Duodenal Crohn's Disease

Clinical outcomes of serial endoscopic balloon dilation for duodenal Crohn's disease-associated strictures

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) is a safe and effective treatment for Crohn's disease (CD)-associated strictures. However, serial EBDs have rarely been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of serial EBDs for treating CD-associated duodenal strictures compared with intermittent EBDs.

METHODS

Patients with CD-associated duodenal strictures who underwent EBD were recruited. The clinical data, stricture characteristics, number of EBDs, dilation diameter, complications, surgical interventions, and follow-up periods were recorded. Patients were divided into a serial dilation group and an intermittent dilation group to analyze the differences in safety and efficacy.

RESULTS

Forty-five patients with duodenal CD-associated strictures underwent a total of 139 dilations. A total of 23 patients in the serial dilation group underwent 72 dilations, for a median of 3 (range 3 ~ 4) dilations per patient, and 22 patients in the intermittent dilation group underwent 67 dilations, for a median of 3 (range 1 ~ 6) dilations per patient. Technical success was achieved in 97.84% (136/139) of the patients. During the follow-up period, three patients in the intermittent dilation group underwent surgery, and the total clinical efficacy was 93.33% (42/45). No difference in safety or short-term efficacy was noted between the two groups, but serial EBDs exhibited significantly greater clinical efficacy between 6 months and 2 years. No significant difference in recurrence-free survival was observed, but the median longest recurrence-free survival and recurrence-free survival after the last EBD in the serial dilation group were 693 days (range 298 ~ 1381) and 815 days (range 502 ~ 1235), respectively, which were significantly longer than the 415 days (range 35 ~ 1493) and 291 days (range 34 ~ 1493) in the intermittent dilation group (p = 0.013 and p = 0.000, respectively). At the last follow-up, the mean diameter of the duodenal lumen was 1.17 ± 0.07 cm in the serial dilation group, which was greater than the 1.11 ± 0.10 cm in the intermittent dilation group (p = 0.018). We also found that the Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn's Disease was associated with an increased risk of surgical intervention (HR 2.377, 95% CI 1.125-5.020; p = 0.023) and recurrence at 6 months after the last EBD (HR 0.698, 95% CI 0.511-0.953; p = 0.024), as assessed by univariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to the intermittent EBDs, serial EBDs for duodenal CD-associated strictures exhibit greater clinical efficacy within two years and could delay stricture recurrence. We suggest that serial EBDs can be a novel option for endoscopic treatment of duodenal CD-associated strictures.

Crohn disease but not ulcerative colitis increases the risk of acute pancreatitis: A 2-sample Mendelian randomization study

Accumulating evidence has indicated an increased risk of acute pancreatitis in individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, the establishment of a clear and direct causal connection between IBD and acute pancreatitis remains uncertain. Utilizing genetic data from publicly accessible genome-wide association studies (GWAS), we conducted a 2-sample MR analysis to identify the associations between IBD, ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn disease (CD), and acute pancreatitis risk. Rigorous quality control steps ensured the selection of eligible single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with strong associations to IBD. The primary estimation used the inverse-variance weighted method. We also assessed heterogeneity, potential pleiotropy, and conducted sensitivity analyses. The direction of causality was confirmed using the Steiger test. The MR analysis showed that IBD increased the risk of acute pancreatitis (IVW: OR = 1.032, 95% CI: 1.006-1.06, P = .015). Among the subgroup of IBD, CD (IVW: OR = 1.034, 95% CI: 1.008-1.06, P = .007) indicates a significant increase in the risk of acute pancreatitis compared to UC (IVW: OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.99-1.051, P = .189). The MR analysis assessing the association between CD and acute pancreatitis showed no evidence of heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy. Likewise, the leave-one-out (LOO) method indicated no significant influence of any individual SNP on the overall findings. In addition, the Steiger direction test revealed that CD was the cause for increased risk of acute pancreatitis, but not vice versa. In summary, this research pioneers in proposing a causal relationship between CD and acute pancreatitis among the European population.

