EUS-guided tissue acquisition in patients with solid pseudopapillary neoplasms of the pancreas.

OBJECTIVES: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA) has been the most common method used for the preoperative cytopathological diagnosis of solid tumors of the pancreas. There are only a few reported cases about the role of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) in the pre-operative diagnosis of solid pseudopapillary neoplasms (SPN). This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic yield of EUS-TA,including endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) andEUS-FNB, in patients with SPN. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with EUS-TA for SPN diagnosis in 2 referral centers. The primary outcome was the diagnostic yield of EUS-TA compared to the surgical specimen. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients with SPN of the pancreas were identified. Eighteen had a EUS-TA (10 EUS-FNB and 8 EUS-FNA). The median age of the patients was 31 years (IQR 21-38), and all patients were women. The most common presenting symptom was abdominal pain. Most of the tumors were in the head of the pancreas (9/18; 50%). The median tumor size by EUS was 4.5 cm (min-max 2-15 cm). The most common appearance on EUS was a solid lesion (n = 8/18, 44.4%). A definitive presurgical cytopathological diagnosis was obtained in 16/18 patients (88.8%) with EUS-TA. The sensitivity and positive predictive value of the EUS-TA were 94% each. One patient in the EUS-FNB group developed mild acute pancreatitis. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic yield of the EUS-TA in SPN is high. In most cases, the diagnosis was obtained with the first procedure. No differences in the diagnostic yield or AEs between EUS-FNA vs. EUS-FNB needles were seen.

Mortality in patients with unresectable gastric cancer complicated with tumor bleeding.

BACKGROUND: gastric cancer (GC) is a gastrointestinal (GI) neoplasia which often complicates with GI bleeding. It is uncertain if bleeding worsens mortality in this group of patients. AIMS: to compare 30- and 90-day mortality in patients with unresectable GC (uGC) and tumor bleeding versus patients with the same neoplasia without bleeding. METHODS: a retrospective analysis of patients with uGC, with and without tumor bleeding was performed. Survival analysis for 30- and 90-days mortality was performed using Cox regression. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors associated with mortality and first bleeding episode. RESULTS: 202 patients were included in the analysis (105 cases). Mortality at 90 days was 37.14 % for cases and 20.62 % for controls (p = 0.04). There was a significant difference in hazard ratio (HR) at 90 days for cases compared to controls (HR 1.95, 95 % CI 1.14-3.34, p = 0.02). Cases without palliative chemotherapy had the highest 90-days mortality (HR 5.43, 95 % CI 2.12-13.87, p < 0.01), compared to controls treated with chemotherapy. Predictors for first tumor bleeding were clinical stage IV (OR 2.93, 95 % CI 1.04-8.26, p = 0.04), Helicobacter pylori infection (OR 2.80, 95 % CI 1.35-5.80, p < 0.01) and histologic intestinal-subtype (OR 2.14, 95 % CI 1.07-4.30, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: tumor bleeding increases 90-days mortality in patients with uGC. Prevention of the first bleeding episode might improve outcome in these patients and the recognition of high-risk patients might help decision-making.

Mortality in patients with unresectable gastric cancer complicated with tumor bleeding

Background: gastric cancer (GC) is a gastrointestinal (GI) neoplasia which often complicates with GI bleeding. It is uncertain if bleeding worsens mortality in this group of patients. Aims: to compare 30- and 90-day mortality in patients with unresectable GC (uGC) and tumor bleeding versus patients with the same neoplasia without bleeding. Methods: a retrospective analysis of patients with uGC, with and without tumor bleeding was performed. Survival analysis for 30- and 90-days mortality was performed using Cox regression. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors associated with mortality and first bleeding episode. Results: 202 patients were included in the analysis (105 cases). Mortality at 90 days was 37.14 % for cases and 20.62 % for controls (p = 0.04). There was a significant difference in hazard ratio (HR) at 90 days for cases compared to controls (HR 1.95, 95 % CI 1.14-3.34, p = 0.02). Cases without palliative chemotherapy had the highest 90-days mortality (HR 5.43, 95 % CI 2.12-13.87, p < 0.01), compared to controls treated with chemotherapy. Predictors for first tumor bleeding were clinical stage IV (OR 2.93, 95 % CI 1.04-8.26, p = 0.04), Helicobacter pylori infection (OR 2.80, 95 % CI 1.35-5.80, p < 0.01) and histologic intestinal-subtype (OR 2.14, 95 % CI 1.07-4.30, p = 0.03). Conclusions: tumor bleeding increases 90-days mortality in patients with uGC. Prevention of the first bleeding episode might improve outcome in these patients and the recognition of high-risk patients might help decision-making. (AU)

Comparing perspectives: frontal and oblique endoscopic ultrasound.

