Complementary roles of CT and endoscopic ultrasound in evaluating a pancreatic mass.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of our study were to illustrate normal pancreatic anatomy using endoscopic ultrasound and to show the imaging findings of solid pancreatic masses on endoscopic ultrasound and CT. CONCLUSION: CT and endoscopic ultrasound have complementary roles in the diagnosis of solid pancreatic masses.

Pancreatic cyst fluid DNA analysis in evaluating pancreatic cysts: a report of the PANDA study.

BACKGROUND: The role of pancreatic cyst fluid DNA analysis in evaluating pancreatic cysts remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate the utility of a detailed DNA analysis of pancreatic cyst fluid to diagnose mucinous and malignant cysts. DESIGN: Prospective, multicenter study. PATIENTS: Patients with pancreatic cysts presenting for EUS evaluation. INTERVENTION: EUS-guided pancreatic cyst aspirates cytology evaluation, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level determination, and a detailed DNA analysis; incorporating DNA quantification, k-ras mutation and multiple allelic loss analysis, mutational amplitude, and sequence determination. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Cyst fluid analysis compared with surgical pathologic or malignant cytologic examination. RESULTS: The study cohort consisted of 113 patients with 40 malignant, 48 premalignant, and 25 benign cysts. Cyst fluid k-ras mutation was helpful in the diagnosis of mucinous cysts (odds ratio 20.9, specificity 96%), whereas receiver-operator characteristic curve analysis indicated optimal cutoff points for allelic loss amplitude (area under the curve [AUC] 0.79; optimal value > 65%) and CEA (AUC 0.74; optimal value >148 ng/mL). Components of DNA analysis detecting malignant cysts included allelic loss amplitude over 82% (AUC 0.9) and high DNA amount (optical density ratio >10, AUC 0.79). The criteria of a high amplitude k-ras mutation followed by allelic loss showed maximum specificity (96%) for malignancy. All malignant cysts with negative cytologic evaluation (10/40) could be diagnosed as malignant by using DNA analysis. LIMITATIONS: Limited follow-up, selection bias. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated amounts of pancreatic cyst fluid DNA, high-amplitude mutations, and specific mutation acquisition sequences are indicators of malignancy. The presence of a k-ras mutation is also indicative of a mucinous cyst. DNA analysis should be considered when cyst cytologic examination is negative for malignancy.

Isolated pancreatic tuberculosis diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration: a case report.

CONTEXT: Pancreatic tuberculosis is an extremely rare clinical entity, despite the high prevalence of tuberculosis worldwide. The pancreas is protected from direct environmental exposure; therefore most cases of pancreatic tuberculosis arise from contiguous infection from peri-pancreatic lymph nodes or rarely from hematogenous spread. Pancreatic tuberculosis can present as a cystic or solid pancreatic mass mimicking pancreatic malignancy. Diagnosing pancreatic tuberculosis is a clinical challenge and most cases are diagnosed after surgical exploration for presumed pancreatic cancer. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is being used more frequently for imaging and sampling of pancreatic lesions. Immediate cytopathologic examination of tissue sampled by EUS increases the diagnostic yield and is standard in many institutions. CASE REPORT: Herein, we describe the case of a woman with a pancreatic mass subsequently diagnosed with pancreatic tuberculosis via EUS-FNA. Intraprocedural immediate cytologic evaluation prompted samples to be sent for appropriate microbiological culture. CONCLUSION: This case demonstrates the importance of real-time on-site cytopathology input during EUS-FNA procedures.

Basaloid squamous cell cancer arising in Barrett's esophagus.

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is a rare form of cancer that arises primarily in the upper aerodigestive tract. Esophageal BSCC is extremely rare, accounting for less than 2% of primary esophageal malignancies. It is histopathologically distinct from squamous cell carcinoma and has an aggressive biological behavior with poor survival outcomes. There is no known association of Barrett's esophagus with esophageal BSCC. Here, we report what we believe is the first such case of esophageal BSCC occurring in the setting of Barrett's esophagus.

Severe acute pancreatitis: nutritional management in the ICU.

Patients with acute pancreatitis have elevated nutritional needs due to increased energy expenditure and catabolism. It is a clinical challenge to provide adequate nutrition to these patients while maintaining gut function, preventing pancreatic stimulation, and minimizing the risk of septic and metabolic complications associated with nutritional support. We present the case of a patient who had severe acute pancreatitis and was initially given total parenteral nutrition. After a period of initial improvement, he developed hyperglycemia, bacteremia, and sepsis. Parenteral nutrition was discontinued and infection was treated with antibiotics. Subsequent nutritional support consisted of enteral feeding with an elemental diet infused via a nasojejunal feeding tube. His condition improved gradually and he made a full recovery. This case illustrates the difficulties encountered while managing a case of severe acute pancreatitis and provides an evidence based approach to the nutritional management of severe acute pancreatitis in the intensive care unit setting.

