Endoscopic ultrasound: diagnostic and therapeutic applications

Diagnostic Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) of the Luminal Gastrointestinal Tract

The purpose of this review is to focus on the diagnostic endoscopic ultrasound of the gastrointestinal tract. In the last decades, EUS has gained a central role in the staging of epithelial and sub-epithelial lesions of the gastrointestinal tract. With the evolution of imaging, the position of EUS in the diagnostic work-up and the staging flow-chart has continuously changed with two extreme positions: some gastroenterologists think that EUS is absolutely indispensable, and some think it is utterly useless. The truth is, as always, somewhere in between the two extremes. Analyzing the most up-to-date and strong evidence, we will try to give EUS the correct position in our daily practice.

Advances in Pediatric Diagnostic Endoscopy: A State-of-the-Art Review

Pediatric endoscopy has revolutionized the way we diagnose and treat gastrointestinal disorders in children. Technological advances in computer processing and imaging continue to affect endoscopic equipment and advance diagnostic tools for pediatric endoscopy. Although commonly used by adult gastroenterologists, modalities, such as endomicroscopy, image-enhanced endoscopy, and impedance planimetry, are not routinely used in pediatric gastroenterology. This state-of-the-art review describes advances in diagnostic modalities, including image-enhanced endoscopy, confocal laser endomicroscopy, optical coherence tomography, endo functional luminal imaging probes, wireless motility/pH capsule, wireless colon capsule endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound, and discusses the basic principles of each technology, including adult indications and pediatric applications, safety cost, and training data.

The role of surgery after incomplete endoscopic mucosal resection for early gastric cancer

PURPOSE

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is a relatively new treatment option for early gastric cancer (EGC). However, cases of incomplete EMR resulting in a positive lateral margin or submucosal invasion (positive vertical margin) have been reported. We conducted this study to evaluate the role of surgery after incomplete EMR for EGC.

METHODS

We analyzed 19 patients who underwent gastrectomy as a result of an incomplete EMR. The patients were divided into three groups according to the type of incomplete EMR: a positive lateral margin (LM) group (n = 9), a positive vertical margin (VM) group (n = 4), and a positive lateral and vertical margin (LM + VM) group (n = 6).

RESULTS

The positive residual tumor rate and the positive lymph node rate were 44.4% (4/9) and 0% (0/9) in the LM group, 50.0% (2/4) and 25.0% (1/4) in the VM group, and 83.3% (5/6) and 16.7% (1/6), LM + VM group, respectively. Curative resection was performed in all patients and there was no recurrence in 30.8 months of follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Radical surgery is recommended for patients with a positive lateral resection margin or submucosal invasion, or both, after EMR for EGC, because of the possibility of residual tumor or lymph node metastasis.

EUS-guided FNA for the diagnosis of recurrent bladder cancer through the ileal conduit: a novel approach

BACKGROUND

Diagnosing local recurrence of tumor after cystectomy and ileal conduit construction for urinary bladder cancer remains a diagnostic challenge. Also, distinction of benign stricture from recurrent tumor at the site of ureteral anastomosis in the ileal conduit is difficult.

OBJECTIVE

A new method is described for performing EUS-guided FNA through the ileal conduit in patients suspected of having local tumor recurrence after complete cystectomy for bladder cancer.

DESIGN

Case series, part of a large prospective study on EUS-guided FNA.

PATIENTS

Three patients who had undergone total cystectomy and ileal conduit construction for bladder cancer underwent EUS-guided FNA through the ileal conduit for evaluation of suspected tumor recurrence at the site of anastomosis of the distal ureter and the ileal conduit.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

The feasibility, diagnostic accuracy, and safety profile of EUS-guided FNA is assessed.

OBSERVATIONS

EUS-guided FNA through the ileal conduit was technically feasible in all 3 patients. By EUS, the mass appeared as an irregularly shaped, hypoechoic lesion that was extrinsic to the lumen of the ileum. A diagnosis of recurrent transitional cell cancer was made in 2 patients and anastomotic stricture was found in 1 patient. Both patients with tumor recurrence received palliative chemotherapy, and the patient with an anastomotic stricture was managed by placement of a nephrostomy stent. No complications were encountered.

LIMITATIONS

Small number of enrolled subjects; short duration of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

EUS-guided FNA through the ileal conduit is technically feasible, safe, and establishes diagnosis in patients suspected of tumor recurrence after complete cystectomy for bladder cancer.

Review of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology

This review, based on the Hennepin County Medical Center experience and review of the literature, vastly covers the up-to-date role of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) in evaluating tumorous lesions of the gastrointestinal tract and adjacent organs. Emphasis is given to the tumoral and nodal staging of esophageal, pulmonary, and pancreatic cancer. This review also discusses technical, pathological, and gastroenterologic aspects and the role of the pathologist and endosonographer in the evaluation of these lesions, as well as the corresponding FNA cytology and differential diagnosis.