The role of linear endosonography for the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis when other methods failed.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Acute pancreatitis has no obvious cause after clinical, laboratory and radiologic investigation in 10%-30% of patients, and the diagnosis of idiopathic pancreatitis is given. This study investigated the role of linear EUS for identification of possible causes for acute pancreatitis when other investigative methods failed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between June 2012 and March 2017, 35 patients [25 women; mean age: 51.9 + 17.8 years] with idiopathic acute pancreatitis underwent linear EUS for investigation. All of these cases were contacted for a follow-up telephone interview to compare the EUS findings with the final diagnosis and outcome. RESULTS: Pancreaticobiliary abnormalities were identified in 19 of 35 (54.3%) patients. Ten (28.6%) patients had microlithiasis or biliary sludge. Microlithiasis and choledocholithiasis were identified in 8 (22.8%) and a single (2.8%) patient, respectively. Two patients presented gallbladder biliary sludge, one of them with microlithiasis. Chronic pancreatitis was found on EUS in 6 (17.1%) patients, and pseudotumoral masses confirmed by EUS-FNA as autoimmune pancreatitis were detected in other 3 (8.6%) cases. Linear EUS was normal in 13 (37.1%) patients, and demonstrated findings of recent acute pancreatitis but no other etiological factor in 3 (8.6%) cases. After a mean follow-up of 33.3 months, no case with a normal EUS evaluation presented a new episode of pancreatitis, 1 of 9 cases with microlithiasis presented an episode of recurrent pancreatitis due to choledocolithiasis after cholecystectomy, and 3 of 9 cases with chronic pancreatitis presented recurrent episodes, including the 2 cases of autoimmune pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS: Linear EUS provides diagnostic information in approximately a half of patients with idiopathic acute pancreatitis. Exclusion of pancreaticobiliary abnormalities on EUS has an important prognostic value for absence of new episodes of acute pancreatitis.

Differential diagnosis of mesenchymal neoplasms of the digestive tract by cell block and immunohistochemistry.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the diagnostic yield of the cell block (CB) technique with immunohistochemistry in patients with mesenchymal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract collected by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). METHODS: Tissue samples from consecutive patients with subepithelial lesions collected by EUS-FNA, without analysis by on-site cytopathology, were evaluated by the same pathologist only using CBs in AAF fixative. Sections were stained with haematoxylin-eosin and underwent complementary immunohistochemical staining for SMA, CD117, DOG-1 and S100 in the presence of mesenchymal neoplasms. Specimens were defined as diagnostic when sufficient tissue was present for histopathological evaluation and immunohistochemistry analysis. If they were insufficient for complete evaluation, the specimens were considered nondiagnostic. RESULTS: Between September 2012 and December 2016, a total of 158 patients (median age: 57 years, 64.5% women) underwent EUS-FNA with an average of three needle passes for every lesion. The median lesion size was 17 mm. There were 113 mesenchymal neoplasms confirmed by immunohistochemistry (66 leiomyomas, 44 GISTs, two schwannomas, one leiomyosarcoma). The overall diagnostic yield of CBs was 84.17%. However, diagnosis was obtained in 98.5% (133/135) of the cases after exclusion of 23 cases in which EUS-FNA sampling was insufficient or without tumoural tissue. Only two mesenchymal neoplasms were not confirmed by CBs even after immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSIONS: CBs collected by EUS-FNA and analysed by immunohistochemistry showed a high diagnostic yield in patients with mesenchymal neoplasms, even without on-site cytopathology.

EUS-FNA WITH 19 OR 22 GAUGES NEEDLES FOR GASTRIC SUBEPITHELIAL LESIONS OF THE MUSCLE LAYER.

