Outcomes of Cold Snare Endoscopic Mucosal Resection of Nonampullary Duodenal Adenomas ≥1 cm: A Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) with use of electrocautery (conventional EMR) has historically been used to remove large duodenal adenomas, however, use of electrocautery can predispose to adverse events including delayed bleeding and perforation. Cold snare EMR (cs-EMR) has been shown to be safe and effective for removal of colon polyps, but data regarding its use in the duodenum is limited. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cs-EMR for nonampullary duodenal adenomas ≥1 cm. METHODS: This was a multicenter retrospective study of patients with nonampullary duodenal adenomas ≥1 cm who underwent cs-EMR between October 2014 and May 2023. Patients who received any form of thermal therapy were excluded. Primary outcomes were technical success and rate of recurrent adenoma. Secondary outcomes were adverse events and predictors of recurrence. RESULTS: A total of 125 patients underwent resection of 127 nonampullary duodenal adenomas with cs-EMR. Follow up data was available in 89 cases (70.1%). The recurrent adenoma rate was 31.5% (n=28). Adverse events occurred in 3.9% (n=5) with four cases of immediate bleeding (3.1%) and one case of delayed bleeding (0.8%). There were no cases of perforation. The presence of high-grade dysplasia was found to be an independent predictor of recurrence (OR: 10.9 [95% CI: 1.1-102.1], p=0.036). CONCLUSION: This retrospective multicenter study demonstrates that cs-EMR for nonampullary duodenal adenomas is safe and technically feasible with an acceptable recurrence rate. Future prospective studies are needed to directly compare outcomes of cs-EMR with conventional and underwater EMR.

Defining risk factors for mortality after emergent hiatal hernia repair in the era of minimally invasive surgery.

BACKGROUND: Risk factors for mortality following emergent hiatal hernia (HH) repair in the era of minimally invasive surgery remain poorly defined. METHODS: Data was obtained from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS), National Readmissions Database, and National Emergency Department Sample for patients undergoing HH repair between 2010 and 2018. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses reported with odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were performed to identify factors associated mortality. RESULTS: Via the NIS, mortality rate was 2.2% (147 patients). Via the NEDS, the mortality rate was 3.6% (303 patients). On multivariate analysis, predictors of mortality included age (OR 1.05, CI: 1.04,1.07), male sex (OR 1.49, CI: 1.06,2.11), frailty (OR 2.49, CI: 1.65,3.75), open repair (OR 3.59, CI: 2.50,5.17), and congestive heart failure (OR 2.71, CI: 1.81,4.06). CONCLUSIONS: There are multiple risk factors for mortality after hiatal hernia repair. There is merit to a laparoscopic approach even in emergent settings.

RHEMITT Score Predicts Rebleed After Capsule Endoscopy: First Validation at a U.S. Tertiary Care Center.

BACKGROUND: Patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding undergo small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE), but often return for recurrent bleeding or anemia. The RHEMITT score evaluates patients based on 7 variables (heart failure, chronic kidney disease, Saurin P1/P2 lesions, major bleeding, incomplete SBCE, smoking status, and endoscopic treatment) and seeks to predict the risk of rebleeding. AIMS: This study aims to perform an external validation of the RHEMITT score in the United States. METHODS: SBCEs performed to evaluate anemia or GI bleeding from a tertiary-care center's PillCam database between 1/22/2018 and 7/21/2020 were reviewed. Variables based on the RHEMITT score were collected. The primary outcome was rebleeding, defined as (1) melena or hematochezia or (2) hemoglobin drop of 2 g/dL. Patient were categorized into low, intermediate, and high-risk categories based on RHEMITT score. The accuracy of the RHEMITT score for predicting rebleeding was assessed. RESULTS: A total of 361 SBCEs were included in the study. Age, indication for SBCE, endoscopic treatment, antiplatelet use, cirrhosis, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and major bleeding were significantly associated with risk of rebleed (p < 0.05). Each increasing risk category for the RHEMITT score predicted increased probability of this study's primary outcome, rebleeding (p < 0.001). There was a significant association between RHEMITT risk category and rebleeding-free survival (log-rank p < 0.001). An area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the RHEMITT score was 0.790 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our findings validate the RHEMITT score and confirm acceptable performance for predicting rebleeding at a tertiary referral center in the United States.

