Erratum: Single-balloon enteroscopy efficacy and degree of concordance with noninvasive evaluation of small bowel.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-121415.].

Single-balloon enteroscopy efficacy and degree of concordance with noninvasive evaluation of small bowel.

Background and study aims Clinical impact of single-balloon enteroscopy (SBE) is fairly known, as well as its diagnostic yield comparing with other small bowel gastrointestinal investigations. This study represents a contribution to better understand it and is designed to evaluate SBE efficacy and degree of concordance with previous evaluation of small bowel. Patients and methods This is a single-center retrospective study of patients that underwent SBE with suspected small bowel disease based on non-invasive imaging. Demographic, clinical, procedural and outcome data were collected for analysis. Agreement beyond positive findings was evaluated using κ-coefficient. Results A total of 197 SBEs were performed in 168 patients; mainly men (64.3 %) with mean age 53.3±17.6 years. Most SBEs (86.3 %) performed were preceded by a noninvasive evaluation: in 61.4 % (n = 119) of cases, capsule enteroscopy (CE) was performed, in 18.8 % (n = 37), computed tomography was performed, and in 6.1 % (n = 12) magnetic resonance enterography was performed. Fourty-three patients (25.6 %) underwent endoscopic treatments, mainly: argon plasma coagulation in angioectasias (53.4 %) and polypectomy (34.9 %). The most common diagnoses made with SBE were findings consistent with inflammatory small bowel disease (21.8 %) and vascular lesions (14.2 %). The diagnostic yield of SBE was of 69 %, confirming the suspicion of small bowel disease. The degree of concordance between CE and SBE for positive findings was substantial, κ-coefficient = 0.635 (P < 0.001). However, the degree of concordance between imaging examinations (CT or MR) and SBE was only moderate, κ-coefficient = 0.410 (P < 0.001). SBE had an immediate effect in 20 % of patients, changing diagnostic approaches, medical and surgical treatments. Conclusions Our study supports the idea that for suspected small bowel disease, CE and SBE have an overall good degree of concordance for all the diagnostics included.

Routine Colonoscopy after Acute Uncomplicated Diverticulitis - Challenging a Putative Indication.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Most international guidelines recommend performing a routine colonoscopy after the conservative management of acute diverticulitis, mainly to rule out a colorectal malignancy; however, data to support these recommendations are scarce and conflicting. This study is aimed at determining the rate of advanced colonic neoplasia (ACN) found by colonoscopy, and hence the need for routine colonoscopy after CT-diagnosed acute diverticulitis. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed all patients hospitalized for acute diverticulitis between July 2008 and June 2013. Patients who underwent colonoscopy more than 1 year after the acute episode were excluded. Advanced adenoma (AA) was defined as an adenoma with: (i) ≥10 mm, (ii) ≥25% villous features, or (iii) high-grade dysplasia. ACN included cases of colorectal cancer (CRC) and AA. RESULTS: Of the 364 selected patients, 252 (69%) underwent colonoscopy (51% women, median age 55 ± 11 years). Adenomatous polyps were evident in 14.7% patients; 5.1% had AA and 3.2% had CRC. Patients with complicated diverticulitis had a higher number of ACN compared to those with uncomplicated diverticulitis (20.9 vs. 5.7%, p = 0.003). On multivariate analysis, age ≥50 years (OR 8.12, 95% CI 2.463-45.112; p = 0.017) and abscess on CT (OR 3.15, 95% CI 1.586-11.586; p = 0.036) were identified as significant risk factors for ACN. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with diverticulitis complicated with abscess have a higher risk of ACN on follow-up colonoscopy. The prevalence of ACN in patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis is quite similar to the average-risk population, and therefore an episode of CT-diagnosed uncomplicated diverticulitis, per se, does not seem to be a recommendation for colonoscopy.

Pseudomelanosis duodeni: is there a common denominator?

A 76-year-old female patient with a past medical history of diabetes mellitus, stage 3 chronic renal failure and iron deficiency anemia was referred for esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) for evaluation of solid food dysphagia. She had been on oral therapy with ferrous sulfate for several years. Besides a Schatzki's ring the EGD revealed a duodenal mucosa with black-speckled pigmentation. Biopsies were performed and disclosed the deposition of brown (hemosiderin) pigment within macrophages in the lamina propria of normal villi. This endoscopic appearance is called pseudomelanosis duodeni (PD).

Pseudomelanosis duodeni: is there a common denominator?

