Suck-ligate-unroof-biopsy by using a detachable 20-mm loop for the diagnosis and therapy of small subepithelial tumors (with video)

Diagnostic yield of endoscopic and EUS-guided biopsy techniques in subepithelial lesions of the upper GI tract: a systematic review

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Obtaining adequate tissue samples in subepithelial lesions (SELs) remains challenging. Several biopsy techniques are available, but a systematic review including all available techniques to obtain a histologic diagnosis of SEL is lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield and adverse event rates of endoscopic biopsies, EUS-guided FNA (EUS-FNA), EUS-guided fine-needle biopsy (FNB) (EUS-FNB), and mucosal incision-assisted biopsy (MIAB) for SELs in the upper GI tract.

METHODS

A search strategy in multiple databases was performed. The primary outcome was diagnostic yield, defined as the percentage of procedures in which histology was obtained and resulted in a definitive histopathologic diagnosis. Secondary outcome measures included reported procedure-related adverse events, which were graded according to the AGREE (Adverse Events in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy) classification.

RESULTS

A total of 94 original articles were included. Studies were classified per endoscopic technique to obtain histopathology. This resulted in 8 included studies for endoscopic biopsy methods, 55 studies for EUS-FNA, 33 studies for EUS-FNB, and 26 studies for MIAB. Pooled rates for diagnostic yield were 40.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 30.8-51.2) for endoscopic biopsy, 74.6% (95% CI, 69.9-78.7) for EUS-FNA, 84.2% (95% CI, 80.7-87.2) for EUS-FNB, and 88.2% (95% CI, 84.7-91.1) for MIAB. Reported procedure-related adverse events graded AGREE II or higher were 2.8% to 3.9% for endoscopic biopsies, 1.0% to 4.5% for EUS-FNA, .9% to 7.7% for EUS-FNB, and 1.9% to 7.9% for MIAB.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the available evidence, MIAB and EUS-FNB seem to be most effective in terms of achieving a high diagnostic yield, with similar rates of adverse events.

Precutting Endoscopic Band Ligation-Assisted Resection Is Safe and Effective for Treating Gastric Submucosal Tumors from the Muscularis Propria

BACKGROUND

We previously treated small gastric submucosal tumors originating from the muscularis propria layer by precutting endoscopic band ligation but lacked precise pathological results. Then, precutting endoscopic band ligation was modified by additional snare resection after ligation to obtain tumor specimens, termed precutting endoscopic band ligation-assisted resection.

AIMS

In this study, we aimed to explore the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of precutting endoscopic band ligation-assisted resection.

METHODS

From 2021 to 2022, a total of 16 consecutive patients underwent precutting endoscopic band ligation-assisted resection to treat small gastric submucosal tumors originating from the muscularis propria. The clinical demography, perioperative data, and follow-up outcomes were retrospectively collected.

RESULTS

With a mean operative time of 21.3 min, all lesions were successfully and completely resected, and no severe adverse events or local recurrences occurred postoperatively. More importantly, en bloc and R0 resection were achieved in all 16 patients.

CONCLUSION

Precutting endoscopic band ligation-assisted resection is a safe, effective, and time-saving endoscopic technique for managing gastric small gastric submucosal tumors originating from the muscularis propria for both diagnosis and eradication.

AGA Clinical Practice Update on Endoscopic Full-Thickness Resection for the Management of Gastrointestinal Subepithelial Lesions: Commentary

DESCRIPTION

Subepithelial lesions of the gastrointestinal tract are not encountered uncommonly during routine endoscopy. There has been remarkable progress in the development of endoscopic options for the resection of subepithelial lesions, including full-thickness resection. The purpose of this American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Clinical Practice Update (CPU) is to describe the various techniques for endoscopic full-thickness resection and to facilitate their appropriate application in the management of subepithelial lesions.