Reduced gastroesophageal reflux disease symptom severity following upper airway surgery for comorbid obstructive sleep apnea.

PURPOSE: To evaluate patient-reported quality of life pertaining to gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms in patients undergoing upper airway surgery for comorbid obstructive sleep apnea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective survey-based study was conducted on patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease and comorbid obstructive sleep apnea receiving surgery from July 2020-December 2020. Patients completed the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease-Health Related Quality of Life Questionnaire at two time-points: one week before surgery and at 6 months following surgery. Disease-related symptoms were rated from 0 (no symptoms) to 5 (incapacitating symptoms). Patient survey scores, demographics, medications, and sleep study parameters were collected for analysis. A p-value <0.05 indicated statistical significance. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients completed the baseline preoperative and 6-month postoperative questionnaires. Median baseline vs. 6-month survey scores significantly decreased for symptoms including heartburn in general (3.0 vs. 2.0, p = 0.006), when lying down (2.5 vs. 1.5, p = 0.046), when standing (2.0 vs 1.0, p = 0.003), following meals (2.0 vs. 2.0, p = 0.042), and cumulative survey score (15.5 vs. 11.0, p = 0.029). Heartburn altering diet or sleep, odynophagia, dysphagia, and medication burden did not change following surgery (p > 0.05). More patients were satisfied with their postoperative condition compared to baseline, however this did not reach statistical significance (40.9% vs. 18.2%, p = 0.18). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that upper airway surgery to treat obstructive sleep apnea may have a positive impact on patient-reported symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, and further investigation into the role of surgery in this setting for improvement of both quality of life and true clinical disease severity is merited.

Safety and efficacy of a novel powered endoscopic debridement tissue resection device for management of difficult colon and foregut lesions: first multicenter U.S. experience.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The EndoRotor, nonthermal, powered endoscopic debridement (PED) instrument (Interscope Inc, Whitinsville, Mass, USA), is a novel device used in the GI tract. It uses adjustable suction and a rotary cutting blade to precisely resect mucosal and submucosal tissue. Our aim was to assess the technical feasibility, safety, and efficacy of PED using the EndoRotor device. METHODS: This was an Institutional Review Board-approved, multicenter, retrospective review. Patients underwent PED with the EndoRotor device from August 2018 to September 2019 at 4 high-volume U.S. centers. Patient demographics, indication for PED, and procedural and histopathologic data were recorded. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients underwent PED (41 lesions). The most common indications for PED were colon polyps (18, 52.9%) and Barrett's esophagus (8, 23.5%). Most lesions (35, 85.4%) were resected previously for the same indication using standard techniques. Technical success was achieved in 97.6% of lesions (n = 40). Clinical success was achieved in most patients who underwent a follow-up examination (19, 79.2%). Intraprocedural bleeding (in 10 patients) was managed endoscopically; no EndoRotor-related perforations occurred. Three postprocedural adverse events occurred: self-limited chest pain in 1 patient and delayed bleeding in 2. CONCLUSIONS: The EndoRotor is a novel, effective, and safe PED device for endoscopic resection of flat and polypoid lesions in the colon and foregut. It may have a promising role in the endoscopic management of naïve and scarred mucosal lesions based on this initial experience. Further prospective studies are needed to clarify its role in endoluminal resection.