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Self-expanding metal stents in postoperative esophageal leaks

Aim: Evaluating predictors of success of SEMS in postoperative esophageal leaks. Methods: Retrospective study of patients with postoperative esophageal leaks referred for SEMS placement in a reference center during a period of 3 years. Technical success was defined as closure of the leak in barium swallow at 15 days. Clinical success was considered as endoscopic and/or radiographic confirmation of closure after stent removal. Results: Thirteen patients placed SEMS. Median follow-up was 58 days. Leaks had a median size of 20 mm. Time between surgery and SEMS placement was 20 days. One patient died 2 days after SEMS placement and one had worsening of the fistula after SEMS expansion. Time till stent migration was 9 days. Technical success was achieved in 9 of 11 patients, with clinical success without recurrence in 5 patients. All leaks with less than 20 mm were solved endoscopically. Technical and clinical success was higher when time between surgery and SEMS placement was lower, even though without statistical significance (respectively, p = 0.228 and 0.374). In the 8 patients who died during follow-up, median survival was 59 days. Conclusions: Technical success of SEMS was higher than 80%; however, due to high morbidity and mortality, only 45% of patients had their stent removed. Lower time from diagnosis to SEMS placement and leak size less than 20 mm may be associated with better results (AU)

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Risk factors associated with refractoriness to esophageal dilatation for benign dysphagia.

BACKGROUND: Benign esophageal strictures need repeated dilatations to relieve dysphagia. Literature is scarce on the risk factors for refractoriness of these strictures. AIM: This study aimed to assess the risk factors associated with refractory strictures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of patients with benign esophageal strictures who were referred for esophageal dilatation over a period of 3 years. RESULTS: A total of 327 esophageal dilatations were performed in 103 patients; 53% of the patients reported dysphagia for liquids. Clinical success was achieved in 77% of the patients. There was a need for further dilatations in 54% of patients, being more frequent in patients with dysphagia for liquids [78 vs. 64%, P=0.008, odds ratio (OR) 1.930], in those with caustic strictures (89 vs. 70%, P=0.007, OR 3.487), and in those with complex strictures (83 vs. 70%, P=0.047, OR 2.132). Caustic strictures, peptic strictures, and complex strictures showed statistical significance in the multivariate analysis. Time until subsequent dilatations was less in patients with dysphagia for liquids (49 vs. 182 days, P<0.001), in those with peptic strictures (49 vs. 98 days, P=0.004), in those with caustic strictures (49 vs. 78 days, P=0.005), and in patients with complex strictures (47 vs. 80 days P=0.009). In multivariate analysis, further dilatations occurred earlier in patients with dysphagia for liquids [hazard ratio (HR) 1.506, P=0.004], in those with peptic strictures (HR 1.644, P=0.002), in those with caustic strictures (HR 1.581, P=0.016), and in patients with complex strictures (HR 1.408, P=0.046). CONCLUSION: Caustic, peptic, and complex strictures were associated with a greater need for subsequent dilatations. Time until subsequent dilatations was less in patients with dysphagia for liquids and in those with caustic, peptic, and complex strictures.

Self-expanding metal stents in postoperative esophageal leaks.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative esophageal leaks have a high morbidity and mortality. Self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) have been used as an alternative to re-operation. AIM: Evaluating predictors of success of SEMS in postoperative esophageal leaks. METHODS: Retrospective study of patients with postoperative esophageal leaks referred for SEMS placement in a reference center during a period of 3 years. Technical success was defined as closure of the leak in barium swallow at 15 days. Clinical success was considered as endoscopic and/or radiographic confirmation of closure after stent removal. RESULTS: Thirteen patients placed SEMS. Median follow-up was 58 days. Leaks had a median size of 20 mm. Time between surgery and SEMS placement was 20 days. One patient died 2 days after SEMS placement and one had worsening of the fistula after SEMS expansion. Time till stent migration was 9 days. Technical success was achieved in 9 of 11 patients, with clinical success without recurrence in 5 patients. All leaks with less than 20 mm were solved endoscopically. Technical and clinical success was higher when time between surgery and SEMS placement was lower, even though without statistical significance (respectively, p = 0.228 and 0.374). In the 8 patients who died during follow-up, median survival was 59 days. CONCLUSIONS: Technical success of SEMS was higher than 80%; however, due to high morbidity and mortality, only 45% of patients had their stent removed. Lower time from diagnosis to SEMS placement and leak size less than 20 mm may be associated with better results.

