeding are promising, further studies are needed to support and confirm its efficacy and safety. The aim of this study was to evaluate the technical feasibility, clinical efficacy, and safety of hemostatic powder spray (Hemospray, Cook Medical, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA) as a new method for managing gastrointestinal bleeding. In this review article, we performed an extensive literature search summarizing case reports and case series of Hemospray for the management of gastrointestinal bleeding. Indications, features, technique, deployment, success rate, complications, and limitations are discussed. The combined technical and clinical success rate of Hemospray was 88.5% (207/234) among the human subjects and 81.8% (9/11) among the porcine models studied. Rebleeding occurred within 72 hours post-treatment in 38 patients (38/234; 16.2%) and in three porcine models (3/11; 27.3%). No procedure-related adverse events were associated with the use of Hemospray. Hemospray appears to be a safe and effective approach in the management of gastrointestinal bleeding.

Acute liver function decompensation in a patient with sickle cell disease managed with exchange transfusion and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography.

Sickle cell intrahepatic cholestasis is a relatively uncommon complication of homozygous sickle cell anemia, which may lead to acute hepatic failure and death. Treatment is mainly supportive, but exchange transfusion is used as salvage therapy in life threatening situations. We describe a case of a 16-year-old female with homozygous sickle cell anemia who presented to the emergency room with fatigue, malaise, dark urine, lower back pain, scleral icterus and jaundice. She was found to have marked hyperbilirubinemia, which persisted after exchange transfusion. Because of the concomitant presence of gallstones and choledocholithiasis, the patient underwent endoscopic ultrasound and laparoscopic cholecystectomy followed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and sphincterotomy.

Endoscopic and imaging appearance after injection of an ano-rectal bulking agent.

The use of hyaluronic acid and dextranomer (Solesta, Salix) injection in the anal canal is an emerging modality in the treatment of fecal incontinence. However, little is known regarding the endoscopic and radiological appearance following injection of this ano-rectal bulking agent. We report computed tomography and endoscopic findings after hyaluronic acid/dextranomer injection in the ano-rectal area.

Dermatological complications after bariatric surgery: report of two cases and review of the literature.

Bariatric surgery aims at weight reduction of severely obese patients. The Roux-en-Y technique is one of the most common bariatric procedures and is occasionally accompanied by nutrient insufficiencies and metabolic changes. According to the literature, skin architecture and immunity change after bariatric surgery and may lead to inflammation and increased susceptibility to pathogens. Additionally, vitamin and mineral deficiencies frequently develop in these patients and affect the skin's defense mechanisms, possibly contributing to dermatological complications. Knowledge and recognition of skin changes after bariatric surgery make an important asset for the dermatologist and help in the proper treatment of these patients. We report 2 cases of infectious skin lesions where vitamin and trace element deficiencies have possibly contributed to their persistence and resistance to traditional treatments.

Acute fatty liver of pregnancy.

Acute fatty liver of pregnancy is a rare but serious and potentially fatal complication of pregnancy. It typically presents in the third trimester with microvesicular fatty infiltration of the liver and can lead to multiorgan failure and death. Differentiation from hemolysis-elevated liver enzymes-low platelets syndrome can guide management. A high index of suspicion is necessary in the appropriate clinical setting to identify clinical manifestations and complications and manage them appropriately. In severe cases, prompt delivery can be lifesaving for the mother and fetus. Liver transplantation remains controversial and must be considered individually. Defects in fatty acid oxidation secondary to various enzymatic deficiencies have been associated with acute fatty liver of pregnancy. Women or couples with known defects in fatty acid oxidation and women with a history of previous liver disease during pregnancy or sudden death of a child within the first 2 years of life should be assessed for a defect in fatty acid oxidation and monitored carefully. Our review summarizes the current knowledge in pathophysiology, diagnostic approach and management of this disorder.

Over the scope clip: technique and expanding clinical applications.

BACKGROUND: Advances in endoscopic and surgical techniques have increased the frequency and complexity of these procedures, and thus, the incidence of associated complications. AIMS: To describe the use and clinical applications of the Over the Scope Clip (OTSC) system. METHODS: An English language literature search was conducted using the key words "endoscopy" and "over the scope clip" in order to identify human studies evaluating the application of OTSC from January 2001 to August 2012. The indication, efficacy, complications, and limitations were recorded. RESULTS: Overall success rates of OTSC based on current literature range are in the range of 75% to 100% for closure of iatrogenic gastrointestinal perforations, 38% to 100% for closure of gastrointestinal fistulas, 50% to 100% for anastomotic leaks, and 71% to 100% for bleeding lesions. OTSCs have shown 100% success rates in managing postbariatric surgery weight gain secondary to dilation of the gastrojejunal pouch. CONCLUSION: OTSC is easy to use with good results, thus decreasing the morbidity and mortality associated with the complications secondary to both diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy and avoiding surgery in many situations.

A case of a ruptured sclerosing liver hemangioma.

Hemangiomas are the most common benign tumors found in the liver, typically asymptomatic, solitary, and incidentally discovered. Although vascular in nature, they rarely bleed. We report a case of a 52-year-old woman with a previously stable hemangioma who presented to our hospital with signs and symptoms indicative of spontaneous rupture. We review the literature, focusing on diagnosis and management of liver hemangiomas.

Combined liver and kidney transplantation.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Since the implementation of the model for end-stage liver disease scoring system for organ allocation in orthotopic liver transplantation in 2002, the number of combined liver and kidney transplantations (CLKTs) that have been performed in the USA has increased significantly. To standardize the evaluation and selection of CLKT candidates, consensus conferences were held in March 2006 and September 2007. In this article, we review the studies on CLKT, especially concentrating on studies published in 2008 and 2009, to assess the impact of the model for end-stage liver disease system and two consensus conferences. RECENT FINDINGS: The hepatorenal syndrome, usually a reversible cause of renal failure, has to be differentiated from other causes of chronic kidney disease that are potentially nonreversible and mandate CLKT. Despite published guidelines, it still remains difficult to clearly delineate appropriate candidates for CLKT, especially when the cause of renal disease remains controversial. Performing renal biopsies might help in decision-making. Chronic kidney disease patients with glomerular filtration rate less than 30 ml/min, hepatorenal syndrome patients with requirement of renal replacement therapy more than 8-12 weeks, and patients with renal biopsy findings of more than 30% fibrosis and glomerulosclerosis would get benefit receiving CLKT. SUMMARY: In this era of organ shortage, with tens of thousands of patients listed for kidney transplantation, it is paramount that the organs should be scrupulously allocated to those in real need. However, patients with advanced renal disease should not receive orthotopic liver transplantation alone, which significantly decreases their survival.