BACKGROUND: Tissue diagnosis is required for gastric subepithelial lesions for differential diagnosis of GISTs. However, there has not been consensus about the best needle for EUS-guided sampling of these lesions. AIM: To evaluate the diagnostic yield of EUS-FNA for gastric subepithelial lesions of the proper muscle layer with large-bore 19 gauge needles. METHODS: A prospectively maintained database was retrospectively reviewed to identify consecutive patients who underwent EUS-FNA with 19 and 22 gauge needles for gastric subepithelial lesions of the fourth endosonographic layer in a tertiary care referral center. EUS-FNA was performed by the same endosonographer, using the fanning technique, without on-site cytopathologist. Specimens were analysed through cell blocks by the same pathologist. Procedure results were categorized into diagnostic, defined as enough material for histopathology and immunohistochemistry, or nondiagnostic. RESULTS: Eighty-nine patients (mean age: 59 years, 77% women) underwent 92 EUS-FNA with 19 (75) or 22 (17) gauge needles. Mean lesion size was 22.6 mm. Overall diagnostic yield was 88%. The diagnostic yield of 19 gauge was higher than that of 22 gauge needle (92%x70.6%; p=0.0410), and similar for lesions >2 cm and <2 cm (93.7%x90.7%; p=0.9563). The best performance for 19 gauge needles was obtained performing <3 needle passes. Complication rate was 2.8%. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic yield of EUS-FNA with 19 gauge needles is 92% for gastric subepithelial lesions of the proper muscle layer. It is safe and highly valuable for differentiation between GIST and leiomyoma, no matter the size of the lesion.

Eus-fna with 19 or 22 gauges needles for gastric subepithelial lesions of the muscle layer / Punção aspirativa ecoguiada com agulhas de 19 e 22 gauges para lesões subepiteliais gástricas da camada muscular própria

ABSTRACT Background: Tissue diagnosis is required for gastric subepithelial lesions for differential diagnosis of GISTs. However, there has not been consensus about the best needle for EUS-guided sampling of these lesions. Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic yield of EUS-FNA for gastric subepithelial lesions of the proper muscle layer with large-bore 19 gauge needles. Methods: A prospectively maintained database was retrospectively reviewed to identify consecutive patients who underwent EUS-FNA with 19 and 22 gauge needles for gastric subepithelial lesions of the fourth endosonographic layer in a tertiary care referral center. EUS-FNA was performed by the same endosonographer, using the fanning technique, without on-site cytopathologist. Specimens were analysed through cell blocks by the same pathologist. Procedure results were categorized into diagnostic, defined as enough material for histopathology and immunohistochemistry, or nondiagnostic. Results: Eighty-nine patients (mean age: 59 years, 77% women) underwent 92 EUS-FNA with 19 (75) or 22 (17) gauge needles. Mean lesion size was 22.6 mm. Overall diagnostic yield was 88%. The diagnostic yield of 19 gauge was higher than that of 22 gauge needle (92%x70.6%; p=0.0410), and similar for lesions >2 cm and <2 cm (93.7%x90.7%; p=0.9563). The best performance for 19 gauge needles was obtained performing <3 needle passes. Complication rate was 2.8%. Conclusions: Diagnostic yield of EUS-FNA with 19 gauge needles is 92% for gastric subepithelial lesions of the proper muscle layer. It is safe and highly valuable for differentiation between GIST and leiomyoma, no matter the size of the lesion.

RESUMO Racional: O diagnóstico tecidual é mandatório nas lesões subepiteliais gástricas da camada muscular própria para o diagnóstico diferencial das neoplasias do estroma gastrointestinal (GISTs). Contudo, ainda não há consenso quanto a melhor agulha para a punção ecoguiada destas lesões. Objetivo: Avaliar o valor da punção aspirativa ecoguiada com agulhas calibrosas de 19 gauge para o diagnóstico diferencial das lesões subepiteliais gástricas da camada muscular própria. Métodos: Foram revisados retrospectivamente os registros de pacientes consecutivos submetidos à punção aspirativa ecoguiada com agulhas de 19 e 22 gauge de lesões subepiteliais gástricas da quarta camada ecográfica em um centro de referência. A punção aspirativa foi realizada sempre pelo mesmo endoscopista, com o emprego da técnica de fanning, sem presença de citopatologista em sala. O material aspirado foi avaliado apenas pela técnica de cell block pelo mesmo patologista. Os resultados foram considerados diagnósticos, na presença de material adequado para coloração pela H&E e imunoistoquímica, ou não-diagnósticos. Resultados: Oitenta e nove pacientes (idade média: 59 anos, 77% do sexo feminino) foram submetidos a 92 punções aspirativas ecoguiadas com agulhas de 19 (75) ou 22 (17) gauges. O tamanho médio das lesões foi de 22,6 mm. O ganho diagnóstico geral foi de 88%. O ganho diagnóstico para as agulhas de 19 gauge foi superior ao das agulhas de 22 gauge (92%x70,6%; p=0,0410), e similar para lesões >2 cm e <2 cm (93,7%x90,7%; p=0,9563). Os melhores resultados com a agulha de 19 gauge foram obtidos com a realização de até três punções. A taxa de complicações foi de 2,8%. Conclusão: O ganho diagnóstico da punção aspirativa ecoguiada de lesões subepiteliais gástricas da camada muscular própria com agulhas de 19 gauge é de 92%. A punção com a agulha mais calibrosa para lesões de qualquer tamanho é procedimento seguro e de grande valor no diagnóstico diferencial dos GISTs e leiomiomas.

