Ian S. Grimm

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE IN THE ELDERLY

Approximately 15% of all patients with IBD first develop symptoms after age 65. As the number of elderly in the population continues to grow, clinicians should expect to see a greater number of elderly IBD patients. In general, the presenting features of IBD are similar to those encountered in younger patients, but the broad differential diagnosis of colitis in the elderly can make definitive diagnosis more challenging. Although most therapies for IBD have not been studied specifically in the elderly, as a general rule, medical and surgical treatment options are the same regardless of age. Osteoporosis, a condition generally associated with aging, should be managed aggressively in patients with IBD because many older persons already have a substantial baseline risk for accelerated bone loss.

The use of carbon dioxide for insufflation during GI endoscopy: a systematic review

BACKGROUND Insufflation of the lumen is required for visualization during GI endoscopy. Carbon dioxide (CO(2)) has been proposed as an alternative to room air for insufflation. OBJECTIVES To assess the safety and efficacy of CO(2) insufflation for endoscopy. DESIGN Systematic review that focuses on evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCT). METHODS Two investigators independently searched MEDLINE from 1950 to February 13, 2008, to identify all articles that reported the use of CO(2) in a GI endoscopy application. Bibliographies of relevant articles were also hand searched to identify other pertinent reports. Data from RCTs, as well as from nonrandomized studies, were extracted. RESULTS Nine RCTs were identified that compared CO(2) and air insufflation for GI endoscopy. Fifteen other nonrandomized studies or reports were also reviewed. In the 8 RCTs in which postprocedural pain was assessed, pain was lower in the CO(2) insufflation group compared with the air group. Two RCTs found decreased flatus in the CO(2) group compared with the air group, and 3 RCTs showed there was decreased bowel distention on abdominal radiography in the CO(2) group compared with the air group. Also, in all 9 RCTs and 6 additional studies in which safety was assessed, there was no CO(2) retention and no adverse pulmonary events related to CO(2) insufflation. LIMITATIONS Because of study heterogeneity, meta-analytic techniques could not be used. CONCLUSIONS Consistent RCT evidence indicates that CO(2) insufflation is associated with decreased postprocedural pain, flatus, and bowel distention. CO(2) insufflation also appears to be safe in patients without severe underlying pulmonary disease.

Lamivudine and 24 weeks of lamivudine/interferon combination therapy for hepatitis B e antigen-positive chronic hepatitis B in interferon nonresponders.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Lamivudine is effective in treatment-naive patients with chronic hepatitis B, but its role in interferon nonresponders has not been described. We assessed lamivudine treatment, with or without added interferon, in patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B who had failed interferon therapy previously. METHODS Patients were randomized to lamivudine (100 mg) or placebo for 52 weeks or to a 24-week regimen of lamivudine plus interferon. Primary treatment comparisons were at week 52, with a 16-week posttreatment follow-up period. Measurements included histology (primary endpoint), HBeAg response, normalization of alanine aminotransferase, reduction of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA, and safety. RESULTS Among 238 patients, histologic response was significantly more common in patients treated with lamivudine (52 versus placebo 25%, P=0.002) or the combination regimen (32%, P=0.01). HBeAg loss was also more common with lamivudine (33 versus 13 versus 21%), as were virologic and alanine aminotransferase responses. Among 28 subjects with HBeAg loss/seroconversion, 71% had durable responses 16 weeks posttreatment. CONCLUSIONS Lamivudine for 52 weeks is as effective in interferon nonresponders as in previously reported treatment-naive patients; however, a combination of lamivudine for 24 weeks and interferon for 16 weeks was not effective in this population.

Spiral enteroscopy: prospective U.S. multicenter study in patients with small-bowel disorders

BACKGROUND The performance characteristics of spiral enteroscopy have not been well-described. OBJECTIVE To determine the technical performance, diagnostic and therapeutic yields, and safety of oral spiral enteroscopy in patients with suspected or established small-bowel pathology. DESIGN Prospective, multicenter, cohort study, with centralized database. SETTING Ten U.S. tertiary-care medical centers. PATIENTS This study involved 148 participants, of whom 101 were referred for obscure bleeding. All participants referred for antegrade deep enteroscopy were considered eligible. INTERVENTION Spiral enteroscopy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Examination duration, depth of insertion, spiral enteroscopy findings, mucosal assessment upon withdrawal, and patient symptom assessment (day 1 and day 7 after the procedure). RESULTS Spiral enteroscopy was successful in 93% of patients, with a median depth of insertion beyond the angle of Treitz of 250 cm (range 10-600 cm). The mean (± standard deviation) total procedure time was 45.0 ± 16.2 minutes for all procedures, and 35.4 minutes for diagnostic procedures. The diagnostic yield was 65%, of which 48% revealed more than one abnormality. The most common findings were angiectasias (61.5%), inflammation (7.5%), and neoplasia (6.8%). Argon plasma coagulation ablation accounted for 64% of therapeutic interventions. LIMITATIONS This was not a randomized, controlled trial of deep enteroscopy modalities. CONCLUSION Spiral enteroscopy appears to be safe and effective for evaluation of the small bowel. The procedure duration, depth of insertion, and diagnostic and therapeutic yields compare favorably with previously published data on other deep enteroscopy techniques such as single-balloon and double-balloon enteroscopy. Comparative studies are warranted.