METHODS

This CPU was commissioned and approved by the AGA Institute Clinical Practice Updates Committee (CPUC) and the AGA Governing Board to provide timely guidance on a topic of high clinical importance to the AGA membership and underwent internal peer review by the CPUC and external peer review through standard procedures of Gastroenterology.

Management of small subepithelial tumors by endoscopic banding without resection and single-incision needle-knife-assisted biopsy sampling: a prospective multicenter study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Endoscopic band ligation (EBL) without resection combined with single-incision needle-knife (SINK) biopsy sampling may have a positive impact on small GI subepithelial tumor (SET) management, but the method needs to be tested. The aim was to evaluate the feasibility of this strategy in small-sized SETs.

METHODS

This prospective multicenter observational cohort study in 7 centers included patients with SETs ≤15 mm (confirmed by EUS) between March 2017 and March 2020. The primary outcome was clinical success at 4 weeks, defined as complete SET disappearance on EUS. Secondary outcomes were long-term (1-year) clinical success, technical difficulty level, clinical impact, yield pathology, and safety.

RESULTS

Of 273 patients screened, 122 (62.3% women; mean age, 60.9 ± 13.2 years) were included with SETs (mean size, 9 ± 2.8 mm; gastric location, 77%; superficial layer dependence, 63%). The primary endpoint was achieved in 73.6% of patients (95% confidence interval [CI], 64.8-81.2). At the 1-year follow-up, the success rate was 68.4% (95% CI, 59.1-76.8). A favorable clinical impact was observed in 97 cases (79.5%; 95% CI, 71.3-86.3). Pathology diagnosis was known in 70%. Potentially malignant lesions were present in 24.7%. The related adverse events rate was 4.1% (95% CI, 1.3-9.3; all mild: 2 bleeding, 2 abdominal pain). On multivariable analysis, the ≤10-mm SET group was associated with a greater success rate (1 year, 87%; relative risk, 5.07; 95% CI, 2.63-9.8) and clinical impact rate (92.7%; relative risk, 6.15; 95% CI, 2.72-13.93).

CONCLUSIONS

EBL plus SINK biopsy sampling seems to be feasible and safe, and it may offer a favorable clinical impact in small-sized SETs. In particular, SETs ≤10 mm are the best candidates. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT03247231.).

Tissue diagnosis necessary for small endoscopic ultrasound-suspected gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors 2 cm or less in size: A prospective study focusing on the endoscopic incisional biopsy

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The small endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-suspected gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), gastric subepithelial tumors at the muscularis propria layer on EUS, are detected frequently. Bite-on-bite forceps biopsy and EUS-guided tissue sampling yield variable results. This study aimed to analyze clinicopathologic features of the small EUS-suspected gastric GISTs 2 cm or less in size and to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the endoscopic incisional biopsy (EIB) for these small tumors.

METHODS

This prospective study investigated 70 patients with small EUS-suspected gastric GISTs 2 cm or less in size in two stages. Firstly, 30 patients were recruited for the efficacy and safety evaluation of the EIB. Secondly, 40 patients were randomly assigned to receive either EIB or the bite-on-bite biopsy for comparison of the diagnostic yield, procedure time, and adverse event rate.

RESULTS

Combining two study stages, leiomyoma (74%) was diagnosed histologically to outnumber GIST (26%) with a diagnostic rate of 94% for patients receiving EIB. KIT exon 11 mutations (50%) and PDGFRA exon 12 mutations (16%) were detected in the small gastric GISTs. In the direct comparison, the diagnostic yield of EIB and the bite-on-bite biopsy was 85% and 50%, respectively (P = 0.018). There was no statistically significant difference of the mean procedure time or adverse event rate between these two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Leiomyoma is more common than expected among these small tumors. Tissue diagnosis with an effective and safe sampling technique, such as EIB, is necessary for making further clinical decisions.

Tunneled biopsy is an underutilised, simple, safe and efficient method for tissue acquisition from subepithelial tumours

BACKGROUND

Tissue acquisition from subepithelial lesions is often attempted by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-sampling as conventional endoscopic biopsy usually fails to reach deeper layers of the gastrointestinal wall.

