Primary splenic angiosarcoma: a case series of a rare oncological entity and diagnostic challenge.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Primary angiosarcoma of the spleen (PAS), an exceptionally rare and aggressive neoplasm with high metastatic risk (70%-85%), is frequently diagnosed in an advanced or metastatic stage. It presents diagnostic challenges due to its nonspecific symptomatology and resemblance to benign vascular lesions in various imaging modalities. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This case series aims to clarify the diagnostic difficulties by comparing imaging characteristics (CT-scan, MRI, and [18F]FDG-PET/CT) as well as pathological findings of three PAS cases diagnosed in different stages of the diseases (localized, metastatic, and metastatic with organ failure). Furthermore, a brief review on diagnostic and therapeutic features is included. RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION: We suggest [18F]FDG-PET/CT as a differentiating tool between benign and malignant splenic lesions and propose a flowchart of a diagnostic algorithm for PAS. For treatment, we advocate for early splenectomy and when systemic therapy is warranted, paclitaxel emerges as a viable first-line option. While it is crucial to acknowledge that further trial data is required to evaluate the efficacy of emerging treatment regimens, designing and conducting trials for PAS is challenging given its scarcity and aggressive behavior. Therefore case reporting remains important.

Safety and efficacy of salvage endoscopic submucosal dissection for Barrett's neoplasia recurrence after radiofrequency ablation.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of salvage endoscopic submucosal dissection for Barrett's neoplasia recurrence after radiofrequency ablation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data from patients at sixteen centers were collected for a multicentric retrospective study. Patients who underwent at least one RFA treatment for Barrett's esophagus and thereafter underwent further esophageal ESD for neoplasia recurrence were included. RESULTS: Data from 56 patients treated by salvage ESD performed between April 2014 and November 2022 were collected. Immediate complications included one muscular tear (1.8%) treated with stent (Agree classification: grade IIIa), two patients had transmural perforations (4%) and five patients had muscular tears (9%) treated with clips and without clinical impact and not considered as adverse event. Seven patients (12.5%) developed strictures, treated by balloon dilation (grade IIIa). Histological analysis showed 36 adenocarcinomas, 17 high-grade dysplasia, and 3 low-grade dysplasia. En-bloc and R0 resection rates were 89% and 66%, respectively. Resections were curative in thirty-three patients (59%), non-curative in 22 patients (39%), including 11 "local risk" (19.5%) and 11 "high risk" resections (19.5%). At the end of follow-up with a median time of 14 [0-75] months after salvage ESD eventually associated with further endoscopic treatment (RFA, argon plasma coagulation, endoscopic mucosal resection, ESD), neoplasia remission ratio was 37/53 (70%) and the median remission time was 13 [1-75] months. CONCLUSION: In expert hands, salvage ESD is a safe and effective treatment for recurrence of Barrett's neoplasia after RFA treatment.

Management of high risk T1 esophageal adenocarcinoma following endoscopic resection.

High-risk T1 esophageal adenocarcinoma (HR-T1 EAC) is defined as T1 cancer, with one or more of the following histological criteria: submucosal invasion, poorly or undifferentiated cancer, and/or presence of lympho-vascular invasion. Esophagectomy has long been the only available treatment for these HR-T1 EACs and was considered necessary because of a presumed high risk of lymph node metastases up to 46%. However, endoscopic submucosal disscection have made it possible to radically remove HR-T1 EAC, irrespective of size, while leaving the esophageal anatomy intact. Parallel to this development, new publications demonstrated that the risk of lymph node metastases for HR-T1 EAC may be even <24%. Therefore, indications for endoscopic treatment of HR-T1 EAC are being reconsidered and current research aims at finding the optimal management strategy for this indication, where watchful waiting may proof to be an acceptable strategy in selected patients. In this review, we will discuss the latest developments in this field.