Evaluation of the C3435T polymorphism in the MDR1 gene in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Considering the high prevalence of liver tumors and the impact on patient survival, a greater understanding of the biological behavior of those tumors if of great importance. The multidrug resistance gene (MDR1) may present as single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) which can affect the expression and activity of P-glycoprotein (Pgp), and high expression of Pgp has been associated with a worse prognosis in affected patients. OBJECTIVE: To correlate the C3435T polymorphism in the MDR1 gene with the immunohistochemical expression of Pgp. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 67 samples from patients with diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), collected in the period from 2000 to 2009, were analyzed. The polymorphism in the MDR1 gene was determined by the technique of allele-specific real time PCR using TaqMan assay, and the expression of protein Pgp was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Among the samples evaluated, 56 (83.6%) were from male patients and 11 (16.4%) from females. Mean age was 60.6 years (± 8.8), ranging from 37 to 85 years. The etiology of the HCC was related to hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) in 31 (46.3%) of cases, followed by hepatitis C virus infection + alcohol in 24 cases (35.8%), alcohol in 4 cases (6)%, hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 4 cases (6%) and other factors in 4 cases (6%). Liver transplantation was performed in 48 cases (71.6%) and hepatectomia in 19 cases (28.4%). The genotypes CC, CT and TT showed frequencies of 25.4%, 41.8% and 32.8%, respectively, and the allele frequencies were 46.3% for allele C and 53.7% for allele T. The expression of Pgp in over 75% of the cells was significantly more frequent in tumor tissue. On the other hand, a low expression of Pgp, in less than 25% of the cells, was significantly more frequent in non-tumor tissue. The Pgp expression in more than 50% of tumor cells of individuals with genotypes CC, CT and TT was 15.7%, 51.0% and 33.3%, respectively, and was significantly higher when in the presence of allele T (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: The presence of the polymorphic allele T is related to increased expression of Pgp protein in patients with HCC.

Pancreatite autoimune: diagnóstico por ecoendoscopia associada à punção aspirativa / Autoimmune pancreatitis: diagnosis by endoscopic ultrasound and fine needle aspiration

As lesões sólidas do pâncreas são constituídas, na maioria dos casos, pelo adenocarcinoma ductal. Contudo parcela considerável de casos apresentam lesões de outra natureza, as quais requerem abordagens cirúrgicas menos extensas ou tratamento clínico conservador com quimio ou corticoterapia. Neste relato, apresentamos o caso de uma paciente de 56 anos com icterícia e uma massa na cabeça do pâncreas mimetizando um quadro neoplásico. O diagnóstico de pancreatite autoimune foi firmado por meio da ecoendoscopia associada à punção aspirativa (AU)

Solid lesions of the pancreas are, in most cases, constituted of the ductal adenocarcinoma, but a considerable portion of cases have lesions of a different nature, which require less extensive surgical approaches or conservative medical treatment with chemotherapy or corticosteroids. In this report, we present the case of a 56-year-old female patient with jaundice and a mass in the head of the pancreas mimicking a neoplasm. The diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis was confirmed by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (AU)

Effect of black tea in diethylnitrosamine-induced esophageal carcinogenesis in mice / Efeito do chá preto sobre a carcinogênese esofágica induzida por dietilnitrosamina em camundongos

