Shashideep Singhal

Pancreatic fluid collection drainage by endoscopic ultrasound: an update.

Endoscopic management of symptomatic pancreatic fluid collections (PFCs) is now considered to be first line therapy. Expanded use of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) techniques has resulted in increased applicability, safety, and efficacy of endoscopic transluminal PFC drainage. Steps include EUS-guided trangastric or transduodenal fistula creation into the PFC followed by stent placement or nasocystic drain deployment in order to decompress the collection. With the remarkable improvement in the available accessories and stents and development of exchange free access device; EUS drainage techniques have become simpler and less time consuming. The use of self-expandable metal stents with modifications to drain PFC has helped in overcoming some previously encountered challenges. PFCs considered suitable for endoscopic drainage include collection present for greater than 4 weeks, possessing a well-formed wall, position accessible endoscopically and located within 1 cm of the duodenal or gastric walls. Indications for EUS-guided drainage have been increasing which include unusual location of the collection, small window of entry, nonbulging collections, coagulopathy, intervening varices, failed conventional transmural drainage, indeterminate adherence of PFC to the luminal wall or suspicion of malignancy. In this article, we present a review of literature to date and discuss the recent developments in EUS-guided PFC drainage.

Over the scope clip: Technique and expanding clinical applications

Background: Advances in endoscopic and surgical techniques have increased the frequency and complexity of these procedures, and thus, the incidence of associated complications. Aims: To describe the use and clinical applications of the Over the Scope Clip (OTSC) system. Methods: An English language literature search was conducted using the key words “endoscopy” and “over the scope clip” in order to identify human studies evaluating the application of OTSC from January 2001 to August 2012. The indication, efficacy, complications, and limitations were recorded. Results: Overall success rates of OTSC based on current literature range are in the range of 75% to 100% for closure of iatrogenic gastrointestinal perforations, 38% to 100% for closure of gastrointestinal fistulas, 50% to 100% for anastomotic leaks, and 71% to 100% for bleeding lesions. OTSCs have shown 100% success rates in managing postbariatric surgery weight gain secondary to dilation of the gastrojejunal pouch. Conclusion: OTSC is easy to use with good results, thus decreasing the morbidity and mortality associated with the complications secondary to both diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy and avoiding surgery in many situations.

Management of refractory ascites.

Ascites that does not respond or recurs after high-dose diuresis and sodium restriction should be considered refractory ascites. As cirrhosis advances, the escaping fluid overwhelms the lymphatic return. Decrease in renal plasma flow leads to increased sodium reabsorption at the proximal tubule leading to decreased responsiveness to loop diuretics and mineralocorticoid antagonists, which work distally. These complex hemodynamic alterations lead to refractory ascites. In refractory ascites, high-dose diuresis (400 mg of spironolactone and 160 mg of furosemide) and sodium restriction (<90 mmol/d) result in inadequate weight loss and sub optimal sodium excretion (<78 mmol/d). Further use of diuretics is limited by complications such as encephalopathy, azotemia, renal insufficiency, hyponatremia, and hyperkalemia. Therapy for refractory ascites is limited. The available therapies are repeated large volume paracentesis (LVP), transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts, peritoneovenous shunts, investigational medical therapies, and liver transplantation. LVP with concomitant volume expanders is the initial treatment of choice. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic seems to be superior to LVP in reducing the need for repeated paracentesis and improves the quality of life. Several treatments that act at different steps in the pathogenesis of ascites are investigational, and some show promising results. Splanchnic and peripheral vasoconstrictors (Octreotide, Midodrine, and Terlipressin) increase effective arterial volume and decrease activation of the renin-angiotensin system with resultant increase in renal sodium excretion. Clonidine when given with spironolactone has been shown to cause rapid mobilization of ascites by significantly decreasing the sympathetic activity and renin-aldosterone levels. Natural aquaretics and synthetic V2 receptor antagonists (satavaptan) are being evaluated for mobilization of ascites by increasing the excretion of solute-free water. Liver transplantation remains the only definitive therapy for refractory ascites. Because refractory ascites is a poor prognostic sign, liver transplantation should be considered and incorporated early in the treatment plan.

Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided endoluminal drainage of the gallbladder

For patients with acute cholecystitis who are not suitable for surgery, endoscopic ultrasound‐guided endoluminal drainage of the gallbladder (EUS‐GBD) has been developed to overcome the limitations of percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage when endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage is not feasible. In the present review we have summarized the studies describing EUS‐GBD. Indications, techniques, accessories, endoprostheses, limitations and complications reported in the different studies are discussed. There were 90 documented cases in the literature. The overall reported technical success rate was 87/90 (96.7%). All patients with technical success were clinically successful. A total of 11/90 (12.2%) patients had complications including pneumoperitoneum, bile peritonitis and stent migration. The advantage of EUS‐GBD is its ability to provide gallbladder drainage especially in situations where percutaneous or transpapillary drainage is not feasible or is technically challenging. It also provides the option of internal drainage and the ability to carry out therapeutic maneuvers via cholecystoscopy.

Novel anti-diabetic agents in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A mini-review

BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) encompasses a spectrum that ranges from simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and to cirrhosis. The recommended treatment for this disease includes measures that target obesity and insulin resistance. The present review summarizes the role of newer anti-diabetic agents in treatment of NAFLD. DATA SOURCES PubMed, MEDLINE and Ovid databases were searched to identify human studies between January 1990 and January 2013 using specified key words. Original studies that enrolled patients with a diagnosis of NAFLD or NASH and involved use of newer classes of anti-diabetic agents for a duration of at least 3 months were included. RESULTS Out of the screened articles, four met eligibility criteria and were included in our review. The classes of newer anti-diabetic medications described were dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues. CONCLUSIONS Liraglutide and Exenatide showed improvement in transaminases as well as histology in patients with NASH. Sitagliptin showed improvement in transaminases but limited studies are there to access its effect on histology. Further studies are needed to support use of newer anti-diabetic medications in patients with NAFLD.

Bowel preparation regimens for colon capsule endoscopy: A review

Colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) is being actively evaluated as an emerging complementary or alternative procedure for evaluation of the colon. The yield of CCE is significantly dependent on the quality of bowel preparation. In addition to achieving a stool-free colon the bowel preparation protocols need to decrease bubble effect and aid propulsion of the capsule. An extensive English literature search was done using PubMed with search terms of colon capsule endoscopy, PillCam and bowel preparation. Full-length articles which met the criteria were included for review. A total of 12 studies including 1149 patients were reviewed. There was significant variability in the type of bowel preparation regimens. Large-volume (3–4 liters) polyethylene glycol (PEG) was the most widely used laxative. Lower volumes of PEG showed comparable results but larger studies are needed to determine efficacy. Sodium phosphate was used as an effective booster in most studies. Magnesium citrate and ascorbic acid are emerging as promising boosters to replace sodium phosphate when it is contraindicated. The potential benefit of prokinetics needs further evaluation. Over the past decade there has been significant improvement in the bowel preparation regimens for CCE. Further experience and studies are likely to standardize the bowel preparation regimens before CCE is adopted into routine clinical practice.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepatic and perihepatic abscess drainage: an evolving technique

Interventional radiology-guided percutaneous drainage of liver abscesses with concomitant use of antibiotics has been the conventional approach for the treatment of liver abscesses. Hepatic abscesses refractory or not amenable to percutaneous drainage have been treated with surgical drainage, either via laparoscopic or open laparotomy techniques. The aim of this review was to evaluate the technical feasibility and efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided drainage of liver abscesses. A literature review was performed to identify the studies describing the technique. In this review article we have summarized case series or reports describing EUS-guided liver abscess drainage. The indications, techniques, endoprostheses, limitations and complications reported are discussed. A total of seven cases have been described so far in the literature which included patients with failed conventional treatment modalities. The EUS-guided drainage technique involves puncturing the abscess using endosonography to gain access, passing a guidewire followed by tract dilation and placement of an endoprosthesis for drainage. Studies have reported 100% technical and clinical success rates in selected cases. No complications were reported. EUS-guided drainage of liver abscesses can be a safe and effective alternative approach in the management of liver abscesses in selected patients.

