Jin Woong Cho

Comparison of 22-gauge aspiration needle with 22-gauge biopsy needle in endoscopic ultrasonography-guided subepithelial tumor sampling

Abstract Objective. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) may facilitate tissue sampling for histopathological diagnosis of subepithelial tumors (SETs) in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. However, immunohistochemistry is not always feasible using EUS-FNA samples due to the low quality of specimens often obtained by aspiration. This study aimed to compare the use of 22-gauge (G) EUS-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) with 22G EUS-FNA for core sampling used for histopathological examination, including immunohistochemistry, in patients with GI SETs. Methods. Twenty-eight patients with GI SETs ≥2 cm in size were prospectively enrolled at five university hospitals in Korea between January and June 2013. They were randomized to undergo either EUS-FNB or EUS-FNA. Results. A total of 22 patients was finally analyzed in this study: 10 and 12 patients underwent EUS-FNA and EUS-FNB, respectively. Compared to the EUS-FNA group, the EUS-FNB group had a significantly lower median number of needle passes to obtain macroscopically optimal core samples (4 vs. 2, p = 0.025); higher yield rates of macroscopically and histologically optimal core samples with three needle passes (30% vs. 92%, p = 0.006; 20% vs. 75%, p = 0.010, respectively); and a higher diagnostic sufficiency rate (20% vs. 75%, p = 0.010). No technical difficulties were encountered in either group. Conclusions. This study shows that EUS-FNB has a better ability to obtain histological core samples and a higher diagnostic sufficiency rate than EUS-FNA and that EUS-FNB is a feasible, safe, and preferable modality for adequate core sampling for histopathological diagnosis of GI SETs.

Lymph node metastases in esophageal carcinoma: An endoscopist’s view

One of the most important prognostic factors in esophageal carcinoma is lymph node metastasis, and in particular, the number of affected lymph nodes, which influences long-term outcomes. The esophageal lymphatic system is connected longitudinally and transversally; thus, the pattern of lymph node metastases is very complex. Early esophageal cancer frequently exhibits skipped metastasis, and minimal surgery using sentinel node navigation cannot be performed. In Korea, most esophageal cancer cases are squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), although the incidence of adenocarcinoma has started to increase recently. Most previous reports have failed to differentiate between SCC and adenocarcinoma, despite the fact that the Union for International Cancer Control (7th edition) and American Joint Committee on Cancer staging systems both consider these separately because they differ in cause, biology, lymph node metastasis, and outcome. Endoscopic tumor resection is an effective and safe treatment for lesions with no associated lymph node metastasis. Esophageal mucosal cancer confined to the lamina propria is an absolute indication for endoscopic resection, and a lesion that has invaded the muscularis mucosae can be cured by local resection if invasion to the lymphatic system has not occurred.

Clinicopathological characteristics of synchronous and metachronous gastric neoplasms after endoscopic submucosal dissection

Background/Aims Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has become accepted as a minimally invasive treatment for gastric neoplasms. However, the development of synchronous or metachronous gastric lesions after endoscopic resection has become a major problem. We investigated the characteristics of multiple gastric neoplasms in patients with early gastric cancer (EGC) or gastric adenoma after ESD. Methods In total, 512 patients with EGC or gastric adenoma who had undergone ESD between January 2008 and December 2011 participated in this study. The incidence of and factors associated with synchronous and metachronous gastric tumors were investigated in this retrospective study. Results In total, 66 patients (12.9%) had synchronous lesions, and 13 patients (2.5%) had metachronous lesions. Older (> 65 years) subjects had an increased risk of multiple gastric neoplasms (p = 0.012). About two-thirds of the multiple lesions were similar in macroscopic and histological type to the primary lesions. The median interval from the initial lesions to the diagnosis of metachronous lesions was 31 months. The annual incidence rate of metachronous lesions was approximately 3%. Conclusions We recommend careful follow-up in patients of advanced age (> 65 years) after initial ESD because multiple lesions could be detected in the remnant stomach. Annual surveillance might aid in the detection of metachronous lesions. Large-scale, multicenter, and longer prospective studies of appropriate surveillance programs are needed.