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of black tea on esophageal carcinogenesis induced by the oral administration of diethylnitrosamine (DEN). METHODS: A population of 120 female mice (Mus musculus, strain CF1) were studied for 160 days. The animals were assigned to two control groups and three treatment groups. The control groups received water or tea throughout the study period, while the three experimental groups received DEN weekly, for three consecutive days, and water, tea, or both, in the other days of the week. On completion of the 160-day period, the animals were killed and their esophagi promptly examined macroscopically and subsequently submitted to histopathology (using the hematoxylin-eosin technique). RESULTS: In the comparative analysis between the treatment groups, tumor incidence (macroscopy) was significantly lower in those animals that received black tea besides the carcinogen. As regards the histopathologic changes, there was a greater number of low grade epithelial lesions in the same groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The animals that received black tea had a lower incidence of effects related to the carcinogen's action, thus indicating that, in this model, the infusion had a significant chemoprophylactic effect on experimental diethylnitrosamine-induced carcinogenesis.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito do chá preto sobre a carcinogênese esofágica experimental induzida pela administração oral de dietilnitrosamina (DEN). MÉTODOS: Durante 160 dias foi estudada uma população de 120 camundongos fêmeas, gênero Mus musculus, da cepa CF1, dividida em dois grupos controles e três grupos de tratamento. Os grupos controles receberam água ou chá durante todo o período do estudo. Os três grupos tratados receberam DEN semanalmente, durante três dias consecutivos, e água, chá ou ambos, nos demais dias da semana. Ao completar o período de 160 dias foram efetuadas as eutanásias dos animais e seus esôfagos foram analisados macroscopicamente (a fresco) e, posteriormente, à histopatologia (empregando a técnica da hematoxilina e eosina - HE). RESULTADOS: Na análise comparativa entre os grupos de tratamento, a incidência tumoral (macroscopia) foi significativamente menor naqueles animais que receberam chá preto, além do carcinógeno. No que se refere às alterações histopatológicas, houve maior número de lesões epiteliais de baixo grau nesses mesmos grupos (p < 0,001). CONCLUSÃO: Os animais que receberam chá preto apresentaram menor incidência dos efeitos relacionados à ação do carcinógeno, indicando que, neste modelo, a infusão apresentou efeito quimioprofilático significativo sobre a carcinogênese experimental induzida pela dietilnitrosamina.

Effect of black tea in diethylnitrosamine-induced esophageal carcinogenesis in mice.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of black tea on esophageal carcinogenesis induced by the oral administration of diethylnitrosamine (DEN). METHODS: A population of 120 female mice (Mus musculus, strain CF1) were studied for 160 days. The animals were assigned to two control groups and three treatment groups. The control groups received water or tea throughout the study period, while the three experimental groups received DEN weekly, for three consecutive days, and water, tea, or both, in the other days of the week. On completion of the 160-day period, the animals were killed and their esophagi promptly examined macroscopically and subsequently submitted to histopathology (using the hematoxylin-eosin technique). RESULTS: In the comparative analysis between the treatment groups, tumor incidence (macroscopy) was significantly lower in those animals that received black tea besides the carcinogen. As regards the histopathologic changes, there was a greater number of low grade epithelial lesions in the same groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The animals that received black tea had a lower incidence of effects related to the carcinogen's action, thus indicating that, in this model, the infusion had a significant chemoprophylactic effect on experimental diethylnitrosamine-induced carcinogenesis.

[Potentially pre-neoplasics areas in rat's liver associated to chronic use of phenobarbital]. / A relação do uso crônico de fenobarbital com áreas potencialmente pré-neoplásicas em fígado de ratos.

BACKGROUND: Phenobarbital has been used in experimental models because it is an important agent of carcinogenesis promotion in the liver of rats, and it is also non-genotoxic, organ-specific and dose-dependent. AIM: To evaluate the effects of the daily administration of phenobarbital in old rats treated with phenobarbital since their birth up to 24 months of age, in the absence of concomitant administration of chemical agents, which initiate carcinogenesis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A control group of male Wistar rats was fed with a basic diet and a second group was fed with the same basic diet added of 0.05% of phenobarbital, for a period of 24 months. Medium and right liver fragments were submitted to the histological processing and they were stained by hematoxiciline and eosin and were immunohystochemically colored to glutathione S-transferase placentary form. RESULTS: Glutathione S-transferase placentary positive zones were detected in both groups and the images were analyzed concerning their number and surface extension through the technique of histometry analyses. CONCLUSION: Chronic use of phenobarbital did not modify the number of glutathione S-transferase placentary form positive areas. Although, data indicates that glutathione S-transferase placentary form positive areas media size are increased, probably because there are an increase in their evolution capacity and irreversibility.