The oblique-view echoendoscope is currently the sole tool for ultrasound-guided endoscopic procedures (EUS) in most hospital centers, despite its limitations like a lack of forward vision, issues with needle angle, and restricted accessory device size due to channel angulation. However, our study revealed no significant differences between the oblique and frontal endoscopes, except for minor variations in specific regions. For routine diagnostic studies, interchangeability between the devices is feasible. The anticipated advantages of the frontal device may emerge more prominently in future therapeutic procedures. This suggests that, while the oblique-view echoendoscope remains the primary tool, the frontal device holds potential for evolving roles in diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

The role of gastrointestinal endoscopy in Kaposi sarcoma / El papel de la endoscopia gastrointestinal en el sarcoma de Kaposi

We are writing to make endoscopists aware of the paramount of a prompt diagnosis of gastrointestinal Kaposi sarcoma (GI-KS). Patients with GI involvement have a two to five times higher risk of death and will benefit from chemotherapy to improve their survival. However, current evidence found that one out of three patients might have a false negative result even with HHV-8 since other entities such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors, angiosarcoma, and lymphoma shared macroscopic and histopathological characteristics. These cause a delay in treatment and significantly worsen the prognosis. We observed a trend for a positive diagnosis from ulcers and nodules. To our knowledge, this is the largest cohort of patients with GI-KS in the world. Our study suggests that in cases where a complete immunochemistry panel for KS is not available, HHV-8 remains as a bare minimum. However, other gastrointestinal lesions shared histopathological characteristics. Therefore, we suggest taking biopsies from nodular and ulcer-type lesions to increase the probability to establish a histopathological diagnosis.(AU)

The role of gastrointestinal endoscopy in Kaposi sarcoma.

We are writing to make endoscopists aware of the paramount of a prompt diagnosis of gastrointestinal Kaposi sarcoma (GI-KS). Patients with GI involvement have a two to five times higher risk of death and will benefit from chemotherapy to improve their survival. However, current evidence found that one out of three patients might have a false negative result even with HHV-8 since other entities such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors, angiosarcoma, and lymphoma shared macroscopic and histopathological characteristics. These cause a delay in treatment and significantly worsen the prognosis. We observed a trend for a positive diagnosis from ulcers and nodules. To our knowledge, this is the largest cohort of patients with GI-KS in the world. Our study suggests that in cases where a complete immunochemistry panel for KS is not available, HHV-8 remains as a bare minimum. However, other gastrointestinal lesions shared histopathological characteristics. Therefore, we suggest taking biopsies from nodular and ulcer-type lesions to increase the probability to establish a histopathological diagnosis.

Eficacia y seguridad de la ablación por radiofrecuencia endoscópica en pacientes con estenosis biliar maligna irresecable / No disponible

INTRODUCCIÓN: se ha observado que la ablación endoscópica por radiofrecuencia en tumores irresecables de vía biliar prolonga la sobrevida. OBJETIVO: evaluar sobrevida, permeabilidad de prótesis y efectos adversos de la ablación contra un grupo control. METODOLOGÍA: estudio observacional en pacientes con estenosis biliar maligna irresecable. RESULTADOS: cuarenta pacientes, 12 radiofrecuencia, no hubo diferencias entre variables basales de ambos grupos. Hubo mayor sobrevida en el grupo de radiofrecuencia sin diferencia estadísticamente significativa (217 vs. 129 días, log-rank 0,31). No hubo diferencia en permeabilidad de prótesis o efectos adversos. CONCLUSIÓN: se encontró ganancia de tres meses en sobrevida a favor de la radiofrecuencia sin alcanzar diferencia estadísticamente significativa

No disponible

Efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation in patients with unresectable malignant biliary strictures.

INTRODUCTION: previous studies have shown that endoscopic radiofrequency ablation in unresectable biliary duct tumors prolongs survival. METHODS: this was an observational study of patients with an unresectable malignant stricture. The aim was to evaluate survival, stent patency and adverse events of radiofrequency compared with a matched control group. RESULTS: the study included 40 patients, 12 with radiofrequency. There were no differences between baseline parameters in both groups. The survival time was longer in the radiofrequency group with no statistically significant difference (217 vs 129 days, log-rank 0.31). There was no difference in stent permeability or adverse events. CONCLUSION: the radiofrequency group had a three-month increase in survival, which did not reach statistical significance.

