Safety and efficacy of remimazolam versus propofol during endoscopic ultrasound: A multicenter randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Propofol, a widely used sedative in gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures, is associated with cardiorespiratory suppression. Remimazolam is a novel ultra-short-acting benzodiazepine sedative with rapid onset and minimal cardiorespiratory depression. This study aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of remimazolam and propofol during endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) procedures. METHODS: A multicenter randomized controlled study was conducted between October 2022 and March 2023 in patients who underwent EUS procedures. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either remimazolam or propofol as a sedative agent. The primary endpoint was cardiorespiratory adverse events during the procedure, including desaturation, respiratory depression, hypotension, and tachycardia. Secondary endpoints included the time to achieve sedation, recovery time, quality of sedation, pain at the injection site, and satisfaction of both the endoscopists and patients. RESULTS: Four hundred patients enrolled in the study: 200 received remimazolam (10.8±7.7 mg) and 200 received propofol (88.0±49.1 mg). For cardiorespiratory adverse events, the remimazolam group experienced fewer occurrences than the propofol group (8.5% vs. 16%, p=0.022). There was a non-significant trend toward less oxygen desaturation (1.0% vs 3.5%, p= 0.09), respiratory depression (0.5% vs 1.5%, p= 0.62), hypotension (2.5% vs 5.5%, p=0.12) and tachycardia (4.5% vs 5.5%, p=0.68) with remimazolam than with propofol. Remimazolam showed a shorter induction time than propofol, while maintaining comparable awakening and recovery times. Injection site pain was significantly lower in the remimazolam group than in the propofol group. The remimazolam group demonstrated a significantly higher quality of sedation and satisfaction scores than the propofol group, as evaluated by both endoscopists and patients. CONCLUSION: Remimazolam was superior to propofol in terms of safety and efficacy during EUS examinations.

Endoscopic ultrasound-rendezvous versus percutaneous-endoscopic rendezvous endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for bile duct access: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) or percutaneous-assisted antegrade guidewire insertion can be used to achieve biliary access when standard endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) fails. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate and compare the effectiveness and safety of EUS-assisted rendezvous (EUS-RV) and percutaneous rendezvous (PERC-RV) ERCP. METHODS: We searched multiple databases from inception to September 2022 to identify studies reporting on EUS-RV and PERC-RV in failed ERCP. A random-effects model was used to summarize the pooled rates of technical success and adverse events with 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: In total, 524 patients (19 studies) and 591 patients (12 studies) were managed by EUS-RV and PERC-RV, respectively. The pooled technical successes were 88.7% (95% CI 84.6-92.8%, I2 = 70.5%) for EUS-RV and 94.1% (95% CI 91.1-97.1%, I2 = 59.2%) for PERC-RV (P = 0.088). The technical success rates of EUS-RV and PERC-RV were comparable in subgroups of benign diseases (89.2% vs. 95.8%, P = 0.068), malignant diseases (90.3% vs. 95.5%, P = 0.193), and normal anatomy (90.7% vs. 95.9%, P = 0.240). However, patients with surgically altered anatomy had poorer technical success after EUS-RV than after PERC-RV (58.7% vs. 93.1%, P = 0.036). The pooled rates of overall adverse events were 9.8% for EUS-RV and 13.4% for PERC-RV (P = 0.686). CONCLUSIONS: Both EUS-RV and PERC-RV have exhibited high technical success rates. When standard ERCP fails, EUS-RV and PERC-RV are comparably effective rescue techniques if adequate expertise and facilities are feasible. However, in patients with surgically altered anatomy, PERC-RV might be the preferred choice over EUS-RV because of its higher technical success rate.

