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Background: An increasing incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is being reported in developing countries, including India. Most Indian studies on CRC are retrospective and single-centered. The present study is an attempt to understand the current clinical profile and stage of newly diagnosed CRCs across multiple centers in Tamil Nadu, India., Methods: A multi-centric observational survey was conducted between September 1, 2021, and August 31, 2022, under the aegis of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology - Tamil Nadu chapter. Patients 18 years of age and older with a recent diagnosis of CRC fulfilling the inclusion criteria were prospectively recruited at the participating centers. Their demographic, clinical, biochemical, endoscopic, histopathologic, radiologic and risk factor details were systematically collected and analyzed., Results: Across 23 centers in Tamil Nadu, 1208 patients were recruited. The male:female ratio was 1.49:1, while mean (SD) age was 57.7 (13.5) years. A majority (81.9%) were Tamils and 78.5% belonged to lower socioeconomic classes. The predominant symptoms were hematochezia (30.2%) and a change in bowel habits (27.5%). The most common locations were the rectum (34.3%) and rectosigmoid (15.1%). Synchronous CRCs were seen in 3.3% and synchronous colorectal polyps in 12.8%. Predisposing factors for CRC were seen in 2%. A past history of any cancer among CRC patients was obtained in 3.1% and a family history of any cancer was found in 7.6%. Patients who were either overweight or obese constituted 46.4% of the study population. At presentation, the predominant stages were stage III (44.7%) and stage IV (20.8%)., Conclusions: A majority of patients with newly diagnosed CRC in Tamil Nadu belonged to the lower socioeconomic classes. About 60% had CRCs located within the reach of the flexible sigmoidoscope. Two-thirds of the patients exceeded stage II disease at presentation., Trial Registration: Not applicable., (© 2024. Indian Society of Gastroenterology.)

Background: Fundic gland polyps (FGP) of stomach are benign, while some hyperplastic polyps (HP) may harbor dysplasia or malignancy. Conventional white light endoscopy (WLE) cannot reliably distinguish FGP from HP. We investigated the role of image-enhanced endoscopy in differentiating FGP from HP., Methods: Patients with gastric polyps were recruited prospectively. The characteristics of the polyps were assessed using WLE and magnification narrow band imaging (mNBI). The microsurface, intervening space (IS), and microvascular (V) features of polyps were evaluated on mNBI. The pattern characteristic of FGP and HP were determined. Histopathology of polyps was the gold standard for diagnosis. Finally, in the validation phase, five endoscopists applied the characteristic features identified in this study to predict the type of gastric polyp and their performance was assessed., Results: Forty-five patients with a total of 70 gastric polyps (HP-46, FGP-24) were included in this study. On mNBI, the pattern characteristic of HP included peripheral curved type of white structures forming large circular/villous loops (microsurface), enlarged intervening space, and microvessels appearing as dark patches in the intervening space (p<0.001 vs. FGP). These were noted in 95.7% HP. In contrast, 95.8% FGP had a pattern characterized by dotted/elliptical/tubular white structures (microsurface), normal width of intervening space, and microvessels surrounding the white structures in a network pattern. This IS-V pattern classification had an accuracy of >90% in the validation phase with intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.95. The accuracy of mNBI was higher than WLE (97.1% vs. 67%) in predicting the type of gastric polyp., Conclusions: Image-enhanced endoscopy with mNBI (IS-V pattern) performs very well in differentiating HP from FGP., (© 2022. Indian Society of Gastroenterology.)

Background and Aims: Placement of self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) has emerged as a minimally invasive treatment option for esophageal perforation and leaks. The aim of our study was to assess the role of SEMS for the management of benign esophageal diseases such as perforations and anastomotic leaks., Methods: All patients (n = 26) who underwent SEMS placement for esophageal perforation and anastomotic leaks between May 2012 and February 2019 were included. Data were analyzed in relation to the indications, type of stent used, complications, and outcomes., Results: Indications for stent placement included anastomotic leaks 65% (n = 17) and perforations 35% (n = 9). Fully covered SEMS (FCSEMS) was placed in 25 patients, and in 1, partially covered SEMS (PCSEMS) was placed. Stent placement was successful in all the patients (n = 26). Four patients did not report for follow-up after stenting. Among the patients on follow-up, 91% (20/22) had healing of the mucosal defect. Stent-related complications were seen in 5 (23%) patients and included stent migration [3], reactive hyperplasia [1] and stricture [1]., Conclusion: Covered stent placement for a duration of 8 weeks is technically safe and clinically effective as a first-line procedure for bridging and healing benign esophageal perforation and leaks.

