Risk of Pancreatitis After Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration of Pancreatic Cystic Lesions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle-aspiration (EUS-FNA) is frequently used to risk-stratify pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs). Rising PCL incidence and developments in tissue acquisition and specimen analysis necessitate updated appraisal of EUS-FNA safety, particularly the risk of post-procedure pancreatitis, the most common EUS-FNA-related adverse event. Our systematic review aims to accurately quantify the risk of EUS-FNA-related pancreatitis to best inform decisions regarding EUS-FNA's optimal role in PCL workup. METHODS: We performed systematic searches in four databases from inception to April 2024 for original English-language studies investigating EUS-FNA-related pancreatitis. We extracted data on demographics and EUS-FNA-related pancreatitis risk, severity, and risk factors. These were meta-analyzed through the DerSimonian Laird Method using a random-effects model. Meta-regression of pancreatitis risk was performed to delineate associations with clinical and procedural characteristics. RESULTS: Sixty-four studies comprised 8086 patients and reported 110 EUS-FNA-related pancreatitis events. Pooled risk of EUS-FNA-related pancreatitis was 1.4% [95% CI, -0.8-3.5%; I2 = 0.00], which was predominantly of mild severity (67%) and uniformly non-fatal. Pancreatitis risk lacked significant association with sample size, age, sex, cyst size, needle caliber or passes, although we noted trends towards higher risk in studies published after 2015, those using higher gauge needles (19G vs. 22G/25G), and those performing EUS-TTNB. CONCLUSIONS: We note with high certainty that pancreatitis following EUS-FNA of PCLs is infrequent and mild in severity with no mortality in the included cohort. EUS-TTNB may serve as a significant risk factor for EUS-FNA-related pancreatitis risk; however, further studies are needed to delineate other predisposing characteristics.

Endoscopic removal of 2 types of eroded gastric bands using endoscopic scissors.

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Transenteric Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Non-roux-en-Y Surgically Altered Anatomy.

EDEE is a relatively safe and effective procedure when performed by expert endoscopists to establish pancreaticobiliary access in patients who have failed, or are not candidates for, traditional ERCP or alternative drainage modalities. Careful preprocedural planning with attention to the patient's specific postsurgical anatomy can optimize outcomes and minimize AEs.

EUS-guided gastrojejunostomy using a pre-existing PEG with jejunal extension for target bowel opacification.

Video 1Contrast instillation into the jejunum using the pre-existing jejunal extension tubing from the PEG with jejunal extension followed by lumen-apposing metal stent deployment under endosonographic vision, securing the gastrojejunostomy.

Serum metabolomic analysis in cirrhotic alcohol-associated liver disease patients identified differentially altered microbial metabolites and novel potential biomarkers for disease severity.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease (ALD) is a leading cause of liver mortality. Mechanisms responsible for severe ALD and the roles of gut microbiota are not fully understood. Multi-omics tools have enabled a better understanding of metabolic alterations and can aid in identifying metabolites as biomarkers for severe ALD. AIMS: Examine differences between cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic ALD, investigate microbial contributions to such changes, and identify potential diagnostic and prognostic metabolites for severe ALD. METHODS: Untargeted metabolomics were performed on the serum of 11 non-cirrhotic and 11 cirrhotic ALD patients. Data were analyzed using MetOrigin and Metaboanalyst to identify enriched pathways. RESULTS: Increased methylated nucleotides, gamma-glutamyl amino acids, bile acids, and specific metabolites kynurenine and campesterol were increased in ALD cirrhosis, whereas branched-chain amino acids, serotonin, and xanthurenate were decreased. Microbial contributions included increases in the short-chain fatty acid indolebutyrate and methionine sulfoxide in ALD cirrhosis. The analysis also identified the potential for serum levels of 3-ureidopropionate, cis-3,3-methyleneheptanoylglycine, retinol, and valine to be used as biomarkers for clinical assessment of alcohol-associated cirrhosis. CONCLUSION: We have identified a set of metabolites that are differentially altered in cirrhotic compared to non-cirrhotic ALD that can potentially be used as biomarkers for the severity of the disease.

Cold Snare Polypectomy for Small Colorectal Polyps-Quick and Safe.

