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van der Does de Willebois EML, Sari C, Mookhoek A, Joustra V, van Dieren S, D'Haens GR, Bemelman WA, Buskens CJ. The Clinical Relevance of an Inflamed Appendix in Crohn's Disease. J Crohns Colitis 2024; 18:812-817. [PMID: 38039348 PMCID: PMC11147793 DOI: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjad202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS An appendectomy for appendiceal inflammation has been suggested to ameliorate the clinical course of patients with ulcerative colitis [UC]. In contrast, for Crohn's disease [CD] an inverse association has been suggested with a higher incidence of CD and worse prognosis after appendectomy. The aim of this study was to analyse the clinical relevance of an inflamed appendix in CD patients undergoing ileocaecal resection [ICR]. METHODS All consecutive patients undergoing primary ICR between 2007 and 2018 were considered for inclusion. Microscopic data of available appendiceal resection specimens [n = 99] were revised by a dedicated inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] pathologist and scored as inflamed or not inflamed. Eighteen patients had a previous appendectomy. Pathological findings were correlated with disease characteristics and recurrence rates [clinical, endoscopic, and intervention-related]. RESULTS In total 117 patients were included, 77 [65.8%] females, with a median age of 30 years (interquartile range [IQR] 24-43), and a median follow up of 102 months [IQR 76-114]. Of patients without previous appendectomy [n = 99], 39% had an inflamed appendix. No significant differences in disease characteristics [eg, disease location, behaviour, time to surgery] or prognosis could be demonstrated between the two groups. In contrast, previous appendectomy [n = 18] was associated with penetrating disease and numerically shorter disease duration at the time of resection. Furthermore, a trend was seen towards a stronger association with postoperative recurrence. CONCLUSION The current study could not confirm a different prognosis for CD patients with and without an inflamed appendix. In contrast, in patients with a previous appendectomy, a trend was seen towards increased postoperative recurrence, which might be related to the higher incidence of penetrating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cagla Sari
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Center, AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Aart Mookhoek
- Institute of Tissue Medicine and Pathology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Vincent Joustra
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Susan van Dieren
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Center, AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Geert R D'Haens
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Willem A Bemelman
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Center, AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Christianne J Buskens
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Center, AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Radmard AR, Amouei M, Torabi A, Sima AR, Saffar H, Geahchan A, Davarpanah AH, Taouli B. MR Enterography in Ulcerative Colitis: Beyond Endoscopy. Radiographics 2024; 44:e230131. [PMID: 38127661 DOI: 10.1148/rg.230131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that progressively affects mucosa and submuccosa of the colon and rectum in a continual pattern. In comparison, Crohn disease (CD), the other type of IBD, is a chronic transmural inflammatory disorder that can involve any part of the gastrointestinal tract. MR enterography (MRE) has emerged as an important imaging modality for the diagnosis and detection of disease activity and complications in CD, with comparable results to those of endoscopy. But MRE has been underused for assessment of UC in recent years, and clinicians heavily rely on endoscopic findings for management of UC. Despite UC being considered an endoscopically assessable disease, MRE can provide useful information beyond that obtained with endoscopy about mural or extramural abnormalities, inaccessible parts of the colonic lumen, associated extraintestinal diseases, and superimposed pathologic conditions. Moreover, endoscopy might be contraindicated in some clinical settings due to the risk of colonic perforation. In addition to depicting the features of UC activity in different phases, MRE demonstrates findings of disease chronicity that cannot be achieved with endoscopy, particularly in a patient with colitis of unknown cause. The valuable diagnostic role of MRE to exclude undiagnosed CD in patients with UC who have refractory disease or those with postproctocolectomy complications is also emphasized. Radiologists can play a crucial role in the management of UC with MRE by addressing what is beyond endoscopy. ©RSNA, 2023 Test Your Knowledge questions are available in the supplemental material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Reza Radmard
- From the Departments of Radiology (A.R.R., M.A., A.T.) and Pathology (H.S.), Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, North Kargar St, Tehran 14117, Iran; Advanced Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Research Center (ADIR), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran (A.R.R., M.A., A.T.); Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran (A.R.S.); Sasan Alborz Biomedical Research Center, Masoud Gastroenterology and Hepatology Center, Tehran, Iran (A.R.S.); Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY (A.G., B.T.); Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY (A.G., B.T.); and Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Ga (A.H.D.)
| | - Mehrnam Amouei
- From the Departments of Radiology (A.R.R., M.A., A.T.) and Pathology (H.S.), Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, North Kargar St, Tehran 14117, Iran; Advanced Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Research Center (ADIR), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran (A.R.R., M.A., A.T.); Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran (A.R.S.); Sasan Alborz Biomedical Research Center, Masoud Gastroenterology and Hepatology Center, Tehran, Iran (A.R.S.); Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY (A.G., B.T.); Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY (A.G., B.T.); and Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Ga (A.H.D.)
