Does ampullary adenoma size predict invasion on EUS? Does invasion on EUS predict presence of malignancy?

New Method of Papillectomy May Decrease Recurrence: Anchoring Method versus Conventional Method

Background/Objectives: Endoscopic papillectomy (EP) is the preferred treatment for ampullary tumors because it has fewer side effects than surgical removal. This study retrospectively compared a new anchoring EP method (A-EP) with the conventional (C-EP) approach. Methods: Ninety-nine patients who underwent EP at a single medical institution between 2009 and 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. In all patients, the indications for EP were pathological adenoma with <10 mm of biliary invasion and a tumor diameter <30 mm on endoscopic ultrasonography. The exclusion criteria were antiplatelet/anticoagulant use, previous upper GI surgery, or prior biliary/pancreatic endoscopic therapy. One expert endoscopist performed the two types of EPs, A-EP and C-EP. Results: Sixty-two patients underwent A-EP, and 37 underwent C-EP. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics, such as sex, age, tumor size, and ductal invasion on endoscopic ultrasound. The A-EP group had higher en bloc resection rates (95.2% vs. 78.4%, p = 0.010). Although the difference was not statistically significant, it tended towards fewer incidences of pancreatitis (p = 0.081) and duct stricture (p = 0.081). The recurrence rate was lower in the A-EP group (8.1% vs. 37.8%, p = 0.000). There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding the follow-up period (A-EP vs. C-EP, 725 vs. 1045 days, p = 0.109) or the days of recurrence (A-EP vs. C-EP, 341 vs. 562 days, p = 0.551). Conclusions: A-EP showed better outcomes than C-EP in terms of en bloc resection and recurrence rates, providing evidence for the efficacy of this novel EP method.

Updates on the Management of Ampullary Neoplastic Lesions

Ampullary neoplastic lesions (ANLs) represent a rare cancer, accounting for about 0.6-0.8% of all gastrointestinal malignancies, and about 6-17% of periampullary tumors. They can be sporadic or occur in the setting of a hereditary predisposition syndrome, mainly familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Usually, noninvasive ANLs are asymptomatic and detected accidentally during esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). When symptomatic, ANLs can manifest differently with jaundice, pain, pancreatitis, cholangitis, and melaena. Endoscopy with a side-viewing duodenoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) play a crucial role in the ANL evaluation, providing an accurate assessment of the size, location, and characteristics of the lesions, including the staging of the depth of tumor invasion into the surrounding tissues and the involvement of local lymph nodes. Endoscopic papillectomy (EP) has been recognized as an effective treatment for ANLs in selected patients, providing an alternative to traditional surgical methods. Originally, EP was recommended for benign lesions and patients unfit for surgery. However, advancements in endoscopic techniques have broadened its indications to comprise early ampullary carcinoma, giant laterally spreading lesions, and ANLs with intraductal extension. In this paper, we review the existing evidence on endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of ampullary neoplastic lesions.

Oral anticoagulants but not antiplatelet agents increase the risk of delayed bleeding after endoscopic papillectomy: a large study in a tertiary referral center

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic papillectomy (EP) is an effective curative treatment in patients with ampullary adenomas. However, EP is burdened by a not-negligible risk of bleeding. The aim of this study was to determine risk factors for delayed bleeding after EP.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of a prospectively-collected database was performed, retrieving all EP performed over a 20-year period. Anti-thrombotic treatments were managed according to guidelines. Delayed bleeding was defined as overt gastrointestinal bleeding or drop in haemoglobin level. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify variables related to delayed bleeding.

RESULTS

Three-hundred-seven patients (48.5% male, median age 68-year-old) entered the study; of them, 51 (16.6%) received anti-thrombotic treatments. Delayed bleeding occurred in 44 (14.3%) patients. No difference was observed in patients receiving antiplatelet agents. Multivariate analysis identified oral anticoagulant agents (odd Ratio 4.37 [2.86-5.95]) and procedural bleeding (OR 2.22 [1.10-4.40]) as independently related to delayed bleeding; in patients with no procedural bleeding, oral anticoagulant agents (OR 5.63 [2.25-9.83]) and ampullary tumor size (OR 1.07 [1.01-1.13]) were independently related to delayed bleeding. Patients on anticoagulant agents presented significantly higher need for blood transfusion (16.7 vs. 1.5%); no difference in intensive care unit admission, surgery or mortality was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that patients on oral antiplatelet agents do not present increased risk for post-EP delayed bleeding. EP represents a valid alternative to surgery even in patients on anticoagulant agents, despite significantly increased risk of delayed bleeding. A tailored approach to those cases should be planned.