Surgical management of duodenal crohn's disease

BACKGROUND

Operative options for duodenal Crohn's disease include bypass, stricturoplasty, or resection. What factors are associated with operation selection and whether differences exist in outcomes is unknown.

METHODS

Patients with duodenal Crohn's disease requiring operative intervention across a multi-state health system were identified. Patient and operative characteristics, short-term surgical outcomes, and the need for future endoscopic or surgical management of duodenal Crohn's disease were analyzed.

RESULTS

40 patients underwent bypass (n = 26), stricturoplasty (n = 8), or resection (n = 6). Median age of diagnosis of Crohn's disease was 23.5 years, and over half of the patients had undergone prior surgery for CD. Operation type varied by the most proximal extent of duodenal involvement. Patients with proximal duodenal CD underwent bypass operations more commonly than those with mid- or distal duodenal disease (p = 0.03). Patients who underwent duodenal stricturoplasty more often required concomitant operations for other sites of small bowel or colonic CD (63%) compared to those who underwent bypass (39%) or resection (33%). No patients required subsequent surgery for duodenal CD at a median follow-up of 2.8 years, but two patients required endoscopic dilation (n = 1 after stricturoplasty, n = 1 after resection).

CONCLUSION

Patients who require surgery for duodenal Crohn's disease appear to have an aggressive Crohn's disease phenotype, represented by a younger age of diagnosis and a high rate of prior resection for Crohn's disease. Choice of operation varied by proximal extent of duodenal Crohn's disease.

Identifying Dental Pulp Stem Cell as a Novel Therapeutic trategy for Digestive Diseases

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been identified as potential therapeutics for various diseases. In contrast to other sources of MSCs, dental stem cells (DSCs) have received increased attention due to their high activity and easy accessibility. Among them, dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) exhibit superior self-renewal, multipotency, immunomodulatory, and regenerative capacities. Following their inspiring performance in animal models and clinical trials, DPSCs show pharmacological potential in regenerative medicine. In this review, we have generalized the sources, heterogeneity, and biological characteristics of DPSCs, as well as compared them with other types of dental stem cells. In addition, we summarized the application of DPSCs in digestive diseases (such as liver, esophageal, and intestinal diseases), highlighting their regenerative and pharmacological potential based on the existing preclinical and clinical evidence. Specifically, DPSCs can be home to injured or inflamed tissues and exert repair and regeneration functions by facilitating immune regulation, anti-inflammation, and directional differentiation. Although DPSCs have a rosy prospect, future studies should handle the underlying drawbacks and pave the way for the identification of DPSCs as novel regenerative medicine.

Comparison of endoscopic balloon dilation and surgery for duodenal stricture in patients with Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND

Few studies have compared endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) and surgery in the treatment of duodenal stricture in patients with Crohn's disease (CD).

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study to compare the efficacy and safety among patients with CD-associated duodenal stricture treated with EBD or surgery from October 2013 to December 2021. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate factors associated with recurrence-free or surgery-free survival.

RESULTS

A total of 48 eligible patients were included, including 30 patients treated with EBD only and 18 patients treated with surgery. Patients treated with surgery experienced more symptomatic improvement (100% vs. 63.33%, p = 0.003) and significantly longer recurrence-free survival (6.31 [IQR: 3.00-8.39] years vs. 2.96 [IQR: 1.06-5.42] years, p = 0.01) but suffered more postprocedural adverse events (16.67% vs. 0.74% per procedure, p = 0.001). In patients initially treated with EBD (n = 41), a total of 11 (26.83%) required subsequent surgical intervention. Younger age at CD diagnosis (HR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.81-1.00, p = 0.04) was associated with a higher risk for subsequent surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgery for CD-associated duodenal strictures was associated with a longer recurrence-free survival. EBD was safe and effective with minimal postprocedural adverse events but led to a high frequency of recurrence.

