The utility and the safety of EUS-guided FNA in the evaluation of duplication cysts

Comparison of Endoscopic Ultrasound and CT Scan in the Diagnosis of Esophageal Duplication Cysts

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Esophageal duplication cysts (EDCs) are rare congenital malformations, often discovered incidentally during endoscopy or on computed tomography (CT) scans. The role of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and CT scan in the diagnosis of these lesions and indications for surgical treatment are underreported. The aim of this study was to investigate these topics in a cohort of patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 2001 and October 2020, 82 patients had a suspicion of esophageal duplication cyst on endoscopic ultrasound. Thirty four of these patients were referred for surgical enucleation of the lesion, but three patients were lost to follow-up. At the end, 31 patients, who underwent surgical treatment for their suspected EDC were included in this study. Clinical features, EUS findings, CT images, surgical treatment, and outcome were collected from hospital health records. CT images were re-evaluated by a chest radiologist. Type of surgery, surgical complications, and final histological diagnosis were reported.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

The patients referred for surgery were younger (p = 0.0001) and had larger lesions (> 2 cm; p = 0.005) than the patients who had non-operative follow-up. From thirty-one operated patients, eighteen (58%) had post-operative histological diagnosis of duplication cyst. On EUS the final histological diagnosis was correct in 58% (18/31) of all the operated cases and on CT scan 57% (17/30). CT scan misdiagnosed three of the EDCs but found two leiomyomas correctly. None of these patients developed malignancy. According to this study, neither EUS without fine-needle biopsy nor CT scan alone can differentiate EDCs from other mediastinal masses.

Role of esophageal ultrasound with a bronchoscope (EUS-B) with fine needle aspiration in the diagnosis of mediastinal Bronchogenic cyst

A 12-year-old adolescent boy presented with complaints of persisting dry cough and exertional dyspnea. A CT chest revealed a cystic lesion posterior to the trachea and a flexible bronchoscopy revealed extrinsic compression of the posterior trachea and partial obstruction of the left main bronchus. He underwent an Endoscopic Ultrasound with a Bronchoscope. A Hypoechoic cystic lesion was seen just in front of the esophagus. Fine needle aspiration yielded thick mucoid aspirate and cytology revealed ciliated columnar epithelium, confirming the diagnosis of a Bronchogenic cyst.

The Utility of Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) Biopsy in the Diagnosis of Mediastinal Lesions

Fine needle aspiration is a minimally invasive, low-morbidity, and cost-efficient technique for the sampling of mediastinal lesions. Additionally, ancillary testing on FNA samples can be used for the refinement of diagnoses and for treatment-related purposes (flow cytometry, cytogenetics, immunohistochemistry, and molecular diagnostics). Mediastinal lesions, however, can show a variety of lineages and morphologic features, giving rise to diagnostic dilemmas. As a result, the differential diagnosis can vary widely and becomes especially challenging due to the smaller sample size on FNA and the variability in component sampling. For appropriate patient management and to determine the correct treatment strategies, accurate pathologic diagnoses are paramount. In this review, we present the cytomorphologic features together with the immunophenotypic findings of mediastinal lesions, with emphasis on the diagnostic challenges and pitfalls in FNA cytology samples, including smears and cell block sections.

A case report of contrast-enhanced harmonic ultrasonography for the diagnosis of an esophageal duplication cyst

A 54-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of a suspected esophageal submucosal tumor on upper gastrointestinal radiography. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a 52 mm homogeneous mass attached to the lower thoracic esophagus. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed a 50 mm submucosal tumor in the lower esophagus, and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) showed a continuous hypoechoic lesion in the esophageal muscularis propria. Contrast-enhanced harmonic EUS revealed a non-echogenic area. T1 and T2 magnetic resonance imaging revealed a high-signal lesion. Based on imaging studies, an esophageal duplication cyst was diagnosed. Although asymptomatic, the patient underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery because of the possibility of rupture and the appearance of symptoms due to a future infection or enlargement, although this was not noted before. In our case, the esophageal duplication cyst appeared as a hypoechoic mass, requiring differentiation from submucosal tumor other than the cyst. Histologically, the cyst was covered by two layers of muscle covered by the chorioepithelial columnar epithelium. EUS fine-needle aspiration is effective in diagnosing submucosal tumor but also carries the risk of infection. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography was used in this case to observe the interior and reach a preoperative diagnosis. Contrast-enhanced harmonic EUS appears to be effective in examining the interior of submucosal tumor lesions noninvasively.