Single-balloon enteroscopy: results from an initial experience at a U.S. tertiary-care center

BACKGROUND Single-balloon enteroscopy (SBE) is a novel, deep-enteroscopy modality for diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the small bowel. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to examine the performance, yield, and safety of SBE in the initial experience at a tertiary-care center. DESIGN Retrospective analysis of all SBEs during a 10-month period in 2008. Data were extracted from electronic clinical and endoscopy records. SETTING U.S. tertiary-care center. PATIENTS All patients referred to our center for SBE during the study period were included in the current analysis. INTERVENTION SBE. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Anterograde SBE procedure time, diagnostic yield, and complications. RESULTS Thirty-eight anterograde SBEs were performed. The mean patient age was 62 years (42% female). Patients were referred for GI bleeding (97%), Crohns disease, suspected polyps or neoplasia, and abnormal capsule endoscopy results. The mean (+/- SD) procedure time was 49 +/- 19 minutes. The estimated depth of insertion was proximal jejunum (34%), mid-jejunum (45%), and distal jejunum (21%). The SBE diagnostic yield was 47%, with significant findings in 18 patients. Findings included angiectasias, bleeding, abnormal mucosa, ulceration, polyps, and a foreign body. The therapeutic yield was 42%, with lesion ablation performed in 24% of cases. Diagnostic biopsies were performed in 24% of cases and tattooing in 52%. There were no significant complications. LIMITATIONS Single-center, retrospective study. CONCLUSION Single-balloon enteroscopy appears to be a safe and efficient method for examination of the mid-small bowel. The significant therapeutic yield (42%) suggests that comparative studies with double-balloon and spiral enteroscopy are warranted.

A national comparison of surgical versus percutaneous drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts: 1997–2001

Case series results indicate that a surgical approach is superior to percutaneous drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts. To determine if this surgical advantage is persistent, national outcomes for both approaches were compared from 1997 through 2001. The National Inpatient Sample, a 20% sample of all nonfederal hospital discharges, was searched for patients who had a pancreatic pseudocyst diagnosis, an ICD-9 diagnosis code 577.2, and an ICD-9 procedure code of 52.01 for percutaneous drainage (PD) or 52.4 and 52.96 for the surgical approaches. Variables were compared by using either t test or x2 analysis. Confounding variables were controlled for by linear or logistic regression models. No clinically significant demographic, comorbidity, and disease-specific severity-of-illness differences existed between the two groups. Significant differences in complications, length of stay (15 ± 15 versus 21 ± 22 days, P < 0.0001), and inpatient mortality (5.9% versus 2.8%, P < 0.0001) favored the surgical approach. In addition, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography use had a protective effect on mortality (odds ratio, 0.7), whereas percutaneous drainage had an increased risk of mortality (odds ratio, 1.4). This populationbased study suggests that surgical drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts, particularly when coupled with use of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, leads to decreased complications, length of stay, and mortality in comparison with percutaneous drainage.

EUS-guided gastroenterostomy: the first U.S. clinical experience (with video)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS There are limitations to enteral self-expandable metal stents and surgical gastrojejunostomy in the treatment of patients with gastric outlet obstruction (GOO). EUS-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) is a novel procedure that potentially offers long-lasting luminal patency without the risk of tumor ingrowth and/or overgrowth, while avoiding the morbidity of a surgical procedure. The aims of this study were to report the first U.S. clinical experience with EUS-GE in terms of technical success, clinical success, and adverse events and to detail the technical aspects of performing EUS-GE. METHODS This was a retrospective study from two tertiary-care centers. EUS-GE was performed by using either the direct EUS-GE or balloon-assisted EUS-GE technique. Technical success was defined as adequate positioning and deployment of the stent as determined endoscopically and radiologically. Clinical success was defined as the patients ability to tolerate oral intake without vomiting. RESULTS A total of 10 patients underwent attempted EUS-GE. Malignant GOO was present in 3 patients, whereas benign obstruction was found in the remaining 7. One patient had complete GOO and underwent successful direct EUS-GE. In the remaining 9 patients, balloon-assisted EUS-GE was attempted and was successful in 8. Thus, technical success occurred in 9 patients (90%). There were no procedure-related adverse events. Mean procedure time was 96 minutes (range 45-152 minutes), and mean length of hospital stay was 2.2 days. Clinical success with resumption of solid oral intake was achieved in all 9 patients (100%) who underwent successful EUS-GE. A total of 8 patients were able to tolerate almost a normal diet and/or full diet, and 1 patient tolerated a soft diet. There was no symptom recurrence during a mean follow-up period of 150 days. CONCLUSIONS EUS-GE is a promising new technique for the treatment of symptoms of benign and malignant GOO. Prospective, multicenter trials are needed to confirm these results.