Prevalence and clinical significance of the muscle retracting sign during endoscopic submucosal dissection of large macronodular colorectal lesions (with videos).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The muscle retracting sign (MRS) can be present during endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of macronodular colorectal lesions. The prevalence of MRS and its pathologic and clinical implications is unclear. This study evaluated the effect of MRS on the technical and clinical outcomes of ESD. METHODS: All patients referred for ESD of protruding lesions or granular mixed lesions with >10 mm macronodule granular mixed laterally spreading tumors (LST-GMs) in 2 academic centers from January 2017 to October 2022 were prospectively included. Size of the macronodule was analyzed retrospectively. The primary outcome was the curative resection rate according to MRS status. Secondary outcomes were R0 resection, perforation, secondary surgery rate, and risk factors for MRS. RESULTS: Of 694 lesions, 84 (12%) had MRS (MRS+). The curative resection rate was decreased by MRS (MRS+ 41.6% vs lesions without MRS [MRS-] 81.3%), whereas the perforation (MRS+ 22.6% vs MRS- 9.2%), submucosal cancer (MRS+ 34.9% vs MRS- 9.2%), and surgery (MRS+ 45.2% vs MRS- 6%) rates were increased. The R0 resection rate of MRS+ colonic lesions was lower than that of rectal lesions (53% vs 74.3%). In multivariate analysis, protruding lesions (odds ratio, 2.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.27-4.80) and macronodules >4 cm (odds ratio, 4.24; 95% confidence interval, 2.23-8.05) were risk factors for MRS. CONCLUSIONS: MRS reduces oncologic outcomes and increases the perforation rate. Consequently, procedures in the colon should be stopped if MRS is detected, and those in the rectum should be continued due to the morbidity of alternative therapy.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection techniques and technology: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Technical Review.

ESGE suggests conventional endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD; marking and mucosal incision followed by circumferential incision and stepwise submucosal dissection) for most esophageal and gastric lesions. ESGE suggests tunneling ESD for esophageal lesions involving more than two-thirds of the esophageal circumference. ESGE recommends the pocket-creation method for colorectal ESD, at least if traction devices are not used. The use of dedicated ESD knives with size adequate to the location/thickness of the gastrointestinal wall is recommended. It is suggested that isotonic saline or viscous solutions can be used for submucosal injection. ESGE recommends traction methods in esophageal and colorectal ESD and in selected gastric lesions. After gastric ESD, coagulation of visible vessels is recommended, and post-procedural high dose proton pump inhibitor (PPI) (or vonoprazan). ESGE recommends against routine closure of the ESD defect, except in duodenal ESD. ESGE recommends corticosteroids after resection of  > 50 % of the esophageal circumference. The use of carbon dioxide when performing ESD is recommended. ESGE recommends against the performance of second-look endoscopy after ESD. ESGE recommends endoscopy/colonoscopy in the case of significant bleeding (hemodynamic instability, drop in hemoglobin > 2 g/dL, severe ongoing bleeding) to perform endoscopic hemostasis with thermal methods or clipping; hemostatic powders represent rescue therapies. ESGE recommends closure of immediate perforations with clips (through-the-scope or cap-mounted, depending on the size and shape of the perforation), as soon as possible but ideally after securing a good plane for further dissection.

