Mohammad Al-Haddad

Minimally invasive endoscopic staging of suspected lung cancer.

CONTEXT In patients with suspected lung cancer, the presence of mediastinal lymph node metastasis is a critical determinant of therapy and prognosis. Invasive staging with pathologic confirmation is recommended. Many methods for staging exist; mediastinoscopy, an invasive procedure requiring general anesthesia, is currently regarded as the diagnostic standard. OBJECTIVE To compare the diagnostic accuracy of 3 methods of minimally invasive endoscopic staging (and their combinations): traditional transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA), endobronchial ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EBUS-FNA), and transesophageal endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). In particular, we aimed to compare EBUS-FNA with TBNA. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Invasive staging of the mediastinum among consecutive patients with suspected lung cancer at a US academic medical center from November 2004 through October 2006. INTERVENTION TBNA, EBUS-FNA, and EUS-FNA performed sequentially as a single combined procedure. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Sensitivity for detecting mediastinal lymph node metastases, using pathologic confirmation and 6- to 12-month clinical follow-up as the criterion standard. RESULTS Among 138 patients who met all study criteria, 42 (30%) had malignant lymph nodes. EBUS-FNA was more sensitive than TBNA, detecting 29 (69%) vs 15 (36%) malignant lymph nodes (P = .003). The combination of EUS-FNA and EBUS-FNA (EUS plus EBUS) had higher estimated sensitivity (93% [39/42]; 95% confidence interval, 81%-99%) and negative predictive value (97% [96/99]; 95% confidence interval, 91%-99%) compared with either method alone. EUS plus EBUS also had higher sensitivity and higher negative predictive value for detecting lymph nodes in any mediastinal location and for patients without lymph node enlargement on chest computed tomography. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that EBUS-FNA has higher sensitivity than TBNA and that EUS plus EBUS may allow near-complete minimally invasive mediastinal staging in patients with suspected lung cancer. These results require confirmation in other studies but suggest that EUS plus EBUS may be an alternative approach for mediastinal staging in patients with suspected lung cancer.

Differentiating risk factors for acute and chronic pouchitis

BACKGROUND & AIMS Pouchitis is the most common complication of ileal pouch anal anastomosis in patients with ulcerative colitis. In some cases the inflammation becomes chronic and requires long-term medical therapy. The clinical course and medical therapy are different between acute pouchitis and chronic pouchitis. The aim of this study was to determine if there are predictors of risk for acute vs. chronic pouchitis. METHODS Patients with acute pouchitis (N = 40) and patients with chronic pouchitis (N = 40) were matched with a control group who never had pouchitis (N = 40). Data were collected for multiple pre-, peri-, and postoperative factors and follow-up telephone calls were performed. Case-control univariable analyses and multivariate logistic regression were used to measure the association between covariates and pouchitis. RESULTS Multivariate logistic regression showed that extensive colonic disease (odds ratio [OR], 2.99; P = .045 for acute pouchitis; and OR, 4.61; P = .010 for chronic pouchitis) and extraintestinal manifestations (OR, 2.88; P = .037 for acute pouchitis; and OR, 2.69; P = .047 for chronic pouchitis) were associated with both acute and chronic pouchitis. Postoperative nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use was associated with chronic pouchitis, but less so with acute pouchitis. Patients with fulminant colitis as an indication for surgery had a decreased risk for developing chronic pouchitis (OR, 0.22; P = .036), but no such association was seen for acute pouchitis. CONCLUSIONS Extensive colonic disease and preoperative extraintestinal manifestations are associated with increased risk for both acute and chronic pouchitis. Fulminant colitis leading to colectomy is protective from development of chronic pouchitis. Postoperative use of NSAIDS is a risk factor for chronic pouchitis and possibly for acute pouchitis, and thus should be discouraged for patients who undergo ileal pouch anal anastomosis.

Role of EUS for preoperative evaluation of cholangiocarcinoma: a large single-center experience.