Multifocal Cryoballoon Ablation for Eradication of Barrett's Esophagus-Related Neoplasia: A Prospective Multicenter Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Ablation of Barrett's esophagus (BE) is the preferred approach for the treatment of neoplasia without visible lesions. Limited data on cryoballoon ablation (CBA) suggest its potential clinical utility. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of CBA in a multicenter study of patients with neoplastic BE. METHODS: In a prospective clinical trial, 11 academic and community centers recruited consecutive patients with BE of 1-6 cm length and low-grade dysplasia, high-grade dysplasia (HGD), or intramucosal adenocarcinoma (ImCA) confirmed by central pathology. Patients with symptomatic pre-existing strictures or visible BE lesions had dilation or endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), respectively, before enrollment. A nitrous oxide cryoballoon focal ablation system was used to treat all visible columnar mucosa in up to 5 sessions. Study end points included complete eradication of all dysplasia (CE-D) and intestinal metaplasia (CE-IM) at 1 year. RESULTS: One hundred twenty patients with BE with ImCA (20%), HGD (56%), or low-grade dysplasia (23%) were enrolled. In the intention-to-treat analysis, the CE-D and CE-IM rates were 76% and 72%, respectively. In the per-protocol analysis (94 patients), the CE-D and CE-IM rates were 97% and 91%, respectively. Postablation pain was mild and short lived. Fifteen subjects (12.5%) developed strictures requiring dilation. One patient (0.8%) with HGD progressed to ImCA, which was successfully treated with EMR. Another patient (0.8%) developed gastrointestinal bleeding associated with clopidogrel use. One patient (0.8%) had buried BE with HGD in 1 biopsy, not confirmed by subsequent EMR. DISCUSSION: In patients with neoplastic BE, CBA was safe and effective. Head-to-head comparisons between CBA and other ablation modalities are warranted (clinicaltrials.gov registration NCT02514525).

Clinical utility of wide-area transepithelial sampling with three-dimensional computer-assisted analysis (WATS3D) in identifying Barrett's esophagus and associated neoplasia.

Sampling error during screening and surveillance endoscopy is a well-recognized problem. Wide-area transepithelial sampling with three-dimensional computer-assisted analysis (WATS3D), used adjunctively to forceps biopsy (FB), has been shown to increase the detection of Barrett's esophagus (BE) and BE-associated neoplasia. We evaluated the clinical utility of WATS3D and its impact on the management of patients with BE and dysplasia. Between 2013 and 2018, 432 consecutive patients who had a WATS3D positive and an accompanying FB negative result were identified. Physicians were contacted to determine if the WATS3D result impacted their decision to enroll patients in surveillance or increase the frequency of surveillance, recommend ablation, and/or initiate or increase the dose of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). WATS3D directly impacted the management of 97.8% of 317 BE patients; 96.2% were enrolled in surveillance and 60.2% were started on PPIs or their dose was increased. WATS3D impacted the management of 94.9% and 94.1% of the 98 low-grade dysplasia and 17 high-grade dysplasia patients, respectively. As a result of WATS3D, 33.7% of low-grade dysplasia and 70.6% of high-grade dysplasia patients underwent endoscopic therapy. More than 37% of all dysplasia patients were enrolled in a surveillance program, and nearly 30% were scheduled to be surveilled more frequently. PPIs were either initiated, or the dose was increased in more than 54% of all dysplasia patients. We demonstrate that WATS3D has high clinical utility. By prompting physicians to change their clinical management in patients with negative FB results, WATS3D, used adjunctively to FB, directly impacts patient management, and improves patient outcomes.

Boerhaave Syndrome Causing Bilateral Empyemas.

Boerhaave syndrome is a perforation of the esophagus caused by a sudden increase in intraluminal pressure. It is known to be associated with left-sided pleural effusion and mediastinitis, but rarely presents with bilateral effusion. Its association with the presence of a hiatal hernia is unclear. We present a patient with a hiatal hernia who developed bilateral empyemas because of Boerhaave syndrome and was treated with an endoscopically placed esophageal stent.

Esophageal adenocarcinoma in a first-degree relative increases risk for esophageal adenocarcinoma in patients with Barrett's esophagus.

Background: The significance of a family history of esophageal adenocarcinoma in the progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma in patients with Barrett's esophagus has not been thoroughly evaluated. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the presence of esophageal adenocarcinoma in a first-degree relative in patients with Barrett's esophagus. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of patients with Barrett's esophagus at a tertiary care center undergoing radiofrequency ablation. Family history, demographics, and pathology and endoscopy reports were assessed in all patients. Findings: Three hundred and one patients with Barrett's esophagus were assessed. Nineteen patients who had a diagnosis of esophageal adenocarcinoma on index endoscopy were excluded. Nineteen (6.7%) patients had a first-degree relative with esophageal adenocarcinoma. Four (21.1%) of these patients progressed to esophageal adenocarcinoma. Of patients without first-degree relative with esophageal adenocarcinoma 22/263 (8.7%) progressed to esophageal adenocarcinoma. In a logistic regression model adjusted for sex and the number of radiofrequency ablation treatments, we found that family history of esophageal adenocarcinoma was a significant independent predictor of progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma (odds ratio = 5.55, 95% confidence interval: 1.47-20.0). Conclusion: Our study indicates that Barrett's esophagus patients with a first-degree family member with esophageal adenocarcinoma are at 5.5-fold higher risk for disease progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma. Family history of esophageal adenocarcinoma in Barrett's esophagus patients should be considered in patient surveillance and radiofrequency ablation treatment, beyond recommended guidelines.

