Erika S. Boroff

Polyp and Adenoma Detection Rates in the Proximal and Distal Colon

OBJECTIVES:Little is known about the correlation between the polyp detection rate (PDR) and the adenoma detection rate (ADR) in individual colonic segments. The adenoma-to-polyp detection rate quotient (APDRQ) has been utilized in retrospective study as a constant to estimate ADR from PDR. It has been previously stated that diminutive polyps in the rectum are more likely to be non-adenomatous, compared with more proximal segments, yet the APDRQ uses data from the entire colon. We sought to characterize and compare ADR and PDR in each colonic segment, estimate ADR using the conversion factor, APDRQ, and assess the correlation between estimated and actual ADR for each colonic segment.METHODS:As part of a quality improvement program, a retrospective chart review was conducted of all outpatient colonoscopies performed by 20 gastroenterologists between 1 October 2010 and 31 March 2011 at a single academic tertiary-care referral center. PDR, ADR, and the APDRQ were calculated for each gastroenterologist, using data from the entire colon and then for each colonic segment separately. Actual ADR was compared with estimated ADR based on the measured APDRQ.RESULTS:During 1,921 colonoscopies, 2,285 polyps were removed; 1,122 (49%) were adenomas. The mean (s.d.) PDR for the group was 49% (12.4%) (range, 16–64%). The mean (s.d.) ADR was 31% (7.4%) (range, 13–42%). PDR and ADR correlated well in segments proximal to the splenic flexure, but diverged in distal segments. ADR was significantly higher in the right colon (17.1%) than in the left (13.5%) (P=0.001). The correlation between estimated and actual ADR using the APDRQ was significantly higher in the right colon (r=0.95 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.87–0.98)) than in the left (r=0.59 (95% CI, 0.17–0.83)) (P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS:Although PDR and ADR correlate well in segments proximal to the splenic flexure, they do not correlate well in the left colon. Caution should be exercised when using PDR as a surrogate for ADR if data from the rectum and sigmoid are included.

Coccidioidomycosis in African Americans

Coccidioidomycosis is caused by Coccidioides species, a fungus endemic to the desert regions of the southwestern United States, and is of particular concern for African Americans. We performed a PubMed search of the English-language medical literature on coccidioidomycosis in African Americans and summarized the pertinent literature. Search terms were coccidioidomycosis, Coccidioides, race, ethnicity, African, black, and Negro. The proceedings of the national and international coccidioidomycosis symposia were searched. All relevant articles and their cited references were reviewed; those with epidemiological, immunologic, clinical, and therapeutic data pertaining to coccidioidomycosis in African Americans were included in the review. Numerous studies documented an increased predilection for severe coccidioidal infections, coccidioidomycosis-related hospitalizations, and extrapulmonary dissemination in persons of African descent; however, most of the published studies are variably problematic. The immunologic mechanism for this predilection is unclear. The clinical features and treatment recommendations are summarized. Medical practitioners need to be alert to the possibility of coccidioidomycosis in persons with recent travel to or residence in an area where the disease is endemic.

Nonneoplastic polypectomy during screening colonoscopy: the impact on polyp detection rate, adenoma detection rate, and overall cost.

BACKGROUND The frequency of nonneoplastic polypectomy (NNP) and its impact on the polyp detection rate (PDR) is unknown. The correlation between NNP and adenoma detection rate (ADR) and its impact on the cost of colonoscopy has not been investigated. OBJECTIVE To determine the rate of NNP in screening colonoscopy, the impact of NNP on the PDR, and the correlation of NNP with ADR. The increased cost of NNP during screening colonoscopy also was calculated. DESIGN We reviewed all screening colonoscopies. PDR and ADR were calculated. We then calculated a nonneoplastic polyp detection rate (patients with ≥1 nonneoplastic polyp). SETTING Tertiary-care referral center. PATIENTS Patients who underwent screening colonoscopies from 2010 to 2011. INTERVENTIONS Colonoscopy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS ADR, PDR, NNP rate. RESULTS A total of 1797 colonoscopies were reviewed. Mean (±standard deviation) PDR was 47.7%±12.0%, and mean ADR was 27.3%±6.9%. The overall NNP rate was 10.4%±7.1%, with a range of 2.4% to 28.4%. Among all polypectomies (n=2061), 276 were for nonneoplastic polyps (13.4%). Endoscopists with a higher rate of nonneoplastic polyp detection were more likely to detect an adenoma (odds ratio 1.58; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-1.2). With one outlier excluded, there was a strong correlation between ADR and NNP (r=0.825; P<.001). The increased cost of removal of nonneoplastic polyps was

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis: A Case Report

32,963. LIMITATIONS Retrospective study. CONCLUSION There is a strong correlation between adenoma detection and nonneoplastic polyp detection. The etiology is unclear, but nonneoplastic polyp detection rate may inflate the PDR for some endoscopists. NNP also adds an increased cost. Increasing the awareness of endoscopic appearances through advanced imaging techniques of normal versus neoplastic tissue may be an area to improve cost containment in screening colonoscopy.