An international, multi-institution survey of the use of EUS in the diagnosis of pancreatic cystic lesions.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Currently, pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) are recognized with increasing frequency and have become a more common finding in clinical practice. EUS is challenging in the diagnosis of PCLs and evidence-based decisions are lacking in its application. This study aimed to develop strong recommendations for the use of EUS in the diagnosis of PCLs, based on the experience of experts in the field. METHODS: A survey regarding the practice of EUS in the evaluation of PCLs was drafted by the committee member of the International Society of EUS Task Force (ISEUS-TF). It was disseminated to experts of EUS who were also members of the ISEUS-TF. In some cases, percentage agreement with some statements was calculated; in others, the options with the greatest numbers of responses were summarized. RESULTS: Fifteen questions were extracted and disseminated among 60 experts for the survey. Fifty-three experts completed the survey within the specified time frame. The average volume of EUS cases at the experts' institutions is 988.5 cases per year. CONCLUSION: Despite the limitations of EUS alone in the morphologic diagnosis of PCLs, the results of the survey indicate that EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration is widely expected to become a more valuable method.

A multi-institutional consensus on how to perform endoscopic ultrasound-guided peri-pancreatic fluid collection drainage and endoscopic necrosectomy.

There is a lack of consensus on how endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided pseudocyst drainage and endoscopic necrosectomy should be performed. This survey was carried out amongst members of the EUS Journal Editorial Board to describe their practices in performing this procedure. This was a worldwide multi-institutional survey amongst members of the EUS Journal Editorial Board in May 2017. The responses to a 22-question survey with respect to the practice of EUS-guided pseudocyst drainage and endoscopic necrosectomy were obtained. Twenty-two endoscopists responded to the questionnaire as follows: 72.7% (16/22) were of the opinion that lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) should be the standard of care for the creation of an endoscopic cystenterostomy in patients with pancreatic walled-off necrosis (WON); 95.5% (21/22) recommended large diameter (d=15 mm) LAMS for drainage in patients with WON; 54.5% (12/22) would not dilate LAMS after placement into the WOPN; 86.4% (19/22) would not perform endoscopic necrosectomy during the same procedure as the creation of the cystenterostomy; 45.5% (10/22) recommend that agents, such as diluted hydrogen peroxide, should be used to lavage the peri-pancreatic fluid collection (PFC) cavity in patients with WON; and 45.5% (10/22) considered a naso-cystic or other tube to be necessary for lavage of WON after initial drainage. The mean optimal interval recommended for endoscopic necrosectomy procedures after EUS-guided drainage was 6.23 days. The mean optimal interval recommended for repeat imaging in patients undergoing endoscopic necrosectomy was 12.32 days. The mean time recommended for LAMS removal was 4.59 weeks. This is the first worldwide survey on the practice of EUS-guided pseudocyst drainage and endoscopic necrosectomy. There were wide variations in practice and randomized studies are urgently needed to establish the best approach for management of this condition. There is also a pressing need to establish a best practice consensus.

Loss of expression of DNA mismatch repair proteins in aberrant crypt foci identified in vivo by magnifying colonoscopy in subjects with hereditary nonpolyposic and sporadic colon rectal cancer.

PURPOSE: The aims of this study are to characterize the frequency, density, and distribution of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and its histological features and to determine the frequency of loss of expression of DNA mismatch repair (MMR) proteins of subjects with hereditary nonpolyposic colorectal cancer (HNPCC) and sporadic colon rectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: Patients with HNPCC, first-degree relatives of subjects with HNPCC, sporadic CRC, and average risk subjects of sporadic CRC were included prospectively. Total colonoscopy with chromoendoscopy using methylene blue 0.5% and magnification in the right colon (cecum and 20 cm of the ascending colon) and in the left colon (rectum) was performed; loss of expression of MLH1 and MSH2 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in confirmed ACF. RESULTS: Fifty-two subjects were included. Thirty-eight of the 119 ACF detected by endoscopy were biopsied. In 14 of the 38 specimens (36.8%), ACF were confirmed by histology (Cohen's kappa, 0.44). In subjects with HNPCC, ACF were identified more frequently in the right segment of the colon than in the left (73.1% vs. 26%); in contrast, ACF predominated in the left segment of the colon (89.3% vs. 10.6%) in subjects with sporadic CRC. There was a loss of MLH1 expression in ACF in subjects with HNPCC. CONCLUSIONS: In HNPCC, we found a greater density of ACF in the right colon, and in sporadic CRC, greater density in the left. ACF present loss in the expression of DNA MMR protein and can be used as an early marker in patients with a risk of HNPCC in whom carcinogenesis appears to be accelerated.

Argon plasma coagulation and hyperbaric oxygen therapy in chronic radiation proctopathy, effectiveness and impact on tissue toxicity.

