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Background/Aims: We studied factors influencing colon postpolypectomy bleeding (PPB), with a focus on antithrombotic and anticoagulation therapy. Methods: We conducted a retrospective case-control study of all patients who underwent polypectomy at our tertiary referral center in Italy between 2007 and 2014. Polyp characteristics (number of polyps removed per patient, size, morphology, location, resection technique, prophylactic hemostasis methods) and patient characteristics (age, sex, comorbidities, medication) were analyzed. Results: The case and control groups included 118 and 539 patients, respectively. The two groups differed in the frequency of comorbidities (69% vs. 40%, p=0.001), polyps removed (27% vs. 18%, p=0.02), and use of heparin therapy (23% vs. 1%, p<0.001). A total of 279 polyps in the case group and 966 in the control group were nonpedunculated (69% vs. 81%, p=0.01) and measured =10 mm (78% vs. 32%, p=0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that polyps =10 mm (odds ratio [OR], 6.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.3-15.5), administration of heparin (OR, 16.5; 95% CI, 6.2-44), comorbidity (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.4-3.9), and presence of =2 risk factors (OR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.7-6.0) were associated with PPB. Conclusions: The incidence of PPB increases with polyp size =10 mm, heparin use, comorbidity, and presence of =2 risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Aim of the study was the evaluation of high-definition white light (HDWL) i-Scan endoscopy for diagnostic prediction of histology, inter- and intraobserver agreement for colorectal polyps. Methods: In this prospective single-center cohort study, a skilled endoscopist, with HDWL i-Scan, predicted on real-time the histology of 150 polyps from 78 patients undergoing colonoscopy. Subsequently, four endoscopists, not involved in the collection of cases, predicted the polyps' histology (neoplastic vs nonneoplastic) and repeated the assessment after 6 months. Results: Real-time assessment of the lesions predicted a correct histology in 138/150 cases with a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 95, 82, and 92 %, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of post-acquisition evaluation were 87.7, 61.7, and 82.2 %, respectively. The κ values of inter- and intraobserver agreement of prediction of histology were 0.462 (0.373-0.537) and 0.657 (0.523-0.917). Among the subset of polyps ( n = 82) with good/excellent quality image, sensitivity and accuracy of HDWL i-Scan improved (97 %, p = 0.003 and 94 %, p = 0.002, respectively) as well as κ value of interobserver agreement (0.699). Conclusions: HDWL i-Scan technology helps for characterization of polyps of the colon with good accuracy even if it cannot replace, at the moment, the histopathological examination. Reproducibility among operators is supported by a moderate substantial interobserver and intraobserver agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) is a new technique allowing in vivo detection of neoplastic tissue using a standard endoscope. Aims: Our aim was to compare the incident dysplasia detection rate of biopsies obtained by high-definition white light endoscopy (HD-WLE) or by pCLE in a cohort of patients with Barrett's esophagus (BE) participating in a surveillance program. Methods: Fifty of 100 patients underwent pCLE in addition to HD-WLE. Four-quadrant biopsy specimens according to the Seattle biopsy protocol were obtained in all patients to ensure standard-of-care. Diagnosis of dysplasia/neoplasia was made by a blinded gastrointestinal pathologist. Results: Incident high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and low-grade dysplasia (LGD) were diagnosed in 3/100 and in 16/100 cases. In the HD-WLE group, areas suspicious for neoplasia were not observed and dysplasia was diagnosed in 5/50 (10 %) patients (one with HGD). In the pCLE group, areas suspicious for neoplasia were observed by pCLE in 21/50 (42 %) patients; dysplasia was confirmed in 14 cases (28 %) (two with HGD). The dysplasia detection rate was significantly higher in the pCLE group than in the HD-WLE group ( P = 0.04). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of pCLE for dysplasia were 100, 83, 67, and 100 %, respectively. Conclusions: Incident dysplasia can be more frequently detected by pCLE than by HD-WLE in BE. The higher dysplasia detection rate provided by pCLE could improve the efficacy of BE surveillance programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many endoscopic imaging modalities have been developed and introduced into clinical practice to enhance the diagnostic capabilities of upper endoscopy. In the past, detection of dysplasia and carcinoma of esophagus had been dependent on biopsies taken during standard white-light endoscopy (WLE). Recently high-resolution (HR) endoscopy enables us to visualize esophageal mucosa but resolution for glandular structures and cells is still low. Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) is a new promising diagnostic technique by which details of glandular and vascular structures of mucosal layer can be observed. However, the clinical utility of this new diagnostic tool has not yet been fully explored in a clinical setting. In this paper we will highlight this new technique for detection of esophageal dysplasia and carcinoma from a clinical practice perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuroendocrine tumours comprise a small percentage of pancreatic neoplasia (10%) (1). Diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumours is difficult, especially if the tumours are small and nonfunctional. CT scans, MRI, and nuclear scans are sufficiently sensitive assessment tools for tumours with diameters of at least 2 cm; otherwise, the sensitivity and specificity of these techniques is less than 50% (2). Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a heterogeneous neuromuscular junction disorder that is primarily caused when antibodies form against the acetylcholine receptors (Ab-AchR). MG can develop in conjunction with neoplasia, making MG a paraneoplastic disease. In those cases, MG is most commonly associated with thymomas and less frequently associated with extrathymic malignancies. The mechanism underlying this paraneoplastic syndrome has been hypothesized to involve an autoimmune response against the tumour cells (3). No published reports have linked malignant pancreatic diseases with MG. Here, we report the case of a young woman, negative for Ab-AchR, with a neuroendocrine tumour in the pancreatic head, who experienced a complete resolution of her MG-like syndrome after surgical enucleation of the tumour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Study Aim: The traditional endoscopic therapy of anastomotic strictures (AS) after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is multiple ERCPs with the insertion of an increasing number of plastic stents side‐by‐side. Fully covered self‐expanding metal stents (cSEMS) could be a valuable option to decrease the number of procedures needed or non‐responders to plastic stents. This study aims to retrospectively analyse the results of AS endoscopic treatment by cSEMS and to identify any factors associated with its success. Patients and Methods: Ninety‐one patients (mean age 55.9 ± 7.6 SD; 73 males) from nine Italian transplantation centres, had a cSEMS positioned for post‐OLT‐AS between 2007 and 2017. Forty‐nine (54%) patients were treated with cSEMS as a second‐line treatment. Results: All the procedures were successfully performed without immediate complications. After ERCP, adverse events occurred in 11% of cases (2 moderate pancreatitis and 8 cholangitis). In 49 patients (54%), cSEMSs migrated. After cSEMS removal, 46 patients (51%) needed further endoscopic (45 patients) or radiological (1 patient) treatments to solve the AS. Lastly, seven patients underwent surgery. Multivariable stepwise logistic regression showed that cSEMS migration was the only factor associated with further treatments (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.0–6.6; p value 0.03); cSEMS implantation before 12 months from OLT was associated with stent migration (OR 5.2, 95% CI 1.7–16.0; p value 0.004). Conclusions: cSEMS appears to be a safe tool to treat AS. cSEMS migration is the main limitation to its routinary implantation and needs to be prevented, probably with the use of new generation anti‐migration stents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Repeated endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)‐guided tissue acquisition represents the standard practice for solid pancreatic lesions after previous nondiagnostic or inconclusive results. Since data are lacking, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of repeated EUS fine‐needle biopsy (rEUS‐FNB) in this setting. The primary outcome was diagnostic accuracy; sample adequacy, sensitivity, specificity, and safety were secondary outcomes. Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing rEUS‐FNB for solid pancreatic lesions at 23 Italian centers from 2019 to 2021 were retrieved. Pathology on the surgical specimen, malignant histology together with ≥6‐month follow‐up, and benign pathology together with ≥12‐month follow‐up were adopted as gold standards. Results: Among 462 patients, 56.5% were male, with a median age of 68 (59–75) years, malignancy prevalence 77.0%. Tumor size was 26 (20–35) mm. Second‐generation FNB needles were used in 89.6% cases. Diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of rEUS‐FNB were 89.2%, 91.4%, and 81.7%, respectively (19 false‐negative and 12 false‐positive results). On multivariate analysis, rEUS‐FNB performed at high‐volume centers (odds ratio [OR] 2.12; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10–3.17; P = 0.03) and tumor size (OR 1.03; 95% CI 1.00–1.06; P = 0.05) were independently related to diagnostic accuracy. Sample adequacy was 94.2%. Use of second‐generation FNB needles (OR 5.42; 95% CI 2.30–12.77; P < 0.001) and tumor size >23 mm (OR 3.04; 95% CI 1.31–7.06; P = 0.009) were independently related to sample adequacy. Conclusion: Repeated EUS‐FNB allowed optimal diagnostic performance after nondiagnostic or inconclusive results. Patients' referral to high‐volume centers improved diagnostic accuracy. The use of second‐generation FNB needles significantly improved sample adequacy over standard EUS‐FNB needles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the case of a 33-year-old woman with Goltz syndrome who was referred with dysphagia and symptoms of chronic reflux disease. Topics discussed include a brief description of Goltz syndrome, the endoscopic incidence of esophageal papillomas, and theories pertaining to their etiology and pathogenesis.