Wide-area transepithelial sampling with computer-assisted analysis to detect high grade dysplasia and cancer in Barrett's esophagus: a multicenter randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Current surveillance for Barrett's esophagus (BE), consisting of four-quadrant random forceps biopsies (FBs), has an inherent risk of sampling error. Wide-area transepithelial sampling (WATS) may increase detection of high grade dysplasia (HGD) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). In this multicenter randomized trial, we aimed to evaluate WATS as a substitute for FB. METHODS: Patients with known BE and a recent history of dysplasia, without visible lesions, at 17 hospitals were randomized to receive either WATS followed by FB or vice versa. All WATS samples were examined, with computer assistance, by at least two experienced pathologists at the CDx Diagnostics laboratory. Similarly, all FBs were examined by two expert pathologists. The primary end point was concordance/discordance for detection of HGD/EAC between the two techniques. RESULTS: 172 patients were included, of whom 21 had HGD/EAC detected by both modalities, 18 had HGD/EAC detected by WATS but missed by FB, and 12 were detected by FB but missed by WATS. The detection rate of HGD/EAC did not differ between WATS and FB (P = 0.36). Using WATS as an adjunct to FB significantly increased the detection of HGD/EAC vs. FB alone (absolute increase 10 % [95 %CI 6 % to 16 %]). Mean procedural times in minutes for FB alone, WATS alone, and the combination were 6.6 (95 %CI 5.9 to 7.1), 4.9 (95 %CI 4.1 to 5.4), and 11.2 (95 %CI 10.5 to 14.0), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although the combination of WATS and FB increases dysplasia detection in a population of BE patients enriched for dysplasia, we did not find a statistically significant difference between WATS and FB for the detection of HGD/EAC as single modality.

Performance measures for the SACRED team-centered approach to advanced gastrointestinal endoscopy: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Quality Improvement Initiative.

The European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and United European Gastroenterology have defined performance measures for upper and lower gastrointestinal, pancreaticobiliary, and small-bowel endoscopy. Quality indicators to guide endoscopists in the growing field of advanced endoscopy are also underway. We propose that equal attention is given to developing the entire advanced endoscopy team and not the individual endoscopist alone.We suggest that the practice of teams intending to deliver high quality advanced endoscopy is underpinned by six crucial principles concerning: selection, acceptance, complications, reconnaissance, envelopment, and documentation (SACRED).

Optimizing Outcomes with Radiofrequency Ablation of Barrett's Esophagus: Candidates, Efficacy and Durability.

The treatment of early Barrett's esophagus (BE) has undergone a paradigm shift from surgical subtotal esophagectomy to organ-saving endoluminal treatment. Over the past 15 years, several high-quality studies were conducted to assess safe oncological outcome of endoscopic resection of mucosal adenocarcinoma and high-grade dysplasia. It became clear that add-on ablative therapy with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) significantly reduces recurrence risk of neoplasia after resection. In this review, we highlight the most essential elements to optimize outcomes of RFA of BE, addressing the correct indication and patient selection in combination with the most efficient and safest treatment protocols to obtain long-term durability.

Outcomes of esophagectomy after noncurative endoscopic resection of early esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines recommend performing esophagectomy after endoscopic resection for early esophageal cancer when the risk of lymph node metastasis or residual cancer is found to be significant and endoscopic treatment is therefore noncurative. Our aim was to assess the safety and oncological outcomes of esophagogastric resection in this specific clinical setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review from 2012 to 2018 was performed at four tertiary referral centers. All patients had a noncurative endoscopic resection of a clinical T1 esophageal cancer, followed by esophagectomy. Outcome measures were the rates of T0N0 specimens, overall survival, disease-free and cancer-specific survival, postoperative morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients (13 with squamous cell carcinoma and 17 with adenocarcinoma) were included. The reasons for noncurative endoscopic resection were: positive vertical margins (n = 12), squamous cell carcinoma with muscularis mucosae or submucosal layer invasion (n = 3 and 9), adenocarcinoma with deep submucosal invasion (n = 11), poorly differentiated tumor (n = 6) and lymphovascular invasion (n = 6). Overall, 63% of the esophagi were T0N0: most residual lesions were T1a metachronous lesions, and four (13%) patients had advanced pT status (n = 3) or lymph node metastases (n = 2). Overall survival, disease-free survival and cancer-specific survival were 83%, 75%, and 90% respectively. A total of 43% of patients had severe postoperative complications, and postoperative mortality was 7%. CONCLUSION: In this cohort, esophagectomy allowed the resection of residual advanced cancer or lymph node metastases in 13% of cases, at the cost of 43% severe morbidity and 7% mortality. Therefore, the possibility of close follow up needs to be balanced with a highly morbid surgical management in these patients.