AIM

To investigate the utilisation, safety and diagnostic yield of an intensified “bite-on-bite” tunnel biopsy technique.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, all patients presenting with subepithelial masses in the upper gastrointestinal tract from March 2013 to July 2019 were included. Data were analysed for size and location of the subepithelial mass, use of intensified tunnel biopsy protocol (more than 10 double bite-on-bite biopsies) or superficial conventional biopsies, histology and imaging results, occurrence of readmission and adverse events after endoscopy.

RESULTS

Two hundred and twenty-nine patients with subepithelial lesions were included. Superficial conventional biopsies were taken in 117 patients and were diagnostic only in one lipoma (0.9 %). Tunnel biopsies taken in 112/229 (48.9%) patients were significantly more likely to provide histological diagnosis (53.6%; P < 0.001). For lesions ≥ 10mm the diagnostic yield of tunnel biopsies further increased to 41/67 (61.2%). No immediate or delayed complications were reported. Only 8 of the 51 endoscopists (15.7%) regularly attempted tunnel biopsies.

CONCLUSION

Tunnel biopsy is a simple, safe and efficient but underutilised diagnostic modality for tissue acquisition in subepithelial masses. It should be routinely attempted at the initial endoscopy.

Gastric carcinoma with lymphoid stroma diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration

A 78-year-old man with a subepithelial lesion (SEL) in the gastric body and two carcinomas in the gastric antrum was referred to our hospital. Following a diagnosis of SEL, the patient was followed-up by esophagogastroduodenoscopy annually for 4 years. Although the SEL had increased in size over the years, histological evaluation of the forceps biopsies did not reveal any significant findings. We detected a hypoechoic mass in the submucosa by endoscopic ultrasonography, and suspected the lesion to be an aberrant pancreas or mesenchymal tumor. The patient first underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection for the 2 gastric cancers. Histological examination of the resected specimens revealed intramucosal well-differentiated tubular adenocarcinomas. Next, endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) was performed for the gastric SEL. Aspirated specimens revealed an adenocarcinoma with lymphocyte infiltration. The lesion was diagnosed as a gastric carcinoma with lymphoid stroma (GCLS). Subsequently, he underwent distal gastrectomy, and the surgical specimen was confirmed as GCLS corresponding to preoperative diagnosis. In addition, the adenocarcinoma cells were positive for Epstein-Barr (EB) virus-encoded small RNA-1 by in situ hybridization. Finally, the lesion was diagnosed as GCLS associated with EB virus. Thus, EUS-FNA is advantageous for diagnosing GCLS associated with EB virus.

FULL-THICKNESS ENDOSCOPIC GASTRIC RESECTION USING A STAPLER AND GASTROSTOMY: A FEASIBILITY STUDY

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is currently the most frequently performed bariatric procedure in Turkey. The goal of weight reduction surgery is not only to decrease excess weight, but also to improve obesity related comorbidities and quality of life (QoL).

AIM

To evaluate the impact of LSG on patient quality of life, weight loss, and comorbidities associated with morbid obesity according to the updated BAROS criteria.

METHODS

Eleven hundred thirty-eight adult patients were undergone to LSG by our bariatric surgery team between January 2013 and January 2016. A questionnaire (The Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System - BAROS) was published on social media. The data on postoperative complications were collected from hospital database.

RESULTS

Number of respondants was 562 (49.4%). Six of 1138 patients(0.5%) had leakage. All patients who had leakage were respondants. The overall complication rate was 7.7%. After a mean period of 7.4±5.3 months(1-30), mean excess weight loss was 71.3±27.1% (10.2-155.4). The respondants reported 772 comorbidities. Of these, 162 (30%) were improved, and 420 (54.4%) were resolved. The mean scores for QoL were significantly increased after LSG (range, p<0.05 to <0.001). Of the 562 patients, 26 (4.6%) were classified as failures; 86 (15.3%) fair; 196 (34.9%) good; 144 (25.6%) very good, and 110 (19.6%) excellent results according to the updated BAROS scoring system.

