EUS-BD for calibration of benign stenosis of the bile duct in patients with altered anatomy or inaccessible papilla.

Background and study aims In cases of inaccessible papilla, EUS-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) has been described as an alternative to calibrate benign biliary stenosis. However, few studies are available. Patients and methods This tw-center, retrospective study was designed to evaluate technical success and clinical success at 1 year. All patients who underswent EUS-BD without the rendezvous technique used for calibration of benign biliary stenosis were included from 2016 to 2022. Patients underwent EUS-hepaticogastrostomy (EUS-HGS) during the first session. Then, HGS was used to access the bile duct, allowing calibration of the stenosis: Dilation of the biliary stenosis and placement of double pigtail stents through the stenosis for 1 year. Results Thirty-six patients were included. Technical success was 89% (32/36), with four failures to cross the stenosis but EUS-HGS was performed in 100% of the cases. Nine patients were excluded during calibration because of oncological relapse in six and complex stenosis in three. Three patients had not yet reached 1 year of follow-up. Twenty patients had a calibration for at least 1 year. Clinical success after stent placement was considered in all cases after 1 year of follow-up. Thirteen patients underwent stent removal and no relapse occurred after 435 days of follow-up (SD=568). Global morbidity was 41.7% (15/36) with only one serious complication (needing intensive care), including seven cases of cholangitis due to intrabiliary duct obstruction and five stent migrations. No deaths were reported. Conclusions EUS-BD for calibration in case of benign biliary stenosis is an option. Dedicated materials are needed to decrease morbidity.

Endoscopic papillectomy for ampullary lesions of minor papilla.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Ampullary lesions (ALs) of the minor duodenal papilla are extremely rare. Endoscopic papillectomy (EP) is a routinely used treatment for AL of the major duodenal papilla, but the role of EP for minor AL has not been accurately studied. METHODS: We identified 20 patients with ALs of minor duodenal papilla in the multicentric database from the Endoscopic Papillectomy vs Surgical Ampullectomy vs Pancreatitcoduodenectomy for Ampullary Neoplasm study, which included 1422 EPs. We used propensity score matching (nearest-neighbor method) to match these cases with ALs of the major duodenal papilla based on age, sex, histologic subtype, and size of the lesion in a 1:2 ratio. Cohorts were compared by means of chi-square or Fisher exact test as well as Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Propensity score-based matching identified a cohort of 60 (minor papilla 20, major papilla 40) patients with similar baseline characteristics. The most common histologic subtype of lesions of minor papilla was an ampullary adenoma in 12 patients (3 low-grade dysplasia and 9 high-grade dysplasia). Five patients revealed nonneoplastic lesions. Invasive cancer (T1a), adenomyoma, and neuroendocrine neoplasia were each found in 1 case. The rate of complete resection, en-bloc resection, and recurrences were similar between the groups. There were no severe adverse events after EP of lesions of minor papilla. One patient had delayed bleeding that could be treated by endoscopic hemostasis, and 2 patients showed a recurrence in surveillance endoscopy after a median follow-up of 21 months (interquartile range, 12-50 months). CONCLUSIONS: EP is safe and effective in ALs of the minor duodenal papilla. Such lesions could be managed according to guidelines for EP of major duodenal papilla.

Impact of surgery after endoscopically resected high-risk T1 colorectal cancer: results of an emulated target trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: We aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of patients with high-risk T1 colorectal cancer (CRC) resected endoscopically who received either additional surgery or surveillance. METHODS: We used data from routine care to emulate a target trial aimed at comparing 2 strategies after endoscopic resection of high-risk T1 CRC: surgery with lymph node dissection (treatment group) versus surveillance alone (control group). All patients from 14 tertiary centers who underwent an endoscopic resection for high-risk T1 CRC between March 2012 and August 2019 were included. The primary outcome was a composite outcome of cancer recurrence or death at 48 months. RESULTS: Of 197 patients included in the analysis, 107 were categorized in the treatment group and 90 were categorized in the control group. From baseline to 48 months, 4 of 107 patients (3.7%) died in the treatment group and 6 of 90 patients (6.7%) died in the control group. Four of 107 patients (3.7%) in the treatment group experienced a cancer recurrence and 4 of 90 patients (4.4%) in the control group experienced a cancer recurrence. After balancing the baseline covariates by inverse probability of treatment weighting, we found no significant difference in the rate of death and cancer recurrence between patients in the 2 groups (weighted hazard ratio, .95; 95% confidence interval, .52-1.75). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that patients with high-risk T1 CRC initially treated with endoscopic resection may not benefit from additional surgery.