Patient Characteristics Associated With Quality of Colonoscopy Preparation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Some features of patients are associated with inadequate bowel preparation, which reduces the effectiveness of colonoscopy examination. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between patients' sociodemographic characteristics, health conditions, and medications with inadequate bowel preparation. METHODS: We searched the PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Review databases for randomized controlled trials cohort (prospective and retrospective), case-control, and cross-sectional studies published through March 2016. We collected information on study design, study population, and bowel preparation. For each factor, we obtained the odds ratio (OR) for inadequate bowel preparation. We conducted the meta-analyses using the random-effects approach and investigated any identified heterogeneity and publication bias via graphical methods, stratification, and meta-regression. RESULTS: We performed a meta-analysis of 67 studies, comprising 75,818 patients. The estimated pooled OR for inadequate bowel preparation was small for sociodemographic characteristics: 1.14 for age, and 1.23 for male sex (excluding studies in Asia, which had substantial heterogeneity and publication bias), and 1.49 for low education. The effect of high body mass index differed significantly in studies with mostly female patients (OR, 1.05) vs those with mostly male patients (OR, 1.30) (P = .013 for the difference). ORs for constipation and cirrhosis were heterogeneous; adjusted ORs were larger than unadjusted ORs (1.97 vs 1.29 for constipation and 3.41 vs 1.36 for cirrhosis). Diabetes (OR, 1.79), hypertension (OR, 1.25), stroke or dementia (OR, 2.09), and opioid use (OR, 1.70) were associated with inadequate bowel preparation. History of abdominal surgery (OR, 0.99) did not associate with inadequate bowel preparation. Use of tricyclic antidepressants had a larger effect on risk of inadequate bowel preparation in studies of mostly female patients (OR, 2.62) than studies of mostly male patients (OR, 1.42) (P = .085 for the difference). CONCLUSIONS: In a systematic review and meta-analysis, we found no single patient-related factor to be solely associated with inadequate bowel preparation. Health conditions and use of some medications appear to be stronger predictors than sociodemographic characteristics.

Rectal Blue Nevus: Distinguishing Features of a Rare Entity.

A 26-year-old African American man with a history of depression and tuberculosis presented to the gastroenterology department after several months of rectal pain with bowel movements. Colonoscopy revealed hyperpigmentation in the distal rectum and internal hemorrhoids, which resulted in a diagnosis of blue nevi. This is only the third known description of a blue nevus involving the gastrointestinal mucosa.

Polypoid Dysplasia in Barrett's Esophagus: Diagnosis, Management, and Very Different Outcomes in Two Consecutive Cases.

Background. Barrett's esophagus is associated with an increased risk of adenocarcinoma. Dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus is a precursor to adenocarcinoma. Rarely, dysplastic polypoid lesions are superimposed on Barrett's esophagus. Most reported cases of polypoid dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus have been advanced on presentation and treated with esophagectomy. We describe two cases of polypoid changes in Barrett's esophagus and treatment with polypectomy followed by radiofrequency ablation. Cases. A 75 yo male presented with esophageal polyps, which on biopsy showed gastric cardia/foveolar mucosa with focal intestinal metaplasia without dysplasia. Biopsy of intervening flat mucosa was consistent with nondysplastic Barrett's esophagus. Extensive hot snare polypectomies were performed followed by RFA. One year later, repeat EGD revealed no evidence of Barrett's esophagus. A 61 yo male presented with esophageal polyps, which on biopsy showed gastric cardia/foveolar mucosa with intestinal metaplasia and foci of low-grade dysplasia. Extensive hot snare polypectomies were performed followed by RFA. At repeat EGD, four months later, an esophageal mass was found. Biopsy of the mass showed invasive adenocarcinoma. The patient was referred for esophagectomy. Conclusion. This case series shows two outcomes, one with successful eradication of dysplasia and the other with disease progression to invasive adenocarcinoma requiring esophagectomy.