The article presents case study of a 87-year-old woman who was admitted to the emergency department of the hospital, after suffering with abdominal pain and vomiting in the past three days duration. It states that the Computed tomography reports of the patient revealed the presence of a large calcified ring in the duodenum and aerobilia, and mentions that a large obstructive stone was revealed in the duodenal bulb of the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The management of difficult lithiasis of common bile duct (CBD) often requires a multimodal approach. Fully Covered Metal Stents (FCSEMS) could fragment the stones, dilate strictures of the CBD and progressively enlarge the papillary orifice. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of FCSEMS in the treatment of difficult lithiasis of CBD. Methods: All consecutive cases of difficult lithiasis of CBD after an attempt of clearance with complete sphincterotomy were retrospectively considered from 2009 to 2019. Intrahepatic lithiasis cases were excluded. Multivariable analysis (stepwise logistic regression if p value < 0.1 at univariable analysis) was made to understand factors associated with efficacy of FCSEMS in difficult lithiasis of CBD. Results: 163 cases of difficult lithiasis over 1516 cases of lithiasis of CBD (incidence of 11%) were considered. Among eligible patients, 96 (mean age 78 ± 11.9 years, 43% males) placed a FCSEMS during the first ERCP. Mean diameter of stone was 17.5 ± 5.5 mm. An attempt of dilation during the same procedure was made in 18% cases. After removal of the stent, 52 (54%) patients had complete clearance of CBD at cholangiography. The rest of patients (44), subsequently underwent multimodal treatment (final success of 95%). After logistic regression, variables positively associated with clearance of CBD were sex male (OR 3.5) and stent permanence ≥ 30 days (OR 3.2). Diameter of the stone ≥ 2 cm was associated with failure (OR 0.2). 7 post-ERCP pancreatitis, 6 post-sphincterotomy bleeding and 3 cholangitis occurred. Conclusions: FCSEMS are useful in the approach of difficult lithiasis of CBD with no significant adverse events associated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Digital single‐operator cholangioscopy (DSOC) (SpyGlass DS™, Boston Scientific, MA, USA) allows for high‐definition imaging of the biliary tree. The superior visualization has led to the development of two different sets of criteria to evaluate and classify indeterminate biliary strictures: the Monaco criteria and the criteria in Carlos Robles–Medranda's publication (CRM). Our objective was to assess the interrater agreement (IA) of DSOC interpretation for indeterminate biliary strictures using the two newly published criteria. Methods: Forty de‐identified DSOC video recordings were sent to 15 interventional endoscopists with experience in cholangioscopy. They were asked to score the videos based on the presence of Monaco Classification criteria: stricture, lesion, mucosal changes, papillary projections, ulceration, white linear bands or rings, and vessels. Next, they scored the videos using CRM criteria: villous pattern, polypoid pattern, inflammatory pattern, flat pattern, ulcerate pattern and honeycomb pattern. The endoscopists then diagnosed the recordings as neoplastic or non-neoplastic based on the criteria. Intraclass correlation (ICC) analysis was done to evaluate interrater agreement for both criteria set and final diagnosis. Results: Recordings of 26 malignant lesions and 14 benign lesions were scored. The IA using both the Monaco criteria and CRM criteria ranged from poor to excellent (range 0.1–0.76) and (range 0.1–0.62), respectively. Within the Monaco criteria, IA was excellent for lesion (0.75) and fingerlike papillary projections (0.74); good for tortuous vessels (0.7), mucosal features (0.62), uniform papillary projections (0.53), and ulceration (0.58); and fair for white linear bands (0.4). Within the CRM criteria, the IA was good for villous pattern (0.62), flat pattern (0.62), and honeycomb pattern; fair for ulcerated pattern (0.56), polypoid pattern (0.52) and inflammatory pattern (0.54). The diagnostic IA using Monaco criteria was good (0.65), while the diagnostic IA using CRM was fair (0.58). The overall diagnostic accuracy using the Monaco classification was 61% and CRM criteria were 57%. Conclusion: The IOA and accuracy rate of DSOC using visual criteria from both Monaco Criteria and CRM are similar. However, some criteria from both sets suffer from poor IA, thus affecting the overall diagnostic accuracy. More formal training and refinements in visual criteria with additional validation are needed to improve diagnostic accuracy. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02166099. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pancreatic duct stent placement during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has been recommended in patients at risk for post-ERCP pancreatitis. However, the optimal duration of stent placement remains an open question. Our aim was to compare the efficacy of pancreatic stenting for the duration of ERCP only with spontaneous dislodgment/deferred endoscopic removal in preventing post-ERCP pancreatitis after accidental wire-guided pancreatic duct cannulation. Methods: All patients in whom accidental wire-guided pancreatic duct cannulation had occurred during ERCP underwent immediate 5-Fr unflanged pigtail pancreatic duct stenting before attempting any other endoscopic maneuver. At the end of the ERCP, patients were randomly assigned to immediate stent removal (group A) or to leaving the stent in place (group B). Assessment of post-ERCP pancreatitis was blind. Results: Post-ERCP pancreatitis occurred in 6/21 (29 %) patients in group A and in 0/19 patients in group B ( P = 0.021); the two groups were well matched for their baseline characteristics. Post-ERCP pancreatitis was mild in two patients, moderate in two patients, and severe in two patients. Stents dislodged spontaneously in 14/19 (74 %) patients within 24-96 h; uneventful endoscopic removal was carried out after 96 h in 5 cases. Proximal stent migration did not occur in any case. Conclusions: Pancreatic duct stent placement for the duration of ERCP only does not prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis. Pancreatic stents should be left in place until spontaneous dislodgment occurs or endoscopic removal is deemed timely. 5-Fr unflanged pigtail stents remain in place for a period sufficient to prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis and do not migrate proximally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Giant colonic lipomas (> 4 cm) may cause symptoms such as bleeding or intestinal occlusion and surgical resection is considered the treatment of choice [1][2]. After a procedure lasting 2 hours, an en bloc resection was obtained and the giant lipoma was removed from the colon with a foreign body forceps ([1]). ESD, which requires a highly experienced operator, could be a safe alternative to surgical resection in selected cases when giant lipomas are complicated by intussusception or bowel obstruction. [Extracted from the article]

Background: The most appropriate endo‐therapeutic approach to biliary anastomotic strictures is yet to be defined. Aim: To retrospectively report on the endo‐therapy of duct‐to‐duct anastomotic strictures during 2013 in Italy. Methods: Data were collected from 16 Endoscopy Units at the Italian Liver Transplantation Centers (BASALT study group). Results: Complete endo‐therapy and follow‐up data are available for 181 patients: 101 treated with plastic multistenting, 26 with fully covered self‐expandable metal stenting and 54 with single stenting. Radiological success was achieved for 145 patients (80%), that is, 88% of plastic multistenting, 88% of self‐expandable metal stenting and 61% of single stenting (P < 0.001 vs plastic multistenting; P < 0.05 vs self‐expandable metal stenting). After first‐line endo‐therapy failure, the patients underwent a second‐line endo‐therapy with plastic multistenting for 25%, fully covered self‐expandable metal stenting for 53% and single stenting for 22% of cases, and radiological success was achieved for 84%, that is, 100%, 85% and 63% with plastic multistenting, self‐expandable metal stenting and single stenting (P < 0.05 vs plastic multistenting or self‐expandable metal stenting) respectively. Procedure‐related complications occurred in 7.8% of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies. Overall, clinical success was achieved in 87% of patients after a median follow‐up of 25 months. Conclusion: Plastic multistenting is confirmed as the preferred first‐line treatment, while fully covered self‐expandable metal stenting as rescue option for biliary anastomotic strictures. Single stenting has sub‐optimal results and should be abandoned. See Editorial on Page 1197 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a well-recognized local ablative technique applied in the treatment of different solid tumors. Intraoperative RFA has been used for non-metastatic unresectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), showing increased overall survival in retrospective studies. A novel RFA probe has recently been developed, allowing RFA under endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guidance. Aim of the present study was to assess the feasibility and safety of EUS-guided RFA for unresectable PDACs.Methods: Patients with unresectable non-metastatic PDAC were included in the study following neoadjuvant chemotherapy. EUS-guided RFA was performed using a novel monopolar 18-gauge electrode with a sharp conical 1 cm tip for energy delivery. Pre- and post-procedural clinical and radiological data were prospectively collected.Results: Ten consecutive patients with unresectable PDAC were enrolled. The procedure was successful in all cases and no major adverse events were observed. A delineated hypodense ablated area within the tumor was observed at the 30-day CT scan in all cases.Conclusions: EUS-guided RFA is a feasible and safe minimally invasive procedure for patients with unresectable PDAC. Further studies