Outcome of nonfunctioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors after initial surveillance or surgical resection: a single-center observational study.

Background: Current guidelines consider observation a reasonable strategy for G1 or G2 nonfunctional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (nf pNETs) ≤2 cm. We aimed to characterize their natural behavior and confront the data with the outcomes of patients undergoing upfront surgery. Methods: Data from patients with histologically confirmed nf pNETs ≤2 cm, managed at a single tertiary referral center between 2002 and 2020, were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Thirty-nine patients (mean age 62.1 years, 56% male) with 43 lesions (mean size 12.7±3.9 mm; 32 grade 1 [G1] and 7 grade 2 lesions [G2]) were managed by careful surveillance. Progression was observed in 15 lesions (35%; mean follow up 47 months). Six patients (18%) underwent secondary surgery because of an increase in tumor size or dilation of the main pancreatic duct; 3 of them had lymph node metastasis in the resected specimen. Surgery was followed by pancreatic fistula in 2/6 patients, 1 of whom died. Fourteen patients (mean age 59 years, 64.3% female, mean size of lesions 11.4±3.1 mm) underwent pancreatic surgery immediately after diagnosis. The surgery-associated complication rate was 57.1% (8/14). Of the 14 patients, 13 remained recurrence free (mean follow up 67 months). Recurrent metastatic disease was observed 3 years after pancreaticoduodenectomy (R0, 15 mm G2 lesion, 0 N+/8 N) in 1 patient. Conclusions: The behavior of small nf pNETs is difficult to predict, as there is evidence for malignant behavior in a subgroup of patients, even after surgical treatment. Optimal management remains challenging, as pancreatic surgery is associated with significant morbidity.

The level of glucose in pancreatic cyst fluid is more accurate than carcinoembryonic antigen to identify mucinous tumors: A French multicenter study.

Background and Objectives: Pancreatic cyst fluid level of glucose is a promising marker to identify mucinous from nonmucinous tumors, but the glucose assay has not yet been recommended. The objective of this study is to compare the diagnostic performances of pancreatic cyst fluid level of glucose and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Methods: In this French multicenter study, data of consecutive patients who underwent fine-needle aspiration of pancreatic cyst with intracyst glucose assay between 2018 and 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of glucose and corresponding sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), accuracy (Acc), positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated and compared with those of CEA. The best threshold of glucose was identified using the Youden index. Results: Of the 121 patients identified, 81 had a definitive diagnosis (46 mucinous, 35 nonmucinous tumors) and were included for analysis. An intracystic glucose level <41.8 mg/dL allowed identification of mucinous tumors with better diagnostic performances (AUROC, 93.6%; 95% confidence interval, 87.2%-100%; Se, 95.3%; Sp, 91.2%; Acc, 93.5%; PPV, 93.2%; NPV, 93.9%) compared with CEA level >192 ng/mL (AUROC, 81.2%; 95% confidence interval, 71.3%-91.1%; Se, 41.7%; Sp, 96.9%; Acc, 67.6%; PPV, 93.8%; NPV, 59.6%) (P = 0.035). Combining values of glucose and CEA did not offer additional benefit in terms of diagnosis. Conclusion: Our results confirm previously published data and support the use of pancreatic cyst fluid glucose for the identification of mucinous tumors when the definitive diagnosis remains uncertain.