Duodenal stenosis surgical treatment in Crohn's disease

We present the case of a 34-year-old man with daily vomiting and 20% weight loss in a year. A gastroduodenoscopy was performed, noticing 2nd and 3rd duodenal portion dilatation and inflammatory involvement of the 3rd and 4th portion, causing luminal stenosis. These findings are the same than in the magnetic resonance . The biopsy proves the histological diagnosis of Crohn's disease. At the beginning the patient was treated with Prednisone, Adalimumab and Ustekinumab. After 9 months, surgery was decided because the disease was refractory to treatment and there was corticosteroid dependence. A partial resection of 3rd and 4th portion of the duodenum and the first loop of jejunum was performed, with duodenojejunal anastomosis. The patient presents good postoperative evolution and after 1 year he remained asymptomatic under treatment with Ustekinumab.

Optimal surgical management of duodenal fistula in Crohn's disease: a Korean multicenter cohort study

PURPOSE

Duodenal fistula in Crohn's disease (CDF) is a rare condition with an unclear optimal surgical management approach. We reviewed a Korean multicenter cohort of CDF surgery cases and assessed their perioperative outcomes to evaluate the effectiveness of the surgical interventions.

METHODS

The medical records of patients who underwent CD surgery between January 2006 and December 2021 from three tertiary medical centers were retrospectively reviewed. Only CDF cases were included in this study. The demographic and preoperative characteristics, perioperative details, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

Among the initial population of 2149 patients who underwent surgery for CD, 23 cases (1.1%) had a CDF operation. Fourteen of these patients (60.9%) had a history of previous abdominal surgery, and 7 had duodenal fistula at the previous anastomosis site. All duodenal fistulas were excised and primarily repaired via a resection of the originating adjacent bowel. Additional procedures such as gastrojejunostomy, pyloric exclusion, or T-tube insertion were performed in 8 patients (34.8%). Eleven patients (47.8%) experienced postoperative complications including for anastomosis leakages. Fistula recurrence was noted in 3 patients (13%) of which one patient required a re-operation. Biologics administration was associated with fewer adverse events by multivariable analysis (P = 0.026, odds ratio = 0.081).

CONCLUSION

Optimal perioperative conditioning of patients receiving a primary repair of a fistula and resection of the original diseased bowel can successfully cure CDF. Along with primary repair of the duodenum, other complementary additional procedures should be considered for better postoperative outcomes.

Diagnosis and Classification of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Strictures

Intestinal strictures are a common complication in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Symptoms due to intestinal strictures range from mild bloating and/or abdominal discomfort to complete bowel obstruction. Careful selection of available medical, endoscopic, or surgical therapies is critical for optimizing patient outcomes and is dependent on the effective characterization of the stricture. This article will focus on the diagnosis and classification of IBD strictures.

Can Enteric Fistulae in Patients with Crohn's Disease Occur in Isolation: Findings from 500 Consecutive Operative Cases

BACKGROUND OR PURPOSE

Enteric Crohn's disease (CD) is characterized by transmural inflammation resulting in inflammatory, stricturing, or penetrating phenotypes. However, data regarding the relationship between stricturing and penetrating behavior is lacking. The incidence of penetrating CD in the absence of a stricture is unclear. The aim of this study is to assess if enteric fistulae in adult patients undergoing abdominal surgery for symptomatic CD occur in isolation.

METHODS

Resection or repair of enteric CD fistulae performed in a quaternary care referral center (2009-2017) was analyzed. Fistulae associated with pelvic or continent pouch, rectal stump, or ano-vagina were excluded. Fistulae were stratified based on origin, tract, target, and relationship to stricture. Strictures were stratified as inflammatory or fibrostenotic.

