Jiaywei Tsauo

Advanced Cirrhosis Combined with Portal Vein Thrombosis: A Randomized Trial of TIPS versus Endoscopic Band Ligation Plus Propranolol for the Prevention of Recurrent Esophageal Variceal Bleeding

PURPOSE To compare transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement with or without variceal embolization with endoscopic band ligation (EBL) plus propranolol in preventing recurrent esophageal variceal bleeding in patients with advanced cirrhosis and portal vein thrombosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS The present randomized controlled trial was approved by the ethics committee board of West China Hospital. Written informed consent was obtained from each patient. Between January 2010 and December 2012, 73 patients were randomly allocated to receive TIPS (n = 37) or EBL plus propranolol (n = 36). The comparisons of recurrent variceal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy, and survival rates were based on the Kaplan-Meier method and were compared using the log-rank test. RESULTS The mean follow-up time was 22.8 months ± 7.7(standard deviation) in the TIPS group and 20.9 months ± 8.9 in the EBL group. The 2-year probability of remaining free of recurrent variceal bleeding was higher in the TIPS group (77.8%) than in the EBL group (42.9%) (P = .002). Overall recanalization was achieved in 24 (64.9%) patients from the TIPS group and seven (19.4%) patients from the EBL group. The hepatic encephalopathy rates exhibited no significant differences between the two groups (P = .53). The 1- and 2-year probability of survival was 86.5% and 72.9%, respectively, in the TIPS group and 83.3% and 57.2%, respectively, in the EBL group, with no significant difference (P = .23). CONCLUSION TIPS was more effective than EBL plus propranolol in preventing recurrent esophageal variceal bleeding in patients with advanced cirrhosis and portal vein thrombosis and did not increase the incidence of hepatic encephalopathy. Survival was similar in both groups.

Transcatheter Arterial Embolization of Gastrointestinal Bleeding with N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Safety and Efficacy

PURPOSE To evaluate the safety and efficacy of transcatheter arterial embolization with N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) for the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding via a meta-analysis of published studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS The MEDLINE/PubMed and EMBASE databases were searched for English-language studies from January 1990 to March 2016 that included patients with nonvariceal GI bleeding treated with transcatheter arterial embolization with NBCA with or without other embolic agents. The exclusion criteria were a sample size of < 5, no extractable data, or data included in subsequent articles or duplicate reports. RESULTS The cases of 440 patients (mean age, 63.8 y ± 14.3; 319 men [72.5%] and 121 women [27.5%]) from 15 studies were evaluated. Of these patients, 261 (59.3%) had upper GI bleeding (UGIB) and 179 (40.7%) had lower GI bleeding (LGIB). Technical success was achieved in 99.2% of patients with UGIB (259 of 261) and 97.8% of those with LGIB (175 of 179). The pooled clinical success and major complication rates in the 259 patients with UGIB in whom technical success was achieved were 82.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 73.0%-88.6%; P = 0.058; I2 = 42.7%) and 5.4% (95% CI, 2.8%-10.0%; P = 0.427; I2 = 0.0%), respectively, and those in the 175 patients with LGIB in whom technical success was achieved were 86.1% (95% CI, 79.9%-90.6%; P = 0.454; I2 = 0.0%) and 6.1% (95% CI, 3.1%-11.6%; P = 0.382; I2 = 4.4%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Transcatheter arterial embolization with NBCA is safe and effective for the treatment of GI bleeding.

Over-the-wire versus through-the-scope stents for the palliation of malignant gastric outlet obstruction: A retrospective comparison study.

AbstractObjectivesTo compare the outcomes of over-the-wire (OTW) and through-the-scope (TTS) partially covered stents in patients with malignant gastric outlet obstruction (GOO).MethodsA retrospective study was performed in 306 patients who had either OTW (n = 125) or TTS (n = 181) stents placed. Outcomes analysed included technical and clinical success, procedure time, complications, re-intervention, stent patency and survival.ResultsOne hundred and ninety-three patients met our inclusion criteria, including 125 patients in the OTW group and 68 patients in the TTS group. Technical and clinical outcomes were similar in the two groups. Stent migration rate was higher in the TTS than in the OTW group (P = 0.002) and was associated with straight stent and subsequent chemotherapy in the TTS group. Stent collapse was lower in the TTS than in the OTW group (P = 0.021). Six-month stent patency rate was higher in the OTW than in the TTS group (P = 0.044).ConclusionsTTS and OTW stents for the palliation of malignant GOO resulted in similar technical and clinical outcomes, stent patency and survival. TTS stents were associated with a higher migration rate, especially use of straight stents and subsequent chemotherapy, but a lower stent collapse rate than OTW stents.Key Points• OTW and TTS stents are equally effective in palliating GOO symptoms. • Six-month stent patency was higher for OTW than for TTS. • The straight stent and subsequent chemotherapy could increase stent migration. • Complication rates were lower for flared than for straight stents. • It is necessary to develop a multidisciplinary approach to integrate clinical experience.

Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt for the Treatment of Chylothorax and Chylous Ascites in Cirrhosis: A Case Report and Systematic Review of the Literature

Cirrhosis-related chylothorax and chylous ascites are rare conditions. The pathophysiologic mechanism of cirrhosis-related chylous fluid collections is believed to be excessive lymph flow resulting from portal hypertension. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation is a well-established method for reducing portal hypertension. The case of a 61-year-old man with cirrhosis-related chylothorax treated successfully with a TIPS is described. A systematic review of the literature revealed nine additional cases of chylothorax or chylous ascites treated successfully with a TIPS. These cases showed that TIPS creation may be effective and safe for the treatment of chylous fluid collections in patients with cirrhosis.

Fluoroscopy-guided balloon dilation in patients with Eustachian tube dysfunction

AbstractObjectivesTo prospectively evaluate the technical feasibility and safety of fluoroscopy-guided balloon dilation in patients with Eustachian tube (ET) dysfunction.MethodsPatients who could not do a Valsalva manoeuvre for more than 6 months and diagnosed with chronic otitis media or ET dysfunction were prospectively enrolled. A 0.035-in. guide wire and 6-mm long balloon catheter with a diameter of 2 mm were used to dilate the cartilaginous portion of the ET under fluoroscopic guidance. The balloon was inflated by manual injection twice for 1 min each time. Clinical outcomes were assessed by the patient’s ability to perform a Valsalva manoeuvre, and symptoms were assessed using the 7-item Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Questionnaire (ETDQ-7) score.ResultsBalloon dilation was attempted in a total of ten adult patients from October 2016 to March 2017. Technical success was achieved in all procedures (10/10). Ninety percent (9/10) of the balloons were fully dilated without waist deformity. There were no major complications. All patients were able to perform a Valsalva manoeuvre at the time of their last visit and/or improvement of at least one ETDQ-7 score.ConclusionFluoroscopy-guided balloon dilation seems to be technically feasible and safe in the treatment of ET dysfunction.Key points• Fluoroscopy-guided balloon dilation without general anaesthesia was well-tolerated in all patients. • Location of the balloon catheter can be monitored during the procedure. • Inflation state of the balloon catheter can be monitored during the procedure. • Using guide-wire during the procedure would prevent false passage creation. • All patients had clinical improvement within 3 months after balloon dilation.

Fluoroscopic Gastroduodenal Stent Placement in 55 Patients with Endoscopic Stent Placement Failure

PurposeTo evaluate the technical feasibility and clinical effectiveness of fluoroscopic self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) placement in malignant gastroduodenal obstructions after failed endoscopic SEMS placement.Materials and MethodsBetween September 2010 and July 2017, 874 patients underwent endoscopic SEMS placement for dysphagia caused by malignant gastroduodenal obstructions. Endoscopic SEMS placement failed in 55 of 874 patients (6.3%). These patients were referred for fluoroscopic SEMS placement. In case of failed fluoroscopic SEMS placement, combined endoscopic and fluoroscopic SEMS placement was attempted at the same setting.ResultsFluoroscopic SEMS placement was technically successful in 40 of 55 patients (72.7%). Combined endoscopic and fluoroscopic SEMS placement was technically successful in 6 of 15 patients with fluoroscopic SEMS placement failure. Failures in the nine patients were due to complete obstruction (n = 5) and acute angulation at the stricture site (n = 4). The overall technical success rate was 83.6% (46/55). Clinical success was achieved in 95.6% of patients (44/46). Complications occurred in 7 of 46 patients (15.2%), including tumor overgrowth (n = 3), SEMS migration (n = 3), and bleeding (n = 1). The median SEMS patency and patient survival periods were 515 (95% confidence interval (CI), 266.6–761.5) and 83 (95% CI 60.6–105.4) days, respectively.ConclusionsFluoroscopic SEMS placement is technically feasible and clinically effective in cases of endoscopic SEMS placement failure. A combined endoscopic and fluoroscopic approach increases the technical success rate after failure of the endoscopic or fluoroscopic approach.Level of EvidenceLevel IV.

Radiation-induced esophageal strictures treated with fluoroscopic balloon dilation: clinical outcomes and factors influencing recurrence in 62 patients:

Background Balloon dilation is safe and effective for the treatment of radiation-induced esophageal stricture (RIES), with favorable short-term and mid-term outcomes; however, few reports of long-term outcomes exist. Few studies have evaluated factors associated with recurrence after balloon dilation. Purpose To evaluate the long-term outcome of balloon dilation in patients with RIES and to identify factors associated with stricture recurrence. Material and Methods The medical records of 62 consecutive patients who had undergone fluoroscopic balloon dilation for RIES at our institution between December 1998 and June 2016 were reviewed. Results One hundred and twenty balloon dilation sessions were performed in 62 patients (mean = 1.9 sessions per patient). Clinical success was achieved in 53 (86%) patients after single (n = 37) or multiple (n = 16) dilation sessions. Complications occurred in 27% of the dilation sessions. The primary patency rates at one, two, three, and five years were 60%, 56%, 52%, and 52%, respectively. Secondary patency rates at one, two, three, and five years were 87%, 85%, 85%, and 80%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified an interval from radiation therapy (RT) to stricture of ≥6 months (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.205; P < 0.001), strictures located at the cervical esophagus (HR = 5.846; P < 0.001), and stricture length of ≥2 cm (HR = 2.923; P = 0.006) as significant predictors of recurrence. Conclusion Despite the high incidence of ruptures and recurrences, fluoroscopic balloon dilation is valuable as an initial therapeutic option for patients with RIES.