Piecemeal Resection for Large Colorectal Adenomas Remains Essential in 2022: A Single-Center Experience in a Tertiary French Center.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Colorectal lesions measuring greater than 20 mm are unsuitable for en bloc endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR): piecemeal EMR (PM-EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) are needed. The European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) recommends ESD only for microinfiltrative lesions, although Japanese teams perform en bloc ESD for all lesions. We report the outcomes obtained in our endoscopy unit for these lesions and assess the hybrid "knife-assisted piecemeal EMR" (KAPM-EMR) technique. The main aim was to assess the short-term outcomes (C1). The secondary objectives were to evaluate the long-term results (C2), adverse event rate and management of recurrence. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from patients treated by PM-EMR, KAPM-EMR and ESD for a colorectal lesion measuring greater than 20 millimeters using prospective inclusion over four years. RESULTS: Data from 167 patients (median age: 70) with a median follow-up of 15.1 months were analyzed after excluding 95 patients. A total of 131 lesions were removed by PM-EMR, 24 by KAPM-EMR and 12 by ESD; 146/167 (87.4%) patients were considered in remission at C1. Recurrence was treated by endoscopy in 20/21 patients (95%); 86/89 (96.6%) were in remission at C2. A total of 16/167 patients developed adverse events, all of whom except one were endoscopically managed. KAPM-EMR was associated with a higher perforation risk (p=0.037). No differences in postoperative bleeding were found among the three groups (p=0.576). CONCLUSIONS: Piecemeal resection remains an effective and safe technique for large colorectal adenomas. KAPM-EMR may be useful but should be applied with caution due to the risk of perforation.

EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy in patients with obstructive jaundice after failed or impossible endoscopic retrograde drainage: A multicenter, randomized phase II Study.

Background and Objectives: Over the last two decades, EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy (EUS-HGS) has emerged as a therapeutic alternative for patients with biliary obstruction and failed ERCP. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) as the gold standard is associated with relevant morbidity and need for re-intervention. The aim of our work was to evaluate in a phase II study the safety and efficacy profile of EUS-HGS. A PTBD arm was considered a control group. Patients and Methods: We conducted a prospective, randomized, noncomparative phase II study in three French tertiary centers involving patients with benign or malignant obstructive jaundice after failure of ERCP. Patients were randomized to either PTBD or EUS-HGS. Results: Fifty-six patients (mean age 64 years) have been included between 2011 and 2015. Twenty-one underwent PTBD and thirty-five were drained using EUS-HGS. An interim analysis after the inclusion of 41 patients revealed an unexpected high 30-day morbidity rate for PTBD (13 out of 21 patients), justifying to stop randomization and inclusion in this control arm in 2013. The primary objective was reached with 10 out of the 35 EUS-HGS patients (28.6%) having observed complications (90%-level bilateral exact binomial confidence interval [CI] [16.4%-43.6%], left-sided exact binomial test to the objectified 50% unacceptable rate P = 0.0083). Both methods achieved comparable technical success rate (TSR) and clinical success rate (CSR) (TSR: PTBD 100% vs. EUS-HGS 94.3%, P = 0.28; CSR: PTBD 66.7% vs. EUS-HGS 80%, P = 0.35). Long-term follow-up showed EUS-HGS patients being at lower risk for re-intervention (relative risk = 0.47, 95% CI [0.27-0.83]). Conclusion: In cases of ERCP failure, EUS-HGS is a valuable alternative for biliary drainage with a high TSR and CSR. PTBD is associated with an unacceptable 30-day morbidity rate, whereas EUS-HGS seems to have a decent safety profile, suggesting that it may be the treatment of choice in appropriately selected patients.

Impact of fiducial markers placement on the delineation of target volumes in radiation therapy for oesophageal cancer: FIDUCOR study.

