Dong Choon Kim

Core biopsy needle versus standard aspiration needle for endoscopic ultrasound-guided sampling of solid pancreatic masses: a randomized parallel-group study

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS An endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) device using a core biopsy needle was developed to improve diagnostic accuracy by simultaneously obtaining cytological aspirates and histological core samples. We prospectively compared the diagnostic accuracy of EUS-FNB with standard EUS-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) in patients with solid pancreatic masses. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between January 2012 and May 2013, consecutive patients with solid pancreatic masses were prospectively enrolled and randomized to undergo EUS-FNB using a core biopsy needle or EUS-FNA using a standard aspiration needle at a single tertiary center. The specimen was analyzed by onsite cytology, Papanicolaou-stain cytology, and histology. The main outcome measure was diagnostic accuracy for malignancy. The secondary outcome measures were: the median number of passes required to establish a diagnosis, the proportion of patients in whom the diagnosis was established with each pass, and complication rates. RESULTS The overall accuracy of combining onsite cytology with Papanicolaou-stain cytology and histology was not significantly different for the FNB (n = 58) and FNA (n = 58) groups (98.3 % [95 %CI 94.9 % - 100 %] vs. 94.8 % [95 %CI 91.9 % - 100 %]; P = 0.671). Compared with FNA, FNB required a significantly lower median number of needle passes to establish a diagnosis (1.0 vs. 2.0; P < 0.001). On subgroup analysis of 111 patients with malignant lesions, the proportion of patients in whom malignancy was diagnosed on the first pass was significantly greater in the FNB group (72.7 % vs. 37.5 %; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The overall accuracy of FNB and FNA in patients with solid pancreatic masses was comparable; however, fewer passes were required to establish the diagnosis of malignancy using FNB.This study was registered on the UMIN Clinical Trial Registry (UMIN000014057).

Endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation for the management of recurrent difficult bile duct stones after previous endoscopic sphincterotomy

Endoscopic management of recurrent bile duct stones after endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) is effective and safe. However, repeat EST for extension of a previous EST for recurrent bile duct stones may involve substantial risk. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation (EPLBD) without repeat EST for recurrent difficult bile duct stones after previous EST.

A newly modified access balloon catheter for direct peroral cholangioscopy by using an ultraslim upper endoscope (with videos)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Direct peroral cholangioscopy (POC) by using an ultraslim upper endoscope has been increasingly applied for diagnosis and treatment of diverse biliary diseases. Recently, an intraductal balloon catheter has been used commonly to guide the flexible ultraslim endoscope. However, accessibility into the bile duct remains a limitation of the procedure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and success rate of an intraductal balloon-guided direct POC by using an ultraslim endoscope with a newly modified 5F balloon catheter. METHODS In total, 36 patients with biliary obstruction were included prospectively for a direct POC by using an ultraslim endoscope with a newly modified intraductal 5F balloon catheter. The main outcome measure was technical success, defined as successful advancement of the ultraslim endoscope into the obstructed segment of the biliary tree or the bifurcation. Secondary outcomes were mean time for the total procedure, intubation into the common bile duct and advancement up to the target site after intubation of the ultraslim endoscope, technical success rates of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, and adverse events. RESULTS The intraductal balloon-guided direct POC using a newly modified 5F balloon catheter was completed successfully in 35 of 36 patients (97.2%). The mean times for total procedure, intubation into the distal common bile duct, and advancement up to the obstructed bile duct segment were 27.3 ± 7.2, 2.2 ± 0.5, and 0.8 ± 0.4 minutes, respectively. In total, 49 interventions were performed in 35 patients, excluding 1 patient in whom we failed to perform direct POC. Technical success of the interventions was achieved with 44 of 49 procedures (89.8%). No adverse events, including cholangitis, were observed. CONCLUSIONS A newly modified 5F balloon catheter seemed to facilitate performing intraductal balloon-guided direct POC for direct visual examination of the bile duct in patients with biliary obstruction. Continued development of endoscopes and accessories are expected to further improve the performance of direct POC.

Usefulness of endoscopic ultrasound‐guided sampling using core biopsy needle as a percutaneous biopsy rescue for diagnosis of solid liver mass: Combined histological‐cytological analysis

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)‐guided fine needle aspiration (EUS‐FNA) is one of the alternative methods for tissue sampling of liver solid mass. However, the diagnostic efficacy using cytology alone was limited. In this study, we evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of EUS‐guided fine needle biopsy (EUS‐FNB) as a percutaneous biopsy rescue for liver solid mass.

Papillary balloon dilation is not itself a cause of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis; results of anterograde and retrograde papillary balloon dilation.

The mechanism of pancreatitis development following endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD) remains unknown. Antegrade dilation with percutaneous transhepatic papillary balloon dilation (PTPBD) allows the removal of bile duct stones or fragments during percutaneous choledochoscopic lithotomy, with less mechanical trauma to the papilla than with EPBD‐mediated stone removal.