On-site comparison of an enzymatic detergent and a non-enzymatic detergent-disinfectant for routine manual cleaning of flexible endoscopes.

Background and study aims Flexible endoscopes are potential vectors of pathogen transmission to patients that are subjected to cleaning and high-level disinfection after each procedure. Efficient manual cleaning is a prerequisite for effective high-level disinfection. The goal of this study was to demonstrate the impact of the cleaning chemistry in the outcome of the manual cleaning of endoscopes. Materials and methods Twelve endoscopes were included in this study: four colonoscopes, four gastroscopes, two duodenoscopes and two bronchoscopes. This study was designed with two phases; in each of them, the manual cleaning procedure remained identical, but a different detergent was used: a non-enzymatic detergent-disinfectant (NEDD) and an enzymatic detergent (ED). Biopsy and suction channels of endoscopes were sampled using 10 mL of physiological saline at two points: before and after manual cleaning, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) was measured on each sample. In total, 208 procedures were analyzed for the NEDD phase and 253 for the ED phase. Results For each endoscope type, cleaning endoscopes with ED resulted in larger median decrease in ATP than with NEDD: respectively 99.43 % and 95.95 % for bronchoscopes ( P  = 0.0007), 99.28 % and 96.93 % for colonoscopes ( P  < 0.0001) and 98.36 % and 95.36 % for gastroscopes ( P  < 0.0001). In addition, acceptability rates of endoscopes based on defined post-manual cleaning ATP thresholds (200, 150, 100 or 50 relative light units) for all endoscope types were significantly higher with ED compared to NEDD. Conclusions With all other parameters of manual cleaning remaining unchanged, the enzymatic chemistry of ED provided more consistent and improved cleaning of endoscopes compared to NEDD. Therefore, choice of the detergent for endoscope cleaning has an impact on the outcome of this process.

[Locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma with biliary compression: need for early drainage]. / Adénocarcinome obstructif localement avancé de la tête du pancréas : importance du drainage biliaire précoce.

The incidence of pancreatic cancer is increasing, but proportion of resectable cases and survival do not increase. Then, our care strategies have to be optimized. Chemotherapy is the principal treatment of locally advanced pancreatic cancer. When the tumour triggers biliary obstruction, chemotherapy-associated morbidity increases, and biliary drainage becomes crucial. Gold-standard is endoscopic retrograde cholangiography, which could be impossible when duodenum or papilla are involved by the tumour. Other options are percutaneous radiologic drainage, surgical double by-pass or EUS-guided drainage. When EUS-guided procedures are available, they are proposed today as the best options.

Devant l'augmentation d'incidence du cancer du pancréas, sans accroissement du pourcentage de formes résécables ni de la survie, nos stratégies de prise en charge doivent être optimisées à tous les niveaux. Le traitement du cancer localement avancé du pancréas repose sur la chimiothérapie. En cas d'ictère, les effets secondaires de la chimiothérapie risquent d'être majorés, un drainage biliaire doit être réalisé. La technique de référence est la cholangiographie rétrograde endoscopique, qui s'avère impossible en cas d'envahissement duodénal ou papillaire. Il faut alors se tourner vers le drainage radiologique percutané, la chirurgie de double dérivation et, plus récemment, le drainage échoguidé. Lorsque la technique échoguidée est disponible et maîtrisée, ses avantages la positionnent devant le drainage percutané et la chirurgie.

[Esophago-gastric complications after ablation in atrial fibrillation]. / Complications œsogastriques de la thermoablation dans le cadre de la fibrillation auriculaire.

Atrial-esophageal fistula (AOF) after ablation in atrial fibrillation has a fatal outcome. Fully documented in 2004, AOF has never completely disappeared despite technological evolvements. Survival depends on early recognition and treatment. Gastroscopy allows early detection of esophageal lesions. We summarize here AOF mechanisms, evoking symptoms and treatment ; contribution of gastroscopy in early detection ; and finally symptoms from vagal and phrenic nerve injuries. This information is useful for emergency doctors, gastroenterologists / endoscopists, and general practitioners.