Side-by-side placement of fully covered metal stents versus conventional 7F plastic stents in malignant hilar biliary obstruction: Prospective randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of metal stents compared with plastic stents when bilateral side-by-side stents were deployed for malignant hilar biliary obstruction (MHBO). METHODS: Fifty patients with unresectable advanced MHBO were randomly assigned to the metal stent (MS, n = 25) or plastic stent group (PS, n = 25). Fully covered self-expandable metal stents with 6 mm diameter and plastic stents with either 7F straight or double pigtail were used for MS and PS groups, respectively. Time to recurrent biliary obstruction (TRBO) was evaluated as the primary outcome. RESULTS: Both groups had 100% technical success rates; 88% and 76% of clinical success rates were obtained in MS and PS, respectively. Although stent migrations were more frequent in MS than PS (48% vs. 16%, P = 0.02), the mean TRBO was significantly longer in MS (190 days; 95% confidence interval [CI] 121-260 days vs. 96 days; 95% CI 50-141 days, P = 0.02). The placement of plastic stents (hazard ratio 2.42; 95% CI 1.24-4.73; P = 0.01) was the only significant risk factor associated with TRBO in multivariable analysis. The rates of adverse events were similar between the two groups (difference 0%; 95% CI -25% to 25%; P > 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: During bilateral side-by-side deployment in MHBO, the use of metal stents appears to be preferable to plastic stents in terms of TRBO, despite a higher frequency of stent migration.

Comparison of the long-term outcomes between proximal and distal IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis: A multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Immunoglobulin G4-related sclerosing cholangitis (IgG4-SC) is considered a biliary manifestation of IgG4-related diseases. However, there has been a controversy on the clinical outcomes according to the location of the involved bile duct. We therefore compared the clinical outcomes and long-term prognosis of IgG4-SC with proximal bile duct involvement (proximal IgG4-SC) and IgG4-SC with distal bile duct involvement (distal IgG4-SC). METHODS: We reviewed the data of patients with IgG4-SC that were prospectively collected at 10 tertiary centers between March 2002 and October 2020. Clinical manifestations, outcomes, association with autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP), steroid-responsiveness, and relapse of IgG4-SC were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 148 patients (proximal IgG4-SC, n = 59; distal IgG4-SC, n = 89) were analyzed. The median age was 65 years (IQR, 56.25-71), and 86% were male. The two groups were similar in terms of jaundice at initial presentation (51% vs 65%; P = 0.082) and presence of elevated serum IgG4 (66% vs 70%; P = 0.649). The two groups showed significant differences in terms of steroid-responsiveness (91% vs 100%; P = 0.008), association with AIP (75% vs 99%; P = 0.001), and occurrence of liver cirrhosis (9% vs 1%; P = 0.034). During a median follow-up of 64 months (IQR, 21.9-84.7), the cumulative relapse-free survival was significantly different between the two groups (67% vs 79% at 5 years; P = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Relapse of IgG4-SC frequently occurred during follow-up. Proximal IgG4-SC and distal IgG4-SC had different long-term outcomes in terms of steroid-responsiveness, occurrence of liver cirrhosis, and recurrence. It may be advantageous to determine the therapeutic and follow-up strategies according to the location of bile duct involvement.

Simultaneous establishment of pancreatic cancer organoid and cancer-associated fibroblast using a single-pass endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy specimen.

Considering the critical roles of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in pancreatic cancer, recent studies have attempted to incorporate stromal elements into organoid models to recapitulate the tumor microenvironment. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of patient-derived organoid (PDO) and CAF cultures by using single-pass endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) samples from prospectively enrolled pancreatic cancer patients. The obtained samples were split into two portions for PDO and CAF cultures. PDOs and CAFs were cultured successfully in 54.4% (31/57) and 47.4% (27/57) of the cases, respectively. Both components were established in 21 cases (36.8%). Various clinicopathologic factors, including the tumor size, tumor location, clinical stage, histologic subtype, and tumor differentiation, did not influence the PDO establishment. Instead, the presence of necrosis in tumor samples was associated with initial PDO generation but no further propagation beyond passage 5 (P = 0.024). The "poorly cohesive cell carcinoma pattern" also negatively influenced the PDO establishment (P = 0.018). Higher stromal proportion in tumor samples was a decisive factor for successful CAF culture (P = 0.005). Our study demonstrated that the coestablishment of PDOs and CAFs is feasible even with a single-pass EUS-FNB sample, implying an expanding role of endoscopists in future precision medicine.

