Marine Camus

Helpfulness of the combination of acetic acid and FICE in the detection of Barrett's epithelium and Barrett's associated neoplasias

AIM To investigate the mucosal morphology in Barretts oesophagus by chromo and magnifying endoscopy. METHODS A prospective pilot study at a tertiary medical centre was conducted to evaluate the use of acetic acid pulverisation combined with virtual chromoendoscopy using Fujinon intelligent chromoendoscopy (FICE) for semiological characterization of the mucosal morphology in Barretts oesophagus and its neoplastic complications. Upper endoscopy using high definition white light, 2% acid acetic pulverisation and FICE with high definition videoendoscopy were performed in 20 patients including 18 patients who presented with aspects of Barretts oesophagus at endoscopy examination. Two patients used as controls had normal endoscopy and histological results. Prospectively, videos were watched blind from histological results by three trained FICE technique endoscopists. RESULTS The videos of patients with high-grade dysplasia showed an irregular mucosal pattern in 14% using high definition white light endoscopy and in 100% using acid acetic-FICE combined. Videos did not identify irregular vascular patterns using high definition white light endoscopy, while acid acetic-FICE combined visualised one in 86% of cases. CONCLUSION Combined acetic acid and FICE is a promising method for screening high-grade dysplasia and early cancer in Barretts oesophagus.

Amniotic membrane grafts for the prevention of esophageal stricture after circumferential endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Background and Aims The prevention of esophageal strictures following circumferential mucosal resection remains a major clinical challenge. Human amniotic membrane (AM) is an easily available material, which is widely used in ophthalmology due to its wound healing, anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties. We studied the effect of AM grafts in the prevention of esophageal stricture after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in a swine model. Animals and Methods In this prospective, randomized controlled trial, 20 swine underwent a 5 cm-long circumferential ESD of the lower esophagus. In the AM Group (n = 10), amniotic membrane grafts were placed on esophageal stents; a subgroup of 5 swine (AM 1 group) was sacrificed on day 14, whereas the other 5 animals (AM 2 group) were kept alive. The esophageal stent (ES) group (n = 5) had ES placement alone after ESD. Another 5 animals served as a control group with only ESD. Results The prevalence of symptomatic strictures at day 14 was significantly reduced in the AM group and ES groups vs. the control group (33%, 40% and 100%, respectively, p = 0.03); mean esophageal diameter was 5.8±3.6 mm, 6.8±3.3 mm, and 2.6±1.7 mm for AM, ES, and control groups, respectively. Median (range) esophageal fibrosis thickness was 0.87 mm (0.78–1.72), 1.19 mm (0.28–1.95), and 1.65 mm (0.7–1.79) for AM 1, ES, and control groups, respectively. All animals had developed esophageal strictures by day 35. Conclusions The anti-fibrotic effect of AM on esophageal wound healing after ESD delayed the development of esophageal stricture in our model. However, this benefit was of limited duration in the conditions of our study.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for early Barrett's neoplasia.

Introduction The possible benefit of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early neoplasia arising in Barrett’s esophagus remains controversial. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of ESD for the treatment of early Barrett’s neoplasia. Methods All consecutive patients undergoing ESD for the resection of a visible lesion in a Barrett’s esophagus, either suspicious of submucosal infiltration or exceeding 10 mm in size, between February 2012 and January 2015 were prospectively included. The primary endpoint was the rate of curative resection of carcinoma, defined as histologically complete resection of adenocarcinomas without poor histoprognostic factors. Results Thirty-five patients (36 lesions) with a mean age of 66.2 ± 12 years, a mean ASA score of 2.1 ± 0.7, and a mean C4M6 Barrett’s segment were included. The mean procedure time was 191 ± 79 mn, and the mean size of the resected specimen was 51.3 ± 23 mm. En bloc resection rate was 89%. Lesions were 12 ± 15 mm in size, and 81% (29/36) were invasive adenocarcinomas, six of which with submucosal invasion. Although R0 resection of carcinoma was 72.4%, the curative resection rate was 66% (19/29). After a mean follow-up of 12.9 ± 9 months, 16 (45.7%) patients had required additional treatment, among whom nine underwent surgical resection, and seven further endoscopic treatments. Metachronous lesions or recurrence of cancer developed during the follow-up period in 17.2% of the patients. The overall complication rate was 16.7%, including 8.3% perforations, all conservatively managed, and no bleeding. The 30-day mortality was 0%. Conclusion In this early experience, ESD yielded a moderate curative resection rate in Barrett’s neoplasia. At present, improvements are needed if ESD is to replace piecemeal endoscopic mucosal resection in the management of Barrett’s neoplasia.