Streptococcus pyogenes infection of a mediastinal cyst after endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration

Mediastinal masses are uncommon and difficult to diagnose. Endoscopic ultrasound with fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is a minimally invasive technique for diagnosis of mediastinal lesions with few complications. Our report described a mediastinal bronchogenic cyst with soft tissue density infected by Streptococcus pyogenes (S. pyogenes) after EUS-FNA, accompanied by respiratory cardiac arrest and superior vena cava syndrome. The patient underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation to gain the chance for emergency surgery and recovered. Clinicians should be aware that mediastinal mass with soft tissue density shown on imaging may be mediastinal cyst containing high density mucin, FNA should be avoided if cystic masses cannot be ruled out.

Gastric duplication cyst: a challenging EUS differential diagnosis between subepithelial gastric lesion and exophytic pancreatic cystic neoplasm-a case report and a literature review

Gastric duplication cysts are rare congenital malformation with a potential neoplastic progression and they may represent a challenge in differential diagnosis with exophytic pancreatic cyst neoplasm. We describe a case of a 38-year old man, complaining of recurrent epigastric pain due to a large abdominal mass, referred to our Hospital for EUS evaluation. Differential diagnosis was between gastric duplication cyst and exophytic pancreatic cyst because of FNA pointed out amylase 1280 UI/L and CEA 593.33 ng/mL. Despite antibiotic prophylaxis, an overinfection of the lesion occurred after the FNA, likely due to the technical failure to drain the cyst completely. Afterwards, the patient was referred to surgery and the pathologist confirmed the diagnosis of gastric duplication cyst. In this setting, EUS procedure has gained a leading play, complementary to traditional imaging tests, although its role has been not yet standardized in the reported literature. Here, we describe and discuss our demanding case, and we propose an algorithm to simplify and standardize the diagnostic workup.

Gastrointestinal duplication cysts: what a radiologist needs to know

Gastrointestinal tract duplication cysts are rare congenital malformations which can be diagnosed as early as the prenatal period but are frequently found in infancy or incidentally in adulthood. They can be seen throughout the alimentary tract with the most common involving the distal ileum and second most common the esophagus. Many duplication cysts are asymptomatic and thus discovered as an incidental imaging finding, though they can also be symptomatic with an array of clinical presentations dependent largely on their location. The vast majority of duplication cysts are benign; however, there are rare instances of malignant transformation reported. The aim of this review is to show how multimodality imaging can help in the diagnosis of duplication cysts at various anatomical locations. Duplication cyst can become symptomatic and in rare cases undergo malignant transformation; therefore, they are typically managed with surgical excision, particularly if found prenatally or during infancy. Given the diversity of anatomic locations, multiple differential diagnoses, and the need for surgical intervention, it is valuable to comprehend the role of multimodality imaging role in diagnosing duplication cysts.

The Endoscopy Patient as a Vector and Victim

Patient and procedural factors can increase the risk of infectious adverse events during endoscopy. Prophylactic antibiotic use must be judicious and individualized in the era of antibiotic resistance. New and emerging procedures require high-quality studies to elucidate appropriate risk profiles.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis Is Not Required for Endoscopic Ultrasonography-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration of Pancreatic Cystic Lesions, Based on a Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Guidelines recommend routine antibiotic prophylaxis for patients undergoing endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) of pancreatic cysts, but there is conflicting evidence for its necessity. We investigated whether performing the procedure without antimicrobial prophylaxis increases the incidence of infection.