Perforation of a Long-standing Ileocolonic Anastomosis During Colonoscopy.

Colonoscopy is a valuable diagnostic and therapeutic procedure. Colonic perforation is a serious complication of colonoscopy that must be promptly recognized to limit morbidity and mortality. We present a 69-year-old woman who, during colonoscopy, had a perforation secondary to barotrauma of a long-standing ileocolonic anastomosis proximal to the point of colonoscopic intubation. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of a perforation of a well-established anastomosis proximal to the point of endoscope intubation during colonoscopy.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in the pediatric population is safe and efficacious.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is increasingly being used in the evaluation and management of biliary and pancreatic disorders in children. The aim of this study was to review the pediatric ERCP experience of a large academic referral center affiliated with a tertiary care children's hospital. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of medical records, endoscopic and operative reports, and radiography of those patients ages 0 to 21 years who underwent ERCP for any indication between 1993 and 2011 at a tertiary referral center affiliated with a large urban pediatric hospital. ERCP technical success was defined as cannulation of the desired duct. Serious adverse events included bleeding, perforation, pancreatitis, or death. RESULTS: Four hundred twenty-nine ERCPs were performed on 296 patients. The mean age was 14.9 ± 4.8 years (3 months-21 years); 51.1% were boys. Patients with a history of previous liver transplant comprised 13.1% (56) of all ERCPs. Abnormal liver chemistries or suspected choledocholithiasis accounted for half of the indications. A therapeutic intervention was performed in 64.1%. Technical success was achieved in 95.2% of ERCPs. Serious adverse events occurred in 7.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric ERCP is highly efficacious in the pediatric population, with the rates of technical success and use of therapeutic interventions mirroring those in adults. There is a low overall rate of serious adverse events. The overall efficacy and safety support the performance of pediatric ERCP by experienced endoscopists at high-volume centers.

4-Liter split-dose polyethylene glycol is superior to other bowel preparations, based on systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Adequate bowel cleansing is an important determinant of the efficacy of screening colonoscopy. Polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based solutions are used commonly in bowel preparation, but their poor palatability and large volumes (4 L) influence compliance. Adjunct therapies, such as bisacodyl, split-dose regimens, and lower-volume regimens have been tested. We performed a meta-analysis to determine whether a 4-L split dose of PEG is better than others for bowel cleansing before colonoscopy. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Database, recent abstracts from major conference proceedings, references from selected reviews and randomized trials (http://clinicaltrials.gov), and Google Scholar, through September 2011, for high-quality, randomized trials that compared 4-L split-dose PEG without adjunct therapy with other bowel preparation methods. Nine of 2477 trials considered were used in the analysis. We calculated pooled estimates of bowel preparation quality (primary outcome: excellent or good), preparation compliance, favorable overall experiences, willingness to repeat same preparation, and side effects. We calculated pooled estimates of odds ratios by fixed- and random-effects models. We also assessed heterogeneity among studies and publication bias. RESULTS: The overall pooled odds ratio for excellent or good bowel preparation quality for 4-L split-dose PEG was 3.46, compared with other methods (95% confidence interval, 2.45-4.89; P < .01). Although there was significant heterogeneity in results among studies, 7 of 9 reported a significant benefit from the 4-L split-dose PEG preparation. There were no significant differences between PEG and others in preparation compliance, favorable overall experience, willingness to repeat the same preparation, abdominal cramping, nausea, or sleep disturbance. There was no significant publication bias based on funnel plot. CONCLUSIONS: A meta-analysis showed that 4-L split-dose PEG is better than other bowel preparation methods for colonoscopy. Significant heterogeneity among studies might result from differences in patient demographics and protocols. A 4-L split dose of PEG should be considered the standard with which new bowel preparation methods are compared.