Joseph Yoo

Feasibility, safety, and outcomes of a single-step endoscopic ultrasonography-guided drainage of pancreatic fluid collections without fluoroscopy using a novel electrocautery-enhanced lumen-apposing, self-expanding metal stent.

Background and Objectives: There are currently limited data available regarding the safety of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided drainage of pancreatic fluid collections (PFCs) using the lumen-apposing metal stent without fluoroscopic guidance. This study aims to evaluate clinical outcomes and safety of EUS-guided drainage of PFC using the electrocautery-enhanced lumen-apposing metal stents (EC-LAMSs) without fluoroscopic guidance. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on patients with symptomatic PFC who underwent EUS-guided drainage using EC-LAMS without fluoroscopy. All patients were followed clinically until resolution of their PFC. Technical success (successful placement of EC-LAMS), number of patients who achieved complete resolution of PFC without additional intervention and adverse events were noted. Results: We evaluated 25 patients, including three with pancreatic pseudocysts and 22 with walled-off necrosis (WON). The etiology of the patients pancreatitis was gallstones (42%), alcohol (27%), and other causes (31%). The mean cyst size was 82 mm (range, 60–170 mm). The indications for endoscopic drainage were abdominal pain, infected WON, or gastric outlet obstruction. Technical success with placement of the EC-LAMS was achieved in all 25 patients. There were no procedure-related complications. The mean patient follow-up was 7.8 months. PFCs resolved in 24 (96%) patients; the one failure was in a patient with WON. Stent occlusion was seen in one patient. There was a spontaneous migration of one stent into the enteral lumen after resolution of WONs. The EC-LAMS were successfully removed using a snare in all the remaining patients. The median number of endoscopy sessions to achieve PFCs resolution was 2 (range, 2–6). Conclusions: Single-step EUS-guided drainage of PFCs without fluoroscopic guidance using the novel EC-LAMS is a safe and effective endoscopic technique for drainage of PFCs with excellent technical and clinical success rates and no complications. Due to its ease of use, EC-LAMS may simplify and streamline EUS-guided management of PFC and help in its widespread adoption as an alternative to surgery.

Endoscopic ultrasound in pancreatic cancer: innovative applications beyond the basics

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has become a mainstay in assisting in the diagnosis and staging of pancreatic cancer. In addition, EUS provides a modality to treat chronic pain through celiac plexus neurolysis. Currently, there is growing data and utilization of EUS in more diverse and innovative applications aimed at providing more sophisticated diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic options for patients with pancreatic cancer. EUS delivery of chemotherapy, viral and biological vectors and fiducial markers may eventually revolutionize the way clinicians approach the care of a patient with pancreatic cancer.

Can contrast harmonic endoscopic ultrasonography replace endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration in patients with solid pancreatic lesions? An American perspective.

Contrast harmonic endoscopic ultrasonography (CH-EUS) is a novel form of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) that utilizes intravenous contrast agents to characterize the vasculature inside an organ of interest with a broadband transducer that can detect harmonic signals.[1,2] These contrast agents initially played a major role in echocardiography, enhancing the power of ultrasonography to image cardiac chambers and the nearby large blood vessels.[3] They have been since utilized with EUS to aid clinicians in differentiating between benign and malignant lesions, in determining the depth of esophageal, gastric, and gallbladder cancer invasion, and in imaging the portal venous system and varices.[2] Contrast agents are especially important in tumor imaging because tumor angiogenesis usually significantly alters the vasculature within the malignant lesion. The intravenous contrast agents are typically administered via an intravenous bolus injection of gaseous microbubbles that do not leave the vascular system and reflect the ultrasound waves. The contrast can also be injected as a continuous infusion, which can alter the appearance of vasculature on CH-EUS due to the difference in intravascular density of the contrast material.