METHODS

We performed a multicenter, randomized, noninferiority trial to compare prophylaxis with ciprofloxacin vs placebo in patients with a pancreatic cyst requiring EUS-FNA at multiple centers in Spain. From September 2014 to June 2018, patients were randomly assigned to groups that received the prophylaxis with ciprofloxacin (n = 112) or saline solution (n = 114, placebo). We recorded patients' demographic data, lesion characteristics, and procedure data and followed patients for 21 days. A total of 205 patients completed the trial (90.7%), receiving ciprofloxacin or the control, with no statistically significant differences in demographics, baseline data, or procedure characteristics between groups. The primary outcome was FNA-related infection. Secondary outcomes were incidence of fever, procedure complications, and medication-related adverse events.

RESULTS

The only case of FNA-related infection (0.44%) occurred in a patient in the placebo group (0.87%); this patient developed acute pancreatitis and bacteremia after the procedure. Prevention of infection was not inferior in the control group; the difference between proportions was 0.87% (95% confidence interval, -0.84% to 2.59%). There were no differences between groups in fever (2 patients in each group: 1.78% vs 1.76%; P = 1.00) or other adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

In a randomized trial of patients undergoing EUS-FNA for pancreatic cyst evaluation, we found the risk of infection to be low. The incidence of infections did not differ significantly with vs without ciprofloxacin prophylaxis. (ClinicalTrials.gov, Number: NCT02261896).

Bronchogenic cyst of the stomach: A case report

BACKGROUND

Gastric bronchogenic cysts (BCs) are extremely rare cystic masses caused by abnormal development of the respiratory system during the embryonic period. Gastric bronchial cysts are rare lesions first reported in 1956; as of 2019, only 37 cases are available in the MEDLINE/PubMed online databases. BCs usually have no clinical symptoms in the early stage, and their imaging findings also lack specificity. Therefore, they are difficult to diagnose before histopathological examination.

CASE SUMMARY

A 55-year-old woman presented at our hospital with intermittent epigastric pain. She had a slightly high level of serum carbohydrate antigen 72-4 (CA 72-4). Endoscopic ultrasound found that a cystic mass originated from the submucosa of the posterior gastric wall near the cardia, indicating a diagnosis of cystic hygroma of the stomach. Furthermore, a computed tomography scan demonstrated a quasi-circular cystic mass closely related to the lesser curvature of the gastric fundus with a low density. Because the imaging examinations did not suggest a malignancy and the patient required complete resection, she underwent laparoscopic surgery. As an intraoperative finding, this cystic lesion was located in the posterior wall of the fundus and contained some yellow viscous liquid. Finally, the pathologists verified that the cyst in the fundus was a gastric BC. The patient recovered well with normal CA 72-4 levels, and her course was uneventful at 10 mo.

CONCLUSION

This is a valuable report as it describes an extremely rare case of gastric BC. Moreover, this is the first case of BC to present with elevated CA 72-4 levels.

Application of endoscopic ultrasound-guided-fine needle aspiration combined with cyst fluid analysis for the diagnosis of mediastinal cystic lesions

BACKGROUND

Mediastinal cystic lesions account for approximately 15-20% of all mediastinal masses and are difficult to differentiate because of similar imaging manifestation. The aim of this study was to differentiate mediastinum cystic lesions through endoscopic ultrasound-guided-fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) and parameters from cyst-fluid analysis.

METHODS

Over a period of eight years, 37 patients suspected with mediastinal cystic lesions were assessed. Cyst fluid was collected via EUS-FNA and further examined using cytological and biochemical techniques. Definitive diagnosis was established based on cytology, surgical pathology, and/or clinical follow-up.

RESULTS

Based on the final pathological reports or long-term follow-up, 19 patients were diagnosed with benign cysts, 14 with benign or malignant tumors, 2 with tuberculosis, 1 with an abscess, and 1 with a pancreatic pseudocyst. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging mistakenly distinguished eight cases as solid masses (27.03%), but EUS revealed cystic characteristics. Carcinoembryonic antigen and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were evaluated from the cyst fluid obtained by EUS-FNA. There was no statistically significant difference in carcinoembryonic antigen values between benign and malignant cysts; however the average LDH value in the malignancy group was significantly higher than in the benign group.

CONCLUSION

EUS-FNA showed great potential for differentiating mediastinal lesions by combining imaging manifestation and cytological examination. The elevated LDH value from cyst fluid chemical analysis could be used as an auxiliary indicator for diagnosing malignancy.

