Incidence of retained biopsy specimens after esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy.

Background and study aims In gastrointestinal endoscopy, biopsies must transit through the accessory channel and cap, presenting an opportunity for loss of tissue. We sought to determine the incidence of specimen retention in the accessory channel or cap and identify procedure characteristics associated with specimen retention. Patients and methods After completion of standard endoscopic procedures in which biopsies were obtained, the biopsy cap and accessory channel were inspected, brushed, and irrigated for any retained biopsy specimens according to a standard protocol. For controls, the same protocol was applied to procedures in which biopsies were not obtained. Specimen bottles from the recovery protocol were sent for pathological examination regardless of whether any visible tissue was present. Results A total of 216 outpatient procedures were included: 55 esophagogastroduodenoscopies (EGDs) and 50 colonoscopies in which biopsies were obtained and 56 EGDs and 55 colonoscopies in the control group. Retained specimens were found in either the cap or channel in 50 of 105 (48%). In 20 of 105 (19%), retained specimens were found just in the cap, in six of 105 (5.7%), retained specimens were found just in the channel, while in 24 of 105 (23%), retained specimens were found in both the cap and channel. Retained specimens were more likely to be found in EGDs compared to colonoscopies (58% vs. 36%, P = 0.031). No retained specimens were found in the control group. Conclusions Retained specimens are startingly common in standard gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures and could potentially change diagnoses and management. Quality improvement measures should be instituted to monitor prevalence of retained biopsies and methods to prevent them should be developed.

Safety and efficacy of direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy placement in patients with previous upper gastrointestinal resection: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous jejunal enteral access can be obtained with percutaneous endoscopic gastric jejunostomy (PEGJ) and direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (DPEJ) tubes. PEGJ may not be feasible in patients with previous gastric resection (PGR) and DPEJ may be the only option. Our aim is to determine if DPEJ tubes can be placed successfully in patients with history of gastrointestinal (GI) surgery and if success rates are comparable to DPEJ or PEGJ in those without prior GI surgery. METHODS: We reviewed all tube placements performed from 2010 to present. Procedures were performed using a pediatric colonoscope. Previous upper GI surgery was defined as PGR or esophagectomy with gastric pull-up. Adverse events (AEs) were graded per American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy criteria. Mild events included unplanned medical consultation or hospitalization <3 days, and moderate events included repeat endoscopy without surgical intervention. RESULTS: Successful placement rates were high regardless of GI surgical history. Patients receiving a DPEJ with a history of GI surgery were significantly less likely to experience an AE compared with those receiving DPEJ with no history and compared with PEGJ patients with or without a history. CONCLUSIONS: DPEJ placement in patients with previous upper GI surgery has very high success rate. It is associated with lower AE rates than patients receiving DPEJ without previous gastric surgery, or PEGJ regardless of previous gastric surgery. Patients with a history of upper GI surgery requiring enteral access may benefit from DPEJ over PEGJ placement considering its very high success rate and lower incidence of AEs.

Phase II trial of weekly erlotinib dosing to reduce duodenal polyp burden associated with familial adenomatous polyposis.

IMPORTANCE: Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) are at markedly increased risk for duodenal adenomas and cancer. Combination sulindac and erlotinib was previously shown to reduce duodenal polyp burden but was associated with a relatively high adverse event (AE) rate. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if a once weekly dosing schedule for erlotinib intervention improves the AE profile, while still providing efficacy with respect to reduced polyp burden, in participants with FAP. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Single-arm trial, enrolling 46 participants with FAP, conducted from October 2017 to September 2019 in eight academic cancer centres. EXPOSURES: Participants self-administered 350 mg of erlotinib by mouth, one time per week for 6 months. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Duodenal polyp burden (sum of polyp diameters) was assessed in the proximal duodenum by esophagogastroduodenoscopy performed at baseline and 6 months, with mean per cent change defined as the primary efficacy outcome of interest. Rate of grade 2-3 AEs was evaluated as a co-primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included changes in total duodenal polyp count, along with changes in lower gastrointestinal (GI) polyp burden and count (for participants examined by optional lower endoscopy). RESULTS: Forty-six participants (mean age, 44.1 years (range, 18-68); women, 22 (48%)) were enrolled; 42 participants completed 6 months of intervention and were included in the per-protocol analysis. Duodenal polyp burden was significantly reduced after 6 months of weekly erlotinib intervention, with a mean per cent change of -29.6% (95% CI, -39.6% to -19.7%; p<0.0001). Similar results were observed in subgroup analyses defined by participants with advanced duodenal polyposis (Spigelman 3) at baseline (mean, -27%; 95% CI, -38.7% to -15.2%; p<0.0001). Post-intervention Spigelman stage was downstaged in 12% of the participants. Lower GI polyp number was also decreased after 6 months of intervention (median, -30.8%; IQR, -47.4% to 0.0%; p=0.0256). Grade 2 or 3 AEs were reported in 71.7% of subjects, with only two experiencing grade 3 toxicity at least possibly related to intervention. CONCLUSION: In this single-arm, multi-centre trial of participants with FAP, erlotinib one time per week resulted in markedly lower duodenal polyp burden, and modestly reduced lower GI polyp burden, after 6 months of intervention. While AEs were still reported by nearly three-quarters of all participants, these events were generally lower grade and well-tolerated. These findings support further investigation of erlotinib as an effective, acceptable cancer preventive agent for FAP-associated GI polyposis. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02961374.

