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Case 1: A 69-year-old male underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate hepatic hemangiomas that incidentally revealed a homogeneous hypervascular solid nodule (19 mm) in pancreatic tail. Differential diagnosis included neuroendocrine tumor (NET). Normal chromogranin A and CA19.9 levels. PET-68Ga-DOTANOC scan showed pancreatic tail enhancement consistent with NET. Suspicion of neoplasia persisted after two Endoscopic Ultrasounds with Fine-Needle Aspiration without neoplastic cells. Consequently, distal pancreatectomy was performed, revealing an accessory intrapancreatic spleen. Case 2: A 77-year-old female with dyspepsia performed an abdominal CT followed by MRI and both revealed a solid nodule (11.7 mm) in pancreatic tail with regular margins, suggestive of accessory spleen or pancreatic neoplasia. EUS confirmed a hypoechoic, homogeneous nodule consistent with accessory spleen (11.7mm). A scintigraphy using fragile erythrocytes (4) confirmed intrapancreatic accessory spleen, which requires no treatment.

Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

The success of personalized medicine depends on the discovery of biomarkers that allow oncologists to identify patients that will benefit from a particular targeted drug. Molecular tests are mostly performed using tumor samples, which may not be representative of the tumor's temporal and spatial heterogeneity. Liquid biopsies, and particularly the analysis of circulating tumor DNA, are emerging as an interesting means for diagnosis, prognosis, and predictive biomarker discovery. In this study, the amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) coupled with high-resolution melting analysis (HRMA) was developed for detecting two of the most relevant KRAS mutations in codon 12. After optimization with commercial cancer cell lines, KRAS mutation screening was validated in tumor and plasma samples collected from patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), and the results were compared to those obtained by Sanger sequencing (SS) and droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR). The developed ARMS-HRMA methodology stands out for its simplicity and reduced time to result when compared to both SS and ddPCR but showing high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of mutations in tumor and plasma samples. In fact, ARMS-HRMA scored 3 more mutations compared to SS (tumor samples T6, T7, and T12) and one more compared to ddPCR (tumor sample T7) in DNA extracted from tumors. For ctDNA from plasma samples, insufficient genetic material prevented the screening of all samples. Still, ARMS-HRMA allowed for scoring more mutations in comparison to SS and 1 more mutation in comparison to ddPCR (plasma sample P7). We propose that ARMS-HRMA might be used as a sensitive, specific, and simple method for the screening of low-level mutations in liquid biopsies, suitable for improving diagnosis and prognosis schemes., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background and Aims: Pancreatic cystic fluid (PCF) analysis is useful to distinguish between different cyst types and to guide management. The aim of our study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of glucose level with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in PCF for mucinous cyst diagnosis., Methods: We identified studies with PCF obtained by EUS before surgery, with cysts classified as mucinous and nonmucinous according to surgical specimens. A random-effects model was used for quantitative meta-analysis. Pooled sensitivities, specificities, and summary receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were conducted., Results: For CEA, we included 31 studies with 5268 patients, of which 2083 were referred for surgery. For glucose, we included 4 studies with 345 patients, of which 275 were referred for surgery. Glucose performed better than CEA for mucinous cysts diagnosis (premalignant and malignant) with sensitivities of .90 (95% confidence interval [CI], .85-.94) and .67 (95% CI, .65-.70), specificities of .82 (95% CI, .72-.89) and .80 (95% CI, 0.76-0.83), and areas under the ROC curve of .96 and .79, respectively. Glucose had a higher sensitivity (90%), with uncommon false-negative results, making it an excellent biomarker to exclude a mucinous cyst. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the findings of the current meta-analysis are robust., Conclusion: Glucose level in PCF is more accurate than CEA for preoperative diagnosis of mucinous cysts. It may become a useful first-line test, particularly in small cysts with a limited volume of PCF. Larger studies are awaited to confirm glucose as the single test for mucinous cyst diagnosis., (Copyright © 2021 American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background/aims: Pancreatic cystic fluid (PCF) analysis is useful to distinguish between different cyst types and guide management. The aim of our study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of glucose level with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in PCF for mucinous cyst diagnosis., Methods: We identified studies with PCF obtained by EUS before surgery, with cysts classified as mucinous and nonmucinous according to surgical specimens. A random effects model was used for quantitative meta-analysis. Pooled sensitivities, specificities, and summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve analysis were conducted., Results: For CEA, we included 31 studies with 5268 patients, of which 2083 were referred for surgery and for glucose we included 5 studies with 460 patients, of which 275 were referred for surgery. Glucose performed better than CEA for mucinous cysts diagnosis (premalignant and malignant) with sensitivities of 0.91 (95% CI, 0.86-0.94) and 0.67 (95% CI, 0.65-0.70), specificities of 0.75 (95% CI, 0.68-0.82) and 0.80 (95% CI, 0.76-0.83), and areas under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.95 and 0.79, respectively. Glucose had a higher sensitivity (91%), with uncommon false negative results, making it an excellent biomarker to exclude a mucinous cyst. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the findings of the current meta-analysis are robust., Conclusion: Glucose level in PCF is more accurate than CEA for preoperative diagnosis of mucinous cysts. It may become a useful first line test, particularly in small cysts with limited volume of PCF. Larger studies are awaited to confirm glucose as the single test for mucinous cyst diagnosis., (Copyright © 2021 American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound with fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is recommended for diagnosis of pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs). Its role in surveillance is unclear. Our goal was to determine if a second EUS-FNA changes diagnosis or management of PCLs., Methods: A retrospective analysis of an EUS database, searching for EUS-FNAs in PCLs from 2007 to 2017 was performed. Demographics, cyst characteristics, and FNA results were compared in patients under surveillance, performing a single or two consecutive EUS-FNAs., Results: Of 203 PCLs referred for EUS-FNA, surveillance was decided in 128 (63%). Data of 105 (82%) patients with a single EUS-FNA were compared with 23 (18%) with two EUS-FNAs during surveillance. Patients were younger in this latter group (P = .055), whereas CEA levels were marginally higher (P = .078) and a mass/nodule were more frequent (P = .006). The mean time between EUS-FNAs was 38 months (4.7-118.8) for 18 patients maintaining surveillance vs 18 months (2.9-56.9) in the four referred for surgery (P = NS) after two EUS-FNAs (two NETs, one IPMN-HGD, and one MCN-LG). A high correlation in CEA level between consecutive EUS-FNAs (r 2 = 0.945, P < .01) was present, with a change of category observed (cut-off level = 192 ng/mL) in two patients only. Of four patients with a second EUS-FNA with conclusive cytology, two had NETs confirmed on resection., Conclusions: Repeating EUS-FNA in surveillance of PCLs with clinical suspicion of malignancy increased neoplasm diagnoses, changing decision toward surgery in almost 20% of patients while excluding IPMNs with mucin nodules from unnecessary resections. A second EUS-FNA for cytology appears justified in some PCLs, particularly for diagnosing NETs., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: In current guidelines, endoscopic ultrasound with fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is recommended in pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) with worrisome features (size ≥ 3 cm, mural nodule, or Wirsung dilation)., Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic ability and assess the accuracy of EUS-FNA in PCLs smaller than 3 cm., Methods: Retrospective study of PCLs < 3 cm (2007-2016) undergoing EUS-FNA. Clinical, EUS and pancreatic cystic fluid (PCF) data were prospectively registered. Performance of EUS-FNA with PCF analysis for the detection of malignancy and accuracy in surgical cohort were analyzed., Results: We evaluated 115 patients with PCLs < 3 cm who underwent EUS-FNA. 19 patients underwent surgery, 7 had malignant, 8 pre-malignant, and the remaining 4 benign lesions. Mass/mural nodule was present in 27% of the cysts, CEA level was higher than 192 ng/mL in 39.4% of patients, and only 35% of cytologic samples were informative. Nevertheless, additional FNA for PCF analysis improved the diagnostic performance of EUS imaging-AUC = 0.80 versus AUC = 60., Conclusion: EUS-FNA has good accuracy in PCLs < 3 cm. It confirmed malignancy even in lesions without worrisome features (nodule/mass), with two in every five resections showing high-risk/malignant lesions. EUS-FNA was also useful to diagnose benign cysts, possibly allowing surveillance to be stopped in one in every five patients.