Pre- and post-procedure risk prediction models for post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP) is the most common serious adverse event. Given recent endoscopic advances, we aimed to develop and validate a risk prediction model for PEP using the latest clinical database. METHODS: We analyzed the data of patients with naïve papilla who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Pre-ERCP and post-ERCP risk prediction models for PEP were developed using logistic regression analysis. Patients were classified into low- (0 points), intermediate- (1-2 points), and high-risk (≥ 3 points) groups according to point scores. RESULTS: We included 760 and 735 patients in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. The incidence of PEP was 5.5% in the derivation cohort and 3.9% in the validation cohort. Age ≤ 65 (1 point), female sex (1 point), acute pancreatitis history (2 points), malignant biliary obstruction (2 points [pre-ERCP model] or 1 point [post-ERCP model]), and pancreatic sphincterotomy (2 points, post-ERCP model only) were independent risk factors. In the validation cohort, the high-risk group (≥ 3 points) had a significantly higher risk of PEP compared to the low- or intermediate-risk groups under the post-ERCP risk prediction model (low: 2.0%; intermediate: 3.4%; high: 18.4%), while there was no significant between-group difference under the pre-ERCP risk prediction model (low: 2.2%; intermediate: 3.8%; high: 6.9%). CONCLUSIONS: We developed and validated pre-ERCP and post-ERCP risk prediction models. In the latter, the high-risk group had a higher risk of PEP development than the low- or intermediate-risk groups. Our study findings will help clinicians stratify patient risk for the development of PEP.

Mechanistic loop resolution strategy for short-type single-balloon enteroscopy-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in patients with Roux-en-Y reconstruction after gastrectomy (with video).

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic access to the targeted site is a major challenge for the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients undergoing Roux-en-Y (R-Y) reconstruction after total or subtotal gastrectomy. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility, reproducibility, and safety of mechanistic loop resolution strategies using a short-type single-balloon enteroscopy (short SBE) system. METHODS: Between February 2020 and March 2022, consecutive patients with a previous R-Y gastrectomy requiring ERCP were prospectively enrolled. Different mechanistic loop resolution strategies for two-dimensional loops, three-dimensionally rotated loops, and loops making a cane or S-shape were applied during the SBE approach. RESULTS: Forty-three short SBE-ERCP procedures were performed on 37 patients, with an approach success rate of 100.0% (43/43). The mean time to reach the jejunojejunal anastomosis and target site were 8.0 (6.0-11.0) minutes and 26.0 (16.0-36.0) minutes, respectively. The major challenges for the approach were the cane or S-shaped loop in the jejunojejunal anastomosis or Treitz ligament. The retroflex positioning of a SBE in front of the papilla was achieved in 86.0% (37/43), and the cannulation success rate in patients with an intact papilla was 90.9% (30/33). The initial, overall therapeutic successes, median total procedure time, and adverse event rate were 87.8%, 92.7%, 77.0 (IQR 56-100.5) minutes, and 11.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Short SBE-ERCP using standardized mechanistic loop resolution strategies is effective and reproducible in patients with R-Y reconstruction after gastrectomy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrial.gov (NCT04847167).