Adult gastric duplication: an unknown condition within the spectrum of gastric submucosal lesions

BACKGROUND

Gastric duplication is an uncommon condition in adults representing only 4-8% of all gastrointestinal duplications. It develops as a cystic growth within the thick gastric wall that is surrounded by a layer of smooth muscle and lined with gastric mucosa. It is usually asymptomatic but may present with nonspecific abdominal symptoms as well as cyst-related complications such as gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, ulceration and even pancreatitis. They are difficult to distinguish from other gastric submucosal lesions and may also mimic a gastrointestinal tumor (GIST) or mucinous cyst of the pancreas. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is the most widely used diagnostic procedure and histology provides a definitive diagnosis.

CASE REPORT

We report the case of a 36-year-old female patient with a history of a "contained" perforated gastric ulcer that was managed conservatively. The patient was diagnosed with a gastric GIST which prompted a laparoscopic subtotal gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y reconstruction with a good postoperative outcome.

DISCUSSION

The definitive histological diagnosis was gastric duplication. Thus, the previous diagnosis of a "contained" perforated gastric ulcer was in fact a complication of the gastric duplication itself.

Severe Infectious Complications after Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration of Suspected Mediastinal Duplication Cysts: A Case Series

Background and Study Aims

The role of cyst cytology to diagnose mediastinal duplication cysts remains controversial. Since endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) of duplication cysts has been considered as safe so far, there are only a few case reports of infections following FNA.

Case Summary

We report a case series of all patients at our institution undergoing EUS evaluation for suspected mediastinal duplication cysts (n = 5) in the last 15 years. The mediastinal lesion in 4 patients did not feature typical EUS features for duplication cysts, wherefore we did perform EUS-guided FNA in order to rule out malignancy. In 3 out of 4 patients, a duplication cyst was confirmed. The fourth lesion turned out to be a sarcoma. All 4 patients developed severe FNA-induced cyst infection causing mediastinitis and the need for surgical debridement. Despite an immediate review of the FNA by the on-site cytopathologist with establishing the diagnosis of a duplication cyst, peri-interventional broad-spectrum antibiotics could not prevent severe infections of the lesions.

Conclusions

Given the potentially high rate of infectious complications, we advocate a very restrictive indication for diagnostic FNA in mediastinal masses. Yet, in unclear cases, FNA might be indispensable despite the potential adverse events in order to rule out hypoechogenic, mediastinal malignancy.

Efficacy and Safety of Transbronchial Needle Aspiration in Diagnosis and Treatment of Mediastinal Bronchogenic Cysts: Systematic Review of Case Reports

BACKGROUND

Although surgical resection of mediastinal bronchogenic cysts is considered the treatment of choice, there is increasing interest in minimally invasive approaches of management. The purpose of this study was to review the literature on the role of transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA), either conventional or endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)-guided, in the diagnosis and management of bronchogenic cysts.

METHODS

We systematically searched the PubMed and EmBase databases for studies (until July 2014) reporting TBNA of bronchogenic cysts. Data were recorded on a standard data extraction form and is presented in a descriptive manner.

RESULTS

Our search yielded 26 studies (32 patients). The median age of the patients was 43 years. Most were men (n=15), symptomatic at presentation (n=19), and had cysts in the paratracheal location (n=14). Endosonography was performed on 16 patients. The EBUS appearance of the lesion was hypoechoic and anechoic in 11 and 5 patients, respectively. Thirty-one patients underwent TBNA (conventional: 16; EBUS-guided: 15). The intent of TBNA was therapeutic in 19 patients and diagnostic or symptomatic palliation in the others. Complications were reported in 5 (16.1%) patients [infective (n=4), bradycardia (n=1)] after TBNA; there were no deaths. The median duration of follow-up was 14 months and no recurrences were detected during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

Bronchoscopy is a useful tool in the diagnosis of bronchogenic cysts, both for confirmation of the cystic nature of the lesion by EBUS and diagnosis by TBNA (preferably EBUS-guided) of the cyst fluid. Therapeutic aspiration of the cyst may be an alternative to surgery in adults with mediastinal bronchogenic cysts.