Background: Guanine nucleotide-binding protein, alpha stimulating ( GNAS ) mutations are characteristic of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs). Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) harboring GNAS mutations originate in IPMNs. GNAS is a complex imprinted locus that produces five transcripts regulated by differential methylated regions, NESP55 , GNASAS , GNASXL , GNAS1A , and GNAS ., Aim: To evaluate if methylation changes in the differential methylated regions of GNAS locus contributed to malignant progression of pancreatic cysts., Methods: GNAS locus methylation was analyzed in archival pancreatic cyst fluid (PCF) obtained by endoscopic ultrasound with fine-needle aspiration by methylation specific-multiplex ligation dependent probe amplification. Results were normalized and analyzed using Coffalyser.Net software., Results: Fifty-two PCF samples obtained by endoscopic ultrasound with fine-needle aspiration and previously characterized for KRAS and GNAS mutations were studied. The final diagnoses were surgical (11) and clinicopathological (41), including 30 benign cysts, 14 pre-malignant cyst, and eight malignant cysts. Methylation changes at NESP55, GNASAS, GNAS1A , and especially GNASXL were more frequent in malignant cysts, and NESP55 and GNASAS were useful for diagnosis. A combined variable defined as " GNAS locus methylation changes" was significantly associated with malignancy (6/8 malignant cysts and only 2/20 benign cysts) and improved classification. Hypermethylation in both maternally ( NESP55 ) and paternally ( GNASXL ) derived promoters was found in 3/3 PDACs., Conclusion: This is the first study to identify methylation changes in the GNAS locus, improving the diagnosis of malignant pancreatic cysts and suggesting a role in progression to PDAC., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare no potential financial interests., (©The Author(s) 2020. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: CEA in pancreatic cystic fluid (PCF) is standard for mucinous cysts diagnosis. Glucose is an alternative, but its accuracy remains poorly described., Aims: To evaluate PCF glucose using a glucometer and compare its accuracy with CEA for mucinous cysts diagnosis., Materials and Methods: In frozen PCF obtained by EUS-FNA, glucose was evaluated using a glucometer. CEA and cytology were available as standard of care. The accuracy of glucose and CEA was calculated using receiver operator (ROC) curves. Definitive diagnoses were surgical or clinicopathological., Results: We evaluated 82 patients with a mean age of 61.3 ± 14.8 years (25-91), predominantly (59%) females. Diagnoses included 17 serous cystadenomas, five pseudocysts, 20 intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms, three mucinous cystic neoplasms, five adenocarcinomas, four neuroendocrine tumors, two other types, 26 non-defined. The median glucose levels (interquartile range) were 19 mg/dL (19-19) in mucinous and 105 mg/dL (96-127) in non-mucinous cysts (p < 0.0001). The median CEA level was 741 ng/mL (165-28,567) in mucinous and 9 ng/mL (5-19) in non-mucinous cysts (p < 0.0001). For mucinous cyst diagnosis, a CEA > 192 ng/mL had a sensitivity of 72% (95% CI 51-88) and a specificity of 96% (95% CI 82-100), and ROC analysis showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.842 (95% CI 0.726-0.959), while glucose < 50 mg/dL had a sensitivity of 89% (95% CI 72-98), a specificity of 86% (95% CI 67-96), and an AUC of 0.86 (95% CI 0.748-0.973). Pseudocysts presented low glucose, identically to mucinous cysts, with CEA allowing differential diagnosis., Conclusion: Glucose measured by a glucometer is accurate for mucinous cyst diagnosis, with significantly higher levels in non-mucinous cysts, except pseudocysts.