A relação do uso crônico de fenobarbital com áreas potencialmente pré-neoplásicas em fígado de ratos / Potentially pre-neoplasics areas in rat's liver associated to chronic use of phenobarbital

RACIONAL: O fenobarbital é utilizado em modelos experimentais não só por ser um importante agente promotor da carcinogênese em fígado de ratos, como também por ser não-genotóxico, órgão-específico e dose-dependente. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar o efeito da administração diária de fenobarbital em ratos, desde o nascimento até os 24 meses de idade, na ausência concomitante de administração de agentes químicos iniciadores da carcinogênese. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Um grupo controle de ratos machos Wistar recebeu dieta básica e a esta, do outro grupo, foi adicionado diariamente, fenobarbital a 0,05 por cento, durante 24 meses. Cortes dos lobos médio e direito do fígado foram submetidos ao processamento histológico e corados pela hematoxilina-eosina e coloração imunoistoquímica para a glutationa S-transferase forma placentária. RESULTADOS: Detectaram-se áreas glutationa S-transferase forma placentária positivas em ambos os grupos e as imagens foram analisadas quanto ao número e à extensão da superfície, mediante análise de imagem por histomorfometria. CONCLUSÃO: O uso crônico de fenobarbital não alterou o número de áreas glutationa S-transferase forma placentária positivas, havendo, no entanto, aumento no tamanho médio de áreas glutationa S-transferase forma placentária positivas, com conseqüente aumento da superfície glutationa S-transferase forma placentária positiva, sendo este aumento provavelmente relacionado a maior capacidade evolutiva dessas lesões e possível irreversibilidade das mesmas.

BACKGROUND: Phenobarbital has been used in experimental models because it is an important agent of carcinogenesis promotion in the liver of rats, and it is also non-genotoxic, organ-specific and dose-dependent. AIM: To evaluate the effects of the daily administration of phenobarbital in old rats treated with phenobarbital since their birth up to 24 months of age, in the absence of concomitant administration of chemical agents, which initiate carcinogenesis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A control group of male Wistar rats was fed with a basic diet and a second group was fed with the same basic diet added of 0.05 percent of phenobarbital, for a period of 24 months. Medium and right liver fragments were submitted to the histological processing and they were stained by hematoxiciline and eosin and were immunohystochemically colored to glutathione S-transferase placentary form. RESULTS: Glutathione S-transferase placentary positive zones were detected in both groups and the images were analyzed concerning their number and surface extension through the technique of histometry analyses. CONCLUSION: Chronic use of phenobarbital did not modify the number of glutathione S-transferase placentary form positive areas. Although, data indicates that glutathione S-transferase placentary form positive areas media size are increased, probably because there are an increase in their evolution capacity and irreversibility.

O critério de positividade para a análise imunoistoquímica da p53 na confirmação da displasia do esôfago de Barrett faz diferença? / Does positive criterium for p53 immunohistochemical analysis in the confirmation of Barrett's dysplasia make difference?

RACIONAL: O esôfago de Barrett é uma complicação da doença do refluxo gastroesofágico com importante potencial de malignização. Relata-se que a expressão do marcador tumoral p53 se acentua com a progressão displasia-adenocarcinoma. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a expressão da p53 no epitélio de Barrett com presença ou não de displasia conforme dois critérios de positividade. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: O material foi constituído por biopsias endoscópicas de 42 doentes com esôfago de Barrett. Cortes histológicos foram corados pela hematoxilina-eosina, pelo PAS-alcian blue e avaliados quanto à expressão imunoistoquímica da p53. O diagnóstico de displasia foi firmado pela concordância entre três patologistas. Foram utilizados dois critérios de positividade para a p53: 1. a coloração de, pelo menos, metade dos núcleos e 2. o encontro de qualquer núcleo corado. RESULTADOS: O número total de fragmentos foi de 229, com média de 5,4 por paciente. A displasia foi detectada em seis (14,3 por cento) casos. Para diferentes critérios de positividade, a p53 foi detectada, respectivamente, em 5 (13,9 por cento) e 14 (38,9 por cento) com epitélio metaplásico não-displásico. Especificamente nos seis casos displásicos, a p53 foi detectada, conforme o critério de positividade, em um (16,7 por cento) e quatro (66,7 por cento) casos, respectivamente. CONCLUSÕES: Nesta pequena série, a expressão imunoistoquímica da p53, independente do critério de positividade, não foi de auxílio para a confirmação de alterações displásicas no esôfago de Barrett.

p53 immunohistochemical expression in Barrett's esophagus before and after endoscopic ablation by argon plasma coagulation.