Esophageal circumferential en bloc endoscopic submucosal dissection: assessment of a new technique.

Background: Endoscopic esophageal piecemeal mucosectomy for high-grade dysplasia on Barrett’s esophagus leads to suboptimal histologic evaluation, as well as recurrence on remaining mucosa. Circumferential en bloc mucosal resection would significantly improve the management of dysplastic Barrett’s esophagus. Our aim was to describe a new method of esophageal circumferential endoscopic en bloc submucosal dissection (CESD) in a swine model. Methods: After submucosal injection, circumferential incision was performed at each end of the esophageal segment to be removed. Mechanical submucosal dissection was performed from the proximal to the distal incision, using a mucosectomy cap over the endoscope. The removed mucosal ring was retrieved. Clinical, endoscopic, and histologic data were prospectively collected. Results: Esophageal CESD was conducted on 5 pigs. A median mucosal length of 6.5 cm (range, 4 to 8 cm) was removed in the lower third of the esophagus. The mean duration of the procedure was 36 minutes (range, 17 to 80 min). No procedure-related complication, including perforation, was observed. All animals exhibited a mild esophageal stricture at day 7, and a severe symptomatic stricture at day 14. Necropsy confirmed endoscopic findings with cicatricial fibrotic strictures. On histologic examination, an inflammatory cell infiltrate, diffuse fibrosis reaching the muscular layer, and incomplete reepithelialization were observed. Conclusions: CESD enables expeditious resection and thorough examination of large segments of esophageal mucosa in safe procedural conditions, but esophageal strictures occur in the majority of the cases. Efficient methods for stricture prevention are needed for this technique to be developed in humans.

Effectiveness of combined endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy and stenting in patients with suspected pancreatic cancer.

Background Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNA) can be coupled with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in the same setting when biliary and/or duodenal stenting are required. Aims Our aim was to examine the effectiveness of EUS-FNA combined with stenting during the same session in patients with pancreatic cancer. Methods Consecutive patients referred for EUS-FNA of a pancreatic mass with symptoms of biliary (±upper digestive) obstruction were included. Consecutive patients undergoing biliary and/or duodenal stenting without EUS-FNA during the same period were used as controls. Procedure-related complications were the primary outcome measure. Duration of the procedure, ability to achieve biliary/duodenal stenting, the yield of EUS-FNA, and clinical outcomes were evaluated. Results A total of 122 patients underwent combined EUS-FNA and stenting and 68 underwent stenting alone (control group). In the combined group, histological proof of cancer was obtained in 88.52% at first EUS-FNA and 95.08% after a second EUS-FNA. Biliary stent placement was successful in 97.5 and 98% in the combined and the control groups, respectively. There was no statistical difference between the groups for length of stay after endoscopy and for procedure-related mortality and morbidity within 30 days. The median time from endoscopy to chemotherapy in the combined group was 12 days. Conclusion Combined EUS-FNA and biliary and/or duodenal stenting is feasible in almost all patients with suspected pancreatic cancer, with no additional hazard and a high histological yield.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy versus percutaneous transhepatic drainage for malignant biliary obstruction after failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: a retrospective expertise-based study from two centers

