Isis K. Araujo

Diagnosing and monitoring cirrhosis: Liver biopsy, hepatic venous pressure gradient and elastography

In this review we summarize the role of liver biopsy, transient elastography and hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with liver cirrhosis. Transient elastography is useful for the non-invasive diagnosis of cirrhosis, but relevant information is lost if it is used as a dichotomous test. The development of clinically significant portal hypertension (defined as a hepatic venous pressure gradient ≥ 10 mmHg) is associated with the development of varices and decompensation and it is something that it is worth testing for. Transient elastography has some value for the prediction of clinically significant portal hypertension, but a large proportion of patients have non-diagnostic values. It has also some value for the diagnosis of varices, but non-invasive markers cannot substitute endoscopic screening in cirrhosis. Better dynamic, easily repeatable non-invasive tools are needed to monitor compensated cirrhosis.

Prevalencia y características epidemiológicas del esófago de Barrett en la provincia de Barcelona

INTRODUCTION The prevalence of Barretts esophagus (BE) varies from 0.45% to 2.2% in patients who undergo upper endoscopy and is >12% when the indication is for reflux symptoms. The prevalence has progressively increased in recent years but is unknown in the population of the province of Barcelona. OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence of BE and its epidemiological characteristics in our population. PATIENTS AND METHODS We prospectively evaluated patients referred to the Endoscopy Unit of Hospital Clinic and Hospital General de Catalunya for an upper endoscopy. We excluded patients with known BE, prior upper endoscopy, esophagogastric surgery or refusal to participate in the study. Demographic data, alcohol intake, Helicobacter pylori infection and consumption of antisecretory agents were recorded, among other information. Participants completed a standardized questionnaire to assess the presence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and their severity. RESULTS Between July 2010 and July 2012, we included 200 patients (100 in each center). The mean age was 48.9 ± 15.6 years and the majority were women (n=120, 60%). Symptoms of GERD were present in 46 patients (23%) and some degree of esophagitis was present in 31 (15.5%). Infection by H. pylori was present in 29.7%. BE was found endoscopically in 14 (7%) patients, but was histologically confirmed in only 8 (4%). The only variable that correlated with the finding of BE was male sex. CONCLUSION The prevalence of BE in our environment is similar to that reported in Western countries. The absence of reflux symptoms does not rule out the possibility of BE.

Incidence of bacteremia in cirrhotic patients undergoing upper endoscopic ultrasonography

BACKGROUND The incidence of bacteremia after endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) or EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is between 0% and 4%, but there are no data on this topic in cirrhotic patients. AIM To prospectively assess the incidence of bacteremia in cirrhotic patients undergoing EUS and EUS-FNA. PATIENTS AND METHODS We enrolled 41 cirrhotic patients. Of these, 16 (39%) also underwent EUS-FNA. Blood cultures were obtained before and at 5 and 30 min after the procedure. When EUS-FNA was used, an extra blood culture was obtained after the conclusion of radial EUS and before the introduction of the sectorial echoendoscope. All patients were clinically followed up for 7 days for signs of infection. RESULTS Blood cultures were positive in 16 patients. In 10 patients, blood cultures grew coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium species, Propionibacterium species or Acinetobacterium Lwoffii, which were considered contaminants (contamination rate 9.8%, 95% CI: 5.7-16%). The remaining 6 patients had true positive blood cultures and were considered to have had true bacteremia (15%, 95% CI: 4-26%). Blood cultures were positive after diagnostic EUS in five patients but were positive after EUS-FNA in only one patient. Thus, the frequency of bacteremia after EUS and EUS-FNA was 12% and 6%, respectively (95% CI: 2-22% and 0.2-30%, respectively). Only one of the patients who developed bacteremia after EUS had a self-limiting fever with no other signs of infection. CONCLUSION Asymptomatic Gram-positive bacteremia developed in cirrhotic patients after EUS and EUS-FNA at a rate higher than in non-cirrhotic patients. However, this finding was not associated with any clinically significant infections.