BACKGROUND: chronic radiation proctopathy (CRP) is associated with recurrent rectal bleeding and transfusional requirements. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HOT) have been shown to be effective in the control of CRP. No prospective comparisons have been reported between these treatments. AIM: the aim was to evaluate the effectiveness, safety and impact on tissue toxicity of APC compared to HOT in patients with CRP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: a prospective study for evaluating treatment response was conducted. Patients with cervical cancer and CRP with rectal bleeding were recruited. They had not received previous treatment. Collected data included: demographics, previous radiation dosage, duration and severity of rectal bleeding. Hemoglobin, transfusional requirements, and tissue toxicity (SOMA LENT questionnaire) at baseline and at 1, 2, and 3 months follow up were recorded. RESULTS: thirty-one patients were included, 14 in the APC group and 17 in the HOT group. No response was noted in 13 and 18% of patients in the APC and HOT group respectively (p = NS). At the 1 and 2 months follow-up, the APC group showed a significantly better response in terms of transfusional requirements (0.6 vs. 3.4 and 0.7 vs. 2.5) and tissue toxicity score (5.3 vs. 8.6 and 3.8 vs. 7.248). After 3 months, both groups showed further improvement in all parameters without significant differences between them. CONCLUSIONS: APC and HOT were effective, safe and decreased the tissue toxicity scores in patients with CRP. However, response rate was higher and faster in the APC group.

Argón plasma y oxígeno hiperbárico para el control de la rectorragia crónica secundaria a la proctopatía por radiación / Argon plasma coagulation and hyperbaric oxygen therapy in chronic radiation proctopathy, effectiveness and impact on tissue toxicity

Introducción: la proctopatía por radiación (PPR) se asocia con rectorragía recurrente y requerimientos de trasfusiones. La coagulación con argón plasma (APC) y la terapia con oxígeno hiperbárico (HOT) han sido efectivas en el control de la PPR. No hay estudios prospectivos comparativos entre ambas técnicas. Objetivo: el objetivo del estudio es evaluar la efectividad, seguridad y el impacto en la toxicidad tisular de la APC comparado con el HOT en los pacientes con PR. Material y métodos: se realizó un estudio prospectivo para evaluar la respuesta al tratamiento. Se incluyeron a pacientes con cáncer cervicouterino y PPR con rectorragia recurrente, sin haber recibido tratamientos previos. Se tomaron datos demográficos, dosis de radiación, duración y severidad de la rectorragia, niveles de hemoglobina, requerimientos de trasfusiones y la toxicidad tisular (Cuestionario de SOMA-LENT) al inicio, y a los 1, 2 y 3 meses del tratamiento. Resultados: se incluyeron a 31 pacientes con PPR, 14 en el grupo de APC y 17 en el grupo de HOT. No hubo respuesta en el 13 y 18% de los pacientes en el grupo de APC y OHT respectivamente (p = NS). Al primer y segundo mes de seguimiento, el grupo APC mostró una mejoría significativa en los parámetros de requerimientos trasfusionales (0,6 vs. 3,4 y 0,7 vs. 2,5) y en la toxicidad tisular (5,3 vs. 8,6 y 3,8 vs. 7,2). Después de 3 meses de seguimiento, ambos grupos mostraron mejoría en todos los parámetros sin haber diferencias estadísticamente significativas. Conclusiones: APC y HOT fueron efectivos, seguros y disminuyeron la toxicidad tisular en los pacientes con PPR. Sin embargo la respuesta fue más efectiva y rápida en el grupo del APC(AU)

Background: chronic radiation proctopathy (CRP) is associated with recurrent rectal bleeding and transfusional requirements. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HOT) have been shown to be effective in the control of CRP. No prospective comparisons have been reported between these treatments. Aim: the aim was to evaluate the effectiveness, safety and impact on tissue toxicity of APC compared to HOT in patients with CRP. Material and methods: a prospective study for evaluating treatment response was conducted. Patients with cervical cancer and CRP with rectal bleeding were recruited. They had not received previous treatment. Collected data included: demographics, previous radiation dosage, duration and severity of rectal bleeding. Hemoglobin, transfusional requirements, and tissue toxicity (SOMA LENT questionnaire) at baseline and at 1, 2, and 3 months follow up were recorded. Results: thirty-one patients were included, 14 in the APC group and 17 in the HOT group. No response was noted in 13 and 18% of patients in the APC and HOT group respectively (p = NS). At the 1 and 2 months follow-up, the APC group showed a significantly better response in terms of transfusional requirements (0.6 vs. 3.4 and 0.7 vs. 2.5) and tissue toxicity score (5.3 vs. 8.6 and 3.8 vs. 7.248). After 3 months, both groups showed further improvement in all parameters without significant differences between them. Conclusions: APC and HOT were effective, safe and decreased the tissue toxicity scores in patients with CRP. However, response rate was higher and faster in the APC group(AU)