EUS-guided FNA diagnosis of pancreatic endocrine tumors: new trends identified.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic endocrine tumors (PETs) are rare (1 per 100,000 population) and are thought to be functioning in up to 85% of cases and are generally less than 2 cm in size. By previous reports, 15% to 50% of PETs are nonfunctioning and are discovered either incidentally or by symptom evaluation from a mass effect. EUS-guided FNA (EUS-FNA) has been shown to accurately diagnose PETs and to localize tumors for surgical resection. OBJECTIVE: To describe a single-center experience of EUS-FNA diagnosis of PETs and its impact on surgical management. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. PATIENTS: Patients with PETs diagnosed via EUS-FNA over a 4-year period were identified through the authors' EUS database. Clinical history, laboratory values, diagnostic studies, EUS findings, cytology, pathology, operative records, and surgical pathology records were reviewed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: Impact of definitive preoperative diagnosis of PET on surgical management. RESULTS: Forty-one patients were diagnosed by EUS-FNA with PET. Thirty-five PETs were nonfunctioning PET; 6 were functioning PET. The mean tumor sizes of functioning and nonfunctioning PETs were 19 mm and 28 mm, respectively. The majority of tumors were located in the pancreatic head. Surgery was performed in 78% of patients; of these, 34% were resected laparoscopipcally. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective design and selection bias. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, nonfunctioning PETs were more commonly diagnosed compared with functioning PETs. In addition, the PETs were smaller than previously reported, likely because of increasing detection of incidental lesions through widespread use of abdominal imaging.

Endoscopic ultrasound compared with laparoscopy for staging esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is an accurate modality for locoregional staging of esophageal cancer. Given an increasing prevalence of distal esophageal adenocarcinoma, some centers employ laparoscopic staging (LS) in addition to noninvasive staging methods. We sought to compare EUS and LS for nodal staging in patients with esophageal cancer. METHODS: All newly diagnosed, EUS-staged esophageal cancer cases during an 18-month period were reviewed. Patients who underwent both EUS and LS comprised the study cohort; EUS records, operative notes, and pathology reports were reviewed. Inability to pass the radial echoendoscope through the malignant stricture despite dilation was considered an incomplete EUS examination. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients were identified who underwent both modalities for staging; of these, 70% had complete EUS evaluation. For nodal staging, EUS-fine-needle aspiration was 90% accurate as compared with LS. Overall, staging accuracy of EUS compared with LS was 72%. Accuracy was 76% for patients with complete EUS staging compared with 64% for patients with incomplete EUS examinations. Staging differences were mostly reflected in distant metastases detected at LS (17%). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic ultrasonography is nearly as accurate as LS in nodal staging for esophageal cancer. The value of LS is accurate abdominal nodal staging and detection of occult distant metastases. Laparoscopic staging should, therefore, be incorporated into staging algorithms for neoadjuvant protocols. In the absence of preoperative therapy, LS should be performed at the time of planned esophagectomy. In those without occult metastases, curative resection may be attempted.

EUS yield in evaluating biliary dilatation in patients with normal serum liver enzymes.

The finding of common bile duct (CBD) dilatation on abdominal imaging frequently results in additional testing. It has been our impression that endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) evaluation of a dilated CBD is a low-yield examination in the setting of normal serum liver enzymes. We therefore sought to evaluate the EUS yield in evaluating CBD dilatation in patients with normal as compared to elevated serum liver enzymes. A retrospective review was performed to identify patients referred for EUS evaluation of a dilated CBD in the absence of obvious pathology on prior imaging. Charts were reviewed for patient symptoms, presence of elevated serum liver enzymes, imaging studies before EUS, and EUS findings. Exclusion criteria included clinical jaundice, known biliary stricture, mass lesion or stone, and previously sphincterotomy and/or stent placement. Forty-seven patients were identified: 32 with normal and 15 with elevated serum liver enzymes. There was no difference in mean CBD diameter between these two groups (8.51 vs. 8.79 mm, p=0.854). Of the entire group, 15 patients had undergone prior magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP); an additional 7 patients had undergone prior endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). EUS findings to explain CBD dilatation were found more commonly in patients with elevated compared with normal serum liver enzymes (53% vs. 6%, p=0.001). Periampullary diverticula and choledocholithiasis were the most common findings; of 32 patients with normal serum liver enzymes, one periampullary diverticulum and one CBD stone were found, respectively. The CBD stone had been missed by prior MRCP examination. Of 15 patients with elevated serum liver enzymes, there were 3 cases of choledocholithiasis, 4 periampullary diverticula, and 1 ampullary tumor. EUS should be the test of choice for further evaluation of CBD dilatation when index imaging is normal. Although the EUS yield is low in cases of biliary dilatation in the setting of normal serum liver enzymes, its preferential use would potentially avoid unnecessary MRCP and ERCP.