RESULTS

Five hundred consecutive operative reports were reviewed. A total of 490 fistulae were evaluated. Two hundred ninety-nine fistulae were in patients undergoing index surgery. Incidence of CD fistulae not associated with stricture was 14.9% in total, but only 8% in the index surgery cohort. The majority of fistulae originated from the ileum (95%). CD fistulae originating from the stomach or duodenum were not identified in the index cohort. Fistulae within an inflammatory stricture were likely to include an intra-abdominal abscess (p < 0.001). Fistulae associated with a fibrostenotic stricture were more likely to originate proximal to the stricture (p < 0.001). The incidence of fistula-associated adenocarcinoma was 0.6%.

CONCLUSIONS

Symptomatic CD fistulae in the absence of stricture are uncommon. Caution should be exercised when making a diagnosis of CD in the presence of enteric fistulae, but an absence of stricture, particularly in patients with prior abdominal surgery.

Long-Term Outcome of Endoscopic Balloon Dilation for Duodenal Crohn's Disease-Associated Strictures

BACKGROUND

Duodenal Crohn's disease (CD) is rare and may present with obstructive symptoms, and few reports have focused on endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) for duodenal CD-associated strictures.

AIMS

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of EBD for duodenal CD-associated strictures.

METHODS

Patients with duodenal CD-associated strictures who underwent EBD were recruited. The clinical date, stricture characteristics, number of EBDs, dilation diameter, complications, surgical interventions, and follow-up periods were recorded. Patients were also divided into a serial dilation group and a nonserial dilation group to analyze the efficacy and safety of serial EBD for duodenal strictures.

RESULTS

A total of 54 patients with duodenal CD-associated strictures underwent a total of 153 dilations. Technical success was achieved in 98.69% (151/153) of cases. The short-term efficacy at 1 month and 2 months was 100%. At a median follow-up period of 223 days (range 30-866), 11 patients underwent surgery, and the total clinical efficacy was 79.63% (43/54). No difference in the safety or efficacy was noted between the serial dilation group and the nonserial dilation group. The median surgery-free survival of 507 days (range 170-857) and the median recurrence-free survival of 215 days (range 30-866) in the serial dilation group were significantly longer than those in the nonserial dilation group (185.5 days (range 73-275) and 124 days (range 30-699), respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

EBD is a safe and effective treatment for duodenal CD-associated strictures. Serial dilations could delay recurrence and surgical intervention but did not change the long-term outcome or prevent surgery.

Endoscopic evaluation of surgically altered bowel in inflammatory bowel disease: a consensus guideline from the Global Interventional Inflammatory Bowel Disease Group

The majority of patients with Crohn's disease and a proportion of patients with ulcerative colitis will ultimately require surgical treatment despite advances in diagnosis, therapy, and endoscopic interventions. The surgical procedures that are most commonly done include bowel resection with anastomosis, strictureplasty, faecal diversion, and ileal pouch. These surgical treatment modalities result in substantial alterations in bowel anatomy. In patients with inflammatory bowel disease, endoscopy plays a key role in the assessment of disease activity, disease recurrence, treatment response, dysplasia surveillance, and delivery of endoscopic therapy. Endoscopic evaluation and management of surgically altered bowel can be challenging. This consensus guideline delineates anatomical landmarks and endoscopic assessment of these landmarks in diseased and surgically altered bowel.

Upper gastrointestinal tract involvement in Crohn's disease: A case report

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Upper gastrointestinal tract manifestations of Crohn’s disease are unusual.

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There is limited literature guiding management decisions in affected patients.

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This case report highlights surgical management in this aspect of Crohn’s disease.

Background

Crohn’s disease (CD) is an inflammatory bowel disease that typically affects the distal part of the gastrointestinal tract (GI) such as the terminal ileum and colon. However, it can affect the upper GI tract, potentially resulting in complications such as strictures, but discussion of the management of such effects is limited in the surgical literature.

