Narrow Band Imaging versus White Light for the Detection of Sessile Serrated Colorectal Lesions: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer. The detection of pre-malignant lesions by colonoscopy is associated with reduced CRC incidence and mortality. Narrow band imaging has shown promising but conflicting results for the detection of serrated lesions. Methods: We performed a randomized clinical trial to compare the mean detection of serrated lesions and hyperplastic polyps ≥10 mm with NBI or high-definition white light (HD-WL) withdrawal. We also compared all sessile serrated lesions (SSLs), adenoma, and polyp prevalence and rates. Results: Overall, 782 patients were randomized (WL group 392 patients; NBI group 390 patients). The average number of serrated lesions and hyperplastic polyps ≥10 mm detected per colonoscopy (primary endpoint) was similar between the HD-WL and NBI group (0.118 vs. 0.156, p = 0.44). Likewise, the adenoma detection rate (55.2% vs. 53.2%, p = 0.58) and SSL detection rate (6.8% vs. 7.5%, p = 0.502) were not different between the two study groups. Withdrawal time was higher in the NBI group (10.88 vs. 9.47 min, p = 0.004), with a statistically nonsignificant higher total procedure time (20.97 vs. 19.30 min, p = 0.052). Conclusions: The routine utilization of narrow band imaging does not improve the detection of serrated class lesions or any pre-malignant lesion and increases the withdrawal time.

Introdução: O cancro do cólon e reto é a neoplasia mais frequente considerando os dois géneros. . A deteção de lesões pré-malignas por colonoscopia está associada a uma redução da incidência e da mortalidade. Estudos sobre a utilização da luz de banda estreita (NBI) na deteção de lesões serreadas tiveram resultados promissores, mas heterogéneos. Métodos: Realizámos um ensaio clínico randomizado para comparar o número médio de lesões serreadas e lesões hiperplásicas ≥10 mm com NBI ou luz branca de alta-definição (HD-WL). Como resultados secundários comparámos a prevalência e as taxas de deteção de lesões serreadas sésseis, adenomas e todas as lesões. Resultados: Foram randomizados 782 doentes (392 no grupo HD-WL e 390 no grupo NBI). O número médio de lesões serreadas e hiperplásicas ≥10 mm não apresentou diferença estatisticamente significativa entre dois grupos (0.118 vs. 0.156, p = 0.44). A taxa de deteção de adenomas (55.2% vs. 53.2%, p = 0.58) e a taxa de deteção de lesões serreadas sésseis (6.8% vs. 7.5%, p = 0.502) também não foram diferentes. O tempo de retirada foi maior no grupo NBI (10.88 vs. 9.47 min, p = 0.004) e o tempo total de procedimento teve um ligeiro aumento não atingindo significância estatística (20.97 vs. 19.30 min, p = 0.052). Conclusão: A utilização da luz NBI por rotina não aumenta a deteção de lesões serreadas nem de qualquer lesão pré-maligna e aumenta o tempo de retirada na colonoscopia.

Secondary Sclerosing Cholangitis in a Critically Ill Patient with Severe SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Possibly Emergent Entity during the Current Global Pandemic.

A 46-year-old woman without previous history of hepatobiliary disease was admitted to the intensive care unit due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Admission blood tests revealed impending hyperinflammation in the context of systemic inflammatory response syndrome. She required 12 days of mechanical ventilation and vasopressor support. After admission, liver function tests became deranged in a cholestatic pattern and continued to worsen despite overall clinical improvement. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography revealed liver abscesses, intrahepatic bile duct dilation with multiple strictures and some linear repletion defects at the bifurcation of the common hepatic duct. During endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, biliary casts were retrieved confirming the diagnosis of secondary sclerosing cholangitis in the critically ill patient triggered by a severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. Other causes of cholestasis and secondary sclerosing cholangitis were properly excluded. We present an illustrative case and discuss the current literature, focusing on SARS-CoV-2 infection contribution to the development of this potentially underdiagnosed and severe condition.

Uma mulher de 46 anos sem antecedentes de patologia hepatobiliar foi admitida na unidade de cuidados intensivos no contexto de infeção por SARS-CoV-2. Apresentava alterações analíticas interpretadas no contexto de síndrome de resposta inflamatória sistémica. Houve necessidade de suporte vasopressor e ventilação mecânica invasiva durante 12 dias. Após a admissão, verificou-se uma alteração das provas hepáticas com padrão colestático, com agravamento contínuo apesar da melhoria do quadro infecioso. A colangiografia por ressonância magnética revelou a presença de abcessos hepáticos, dilatação das vias biliares intrahepáticas com múltiplas estenoses e com alguns defeitos de repleção lineares na bifurcação do ducto hepático comum. Na colangiopancreatografia endoscópica retrógrada foram removidos cilindros bilares da via biliar, confirmando o diagnóstico de colangite esclerosante secundária associada aos cuidados intensivos, no contexto de uma infeção grave por SARS-CoV-2. Foram excluídas outras causas de colestase e colangite esclerosante secundária de forma exaustiva. Apresentamos um caso clínico ilustrativo com respetiva iconografia e revisão da literatura, com especial enfoque na contribuição da infeção por SARS-CoV-2 no desenvolvimento desta entidade clínica, potencialmente grave e subdiagnosticada.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients' Perspectives during COVID-19 Pandemic: Results from a Portuguese Survey.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) do not seem to be at increased risk of infection by SARS-CoV-2, but there is a concern whether immunosuppressive therapy may be associated with more severe disease. Several clinical practice recommendations have been published to help guide IBD care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, few studies have addressed patients' perspectives and fears. We aimed to evaluate Portuguese IBD patients' perspectives on the clinical management of their disease during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic as well as the impact on their professional life. METHODS: An anonymous electronic survey was created using REDCap and was distributed by the Portuguese Association of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (APDI) between May and August 2020. Patients' perspectives on immunosuppressive therapy, disease management, interaction with gastroenterology departments, and the impact of the pandemic in their professional life were assessed. Patients' proposals to improve medical care were also evaluated. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression were performed. RESULTS: A total of 137 participants answered the survey (79.6% females, mean age 41.7 ± 12.1 years). Although having IBD and receiving treatment with immunosuppressors (thiopurines, steroids, or biologics) were considered promotors of anxiety, most patients (85.4%) agreed that disease remission was a priority and only a minority of patients interrupted their treatment during the pandemic. In multivariate analysis, active disease, biologic treatment, and use of corticosteroids in the last 3 months were perceived by the patients as high-risk features for increased risk of SARS-Cov-2 infection and more severe disease. Fifty-nine patients (44%) believed that their follow-up was influenced by the pandemic and only 58.8% felt that they had the opportunity to discuss their therapeutic options with their doctor. Sixty-three patients (46.0%) were working from home during the pandemic, although this decision was related to IBD and immunosuppressive therapy in only 36.5 and 39.7% of the cases, respectively. Areas where care could have been improved during the pandemic were identified by patients, namely enhancement of the communication with IBD professionals, conciliation of telemedicine with face-to-face appointments, and facilitation of the interaction between patients and employers. CONCLUSION: Most patients agreed that maintaining IBD remission is crucial, and only a minority of the patients stopped their treatment as per their own initiative. IBD status only had a small influence on patients' professional activity during the COVID-19 outbreak, with most changes being related to the pandemic itself.