Endovascular Management for the Treatment of Pancreas Transplant Venous Thrombosis: A Single-Center Experience

PURPOSE To investigate the safety and efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy used as a tool for graft rescue in patients with pancreas graft venous thrombosis (PGVT). MATERIALS AND METHODS Graft venous thrombosis was discovered in 36 (33%) of 110 patients who underwent pancreas transplantation. Percutaneous aspiration thrombectomy was performed in seven patients (mean age, 31 y; range, 15-36 y) who had complete or severe thrombosis of the splenic vein or superior mesenteric vein seen on postoperative computed tomography. RESULTS Successful evacuation of PGVT was possible in six of seven patients; the thrombus was partially evacuated in one patient. In this patient, subsequent anticoagulation salvaged the graft, rendering primary and secondary technical success rates as 86% and 100%, respectively. As pancreas grafts were successfully functioning in all seven patients within 1 month after endovascular treatment, the clinical success rate was 100%. There were no procedure-related complications. At the last follow-up evaluation, all seven patients were alive with no graft loss (mean follow-up time, 9.4 mo; range, 3.6-22.2 mo). CONCLUSIONS Endovascular treatment may be considered in patients with severe PGVT to prevent early graft loss.

EW-7197, an oral transforming growth factor β type I receptor kinase inhibitor, for preventing peritoneal adhesion formation in a rat model

Background EW‐7197 is an oral transforming growth factor &bgr; type I receptor kinase inhibitor currently undergoing phase I clinical trials for cancer treatment in the United States. This study evaluates whether EW‐7197 prevents peritoneal adhesion formation in a rat model. Methods Forty‐eight female Wistar rats underwent peritoneal adhesion induction by the creation of peritoneal ischemic buttons and were randomly divided into 4 groups of 12 each. The control group received 0.3 mL vehicle by oral gavage once daily for 7 days after adhesion induction. The 10 mg and 20 mg groups received 10 or 20 mg/kg EW‐7197 phosphate dissolved in 0.3 mL vehicle by oral gavage once daily for 7 days after adhesion induction. The rebound group received 20 mg/kg EW‐7197 phosphate dissolved in 0.3 mL vehicle by oral gavage once daily for 7 days after adhesion induction followed by 0.3 mL vehicle only by gavage once daily for an additional 21 days. After the respective treatments were completed, the animals were euthanized. Results All rats survived until the end of the study without complications. EW‐7197 reduced the incidence, quality, and tenacity of peritoneal adhesions in a dose‐dependent manner. Fibrosis and collagen production were reduced in EW‐7197–treated peritoneal ischemic buttons. Transforming growth factor &bgr;/Smad2/3 signaling and mesothelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition were inhibited in EW‐7197–treated peritoneal ischemic buttons. Discontinuation of EW‐7197 was not associated with rebound effects. Conclusion EW‐7197 prevented peritoneal adhesion formation potentially via inhibition of transforming growth factor &bgr;1/Smad2/3–induced mesothelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition in a rat model.

Sirolimus-eluting Biodegradable Poly-l-Lactic Acid Stent to Suppress Granulation Tissue Formation in the Rat Urethra

Purpose To investigate the use of sirolimus-eluting biodegradable stents (SEBSs) to suppress granulation tissue formation after stent placement in a rat urethral model. Materials and Methods All experiments were approved by the animal research committee. A total of 36 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into three equal groups after biodegradable stent placement. Group A received control biodegradable stents. Groups B and C received stents coated with 90 µg/cm2 and 450 µg/cm2 sirolimus, respectively. Six rats in each group were sacrificed after 4 weeks; the remaining rats were sacrificed after 12 weeks. The therapeutic effectiveness of SEBSs was assessed by comparing the results of retrograde urethrography and histologic examination. Analysis of variance with post hoc comparisons was used to evaluate statistical differences. Results SEBS placement was technically successful in all rats. Urethrographic and histologic examinations revealed significantly less granulation tissue formation at both time points in the rats receiving SEBSs (groups B and C) compared with those that received control stents (group A) (P < .05 for all). There were no significant differences in urethrographic and histologic findings between groups B and C (P > .05 for all). However, the mean number of epithelial layers in group B was higher than that in group C at 4 weeks after stent placement (P < .001). Apoptosis increased in group C compared with groups A and B (P < .05 for all). Conclusion The use of SEBSs suppressed granulation tissue formation secondary to stent placement in a rat urethral model; local therapy with SEBSs may be used to decrease stent-related granulation tissue formation.