La fistule atrio-œsophagienne (FAO) est une complication dramatique de la thermoablation des foyers ectopiques responsables de fibrillation auriculaire. Depuis sa description en 2004, la FAO n'a pas complètement disparu malgré les évolutions technologiques, comme en témoignent des publications récentes. Néanmoins, reconnue et traitée rapidement, son pronostic s'améliore considérablement. La gastroscopie permet la détection de lésions œsophagiennes (LO) dès les premières 24 heures. Nous résumons les mécanismes et symptômes de la FAO, ainsi que sa prise en charge, le rôle de la gastroscopie dans la détection précoce des LO, et les complications liées à l'atteinte des nerfs vague et phréniques. Ces informations peuvent être utiles aux urgentistes, aux gastroentérologues et aux généralistes.

Endoscopic findings in case of incidental colonic uptake in PET-CT how to improve PET-CT specificity?

Unexpected colonic 18FDG focal uptakes (UCFU) in PET CT occur in 1.3-3.3% of cases in retrospective study and are often associated with significant colorectal findings in endoscopy, especially neoplastic lesions. The purpose of our prospective study was to evaluate the significance of UCFU and to assess criteria improving PET CT specificity for advanced adenoma and neoplasia. This study was conducted in a single institution from April 2012 to September 2013. In the 2904 patients who benefit from PET CT, 52 had an UCFU and 43 were referred for colonoscopy. After endoscopy, 8 examinations showed no colonic abnormality (18.6%), 7 showed benign lesion (16.3%), 18 showed advanced adenoma (42.9%) and 10 showed carcinoma (23.3%). There were more false positives results in the proximal colon compared to distal colon. Eighteen patients had UCFU and tomodensitometric abnormalities in the same colonic area. This pathological combination was strongly associated to the diagnosis of malignancy. Comparing standardized uptake values (SUV), we showed statistically significant difference between the adenocarcinoma and advanced adenoma groups and a difference at the margin of statistical significance between adenocarcinoma and benign lesion groups. Any cut off value could be determined. In conclusion, we confirmed that UCFU are often associated to endoscopic findings and neoplastic lesions and justify systematic endoscopic exploration. Considering the fragility of oncologic patients, criteria improving PET CT specificity are needed to select endoscopies which should be performed quickly from those who could be delayed. We showed that associated tomodensitometric abnormality and high focal FDG activity are more predictive of a neoplastic lesion.

Systematic pancreatic stenting after endoscopic snare papillectomy may reduce the risk of postinterventional pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatitis is the most feared complication of endoscopic papillectomy (EP). Prevention by pancreatic duct stenting following EP has been advocated but not proven by a randomized trial. The purpose of the present retrospective review is to compare a period of systematic stenting with the period before in which stents were placed selectively. METHODS: A total of 107 patients undergoing EP from February 1999 to December 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. After an initial period with selective stenting (dilated duct, previous pancreatitis) between 1999 and 2002 (n = 24, group 1), stents were placed routinely after EP unless pancreas divisum was diagnosed (2002-2009; n = 83, group 2) to reduce postpapillectomy acute pancreatitis (PAP). PAP rates defined by Consensus Criteria were compared in the two periods. RESULTS: Five patients in group 1 were selected to receive a pancreatic stent (21%); in group 2 stenting was successful in 75 of 78 patients (success rate 96%) without pancreas divisum (n = 5). Overall, PAP occurred in 11% of patients. PAP rate was significantly reduced after introduction of systematic pancreatic stenting (5 vs 25%; p = 0.01) and occurred less often in stented than in nonstented patients: (5% (4/80) vs 27% (6/22), p = 0.0019). PAP also occurred in one of five patients with pancreas divisum. Selective stenting of patients also was an independent risk factor for PAP (OR 13, p = 0.001) in a multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Attempts at systematic stenting after EP pancreatic stenting appears to prevent PAP. Results should be corroborated by a randomized trial.