Adenomatous neoplasia in the papilla of Vater endoscopic and/or surgical resection?

BACKGROUND

Adenomatous neoplasia in the papilla of Vater needs to be resected in order not to progress. It can be challenging to distinguish between early ampullary malignant lesions and non-invasive adenomas, due to the overlap in symptoms and radiological findings. This retrospective study describes the different findings and treatment decisions taken prior to endoscopic and/or surgical resection of ampullary adenomatous lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients treated with endoscopic and/or surgical resection for suspected or verified ampullary adenomatous neoplasia, between January 2006 and July 2018, where pre-interventional cross-sectional imaging could not discern an obvious invasive, malignant tumor, were included. Findings were compared against the final diagnosis of the histopathological analysis on the resected specimen.

RESULTS

In total, 172 met the inclusion criteria. Patients were treated with either surgical resection (n = 96), endoscopic papillectomy (EP) (n = 55) or both (n = 21). The final diagnosis was in 48% ampullary adenocarcinoma, and the remaining had either ampullary adenoma (38%) or non-neoplastic lesions (14%). In patients where symptoms and cross-sectional imaging were suspicious for malignancy, but with no tissue samples that confirmed neoplasia prior to surgical resection, only 47% had adenocarcinoma. The remaining had either adenoma (9%) or non-neoplastic lesions (44%). Adenocarcinoma was revealed in 27% of the patients where endoscopic biopsies had shown adenoma. Patients with adenoma, treated with EP, were cured in 59%. However, 28% were after EP sent for further surgery due to ductal invasion or a finding of adenocarcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with a suspicion of ampullary neoplasia on imaging, attempts should be made to get endoscopic tissue samples before deciding on a treatment strategy. If biopsies show ampullary adenoma, patients should be considered for EP, unless there are clear radiologic or endoscopic signs of malignancy. Patients with adenocarcinoma on endoscopic biopsies should undergo surgical resection.

Endoscopic management of ampullary tumors: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Guideline

1: ESGE recommends against diagnostic/therapeutic papillectomy when adenoma is not proven.Strong recommendation, low quality evidence. 2: ESGE recommends endoscopic ultrasound and abdominal magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) for staging of ampullary tumors.Strong recommendation, low quality evidence. 3: ESGE recommends endoscopic papillectomy in patients with ampullary adenoma without intraductal extension, because of good results regarding outcome (technical and clinical success, morbidity, and recurrence).Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence. 4: ESGE recommends en bloc resection of ampullary adenomas up to 20-30 mm in diameter to achieve R0 resection, for optimizing the complete resection rate, providing optimal histopathology, and reduction of the recurrence rate after endoscopic papillectomy.Strong recommendation, low quality evidence. 5: ESGE suggests considering surgical treatment of ampullary adenomas when endoscopic resection is not feasible for technical reasons (e. g. diverticulum, size > 4 cm), and in the case of intraductal involvement (of > 20 mm). Surveillance thereafter is still mandatory.Weak recommendation, low quality evidence. 6: ESGE recommends direct snare resection without submucosal injection for endoscopic papillectomy.Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence. 7: ESGE recommends prophylactic pancreatic duct stenting to reduce the risk of pancreatitis after endoscopic papillectomy.Strong recommendation, moderate quality evidence. 8: ESGE recommends long-term monitoring of patients after endoscopic papillectomy or surgical ampullectomy, based on duodenoscopy with biopsies of the scar and of any abnormal area, within the first 3 months, at 6 and 12 months, and thereafter yearly for at least 5 years.Strong recommendation, low quality evidence.

Management of duodenal polyps

Duodenal adenomas are the most common type of polyp arising from the duodenum. These adenomas can occur within and outside of genetic syndromes, and are broadly classified as non-ampullary or ampullary depending on their location. All adenomas have malignant potential and are therefore appropriately treated by endoscopic resection. However, the unique anatomical properties of the duodenum, namely its relatively thin and vascular walls, narrow luminal diameter and relationship to the ampulla and its associated pancreatic and biliary drainage, pose an increased degree of complexity for any endoscopic interventions in this area. This review will discuss the epidemiology of duodenal adenomas, their endoscopic detection and diagnosis, and techniques for safe and effective endoscopic resection of ampullary and non-ampullary lesions.