Purpose: This prospective monocentric phase II study (FIDUCOR-study, NCT02526134) aimed to assess the impact of fiducial markers (FMs) implantation on conformal chemo-radiation therapy (CRT) planning in oesophageal carcinoma (EC) patients. Methods/materials: Fifteen EC patients were enrolled in the study. Each patient underwent two simulation CT-scans before (CT1) and after (CT2) FMs implantation, in the same position. FMs (3 mm length gold markers, preloaded in a 22G needle) were implanted after sedation, under endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and X-Ray guidance, and were placed at the tumor's extremities, and in the visible lymph nodes. Target delineation and treatment plan were both performed first on CT1 with the assistance of diagnosis CT, gastroscopy and EUS details, and second on CT2 using FMs and CT-data. The value of FMs implantation was assessed by the difference of growth-tumor-volume (GTV) and clinical-target-volume (CTV) between CT1-based and CT2-based delineation. A significant difference was defined as a ≥5 mm-difference on axial(x) or coronal(y) slices, a ≥10mm-difference on sagittal slices, or a ≥20%-difference in GTV. The impact on dose distribution in organs at risk (OAR) (lung, heart, liver) was also studied. Results: Between 09/2014 and 12/2015, 15 patients could achieve fiducial procedures, without any complication. One FM migration occurred. We observed a significant modification of the GTV-dimension in 100% of the cases (15/15, 95%CI: [78.2;100.0]), mainly due to a difference in sagittal dimension with a mean variation of 11.2 mm and a difference> 10 mm for 8/15 patients (53.3%). One patient had a significant isocenter displacement as high as 20 mm. The oesophagus tumor was not seen on the CT-scan in one patient due to its small size. One patient had a distant lymph node metastasis not visible on CT-scan. We observed no significant impact on OAR distribution. Conclusion: In our study, FMs-implantation under EUS had a positive impact on accurate volume definition in EC-patients (modification of GTV in 15/15 patients). Close cooperation between gastroenterologist and radiation oncologist has the potential to improve local treatment of oesophageal carcinoma.