| | - Ala Torabi
- From the Departments of Radiology (A.R.R., M.A., A.T.) and Pathology (H.S.), Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, North Kargar St, Tehran 14117, Iran; Advanced Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Research Center (ADIR), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran (A.R.R., M.A., A.T.); Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran (A.R.S.); Sasan Alborz Biomedical Research Center, Masoud Gastroenterology and Hepatology Center, Tehran, Iran (A.R.S.); Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY (A.G., B.T.); Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY (A.G., B.T.); and Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Ga (A.H.D.)
| | - Ali Reza Sima
- From the Departments of Radiology (A.R.R., M.A., A.T.) and Pathology (H.S.), Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, North Kargar St, Tehran 14117, Iran; Advanced Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Research Center (ADIR), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran (A.R.R., M.A., A.T.); Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran (A.R.S.); Sasan Alborz Biomedical Research Center, Masoud Gastroenterology and Hepatology Center, Tehran, Iran (A.R.S.); Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY (A.G., B.T.); Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY (A.G., B.T.); and Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Ga (A.H.D.)
| | - Hiva Saffar
- From the Departments of Radiology (A.R.R., M.A., A.T.) and Pathology (H.S.), Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, North Kargar St, Tehran 14117, Iran; Advanced Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Research Center (ADIR), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran (A.R.R., M.A., A.T.); Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran (A.R.S.); Sasan Alborz Biomedical Research Center, Masoud Gastroenterology and Hepatology Center, Tehran, Iran (A.R.S.); Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY (A.G., B.T.); Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY (A.G., B.T.); and Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Ga (A.H.D.)
| | - Amine Geahchan
- From the Departments of Radiology (A.R.R., M.A., A.T.) and Pathology (H.S.), Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, North Kargar St, Tehran 14117, Iran; Advanced Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Research Center (ADIR), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran (A.R.R., M.A., A.T.); Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran (A.R.S.); Sasan Alborz Biomedical Research Center, Masoud Gastroenterology and Hepatology Center, Tehran, Iran (A.R.S.); Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY (A.G., B.T.); Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY (A.G., B.T.); and Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Ga (A.H.D.)
| | - Amir H Davarpanah
- From the Departments of Radiology (A.R.R., M.A., A.T.) and Pathology (H.S.), Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, North Kargar St, Tehran 14117, Iran; Advanced Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Research Center (ADIR), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran (A.R.R., M.A., A.T.); Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran (A.R.S.); Sasan Alborz Biomedical Research Center, Masoud Gastroenterology and Hepatology Center, Tehran, Iran (A.R.S.); Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY (A.G., B.T.); Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY (A.G., B.T.); and Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Ga (A.H.D.)
| | - Bachir Taouli
- From the Departments of Radiology (A.R.R., M.A., A.T.) and Pathology (H.S.), Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, North Kargar St, Tehran 14117, Iran; Advanced Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Research Center (ADIR), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran (A.R.R., M.A., A.T.); Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran (A.R.S.); Sasan Alborz Biomedical Research Center, Masoud Gastroenterology and Hepatology Center, Tehran, Iran (A.R.S.); Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY (A.G., B.T.); Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY (A.G., B.T.); and Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Ga (A.H.D.)
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Agrawal M, Allin KH, Mehandru S, Faith J, Jess T, Colombel JF. The appendix and ulcerative colitis - an unsolved connection. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 20:615-624. [PMID: 37081213 PMCID: PMC10527463 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-023-00774-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
The appendix is thought to have a role in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis, but the nature and basis of this association remains unclear. In this Perspective, we consider the biology of the appendix with respect to its immunological function and the microbiome, and how this relates to evidence that supports the involvement of the appendix in ulcerative colitis. In experimental models, removal of the inflamed appendix prevents colitis, and in human observational studies, appendectomy is associated with protection against ulcerative colitis. Further, among people who develop ulcerative colitis, appendectomy before diagnosis might influence the course and outcomes of the disease - some evidence suggests that it protects against colectomy but could increase the risk of colorectal cancer. Appendectomy after onset of ulcerative colitis seems to have disparate consequences. Clinical trials to understand whether appendectomy has a role in the treatment of ulcerative colitis are ongoing. Major questions about the role of the appendix in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis remain unanswered, and further research is needed to establish whether the connection is clinically relevant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manasi Agrawal
- The Henry D. Janowitz Division of Gastroenterology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Center for Molecular Prediction of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Kristine H Allin
- Center for Molecular Prediction of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Saurabh Mehandru