Gastric bronchogenic cysts: A case report and literature review

Gastric bronchogenic cysts are rare lesions, first described in 1956, with only 34 cases reported in the literature to date. The present study described a case of bronchogenic cyst of the stomach in a 17-year-old female who presented with periodic epigastric pain. In addition, the study analyzed the existing literature on these lesions. Gastric bronchogenic cysts are more common in females (female:male ratio, 21:14) and the median age of their development is 43 years. In total, 48.57% of the 34 previously reported cases were identified incidentally, and the remainder presented mainly with epigastric pain. Cyst sizes varied between 1.7 and 15 cm. In 3 cases, preoperative diagnosis was performed using needle biopsy, whereas several studies were initially misdiagnosed as stromal tumors. In 85% of the cases (31/35), cyst resection was performed, with laparoscopy used in 4 of the cases. The findings of the present study and literature review suggested that bronchogenic cysts of the stomach are rare, and surgical resection is warranted to treat symptoms and prevent malignant transformation.

Duplication cysts: Diagnosis, management, and the role of endoscopic ultrasound

Gastrointestinal tract duplication cysts are rare congenital gastrointestinal malformation in young patients and adults. They consist of foregut duplication cysts, small bowel duplication cysts, and large bowel duplication cysts. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has been widely used as a modality for the evaluation and diagnosis of duplication cysts. EUS is the diagnostic tool of choice to investigate duplication cysts since it can distinguish between solid and cystic lesions. The question of whether or not to perform EUS-fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) on a lesion suspected of being a duplication cyst is controversial as these lesions can become infected with significant consequences, although EUS-FNA is often required to obtain a definitive diagnosis and to rule out more ominous lesions. This manuscript will review the literature on duplication cysts throughout the body and will also focus on the role of EUS and FNA with regards to these lesions.

Foregut duplication of the stomach diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound guided fine-needle aspiration cytology: case report and literature review

Gastric duplication cyst (GDC) with a pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium is an uncommon malformation supposed to originate from a respiratory diverticulum arising from the ventral foregut. Morphologic appearance of GDCs is variable, depending on the density of their contents. GDCs are often misdiagnosed as solid masses by imaging techniques, and as a consequence they may be wrongly overtreated. We report our case of a 56-year-old man with a 5 cm hypoechoic mass of the gastroesophageal junction, incidentally detected by transabdominal ultrasonography. Neither transabdominal ultrasonography nor magnetic resonance clearly outlined the features of the lesion. The patient underwent endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), which showed a hypoechoic mass arising from the fourth layer of the anterior gastric wall, just below the gastroesophageal junction. According to EUS features, a diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumor was suggested. EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology revealed a diagnosis of GDC with pseudostratified columnar ciliated epithelium. We therefore performed an endoscopically-assisted laparoscopic excision of the cyst.

In conclusion, whenever a subepithelial gastric mass is found in the upper part of the gastric wall, a duplication cyst, although rare, should be considered. In this case, EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology could provide a cytological diagnosis useful to arrange in advance the more adequate surgical treatment.

[Benign cysts of the mediastinum: series of 28 cases]

INTRODUCTION

Benign cystic mediastinal mass form a group of heterogeneous and uncommon lesions. Surgical resection is the gold standard in these conditions. We reported our institutional experience in management of these benign tumours. In this review, cardiac and ganglionary benign mass were excluded.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 28 patients with benign cysts of the mediastinum, who are operated in our department between January 2003 and December 2009 (7years period).

RESULTS

There were 13 females (46.4%) and 15 males (53.5%), with a mean age of 36.8years (range: 13-63years). Most lesions (n=22) were equally in the anterior and middle mediastinum, only six were in the posterior mediastinum. Seventeen patients (60.7%) were symptomatic, with chest pain and cough as the most common symptoms. The diagnosis of mediastinal cyst was fortuitous in 11 patients with the waning of an assessment made for another reason. Surgery was indicated in all patients in order to both diagnostic and therapeutic. Posterolateral thoracotomy incision is the most common. Complete resection of the cyst was possible only in 18 cases (64.3%), whereas in ten (35. 7%) other cases part of the cyst was left in place due to tight adhesions to vital structures. After histological study, there were: nine bronchogenic cysts (32.1%), seven hydatid cysts (25%), four cystic lymphangiomas (14.3%), three mature cystic teratomas (10.7%) and three pleuropericardial cysts, one thymic cyst and one parathyroid cyst. The postoperative course was uneventful and no recurrence has been observed until now.