Case-Matched Comparison of Functional and Quality of Life Outcomes of Local Excision and Total Mesorectal Excision Following Chemoradiotherapy for Rectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by radical surgery is the standard curative treatment for mid- to low-rectal cancer. However, the combination of these treatments may affect patients' GI and genitourinary functions and their quality of life. In the cases of good clinical response to neoadjuvant treatment, local excision is a rectal sparing strategy that would limit these side effects. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to compare the effects of local excision or conventional laparoscopic total mesorectal excision after chemoradiotherapy in patients with rectal cancer. DESIGN: The design is a retrospective study. SETTING: The setting used is a single tertiary center. PATIENTS: Patients with mid- to low-rectal cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy and accessible via conservative surgery at our hospital between January 2010 and December 2018 were included. Patients undergoing local excision were matched 1 to 1 with the patients undergoing total mesorectal excision by age, sex, body mass index, tumor height, and year of surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Quality of life and digestive and genitourinary functions were measured using validated questionnaires. The socioeconomic impact was also assessed. RESULTS: Forty-four patients undergoing local excision agreed to participate and were matched with 44 patients undergoing total mesorectal excision. Patients who underwent local excision reported a more favorable global health status ( p < 0.01), emotional function ( p = 0.035), social function ( p = 0.04), and body image ( p = 0.04). The low anterior resection syndrome score (rate of major syndrome, 23.8% vs 54.5%; p < 0.01) and the specific fecal incontinence subscale score ( p < 0.01) were more favorable in the local excision group. Sexual and urinary outcomes were comparable between the 2 groups. Local excision had a lower impact on the professional status (35.7% vs 76.5%; p = 0.03). LIMITATIONS: The study limitations include its retrospective design and small sample size. CONCLUSIONS: When indicated, local excision improves the bowel function and quality of life of patients undergoing surgery for rectal cancer after chemoradiotherapy compared with total mesorectal excision. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B997 . COMPARACIN DE CASOS EMPAREJADOS DE LOS RESULTADOS FUNCIONALES Y DE CALIDAD DE VIDA DE LA ESCISIN LOCAL Y LA ESCISIN TOTAL DE MESORECTO DESPUS DE QUIMIORRADIOTERAPIA EN CNCER DE RECTO: ANTECEDENTES:La quimiorradioterapia neoadyuvante seguida de cirugía radical es el tratamiento curativo estándar para el cáncer de recto medio-bajo. Sin embargo, la combinación de estos tratamientos puede afectar las funciones gastrointestinales y genitourinarias de los pacientes y su calidad de vida. En casos de buena respuesta clínica al tratamiento neoadyuvante, la escisión local es una estrategia conservadora del recto que limitaría estos efectos secundarios.OBJETIVO:Este estudio comparó los efectos de la escisión local o escisión total de mesorecto laparoscópica convencional después de quimiorradioterapia en pacientes con cáncer de recto.DISEÑO:Estudio retrospectivo.ENTORNO CLINICO:Centro terciario único.PACIENTES:Se incluyeron pacientes con cáncer de recto medio-bajo tratados con quimiorradioterapia y accesibles mediante cirugía conservadora en nuestro hospital entre enero del 2010 y diciembre del 2018. Los pacientes sometidos a escisión local se emparejaron uno a uno con los sometidos a escisión total de mesorecto por edad, sexo, índice de masa corporal, altura del tumor y año de cirugía.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO:La calidad de vida, las funciones digestivas y genitourinarias se midieron mediante cuestionarios validados. También se evaluó el impacto socioeconómico.RESULTADOS:Cuarenta y cuatro pacientes sometidos a escisión local aceptaron participar y fueron emparejados con 44 pacientes sometidos a escisión mesorrectal total. Los pacientes que se sometieron a escisión local informaron un estado de salud global más favorable ( p <0,01), función emocional ( p = 0,035), función social ( p = 0,04) e imagen corporal ( p = 0,04). La puntuación baja del síndrome de resección anterior (tasa de síndrome mayor: 23,8 % frente a 54,5 %; p <0,01) y la puntuación de la subescala de incontinencia fecal específica ( p <0,01) fueron más favorables en el grupo de escisión local. Los resultados sexuales y urinarios fueron comparables entre los dos grupos. La escisión local tuvo un menor impacto en el estatus profesional (35,7% vs 76,5%; p = 0,03).LIMITACIONES:Diseño retrospectivo, tamaño de muestra pequeño.CONCLUSIONES:Cuando está indicada, la escisión local mejora la función intestinal y la calidad de vida de los pacientes sometidos a cirugía por cáncer de recto después de quimiorradioterapia en comparación con escisión total de mesorecto. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B997 . (Traducción-Dr. Francisco M. Abarca-Rendon ).

EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy in the management of malignant biliary obstruction: Experience and learning curve in a tertiary referral center.

BACKGROUND: EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy (EUS-HGS) is a recognized second-line strategy for biliary drainage when endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography fails or is impossible. Substantial technical and procedural progress in performing EUS-HGS has been achieved. The present study wanted to analyze whether growing experience in current practice has changed patient outcomes over time. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from patients with malignant biliary obstruction treated by EUS-HGS between 2002 and 2018 at a tertiary referral center. RESULTS: A total of 205 patients were included (104 male; mean age 68 years). Clinical success was achieved in 93% of patients with available 30-days follow-up (153), and the rate of procedure-related morbidity and mortality after one month was 18% and 5%, respectively. The cumulative sum (CUSUM) learning curve suggests a slight improvement in the rate of early complications during the second learning phase (23% vs 32%; P = 0.14; including death for any cause and intensive care). However, a significant threshold of early complications could not be determined. Recurrent biliary stent occlusion is the main cause for endoscopic reintervention (47/130; 37%). CONCLUSION: The rate of procedure-related complications after EUS-HGS has improved over time. However, the overall morbidity rate remains high, emphasizing the importance of dedicated expertise, appropriate patient selection and multidisciplinary discussion.

