Intraductal papillary and mucinous pancreatic tumour: a new extracolonic tumour in familial adenomatous polyposis

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is characterised by the development of numerous colorectal adenomatous polyps. Other extracolonic benign or malignant lesions have been reported previously in association with FAP but precancerous lesions in the pancreas have never been described. We report the first case of intraductal papillary and mucinous pancreatic tumour (IPMT) in a patient with FAP. A 48 year old man with a well documented past history of FAP was admitted for epigastric pain, weight loss, and new onset diabetes mellitus. Spiral computed tomography scan revealed a large tumour in the pancreatic head with upstream main pancreatic duct dilatation. Endoscopic ultrasonography confirmed these data. Mucous secretion was seen at duodenoscopy and a lesion in the main pancreatic duct was confirmed by retrograde pancreatography. The patient underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy for suspected IPMT. Histological examination of the resected specimen confirmed an IPMT with in situ carcinoma. Twelve months after resection, the patient remained free of tumour relapse. Genetic analysis showed loss of the wild allele of the adenomatous polyposis coli gene in IPMT, causing inactivation of both alleles and demonstrating that IPMT was not incidental in this patient. IPMT should be included in the extracolonic localisation of FAP.

Assessment of complications of EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration

BACKGROUND

EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) permits both morphologic and cytologic analysis of lesions within or adjacent to the GI tract. Despite increasing use of this technique, the safety and overall complication rates remain poorly defined.

METHODS

During a period of 20 months, 322 consecutive patients underwent EUS-FNA in 2 centers. All procedures were performed with the patients under general anesthesia. All complications (including local complications resulting from endoscopy/aspiration or clinical complications after the procedure) were evaluated. Potential risk factors for the development of complications were also analyzed including site and nature of the lesion, presence of portal hypertension, and number of needle passes.

RESULTS

A total of 345 lesions were aspirated in 322 patients. EUS-FNA involved the pancreas in 248 cases. Pancreatic lesions included solid (134) and cystic (114) types, which required a mean of 2.5 and 1.4 needle passes, respectively. Complications were observed in 4 (1.2%) patients after aspiration of pancreatic cystic lesions (acute pancreatitis, n = 3; aspiration pneumonia, n = 1) and all cases of pancreatitis resulted from FNA of lesions in the head/uncinate process. No complications resulted from FNA of solid pancreatic lesions. Complications were not observed after FNA of lymph nodes (n = 62) and one case of aspiration pneumonia was observed after FNA of a stromal tumor. EUS-FNA was performed without complication in 16 patients (5%) with portal hypertension. The number of needle passes was not predictive of complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Because the overall risk of complications from EUS-FNA was relatively low (1.6%) with no severe or fatal incidents and although the risk appears slightly higher than that for standard EUS alone, the safety of EUS-FNA appears acceptable based on this analysis from an experienced center.

Anal carcinoma: prognostic value of endorectal ultrasound (ERUS). Results of a prospective multicenter study

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

The classification of anal carcinoma is based on the clinical examination and the estimation of the tumor height (Union Internationale Contre le Cancer (UICC) 1987 Classification). This classification has a direct therapeutic application since tumors which are designated T1 and T2 are generally treated by radiotherapy whereas T3, T4 or N+ lesions are treated by concomitant radiation and chemotherapy. The aim of this prospective multicenter study was to evaluate endorectal ultrasound (ERUS) and to define an ERUS-based classification.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between January 1994 and May 1997, 146 patients (42 men and 104 women; mean age, 63) from eight different centers were studied prospectively. The ERUS classification incorporates disease of the anal canal and the perirectal lymph nodes, thus: usT1 describes involvement of the mucosa and submucosa with sparing of the internal sphincter; usT2, involvement of the internal sphincter with sparing of the external sphincter; usT3, involvement of the external sphincter; usT4, involvement of a pelvic organ; N0 describes no suspicious perirectal lymph nodes, and N+, perirectal lymph nodes fulfilling endosonographic criteria for malignancy (e.g. round, hypoechoic). Tumors classified as UICC T1-T2 (<4cm) N0 were treated by radiotherapy alone, whereas lesions with a UICC classification of T2 (> 4 cm), T3-T4, N0-N1-2-3 received combined radiochemotherapy.

RESULTS

Data concerning the treatment and follow-up were available for 115/146 patients (78.7%). We compared the prognostic importance of the two classification schemes for treatment response and the rate of local relapse (chi-squared test). A significantly greater proportion of T1-T2N0 lesions classified by ERUS had a complete response to treatment than those classified by conventional UICC staging (94.5% vs. 80%, respectively; P = 0.008). The ERUS T and N stage were significant predictors of relapse (P=0.001 and P=0.03, respectively) whereas the corresponding clinical (UICC) stages were not (P = 0.4 and P = 0.5, respectively). Using a Cox model, usT stage was the only significant predictive factor for patient survival.