Cronkhite-Canada Syndrome Associated with Serrated Adenoma and Malignant Polyp: A Case Report and a Literature Review of 13 Cronkhite-Canada Syndrome Cases in Korea

Cronkhite-Canada syndrome (CCS) is a rare nonfamilial polyposis syndrome characterized by epithelial disturbances both in the gastrointestinal tract and in the epidermis. The pathologic finding of the polyp is usually a hamartomatous polyp of the juvenile type; however, the possibility of serrated adenoma associated malignant neoplasm was reported in some Japanese cases. Up till now in South Korea, 13 CCS cases have been reported, but there was no case accompanied by the colon cancer. We report the first case of CCS associated with malignant colon polyp and serrated adenoma in Korea. A 72-year-old male patient who complained of diarrhea and weight loss was presented with both hands and feet nail dystrophy, hyperpigmentation, and alopecia. Endoscopic examination showed numerous hamartomatous polyps from the stomach to the colon. The pathologic results confirmed colon cancer and serrated adenoma. Helicobacter pylori eradication and prednisolone was used. Thus, the authors report this case along with a literature review.

Stricture Occurring after Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Esophageal and Gastric Tumors

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a widely accepted treatment for early gastric and esophageal cancer. Compared to endoscopic mucosal resection, ESD has the advantage of enabling en bloc removal of tumors regardless of their size. However, ESD can result in a large artificial ulcer, which may lead to a considerable deformity. Circumferential mucosal defects of more than three-fourths the esophageal circumference, long longitudinal mucosal defects (>30 mm), and lesions in the upper esophagus are significant risk factors for the development of post-ESD strictures of the esophagus. In the stomach, a circumferential mucosal defects more than three-fourths in extent and longitudinal mucosal defects >5 cm are risk factors of post-ESD stricture. If scheduled early, regular endoscopic balloon dilation is effective in controlling and preventing post-ESD stricture. Moreover, intralesional steroid injections or oral steroids can achieve remission of dysphagia or reduce the need for repeated endoscopic balloon dilation. However, further study is needed to improve the prevention of stricture formation.

Technical issues and new devices of ESD of early gastric cancer

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a highly refined technique compared to conventional endoscopic mucosal resection. It enables complete resection of early gastric cancer (EGC) which has no possibility of lymph node metastasis. Indication for ESD of EGC generally entails early gastric cancer confined to the mucosa with well differentiated histology, though there are clinically suitable expanded criteria. As ESD requires specific skill and expertise, endoscopists need to be familiarized with basic methods and the use of special devices. The essence of the technique is to dissect the submucosal layer with direct vision and maintain the cutting plane above the underlying proper muscle layer. Although there are some differences in the detailed technical aspect, the cardinal method of ESD is now well established and standardized. Furthermore, research and development of new ESD devices that render more efficient, safe ESD are still in progress to improve the overall result of ESD on early gastric cancer.

Predictive factors suggesting an underestimation of gastric lesions initially diagnosed as adenomas by forceps biopsy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS The endoscopic forceps biopsy of gastric lesion may provide inadequate specimens for a correct diagnosis of the entire lesion. Therefore, a histologic discrepancy may exist between specimens obtained by forceps biopsy and by endoscopic resection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the endoscopic characteristics of an underestimation in gastric carcinomas initially diagnosed as adenomas by forceps biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 431 lesions diagnosed as gastric adenomas by forceps biopsy and resected by endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) between January 2008 and December 2011. The endoscopic findings were reviewed for location, size, gross appearance, ulceration, and surface color. We compared these variables between the adenoma group and the carcinoma group, as defined by the post-resection pathological findings. RESULTS The mean patient age was 65.63±9.30 years in the adenoma group and 64.75±10.30 years in the carcinoma group. The mean size of the lesion was 21.04±8.65 mm in the adenoma group and 22.06±7.46 mm in the carcinoma group. In the multivariate analysis, high-grade dysplasia from endoscopic forceps biopsy and red discoloration were significant variables associated with carcinoma in post-resection histology. CONCLUSION Gastric adenomatous lesions with endoscopic characteristics of surface redness and high-grade dysplasia on forceps biopsy should be resected completely by ESD because of the high possibility of an underestimation after ESD.