CONCLUSION

LSG is a highly effective bariatric procedure in the manner of weight control, improvement in comorbidities and increasing of QoL in short- and mid-term.

Via mucosa incision EUS-guided sampling for the diagnosis of conventional endoscopic biopsy-negative gastric wall thickening

Abnormal thickened lesions of the gastric wall are usually covered with normal mucosa. Conventional endoscopic biopsies often do not yield sufficient positive histological results for clinical treatment. To increase the rate of diagnosis of conventional endoscopic biopsy-negative gastric wall thickening, we used an endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD)-like sampling method under endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guidance to obtain tissue of gastric wall-thickening lesions. Between 2012 and 2016, patients with gastric wall thickening (as identified by computed tomography (CT), EUS or other imaging methods that showed no positive findings in repeating conventional endoscopic biopsy) underwent via mucosa incision EUS-guided sampling. Final diagnosis was determined after surgical or biopsy pathology. A total of 10 patients with gastric wall thickening were included in this study. Eight cases received definite results, whereas in two cases the biopsy results were ambiguous and in these two patients poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma was determined by postoperative pathology. The results of the cases presented in this study demonstrated that via mucosa incision EUS-guided sampling provided a complementary option for the diagnosis of conventional endoscopic biopsy-negative gastric wall thickening.

Efficacy of single-incision needle-knife biopsy for sampling subepithelial lesions

Background and study aims Single-incision needle-knife (SINK) biopsy is a diagnostic method for acquiring tissue samples for subepithelial lesions (SELs). A single linear incision is made in the overlying mucosa and tissue samples are obtained by passing conventional biopsy forceps through the opening and deep into the lesion. The aim of this study was to describe the efficacy and safety of this technique. Patients and methods Consecutive patients who underwent SINK biopsy for an upper gastrointestinal SEL between October 2013 and September 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Results Forty-nine patients underwent 50 SINK biopsies. Sufficient sampling for a definite pathologic diagnosis was obtained in 42 (86 %) cases, with 91 % (40/44) having sufficient sample to perform immunohistochemistry when deemed clinically relevant. Of the 26 patients with prior non-diagnostic biopsies or FNA, a specific diagnosis was obtained in 85 % (22/26). There were no significant adverse events. Conclusions SINK biopsy is a safe and feasible strategy for obtaining a definitive tissue diagnosis with immunohistochemistry for SELs.

Clinical implications of doubling time of gastrointestinal submucosal tumors

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy of doubling time (DT) of gastrointestinal submucosal tumors (GIST).

METHODS

From April 1987 through November 2012, a total of 323 patients were given a final histopathological diagnosis of GISTs on surgical resection or endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) in Kitasato University East Hospital or Kitasato University Hospital. We studied 53 of these patients (34 with resected tumors and 19 with unresected tumors) whose tumors could be measured on EUS on at least two successive occasions. The histopathological diagnosis was GIST in 34 patients, leiomyoma in 5, schwannoma in 3, ectopic pancreas in 1, hamartoma in 1, cyst in 1, Brunner’s adenoma in 1, and spindle-cell tumor in 7. We retrospectively calculated the DT of GISTs on the basis of the time course of EUS findings to estimate the growth rate of such tumors.

RESULTS

The DT was 17.2 mo for GIST, as compared with 231.2 mo for leiomyoma, 104.7 mo for schwannoma, 274.9 mo for ectopic pancreas, 61.2 mo for hamartoma, 49.0 mo for cyst, and 134.7 mo for Brunner’s adenoma. The GISTs were divided into risk classes on the basis of tumor diameters and mitotic figures (Fletcher’s classification). The classification was extremely low risk or low risk in 28 patients, intermediate risk in 3, and high risk in 3. DT of GIST according to risk was 24.0 mo for extremely low-risk plus low-risk GIST, 17.1 mo for intermediate-risk GIST, and 3.9 mo for high-risk GIST. DT of GIST was significantly shorter than that of leiomyoma plus schwannoma (P < 0.05), and DT of high-risk GIST was significantly shorter than that of extremely low-risk plus low-risk GIST (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

For GIST, a higher risk grade was associated with a significantly shorter DT. Small SMTs should initially be followed up within 6 mo after detection.