OBJECTIVE: Few studies have evaluated p53 accumulation in the squamous mucosa contiguous (SMC) to Barrett's esophagus (BE) and in the new squamous epithelium after endoscopic ablation. We evaluated the p53 expression in BE, in the SMC, and in the new squamous mucosa generated after ablation by argon plasma coagulation (APC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Endoscopic biopsy specimens from 37 BE patients, before and after ablation by APC, were analyzed. The p53 immunostaining criterion used was the staining of at least half of the nuclei. RESULTS: p53 was detected in BE in 5 (13.5%) cases. In all these cases, SMC was p53(+). In addition, SMC was p53(-) in all cases of p53(-) BE (p <0.001). In the 5 cases with p53(+) BE and SMC, the new squamous mucosa continued to be p53(+). However, in the 32 cases with p53(-) SMC, the new squamous mucosa was also p53(-) (p <0.001). No case with p53(+) SMC turned out to be p53(-) after ablation. Similarly, no case with p53(-) BE and SMC before eradication became p53(+) after ablation (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: p53 was highly prevalent in the contiguous squamous mucosa when it is present in BE. After ablation, none of the cases lost p53 expression, and none of the negative cases turned out to be positive.

[Does the criterium of positivity for the immunohistochemical analysis of p53 in the confirmation of Barrett's dysplasia make any difference?]. / O critério de positividade para a análise imunoistoquímica da p53 na confirmação da displasia do esôfago de Barrett faz diferença?

BACKGROUND: Barrett's esophagus is the most serious complication of the gastroesophageal reflux disease and presents a malignant potential. The expression of the tumoral marker p53 increases with the dysplasia-adenocarcinoma sequence. AIMS: To evaluate the p53 expression in Barrett's esophagus with or without dysplasia according to the two positive immunostaining criteria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The material was constituted by endoscopic biopsy specimens from 42 patients with Barrett's esophagus. Section of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded biopsies were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, PAS-alcian blue and evaluated the p53 immunohistochemical expression. Two p53 immunostaining criteria were utilized: 1. The staining of, at least, half of the nuclei, and 2. The staining of any nucleus. The diagnosis of dysplasia was confirmed by the agreement between three pathologists. RESULTS: The total number of tissue specimens was 229, with an average of 5.4 specimens per patient. Dysplasia, with agreement for all pathologists examining the same set of slides, was detected in six (14.3%) cases. According to the two different p53 immunostaining criteria, the protein was detected in non-dysplastic Barrett's metaplasia, respectively, in 5 (13.9%) and 14 (38.9%) patients. Specifically in the six dysplastic cases, p53 was detected, according to the immunostaining criteria, in one (16.7%) and four (66.7%) cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this group, p53 immunohistochemical expression, regardless of positive criteria take into account, was not useful for detecting dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus.

[Dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus--intra- and interobserver variability in histopathological diagnosis]. / Displasia no esôfago de Barrett--concordância intra e interobservador no diagnóstico histopatológico.

BACKGROUND: Barrett's esophagus is a well-known pre-malignant condition. Pathologic interpretation of biopsy specimens guides endoscopic surveillance as well as the therapeutic approach that will be carried out. However, the predictive value of histopathologic diagnosis can be questioned due to its poor intra- and interobserver reproducibility. AIMS: To assess intra- and interobserver variability in the diagnosis of Barrett's dysplasia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three-micrometer thick sections from biopsy specimens from 42 patients with Barrett's esophagus were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and PAS-alcian blue. The reading of the slides was carried out blindly in a light microscope. Intra and interobserver variability in the interpretation of the slides was determined by kappa statistics. RESULTS: The number of tissue specimens was 229, with average of 5.45 (1 to 18) fragments for patient. Low grade dysplasia was diagnosed by pathologists in 21.4% to 52.4% of the cases. The intra-observer agreement for the diagnosis of low grade dysplasia was slight (kappa = 0.30). The interobserver agreement for the diagnosis of low grade dysplasia was poor, with kappa scores between 0.05 and 0.16. The diagnosis of dysplasia, with agreement for all pathologists examining the same set of slides, was 14.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Pathologic interpretation of Barrett's dysplasia may be subject to marked intra- and interobserver variabiliaty. Interpretation of low grade dysplasia, as high grade dysplasia, should also be considered for review by two or more pathologists.