are warranted to demonstrate the impact of EUS-guided RFA on disease progression and overall survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Treatment for achalasia has traditionally been Heller myotomy (HM). Despite its excellent efficacy rate, a number of patients remain symptomatic post-procedure. Limited data exist as to the best management for recurrence of symptoms post-HM. We present an international, multicenter experience evaluating the efficacy and safety of post-HM peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM). Methods Patients who underwent POEM post-HM from 13 centers from January 2012 to January 2017 were included as part of a prospective registry. Technical success was defined as successful completion of the myotomy. Clinical success was defined as an Eckardt score of ≤3 on 12-month follow up. Adverse events (AE) including anesthesia-related, operative, and postoperative complications were recorded. Results Fifty-one patients were included in the study (mean age 54.2, 47% male). Technical success was achieved in 100% of patients. Clinical success on long-term follow up was achieved in 48 patients (94%), with a mean change in Eckardt score of 6.25. Seven patients (13%) had AE: six experienced periprocedural mucosal defect treated endoscopically and two patients developed mediastinitis treated conservatively. Conclusion For patients with persistent symptoms after HM, POEM is a safe salvation technique with good short-term efficacy. As a result of the challenge associated with repeat HM, POEM might become the preferred technique in this patient population. Further studies with longer follow up are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim The over-the-scope clip ( OTSC) system is a recently developed endoscopic device. In the last few years, it has been successfully used for severe bleeding or deep wall lesions, or perforations of the gastrointestinal ( GI) tract. We hereby report a series of patients with post-pancreaticogastrostomy pancreatic fistula in whom OTSC were used as endoscopic treatment. Methods From January 2012 to July 2015, we prospectively collected data on cases of postoperative pancreatic fistula. These patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy in a high-volume center of hepatobiliopancreatic surgery. After conservative management, OTSC closure was done by single skilled operators in anesthesiologist-assisted deep sedation. Results A total of seven patients were enrolled. According to the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery criteria, we observed grade B postoperative pancreatic fistula in all cases. All patients were treated with 12/6 t-type OTSC. In two cases, a second clip was successfully applied to a second site adjacent to the original closure site. In all cases, subsequent fluoroscopy showed no contrastographic spreading through the wall. There were no complications related to the procedure itself, not from the endoscopy point of view, nor from the anesthesiological perspective. There were no device malfunctions. Further clinical and endoscopic evaluation was made 8 weeks later and showed no fistula or anastomotic defect recurrence. No patients required additional endoscopic or interventional procedures. Conclusion In consideration of clinical and technical success, OTSC placement in POPF seems to be effective, safe and technically relatively easy to carry out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has emerged as an endoscopic treatment of achalasia. There are no pre-procedural imaging modalities to predict the safest and the most efficacious approach.Aim: To evaluate the use of optimal coherence tomography (OCT) in providing a pre-procedural esophageal assessment.Methods: Patients undergoing POEM from July 2013 to November 2015 were captured in a multicenter, international registry. Patients who underwent OCT pre-POEM ("OCT arm") were compared to patients without pre-POEM OCT ("control arm"). OCT images were assessed for the degree of vascularity and the thickness of the circular muscular layer, and an approach was determined.Results: A total of 84 patients were captured in the registry. Fifty-one patients underwent pre-POEM OCT. Using OCT as a guide, 24 (47 %) of patients underwent anterior POEM while 27 (53 %) underwent posterior POEM. Technical success was achieved in 96 % of patients. Significantly less bleeding occurred in the OCT arm when compared to the control group [4 (8 %) vs. 14 (43 %), p = 0.0001]. As a result, procedural time was significantly lower in the OCT group as compared to the control group (85.8 vs. 121.7 min, p = 0.000097).Conclusion: Pre-POEM OCT results in a reduction in procedural bleeding which contributes to a reduction in overall procedural time.Clinical Trial Registration: NCT01438385. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims: Diagnosis of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (p-NETs) is frequently challenging. We describe a large series of patients with p-NETs in whom both pre-operative Computed Tomography (CT) and Endoscopic Ultrasonography (EUS) were performed. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected sporadic p-NET cases. All patients underwent both standard multidetector CT study and EUS with fine-needle aspiration (FNA). The final histological diagnosis was achieved on a post-surgical specimen. Chromogranin A (CgA) levels were measured. Results: A total of 80 patients (mean age: 58 ± 14.2 years; males: 42) were enrolled. The diameter of functioning was significantly lower than that of non-functioning p-NETs (11.2 ± 8.5 mm vs 19.8 ± 12.2 mm; P = 0.0004). The CgA levels were more frequently elevated in non-functioning than functioning pNET patients (71.4% vs 46.9%; P = 0.049). Overall, the CT study detected the lesion in 51 (63.7%) cases, being negative in 26 (68.4%) patients with a tumor ≤10 mm, and in a further 3 (15%) cases with a tumor diameter ≤20 mm. CT overlooked the pancreatic lesion more frequently in patients with functioning than non-functioning p-NETs (46.5% vs 24.3%; P = 0.002). EUS allowed a more precise pre-operative tumor measurement, with an overall incorrect dimension in only 9 (11.2%) patients. Of note, the EUS-guided FNA suspected the neuroendocrine nature of tumor in all cases. Conclusions: Data of this large case series would suggest that the EUS should be included in the diagnostic work-up in all patients with a suspected p-NET, even when the CT study was negative for a primary lesion in the pancreas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 77-year-old woman was admitted to our Emergency Department for an iatrogenic sigmoid colon perforation that occurred during a diagnostic colonoscopy. B Video 1 b Large iatrogenic sigmoid colon perforation treated with endoloop-assisted clip closure and over-the-scope clip. [Extracted from the article]

Background: A number of patients with inoperable pancreatic cancer may concurrently complain of pain, biliary obstruction, and duodenal stenosis. Endoscopic palliative treatments and opioid therapy are generally performed in these patients. The study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of a multimodal 'one-Session Three Endoscopic Procedures' (one-STEP) to simultaneously treat cholestasis, restore duodenal transit, and achieve pain relief in selected patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.Methods: Selected patients diagnosed with an advanced pancreatic cancer presenting with biliary obstruction, duodenal stenosis, and severe pain treated with the one-STEP were considered. The one-STEP endoscopic approach included biliary and duodenal stenting, and EUS-guided celiac plexus neurolysis. The technical success rate, complications, pain relief, and opioid use at follow-up were assessed.Results: A total of 15 patients were treated. The one-STEP was successful in 13 (87 %) cases, while it failed in two patients due to the impossibility of dilating the neoplastic mass for creating a fistula. No endoscopy-related complications occurred. The median of pain intensity was 8 (range 7-10) at entry and significantly decreased to 2 (range 2-4) 72 h following celiac plexus neurolysis. At follow-up (median survival 4 months; range 3-8), only 3 (20 %) needed of narcotic treatment in the last period.Conclusions: The multimodal one-STEP is an effective and safe endoscopic approach for palliative treatment of biliary and duodenal stenosis, and for relieving chronic pain in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Study Aims: The over-the-scope clip (OTSC; Ovesco, Tübingen, Germany) is a novel endoscopic clipping device designed for tissue approximation. The device has been used in the closure of fistulas and perforations. We hereby report a series of patients with high-risk non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) lesions in whom OTSCs were used as first-line endoscopic treatment.Patients and Methods: We prospectively collected and retrospectively analysed data over a period of 12 months from October 2013 to November 2014 from all consecutive patients who underwent emergency endoscopy for acute severe high-risk NVUGIB and were treated with OTSC as primary first-line therapy.Results: We included forty consecutive patients with mean age 69 years (range 25-94 years). All patients were treated with the non-traumatic version of the OTSC system (23 with the 11 mm version and 17 with the 12 mm version). Indications for OTSC treatment included gastric ulcer with large vessel (Forrest IIa) (n = 8, 20 %), duodenal ulcer (Forrest Ib) (n = 7, 18 %), duodenal ulcer with large vessel (Forrest IIa) (n = 6, 15 %), Dieulafoy's lesion (n = 6, 15 %) and other secondary indications (n = 13, 32 %). Technical success and primary haemostasis were achieved in all patients (100 %). No re-bleeding, need for surgical or radiological embolization treatment or other complications were observed during the follow-up period of 30 days.Conclusions: We conclude OTSC placement as a first-line endoscopic treatment seems to be effective, safe and easy to perform and should be considered in patients with high-risk NVUGIB lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Some