Case presentation

A 39 year old male was referred to our department with stricturing upper GI disease 20 years after CD diagnosis. He had a history of intermittent abdominal pain, nausea, frequent vomiting and weight loss. Imaging demonstrated a long stricture in the duodenum with proximal dilatation. There was no evidence of acute inflammatory Crohn’s disease. A Roux-en-Y bypass was performed to successfully relieve the obstructive symptoms.

Discussion

Proximal obstructive gastrointestinal manifestations of CD are a rare entity and require a full diagnostic workup and treatment in a specialist centre. A variety of systemic treatments, endoscopic procedures and surgical techniques are addressed in this paper.

Conclusion

Evidence for the optimal treatment of obstructive upper gastrointestinal CD is limited, but careful consideration of the extent of the disease, thorough preoperative planning and weighing up the benefits and risks can lead to a positive outcome for these patients.

Crohn's disease at radiological imaging: focus on techniques and intestinal tract

Over recent years, inflammatory bowel diseases have become an issue of increased attention in daily clinical practice, due to both a rising incidence and improved imaging capability in detection. In particular, the diagnosis of Crohn's disease is based on clinical picture, laboratory tests and colonoscopy with biopsy. However, colonoscopic evaluation is limited to the mucosal layer. Thus, imaging modalities play a pivotal role in enriching the clinical picture, delivering information on intestinal and extraintestinal involvement. All the imaging modalities can be employed in evaluation of Crohn's disease patients, each of them with specific strengths as well as limitations. In this wide selection, the choice of a proper diagnostic framework can be challenging for the clinician. Therefore, the aim of this work is to offer an overview of the different imaging techniques, with brief technical details and diagnostic potential related to each intestinal tract.

Duodenal Crohn's Disease Complicated by Pancreatitis and Common Bile Duct Obstruction

INTRODUCTION

Crohn's disease (CD) is characterized by segmental and transmural involvement of any portion of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus. Duodenal CD is a rare clinical entity, with the majority of the patients being symptomless - its diagnosis requires a high level of clinical suspicion.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present the case of a 29-year-old male patient with a 2-month history of weight loss, epigastric pain and postprandial vomiting. He underwent upper endoscopy, which revealed a circumferential duodenal ulcer causing non-transposable luminal stenosis and was medicated with proton pump inhibitors. While awaiting gastroenterology consultation, he presented at the emergency department for sudden onset of abdominal pain with dorsal irradiation, nausea and vomiting. Laboratory tests showed anaemia and increased liver enzymes, amylase and lipase. Abdominal computed tomography showed ectasia of the common bile duct (CBD) and intrahepatic biliary tract and a small amount of gas in the main pancreatic duct associated with duodenal thickening. The case was interpreted as probable CD complicated by pancreatitis and obstruction of the CBD, and he was hospitalized under antibiotic therapy and hydrocortisone with improvement of the condition. After discharge, he underwent colonoscopy that revealed several ulcers in the ileum and magnetic resonance imaging that showed distension of the stomach with reduction of the calibre of the transition from the duodenal bulb to the second portion of the duodenum in a 10- to 15-mm extension, as well as associated dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts and CBD and diffuse and regular ectasia of the main pancreatic duct. Combination therapy with azathioprine and infliximab was initiated; the patient presented clinical response at 12 weeks and endoscopic/imaging remission at 9 months.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

Hepatobiliary and pancreatic manifestations are common in CD patients involving multiple mechanisms. In this case report, we pre-sent a patient with duodenal CD complicated with pancreatitis and CBD obstruction due to distortion phenomena by duodenal stenosis, a condition that is rarely described.

Elective Abdominal Surgery for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Elective abdominal surgery for inflammatory bowel disease is common. Surgery for Crohn's disease is not curative, and treatment must be individualized to the disease process. Surgery for ulcerative colitis generally is curative but consideration of patient-specific factors is important for staging of the procedure and determining whether ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is appropriate.