CONCLUSION

The benign cysts of the mediastinum is a rare entity, the hydatid etiology remains common in our context. Surgical treatment remains the treatment of choice for mediastinal cysts, when the patient is operable, to save the risk of complications or degeneration.

Diagnostic endoscopic ultrasonography: Assessment of safety and prevention of complications

Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has gained wide acceptance as an important, minimally invasive diagnostic tool in gastroenterology, pulmonology, visceral surgery and oncology. This review focuses on data regarding risks and complications of non-interventional diagnostic EUS and EUS-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB). Measures to improve the safety of EUS und EUS-FNB will be discussed. Due to the specific mechanical properties of echoendoscopes in EUS, there is a low but noteworthy risk of perforation. To minimize this risk, endoscopists should be familiar with the specific features of their equipment and their patients’ specific anatomical situations (e.g., tumor stenosis, diverticula). Most diagnostic EUS complications occur during EUS-FNB. Pain, acute pancreatitis, infection and bleeding are the primary adverse effects, occurring in 1% to 2% of patients. Only a few cases of needle tract seeding and peritoneal dissemination have been reported. The mortality associated with EUS and EUS-FNB is 0.02%. The risks associated with EUS-FNB are affected by endoscopist experience and target lesion. EUS-FNB of cystic lesions is associated with an increased risk of infection and hemorrhage. Peri-interventional antibiotics are recommended to prevent cyst infection. Adequate education and training, as well consideration of contraindications, are essential to minimize the risks of EUS and EUS-FNB. Restricting EUS-FNB only to patients in whom the cytopathological results may be expected to change the course of management is the best way of reducing the number of complications.

Acute respiratory distress caused by esophageal duplication canceration in an adult

Esophageal duplication (ED) in adults is rare, and ED canceration is very rare. We report a case of acute respiratory embarrassment caused by ED with squamous carcinoma in a 39-year-old man and a review of the literature.

Use of antimicrobials for EUS-guided FNA of pancreatic cysts: a retrospective, comparative analysis

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic cystic lesions present a challenge for patients and physicians alike. Morphology alone is inaccurate in discriminating lesion pathology, and use of EUS-guided FNA (EUS-FNA) improves accuracy. Current American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guidelines recommend prophylactic antibiotics during FNA of cystic lesions to minimize infection risk. However, evidence pertaining to infection risk has been conflicting. The use of prophylactic antibiotics might not be free of other adverse events and might not prevent infection.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the impact of antimicrobial therapy for prophylaxis during EUS-FNA of pancreatic cysts.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

PATIENTS

This study involved all patients who underwent EUS-FNA of pancreatic cysts at one institution from May 2007 to April 2010.

INTERVENTION

Antibiotic prophylaxis for EUS-FNA.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Infection of a pancreatic cyst, fever, or bacteremia after EUS-FNA. Secondary variables included other complications of the procedure related to the use of prophylaxis (ie, allergic reactions, secondary infections).

RESULTS

EUS-FNA was performed on 253 patients in 266 procedures. Antibiotics were used in 88 endoscopy cases (ATB group), whereas no antibiotics were used in 178 cases (NATB group). There were no differences in patient or cyst characteristics between groups. There were 4 major complications in the NATB group (localized bleeding, 2; pancreatitis, 1; bile leakage, 1) and 2 in the ATB group (possible cyst infection, 1; bile leakage, 1) (P = 1.0). Eight mild adverse events were observed in the NATB group and 6 in the ATB group (P = .56). Infections and antibiotic-related complications occurred in 1 (0.6%) (transient fever) in the NATB group and 4 (4.5%) in the ATB group (local allergic reaction, 2; possible cyst infection, 1; Clostridium difficile diarrhea, 1) (P = .04).