EUS-guided paracentesis for the diagnosis of malignant ascites.

BACKGROUND: EUS and EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) have well-defined roles in the diagnosis and staging of GI and pancreaticobiliary malignancy. Malignant ascites usually represents peritoneal carcinomatosis, increases disease stage, and portends a poor prognosis. There are limited data regarding the yield of EUS-guided paracentesis (EUS-P) for the diagnosis of malignant ascites. OBJECTIVE: To determine the usefulness of EUS-P for the diagnosis of malignant ascites. DESIGN: Prospective case series. SETTING: Tertiary referral academic center. PATIENTS: Those presenting for EUS examination for suspected or proven malignancy over a 16-month period were evaluated prospectively for the presence of ascites. INTERVENTIONS: EUS-P was performed via a transgastric or transduodenal approach if ascites was detected. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of EUS-P for diagnosing malignant ascites. RESULTS: Six hundred twenty-nine patients were studied. Twenty-five patients with ascites who met inclusion criteria comprised the study cohort. The mean volume of ascites aspirated was 6.8 mL (range, 1-20 mL). Sixty-four percent (16 of 25) of EUS-P samples revealed malignant cytology. Of the group with negative ascitic cytology, 67% (6 of 9) had a proven malignancy. There was one false-negative cytology result. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of EUS-P for diagnosing malignant ascites was 94%, 100%, 100%, and 89%, respectively. The complication rate was 4%; 1 patient developed bacterial peritonitis after EUS-P. LIMITATIONS: The study did not address cost savings in patient care based on the diagnosis of malignant ascites. CONCLUSIONS: EUS-P is highly sensitive and specific for diagnosing malignant ascites. The finding of malignant ascites significantly alters patient management, so an active search for ascites and use of EUS-P should be incorporated into the diagnosis and staging of upper GI and pancreaticobiliary malignancy.

Enteral feeding without pancreatic stimulation.

OBJECTIVE: All forms of commonly practiced enteral feeding techniques stimulate pancreatic secretion, and only intravenous feeding avoids it. In this study, we explored the possibility of more distal enteral infusions of tube feeds to see whether activation of the ileal brake mechanism can result in enteral feeding without pancreatic stimulation, with particular reference to trypsin, because the avoidance of trypsin stimulation may optimize enteral feeding in acute pancreatitis. METHODS: The pancreatic secretory responses to feeding were studied in 36 healthy volunteers by standard double-lumen duodenal perfusion/aspiration techniques over 6 hours. Subjects were assigned to no feeding (n = 7), duodenal feeding with a polymeric diet (n = 7) or low-fat elemental diet (n = 6), mid-distal jejunal feeding (n = 11), or intravenous feeding (n = 5). All diets provided 40 kcal/kg ideal body weight/d and 1.5 g protein/kg ideal body weight/d. Plasma gut peptide responses were monitored in 15 subjects. RESULTS: In comparison with basal fasting trypsin secretion rates (mean = 134 [standard error = 22] U/h), duodenal feeding with the polymeric and elemental formulae stimulated trypsin secretion (mean = 408 [standard error = 51] U/h; P < 0.001), whereas intravenous feeding (mean = 171 [standard error = 34] U/h) and mid-distal jejunal (mean = 119 [standard error = 16] U/h) did not. Stimulation was associated with an increase in plasma cholecystokinin, whereas distal jejunal feeding resulted in an increase in plasma glucagon-like peptide-1 and peptide YY concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that enteral feeding can be given without stimulating pancreatic trypsin secretion provided it is delivered into the mid-distal jejunum. The mechanism may involve activation of the ileal brake mechanism.

Nutritional support in acute pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis is one of the most catabolic of critical illnesses, and its clinical course is often prolonged. Consequently, the need for interventional nutritional support is great. Because of fears that feeding might exacerbate the tryptic autodigestion and disease process, total parenteral nutrition was used exclusively until recent years, when it was recognized that the complications of hyperglycemia and sepsis outweighed nutritional benefits. In clinical practice, enteral feeding has proven superior because it avoids these complications and maintains gut function, but enteral feeding needs to be given in a form that minimizes pancreatic stimulation. This review discusses the advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease, the results of recent clinical trials of nutritional support, and the challenges that remain in optimizing nutritional management.