Felipe Alves Retes

Small Bowel Endoscopy Using the Double-Balloon Technique: Four-Year Results in a Tertiary Referral Hospital in Brazil

Background: Double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) allows evaluation and therapy for various small bowel diseases. In this series the outcome of a 4-year experience in a tertiary hospital school in Brazil is reported. Methods: A total of 457 consecutive DBE were performed in 418 patients from August 2004 to August 2008. 93 patients with several indications, whose aim was not the evaluation of suspected diseases of the small bowel mucosa, were excluded, therefore leaving 364 DBE in 325 patients for analysis. Data were retrospectively collected with regard to clinical, endoscopic findings, therapy and complications. Results: Among the 364 DBE performed in 325 patients, 143/325 were males (44%) and 182/325 females (56%) with a mean age of 48.6 ± 15.7 years (range 17–89). Mean investigation time was 64 ± 22 min (range 35–135). The depth of insertion beyond the ligament of Treitz was 230 ± 85 cm (range 30–500) by the antegrade approach and 140 ± 75 cm (range 0–320) by the retrograde approach. Total enteroscopy was achieved in 41.66% of the attempts (30 of 72 patients). Overall diagnostic yield was 54.95% (200 of 364 procedures) ranging from 0 to 100% in this series, depending on the indication. Angiodysplasia was the main diagnosis in 24.5% (49 of 200 procedures) and endoscopic treatment, including biopsies, hemostasis, tattooing and polypectomy were performed in 65.38% (238 of 364 procedures). No major complications were reported. Conclusions: DBE is a feasible, safe and well-tolerated procedure allowing endoscopic therapy. Selection of indications increases its diagnostic yield.

Secondary lymphangiectasia of the small bowel: utility of double balloon enteroscopy for diagnosis and management.

Sporadic lymphangiectasias are commonly found throughout the small bowel and are considered to be normal. Not uncommonly, lymphangiectasias are pathologic and can lead to mid-gastrointestinal bleeding, abdominal pain and protein-losing enteropathy. Pathologic lymphangiectasias of the small bowel include primary lymphangiectasia, secondary lymphangiectasia and lymphaticovenous malformations. In this report we present three different cases of small bowel lymphangiectasia detected by double balloon enteroscopy. The patients were diagnosed with South American blastomycosis, tuberculosis and primary small bowel lymphangioma.

Etiology, endoscopic management and mortality of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with cancer

Background The source and outcomes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) in oncologic patients are poorly investigated. Objective The study aimed to investigate these issues in a tertiary academic referral center specialized in cancer treatment. Methods This was a retrospective study including all patients with cancer referred to endoscopy due to UGIB in 2010. Results UGIB was confirmed in 147 (of 324 patients) referred to endoscopy for a suspected episode of GI bleeding. Tumor was the most common cause of bleeding (N = 35, 23.8%), followed by varices (N = 30, 19.7%), peptic ulcer (N = 29, 16.3%) and gastroduodenal erosions (N = 16, 10.9%). Among the 32 patients with cancer of the upper GI tract, the main causes of bleeding were cancer (N = 27, 84.4%) and peptic ulcer (N = 5, 6.3%). Forty-one patients (27.9%) presented with bleeding from the primary tumor or from a metastatic lesion, and seven received endoscopic therapy, with successful initial hemostasis in six (85.7%). Rebleeding and mortality rates were not different between endoscopically treated (N = 7) and non-treated (N = 34) patients (28.6% vs. 14.7%, p = 0.342; 43.9% vs. 44.1%, p = 0.677). Median survival was 20 days, and the overall 30-day mortality rate was 44.9%. There was no predictive factor of mortality or rebleeding. Conclusion Tumor bleeding is the most common cause of UGIB in cancer patients. UGIB in cancer patients correlates with a high mortality rate regardless of the bleeding source. Current endoscopic treatments may not be effective in preventing rebleeding or improving survival.

Transduodenal Endosonography-Guided Biliary Drainage and Duodenal Stenting for Palliation of Malignant Obstructive Jaundice and Duodenal Obstruction

CONTEXT Endosonography-guided biliary drainage has been used over the last few years as a salvage procedure when endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography fails. Malignant gastric outlet obstruction may also be present in these patients. We report the results of both procedures during the same session in patients with duodenal and biliary obstruction due to malignant disease. METHODS A retrospective review from a prospective collected database. RESULTS Technical success was achieved in all five patients; however, only three patients experienced relief of jaundice and gastric outlet obstruction. CONCLUSIONS Endosonography-guided biliary drainage and duodenal stenting in the same session is feasible. However, severe complications may limit the procedure. This is a challenging procedure and should be done by experts with special attention to patients selection.

A new large-caliber trocar for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy by the introducer technique in head and neck cancer patients.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS In many patients, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) can be limited by digestive tract stenosis. PEG placement using an introducer is the safest alternative for this group of patients, but the available devices are difficult to implement and require smaller-caliber tubes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the modification of an introducer technique device for PEG placement with regard to the following: procedure feasibility, possibility of using a 20-Fr balloon gastrostomy tube, tube-related function and problems, complications, procedure safety, and mortality. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between March 2007 and February 2008, 30 consecutive patients with head and neck malignancies underwent introducer PEG placement with the modified device and gastropexy. Each patient was evaluated for 60 days after the procedure for the success of the procedure, infection, pain, complications, mortality, and problems with the procedure. RESULTS The procedure was successful in all cases with no perioperative complications. No signs of stomal infection were observed using the combined infection score. The majority of patients experienced mild-to-moderate pain both in the immediate postoperative period and at 72 hours. One major early complication (3.3%) and two minor complications (6.7%) were observed. No procedure-related deaths occurred during the first 60 days after the procedure. CONCLUSION The device modification for PEG using the introducer technique is feasible, safe, and efficient in outpatients with obstructive head and neck cancer. In this series, it allowed the use of a larger-caliber tube with low complication rates and no procedure-related mortality.

Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection: an unusual cause of gastrointestinal bleeding.

Strongyloidiasis is a parasitic disease that may progress to a disseminated form, called hyperinfection syndrome, in patients with immunosuppression. The hyperinfection syndrome is caused by the wide multiplication and migration of infective larvae, with characteristic gastrointestinal and/or pulmonary involvement. This disease may pose a diagnostic challenge, as it presents with nonspecific findings on endoscopy.

Comparison of the pull and introducer percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy techniques in patients with head and neck cancer

Background and study aims Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients is associated with higher complication and mortality rates when compared to a general patient population. The pull technique is still the preferred technique worldwide but it has some limitations. The aim of this study is to compare the pull and introducer PEG techniques in patients with HNC. Patients and methods This study is based on a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database of 309 patients with HNC who underwent PEG in the Cancer Institute of São Paulo. Results The procedure was performed with the standard endoscope in 205 patients and the introducer technique was used in 137 patients. There was one procedure-related mortality. Age, sex and albumin level were similar in both groups. However in the introducer technique group, patients had a higher tumor stage, a lower Karnofsky status, and presented more frequently with tracheostomy and trismus. Overall, major, minor, immediate and late complications and 30-day mortality rates were similar but the introducer technique group presented more minor bleeding and tube dysfunctions. Conclusion The push and introducer PEG techniques seem to be both safe and effective but present different complication profiles. The choice of PEG technique in patients with HNC should be made individually.

II Brazilian consensus statement on endoscopic ultrasonography

Background and Objectives: At the time of its introduction in the early 80s, endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) was indicated for diagnostic purposes. Recently, EUS has been employed to assist or to be the main platform of complex therapeutic interventions. Methods: From a series of relevant new topics in the literature and based on the need to complement the I Brazilian consensus on EUS, twenty experienced endosonographers identified and reviewed the pertinent literature in databases. The quality of evidence, strength of recommendations, and level of consensus were graded and voted on. Results: Consensus was reached for eight relevant topics: treatment of gastric varices, staging of nonsmall cell lung cancer, biliary drainage, tissue sampling of subepithelial lesions (SELs), treatment of pancreatic fluid collections, tissue sampling of pancreatic solid lesions, celiac neurolysis, and evaluation of the incidental pancreatic cysts. Conclusions: There is a high level of evidence for staging of nonsmall cell lung cancer; biopsy of SELs as the safest method; unilateral and bilateral injection techniques are equivalent for EUS-guided celiac neurolysis, and in patients with visible ganglia, celiac ganglia neurolysis appears to lead to better results. There is a moderate level of evidence for: yield of tissue sampling of pancreatic solid lesions is not influenced by the needle shape, gauge, or employed aspiration technique; EUS-guided and percutaneous biliary drainage present similar clinical success and adverse event rates; plastic and metallic stents are equivalent in the EUS-guided treatment of pancreatic pseudocyst. There is a low level of evidence in the routine use of EUS-guided treatment of gastric varices.

Sa1643 Self-Expanding Metallic Stents for the Treatment of Malignant Colorectal Obstruction Are Effective and Safe

Sa1642 Ascending Colon Exploration by Retroviewing: Technical Feasibility and Diagnosis Performance Alba L. Vargas*, Marco Alburquerque, Montserrat Figa, Ferran GonzaLez-Huix Endoscopy, Clinica Girona, Girona, Spain Introduction: The right colon lesions not visualized during the standard colonoscopy have been associated to interval cancer. The proximal fold side exploration of the ascending colon by retroviewing reduces the likely of losing those lesions. The shorter colonoscope diameter would make easier the cecal retroflexion with lower complication rate. Objective: To determine the technical feasibility of the cecal retroflexion, the diagnosis performance and complication rate of the ascending colon exploration by retroviewing with a shorter colonoscope diameter. Methods: Prospective study. There were included all the consecutive total colonoscopies performed by an expert endoscopist during four months. Technique: 1) Usual exploring of the ascending colon: colonoscope insertion and colonoscope withdrawal in forward view from the cecum until the hepatic flexure, 2) colonoscope reinsertion and cecal retroflexion maneuver, and 3) colonoscope withdrawal in retroviewing until the hepatic flexure. We collected the visualized and resected lesions on conventional and retroviewing colonoscopy. Exclusion criteria: incomplete endoscopies by any cause (obstruction, endoscopic therapy, right colon resection). All procedures were done with a Colonoscope PENTAX-i10L EC34 (Insert O: 11.6, Channel: 3.8, Deflection up/down: 180/180, left/right: 160/160). Results: There were included 323 colonoscopies and were excluded 20 by incomplete examination. The cecal retroflexion was feasible in 76.6% (n Z 232). In these procedures, in the right colon, were detected 42 (29.4%) polyps: 40 Paris Is (32 sessile and 8 subpedunculated) and 2 Ip; in 142 colonoscopies. Histology: 32 adenomas and 10 sessile serrated polyps without dysplasia. 14 polyps (9.8% of the total and 33.3% of the ascending colon) were detected only by withdrawal colonoscopy in retroviewing: sessile polyps Is, between 3-15 mm; 8 were resected in retroflexion. There were not complications. Conclusion: The cecal retroflexion was feasible in over 75% of colonoscopies and were not registered associated complications. Over 30% of the ascending colon polyps were detected only by colonoscope withdrawal in retroviewing. Cecal retroflexion maneuver has the potential to improve colorectal polyps detection.

Endoscopic hemostasis of a bleeding gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) with endoloop placement

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