Background: Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) is widely performed as a salvage procedure in patients with unresectable malignant obstruction of the common bile duct (CBD) after failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or in case of surgically altered anatomy. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy (EU-HGS) is a more recently introduced alternative to relieve malignant obstructive jaundice. The aim of this prospective observational study was to compare the outcome, efficacy and adverse events of EU-HGS and PTBD. Methods: From April 2012 to August 2015, consecutive patients with malignant CBD obstruction who underwent EU-HGS or PTBD in two tertiary-care referral centers were included. The primary endpoint was the clinical success rate. Secondary endpoints were technical success, overall survival, procedure-related adverse events, incidence of adverse events, and reintervention rate. Results: A total of 51 patients (EU-HGS, n = 31; PTBD, n = 20) were included. Median survival was 71 days (range 25–75th percentile; 30–95) for the EU-HGS group and 78 days (range 25–75th percentile; 42–108) for the PTBD group (p = 0.99). Technical success was achieved in all patients in both groups. Clinical success was achieved in 25 (86%) of 31 patients in the EU-HGS group and in 15 (83%) of 20 patients in the PTBD group (p = 0.88). There was no difference in adverse events rates between the two groups (EU-HGS: 16%; PTBD: 10%) (p = 0.69). Four deaths within 1 month (two hemorrhagic and two septic) were considered procedure related (two in the EU-HGS group and two in the PTBD group). Overall reintervention rate was significantly lower after EU-HGS (n = 2) than after PTBD (n = 21) (p = 0.0001). Length of hospital stay was shorter after EU-HGS (8 days versus 15 days; p = 0.002). Conclusions: EU-HGS can be an effective and safe mini invasive-procedure alternative to PTBD, with similar success and adverse-event rates, but with lower rates of reintervention and length of hospitalization.

Traitement de la diverticulite aiguë sigmoïdienne : revue de la littérature ☆ ☆☆

Acute diverticulitis is a common disease with increasing incidence. In most of cases, diagnosis is made at an uncomplicated stage offering a curative attempt under medical treatment and use of antibiotics. There is a risk of diverticulitis recurrence. Uncomplicated diverticulitis is opposed to complicated forms (perforation, abscess or fistula). Recent insights in the pathophysiology of diverticulitis, the natural history, and treatments have permitted to identify new treatment strategies. For example, the use of antibiotics tends to decrease; surgery is now less invasive, percutaneous drainage is preferred, peritoneal lavage is encouraged. Treatments of the diverticulitis are constantly evolving. In this review, we remind the pathophysiology and natural history, and summarize new recommendations for the medical and surgical treatment of acute diverticulitis.

A new device to expedite endoscopic submucosal dissection procedures: a randomized animal study of efficacy and safety (with videos)

Background and study aims: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a recognized method for the curative treatment of superficial neoplasia, but its use is limited by lengthy procedures and the lack of versatility of existing knives. We developed a prototype ESD device with the ability to work as a needle, hook, or “scythe.” This new device was compared to regular ESD knives in a randomized animal study. Patients and methods: Eight pigs underwent two gastric ESD procedures each, similar in size and difficulty, one with a regular ESD device and the other with the new device. The order and location of each ESD, as well as the performing operator, were randomized. Primary judgment criterion was safety of procedures. Overall and submucosal dissection procedure times were measured. Time-to-surface ratios were measured and estimated for ESDs larger than those performed. Histopathology of the resected tissue and remaining stomach was done after each experiment. Results: No complications were observed throughout the study and all resections were completed en-bloc and uneventfully. The submucosal extension of resections was similar with both the standard and the new devices. A comparison of time-consumption between groups did not show statistically significant differences, but a dramatic reduction of procedure duration was observed in some procedures with the new device; based on observed data, a potential time-saving of up to 66 % was anticipated, with a relatively short learning curve. Conclusions: This new versatile device proved to be as safe as regular ESD knives, and seems likely to help reduce the duration of the procedure.