Factitious Disorder in Crohn's Disease: Recurrent Pancytopenia Caused by Surreptitious Ingestion of 6-Mercaptopurine

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare disease of unknown cause that traditionally affects young women of reproductive age. It is characterized by a proliferation of atypical smooth muscle cells, preferentially along the bronchovascular structures, that causes progressive respiratory failure. LAM is almost universally fatal without a lung transplant, although new clinical trials are ongoing. Because of its rareness and nonspecific presenting symptoms, patients often receive a missed or delayed diagnosis. We present the case of a 51-year-old postmenopausal woman who had hemoptysis ultimately determined to be due to LAM. As is common for patients with LAM, the initial chest radiograph was unremarkable, whereas subsequent computed tomography (CT) demonstrated the distinctive pulmonary parenchymal cysts. Biopsy of an HMB-45-positive, para-aortic lymphangiomyoma provided further confirmation of the diagnosis. LAM may be more common than previously recognized, and it is imperative for primary care providers to be able to recognize this disease so they can make prompt referrals to appropriate specialty centers.

Capsule Endoscopy in the Evaluation of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Factitious disorder is a rare psychiatric illness characterized by the willful and deceptive induction of illness for the purpose of assuming the sick role. It presents a substantial diagnostic challenge, as patients often go to great lengths to conceal their deception. Accordingly, its presence in the full spectrum of gastrointestinal diseases is likely underappreciated. While factitious gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal pain and diarrhea are relatively common, factitious non-gastrointestinal symptoms in the setting of gastrointestinal illness have been infrequently reported. We present the case of a patient with Crohns disease with recurrent pancytopenia attributed to the surreptitious ingestion of 6-mercaptopurine. In patients with possible access to immunomodulatory drugs, a high suspicion for and early identification of factitious disorder may improve patient outcomes and avoid invasive and costly diagnostic evaluations.

Impact of feedback on adenoma detection rates: Outcomes of quality improvement program

The video capsule endoscope is an ingestible and disposable video camera that transmits high quality images of the small bowel mucosa. Capsule endoscopy (CE) has the potential to facilitate the evaluation of Crohn’s disease (CD), providing access to bowel segments previously inaccessible by push enteroscopy and ileocolonoscopy. CE appears to be complementary to cross-sectional imaging techniques such as CT and MR enterography, which provide information regarding transmural inflammation and extraluminal disease. In comparison to advanced endoscopic techniques, CE has demonstrated comparable yields to double-balloon enteroscopy in CD patients. CE also has the ability to document mucosal healing in response to treatment in established CD, and has proven instrumental in further categorizing patients diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease unspecified. As a non-invasive test, CE holds particular promise in the evaluation of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease. A colonic pill endoscope is under investigation in the evaluation of ulcerative colitis. Although the risk of capsule retention remains a concern in patients with stricturing disease, CE is considered safe in the vast majority of patients.

Adenoma and Polyp Detection Rates in Colonoscopy according to Indication

Feedback has been shown to improve performance in colonoscopy including adenoma detection rate (ADR). The frequency at which feedback should be given is unknown. As part of a quality improvement program, we sought to measure the outcome of providing quarterly and monthly feedback on colonoscopy quality measures.

344 Outcomes of Radiofrequency Ablation and Risk for Dysplastic Progression in Barrett's Esophagus With Low-Grade Dysplasia: Experience At a Tertiary Care Academic Medical Center

Background Adenoma detection rate (ADR) is a validated quality measure for screening colonoscopy, but there are little data for other indications. The distribution of adenomas is not well described for these indications. Aim To describe ADR and the adenoma distribution in the proximal and distal colon based on colonoscopy indication. Methods Outpatient colonoscopies are subdivided by indication. PDR and ADR for the entire colon and for proximal and distal colon. Data were compared using generalized estimating equations to adjust for clustering amongst endoscopists while controlling for patient age and gender. Results 3436 colonoscopies were reviewed (51.2%: men (n = 1759)). Indications are screening 49.2%, surveillance 29.3%, change in bowel habit 8.4%, bleeding 5.8%, colitides 3.0%, pain 2.8%, and miscellaneous 1.5%. Overall ADR was 37% proximal ADR 28%, and distal ADR 17%. PDR and ADR were significantly higher in surveillance than in screening (PDR: 69% versus 51%; ADR: 50% versus 33%; p = 0.0001). Adenomas were more often detected in the proximal than in the distal colon, for all indications. Conclusions Prevalence of polyps and adenomas differs based on colonoscopy indication. Adenoma detection is highest in surveillance and more commonly detected in the proximal colon. For quality assurance, distinct ADR and PDR targets may need to be established for different colonoscopy indications.