Index diagnoses of gastric intestinal metaplasia in the United States: patient characteristics, endoscopic findings, and clinical practice patterns at a large tertiary care center.

Background: Gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) is a premalignant gastric mucosal change that is often incidentally detected during esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Despite the established higher risk of gastric cancer associated with GIM, the incidence, prevalence, and outcomes data for GIM are limited in the United States (US), and practice patterns are highly variable. Objectives: Our primary objectives were to accurately identify incident histology-confirmed GIM cases and determine patient characteristics, endoscopy findings, Helicobacter pylori (HP) detection, and eradication treatment outcomes, as well as surveillance and follow-up recommendations. Design: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using administrative data. Methods: We first developed and validated a rule-based natural language processing tool to identify the patients with GIM on gastrointestinal pathology reports between 2011 and 2016. We then performed a manual chart review of all EGD procedures and associated pathology notes to confirm cases and obtain clinically relevant data. Results: In all, 414 patients with an index diagnosis of GIM were confirmed (prevalence = 2.5% of patients undergoing any EGD). A majority (52.4%) of patients were non-Hispanic white. The most common indication for EGD was abdominal pain (46.9%). A majority (55%) did not receive specific follow-up recommendations or were asked to see their primary care provider. HP testing was documented in 86% of patients, and detected in 94 patients (prevalence = 26.4%). Treatment was documented in 94.7% of cases, and eradication confirmed in only 34.8% of these cases. Conclusion: A large group of US patients with an index diagnosis of GIM was accurately identified. There was wide variability in clinical practice patterns including biopsy practice, HP treatment and eradication confirmation testing, and surveillance recommendations. This work demonstrates that there is a major unmet need for quality improvement efforts to standardize care for patients with GIM, a premalignant condition, and inform future prospective studies in a US population.

H-type Tracheoesophageal Fistula: A Rare Cause of Cough and Dysphagia in Adults.

Tracheoesophageal fistula without associated esophageal atresia (H-type) is a rare congenital anomaly, accounting for about 4% of esophageal malformations. However, it can occasionally be seen in adults with chronic cough and respiratory infections. We present a 38-year-old woman with a new diagnosis of H-type tracheoesophageal fistula.

Radiographic and Endoscopic Features of Pancreaticoduodenal Malakoplakia.

Malakoplakia is a rare, granulomatous disorder that is typically triggered by infections in immunocompromised patients. Although it most commonly affects the urinary tract, cases may occasionally occur in the gastrointestinal tract. There are case reports of malakoplakia of the pancreas with associated pathologic description, but none with detailed imaging and endoscopic findings. In addition, description of magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of mass-forming malakoplakia in the literature is sparse. We present a case of pancreaticoduodenal malakoplakia in an immunocompromised patient, including detailed description of magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and endoscopic findings with radiology-pathology correlation. Classic pathologic features of malakoplakia (eg, hypercellularity, inflammation, and mineralization of Michaelis-Gutmann bodies) lead to specific features on imaging, such as marked diffusion restriction, heterogeneous enhancement, calcification, and increased attenuation on nonenhanced computed tomography. These features may help differentiate malakoplakia from other more common lesions that occur in this location, especially if present in an immunocompromised patient.

Corneal injury after routine gastrointestinal endoscopy with moderate sedation.

We report a case series of 4 patients who underwent routine gastrointestinal endoscopy under moderate sedation and developed corneal injuries. Although corneal abrasion has been reported as the most common ocular complication during non-ocular surgery under general anesthesia, the risk for corneal abrasion during routine endoscopic procedures using moderate sedation has not been previously reported. Symptoms reported included ocular burning, scratchy sensation, redness, and pain reported post-procedure. Endoscopists and staff should be alert to the occurrence of this potentially serious complication, as this is paramount for its prevention, diagnosis, and management. Treatment of corneal abrasion includes referral to ophthalmology for close monitoring, pain management, pressure patch, and antimicrobial prophylaxis.

Rare hereditary cause of chronic pancreatitis in a young male: SPINK1 mutation.

Hereditary chronic pancreatitis associated with a mutation in the serine protease inhibitor, Kazal Type-1 (SPINK-1 gene) is extremely rare. The SPINK1 mutation results in trypsinogen activation which predisposes to chronic pancreatitis predominately when combined with CFTR gene mutations. It presents as either chronic or recurrent acute pancreatitis. Symptom control and management of complications is important. Active surveillance with cross-sectional imaging for pancreatic malignancy in individuals with hereditary pancreatitis is advocated due to individuals being high risk. We present an unusual case of a young male who initially presented with renal colic and was incidentally diagnosed with severe chronic pancreatitis on abdominal imaging, with genetic testing confirming a homozygous SPINK1 mutation.