Correction: Efficiency of an endoscopic resection strategy in the management of submucosal tumors less than 20 mm in size and located in the upper gastrointestina.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1055/a-1783-8675.].

Transhiatal esophagectomy as a treatment for locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction: postoperative and oncologic results of a single-center cohort THE for locally advanced GEJC.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To report the postoperative and oncological outcomes of transhiatal esophagectomy for locally advanced cancer of the gastroesophageal junction. METHODS: Medical records of 120 consecutive patients who underwent transhiatal esophagectomy for locally advanced cancer of the gastroesophageal junction with curative intent after neoadjuvant treatment between February 2006 and December 2018 at our center were reviewed. RESULTS: All patients received either chemotherapy (46.7%) or chemoradiation (53.3%). The 90-day mortality and overall morbidity rates were 0.8% and 56.7%, respectively. Respiratory complications were the most common (30.8%). Anastomotic leakage occurred in 19 patients (15.8%), who were treated by local wound care (n = 13) or surgical drainage (n = 6). Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury occurred in 12 patients (9.9%). The median length of hospital stay was 15.5 days. The rate of R0 resection was 95.8%, and the median number of nodes removed was 17.5. Over a median follow-up of 77 months, the rate of recurrence was 40.8%, and the overall survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 91%, 75%, and 65%, respectively. The median survival time was not reached. In multivariate analysis, disease stage was the only independent significant prognostic factor. CONCLUSIONS: Transhiatal esophagectomy is a safe and effective procedure with good long-term oncological outcomes for locally advanced tumors after neo-adjuvant treatment. It can be recommended for all patients with cancer of the gastroesophageal junction, regardless of the Siewert classification, tumor stage, and comorbidities.

Benefit of radiofrequency ablation after widespread endoscopic resection of neoplastic Barrett's esophagus in daily practice.

BACKGROUND: High-grade dysplasia (HGD) and intramucosal carcinoma (IMC) in Barrett's esophagus (BE) are now well-established indications for endoscopic resection (ER). Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) can be combined with ER in case of flat or long-segment BE ablation. We report here our experience of complementary RFA after widespread ER of neoplastic BE in daily practice. METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed data of 89 patients, treated between 2006 and 2013 by ER alone (group 1) or by ER combined with RFA (group 2). RESULTS: Fifty-five patients in group 1 (7F/48M, mean age 68 years) underwent widespread ER with eradication of residual non-dysplastic BE. Complete eradication of HGD/IMC and intestinal metaplasia (IM) was achieved in 32/32 (100%) and 48/55 (87.3%) patients, respectively. Thirty-four patients in group 2 (3F/31M, mean age 67 years) had a multimodal treatment strategy, with widespread ER followed by RFA. Mean Prague classification of BE in this group was significantly longer (C4.4M6.6 vs. C2.7M4.5, P<0.001). Complete eradication of HGD/IMC and non-dysplastic BE was confirmed in 26/27 (96.3%) and 20/34 (58.8%) patients, respectively. There was no significant difference between groups concerning adverse events (16.4% vs. 23.5%, P=0.58) or recurrence rate of HGD/IMC (9.1% vs. 14.7%, P=0.42). The mismatch rate between preoperative and final histological diagnosis was high in both groups, at 45.5% and 26.5%. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of ER and RFA can treat significantly longer neoplastic BE than ER alone, with the same efficiency and safety. Widespread ER, in contrast, is the only method of obtaining a reliable histological diagnosis.

EUS-guided drainage of the pancreatic duct for the treatment of postoperative stenosis of pancreatico-digestive anastomosis or pancreatic duct stenosis complicating chronic pancreatitis: Experience at a tertiary care center.