BACKGROUND Accurate preoperative diagnosis and staging of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) remain difficult. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the utility of EUS in the diagnosis and preoperative evaluation of CCA. DESIGN Observational study of prospectively collected data. SETTING Single tertiary referral hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. PATIENTS Consecutive patients with CCA from January 2003 through October 2009. INTERVENTIONS EUS and EUS-guided FNA (EUS-FNA). MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Sensitivity of EUS for the detection of a tumor and prediction of unresectability compared with CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); sensitivity of EUS-FNA to provide tissue diagnosis, by using surgical pathology as a reference standard. RESULTS A total of 228 patients with biliary strictures undergoing EUS were identified. Of these, 81 (mean age 70 years, 45 men) had CCA. Fifty-one patients (63%) had distal and 30 (37%) had proximal CCA. For those with available imaging, tumor detection was superior with EUS compared with triphasic CT (76 of 81 [94%] vs 23 of 75 [30%], respectively; P < .001). MRI identified the tumor in 11 of 26 patients (42%; P = .07 vs EUS). EUS identified CCA in all 51 (100%) distal and 25 (83%) of 30 proximal tumors (P < .01). EUS-FNA (median, 5 passes; range, 1-12 passes) was performed in 74 patients (91%). The overall sensitivity of EUS-FNA for the diagnosis of CCA was 73% (95% confidence interval, 62%-82%) and was significantly higher in distal compared with proximal CCA (81% vs 59%, respectively; P = .04). Fifteen tumors were definitely unresectable. EUS correctly identified unresectability in 8 of 15 and correctly identified the 38 of 39 patients with resectable tumors (53% sensitivity and 97% specificity for unresectability). CT and/or MRI failed to detect unresectability in 6 of these 8 patients. LIMITATION Single-center study. CONCLUSION EUS and EUS-FNA are sensitive for the diagnosis of CCA and very specific in predicting unresectability. The sensitivity of EUS-FNA is significantly higher in distal than in proximal CCA.

EUS for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: a single-center, 11-year experience.

BACKGROUND Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNTs) are rare tumors with malignant potential. EUS and EUS-guided FNA (EUS-FNA) have been shown to be superior to other imaging methods in the preoperative localization and diagnosis of PNTs. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the clinical presentation, EUS morphology, and sensitivity of EUS-FNA cytology in a large consecutive cohort with histologically and/or cytologically confirmed PNTs. DESIGN Retrospective study of all consecutive patients from July 1995 to November 2006 who underwent EUS for a known or suspected PNT and had a subsequently histologically confirmed PNT. SETTING Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS Ninety-two patients with suspected PNT. INTERVENTIONS EUS evaluation with or without EUS-FNA of PNTs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Clinical and EUS features of PNTs and sensitivity of EUS-FNA for the diagnosis of PNTs. RESULTS Ninety-two patients underwent EUS; 76 patients had confirmed histopathology, of whom 69 (91%) were symptomatic. Patients with functional PNTs presented with diarrhea, peptic ulcer disease, and hypoglycemia. Tumor locations and echogenic features were similar except that nonfunctional PNTs tended to be larger and have cystic features. Patients with malignant PNTs were older (P = .03), presented with abdominal pain, and had larger tumors (P = .0006) with irregular margins. Eighty-nine percent of patients underwent EUS-FNA. Sensitivity of EUS-FNA for the diagnosis of a PNT was 87%. Sensitivity of EUS-FNA was similar in functional and nonfunctional PNTs. The sensitivity of EUS-FNA was higher for malignant PNTs (P = .008). LIMITATIONS Retrospective single tertiary center. CONCLUSIONS EUS and EUS-FNA are sensitive tools, especially in cases of suspected symptomatic PNTs in which other imaging modalities have failed.

Therapeutic EUS-assisted endoscopic retrograde pancreatography after failed pancreatic duct cannulation at ERCP