Factors affecting the diagnostic yield of endoscopic transpapillary forceps biopsy in patients with malignant biliary strictures.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Transpapillary biliary forceps biopsy (TBFB) is a common method to obtain histological evidence for the differential diagnosis of biliary stricture. This study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with a positive cancer diagnosis from TBFB and the number of tissue samples required to increase the diagnostic yield in patients with malignant biliary strictures. METHODS: A total of 376 patients who underwent TBFB for investigation of biliary stricture were included. Factors affecting the diagnostic yield of TBFB were determined using univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Bile duct cancer (odds ratio [OR] = 3.50, P = 0.002), intraductal growing type (OR = 9.01, P = 0.001), and number of tissue samples (n < 5 vs 5 ≤ n < 10, OR = 4.13, P = 0.01; n < 5 vs n ≥ 10, OR = 12.25, P < 0.001; 5 ≤ n < 10 vs n ≥ 10, OR = 2.97, P = 0.046) were significant factors associated with positive results for malignancy. In patients with periductal infiltrating-type bile duct cancer, the number of tissue samples was a significant factor for diagnostic sensitivity (54.3% in the n < 5 group, 83.3% in the 5 ≤ n < 10 group and 98.2% in the n ≥ 10 group) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Bile duct cancer, intraductal growing type, and five or more tissue samples were significant predictors of positive TBFB results in patients with malignant biliary stricture. Increasing the number of tissue samples by five or more led to higher sensitivity in bile duct cancer patients with the periductal infiltrating type.

Assessment of medical students' clinical performance using high-fidelity simulation: comparison of peer and instructor assessment.

BACKGROUND: High-fidelity simulators are highly useful in assessing clinical competency; they enable reliable and valid evaluation. Recently, the importance of peer assessment has been highlighted in healthcare education, and studies using peer assessment in healthcare, such as medicine, nursing, dentistry, and pharmacy, have examined the value of peer assessment. This study aimed to analyze inter-rater reliability between peers and instructors and examine differences in scores between peers and instructors in the assessment of high-fidelity-simulation-based clinical performance by medical students. METHODS: This study analyzed the results of two clinical performance assessments of 34 groups of fifth-year students at Ajou University School of Medicine in 2020. This study utilized a modified Queen's Simulation Assessment Tool to measure four categories: primary assessment, diagnostic actions, therapeutic actions, and communication. In order to estimate inter-rater reliability, this study calculated the intraclass correlation coefficient and used the Bland and Altman method to analyze agreement between raters. A t-test was conducted to analyze the differences in evaluation scores between colleagues and faculty members. Group differences in assessment scores between peers and instructors were analyzed using the independent t-test. RESULTS: Overall inter-rater reliability of clinical performance assessments was high. In addition, there were no significant differences in overall assessment scores between peers and instructors in the areas of primary assessment, diagnostic actions, therapeutic actions, and communication. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that peer assessment can be used as a reliable assessment method compared to instructor assessment when evaluating clinical competency using high-fidelity simulators. Efforts should be made to enable medical students to actively participate in the evaluation process as fellow assessors in high-fidelity-simulation-based assessment of clinical performance in situations similar to real clinical settings.

Tips for Dealing with Common Beginner's Mistakes Made during Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Gallbladder Drainage.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) has been performed as an alternative to percutaneous drainage in surgically high-risk patients. Technical failures of EUS-GBD made by beginners are often attributed to failure of over-the-wire insertion of a fistula-dilating device or stent delivery system into the gallbladder, or stent misplacement in the final technical step. We herein report technical tips to prevent the failure of fistula dilation and provide tricks to avoid inward or outward stent misplacement.

Treatment and prognosis of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma based on SEER data analysis from 1973 to 2014.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (HEH) is a rare tumor of vascular origin with an unknown etiology, a low incidence, and a variable natural course. We evaluated the management and prognosis of HEH from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program and changes in treatment modalities of HEH over 30 years. METHODS: From 1973 to 2014 in the SEER database, we selected patients diagnosed with HEH. We analyzed the clinical characteristics, patterns of management, and clinical outcomes of patients with HEH. RESULTS: We identified 79 patients with HEH (median age: 54.0 years; male to female ratio: 1:2.6). The initial extent of disease was local in 22 (27.8%) patients, regional metastasis in 22 (27.8%), distant metastasis in 31 (39.2%) and unknown in 4 (5.1%). The median size of primary tumor was 3.85 cm (interquartile range, 2.50-7.93 cm). Among 74 patients with available management data, the most common management was no treatment (29/74, 39.2%), followed by chemotherapy only (22/74, 29.7%), liver resection-based (13/74, 17.6%), and transplantation-based therapy (6/74, 8.1%). The 5-year cancer-specific survival rate was 57.8%. Patients who underwent surgical treatment had significantly higher survival than those who underwent non-surgical treatment (5-year survival; 88% vs. 49%, P = 0.019). Multivariate analysis revealed that surgical therapy was the only independent prognostic factor for survival (hazard ratio: 0.20, P = 0.040). CONCLUSIONS: Resection or liver transplantation is worth considering for treatment of patients with HEH.