Background and Objectives: For the treatment of pancreatic duct stenosis due to chronic pancreatitis (CP) or postoperative (PO) stenosis, endoscopic procedures are usually the first choice. In cases of failure of the recommended treatment by ERCP, anastomosis between the Wirsung duct and the stomach or duodenum can be performed under EUS guidance. The objective of this retrospective study was to compare the outcomes of pancreatico-gastric or pancreaticoduodenal anastomosis under EUS for PO stenosis versus CP stenosis. Subjects and Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center, consecutive case study of patients who underwent EUS-guided Wirsungo-gastric/bulbar anastomosis. Results: Forty-three patients were included. Twenty-one patients underwent treatment for PO stenosis, and 22 patients underwent treatment for CP stenosis. The technical success rate was 95.3% (41/43), with 100% in cases of PO stenosis and 90.9% in cases of CP stenosis. The clinical success rate was 72.5% (29/40): 75% (15/20) in cases of PO stenosis and 70% (14/20) in cases of CP stenosis. The overall morbidity rate was 34.9% (15/43). The main complication was postprocedural pain, occurring in 20.9% (9/443) of patients. The rate of stent migration or obstruction was 27.9% (12/43). There was no difference in patient outcomes or morbidity according to the etiology of the stenosis. The median follow-up duration in this study was 14 months. Conclusions: EUS-guided Wirsungo-gastric/duodenal anastomosis is a feasible, minimally invasive, safe, and relatively effective procedure. The rates of technical success, clinical success, and complications were not different between patients with PO and CP stenosis. However, the follow-up period was too short to assess recurrent symptoms in these patients.

EUS-guided radiofrequency ablation for pancreatic insulinoma: experience in 2 tertiary centers.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Insulinoma is the most frequent functional neuroendocrine tumor of the pancreas, and preserving surgery is the treatment of choice. EUS-guided radiofrequency ablation (EUS-RFA) is a novel and promising technique that induces tissue necrosis of localized lesions. This article presents a preliminary clinical experience in treating pancreatic insulinomas <2 cm by EUS-RFA, focusing on safety and efficacy. METHODS: The clinical course of patients with pancreatic insulinoma treated by EUS-RFA at 2 tertiary referral centers was analyzed. RESULTS: Between November 2017 and December 2020, 7 patients were included (6 women; mean age, 66 years). EUS-RFA was feasible in all patients with immediate hypoglycemia relief after only 1 single treatment session; 6 of 7 achieved complete response by cross-sectional imaging and remained asymptomatic (median follow-up, 21 months; range, 3-38). Three patients had minor adverse events. One elderly patient developed a large retrogastric collection 15 days after treatment and died 1 month after EUS-RFA. CONCLUSIONS: Management of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors <2 cm by EUS-RFA seems to be effective with an acceptable safety profile. However, further evidence focusing on long-term survival and recurrence is needed.

Management of non-functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors by endoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation: Retrospective study in two tertiary centers.

BACKGROUND: Recently, there has been growing interest in investigating endoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (EUS-RFA) for the management of small non-functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (nf pNETs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A bicentric retrospective study was performed that included patients with histologically confirmed nf pNETs who were consecutively treated by EUS-RFA between December 2015 and March 2021 at two tertiary referral centers. RESULTS: In 27 patients (mean age 65.0 years, 52% male), EUS-RFA was successfully performed. All patients had sporadic G1 lesions (mean size 14.0 ± 4.6 mm, 7% uncinated process, 22% head, 11% body, 19% body/tail junction, and 41% tail). Overall, 9/27 lesions (33%) were cystic. The mean hospital stay was 3.2 days. Complete treatment response was confirmed in 25/27 patients (93%) on cross-sectional imaging (mean follow-up 15.7 ± 12.2 months, range 2-41 months). Two patients had two EUS-RFA sessions until complete necrosis was observed. Periprocedural acute pancreatitis occurred in 4/27 (14.8%), three of them were treated by endoscopic cystogastrostomy (11.1%). One patient underwent secondary surgery. The histopathology of the resected specimen revealed 3 mm of residual tumor tissue. CONCLUSION: EUS-RFA seems to be a promising treatment strategy for the management of small nf pNETs with excellent efficacy. Further evidence focusing on long-term survival, safety profile and recurrence is needed.