Background: Corrosive ingestion (CI) has short- and long-term consequences. The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of mucosal injury grade ≥ 2A., Methods: Consecutive patients between January 2008 and January 2015 who presented within 48 h of CI were included. Details of substance ingested, intent, symptoms, injury grade at endoscopy, and treatment were obtained by a review of medical records. Patients aged less than 15 years or injury grade less than 2A were excluded. Patients were followed up using a structured symptom-based questionnaire and barium swallow., Results: A total of 112 patients were admitted with CI during the study period. Eighty-two patients were included in the study. There was no relationship between the presence of symptoms or oral mucosal injury and the grades of gastrointestinal mucosal injury. Grades 2B and 3A were the most common grades of mucosal injury. Five patients died at index hospitalization. Patients were followed up for a median period of 31 months (6-72) during which 11 patients were lost to follow up. During follow up, 2 patients with high-grade injury died as a consequence of CI and 4 died of unrelated causes. Sixteen (26.6%) patients remained symptomatic. Forty-three patients underwent barium swallow. Esophageal stricture was identified in 11 patients, gastric stricture in 8, and combined esophageal and gastric in 2. High-grade esophageal mucosal injury was associated with a high risk of stricture formation (p = 0.02)., Conclusions: CI is associated with high immediate and long-term morbidity and mortality.

The primary aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of plasma hydrogen sulphide (H 2 S) level at admission as a predictor of severity of acute pancreatitis. The secondary aims were to examine whether the level of H 2 S after 48 h correlated with severity and whether level of H 2 S correlated with pulmonary, renal or infectious complications. Plasma hydrogen sulphide was measured within 24 h of admission and 48 h later, in patients with acute pancreatitis. Patients were classified as having mild or severe pancreatitis, and H 2 S levels in the two groups were compared. A total of 55 patients had H 2 S estimation carried out within 24 h of admission. H 2 S levels were similar in patients with mild (mean 31.8 ± 18.8, range 7.1 to 81.4 µmol/L) and severe pancreatitis (mean 28.2 ± 21.6, range 6.1 to 74.4 µmol/L; p = 0.339). There was no difference found between the groups after 48 h (mild n = 28, mean 26.8 ± 19.4 µmol/L, and severe n = 20, mean 34.6 ± 21.0 µmol/L; p = 0.127). There was also no difference in the levels between patients with or without lung injury, kidney injury or sepsis. Performing H2S estimation to predict severity in acute pancreatitis is not beneficial.

Introduction: Identification of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) is important in the management of chronic pancreatitis. The 72-h stool for fecal fat estimation (FFE) has long been considered a gold standard indirect test for the diagnosis of PEI. However, the test is cumbersome for both patients and laboratory personnel alike. In this study, we aimed to assess fecal elastase 1 (FE1) as an alternate to FFE for the diagnosis of PEI., Methods: In all, 87 consecutive patients diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis were included in this study. FFE and FE1 estimation was done for all the patients. For FE1, two cutoffs (<100 and <200 μg) were selected to define pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for the two cutoffs were estimated. Kappa statistics was used to assess degree of agreement between both tests., Results: All patients completed the study and were included in the analysis. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value and PABAK (prevalence and bias adjusted kappa) for FE1 <100 μg was 84.9, 47.6, 83.6, 50, and 0.52, respectively. For FE1 <200 μg, it was 90.9, 9.5, 75.95, 25, and 0.43, respectively., Conclusion: FE1 is a sensitive test; however, it does not have a good agreement with FFE. FE1 may be used as screening test for PEI in patients with chronic pancreatitis.