CONCLUSION

This muticenter prospective study demonstrated the superiority of ERUS-based staging over traditional clinical staging in the prediction of important outcomes such as local tumor recurrence and patient survival.

Predictive factors for regression of gastric MALT lymphoma after anti-Helicobacter pylori treatment

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Discrepant remission rates (41-100%) have been reported for patients with localised low grade gastric mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma after eradication of Helicobacter pylori. The aim of this study was to explain these discrepancies and to determine the predictive factors of gastric lymphoma regression after anti- H pylori treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty six consecutive patients with localised gastric MALT lymphoma (Ann Arbor stages I(E) and II(E)) were prospectively enrolled. All had gastric endoscopic ultrasonography and H pylori status assessment (histology, culture, polymerase chain reaction, and serology). After anti-H pylori treatment, patients were re-examined every four months.

RESULTS

Histological regression of the lymphoma was complete in 19/44 patients (43%) (two lost to follow up). Median follow up time for these 19 responders was 35 months (range 10-47). No regression was noted in the 10 H pylori negative patients. Among the 34 H pylori positive patients, the H pylori eradication rate was 100%; complete regression rate of the lymphoma increased from 56% (19/34) to 79% (19/24) when there was no nodal involvement at endoscopic ultrasonography. There was a significant difference between the response of the lymphoma restricted to the mucosa and other more deep seated lesions (p<0.006). However, using multivariate analysis, the only predictive factor of regression was the absence of nodal involvement (p<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

In H pylori positive patients with localised gastric MALT lymphoma, carefully evaluated and treated without any lymph node involvement assessed by endoscopic ultrasonography, complete remission of lymphoma was reached in 79% of cases.

Intraductal acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas

We describe a purely intraductal acinar cell carcinoma involving branch ducts of the pancreas in a 74-year-old man, which presented as recurrent episodes of acute pancreatitis. Endoscopic ultrasound examination revealed an intraductal mass bulging into the main pancreatic duct suggesting, pre-operatively, an intraductal mucinous papillary tumour. Gross examination showed several dilated branch ducts that contained haemorrhagic tumour material without any solid or true cystic formation within the pancreatic parenchyma. Using histology, a purely intraductal acinar cell carcinoma was observed, involving branch ducts only, associated with foci of carcinoma in situ in adjacent exocrine parenchyma. The main pancreatic duct was free of disease except for its communication with a cancerous branch duct. A concomitant neuroendocrine microadenoma was incidentally found during slide screening. Immunohistochemistry performed on the intraductal proliferation confirmed zymogen secretion with positive staining for alpha-1 anti-chymotrypsin and anti-trypsin and the persistence of diastase-periodic acid-Schiff positive granules in the apical pole of the tumour cells. Neuroendocrine markers were negative in the acinar cell carcinoma and positive in the neuroendocrine microadenoma. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an intraductal acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas involving branch ducts and sparing the main pancreatic duct.

Biliary varices on endoscopic ultrasonography: clinical presentation and outcome

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Bile duct varices are not a well-recognized feature of portal venous obstruction. The aim of the present study was to describe the clinical and endosonographic features of biliary involvement in patients with extrahepatic portal venous obstruction (EPVO).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted of the clinical features, outcome, and endosonographic findings (using Olympus EUM-3 or EUM-20 probes) in 21 patients with EPVO and endosonographic features of biliary varices. Biliary varices were defined as multiple, large, serpiginous, anechoic vascular channels in and/or surrounding the extrahepatic biliary tracts.

RESULTS

Biliary varices have not previously been visible using conventional imaging methods (computed tomography and ultrasonography). They were identified using EUS in the wall of the common bile duct in 16 patients (76%), surrounding the common bile duct (CBD) in 11 patients (52%), and in the gallbladder in nine (43%). The varices were the cause of obstructive jaundice in three of the 21 patients (14%), but only when they were in the wall of the CBD. Two of these patients were treated using portosystemic shunting, and the other received a biliary endoprosthesis. The EUS examination also provided evidence of unrecognized pancreatic or biliary tumors in three other patients with EPVO of undetermined origin.

CONCLUSIONS

EUS can serve to diagnose biliary varices in patients with EPVO and jaundice. Although biliary varices are mainly asymptomatic, they may cause obstructive jaundice when they are located in the wall of the CBD. EUS can also detect unrecognized malignant tumors in patients with EPVO of undetermined origin.

