Clinical and Endoscopic Differences Between Patients With Barrett's Esophagus With and Without Dysplasia/Adenocarcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Barrett's esophagus (BE) is the main precursor of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). This study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with BE progression to dysplasia or EAC in a Latin population. METHODS: The study is a retrospective analysis of a single-center cohort of patients with BE, evaluated from 2002 to 2012. RESULTS: We identified 420 patients with BE; 281 (66.9%) of them were men with a mean age of 57.2 ± 15.3 years. Among all BE patients evaluated, 81 (19.3%) had progression to some degree of dysplasia/EAC. The mean follow-up was 5.6 years. Multivariate analysis showed that age (OR = 1.03), cigarette smoking (OR = 3.05), long-segment BE (OR = 4.81), and a visible lesion on BE (OR = 6.94) were associated with progression to dysplasia/EAC. CONCLUSION: In Latin patients with BE, age, cigarette smoking, long-segment BE, and the presence of lesions were associated with the presence of dysplasia/EAC.

Biliary Drainage in Patients With Failed ERCP: Percutaneous Versus EUS-guided Drainage.

AIM: The goal of the study is to compare the efficacy and safety of bile duct drains guided by endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EGBD) versus percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective comparative study. Patients with obstruction of the bile duct who underwent the EGBD or PTBD procedure and had at least 1 previous endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography that failed or was inaccessible to the second duodenal portion were included. RESULTS: A total of 90 patients were initially evaluated and 28 were excluded. There were 39 (62.9%) women, with a median age of 55.6 years (range, 22 to 88 y). The etiology of biliary obstruction was malignancy in 35 (56.4%) patients. Differences between EGBD versus PTBD groups were in technical success (90% vs. 78%; P=0.3), clinical success (96% vs. 63%; P=0.04), complications (6.6% vs. 28%; P=0.04), length of stay [6.5 d (range, 0 to 11 d) vs. 12.5 d (range, 6.2 to 25 d)] (P=0.009), and costs 1440.15±240.94 versus 2165.87±241.10 USD (P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: EGBD is associated with a higher clinical success rate and safety, shorter hospital stays, and lower cost compared with PTBD.

Postoperative abdominal collections drainage: Percutaneous versus guided by endoscopic ultrasound.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Postoperative fluid collections (POFC) have high mortality. Percutaneous drainage (PD) is the preferred treatment modality. Drainage guided by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS-GD) represents a good alternative. The aim of the present study was to compare clinical success and complication rates of EUS-GD versus PD. METHODS: Data collected prospectively were analyzed in a retrospective manner. Patients with POFC from October 2008 to November 2013 were included. All collections were drained percutaneously or by EUS-GD. RESULTS: Sixty-three procedures in 43 patients with POFC were analyzed; 13 patients were drained using EUS-GD and 32 patients with PD. Two patients assigned initially to the PD group were reassigned to EUS-GD. Surgery procedures most often related to the collections were intestinal reconnection, distal pancreatectomy, biliary-digestive bypass, and exploratory laparotomy. Technical success (100% vs 91%; P = 0.25), clinical success (100% vs 84%; P = 0.13), recurrence (31% vs 25%; P = 0.69), hospital stay days (median 22 vs 27; P = 0.35), total costs (8328 ± 1600 USD vs 11 047 ± 1206 USD; P = 0.21), complications (0% vs 6%; P = 0.3), and mortality (8% vs 6%; P = 0.9) were each evaluated in the EUS-GD and PD groups, respectively. In the PD group one death was related to the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: EUS-GD is as effective and safe as PD in patients with POFC. The advantage of not requiring external drainage and a trend to higher clinical success and lower total costs must be considered.

High rate of post-ERCP pancreatitis in patients undergoing endoscopic treatment of benign biliary stricture.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Endoscopic treatment is the best option for patients with postsurgical stricture of main biliary duct. There is scarce information about the incidence of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) complications in this condition. The aim was to evaluate the incidence of complications and the associated risk factors in patients undergoing ERCP for postcholecystectomy biliary stricture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective analysis of patients with postsurgical stenosis of main biliary duct was carried out. Rate of post-ERCP complications was determined and the associated risk factors were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 25 patients were included. The success rate of endoscopic treatment was 92% (n=23). Two patients had recurrence of stricture with median follow-up of 23 months (range, 0.3 to 65.4 mo). Five patients (20%) developed acute pancreatitis after ERCP. No risk factors were detected in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis is high in patients with biliary stricture associated with surgical procedures.