LIMITATIONS

Retrospective analysis.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of infectious complications after EUS-FNA of pancreatic cystic lesions, with or without antibiotic prophylaxis, appears very low. We have not observed a protective effect from periprocedural prophylactic antibiotic administration.

Assessment of morbidity and mortality associated with EUS-guided FNA: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

EUS-guided FNA (EUS-FNA) permits both morphologic and cytologic analysis of lesions within or adjacent to the GI tract. Although previous studies have evaluated the accuracy of EUS-FNA, little is known about the complications of EUS-FNA. Moreover, the frequency and severity of complications may vary from center to center and may be related to differences in individual experience.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the morbidity and mortality associated with EUS-FNA.

DESIGN

MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched to identify relevant English-language articles.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

EUS-FNA-specific morbidity and mortality rates.

RESULTS

We identified 51 articles with a total of 10,941 patients who met our inclusion and exclusion criteria; the overall rate of EUS-FNA-specific morbidity was 0.98% (107/10,941). In the small proportion of patients with complications of any kind, the rates of pancreatitis (36/8246; 0.44%) and postprocedure pain (37/10,941; 0.34%) were 33.64% (36/107) and 34.58% (37/107), respectively. The mortality rate attributable to EUS-FNA-specific morbidity was 0.02% (2/10,941). Subgroup analysis showed that the morbidity rate was 2.44% in prospective studies compared with 0.35% in retrospective studies for pancreatic mass lesions (P=.000), whereas it was 2.33% versus 5.07% for pancreatic cysts (P=.036).

LIMITATIONS

Few articles reported well-designed, prospective studies and few focused on overall complications after EUS-FNA.

CONCLUSIONS

EUS-FNA-related morbidity and mortality rates are relatively low, and most associated events are mild to moderate in severity.

[Mediastinal cysts: clinical approach and treatment]

Mediastinal cysts (MC), mainly from embryonic origin, are benign and rare malformative lesions, gathering several varieties according to tissue origin. Diagnosis is mostly obtained thanks to tomodensitometry performance and sometimes by magnetic resonance imaging. It may be more difficult in some atypical topographies and in case of bulky MC. The most frequent, springing from division abnormality from embryonic foregut ("foregut cysts" in English literature), are primarily bronchogenic cysts (50 to 60 % of MC), which are symptomatic in 30 to 80 % of cases. Coelomic cysts, lined by a mesothelium, result from embryologic abnormality by incomplete fusion of mesenchymal coelomic lacunae. Rarely symptomatic, excepted in cases of very large cysts, they are mainly pleuropericardic cysts (PPC) that represent 30 % of MC. Thymic cysts, around 15 % of MC, are most often asymptomatic. Cystic lymphangiomas (CL) are congenital lymphatic malformations more frequent and symptomatic in children. Diagnosed in older patients, they are most often acquired and asymptomatic. The only radical and definitive treatment is complete surgical resection of the cyst. It allows suppression of symptoms, procurement of a formal diagnosis and prevention of complications. This resection, generally indicated for all symptomatic cysts, large-sized even asymptomatic and in case of non formal diagnosis, is now recommended for all kinds of cysts except for asymptomatic PPC. This strategy is justified considering morbidity and mortality rising rates in patients treated by surgical resection at time of local complications of the cyst. Surgery is commonly performed by videothoracoscopy or by video-assisted mini-thoracotomy, mainly for PPC and CL. The more conventional thoracotomy is performed in surgery for cysts, which are adhesive to nearby structures. PPC just need a simple follow-up, and surgery is required only in case of symptoms and increasing size. In total, surgical indications for MC are large and accepted because of null postoperative mortality and very low rate of morbidity thanks to mini-invasive surgery. This militates for early surgery, without waiting for cystic complications leading to peroperative difficulties and increasing risks. This review presents the characteristics of those different cysts and the strategies currently acknowledged for the treatment.