Background and Aims: Although endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is used in the management of various gastrointestinal (GI) diseases in adults, data on its role in children is limited. This study evaluated the indications, safety, and impact of EUS in children., Methods: Records of children (<18 years age) who underwent EUS between January 2006 and September 2014 were reviewed retrospectively and analyzed., Results: One hundred and twenty-one children (70 males, 51 females) aged 15.2 ± 2.9 years (mean ± SD) underwent 123 diagnostic (including fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in 7) and 2 therapeutic EUS procedures. Conscious sedation was used in 81 procedures (65%) and general anesthesia in 44 (35%). The pancreaticobiliary system was evaluated in 114 (118 procedures), mediastinum in 5, and stomach in 2 patients. EUS diagnosed chronic pancreatitis (21 patients), pancreatic necrosis (1), splenic artery pseudoaneurysm (1), gastric varix (1), pseudocysts (3), insulinomas (2), other pancreatic masses (2), choledocholithiasis (2), choledochal cysts (2), portal biliopathy (1), esophageal leiomyoma (1), gastric neuroendocrine tumor (NET) (1), and GI stromal tumor in stomach (1). EUS-guided FNAC was positive in four of seven patients (two had tuberculosis, one pancreatic solid pseudopapillary tumor, and one gastric NET). Three patients had minor adverse events. EUS had a positive clinical impact in 43 (35.5%) patients., Conclusions: EUS is feasible and safe in children. It provides valuable information that helps in their clinical management.

Hypogammaglobulinemia, a form of primary immunodeficiency, is an uncommon condition. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms may be the only presentation. A series of 22 patients who presented with GI symptoms and were diagnosed with hypogammaglobulinemia is presented. Chronic diarrhea was the presentation in majority (90.9 %) of patients. Malabsorption was identified in 87.5 % of patients followed by weight loss (59.0 %), abdominal pain (27.2 %), and oral ulcers (4.5 %). The median duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis was 4 years, range being 6 months to 23 years. Evaluation revealed opportunistic infections including Giardia lamblia in 31.8 % and Cryptosporidium parvum, Isospora belli, Cytomegalovirus and Aeromonas in 4.5 % each. Serum globulins were low in all patients. Duodenal biopsy showed paucity of plasma cells in 45 %, villous atrophy in 35 % and nodular lymphoid hyperplasia in 30 % patients. Though uncommon, hypogammaglobulinemia is associated with GI disease. The possibility of a primary immunodeficiency should be considered in patients presenting with GI symptoms and low serum globulin.

Primary hyperparathyroidism is a rare cause of acute pancreatitis. Five consecutive patients with acute or recurrent acute pancreatitis and primary hyperparathyroidism were included. All patients had elevated serum calcium on admission and high levels of circulating parathyroid hormone. Both ultrasonography and Sestamibi scan was used to localize parathyroid adenoma. Except for one, all patients underwent parathyroidectomy and postoperative histology was consistent with parathyroid adenoma. One patient died while on treatment. Metabolic causes of acute pancreatitits, though uncommon, are important as early recognition helps management and prevents recurrence.

Background and Aim: Over the last few decades, epidemiologic studies from the West have shown changing trends in etiology and clinical outcomes in patients with nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleed (NVUGIB). There are limited data from India on the current status of NVUGIB. The aim of this study therefore was to assess the etiological profile and outcomes of patients with NVUGIB at our center., Methods: We prospectively studied all patients (≥15 years) who presented with NVUGIB over a period of 1 year. The clinical and laboratory data, details of endoscopy, and course in hospital were systematically recorded. Outcome measures assessed were rebleeding rate, surgery, and mortality., Results: Two hundred and fourteen patients (age, ≥15 years) presented to us with NVUGIB during the study period. The mean age was 49.9 ± 16.8 years and 73.8 % were males. Peptic ulcer was the commonest cause (32.2 %) of NVUGIB. About one third of patients required endoscopic therapy. Rebleeding occurred in 8.9 % patients, surgery was required in 3.7 %, and mortality rate was 5.1 %. Rebleeding and mortality were significantly higher among inpatients developing acute NVUGIB compared to those presenting directly to the emergency room., Conclusions: Peptic ulcer was the most common cause of NVUGIB. Outcomes (rebleed, surgery, and mortality) at our center appear similar to those currently being reported from the West.

Choledochal cysts are rare cystic transformations of the biliary tree that are increasingly diagnosed in adult patients. We report here a case of spontaneous rupture of a choledochal cyst in a pregnant young lady with chronic pancreatitis.