BACKGROUND Cannulation of the pancreatic duct (PD) during endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) can fail even in experienced hands. A technique for therapeutic EUS-assisted rendezvous ERP has been described in a few case reports. OBJECTIVE To investigate the efficacy and safety of therapeutic EUS-assisted ERP. DESIGN Retrospective study. SETTING Tertiary-care medical center. PATIENTS This study involved 21 patients after failed ERP. INTERVENTION EUS-guided transgastric pancreatography by using a mixture of contrast media and methylene blue was attempted. If that was successful, ERP was attempted by using methylene blue flow as an indicator of the PD orifice or by a rendezvous technique using a wire passed into the PD and the small bowel through the EUS needle. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Technical success rate and complications. RESULTS The PD was of a normal diameter in 7 patients and was dilated in 14 patients. EUS-guided pancreatography was successfully done in all patients with a dilated PD but only in 4 of 7 patients (57%) with normal-diameter PDs. In 6 patients, ERP was successfully performed by using methylene blue flow as an indicator of the PD orifice. The rendezvous technique was successful in 4 of 12 cases (33%), and reasons for failure were either a tight stricture (n = 5) or a suboptimal angle of EUS needle insertion (n = 3). Overall, EUS-assisted ERP was successful in 10 of 21 patients (48%). Complications included peripancreatic abscess in 1 patient and mild pancreatitis in 1 patient. LIMITATIONS Retrospective study, small sample size. CONCLUSION EUS-assisted ERP is a complex procedure that can provide access to the PD in selected cases after failed standard ERP.

Safety and efficacy of cytology brushings versus standard fine-needle aspiration in evaluating cystic pancreatic lesions: a controlled study.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS Cystic pancreatic lesions (CPLs) are increasingly detected by various imaging studies. Mucinous CPLs carry a risk of malignant transformation but this is often difficult to diagnose preoperatively. In a previous report of 10 suspected mucinous CPLs, the cellular yield of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-guided cytology brushings was found to be superior to the yield from standard fine-needle aspiration (FNA). The aim of this prospective and blinded study was to compare the cytology yield of mucinous epithelium from brushing with FNA in suspected mucinous CPLs. PATIENTS AND METHODS In total, 37 patients with 39 CPLs measuring at least 20 mm were enrolled between June 2006 and July 2008 for EUS-cytobrushing and EUS-FNA of CPLs. Demographic, clinical, EUS, cytopathologic, and surgical data were recorded whenever available. Yield of cytology brushings was compared with that of FNA. Procedure morbidity was evaluated after 30 days. The main outcome assessed was yield of intracellular mucin (ICM) on cytobrushing specimens compared with EUS-FNA for the diagnosis of suspected mucinous CPL. RESULTS Cytobrushings were more likely to detect ICM than the EUS-FNA method ( P = 0.001). In three patients with hypocellular FNA, dysplasia was found on cytology brushing and later confirmed by surgical pathology. Significant complications occurred in three patients (8 %): one postbrushing bleeding and two acute pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS Cytology brushings are more likely to provide an adequate mucinous epithelium specimen than standard FNA and could aid the diagnosis of CPLs in a selective group of patients.

Endoscopic mucosal ablation for the treatment of gastric antral vascular ectasia with the HALO90 system: a pilot study

BACKGROUND Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) often results in GI bleeding and chronic anemia. Treatment options are limited and include medical, endoscopic, and surgical therapies. OBJECTIVE To assess the utility of endoscopic mucosal ablative therapy by using the HALO(90) system for patients with GAVE and recurrent bleeding. DESIGN Prospective open-label case series. SETTING Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS Six consecutive patients with GAVE, bleeding, and blood transfusion dependence. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Comparison of preablation and postablation Hb levels and transfusion requirements. To assess the number of ablation sessions needed to stabilize the Hb level and eliminate the need for blood transfusion. RESULTS Six patients, (4 men, mean age 58 years, range 47-65 years) underwent endoscopic mucosal ablation of antral lesions (mean procedure time 29 minutes; mean treatments 1.7, range 1-3). The mean Hb level improved from 8.6 to 10.2 g/dl (mean 2 months after the last ablation). Five of 6 patients are no longer dependent on blood transfusions to maintain a stable Hb level. LIMITATIONS This is a pilot study, with a small number of patients at a single center, with limited patient follow-up. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that endoscopic mucosal ablation by using the HALO(90) system is a promising treatment option for chronic bleeding related to GAVE.