Rectosigmoid endometriosis: endoscopic ultrasound features and clinical implications

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

The main area of the gastrointestinal tract affected by deep pelvic endometriosis is the rectosigmoid colon in 3-37% of cases. Due to the risk of infiltration and the clinical symptoms of endometriosis, with pain and infertility, the condition may require surgical resection. Preoperative imaging diagnosis of rectosigmoid involvement is therefore important. Rectal endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), which is already used for the staging of anorectal carcinoma and submucosal lesions, may be a promising technique for this indication. The present study was conducted in order to describe the endosonographic appearance of rectosigmoid endometriosis, and to define the potential relevance of the technique to the choice of resection method.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 1993 and 1997, 46 women (mean age 31) with deep pelvic endometriosis underwent imaging investigations and surgical resection. The clinical and imaging findings, and the surgical and histological features identified--mainly with regard to infiltration of the rectal wall--were compared retrospectively. The impact of the EUS findings on the decision on whether or not to carry out resection, either by laparoscopy or open abdominal surgery, was also examined.

RESULTS

When there was deep pelvic endometriosis with suspected rectal wall infiltration, EUS showed normal anatomy in nine patients, endometriotic lesions without rectal wall infiltration in 12, and typical rectal infiltration in 25. The lesions were confirmed by the surgical findings during therapeutic laparoscopy (n = 22) and laparotomy (n = 25), as well as by clinical follow-up. Rectal wall infiltration, demonstrated in all cases using EUS, had initially been suspected on the basis of clinical examinations, rectoscopy, barium enema, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging in 62%, 50%, 33%, 67% and 66% of cases, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

EUS is a simple and noninvasive technique capable of correctly diagnosing rectal wall infiltration in deep pelvic endometriosis. It may be helpful in determining the choice between laparoscopy and laparotomy when complete resection is indicated.

Outcome after surgical resection of intraductal papillary and mucinous tumors of the pancreas

OBJECTIVE

Treatment of intraductal papillary and mucinous tumors of pancreas (IPMT) usually requires surgery. The objective of this study was to evaluate the risk of recurrence in patients after surgery according to the histological nature of the neoplasm and the type of surgery.

METHODS

The outcome of 45 patients who underwent partial pancreatectomy (n = 35) or total pancreatectomy (n = 10) for IPMT was studied according to the nature of the neoplasm (invasive carcinoma or noninvasive neoplasm), type of surgery (partial or total pancreatectomy), and lymph nodes status.

RESULTS

The overall 3-yr actuarial survival rate was 83%. Death occurred in seven of 20 (35%) patients with invasive carcinoma and in one of 26 (4%) patients with noninvasive tumors (p<0.05). There were two recurrences in the seven patients with noninvasive neoplasm who underwent partial pancreatectomy with involved resection margins, and none in the 13 patients with disease-free margins. In patients with invasive carcinoma, there was one recurrence after total pancreatectomy, six after partial pancreatectomy with disease-free margins and six after partial pancreatectomy with involved margins. In patients with invasive carcinoma, total pancreatectomy and the absence of lymph nodes involvement were independently associated with a low risk of recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

IPMT may be managed as follows: 1) in patients with noninvasive neoplasms, partial pancreatic resection should be guided by frozen section examination until disease-free margins are obtained; and 2) in patients with invasive carcinoma, total pancreatectomy seems most likely to cure the patient, but should be discussed according to the general status and the age.

Value of endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration biopsy in the diagnosis of solid pancreatic masses

AIM

To assess the feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle biopsy (EUS-FNAB) in patients with solid pancreatic masses.

METHODS

Ninety nine consecutive patients with pancreatic masses were studied. Histological findings obtained by EUS-FNAB were compared with the final diagnosis assessed by surgery, biopsy of other tumour site or at postmortem examination, or by using a combination of clinical course, imaging features, and tumour markers.

RESULTS

EUS-FNAB was feasible in 90 patients (adenocarcinomas, n = 59; neuroendocrine tumours, n = 15; various neoplasms, n = 6; pancreatitis, n = 10), and analysable material was obtained in 73. Tumour size (>/= or < 25 mm in diameter) did not influence the ability to obtain informative biopsy samples. Diagnostic accuracy was 74.4% (adenocarcinomas, 81.4%; neuroendocrine tumours, 46.7%; other lesions, 75%; p<0.02). Overall, the diagnostic yield in all 99 patients was 68%. Successful biopsies were performed in six patients with portal hypertension. Minor complications (moderate bleeding or pain) occurred in 5% of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

EUS-FNAB is a useful and safe method for the investigation of pancreatic masses, with a high feasibility rate even when lesions are small. Overall diagnostic accuracy of EUS-FNAB seems to depend on the tumour type.