Background: Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cytology in pancreatic cystic fluid are suboptimal for evaluation of pancreatic cystic neoplasms. Genetic testing and microforceps biopsy are promising tools for pre-operative diagnostic improvement but comparative performance of both methods is unknown., Aim: To compare the accuracy of genetic testing and microforceps biopsy in pancreatic cysts referred for surgery., Methods: We performed a literature search in Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies evaluating genetic testing of cystic fluid and microforceps biopsy of pancreatic cysts, with endoscopic ultrasound with fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) prior to surgery and surgical pathology as reference standard for diagnosis. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy for: 1- benign cysts; 2- mucinous low-risk cysts; 3- high-risk cysts, and the diagnostic yield and rate of correctly identified cysts with microforceps biopsy and molecular analysis. We also assessed publication bias, heterogeneity, and study quality., Results: Eight studies, including 1206 patients, of which 203 (17%) referred for surgery who met the inclusion criteria were analyzed in the systematic review, and seven studies were included in the meta-analysis. Genetic testing and microforceps biopsies were identical for diagnosis of benign cysts. Molecular analysis was superior for diagnosis of both low and high-risk mucinous cysts, with sensitivities of 0.89 (95%CI: 0.79-0.95) and 0.57 (95%CI: 0.42-0.71), specificities of 0.88 (95%CI: 0.75-0.95) and 0.88 (95%CI: 0.80-0.93) and AUC of 0.9555 and 0.92, respectively. The diagnostic yield was higher in microforceps biopsies than in genetic analysis (0.73 vs 0.54, respectively) but the rates of correctly identified cysts were identical (0.73 with 95%CI: 0.62-0.82 vs 0.71 with 95%CI: 0.49-0.86, respectively)., Conclusion: Genetic testing and microforceps biopsies are useful second tests, with identical results in benign pancreatic cysts. Genetic analysis performs better for low- and high-risk cysts but has lower diagnostic yield., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose.

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of KRAS mutation in pancreatic cystic fluid and compare it with carcinoembryonic antigen and cytology, we identified studies with cyst fluid obtained by endoscopic ultrasound prior to surgery. We classified cysts as malignant, premalignant, and benign. A random-effects model was used for quantitative meta-analysis. Pooled sensitivities, specificities, and summary receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were conducted. We analyzed 16 studies, with 3429 patients, including 731 referred for surgery. Carcinoembryonic antigen was better for clinically significant cysts (premalignant and malignant) with sensitivity = 0.58 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.53-0.65), specificity = 0.9 (95% CI, 0.76-0.97), and area under the curve (AUC) = 0.69. Cytology performed better in malignant cysts, with sensitivity = 0.37 (95% CI, 0.27-0.48), specificity = 0.96 (95% CI, 0.93-0.98), and AUC = 0.78. Isolated, KRAS mutation failed the diagnosis of malignant and significant cysts, with sensitivities = 0.43 (95% CI, 0.34-0.43) and 0.46 (95% CI, 0.42-0.51), specificities = 0.62 (95% CI, 0.56-0.68) and 0.97 (95% CI, 0.92-0.99), and AUCs = 0.56 and 0.53, respectively. Carcinoembryonic antigen and cytology are more accurate than KRAS. Additional studies are lacking to recommend KRAS as a single diagnostic test.

Background: Pancreatic cysts are common incidental findings with malignant potential, raising diagnostic and treatment dilemmas., Aims: To determine the added value of KRAS and GNAS mutation analysis on cyst classification and decision making., Methods: We analyzed 52 frozen samples of pancreatic cystic fluid obtained by EUS-FNA between 2008 and 2014. In addition to cytology and CEA, mutations of GNAS (exons 8 and 9) and KRAS (exons 2 and 3) genes were analyzed using Sanger sequencing., Results: There were 52 patients, 67% females, with a mean age of 59 ± 15 years (29-91). Cysts were classified as mucinous in 21 patients (40%) (14 low-risk, seven malignant) and non-mucinous in 31 patients (60%). After EUS-FNA, 11 patients had surgery, six had chemotherapy or palliation, one had endoscopic drainage, and 34 are on follow-up after a mean of 57 months. KRAS mutation was detected in nine and GNAS in two samples. Patients harboring cysts with KRAS mutations were older (p = 0.01), cysts were more commonly mucinous (p = 0.001) and malignant (p = 0.01). KRAS mutations were present in both low-risk and malignant mucinous lesions. For identifying mucinous lesions, CEA > 192 ng/mL performed better (AUC ROC = 93%), whereas for malignant/high-risk mucinous lesions, EUS imaging had the best accuracy (AUC ROC = 88%). After molecular analysis, a modification in cyst classification occurred in ten patients, but was correct in only two, a pseudocyst re-classified as IPMN and a malignant cyst as a non-mucinous cyst., Conclusions: In this cohort of patients with pancreatic cysts, KRAS and GNAS mutations had no significant diagnostic benefit in comparison with conventional testing.