Balloons larger than 15 mm can increase the risk of adverse events following endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Although endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation (EPLBD) has been widely used to facilitate the removal of difficult common bile duct stones, however, the outcomes have not yet been investigated in terms of the diameter of the balloon used. We aimed to compare the clinical outcomes between EPLBD using smaller (12-15 mm, S-EPLBD) and larger balloons (> 15 mm, L-EPLBD). METHODS: Six hundred seventy-two patients who underwent EPLBD with or without endoscopic sphincterotomy for common bile duct stone removal were enrolled from May 2004 to August 2014 at four tertiary referral centers in Korea. The outcomes, including the initial success rate, the success rate without endoscopic mechanical lithotripsy, the overall success rate, and adverse events between S-EPLBD and L-EPLBD groups, were retrospectively compared. RESULTS: The initial success rate, the success rate without mechanical lithotripsy, the overall success rate, and the overall adverse events were not significantly different between the two groups. The rate of severe-to-fatal adverse events was higher in the L-EPBLD group than in the S-EPLBD group (1.6% vs 0.0%, 0.020). One case of severe bleeding and two cases of fatal perforation occurred only in the L-EPLBD group. In the multivariate analysis, the use of a > 15-mm balloon was the only significant risk factor for severe-to-fatal adverse events (>0.005, 23.8 [adjusted odds ratio], 2.6-214.4 [95% confidence interval]). CONCLUSIONS: L-EPLBD is significantly related to severe-to-fatal adverse events compared with S-EPLBD for common bile duct stone removal.

Comparisons of the Mucosal Healing Process between Flat and Protruded Type after Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Gastric Neoplasms.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The mucosal healing process after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is mostly scarring change (flat type), but a protruded lesion is occasionally found. We investigated the factors influencing the mucosal healing process, such as the flat and protruded types. METHODS: A total of 2,096 ESD cases were performed from February 2005 to December 2013, and 1,757 underwent follow-up endoscopy after 3 months to check the healing type of the ulceration. We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts to analyze demographic, endoscopic, and pathological findings between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Forty-eight cases were of the protruded type and 1,709 were of the flat type. In univariate analysis, the protruded type was found more in the antrum, anterior wall, and greater curvature (p < 0.001). In protruded types, the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection rate was lower (p < 0.017), the mean length of ESD specimen was shorter (p < 0.012), the fibrosis rate was lower (p < 0.033), and the mean number of hot biopsy and clips during ESD were less (p < 0.008 and p < 0.001 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The healing type of mucosal ulceration after ESD seemed to be influenced by location, specimen size, and the presence of an H. pylori infection.

Evaluation of risk factors for recurrent primary common bile duct stone in patients with cholecystectomy.