- The Henry D. Janowitz Division of Gastroenterology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jeremiah Faith
- Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tine Jess
- Center for Molecular Prediction of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Jean-Frederic Colombel
- The Henry D. Janowitz Division of Gastroenterology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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Reijntjes MA, de Voogd FAE, Bemelman WA, Hompes R, d'Haens G, Buskens CJ, Gecse KB. Intestinal ultrasound detects an increased diameter and submucosal layer thickness in the appendix of patients with ulcerative colitis compared to healthy controls - a prospective cohort study. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2023; 57:127-135. [PMID: 36320148 PMCID: PMC10092200 DOI: 10.1111/apt.17267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing evidence suggests that appendicectomy as alternative treatment for ulcerative colitis (UC), especially in patients with histopathological appendiceal inflammation. Intestinal ultrasound (IUS) is a non-invasive diagnostic modality to characterise appendiceal inflammation. AIMS To assess appendiceal IUS characteristics in UC patients and compare findings to healthy controls (HC). METHODS In this prospective study, appendiceal IUS was performed in consecutive UC patients with active (A; n = 35) or quiescent (Q; n = 30) disease and in HC (n = 30). Transverse appendiceal diameter (TAD) and additional IUS parameters (bowel wall thickness, submucosal layer thickness and colour Doppler signal) were assessed. RESULTS The appendix was visualised in 41/65 UC patients (63.1%; A vs. Q: 23/35 vs. 18/30, p = 0.67) and 18/30 (60%) HC. UC patients had a higher TAD (A: 5.5 mm, Q: 5.0 mm, HC: 4.3 mm; A-HC p < 0.01; Q-HC p = 0.01, A-Q p = ns) and submucosal layer thickness (A: 1.0 mm, Q: 1.0 mm, HC: 0.7 mm; A-HC p < 0.01, Q-HC: p = 0.01, A-Q: p = ns) when compared to HC. A TAD ≥6 mm corresponding to an ultrasonographic suspicion of acute appendicitis was mainly reported in A-UC patients (A: 43%; Q: 6%; HC: 0%, p = 0.01) and occurred irrespective of disease extent. However, none of the patients had a clinical suspicion of acute appendicitis. CONCLUSION A TAD ≥6 mm was predominantly seen in A-UC. TAD was higher in UC patients compared to HC irrespective of disease activity and was characterised by an increased submucosal layer thickness. IUS therefore has the potential to identify UC patients with appendiceal inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maud A Reijntjes
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Floris A E de Voogd
- Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Willem A Bemelman
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,IBD Unit, Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, IRCCS Ospedale san Raffaele and University Vita-Salute San Raffaele Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Roel Hompes
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Geert d'Haens
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Krisztina B Gecse
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Reijntjes MA, Heuthorst L, Gecse K, Mookhoek A, Bemelman WA, Buskens CJ. Clinical relevance of endoscopic peri-appendiceal red patch in ulcerative colitis patients. Therap Adv Gastroenterol 2022; 15:17562848221098849. [PMID: 35784194 PMCID: PMC9244917 DOI: 10.1177/17562848221098849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing evidence is suggesting appendectomy as an alternative treatment for ulcerative colitis (UC), especially in case of histological appendiceal inflammation. Therefore, preoperative identification of appendiceal inflammation could be beneficial. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of peri-appendiceal red patch (PARP) on colonoscopy. In addition, prognostic relevance of PARP for disease course and its predictive value for histological appendiceal inflammation in patients undergoing appendectomy was assessed. METHODS UC patients undergoing colonoscopy in 2014/2015 were included to determine PARP-prevalence in a cross-sectional study. Findings were correlated to patient and disease characteristics, upscaling of treatment and colectomy rates after cross-sectional colonoscopy. In patients undergoing appendiceal resection, histopathological inflammation was assessed using the Robarts Histopathology Index (RHI). RESULTS In total, 249 patients were included of which 17.7% (44/249) had a PARP. Patients with PARP were significantly younger with a shorter disease course. The majority of patients with PARP (61.4%) was in endoscopic remission. Patients with PARP required more upscaling of medical therapy (81.8% vs. 58.0%, p < 0.01), and more PARP patients underwent colectomy (13.6% vs. 4.9%, p = 0.04). Patients with PARP had a higher median RHI in resection specimens (14 vs. 7, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION PARP was present during colonoscopy regardless disease activity and was predominantly found in UC patients with younger age and shorter disease duration. PARP patients had a more severe course of UC, and in case of appendectomy, more severe histopathological appendiceal inflammation. Appendectomy as an experimental therapy for UC has been suggested to be predominantly effective in UC patients with appendiceal inflammation. This study demonstrates that presence of a PARP on colonoscopy predicts appendiceal inflammation. After consensus has been reached on the therapeutic effect of appendectomy, assessing PARP presence during colonoscopy could therefore contribute to identifying patients most likely to respond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maud A. Reijntjes
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lianne Heuthorst
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Krisztina Gecse
- Department of Gastroenterology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Aart Mookhoek
- Institute of Pathology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Willem A. Bemelman
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands,IBD Unit, Gastroenterology and Endoscopy, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milano, Italy
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