Indicadores de calidad en la esofagogastroduodenoscopia: estudio comparativo de los resultados tras un programa de mejora en un hospital terciario

INTRODUCTION There is an opportunity for improvement in the recording and measuring of quality indicators. However, no previous experiences exist in our field in terms of their compliance in esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). OBJECTIVE To analyse compliance with EGD quality criteria and evaluate improvement after conducting a training programme. PATIENTS AND METHODS Comparative study of 2 cohorts: one retrospective (control group) and one prospective (intervention group), before and after a training programme consisting of an information session and the report writing improvement programme. The quality indicators proposed by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the American College of Gastroenterology were used. RESULTS A total of 1,200 EGDs were included in a sequential manner (600 in each group). Following the training programme, a significant improvement was observed in the following indicators: documented indication (93 vs. 99.8%; P<0.01), documented full examinations (94.7 vs. 97.3%; P<0.01), correct performance (63.7 vs. 87.9%; P<0.01), appropriate biopsies according to protocols (57.9 vs. 83.8%; P<0.01), photo-documentation of described lesions (84.1 vs. 94.9%; P<0.01), photo-documentation per segment (52.9 vs. 70.5%; P<0.01) and correct overall assessment (56,9 vs. 90.5%; P<0.01). Biopsies for coeliac disease, documented indication, full examination and correct performance, if it went ahead, exceeded the recommended standard. CONCLUSION A very simple training programme improves EGD quality indicators, with the majority reaching the standards recommended by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the American College of Gastroenterology.

Accuracy of Colon Capsule Endoscopy in Detecting Colorectal Polyps in Individuals with Familial Colorectal Cancer: Could We Avoid Colonoscopies?

Background. Individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer (CRC) have an increased risk of CRC. We evaluated the diagnostic yield of CCE in the detection of lesions and also two different colon preparations. Methods. A prospective multicenter study was designed to assess CCE diagnostic yield in a cohort of asymptomatic individuals with a family history of CRC. CCE and colonoscopy were performed on the same day by 2 endoscopists who were blinded to the results of the other procedure. Results. Fifty-three participants were enrolled. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of CCE for detecting advanced adenomas were 100%, 98%, 67%, and 100%. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of CCE for the diagnosis of individuals with polyps were 87%, 97%, 93%, and 88%, respectively. CCE identify 100% of individuals with significant or advanced lesions. Overall cleanliness was adequate by 60.7% of them. The PEG-ascorbic boost seems to improve colon cleanliness, with similar colonic transit time. Conclusion. CCE is a promising tool, but it has to be considered as an alternative technique in this population in order to reduce the number of colonoscopies performed. More studies are needed to understand appropriate screening follow-up intervals and optimize the bowel preparation regimen.

LA ASCITIS DETECTADA POR USE PREDICE LA EXISTENCIA DE CARCINOMATOSIS PERITONEAL EN LOS PACIENTES CON ADENOCARCINOMA DE PÁNCREAS

Introduccion: la carcinomatosis peritoneal (CP) impacta en el manejo de los pacientes con adenocarcinoma de pancreas pero su diagnostico puede ser dificil. Objetivo: Evaluar el valor de la ascitis detectada por USE para el diagnostico de CP en los pacientes con adenocarcinoma de pancreas. Material y Metodo: Revision retrospectiva de los pacientes con adenocarcinoma de pancreas explorados con USE entre 1998 – 2014. Criterios de exclusion: ausencia de cirugia, otras enfermedades causantes de ascitis y USE incompleta. Todos los pacientes tenian una TC previa. El diagnostico de CP fue confirmado por histologia o citologia del liquido peritoneal. Resultados: De 515 pacientes con C. pancreas explorados por USE, se incluyeron 136 (57% hombres y edad media de 66 ± 12 anos). Las causas de exclusion fueron: ausencia de cirugia (n = 373), cirrosis (n = 5) y USE incompleta (n = 1). De los 136 pacientes incluidos, 54 tuvieron una enfermedad irresecable: CP (n = 12), invasion vascular (n = 25) y metastasis (n = 17). La USE detecto ascitis en 27 (19%) pacientes y 8 tenian CP (30%), siendo la sensibilidad, especificidad, VPP, VPN y la precision de la ascitis por USE en la deteccion de CP del 66,7%, 84,7%, 29,6%, 96,3% y 83,1%, respectivamente. La ascitis detectada por USE fue el unico factor predictivo independientes de CP (33,3% vs. 66,7%; p < 0,001). La presencia de ascitis en la USE se asocio a una menor supervivencia (mediana: 7,3 vs. 14,2 meses; p = 0,018) y desarrollo de CP mas precoz en el seguimiento (mediana: 8,7 vs. 17,2 meses; p = 0,003). Conclusiones: La ascitis detectada por USE en los pacientes con adenocarcinoma de pancreas es un factor pronostico de CP y se asocia a una menor supervivencia. El elevado VPN de la USE en el diagnostico de CP hace que la seleccion de pacientes adecuados para cirugia curativa sea muy fiable.