Intramural gastric abscess caused by a toothpick presenting as a subepithelial tumor.

In the present report, we describe an unusual case of an intramural gastric abscess caused by a foreign body, detected in the form of a subepithelial tumor. A 64-year-old woman was referred to our gastroenterology clinic for further evaluation of a gastric subepithelial tumor. The patient presented with a 1-month history of sustained dull epigastric pain. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed an ill-demarcated, round, smooth, protruding lesion with a small central erosion on the great curvature of the proximal antrum. Endoscopic ultrasonography indicated the presence of an ovoid, heterogeneous, hypoechoic lesion with small echogenic foci located in the submucosa and muscularis propria layers. An abdominal computed tomography scan showed focal gastric wall thickening and regional lymph node enlargement. Endoscopic submucosal dissection was performed for definite diagnosis and management. Thus, we detected a toothpick and removed it using grasping forceps. The final diagnosis was an intramural gastric abscess caused by a toothpick.

Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of DA-9601 versus Its New Formulation, DA-5204, in Patients with Gastritis: Phase III, Randomized, Double-Blind, Non-Inferiority Study

This study compared the efficacy of DA-9601 (Dong-A ST Co., Seoul, Korea) and its new formulation, DA-5204 (Dong-A ST Co.), for treating erosive gastritis. This phase III, randomized, multicenter, double-blind, non-inferiority trial randomly assigned 434 patients with endoscopically proven gastric mucosal erosions into two groups: DA-9601 3 times daily or DA-5,204 twice daily for 2 weeks. The final analysis included 421 patients (DA-5204, 209; DA-9601, 212). The primary endpoint (rate of effective gastric erosion healing) and secondary endpoints (cure rate of endoscopic erosion and gastrointestinal [GI] symptom relief) were assessed using endoscopy after the treatment. Drug-related adverse events (AEs), including GI symptoms, were also compared. At week 2, gastric healing rates with DA-5204 and DA-9601 were 42.1% (88/209) and 42.5% (90/212), respectively. The difference between the groups was −0.4% (95% confidence interval, −9.8% to 9.1%), which was above the non-inferiority margin of −14%. The cure rate of gastric erosion in both groups was 37.3%. The improvement rates of GI symptoms with DA-5204 and DA-9601 were 40.4% and 40.8%, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in both secondary endpoints. AEs were reported in 18 (8.4%) patients in the DA-5204 group and 19 (8.8%) in the DA-9601 group. Rates of AE were not different between the two groups. No serious AE or adverse drug reaction (ADR) occurred. These results demonstrate the non-inferiority of DA-5204 compared to DA-9601. DA-5204 is as effective as DA-9601 in the treatment of erosive gastritis. Registered randomized clinical trial at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02282670)

Bedside Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Transgastric Gallbladder Aspiration and Lavage in a High-risk Surgical Case Due to Acute Cholecystitis Accompanied by Multiorgan Failure.

Cholangitis and cholecystitis are intra-abdominal infections that show poor prognosis upon progression to sepsis and multiorgan failure. Administration of antibiotics with high antimicrobial susceptibility and removal of infected bile at the initial treatment are important. After undergoing ERCP for diagnostic purposes, a 58-year-old man developed acute cholangitis and cholecystitis accompanied by rhabdomyolysis, multi-organ failure, and severe sepsis. Broad-spectrum antibiotics with bedside endoscopic nasobiliary drainage were administered, but clinical symptoms did not improve. Therefore, bedside EUS-guided transgastric gallbladder aspiration and lavage was performed, resulting in successful treatment of the patient. We report the above described case along with a discussion of relevant literature.