patients with benign colorectal obstruction do not respond to endoscopic balloon dilation. Fully covered self-expandable metal stents (FCSEMSs) have several potential advantages over non-covered stents, including a higher likelihood of retrieval owing to limited local tissue reaction. However, the efficacy and safety of FCSEMSs in benign colorectal strictures have not yet been established. Methods: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data concerning patients with post-surgical benign symptomatic anastomotic colorectal strictures, refractory to endoscopic dilation and in whom FCSEMSs had been placed at our center. Technical success was defined as successful stent placement and deployment at the stricture site. Early clinical success was defined as symptom relief persisting at least for 3 days. Follow-up was based on monthly clinical evaluation and quarterly endoscopic assessment. Endoscopic stent removal was planned on the basis of clinical or endoscopic assessment. Prolonged clinical success was defined as persistent symptom relief during follow-up. Results: Technical and early clinical success were obtained in 16 of 16 (100 %) patients. The median follow-up was 21 months. Prolonged clinical success was achieved in 9/16 (56 %) cases. There was no major complication, including perforation and bleeding. Stent migration occurred in 3 (19 %) cases, in two of them associated with clinical failure. The median stent diameter was significantly higher in patients with successful than in those with unsuccessful clinical outcome (26 vs. 20 mm, P = 0.006). The clinical success rate was 1/6 (17 %) in patients who received a 20-22 mm stent and 8/10 (80 %) in those who received a 24-26 mm stent, respectively ( P = 0.035). Conclusions: FCSEMSs can represent effective and safe treatment for refractory anastomotic colorectal strictures. Large diameter stents are warranted for better results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: SpyGlass single-operator peroral cholangioscopy appears to be a promising technique to overcome some limitations of conventional peroral cholangioscopy. We aimed to prospectively evaluate the SpyGlass system in a cohort of patients with indeterminate biliary lesions. Methods: Patients with indeterminate strictures or filling defects at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) were consecutively enrolled. After SpyGlass visual evaluation, targeted biopsies were taken with the SpyBite and histopathological assessment was made by two experienced gastrointestinal pathologists. SpyBite-targeted biopsy results were evaluated by assessing agreement with surgical specimens and by evaluation of final, clinical follow-up-based diagnosis. Results: Fifty-two patients participated in the study. In 7 cases, definite diagnosis (stones, varices) was made by SpyGlass endoscopic evaluation. In 42 of the remaining 45 cases, material suitable for histopathology assessment was provided by the SpyBite. Overall, a definite diagnosis was made in 49 (7 + 42; 94 %) cases. Agreement of SpyBite biopsy results with surgical specimen diagnosis was found in 38/42 (90 %) cases; sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 88, 94, 96, and 85 %, respectively. Procedure-related complications consisted of one case of mild cholangitis and one case of mild pancreatitis. Conclusions: In our series, the SpyGlass system allowed adequate biopsy sampling and definite diagnosis with high accuracy in the vast majority of patients with indeterminate biliary lesions. Its use was associated with a low complication rate. Further refinements of the technique are warranted, but the SpyGlass system has the potential to become a diagnostic standard for the assessment of indeterminate biliary lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The liver presents estrogen receptors alpha and beta. As for breast cancer, a variant form of estrogen receptor alpha transcript (ER) has been described in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is derived by an exon 5-deleted transcript (vER), which lacks the hormone-binding domain of the receptor but, being intact in the DNA-binding domain, maintains constitutive transcriptional activity. HCCs presenting vER have an extremely aggressive clinical course and are unresponsive to the antiestrogen tamoxifen. On the other hand, megestrol, a drug able to block both the wild type and the variant form of ER, influence the clinical course of HCC presenting vER. The presence of vER is associated with elevated cancer cell proliferation rate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article describes the experience of the authors in the use of endoscopic technique in the treatment of benign colon obstruction at a tertiary referral center of the New Civil Hospital in Modena, Italy between January 2008 and December 2010. The authors positioned the fully covered self-expanding metal stents (FCSEMS) in patients who had post-surgical anastomotic colorectal strictures. They recommends that these strictures should be treated using a FCSEMS with a medium to large diameter.