Outcomes of a combined antegrade and retrograde approach for dilatation of radiation-induced esophageal strictures (with video).

BACKGROUND Treatment of head, neck, and esophageal cancers with radiation therapy can lead to esophageal strictures. In some cases, these can progress to complete esophageal obstruction, precluding typical antegrade endoscopic dilation. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to review our experience with a combined antegrade/retrograde technique for dilation of complete esophageal strictures. DESIGN Case series. SETTING Tertiary-care referral center. PATIENTS Twelve patients with complete esophageal radiation-induced strictures. INTERVENTIONS In collaboration with otolaryngologists who performed direct antegrade esophagoscopy, retrograde endoscopy via gastrostomy was simultaneously performed. While visualizing the stricture from both sides and transilluminating, it was recannulated with use of a biliary or spring-tipped guidewire, and then dilated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Dilation method, complications, and postdilation oral intake. RESULTS Combined antegrade and retrograde dilation was technically possible in 10 of the 12 patients (83%). Two cases were unsuccessful due to an inability to achieve transillumination. The only significant complication was a contained esophageal perforation that was managed nonoperatively. The mean number of repeat dilations was 7 (range, 1-22); none were complicated by perforation. Esophageal patency allowing at least some oral intake and tolerance of secretions was ultimately successful in 8 patients (67%). LIMITATIONS Retrospective, single center. CONCLUSIONS A combined antegrade/retrograde approach for dilation of complete esophageal radiation-induced strictures in collaboration with colleagues from otolaryngology is a viable treatment option. The procedure is technically feasible, effective, and well tolerated, although there may be an increased risk of esophageal perforation. This strategy may obviate a more invasive surgical approach.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastrojejunostomy with a lumen-apposing metal stent: a multicenter, international experience.

Background: Surgical gastrojejunostomy and enteral self-expanding metal stents are efficacious for the management of gastric outlet obstruction but limited by high complication rates and short-term efficacy. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastrojejunostomy (EUS-GJ) is a novel alternative option. Patients and methods: Patients who underwent EUS-GJ between March 2014 and September 2015 as part of a prospective multicenter registry at four academic centers in two countries were included. Technical success was defined as successful placement of a gastrojejunal lumen-apposing metal stent. Clinical success was defined as the ability of the patient to tolerate an oral diet. Post-procedural adverse events were recorded. Results: The study included 26 patients, of whom 11 (42 %) were male. Technical success was achieved in 24 patients (92 %). Clinical success was achieved in 22 patients (85 %). Of the 4 patients in whom clinical success was not achieved, 2 had persistent nausea and vomiting despite a patent EUS-GJ and required enteral feeding for nutrition, 1 died before the initiation of an oral diet, and 1 underwent surgery for suspected perforation. Adverse events, including peritonitis, bleeding, and surgery, occurred in 3 patients (11.5 %). Conclusion: EUS-GJ is an emerging procedure that has efficacy and safety comparable with those of current therapies and should hold a place as a new minimally invasive option for patients with gastric outlet obstruction. Clinical trial identification number: NCT01522573

Sarcoidosis causing duodenal obstruction - Case report and review of gastrointestinal manifestations

ConclusionsWe present an unusual case of sarcoidosis in which the clinical presentation is best explained by an inflammatory mass in the region of the ampulla of Vater causing obstruction of the bile duct and pancreatic duct as well as intermittent duodenal obstruction. It is clear from previous reports that gastrointestinal exacerbations of sarcoidosis may occur during quiescent pulmonary disease. We are confident of the diagnosis because (1) the patient had a well-documented history of systemic sarcoidosis; (2) the obstruction responded to high-dose steroids promptly on two separate occasions; (3) biopsy of peripancreatic lymph nodes in the inflammatory mass was consistent with sarcoidosis; and (4) there was no clinical or radiographic evidence for Crohns disease or any other granulomatous disorder. Our report indicates that small bowel obstruction must be added to the list of rare intra-abdominal complications of sarcoidosis.