A Multicenter comparative trial of a novel EUS-guided core biopsy needle (SharkCore™) with the 22-gauge needle in patients with solid pancreatic mass lesions

Background and Objectives: The ability to obtain adequate tissue of solid pancreatic lesions by EUS-guided remains a challenge. The aim of this study was to compare the performance characteristics and safety of EUS-FNA for evaluating solid pancreatic lesions using the standard 22-gauge needle versus a novel EUS biopsy needle. Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective study of EUS-guided sampling of solid pancreatic lesions between 2009 and 2015. Patients underwent EUS-guided sampling with a 22-gauge SharkCore (SC) needle or a standard 22-gauge FNA needle. Technical success, performance characteristics of EUS-FNA, the number of needle passes required to obtain a diagnosis, diagnostic accuracy, and complications were compared. Results: A total of 1088 patients (mean age = 66 years; 49% female) with pancreatic masses underwent EUS-guided sampling with a 22-gauge SC needle (n = 115) or a standard 22-gauge FNA needle (n = 973). Technical success was 100%. The frequency of obtaining an adequate cytology by EUS-FNA was similar when using the SC and the standard needle (94.1% vs. 92.7%, respectively). The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of EUS-FNA for tissue diagnosis were not significantly different between two needles. Adequate sample collection leading to a definite diagnosis was achieved by the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd pass in 73%, 92%, and 98% of procedures using the SC needle and 20%, 37%, and 94% procedures using the standard needle (P < 0.001), respectively. The median number of passes to obtain a tissue diagnosis using the SC needle was significantly less as compared to the standard needle (1 and 3, respectively; P< 0.001). Conclusions: The EUS SC biopsy needle is safe and technically feasible for EUS-FNA of solid pancreatic mass lesions. Preliminary results suggest that the SC needle has a diagnostic yield similar to the standard EUS needle and significantly reduces the number of needle passes required to obtain a tissue diagnosis.

Update Treatment for HBV Infection and Persistent Risk for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Prospect for an HBV Cure

Since the discovery of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) by Blumberg et al. in 1965, its genome, sequence, epidemiology, and hepatocarcinogenesis have been elucidated. Globally, hepatitis B virus (HBV) is still responsible for the majority of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC is the sixth-most common cancer in the world and the second-most common cancer death. The ultimate goal of treating HBV infection is the prevention of HCC. Fortunately, anti-HBV treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs), which began with lamivudine in 1998, has resulted in remarkable improvements in the survival of patients with chronic hepatitis B and a reduced incidence of HCC. These results were documented with lamivudine, entecavir, and tenofovir. Nonetheless, as the duration of antiviral treatment increases, the risk for HCC still remains despite undetectable HBV DNA in serum, as reported by different investigators with observation up to 4–5 years. In our own experience, we are witnessing the development of HCC in patients who have received antiviral treatment. Some have enjoyed negative serum HBV DNA for over 12 years before developing HCC. Current treatment with NAs can effectively suppress the replication of the virus but cannot eradicate the covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) that is within the nucleus of hepatocytes. There still remains a great need for a cure for HBV. Fortunately, several compounds have been identified that have the potential to eradicate HBV, and there are ongoing clinical trials in progress in their early stages.

Complications of Upper Endoscopy and Their Management

Esophagoduodenoscopy (EGD) is one of the most frequently utilized procedures by gastroenterologists. Although upper endoscopy is considered one of the safest gastroenterology procedures, it is still associated with complications (1 in 200–10,000). Major adverse events related to upper endoscopy are rare and include cardiopulmonary adverse events, infection, perforation, and bleeding. As endoscopy assumes a more therapeutic role in the management of GI disorders, the potential for adverse events will increase. It is vital that the endoscopist has knowledge of potential endoscopic adverse events, what their frequency is, and the risk factors for their occurrence. Endoscopists need to select patients for the appropriate intervention and be prepared to manage any adverse events that may arise. Once an adverse event occurs, early recognition and prompt intervention may minimize the morbidity and mortality associated with that adverse event.