Overall, these data suggest that CSP is safer than HSP for the removal of small, 4-10-mm polyps. CSP also obviates the need to prepare an electro-surgical generator or lifting solution for HSP, resulting in faster polypectomy and procedure times. Concerns about incomplete histologic resection appear to be unfounded, as there was no difference in successful tissue retrieval, en bloc resection, or complete histologic resection between groups. Limitations include the lack of endoscopic blinding and follow-up colonoscopy to confirm the bleeding site, particularly in patients who underwent concurrent large polyp resection. Nevertheless, these findings support the enthusiasm for CSP which, based on an improved safety and efficiency profile, appears poised to replace HSP for the routine resection of small colo-rectal polyps.

EUS-guided rendezvous technique for pancreas divisum.

Video 1EUS-guided rendezvous technique for pancreas divisum.

Management of an iatrogenic duodenal perforation with a helical tack system in a patient with pancreatic cancer complicated by gastric outlet obstruction.

Video 1Closure of an iatrogenic perforation with helical tack system and subsequent EUS-guided choledochoduodenostomy.

Use of helical tack system for management of a high-risk fibrotic peptic ulcer.

Background and Aims: GI bleeding because of peptic ulcer disease is a well-described entity in its diagnosis and management. Although hemostatic clips and thermal therapy have been the primary tools in bleeding from peptic ulcer disease, some bleeds remain refractory. New data have shown that obliteration of the underlying arterial blood flow is needed to control refractory peptic ulcer bleeding. Although this has been shown with over-the-scope clips, we present a case where GI bleeding is controlled via a helical tack system. Although there are several available tools that can be used for treatment of upper GI bleeds, there remains a need for devices that can be used when standard methods of closure, such as with clips, cannot be performed because of a challenging location or friable mucosa. The aim of this video case is to demonstrate the use of a novel helical tack system as a salvage technique in the treatment of challenging upper GI bleeds. Methods: One case of a bleeding GI ulcer that was refractory to standard endoscopic clips was identified. Results: In this case, the ulcer closure was achieved using the helical tack system. There were no adverse events. The patient did not require additional surgical or endoscopic interventions. Conclusions: The helical tack system is a novel device that may be useful as a salvage method for the cessation of GI bleeds refractory to standard clips. Additional comparative studies are needed to better understand the advantages and disadvantages of this system relative to other closure tools.

Single-session EUS-directed transgastric endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and transpapillary gallbladder drainage.

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Endoscopic capsule robot-based diagnosis, navigation and localization in the gastrointestinal tract.

The proliferation of video capsule endoscopy (VCE) would not have been possible without continued technological improvements in imaging and locomotion. Advancements in imaging include both software and hardware improvements but perhaps the greatest software advancement in imaging comes in the form of artificial intelligence (AI). Current research into AI in VCE includes the diagnosis of tumors, gastrointestinal bleeding, Crohn's disease, and celiac disease. Other advancements have focused on the improvement of both camera technologies and alternative forms of imaging. Comparatively, advancements in locomotion have just started to approach clinical use and include onboard controlled locomotion, which involves miniaturizing a motor to incorporate into the video capsule, and externally controlled locomotion, which involves using an outside power source to maneuver the capsule itself. Advancements in locomotion hold promise to remove one of the major disadvantages of VCE, namely, its inability to obtain targeted diagnoses. Active capsule control could in turn unlock additional diagnostic and therapeutic potential, such as the ability to obtain targeted tissue biopsies or drug delivery. With both advancements in imaging and locomotion has come a corresponding need to be better able to process generated images and localize the capsule's position within the gastrointestinal tract. Technological advancements in computation performance have led to improvements in image compression and transfer, as well as advancements in sensor detection and alternative methods of capsule localization. Together, these advancements have led to the expansion of VCE across a number of indications, including the evaluation of esophageal and colon pathologies including esophagitis, esophageal varices, Crohn's disease, and polyps after incomplete colonoscopy. Current research has also suggested a role for VCE in acute gastrointestinal bleeding throughout the gastrointestinal tract, as well as in urgent settings such as the emergency department, and in resource-constrained settings, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic. VCE has solidified its role in the evaluation of small bowel bleeding and earned an important place in the practicing gastroenterologist's armamentarium. In the next few decades, further improvements in imaging and locomotion promise to open up even more clinical roles for the video capsule as a tool for non-invasive diagnosis of lumenal gastrointestinal pathologies.