Usefulness of pancreatic duct wire-guided endoscopic papillectomy for ampullary adenoma for preventing post-procedure pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS After endoscopic papillectomy, pancreatic duct stenting is important in preventing pancreatitis, but duct cannulation can be difficult following conventional snare resection. Pancreatic duct wire-guided endoscopic snaring before resection can reduce the post-procedure stenting failure rate. We evaluated the usefulness of this approach. PATIENTS AND METHODS Pancreatic duct wire-guided endoscopic papillectomy was performed in 72 patients with ampullary adenoma. The snare loop was passed over a guide wire inserted into the pancreatic duct. After resection, a pancreatic stent was immediately placed along or alongside the guide wire. RESULTS Pancreatic duct stenting was successful in all patients after endoscopic papillectomy. Post-procedure pancreatitis occurred in 6/72 (8 %), but was mild and resolved with conservative treatment. Complete endoscopic resection of ampullary adenoma was achieved in 65/72 (90 %), with en bloc resection in 60/72 (83 %). There was no procedure-associated mortality. Follow-up (mean 23.7 months) showed recurrence in 5/65 (8 %) who had undergone complete resection. CONCLUSIONS Pancreatic duct wire-guided endoscopic snare papillectomy for ampullary adenoma effectively facilitated pancreatic duct stenting to prevent severe post-procedure pancreatitis.

Direct biliary drainage using transnasal endoscopy for patients with severe-to-moderate acute cholangitis

Endoscopic biliary drainage (BD) is an effective palliative treatment for acute cholangitis. Transnasal endoscopy (TNE) using an ultraslim endoscope can be less stressful and has limited hemodynamic effects compared with endoscopic retrograde cholangiography using a conventional duodenoscope. Here, we evaluate the clinical usefulness of direct BD by TNE in critically ill patients with acute cholangitis who had undergone endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) previously.

Predictability of preoperative 18F-FDG PET for histopathological differentiation and early recurrence of primary malignant intrahepatic tumors.

Objective The limited studies with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG)-PET reported results and interpretations that differed between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHCC). We investigated the correlation between preoperative PET results and postoperative prognosis, including early (time-to-recurrence<6 months) tumor recurrence, and histopathological tumor differentiation in patients who had undergone surgery for primary malignant intrahepatic tumors, including HCC and IHCC. Materials and methods We retrospectively reviewed 357 patients who had undergone curative surgery for malignant hepatic tumors, including primary HCC or IHCC, other than Klatskin tumors at a tertiary academic hospital between January 2005 and June 2012. All patients had undergone an 18F-FDG PET/computed tomography scan preoperatively and the maximum standardized uptake value of the tumor (maxSUVtumor) and the tumor-to-nontumor SUV ratio (TNR) were calculated from 18F-FDG uptake. Histopathological differentiation grading was confirmed postoperatively. Results Among the patients, 115 cases with primary malignant intrahepatic tumors fulfilled the inclusion criteria. On univariate analysis, preoperative maxSUVtumor and TNR showed a correlation with the overall and early tumor recurrence of HCC, but only maxSUVtumor was associated with overall and early recurrence of IHCC (P<0.05). When considering postoperative histopathological differentiation, a correlation between maxSUVtumor and TNR with HCC and between maxSUVtumor and IHCC was found (P<0.05). However, on multivariate analysis, only early recurrence was associated with TNR in HCC and with maxSUVtumor in IHCC. Conclusion A preoperative 18F-FDG PET scan can be considered a useful reference for postoperative tumor recurrence and histopathological differentiation in cases of primary malignant intrahepatic tumors. 18F-FDG PET scan results should be interpreted separately for malignant liver tumors.

Clinical usefulness of intraductal ultrasonography for the management of acute biliary pancreatitis

Identifying a bile duct (BD) stone in patients with acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP) is important for the management and prevention of recurrent attack of pancreatitis. However, small BD stones may not be detected on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the usefulness of intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) in patients suspected to have ABP but with no evidence of choledocholithiasis on ERCP.

The role of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography at an academic medical center in the era of less-invasive diagnostic tools

Evaluation of: Coté GA, Singh S, Bucksot LG et al. Association between volume of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography at an academic medical center and use of pancreatobiliarytherapy. Clin. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. 10(8), 920–924 (2012). Many patients have pancreatobiliary diseases involving complications and comorbidities. This study shows the trends in the use of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) at an academic medical center from 1994 to 2009. During that time, the use of ERCPs for the treatment of bile duct stones reached a plateau and those for the treatment of pancreas divisum showed a decline. However, endoscopic therapy for benign biliary stricture and management for obstructive chronic pancreatitis increased during this period. There was a trend toward greater use of therapeutic ERCP for bile duct stenting involving metal stents and for pancreatic therapeutics. In that same period, there was an increase in the proportion of patients who had undergone unsuccessful ERCP at various other centers. Consequently, at academic medical centers, ERCP has become an increasingly complex intervention. Increasing numbers of patients with comorbidities, complications and history of failed ERCPs are being referred to academic centers to receive endotherapy.