OBJECTIVES: Recurrence of primary common bile duct (CBD) stone commonly occurs after complete removal of CBD stones in patients with cholecystectomy. This study aimed to investigate potential risk factors for the recurrence of primary CBD stones after endoscopic treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2005 and December 2015, the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) database of our medical center was retrospectively reviewed; information regarding eligible patients who had recurrent CBD stones with a history of previous cholecystectomy was collected. The characteristics of the patients, CBD stone, CBD and ERCP-related factors were analyzed. RESULTS: The recurrence rate of CBD stone was 18.5% (115/622) after endoscopic treatment in patients with cholecystectomy. In univariate analysis, the number of CBD stones (≥2), CBD stone diameter (≥10 mm), stone composition, stone consistency, CBD diameter (≥15 mm), bile duct dilatation pattern, sharp bile duct angulation (<145°), balloon dilatation, large balloon (>12 mm) dilatation, endoscopic mechanical lithotripsy, endoscopic sphincterotomy, and endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation alone method were significant between the non-recurrence and recurrence groups. However, in multivariate analysis (based on the binary logistic regression method), the number of CBD stones (≥2) (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.232; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.344-7.773; p = .009), cholesterol stone (AOR 2.824; 95% CI 1.175-6.786; p =.02) and sharp bile duct angulation (<145°) (AOR 2.462; 95% CI 1.062-5.711; p = .036) were independent risk factors of CBD stone recurrence after cholecystectomy. CONCLUSIONS: CBD stone number (≥2), cholesterol stone and sharp bile duct angulation (<145°) are associated with recurrent common bile duct stones after cholecystectomy.

A prospective randomized trial of EUS-guided tissue acquisition using a 25-gauge core biopsy needle with and without a stylet.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided tissue acquisition has become the most effective method of obtaining specimens from a solid lesion adjacent to the gastrointestinal tract. No data exist regarding the use of a stylet in the core biopsy needle during EUS-guided tissue acquisition. The aims of this study were to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and diagnostic yield of a 25-gauge core biopsy needle without (S-) a stylet and to compare its performance with that of a 25-gauge core biopsy needle with (S+) a stylet in patients with solid lesions adjacent to the gastrointestinal tract. METHODS: From November 2013 to January 2016, we performed 114 EUS-guided tissue acquisitions for the diagnosis of solid lesions adjacent to the gastrointestinal tract in a randomized controlled trial. Patients were randomly assigned to the S+ group (n = 57) or the S- group (n = 57). EUS-guided tissue acquisition was performed using a 25-gauge core biopsy needle without an on-site cytopathologist. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in technical success (100 vs. 100%, p = 1.000), the mean number of needle passes (7.0 ± 1.6 vs. 6.8 ± 1.5, p = 0.556), needle malfunction (0 vs. 1.8%, p = 1.000), or complications (1.8 vs. 0%, p = 1.000) between the S+ and S- groups. Both groups exhibited comparable outcomes with respect to cytological diagnostic accuracy (93.0 vs. 91.2%, p = 1.000) and histological diagnostic accuracy (86.0 vs. 87.7%, p = 1.000) for malignancy. The procedure time was significantly shorter in the S- group than in the S+ group (32.4 ± 11.7 vs. 39.7 ± 8.6 min, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: EUS-guided tissue acquisition using a 25-gauge core biopsy needle without a stylet did not decrease the diagnostic yield for malignancy and was associated with a shorter procedure time than that associated with a stylet.

A prospective randomized study of loop-tip versus straight-tip guidewire in wire-guided biliary cannulation.

BACKGROUND: Wire-guided cannulation has been widely accepted as a useful technique for achieving selective biliary access because it has significantly increased the success rate of biliary cannulation compared with conventional contrast-assisted cannulation. Unlike conventional guidewires with a straight tip, a loop-tip guidewire (LGW) has a closed distal loop that may facilitate less traumatic access through the epithelial folds of the intra-duodenal biliary segments. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of a LGW with a straight-tip guidewire (SGW) in achieving successful selective biliary cannulation. METHODS: From December 2014 to December 2015, we performed 192 wire-guided biliary cannulations for a naïve papilla in a randomized controlled trial. Patients were randomly assigned to the LGW group (n = 96) or the SGW group (n = 96). Our study protocol did not include crossover to the other guidewire arm if randomized wire-guided cannulation proved unsuccessful within the first 10 min. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in primary successful biliary cannulation between the two groups (LGW group: 86.5%; SGW group: 77.1%; p = 0.134). The rate and the mean number of unintentional pancreatic duct cannulations during wire-guided biliary cannulation were significantly lower in the LGW group than in the SGW group (LGW group: 14.6%; SGW group: 28.1%; p = 0.034; LGW group: 0.2 ± 0.5; SGW group: 0.6 ± 1.3; p = 0.007). Post-ERCP pancreatitis developed in 5.2% of patients in the LGW group and 8.3% of patients in the SGW group (p = 0.567). CONCLUSIONS: The biliary cannulation rate of the LGW was not significantly different from those of conventional guidewires. Use of the LGW was associated with a lower rate of unintentional pancreatic duct cannulation during wire-guided biliary cannulation than use of the SGW.