This study was conducted with the aim of evaluating a 10-year experience in the Pulmonology Department of a cancer center for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy through transnasal route (TN-PEG) in patients with head and neck cancer whose oral access is precluded. This study was a retrospective analysis of 40 consecutive head and neck cancer patients referred for PEG placement, between 2005 and 2014, using a transnasal route because of the impossibility of intubation through the oral cavity. Demographics, outcome of TN-PEG procedure, indications for bronchoscopic approach (prophylactic/palliative), clinical need for bronchoscopy (trismus, oropharyngeal obstruction), location of cancer, complications, and overall survival were reviewed. In 40 TN-PEG procedures, executed by 1 of 3 pulmonologists, 39 were successfully placed and there were no immediate complications. All except 1 complication were minor, but no surgery or PEG removal was required. There was a rapid learning curve among all operators. A combined TN-PEG placement by a gastroenterologist and a pulmonologist is a safe and useful option for these patients; the learning curve for successfully performing the procedure was short.

Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) has evolved as the preferred organ preservation strategy in the treatment of locally advanced head and neck cancer (HNC). This approach increases malnutrition, and thus, establishing a direct enteral feeding route is essential. To evaluate the usefulness of prophylactic percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in HNC patients receiving definitive CRT, we performed a prospective evaluation of HNC patients over a 6-month period. Patients and tumor characteristics, nutritional status 30 days after PEG insertion and technique complications were evaluated. We also assessed the long-term PEG usage. Forty-seven PEGs were placed and only 2 patients did not use it. The mean time of PEG use was 131 days (4-255) and mean duration of exclusive utilization was 71 days (4-180). On 30th day after procedure, 34/45 (76 %) patients had lost weight, but only 10/45 (22 %) patients had lost more than 10 % of their initial weight. The most frequent complications were minor peristomal infections, which were correlated with proton-pump inhibitor use before PEG placement (OR 3.91, 95 % CI 1.01-15.2, and p = 0.049). One year later, 19 % of patients in remission continue needing PEG. Enteric nutritional support is essential during and after CRT in HNC patients. Most patients lost weight even with PEG. One-fifth of patients in remission required long-term PEG utilization.

Background & Aims: The aim of our study was to examine, in patients with gastric cancer, the correlation between nutritional status, QoL (quality of life) and serum levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1 and IL-6., Methods: Forty-eight patients with gastric cancer were included. Nutritional status was assessed by % of weight loss in the previous 1 and 6 months, Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment, bioelectrical impedance analysis and by dynamometry. QoL was assessed by EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire. TNF-alpha, IL-1 and IL-6 serum concentrations were determined using an ELISA assay., Results: Prevalence of malnourished patients varied between 30% and 75% according to various methods used. QoL scores were significantly worse in patients with more advanced disease and in malnourished ones. Malnourished patients had higher values of IL-1 and TNF-alpha (16.7 and 28.0 pg/ml), p<0.05 and p<0.001. QoL was significantly worse in patients with higher levels of IL-1 and TNF-alpha (p<0.01 and p<0.001, respectively). A TNF-alpha cut-off value of 8.72 pg/ml was associated with higher risk of malnutrition (MN) according to PG-SGA (94% sensitivity, 93% specificity). No correlation was observed with perioperative complications., Conclusions: The prevalence of MN is high in patients with gastric cancer. A significant correlation was found between higher values of cytokines, especially TNF-alpha, MN and QoL.

We prospectively analyzed peristomal infection agents during the first week following percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement by the pull technique in patients with head and neck cancer. Nasal and pharyngeal swabs were obtained from a consecutive series of cancer patients prior to PEG placement. All patients underwent antibiotic prophylaxis with cefotaxime and oral disinfection. PEG site infection was prospectively evaluated at days 2, 3, and 7 after insertion. Twenty-eight patients (25 males; mean age, 58 years) were included. Oropharyngeal or nasal colonization were observed in 68% (19/28) and 19% (5/28) of patients, respectively. Early infections occurred in 36% (10/28) of the patients, all with oropharyngeal colonization and concordance between agents (P=0.01). Three patients required hospital admission and 1 required surgery. Head and neck cancer patients with oropharyngeal colonization have a high risk of early PEG site infection with substantial morbidity owing to oral-stomal spread.