Malignant Small Bowel Tumors: Diagnosis, Management and Prognosis.

PURPOSE: Despite being rare entities, the incidence of malignant small bowel tumors seems to be rising. The development of capsule endoscopy and balloon assisted enteroscopy provided an advance in the assessment of small bowel lesions. We aim to describe the clinical and pathological characteristics of patients with small bowel cancer and ascertain what roles these endoscopic techniques currently have. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study of patients diagnosed with small bowel cancer, from January 2010 to October 2014, was performed. The data was submitted to statistical analysis. RESULTS: Of the 28 diagnosed patients, 54% were female. The mean age at diagnosis was 61 years. Adenocarcinoma was the most frequent tumor (n = 11), followed by sarcoma (n = 6), lymphoma (n = 6) and neuroendocrine tumors (n = 3). The main form of presentation was related to blood loss or intestinal obstruction. By the time of diagnosis, 46% of patients had distant metastasis/ unresectable cancer. Most of the tumors were diagnosed by endoscopic (41%) or imaging techniques (35%). In the first year after diagnosis, 29% of patients died. In multivariate analysis, adenocarcinoma remained an independent factor for worse survival. DISCUSSION: Patients with adenocarcinoma presented at late stages and with unresectable tumors, contributing to a worse outcome. A high degree of clinical suspicion for the diagnosis of small bowel cancer is necessary. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of the patients were generally consistent with those described in the literature. Capsule endoscopy and balloon assisted enteroscopy are useful in the diagnosis, management and surveillance of small bowel cancer.

Introdução: Apesar de entidades raras, a incidência dos tumores malignos do intestino delgado parece estar a aumentar. O desenvolvimento da cápsula endoscópica e da enteroscopia assistida por balão permitiram um avanço na avaliação das lesões do intestino delgado. Temos como objetivo descrever as características clínicas e patológicas dos doentes com cancro do intestino delgado e averiguar o papel que estas técnicas endoscópicas assumem atualmente. Material e Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo retrospetivo dos doentes diagnosticados com cancro do intestino delgado, desde janeiro de 2010 até outubro de 2014. Os dados foram submetidos a análise estatística. Resultados: Dos 28 doentes diagnosticados, 54% eram do sexo feminino. A idade média ao diagnóstico foi de 61 anos. O tumor mais frequente foi o adenocarcinoma (n = 11), seguido do sarcoma (n = 6), linfoma (n = 6) e tumores neuroendócrinos (n = 3). A principal forma de apresentação esteve relacionada com perdas hemáticas ou obstrução intestinal. Ao diagnóstico, 46% dos doentes tinhammetástases distantes/tumor irressecável. A maioria dos tumores foi diagnosticada por técnicas endoscópicas (41%) ou imagiológicas (35%). No primeiro ano após o diagnóstico, 29% dos doentes faleceram. Na análise multivariada, o adenocarcinoma permaneceu fator independente para pior sobrevida. Discussão: Os doentes com adenocarcinoma apresentaram-se em estádios tardios e com tumores irressecáveis, contribuindo para um pior prognóstico. Ã necessário um elevado grau de suspeita clínica para o diagnóstico de cancro do intestino delgado. Conclusão: As características dos doentes foram globalmente consistentes com o descrito na literatura. A cápsula endoscópica e a enteroscopia assistida por balão são úteis no diagnóstico, gestão e vigilância do cancro do intestino delgado.

Outcome of endoscopic self-expandable metal stents in acute malignant colorectal obstruction at a tertiary center.

BACKGROUND: Malignant colorectal obstruction (MCRO) by advanced colonic cancer occurs in 8-13% of colonic cancer patients. Emergent surgery carries a high mortality and morbidity risk. Endoscopic self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) may be used in acute MCRO. AIM: Evaluate clinical outcome of SEMS in acute MCRO and efficacy of SEMS placement considering fluoroscopy guidance. METHODS: Retrospective study of patients with acute MCRO that placed SEMS in a 3 years period. RESULTS: SEMS were placed in 47 patients, followed-up for a median time of 150 days. The intent of stenting was bridge to definitive surgery in 40% of the patients (n = 19) and palliation in the remaining 60% (n = 28). The location of the tumor did not influence the presence of lymph node involvement (p = 0.764) nor metastasis (p = 0.885). Mortality rate at year 1 was 61%. Survival was significantly higher in patients submitted later to combination therapy compared to chemotherapy, surgery or symptomatic treatment (p < 0.001). Fluoroscopy was used in 57% of the procedures. Clinical success was 79%. A second SEMS was needed during the procedure in 6% of the patients. Rate of early and late complications was 11% and 5%, respectively. Fluoroscopy guidance did not influence the occurrence of immediate (p = 0.385), early (p = 0.950) or late complications (p = 0.057). Thirty-three percent of patients underwent surgery at a later stage, with neo-adjuvant therapy in 18%. CONCLUSIONS: SEMS provide a relative safe and successful treatment in a palliative or bridge-to-surgery indication. No significant differences were found in SEMS placement success, early complications or late complications considering fluoroscopy guidance.