Displasia no esôfago de Barrett - concordância intra e interobservador no diagnóstico histopatológico / Dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus - intra- and interobserver variability in histopathological diagnosis

RACIONAL: O potencial maligno do esôfago de Barrett é bem reconhecido. A vigilância endoscópica e a abordagem terapêutica se baseiam na presença e graduação da displasia. Contudo, a validade do diagnóstico histopatológico pode ser questionada devido à precária reprodutibilidade tanto intra como interobservador. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a concordância intra e interobservador no diagnóstico de displasia no esôfago de Barrett. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: O material foi constituído por 42 blocos de parafina contendo fragmentos de esôfago provenientes de biopsias endoscópicas de portadores de esôfago de Barrett. Cortes de 3 micrômetros foram corados pela hematoxilina-eosina e pelo PAS-alcian blue. A leitura das lâminas foi realizada de maneira cega, em microscópio óptico. A reprodutibilidade intra e interobservador utilizou o teste kappa. RESULTADOS: O número total de fragmentos foi de 229, com média de 5,45 (1 a 18) fragmentos por paciente. O diagnóstico de displasia de baixo grau firmado pelos diferentes patologistas variou de 21,4 por cento a 52,4 por cento. A concordância intra-observador para o diagnóstico de displasia de baixo grau foi fraca (kappa = 0,30). A concordância interobservador para o diagnóstico de displasia de baixo grau foi pobre, com escore kappa oscilando entre 0,05 e 0,16. O diagnóstico de displasia, firmado pela concordância entre todos os patologistas, foi de 14,3 por cento. CONCLUSÕES: A concordância no diagnóstico histopatológico de displasia de baixo grau no esôfago de Barrett, tanto intra quanto interobservador, é ruim. Idealmente, à semelhança da displasia de alto grau, o diagnóstico de displasia de baixo grau no esôfago de Barrett também deveria ser confirmado por mais de um patologista.

Reprodutibilidade no diagnóstico histopatológico do esôfago de barrett na presença de metaplasia intestinal focal em biópsias endoscópicas / Reproducibility of esophagus histopathologic diagnosis in the presence of focal intestinal metaplasia in endoscopic biopsies

Introdução: O esôfago de Barrett (EB) é uma complicação da doença do refluxo gastroesofágico histologicamente caracterizado pelo encontro de metaplasia intestinal em substituição ao epitélio escamoso esofágico. Contudo, na presença de material exíguo, a metaplasia costuma ser designada como focal e pouco sabe-se a respeito da reprodutibilidade do diagnóstico do EB na avaliação de cortes histológicos seriados deste material. Objetivo: avaliar a presença de células caliciformes em cortes seriados de biópsias endoscópicas conservadas em parafina em portadores de EB com metaplasia intestinal previamente designado como focal à avaliação histopatológica. Material e Métodos: O material foi constituido por biópsias endoscópocas de 53 portadores de EB dos quais 42 com franca metaplasia intestinal e outros 11 casos com metaplasia intestinal focal. Cortes seriados de três micrômetros foram corados pela hematoxilina-eosina, pelo PAS-Alcian Blue e avaliados quanto à expressão imunoistoquímica da Mucina-2 pela técnica da estreptavidina-biotina-peroxidase como anticorpo primário monoclonal. Resultados: O número total de fraquimentos de epitélio metaplássico foi de 256, com média de 5,2 fragmentos por paciente. O número de fragmentos entre portadores de metaplasia intestinal focal foi inferior ao dos portadores de franca metaplasia intestinal (p=0,20). Entre os portadores de metaplasia intestinal focal , a extensão do epitélio metaplasico foi inferior à dos portadores de franca metaplasia intestinal (p=0,045). A concordância no diagnóstico histopatológico do EB em portadores de franca metaplasia intestinal foi de 90,5por cento perante 36,4por cento entre os portadores de metaplasia intestinal focal. Quando ausente, a metaplasia não foi detectada em nenhum dos novos cortes, mesmo com o emprego de corantes específicos para as células caliciformes. Conclusão: A metaplasia intestinal, quando previamente rotulada como focal à avaliação histopatológica, não será detectada em novos cortes histológicos do material de origem conservado em parafina em número expressivo de pacientes, mesmo com o emprego de técnicas mais elaboradas para a detecção de células caliciformes