Efficacy and tolerability of low-volume (2 L) versus single- (4 L) versus split-dose (2 L + 2 L) polyethylene glycol bowel preparation for colonoscopy: randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: To compare the efficacy and tolerability of a low-volume (2-L) polyethylene glycol (PEG) regimen for colonoscopy compared to single (4-L) or split-dose (2-L + 2-L) regimens. METHODS: In-hospital patients who were candidates for colonoscopy were randomly assigned to: group 1 single-dose (PEG 4 L the day before the study, n = 60); group 2: split-dose (2 L the day before and 2 L on the day of the procedure, n = 61); and group 3: low-volume 2-L PEG solution (the day of the procedure, n = 59). A blinded evaluation of the quality of colonic preparation was assessed by the Boston bowel preparation scale. RESULTS: Satisfactory bowel preparation of the right colon was more frequently reported for group 3 than for group 1 (70% vs 53%, P = 0.045), in the transverse colon it was 82% versus 69% (P = 0.032), and on the left side of the colon it was 80% versus 67.7% (P = 0.028). Compared to group 2, satisfactory bowel preparation in group 3 was similar in the transverse colon and left colon. Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort were less frequent in patients of group 3. Patients in group 3 had fewer sleep disorders and fewer hours of sleep loss compared to patients in the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Preparation with 2 L caused less abdominal discomfort and fewer sleep disorders. The split dose had a better quality of preparation in the right colon. Both preparations were clearly better than the 4-L preparation.

Diagnostic yield and therapeutic impact of rectal retroflexion: a prospective, single-blind study conducted in three centers.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: No clear data have been established and validated regarding whether rectal retroflexion has an important and therapeutic impact. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield and therapeutic impact of rectal retroflexion compared with straight view examination. METHODS: A prospective single-blind study was conducted. Consecutive patients evaluated between October 2011 and April 2012 were included. RESULTS: A total of 934 patients (542 women, 58%) were included. The mean age was 57.4±14.8 years. Retroflexion was successful in 917 patients (98.2%). Distinct lesions in the anorectal area were detected in 32 patients (3.4%), of which 10 (1%) were identified only on retroflex view and 22 (2.4%) on both straight and retroflex views. Of the 32 identified lesions, 16 (50%) were polyps, nine (28.1%) were angiodysplasias, six (18.8%) were ulcers, and one (3.1%) was a flat lesion. All 10 patients (1%) in whom lesions were detected only by rectal retroflexion showed a therapeutic impact. CONCLUSIONS: Rectal retroflexion has minimal diagnostic yield and therapeutic impact. However, its low rate of major complications and the possibility of detecting lesions undetectable by straight viewing justify its use.

Vascular invasion in pancreatic cancer: predictive values for endoscopic ultrasound and computed tomography imaging.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) to determine vascular invasion in patients with pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Data were obtained prospectively from patients with a pancreatic lesion who underwent EUS, computed tomographic (CT) imaging, and surgery from March 2005 to March 2010. RESULTS: Fifty patients were included with a mean ± SD age 61 ± 11.5 years; 27 (54%) were women. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for EUS were the following: 61.1 (95% CI, 38.6-79.7), 90.3 (95% CI, 75.1-96.7), 78.6 (95% CI, 52.4-92.4), and 80 (95% CI, 64.1-90), respectively. The area under the curve for EUS and that for CT were 0.80 (95% CI, 0.68-0.92) and 0.74 (95% CI, 0.61-0.86), respectively. The positive predictive value for arterial invasion was 100% (95% CI, 61-100) for EUS and 60% (95% CI, 31.3-83.2) for CT. There were no complications associated with the EUS or the CT. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic US is a very good option to detect vascular invasion in patients with pancreatic cancer and is especially sensitive for arterial invasion. When it is available, we recommend that it be performed in addition to CT staging.

[Usefulness of endoscopic cholangiography and sphincterotomy in patients with biliary lithiasis]. / Utilidad de la colangiografía y esfinterotomía endoscópica como adyuvante de la colecistectomía laparoscópica en enfermos con litiasis biliar.