Endosonographic features predictive of benign and malignant gastrointestinal stromal cell tumours

BACKGROUND/AIM

Some endoscopic ultrasonographic (EUS) features have been reported to be suggestive of malignancy in gastrointestinal stromal cell tumours (SCTs). The aim of this study was to assess the predictive value of these features for malignancy.

METHODS

A total of 56 histologically proven cases of SCT studied by EUS between 1989 and 1996 were reviewed. There were 42 gastric tumours, 12 oesophageal tumours, and two rectal tumours. The tumours were divided into two groups: (a) benign SCT, comprising benign leiomyoma (n = 34); (b) malignant or borderline SCT (n = 22), comprising leiomyosarcoma (n = 9), leiomyoblastoma (n = 9), and leiomyoma of uncertain malignant potential (n = 4). The main EUS features recorded were tumour size, ulceration, echo pattern, cystic spaces, extraluminal margins, and lymph nodes with a malignant pattern. The two groups were compared by univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Irregular extraluminal margins, cystic spaces, and lymph nodes with a malignant pattern were most predictive of malignant or borderline SCT. Pairwise combinations of the three features had a specificity and positive predictive value of 100% for malignant or borderline SCT, but a sensitivity of only 23%. The presence of at least one of these three criteria had 91% sensitivity, 88% specificity, and 83% predictive positive value. In multivariate analysis, cystic spaces and irregular margins were the only two features independently predictive of malignant potential. The features most predictive of benign SCTs were regular margins, tumour size < or = 30 mm, and a homogeneous echo pattern. When the three features were combined, histology confirmed a benign SCT in all cases.

CONCLUSIONS

The combined presence of two out of three EUS features (irregular extraluminal margins, cystic spaces, and lymph nodes with a malignant pattern) had a positive predictive value of 100% for malignant or borderline gastrointestinal SCT. Tumours less than 30 mm in diameter with regular margins and a homogeneous echo pattern are usually benign.

[Anorectal echo-endoscopy: applications in pediatrics]

PEDIATRIC INDICATIONS: Anorectal echoendoscopy is widely used in adults for the pretreatment work-up of rectal cancer and for the exploration of fecal incontinence. It can also be useful in the pediatric setting as recently described with rotative or linear heads. The exploration can be performed after an evacuating enema or if needed after giving a neuroleptanalgesic. The anorecal walls and neighboring areas-bladder, genital organs, perirectal spaces, vessels-can be explored. The ultrasonographic aspect of the walls is similar to that described in adults although less thick, particularly at the level of the anus sphincters. Signs of defects, abscesses and fistulizations are the same as in adults. BOWEL DISORDERS AND INCONTINENCE: Echoendoscopy can characterize rare subepithelial tumors of the rectum and vascular anomalies, but its main interest is for the exploration of bowel disorders and incontinence, particularly after surgical treatment for anorectal malformations. The quality of the muscular tissue and the quality of the surgical repair can be assessed before deciding on the need for a second operation. In this context, anorectal echoendoscopy can also disclose Hirschsprung's disease and other forms of idiopathic megarectum, including certain types with major thickening of the internal sphincter. It can also detect defects induced by prior disimpaction maneuvers. A NONINVASIVE EXAM: Anorectal echoendoscopy is a promising exploration technique in pediatric gastroenterology. Descriptions of the sphincters and anorectal anatomy are very precise and descriptions of functional disorders, whether primary or secondary to surgery, can be quite helpful for guiding subsequent management.

[Granular cell tumor of the common bile duct. Contribution of endoscopic ultrasonography in 2 cases]

We report two cases of granular cell tumors involving the common bile duct in patients presenting with obstructive jaundice. Pre-operative endoscopic ultrasonography showed short asymmetric stricture with small well delimited hypoechoic mass in the distal common bile duct wall and proximal dilatation. These tumors were misdiagnosed as a bile duct carcinoma in one case and biliary metastasis of a melanoma in the other. Histological examination of the resected specimen showed granular cell tumors. A review of the previously reported cases shows that preoperative diagnosis is uncommon. It should be considered when endoscopic ultrasonography performed for biliary obstruction in a young woman shows a small and well limited hypoechoic mass.

Imaging and staging of bilio-pancreatic tumours: role of endoscopic and intraductal ultrasonography and guided cytology

The promotion and development of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) should be pursued and accelerated in specialist centres involved in the management of bilio-pancreatic diseases. In trained hands, and for resectable patients, EUS is the gold standard of the imaging of tumours of the pancreas and extra-hepatic bile ducts, either for diagnostic purposes or loco-regional extension assessment. Thus, it complements ultrasonography, spiral CT or MRI but comes before ERCP which should be avoided as far as possible in resectable patients. The possibility of obtaining histology without risk of seeding with a diagnostic accuracy greater than 90% both for tumours and nodes, constitutes a significant advance in the management of pancreatic tumours.