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Background The percutaneous approach allows for effective and safe treatment of liver lesions. But in case of subcapsular or left segments location, this approach seems to be less effective or unsafe. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (EUS-RFA) is a new technique used to treat pancreatic and neuroendocrine tumors in patients unfit for surgery. Methods Hereby, we describe the case of a 70-year-old patient with cirrhosis with a large subcapsular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in II-III-IVb segments, in which surgery or percutaneous therapies were not feasible, treated with EUS-RFA. The HCC was treated using an EUS-RFA (EUSRA) system, which consists of a 19G water-cooled monopolar RFA needle and a dedicated generator system. Results After a multidisciplinary discussion, the lesion was ablated in two different sessions, which resulted in destruction of about 70 % of neoplastic tissue. A second step surgery was required but initially refused by the patient. Conclusions EUS-RFA could be an effective way to treat left hepatic lesions not manageable with conventional percutaneous methods. This case report does not highlight concerns about safety of this approach and this observation needs to be validated in a larger cohort of patients with cirrhosis.

Background and study aims Endoscopic therapy for postoperative Bergmann type A bile leaks is based on biliary sphincterotomy ± stent insertion. However, recurrent or refractory bile leaks can occur. Patients and methods This was retrospective study including all consecutive patients who were referred to our center with a Bergmann type A bile leak refractory to previous conventional endoscopic treatments. Results Seventeen patients with post-cholecystectomy-refractory Bergmann type A bile leak were included. All had received prior endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy with biliary stent or nasobiliary catheter placement and all had a percutaneous or surgical abdominal drainage. Repeat endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) confirmed a Bergmann type A bile leak and in all patients we observed that the abdominal drainage was placed adjacent to the origin of the fistula. Our treatment consisted of pulling the drain away from the fistulous site, with extension of the previous sphincterotomy when needed. The treatment was successful in all cases. Mild complications occurred in three patients. Conclusions Our retrospective study shows that refractory Bergmann type A bile leak may be a consequence of an unfavorable position of the abdominal drainage tube, which can be corrected by pulling the drain away from the origin of the fistula. This establishes a favorable pressure gradient that leads the bile flowing from the bile duct into the duodenum.

Background and study aims Feasibility of EUS-guided choledochoduodenostomy (EUS-CDS) using available lumen-apposing stents (LAMS) is limited by the size of the common bile duct (CBD) (≤ 12 mm, cut-off for experts; 15 mm, cut-off for non-experts). We aimed to assess the prevalence and predictive factors associated with CBD size ≥ 12 and 15 mm in naïve patients with malignant distal biliary obstruction (MDBO). Patients and methods This was a prospective cohort study involving 22 centers with assessment of CBD diameter and subjective feasibility of the EUS-CDS performance in naïve jaundiced patients undergoing EUS evaluation for MDBO. Results A total of 491 patients (mean age 69 ± 12 years) with mean serum bilirubin of 12.7 ± 6.6 mg/dL entered the final analysis. Dilation of the CBD ≥ 12 and 15 mm was detected in 78.8 % and 51.9 % of cases, respectively. Subjective feasibility of EUS-CDS was expressed by endosonographers in 91.2 % for a CBD ≥ 12 mm and in 96.5 % for a CBD ≥ 15 mm. On multivariate analysis, age (P Conclusions Our study showed that at presentation in a large cohort of patients with MDBO, EUS-CDS can be potentially performed in three quarters to half of cases by expert and less experienced endosonographers, respectively. Dedicated stents or devices with different designs able to overcome the limitations of existing electrocautery-enhanced LAMS for EUS-CDS are needed.

Background and study aims We report our experience in endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage performed emergently in 4 prohibitive surgical risk patients with concurrent coagulopathy or on anticoagulant therapy using an electrocautery enhanced lumen apposing self expanding metal stent (LA-SEMS).

Background Recently, a novel lumen-apposing fully covered self-expanding metal stent (LA-FCSEMS) mounted on an electrocautery-enhanced delivery system has been developed to perform endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided transluminal drainage. From early experience, however, release of the proximal flange of the stent has mostly been done using endoscopic view guidance to ensure proper positioning. Aim We describe a new technique that we have named the Intra-Channel Stent Release Technique (ICSRT) to perform stent placement under complete EUS control, without the use of either fluoroscopic or endoscopic views. Material and methods Data on all consecutive patients who underwent EUS-guided drainage using the new ICSRT between June 2014 and April 2016 were retrospectively retrieved from two institution databases. All EUS procedures were performed by experienced endoscopists with the patient under conscious or deep sedation. The total procedure and stent deployment time, and adverse events related to stent positioning with the ICSRT were evaluated. Results One hundred consecutive patients (51 women; mean age ± SD, 66 ± 15.2 years, range 34 – 95) underwent EUS-guided transluminal drainage with the Hot AXIOS™ device using the new ICSRT. The procedure was technically successful in all but one patient (1 %). The mean total procedural time was 21.9 minutes (range 7 – 50), while the mean time for stent placement was 3.2 minutes (range 1 – 15). No major adverse events occurred. Discussion The ICSRT has been used to deploy the newly developed lumen-apposing FCSEMS under complete EUS guidance without fluoroscopic and/or endoscopic assistance. The technique appears to be safe and highly effective and should be learned by all interventional endosonographers in order to be able to perform drainage in all clinical scenarios.

Leaks/dehiscence of the enteral stump associated with infected peri-enteric collections after upper gastrointestinal surgery are a life-threatening adverse event, not usually endoscopically treatable.We describe a new endoscopic approach to treat complex entero-cutaneous fistulas (CECF) by creating a “suction room” through placement of multiple stents (enteral, biliary and/or pancreatic) and a large nose-enteral suction tube inside the enteral stent maintained on a continuous negative aspiration suction.Between January 2016 and December 2019, six consecutive patients referred to our unit with CECF of the enteral stump after failed redo surgeries underwent creation of a “suction room.” In five patients, enteral, biliary and pancreatic stents were positioned before a nose-to-stent or nose-to-collection large 18 Fr tube placement. In one patient, a pancreatic stent was not placed. Technical and clinical success were achieved in all patients. Mean and median times of aspiration were 49 and 27 days, respectively, with a mean hospital stay of 56 days after the endoscopic procedure. Stents were successfully removed. Mean post-procedural follow-up was 17.3 months.Endoscopic creation of the “suction room” offers the unique possibility of treating complex entero-cutaneous fistulas in surgically altered sites, which are difficult to manage with standard endoscopic methods.