Malaysian joint societies' consensus recommendations on diagnosis and management of disorders of esophagogastric junction outflow.

Disorders of esophagogastric junction (EGJ) outflow, including achalasia and EGJ outflow obstruction, are motility disorders characterized by inadequate relaxation of lower esophageal sphincter with or without impaired esophageal peristalsis. Current guidelines are technical and less practical in the Asia-Pacific region, and there are still massive challenges in timely diagnosis and managing these disorders effectively. Therefore, a Malaysian joint societies' task force has developed a consensus on disorders of EGJ outflow based on the latest evidence, while taking into consideration the practical relevance of local and regional context and resources. Twenty-one statements were established after a series of meetings and extensive review of literatures. The Delphi method was used in the consensus voting process. This consensus focuses on the definition, diagnostic investigations, the aims of treatment outcome, non-surgical or surgical treatment options, management of treatment failure or relapse, and the management of complications. This consensus advocates the use of high-resolution esophageal manometry for diagnosis of disorders of EGJ outflow. Myotomy, via either endoscopy or laparoscopy, is the preferred treatment option, while pneumatic dilatation can serve as a secondary option. Evaluation and management of complications including post-procedural reflux and cancer surveillance are recommended.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in a patient with complete situs inversus viscerum: A case report and literature review.

Complete situs inversus viscerum (SIV) is a rare congenital condition, defined by a left-right transposition of all viscera with dextroposition of the heart. In patients with SIV that requires endoscopic intervention, namely endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), the left-right coordination can be technically demanding even with skilled endoscopist. We report a case of a patient with underlying SIV who presented with septic shock secondary to ascending cholangitis compounded with a malaria infection. Despite the ascertainment of a relatively large Common Bile Duct (CBD) stone, ERCP and stenting were pursued as an initial treatment modality in view of the clinical presentation of cholangitis and COVID-19-related delays in surgical intervention at our center. This case is unique as the patient was maintained in a supine position throughout the procedure. The patient underwent a successful ERCP procedure followed by a CBD Exploration and cholecystectomy 2 weeks later. A key factor that contributed to the success of this procedure was the combined utilization of a rotatable sphincterotome and extractor balloon which assisted with cannulation and shortening manoeuvre of the duodenoscope to facilitate biliary stenting.

Atypical endoscopic finding of colocolic intussusception: case report and literature review.

Background: Adult-onset colonic intussusception is a rarely encountered condition that leads to large intestinal obstruction with time. Patients often present with a variety of symptoms that are non-specific making it challenging to arrive at a definitive diagnosis. This is worrying as diagnostic delay could lead to a significant increase in morbidity and mortality. We wish to present and describe a case of an atypical endoscopic finding of colocolic intussusception secondary to ascending colon cancer. Case Description: Sixty-seven-year-old lady was referred for 1 month's duration of passing melenic stools with mucus followed by a week's complain of hematochezia. Clinical examination and other relevant blood results were unremarkable except for iron deficiency anemia. Initial colonoscopy revealed a large mass within the splenic flexure with inconclusive biopsies. A more detailed colonoscopy repeated the following day revealed a massive, black-to-yellowish lesion within the splenic flexure with no viable mucosa seen. Colonic bezoar was initially suspected, however various endoscopic retrieval methods proved futile. Switching to a slimmer diagnostic gastroscope, the colon was carefully negotiated until a large ulcer was found within the ascending colon, adjacent to the mass' origin. An emergency CT abdomen and subsequently extended right hemicolectomy performed revealed a colocolic intussusception with sealed perforation secondary to an ascending colonic mass acting as an intussusceptum. Histopathology evaluation confirmed an ascending colon adenocarcinoma (pT2N0M0) amidst a background of extensive ischemic changes. Conclusions: Endoscopic descriptions of colonic intussusception are unusual given their rarity. Furthermore, these lesions can mimic a colonic bezoar as a result of fecal accretion and this can ultimately lead to false diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. In such instances, clarification with a CT scan before management decision can potentially avert unnecessary endoscopic intervention and complications.

Is Gut Involvement a Cause or Effect of COVID-19?

Digestive disorder symptoms in COVID-19 may be similar in form to post-infectious functional gastrointestinal disorder (PI-FGID). To cause clinical effects, SARS-CoV-2 must reach the bowels and gastric hypochlorhydria may facilitate such transit. Asian elderly are predisposed to greater infection rate and severity of COVID-19, and the high prevalence of gastric atrophy and intake of proton-pump inhibitor in this aged group might explain the risk. Persistence shedding of SARS-CoV-2 in stools indicates that faecal transmission should not be disregarded. Gut involvement in COVID-19 is mediated by angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, which serves as the entry point for SARS-CoV-2 in the small bowel. ACE2 dysregulation has an impact on the homeostasis of gut microbiota and altered inflammatory response. Liver injury is variable in COVID-19 and is likely a result of by-stander effects rather than actual viropathic process. Further research is needed to understand if gut involvement is a cause or effect of SARS-CoV-2.

Can Rectal Diclofenac Prevent Post Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Pancreatitis?

BACKGROUND: Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been shown to reduce the incidence of post endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP). There were various trials using different routes and dosages of NSAIDs but meta-analysis revealed inconsistent results. AIMS: The aims of this study were to determine the efficacy of rectal diclofenac in preventing PEP and to evaluate any adverse events. METHODS: This was a randomized, open-label, two-arm, prospective clinical trial. Only patients at high risk of developing PEP were recruited. They received 100 mg rectal diclofenac or no intervention immediately after ERCP. The patients were reviewed 30 days after discharge to evaluate any adverse event. RESULTS: Among 144 recruited patients, 69 (47.9%) received diclofenac and 75 (52.1%) had no intervention. Eleven patients (7.6%) developed PEP, in which seven were from the diclofenac group and four were in the control group. Eight cases of PEP (5.5%) were mild and three cases (2.1%) were moderate. The differences in pancreatitis incidence and severity between both groups were not statistically significant. There were 11 adverse events reported. Clinically significant bleeding happened in four patients (2.8%): one from the diclofenac group and three from the control group. Other events included cholangitis: two patients (2.9%) from the diclofenac group and four (5.3%) from the control group. One patient from the diclofenac group (1.4%) had a perforation which was treated conservatively. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, prophylactic rectal diclofenac did not significantly decrease the incidence of PEP among patients at high risk for developing PEP. However, the administration of diclofenac was fairly safe with few clinical adverse events.

Blood gene signature for early hepatocellular carcinoma detection in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

PURPOSE: Up to 25% of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients eventually develop hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a disease with poor prognosis unless detected early. This study identifies a blood-based RNA biomarker panel for early HCC detection in CHB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A genome-wide RNA expression study was performed using RNA extracted from blood samples from Malaysian patients (matched HCC, CHB, controls). Genes differentiating HCC from controls were selected for further testing using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Finally, a 6-gene biomarker panel was identified and characterized using a training set (cohort I = 126), and tested against 2 test sets (cohort II = 222; cohort III = 174). The total number of samples used for each group is: HCC + CHB = 143, CHB = 211, control = 168. RESULTS: Our gene panel displays a consistent trend distinguishing HCC from controls in our test sets, with an area under receiver-operating characteristic curve of 0.9 in cohort III. Our independent test set (cohort III) showed that the gene panel had a sensitivity of 70% with a specificity of 92%. The biomarker profile for HCC was consistently detected in a small subgroup of CHB patients, thus potentially predicting early, preclinical cases of cancer that should be screened more intensively. CONCLUSION: The biomarkers identified in this study can be used as the basis of a blood-based test for the detection of early HCC in CHB.