Infection after endoscopic ultrasound-guided aspiration of mediastinal cysts

Foregut duplication cysts are rare congenital anomalies of enteric origin that arise during early embryonic development. They are usually incidentally found on routine imaging studies. The diagnosis can usually be made by computed tomography (CT) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) appearance. On CT, cyst attenuation values usually measure 0+/-20 Hounsfield units (HU). Higher HU is possible with hemorrhage, proteinaceous material or septations. At EUS, characteristic location and anechoic as well as hypoechoic but not necessarily anechoic appearance may be suggestive of a foregut duplication cyst. EUS-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) has been thought to provide a safe, minimally invasive approach to establish the diagnosis. The purpose of this report is to highlight the potential for infectious risk of EUS-FNA for these cysts, and to suggest CT and EUS features that can suggest this diagnosis without FNA. Three patients who underwent EUS-FNA for diagnosis of incidental mediastinal lesions developed cyst infection despite accepted techniques including prophylactic antibiotics. Combined CT and EUS appearance may be sufficient in making this diagnosis without FNA. IV antibiotics may not be completely protective against infectious complications of FNA of mediastinal duplication cysts.

The role of endosonography in submucosal tumours

Submucosal tumours (SMTs) are relatively common findings in patients undergoing endoscopy, especially in upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This term includes various non-neoplastic and neoplastic conditions. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is the best imaging procedure to characterise SMT and to determine the need for further explorations. In this review, the following issues will be addressed: the endosonographic features of SMT; the diagnostic accuracy of EUS; the ability of EUS to distinguish benign and malignant SMTs; the value of EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA); and the influence of EUS on clinical management.

Esophageal endoscopic ultrasound fine-needle aspiration as a diagnostic tool

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNA) may be employed for procurement of a tissue diagnosis in a minimally invasive fashion. In many cases, EUS-FNA excludes the need for more invasive diagnostic procedures when a tissue diagnosis is required. In patients with esophageal neoplasms, EUS-FNA is a safe and accurate tool for the preoperative diagnosis of metastatic spread to the paraesophageal and celiac lymph nodes. EUS-FNA is also increasingly recognized as an accurate, cost-effective and safe means of evaluating and staging patients with lung cancer. EUS-FNA is useful in providing tissue confirmation of cancer in cases in which bronchoscopy or computed tomography-guided approaches has been non-diagnostic. EUS-guided therapies are paving the way for therapeutic/interventional EUS. The interventional endoscopist will now play a more central role in the diagnosis and treatment of various gastrointestinal malignancies by delivering antitumor agents.

Mediastinal foregut duplication cyst presenting as a rare cause of breathing difficulties in an adult

Foregut duplication cysts are rare congenital anomalies of enteric origin. The diagnosis is usually made in infancy. We report the unusual case of a 71-year-old female presenting to the ENT department with shortness of breath and stridor due to an oesophageal reduplication cyst. The presentation, diagnosis and management of this potential pitfall for the unwary are outlined.

Diagnosis of foregut and tailgut cysts by endosonographically guided fine-needle aspiration

Foregut, hindgut, and tailgut cysts are uncommon developmental anomalies. Clinical and radiological diagnosis can present many challenges, especially in adult patients or when the lesions are in unique locations. Thus, diagnosis has traditionally been provided upon surgical resection. We describe the diagnoses of a gastric foregut cyst and a retrorectal tailgut cyst by endosonographically guided fine-needle aspiration in two adults. The common cytologic features of the specimens are ciliated epithelial cells, proteinaceous material with degenerated debris, histiocytes, and benign appearing epithelium of squamous and/or gastrointestinal type that lack cytologic atypia. The identification of ciliated columnar cells is the key finding. Cytologic diagnosis via endosonographically guided fine-needle aspiration of foregut/hindgut cyst is accurate and less traumatic than surgical biopsies.

Minimizing complications of endoscopic ultrasound and EUS-guided fine needle aspiration

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and EUS-guided fine needle aspiration have become important tools in evaluation of patients who have various gastrointestinal and nongastrointestinal disorders, and are being increasingly utilized at many centers. With over 10 years of worldwide published clinical data, the collective experience suggests that EUS is a safe tool. There are various measures that may be undertaken to help minimize the risks. In light of ongoing advances in interventional techniques and recognition of new procedural indications, the safety of all types of procedures and efforts to minimize EUS-related complications need to be periodically reexamined.