A retrospective study on the safety, diagnostic yield, and therapeutic effects of endoscopic unroofing for small gastric subepithelial tumors

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Accurate diagnosis of small gastric subepithelial tumors (SETs) is essential to assess their malignant potential. Endoscopic unroofing has been reported to yield sufficient tissue samples for histologic evaluation. This study aimed to evaluate the safety, diagnostic yield, and potential therapeutic effects of this technique over time.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis of prospectively collected clinical data identified patients who underwent endoscopic unroofing at the Medical University of Vienna from January 2003 to December 2012. Demographic data, indications for endoscopic unroofing, intraprocedural adverse events, hospital stay, histologic results, and follow-up procedures were reviewed.

RESULTS

A total of 14 patients (7 men; 7 women; median age, 70 years; range, 51-95 years) underwent endoscopic unroofing of 14 gastric SETs with a mean diameter of 26 ± 13 mm at EUS. In 9 of 14 cases, endoscopic unroofing was done exclusively for diagnostic purposes; in the remaining cases, it was performed with therapeutic intent because of bleeding from the gastric SETs. Unroofing was technically successful in 13 of 14 cases and revealed 8 cases of GI stromal tumor (GIST) and 1 case each of leiomyoma, fibroid polyp, glomus tumor, pancreatic rest, and nondiagnostic material at histology. Intraprocedural bleeding was the only adverse event (4 cases) and could be managed endoscopically. A follow-up EUS was available (median, 8 months) for 10 of the 14 patients. Notably, most patients showed complete regression of their gastric SETs after unroofing (on white light and EUS), including the glomus tumor, the leiomyoma, and 6 of the 8 cases of GIST.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic unroofing was safe and had a very favorable diagnostic yield in this study. Unexpectedly, it led to complete regression in most gastric SETs. Although it is not an oncologically curative treatment, endoscopic unroofing can be a valuable option to treat local adverse events in patients unfit for surgical therapy. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT02587923.).

Using Forceps Biopsy after Small Submucosal Dissection in the Diagnosis of Gastric Subepithelial Tumors

The current tissue sampling techniques for subepithelial tumors (SETs) of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract have limited diagnostic efficacy. We evaluated the diagnostic yield and safety of forceps biopsies after small endoscopic submucosal dissection (SESD biopsies) in the diagnosis of gastric SETs. A total of 42 patients with gastric SETs > 10 mm were prospectively enrolled between May 2013 and October 2014. A dual knife was used to incise the mucosa and submucosa and forceps biopsies were then introduced deep into the lesion. To compare SESD biopsies with EUS-FNA, we used the retrospective data of 30 EUS-FNA cases. The diagnostic yield of SESD biopsies was comparable to that of EUS-FNA (35/42, 83.3% vs. 24/30, 80.0%, P = 0.717). The mean procedure time of SESD biopsies was shorter than that of EUS-FNA (10 vs. 37 minutes, P < 0.001). There were no procedure-related adverse events in the both group. The pathological diagnoses in SESD biopsies group included 15 leiomyomas, 7 GISTs, 10 heterotopic pancreases, 2 lipomas, and one other lesion. SESD biopsies are an easy, effective and safe technique for the diagnosis of gastric SETs and its diagnostic yield is comparable to that of EUS-FNA. This technique may be a reliable alternative to conventional EUS-FNA (Clinical trial registration No. KCT0000730).