Outcome of endoscopic self-expandable metal stents in acute malignant colorectal obstruction at a tertiary center

BACKGROUND: Malignant colorectal obstruction (MCRO) by advanced colonic cancer occurs in 8-13% of colonic cancer patients. Emergent surgery carries a high mortality and morbidity risk. Endoscopic self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) may be used in acute MCRO. AIM: Evaluate clinical outcome of SEMS in acute MCRO and efficacy of SEMS placement considering fluoroscopy guidance. METHODS: Retrospective study of patients with acute MCRO that placed SEMS in a 3 years period. RESULTS: SEMS were placed in 47 patients, followed-up for a median time of 150 days. The intent of stenting was bridge to definitive surgery in 40% of the patients (n = 19) and palliation in the remaining 60% (n = 28). The location of the tumor did not influence the presence of lymph node involvement (p = 0.764) nor metastasis (p = 0.885). Mortality rate at year 1 was 61%. Survival was significantly higher in patients submitted later to combination therapy compared to chemotherapy, surgery or symptomatic treatment (p < 0.001). Fluoroscopy was used in 57% of the procedures. Clinical success was 79%. A second SEMS was needed during the procedure in 6% of the patients. Rate of early and late complications was 11% and 5%, respectively. Fluoroscopy guidance did not influence the occurrence of immediate (p = 0.385), early (p = 0.950) or late complications (p = 0.057). Thirty-three percent of patients underwent surgery at a later stage, with neo-adjuvant therapy in 18%. CONCLUSIONS: SEMS provide a relative safe and successful treatment in a palliative or bridge-to-surgery indication. No significant differences were found in SEMS placement success, early complications or late complications considering fluoroscopy guidance

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Magnification chromoendoscopy for the diagnosis of gastric intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to define the reproducibility and accuracy of magnification chromoendoscopy for the diagnosis of lesions associated with gastric cancer (intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia). METHODS: A total of 136 patients with previously diagnosed lesions and 5 gastrectomy specimens were studied. Endoscopic examination was performed with a magnification endoscope after methylene blue (1%) spraying. According to differences in color and mucosal pattern, groups and subgroups of endoscopic images were defined, and biopsies taken (n = 462). Five endoscopists were asked to classify individually 2 endoscopic images per subgroup on 2 separate occasions. RESULTS: Three groups of endoscopic images were defined: nonmetaplastic, nondysplastic mucosa (I); metaplastic mucosa (II); and dysplastic mucosa (III). Ten subgroups were defined according to pit pattern: round small (IA), round and tubular small (IB), coarse round (IC), and course round pits with a straight pit (ID); blue irregular marks (IIA), blue round and tubular pits (IIB), blue villi (IIC), and blue small pits (IID); and loss of clear pattern, with depression (IIIA) or with slight elevation (IIIB). The kappa statistic for intraobserver agreement on the classification of endoscopic images in groups was 0.86; for interobserver agreement, it was 0.74. For classification into subgroups, kappa values ranged from 0.48 to 0.78. For 85% of the areas classified endoscopically as Group I (n = 146), no mucosal lesions or gastritis was described at histologic examination; for 83% of those in Group II (n = 198), intestinal metaplasia was found. Subgroups IIA and IIB were more often associated with complete intestinal metaplasia (62%), and IIC and IID with incomplete metaplasia (67%); in Group III (n = 118), dysplasia was diagnosed histopathologically in 33%. For the diagnosis of dysplasia, specificity was 81% (95% CI [77%, 85%]) and negative predictive value 99% (95% CI [99%, 100%]). CONCLUSIONS: Gastric endoscopic patterns with chromoendoscopy and magnification seem reproducible and valid for the diagnosis of lesions associated with gastric cancer. This procedure may improve the follow-up of individuals at high-risk of gastric cancer, at least for the exclusion of severe lesions.