Role of endoscopic ultrasound in the characterization of solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas.

BACKGROUND: Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) is an uncommon pathology of the pancreas with unpredictable malignant potential. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) assessment plays a vital role in lesion characterization and confirmation of the tissue diagnosis. However, there is a paucity of data regarding the imaging assessment of these lesions. AIM: To determine the characteristic EUS features of SPN and define its role in preoperative assessment. METHODS: This was an international, multicenter, retrospective, observational study of prospective cohorts from 7 large hepatopancreaticobiliary centers. All cases with postoperative histology of SPN were included in the study. Data collected included clinical, biochemical, histological and EUS characteristics. RESULTS: One hundred and six patients with the diagnosis of SPN were included. The mean age was 26 years (range 9 to 70 years), with female predominance (89.6%). The most frequent clinical presentation was abdominal pain (80/106; 75.5%). The mean diameter of the lesion was 53.7 mm (range 15 to 130 mm), with the slight predominant location in the head of the pancreas (44/106; 41.5%). The majority of lesions presented with solid imaging features (59/106; 55.7%) although 33.0% (35/106) had mixed solid/cystic characteristics and 11.3% (12/106) had cystic morphology. Calcification was observed in only 4 (3.8%) cases. Main pancreatic duct dilation was uncommon, evident in only 2 cases (1.9%), whilst common bile duct dilation was observed in 5 (11.3%) cases. One patient demonstrated a double duct sign at presentation. Elastography and Doppler evaluation demonstrated inconsistent appearances with no emergence of a predictable pattern. EUS guided biopsy was performed using three different types of needles: Fine needle aspiration (67/106; 63.2%), fine needle biopsy (37/106; 34.9%), and Sonar Trucut (2/106; 1.9%). The diagnosis was conclusive in 103 (97.2%) cases. Ninety-seven patients were treated surgically (91.5%) and the post-surgical SPN diagnosis was confirmed in all cases. During the 2-year follow-up period, no recurrence was observed. CONCLUSION: SPN presented primarily as a solid lesion on endosonographic assessment. The lesion tended to be located in the head or body of the pancreas. There was no consistent characteristic pattern apparent on either elastography or Doppler assessment. Similarly SPN did not frequently cause stricture of the pancreatic duct or common bile duct. Importantly, we confirmed that EUS-guided biopsy was an efficient and safe diagnostic tool. The needle type used does not appear to have a significant impact on the diagnostic yield. Overall SPN remains a challenging diagnosis based on EUS imaging with no pathognomonic features. EUS guided biopsy remains the gold standard in establishing the diagnosis.

Prevalence of extraintestinal manifestations in ulcerative colitis and associated risk factors.

BACKGROUND: The data on prevalence of extraintestinal manifestations (EIM) in ulcerative colitis (UC) are  scanty and highly variable. METHODS: Consecutive patients with UC were prospectively evaluated from November 2016 to August 2017. A detailed history was obtained and physical examination was done. Presence of EIM was confirmed by a consultant rheumatologist, ophthalmologist and dermatologist. Tests performed were hemogram, liver function test, abdominal ultrasound, slit lamp examination, X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging when deemed necessary. RESULTS: A total of 227 patients with UC were enrolled in this study. The prevalence of EIM was 7.92%. Mucocutaneous (4.84%) manifestations were the commonest, followed by musculoskeletal (1.32%) and ocular (0.88%). Hepatobiliary (0.44%) and vascular (0.44) manifestations were present in equal frequency. History of appendicectomy was associated with  EIM. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of EIM in UC was low in our study. History of appendicectomy was a risk factor for EIM.

Migration of Surgical Clips into the Common Bile Duct after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is currently the treatment of choice for symptomatic gallstones. Associated complications include bile duct injury, retained common bile duct (CBD) stones, and migration of surgical clips. Clip migration into the CBD can present with recurrent cholangitis over a period of time. Retained CBD stones can be another cause of recurrent cholangitis. A case of two surgical clips migrating into the common bile duct with few retained stones following LC is reported here. The patient had repeated episodes of fever, pain at epigastrium, jaundice, and pruritus 3 months after LC. Liver function tests revealed features of obstructive jaundice. Ultrasonography of the abdomen showed dilated CBD with few stones. In view of acute cholangitis, an urgent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was done, which demonstrated few filling defects and 2 linear metallic densities in the CBD. A few retained stones along with 2 surgical clips were removed successfully from the CBD by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography after papillotomy using a Dormia basket. The patient improved dramatically following the procedure.