Two Patients with Large Colonic Lipomas for which Endoscopic Unroofing was Ineffective

Endoscopic unroofing is effective for treating large colonic lipomas. However, additional endoscopic resection is occasionally required when the outcomes of initial unroofing are incomplete. The colonoscopy of an 82-year-old woman with abdominal pain revealed a yellowish lipoma of about 20 mm in the transverse colon. The mass was treated by unroofing, but a follow-up colonoscopy 5 days later revealed residual lipoma. One month later, the regenerated surface had become covered with mucosa, and the status of the lipoma had returned to that before unroofing. The colonoscopy of a 74-year-old man with abdominal pain and melena revealed a 50-mm-wide protruding lipoma in the transverse colon. The mucosa of the upper third of the lipoma was excised using an electric knife and snare, which allowed the immediate partial drainage of adipose tissue. Unroofing proceeded, but 7 days later, the unroofed surface had become coated with a white substance, and the residual lipoma required additional endoscopic resection. Colonic lipomas are often asymptomatic. However, patients with abdominal pain and hemorrhage should be treated in consideration of complete resection, but not by unroofing, which could leave a residual tumor. Drainage should be confirmed after unroofing and any residual lipoma should be treated by additional resection.

Compliance with surveillance recommendations for foregut subepithelial tumors is poor: results of a prospective multicenter study

BACKGROUND

American Gastroenterological Association guidelines recommend performing EUS to characterize subepithelial lesions (SELs) discovered on upper endoscopy (EGD), followed by surveillance if no high-risk features are identified. However, limited data are available on the impact of and compliance with surveillance recommendations.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the natural history of SELs<30 mm in size evaluated by EUS and to determine the degree of patient compliance with surveillance recommendations.

DESIGN

Prospective registry.

SETTING

Two tertiary centers.

PATIENTS

We studied 187 consecutive adult patients referred for EUS evaluation of foregut SELs.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Proportion of patients in whom SELs change in size or echo-features and compliance with follow-up recommendations.

RESULTS

Surveillance was recommended in 65 patients with hypoechoic SELs (44.6% women, age 59.5±13.2 years); of these, 29 (44.6%) underwent surveillance EUS as recommended and were followed for a median of 30 months (range, 12-105). During follow-up, 16 SELs (25%) increased in size, with a mean increase of 3.4±3.9 mm (range, 1-15). No changes in echo-texture of the SELs were observed. One patient was referred to surgery during follow-up (because of SEL growth>30 mm).

LIMITATIONS

Short follow-up duration; compliance was a secondary aim.

CONCLUSIONS

During a median follow-up of 30 months, growth in size was observed in 25% of small foregut SELs. However, change in size was minimal, and only 1 patient was referred for surgery based on surveillance EUS findings. Compliance with surveillance recommendations is poor, with fewer than 50% of patients undergoing surveillance EUS as recommended.

Approach to the endoscopic resection of duodenal lesions

Duodenal polyps or lesions are uncommonly found on upper endoscopy. Duodenal lesions can be categorized as subepithelial or mucosally-based, and the type of lesion often dictates the work-up and possible therapeutic options. Subepithelial lesions that can arise in the duodenum include lipomas, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and carcinoids. Endoscopic ultrasonography with fine needle aspiration is useful in the characterization and diagnosis of subepithelial lesions. Duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumors and large or multifocal carcinoids are best managed by surgical resection. Brunner's gland tumors, solitary Peutz-Jeghers polyps, and non-ampullary and ampullary adenomas are mucosally-based duodenal lesions, which can require removal and are typically amenable to endoscopic resection. Several anatomic characteristics of the duodenum make endoscopic resection of duodenal lesions challenging. However, advanced endoscopic techniques exist that enable the resection of large mucosally-based duodenal lesions. Endoscopic papillectomy is not without risk, but this procedure can effectively resect ampullary adenomas and allows patients to avoid surgery, which typically involves pancreaticoduodenectomy. Endoscopic mucosal resection and its variations (such as cap-assisted, cap-band-assisted, and underwater techniques) enable the safe and effective resection of most duodenal adenomas. Endoscopic submucosal dissection is possible but very difficult to safely perform in the duodenum.