Cyclic Change of Sphincter of Oddi Motility and Its Relationship with Small Bowel Migrating Motor Complex in Humans.

BACKGROUND: Several animal and human studies have reported that sphincter of Oddi (SO) motility shows cyclical changes during the fasting state. However, to date, the relationship between the SO motility and the migrating motor complex (MMC) of the small bowel (SB) remains unclear in humans. AIMS: We observed SO motility over a long study period and evaluated its relationship with the MMC of the SB in humans using percutaneous long-term manometry. METHODS: Our study included patients with hepatolithiasis who required percutaneous transhepatic catheter placement and subsequently underwent choledochoscopy and stone removal. Long-term percutaneous transhepatic SO manometry was performed after complete stone removal. SO and SB motility were simultaneously recorded. RESULTS: SO motility showed cyclical phasic changes with periodic high-frequency contractions similar to the MMC contractions of the SB. All high-frequency contractions of the SO coincided with phase III contractions of the MMC of the SB. The proportions of phase III contractions of SO and SB were similar, but the proportions of phase I (P = 0.001) and phase II (P = 0.002) contractions were significantly different. The mean basal SO pressure was observed to significantly increase in phase III compared to phase I (P = 0.001) and phase II (P = 0.001) contractions. CONCLUSIONS: SO motility in humans showed cyclical phasic changes closely coordinated with the MMC of the SB in a fasting state; however, the proportion of phases differed between the SO and the SB. The basal pressure significantly increased during physiological high-frequency phase III contractions of the SO.

Higher serum interleukin-17A levels as a potential biomarker for predicting early disease progression in patients with hepatitis B virus-associated advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treated with sorafenib.

BACKGROUND: Although sorafenib is the only available drug with proven efficacy for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the clinical efficacy of sorafenib is variable and unpredictable. The aim of the current study was to identify potential serum biomarkers predicting cancer progression and overall survival (OS) in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related advanced HCC treated with sorafenib. METHODS: Thirty-four patients with HBV-related advanced HCC (modified Union for International Cancer Control [UICC] stage IVa or IVb) treated with sorafenib for more than 4weeks were retrospectively enrolled. Using a Luminex 200 system, 11 cytokines including interleukin-17A (IL-17A) were measured in baseline serum samples prior to sorafenib administration. Several clinical factors and the serum concentrations of the 11 cytokines were analyzed using Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: In the analysis of progression-free survival (PFS), older age (year; hazard ratio [HR]=1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.00-1.15; P=0.046) and higher baseline serum IL-17A level (>1.94pg/mL; HR=19.96; 95% CI=3.32-119.86; P=0.001) were identified as significant risk factors for early progression with good predictive power (Harrell's C=0.817, standard error estimates (se)=0.085). In the analysis of OS, higher Child-Pugh score (>5; HR=2.35, 95% CI=1.09-5.10, P=0.030) and lower serum baseline fibroblast growth factor-2 level (≤20.57pg/mL; HR=3.24, 95% CI=1.22-8.60, P=0.018) were identified as negative predictive factors for OS, even though the model did not have significant predictive power (Harrell's C=0.634, se=0.062). CONCLUSION: A higher serum IL-17A level is a potential biomarker for predicting poor PFS in patients with HBV-related advanced HCC treated with sorafenib.