Association of overexpression of TIF1γ with colorectal carcinogenesis and advanced colorectal adenocarcinoma

AIM To determine the expression and clinical significance of transcriptional intermediary factor 1 gamma (TIF1γ), Smad4 and transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβR) across a spectrum representing colorectal cancer (CRC) development. METHODS Tissue microarrays were prepared from archival paraffin embedded tissue, including 51 colorectal carcinomas, 25 tubular adenomas (TA) and 26 HPs, each with matched normal colonic epithelium. Immunohistochemistry was performed using antibodies against TIF1γ, Smad4 and TGFβRII. The levels of expression were scored semi-quantitatively (score 0-3 or loss and retention for Smad4). RESULTS Overexpression of TIF1γ was detected in 5/26 (19%) HP; however, it was seen in a significantly higher proportion of neoplasms, 15/25 (60%) TAs and 24/51 (47%) CRCs (P < 0.05). Normal colonic mucosa, HP, and TAs showed strong Smad4 expression, while its expression was absent in 22/51 (43%) CRCs. Overexpression of TGFβRII was more commonly seen in neoplasms, 13/25 (52%) TAs and 29/51 (57%) CRCs compared to 9/26 (35%) HP (P < 0.05). Furthermore, there was a correlation between TIF1γ overexpression and Smad4 loss in CRC (Kendall tau rank correlation value = 0.35, P < 0.05). The levels of TIF1γ overexpression were significantly higher in stage III than in stage I and II CRC (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The findings suggest that over-expression of TIF1γ occurs in early stages of colorectal carcinogenesis, is inversely related with Smad4 loss, and may be a prognostic indicator for poor outcome.

Esophageal Stricture Prevention after Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection

Advances in diagnostic modalities and improvement in surveillance programs for Barrett esophagus has resulted in an increase in the incidence of superficial esophageal cancers (SECs). SEC, due to their limited metastatic potential, are amenable to non-invasive treatment modalities. Endoscopic ultrasound, endoscopic mucosal resection, and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) are some of the new modalities that gastroenterologists have used over the last decade to diagnose and treat SEC. However, esophageal stricture (ES) is a very common complication and a major cause of morbidity post-ESD. In the past few years, there has been a tremendous effort to reduce the incidence of ES among patients undergoing ESD. Steroids have shown the most consistent results over time with minimal complications although the preferred mode of delivery is debatable, with both systemic and local therapy having pros and cons for specific subgroups of patients. Newer modalities such as esophageal stents, autologous cell sheet transplantation, polyglycolic acid, and tranilast have shown promising results but the depth of experience with these methods is still limited. We have summarized case reports, prospective single center studies, and randomized controlled trials describing the various methods intended to reduce the incidence of ES after ESD. Indications, techniques, outcomes, limitations, and reported complications are discussed.

Clostridium difficile colitis: Review of the therapeutic approach

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the leading cause of antibiotic-associated and nosocomial infectious diarrhea. Presenting as clostridium difficile colitis, it is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Metronidazole is regarded as the agent of choice for CDl therapy and also for the first recurrence in most patients with mild to moderate CDI. Vancomycin is recommended as an initial therapy for patients with severe CDI. With recent Food and Drug Administration–approval fidaxomicin is available for clinical use and is as effective as vancomycin with lower relapse rates. Rifaximin and fecal bacteriotherapy are alternative approaches in patients with severe or refractory CDI, before surgical intervention. Antibiotic research is ongoing to add potential new drugs such as teicoplanin, ramoplanin, fusidic acid, nitazoxanide, rifampin, bacitracin to our armamentarium. Role of toxin-binding agents is still questionable. Monoclonal antibody and intravenous immunoglobulin are still investigational therapies that could be promising options. The ongoing challenges in the treatment of CDI include management of recurrence and presence of resistance strains such as NAP1/BI/027, but early recognition of surgical candidates can potentially decrease mortality in CDI.