Opinion: How to manage subepithelial lesions of the upper gastrointestinal tract?

Subepithelial lesions (SELs) in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract are relatively frequent findings in patients undergoing an upper GI endoscopy. These tumors, which are located below the epithelium and out of reach of conventional biopsy forceps, may pose a diagnostic challenge for the gastroenterologist, especially when SELs are indeterminate after endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). The decision to proceed with further investigation should take into consideration the size, location in the GI tract, and EUS features of SELs. Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is an example of an SEL that has a well-recognized malignant potential. Unfortunately, EUS is not able to absolutely differentiate GISTs from other benign hypoechoic lesions from the fourth layer, such as leiomyomas. Therefore, EUS-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is an important tool for correct diagnosis of SELs. However, small lesions (size < 2 cm) have a poor diagnostic yield with EUS-FNA. Moreover, studies with EUS-core biopsy needles did not report higher rates of histologic and diagnostic yields when compared with EUS-FNA. The limited diagnostic yield of EUS-FNA and EUS-core biopsies of SELs has led to the development of more invasive endoscopic techniques for tissue acquisition. There are initial studies showing good results for tissue biopsy or resection of SELs with endoscopic submucosal dissection, suck-ligate-unroof-biopsy, and submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection.

Diagnosis of ectopic pancreas by endoscopic ultrasound with fine-needle aspiration

AIM: To study the clinical, endoscopic, sonographic, and cytologic features of ectopic pancreas (EP).

METHODS: This was a retrospective study performed at an academic referral center including two hospitals. Institutional review board approval was obtained. Patients referred to the University Hospital or Denver Health Medical Center Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Lab for gastroduodenal subepithelial lesions (SEL) with a final diagnosis of EP between January 2009 and December 2013 were identified. Patients in this group were selected for the study if they underwent endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with fine-needle aspiration (FNA) or deep biopsy. A review of the medical record was performed specifically to review the following information: presenting symptoms, endoscopic and EUS findings, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging findings, pathology results, procedure-related adverse events, and subsequent treatments after EUS-FNA. EUS with FNA or deep submucosal biopsy was performed in all patients on an outpatient basais by one of two physicians (Attwell A, Fukami N). Review of all subsequent clinic notes and operative reports was performed in order to determine follow-up and final diagnoses.

RESULTS: Between July 2009 and December 2013, 10 patients [3 males, 7 females, median age 52 (26-64) years] underwent EUS for a gastroduodenal SEL and were diagnosed with EP. One patient was symptomatic. Six (60%) lesions were in the antrum, 3 (30%) in the body, and 1 (10%) in the duodenum. A mucosal dimple was noted in 6 (60%). Mean lesion size was 17 (8-25) mm. Gastrointestinal wall involvement: muscularis mucosae, 10%; submucosa, 70%; muscularis propria, 60%; and serosa, 10%. Nine (90%) lesions were hypoechoic and 5 (50%) were homogenous. A duct was seen in 5 (50%). FNA was attempted in 9 (90%) and successful in 8 (80%) patients after 4 (2-6) passes. Cytology showed acini or ducts in 7 of 8 (88%). Superficial biopsies in 7 patients (70%) showed normal gastric mucosa. Deep endoscopic biopsies were taken in 2 patients and diagnostic in one. One patient (10%) developed pancreatitis after EUS-FNA. Two patients (20%) underwent surgery to relieve symptoms or confirm the diagnosis. The main limitation of the study was the fact that it was retrospective and performed at a single medical center.

CONCLUSION: EUS features of EP include antral location, mucosal dimple, location in layers 3-4, and lesional duct, and FNA or biopsy is accurate and effective.