Vascular Resection and Reconstruction for Pancreatic Malignancy: A Single Center Survival Study

IntroductionPancreatic cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in the USA. Recently, several centers have introduced portal and superior mesenteric vein resection and reconstruction during extended pancreatectomy, rendering the previously inoperable cases resectable.AimThe aim of this study is to confirm whether patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer and mesenteric vascular invasion can be cured with extended pancreatectomy with vascular reconstruction (VR) and to compare their survival to patients treated with pancreatectomy without VR and those treated without resection (palliation).MethodsSurvival of 22 patients who underwent pancreatectomy with VR was compared with two control groups: 54 patients who underwent pancreatectomy without the need for VR and 28 patients whose pre-operative imaging suggested resectability but whose laparotomy indicated inoperability.ResultsA slight survival benefit was noted in patients who did not require VR (33.5%) compared to those who did require VR [20%, p = 0.18], although not reaching statistical significance. Despite a low 15% three-year survival in patients treated palliatively, this was not statistically different compared to survival after resection with VR (P = 0.23). The presence of nodal metastasis was associated with worse survival (p = 0.006), and the use of adjuvant therapy was associated with better survival (p = 0.001).ConclusionPancreatic cancers that require VR to completely resect the tumor have a similar survival to those not requiring VR. Long-term survival was achievable in approximately 1 out 5 patients requiring VR, although we were not able to demonstrate statistically improved survival compared to palliative care.

Comparison of pain and postoperative stress in dogs undergoing natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery, laparoscopic, and open oophorectomy

BACKGROUND Few studies are available to compare the potential benefits of natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) approaches to traditional surgery. OBJECTIVE To compare complications, surgical stress, and postoperative pain. DESIGN Prospective study in dogs. SETTING Research laboratory. SUBJECTS Thirty dogs. INTERVENTIONS Oophorectomy procedures were performed via NOTES and laparoscopic and traditional open surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Operative time, pain scores, systemic stress parameters (cortisol, glucose), surgical stress markers (interleukin 6, C-reactive protein), 3-day observation. RESULTS Median operative times were 76, 44, and 35 minutes for the NOTES, laparoscopic, and open procedures, respectively, with the NOTES procedure being significantly longer than the other 2 procedures. All ovaries were completely excised, and all the animals survived without complications. The NOTES animals had greater increases in serum cortisol concentrations at 2 hours but no statistically significant differences in glucose concentrations compared with the other groups. Serum interleukin 6 and C-reactive protein concentrations were significantly increased at specific times compared with baseline in the NOTES group, but not in the open or laparoscopic surgery groups. Based on the cumulative pain score and nociceptive thresholds, the animals in the NOTES group demonstrated less evidence of pain. LIMITATIONS Small sample size, limited follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Although the NOTES oophorectomy procedures took approximately twice as long and there may be more evidence of tissue damage as judged by increases in serum cortisol and interleukin 6 concentrations, the dogs in the NOTES group had lower pain scores, especially when compared with animals undergoing open surgery.

Performance characteristics of molecular (DNA) analysis for the diagnosis of mucinous pancreatic cysts

BACKGROUND Diagnosis of mucinous pancreatic cysts (MPCs) is challenging due to the poor sensitivity of cytology provided by EUS-guided-FNA (EUS-FNA). OBJECTIVE To quantify the test characteristics of molecular (DNA) analysis in suspected low-risk MPCs. DESIGN A prospective cohort study performed in between 2008 and 2011. SETTING Academic referral center. PATIENTS Consecutive patients who underwent EUS-FNA of suspected MPCs. INTERVENTION EUS-FNA and molecular (DNA) analysis of cyst fluid. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS The sensitivity and specificity of molecular analysis in the diagnosis of MPCs using the criterion standard of surgical pathology in resected cysts. RESULTS Patients with suspected MPCs underwent EUS-FNA and cyst fluid DNA analysis. Surgical resection was performed in 48 patients (17%), confirming a mucinous pathology in 38 (79%). In this group, molecular analysis had a sensitivity of 50% and a specificity of 80% in identifying MPCs (accuracy of 56.3%). The combination of molecular analysis with cyst fluid carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cytology resulted in higher MPC diagnostic performance than either one of its individual components, with a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 73.7%, 70%, and 72.9%, respectively. There was no significant difference in accuracy between molecular analysis and CEA/cytology in this group. LIMITATIONS Single-center experience. CONCLUSION Molecular analysis aids in the diagnosis of MPCs when cytology is nondiagnostic or cyst fluid is insufficient for CEA or its level is indeterminate. Our results do not support the routine use of molecular analysis, which should be used selectively after review of imaging findings and cyst fluid studies. Further studies are needed to assess DNAs performance in malignant cysts.