BACKGROUND: With the popularity of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), the algorithm of endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) with biliary sphincterotomy followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy has proven to be an effective treatment in choledocholithiasis in symptomatic gallstone disease. However, its use as a standard approach remains controversial. OBJECTIVES: 1. To determine the diagnostic and therapeutic usefulness of ERC with biliary sphincterotomy in patients with LC. 2. To evaluate clinical, biochemical and ultrasonographic factors which can be used as predictors of choledocholithiasis in symptomatic gallstone disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It is a retrospective study which included patients with: 1. symptomatic cholelithiasis with presurgical clinical, biochemical and ultrasonographic suspicion of choledocholithiasis; 2. patients with acute biliary pancreatitis subjected to ERC before LC; 3. patients subjected to ERC under suspicion of residual choledocholitiasis or complicated LC. The clinical laboratorial, ultrasonographic, ERC and surgical variables were analyzed. RESULTS: From January 1997 to December 2001, 805 LC were performed, 91 patients were included in the final analysis. Jaundice was found at arrival in 54 patients (59%), 15 (16%) had cholangitis and 32 (35%) had pancreatitis. The ultrasonographic features found common bile duct dilation in 34 patients (38%) and choledocholithiasis in seven (7.8%). Presurgical ERC was performed in 73 patients (80.2%) and post surgically in 18 (19.8%), no intraoperative cholangiogram was performed during surgery. In the presurgical ERC, choledocholithiasis was found in 37 patients (51%) and post surgically in 8 (44%). Five biliary leaks were diagnosed during post surgical ERC, or which the cystic duct fistula was the most common. The duration of hospital stay ranged between 1 to 53 days (medium 4.8 days) after LC. The multivariate analysis showed that the best predictors of choledocholithiasis were cholangitis (OR 15.9, IC 95% 1.8-135.1 and p = 9.01) and elevated alanine aminotransferase (OR 4.7, IC 95% 1.5-15.3 and p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: The ERC with biliary sphincterotomy and stones extraction is a useful and safe treatment of choledocholithiasis associated with symptomatic gallstone disease before or after LC. The best predictors of choledocholithiasis in ERC were cholangitis and elevation of alanine aminotransferase at arrival. It is convenient to perform ERC with biliary sphincterotomy before LC in patients with evidence of choledocholithiasis.

[Application of chromoendoscopy to evaluate the severity and interobserver variation in chronic non-specific ulcerative colitis]. / Aplicación de la cromoendoscopia para evaluar la gravedad y variabilidad interobservador en la colitis ulcerativa crónica inespecífica (CUCI).

BACKGROUND: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a disease of unknown etiology characterized by chronic and superficial inflammation of colorectum. Chromoendoscopy has been informed as a method to improve evaluation of extension of UC. No reports on this issue have been published in Mexico to date. OBJECTIVE: To investigate usefulness of chromoendoscopy in determination of extension and severity of UC, as well as inter-observer variability. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty five patients with diagnosis of UC were selected from March 2001 to January 2002 to enter this prospective study. Baron scale was used to evaluate UC endoscopic severity and was followed by randomization of patients to receive methylene blue 0.2% (14 cases) or indigo carmine 0.1% (11 cases) for chromoendoscopic assessment. Each case was presented for evaluation to five endoscopists with > 5 years experience in colonoscopy. Histopathologic report was considered gold standard. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Weighed Kappa coefficient for endoscopic-pathologic agreement among evaluators was used. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: There was fair agreement among endoscopic and pathologic diagnoses of each observer with the two tinctures, particularly when using indigo carmine. Chromoendoscopy increased detection of areas affected by UC with minimal or silent activity. CONCLUSIONS: Chromoendoscopy with indigo carmine or methylene blue may increase endoscopic-pathologic agreement for assessment of severity of UC, thus being a helpful complementary technique in these patients.

Otimización de la prueba de urea marcada para detectar H. pylori en pacientes con dispepsia / Optimization of the 14-C urea breath test for the detection of H. pylori in dyspeptic patients

El Helicobacter pylori se ha asociado a gastritis, úlcera péptica, cáncer gástrico y otros padecimientos gastrointestinales. La prueba de aliento con urea marcada con C (PAU) se ha propuesto como un método sencillo y no invasivo para su detección, y ha sido implementada recientemente en nuestro medio. Buscando optimizar nuestros recursos, realizamo un análisis de sensibilidad para determinar el muestreo y tiempo mínimo necesario para completar la prueba y objetivar su interpretación. Con este fin, estudiamos 104 pacientes con dispepsia, en quienes se practicaron estudio endoscópico con toma de biopsia y PAU. La PAU consistió en la toma de una muestra de aliento basal, administración de 10 µCi de urea marcada, y toma de muetras subsecuentes a los 5, 15, 30 y 60 minutos. Tomando los hallazgos histológicos como estándar ideal, se construyeron curvas de sensibilidad y especificidad a valores críticos variables (curvas ROC). Las tres estrategias que se analizaron fueron la excreción de CO2 por muestras, la excreción máxima y la acumulada. El Hp se encontró en 74 (71 por ciento) de los pacientes y su presencia coincidió con excreciones significativamente más altas que en los negativos (p < 0.0001). Las tres estrategias consideradas fueron comparables en términos de utilidad diagnóstica, siendo la excreción de CO2 a los 15 minutos la más eficiente. Considerando una excreción de ò 1.7 por ciento como diagnóstica de Hp, la utilidad de esta última se tradujo en una sensibilidad y especificidad ò 83 por ciento, valores predictivos positivos de 93 por ciento y negativo de 68 por ciento, y una exactitud global de 84 por ciento. Concluímos que la ejecución de la PAU puede reducirse a la toma de una muestra a los 15 minutos e interpretarse objetivamente como positiva si la excresión es ò 1.7 por ciento