Endoscopic full-thickness resection with defect closure using an over-the-scope clip for gastric subepithelial tumors originating from the muscularis propria

Background

Endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) is a mini-invasive technique for gastric subepithelial tumors originating from the muscularis propria, which enables a full-thickness resection of tumors and can provide a complete basis for pathological diagnosis. Gastric fistula closure after EFTR is a challenge for endoscopists. In this study, we introduced EFTR with fistula closure using the over-the-scope clip (OTSC) system for gastric subepithelial tumors originating from the muscularis propria.

Objectives

To evaluate the feasibility and safety of fistula closure with OTSC by a retrospective analysis on the cases of EFTR with defect closure using OTSC for gastric subepithelial tumors originating from the muscularis propria in our hospital.

Methods

The patients were selected who underwent EFTR for gastric subepithelial tumors originating from the muscularis propria (tumor diameter ≤2 cm) in our hospital from October 2013 to March 2014. After a full-thickness resection of tumors, the bilateral gastric mucous membranes of defect were clamped using twin graspers and then drawn into the transparent cap of OTSC, and the OTSC was released to close the defect after full suctioning. The success rate of defect closure with OTSC was observed, and the endoscopic follow-up was performed at 1 week, 1 and 6 months after operation to check OTSC closure.

Results

Totally 23 patients were included into the study. The full-thickness resection rate of gastric tumors in the muscularis propria was 100 % (23/23), the success rate of defect closure was 100 %, and the average time of defect closure was 4.9 min (range 2–12 min). All patients experienced no postoperative complications such as bleeding and perforation. The postoperative follow-up time was 1–6 months (mean 3 months), and no OTSC detachment was found.

Conclusions

OTSC can be used to perform EFTR with defect closure for gastric tumors in the muscularis propria (tumor diameter ≤2 cm). It is simple, convenient, safe and effective.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00464-015-4076-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Unroofing Technique as an Option for the Endoscopic Treatment of Giant Gastrointestinal Lipomas

Gastrointestinal lipomas are usually asymptomatic, detected incidentally. However, they can cause severe symptoms such as obstruction, invagination, and bleeding. The transsection of an infarcted or large lipoma by needle sphincterotome (needle knife) and/or snare polypectomy of the upper part of the tumour is an option for the endoscopy treatment of giant infarcted lipomas. Cutting a top of lipoma (unroofing technique) allowed flow out of adipose tissue from the lipoma.

Minimally invasive surgery for submucosal (subepithelial) tumors of the stomach

Minimally invasive surgery has become common in the surgical resection of gastrointestinal submucosal tumors (SMTs). The purpose of this article is to review recent trends in minimally invasive surgery for gastric SMTs. Although laparoscopic resection has been main stream of minimally invasive surgery for gastrointestinal SMTs, recent advances in endoscopic procedures now provide various treatment modalities for gastric SMTs. Moreover, investigators have developed several hybrid techniques that include the advantages of both laparoscopic and endoscopic procedure. In addition, several types of reduced port surgeries, modification of conventional laparoscopic procedures, have been recently applied to the surgical resection of SMTs. Meanwhile, robotic surgery for SMTs requires further evidence and improvement.

Submucosal tunneling techniques: current perspectives

Advances in endoscopic submucosal dissection include a submucosal tunneling technique, involving the introduction of tunnels into the submucosa. These tunnels permit safer offset entry into the peritoneal cavity for natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery. Technical advantages include the visual identification of the layers of the gut, blood vessels, and subepithelial tumors. The creation of a mucosal flap that minimizes air and fluid leakage into the extraluminal cavity can enhance the safety and efficacy of surgery. This submucosal tunneling technique was adapted for esophageal myotomy, culminating in its application to patients with achalasia. This method, known as per oral endoscopic myotomy, has opened up the new discipline of submucosal endoscopic surgery. Other clinical applications of the submucosal tunneling technique include its use in the removal of gastrointestinal subepithelial tumors and endomicroscopy for the diagnosis of functional and motility disorders. This review suggests that the submucosal tunneling technique, involving a mucosal safety flap, can have potential values for future endoscopic developments.