Endoscopic mucosal resection: who and how?

Endoscopic Significance of Incidental Upper Gastrointestinal Wall Thickness Detected on Computed Tomography Scans

Background Incidental upper gastrointestinal wall thickness (GIWT) is a nonspecific finding often observed on computed tomography (CT) scans performed to investigate patients admitted with various symptoms both gastrointestinal (GI) and non-GI. Its clinical significance is uncertain, and patients often undergo endoscopic evaluation under an urgent cancer pathway to exclude malignancy. We aimed to conduct this study to determine how well the CT findings correlated endoscopically.  Methods  A retrospective data collection was performed for patients who were referred to the endoscopy department between July 2021 and July 2024 for evaluation of GIWT over a period of four years. We analyzed age, gender, reason for initial CT, endoscopic findings, histology findings, and evidence of cancer. Results Our final cohort included 50 patients who underwent endoscopic and subsequent histological examination following abnormal CT findings. The mean age of the included cohort was 71. Thirty-one were males and 19 patients were females. Ninety percent had esophageal wall thickness while 10% had gastric wall thickness. Twenty-six percent of patients had red flag symptoms such as weight loss and iron deficiency anemia as an indication for undergoing CT scans. About 8% of the patients were confirmed to have malignancy on endoscopy of which 6% had red flag symptoms such as weight loss and iron deficiency anemia. Seventy-eight percent of the cohort had gastroscopy within two to four weeks, 10% in four to 12 weeks and 12% after 12 weeks. Conclusion Our results illustrate that a majority of people with incidental GIWT had benign pathologies whereas a small number of patients had malignancy. It is worth noting that malignancy was more common among patients who had red flag symptoms, and therefore urgent endoscopy assessment under the urgent cancer pathway is recommended in these patients. On the contrary, the risk is noted to be low in patients with no red flag symptoms, therefore we recommend assessing such patients individually for the need for endoscopic evaluation based on detailed history and examination. We think further multicenter large studies are required in this area of research and develop standard protocols in relation to investigating incidental upper GIWT with endoscopy.

Diagnosis of colorectal cancer based on folate receptor-positive circulating tumor cell analysis: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to improve the prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC). At present, there is a lack of an accurate CRC screening factor. We conducted folate receptor-positive circulating tumor cell analysis (FR + CTC analysis) in distinguishing CRC from benign colorectal diseases to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency.

METHODS

Clinical data of patients admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from January 2021 to July 2022 were retrospectively collected. Levels of FR + CTC and other indicators were analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to assess the diagnostic performance of these molecular biomarkers.

RESULTS

Data of 103 patients with CRC and 54 patients with benign colorectal diseases were collected. FR + CTC levels were observed significantly higher in CRC patients than in patients with benign colorectal diseases (P < 0.001). FR + CTC level was correlated with tumor diameter, differentiation, T-stage, pathological stage, clinical stage, and intravascular tumor thrombus in patients with CRC (P < 0.05). The optimal cutoff value of FR + CTC level for diagnosing CRC patients was 7.66 FU/3 ml, with a sensitivity of 85.4%, a specificity of 74.1%, and an Area Under Curve (AUC) of 0.855 (95% CI 0.77-0.923). In < 50-years old patients with CRC, the diagnostic efficiency of FR + CTC was excellent, with an AUC of 0.936 (95% CI 0.877-0.995).

CONCLUSION

FR + CTC counting has excellent diagnostic efficiency in screening of CRC. FR + CTC count can also predict the tumor stage of CRC patients before surgery, and guide the choice of treatment.

A survey of physician training and credentialing in endoscopic submucosal dissection in the United States

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is technically challenging, has a longer learning curve and a greater complication rate than most new endoscopic procedures. Formal training and credentialing guidelines for ESD are currently lacking in the United States (US).

AIM

To survey ESD experts across the US to determine their learning process and obtain their opinion on how training and credentialing for ESD should develop.

DESIGN

Anonymous electronic survey.

SUBJECTS

ASGE members who are practicing US endoscopists.

METHODS

The survey was developed by iterative revisions of questions administered to three investigators who have been performing ESD for > 5 years. The final survey was distributed electronically to US endoscopists who had previously attended ESD expert conferences.

RESULTS

Thirty-five (58.3%) of 60 practicing ESD experts responded to the survey. A majority (91%) were in university-based, community, or tertiary care hospitals. All practitioners practiced on porcine explants and observed live ESD procedures as part of the training. Out of the participants, 75.8% received formal supervised hands-on training on porcine explants and/or humans before performing ESD independently. Fifty percent indicated that their facility had written guidelines specifically for ESD credentialing. Four out of 5 felt that credentialing requirements should include attending weekend ESD courses, observing live procedures, practicing on explants, and advanced endoscopic training in interventional endoscopy such as an additional year of fellowship.

LIMITATIONS

Survey completion rate of 58.3%.

CONCLUSION

ESD training should include practicing on explants, observation of live procedures, training in interventional endoscopy, and attending educational courses. Credentialing guidelines for ESD based on expert opinion need to be developed in the US.

Investigation of Fusobacterium Nucleatum in saliva and colorectal mucosa: a pilot study

As evidence has been linking the oral bacterium Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) to colorectal tumorigenesis, we aimed to produce preliminary data on the expression of F. nucleatum in both oral and colorectal body sites in cases diagnosed with colorectal neoplasms (CRN) and CRN-free controls. We conducted a pilot hospital-based case-control study among patients who underwent colonoscopy examination. Saliva samples and biopsies from healthy colon mucosa from CRN cases and CRN-free controls, and from tumors in cases, were collected, as well as data on periodontal condition and potential CRN risk factors. A total of 22 CRN cases and 21 CRN-free controls participated in this study, with a total of 135 biospecimens collected and analyzed by qPCR for detection and quantification of F. nucleatum. The detection rate of F. nucleatum was 95% in saliva samples and 18% in colorectal mucosa specimens. The median (95% CI) salivary F. nucleatum level was 0.35 (0.15-0.82) and 0.12 (0.05-0.65) in case and control groups, respectively, with a Spearman correlation of 0.64 (95% CI 0.2-0.94) between F. nucleatum level in saliva and healthy colorectal mucosa in controls. Our study results support the need for and the feasibility of further studies that aim to investigate the association between oral and colorectal levels of F. nucleatum in CRN cases and controls.Clinical Relevance: Considering the current evidence linking F. nucleatum to colorectal carcinogenesis, investigating the role of oral F. nucleatum expression in its colorectal enrichment is crucial for colorectal cancer screening and prevention avenues.

[Pneumothorax Following Gastric Endoscopic Mucosal Resection]

An endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is used widely as an alternative treatment to a surgical resection for early gastric neoplastic lesions. Among the unusual complications of gastric EMR, perforation is usually manifested as a pneumoperitoneum. This paper reports a patient with a left-side pneumothorax without pneumoperitoneum as a complication of gastric EMR. The patient developed a left side pneumothorax after gastric EMR in the gastric fundus and recovered without further complications after conservative treatment, including endoscopic clipping.

A "Watch and Wait" Strategy Involving Regular Endoscopic Surveillance Is Safe for Many Patients with Small, Sporadic, Grade 1, Non-Ampullary, Non-Functioning Duodenal Neuroendocrine Tumours

INTRODUCTION

Duodenal neuroendocrine tumours (d-NETs) are rare but are increasing in incidence. Current ENETS guidelines advocate resection of all localized d-NETs. However, "watch and wait" may be appropriate for some localized, small, grade 1, non-functioning, non-ampullary d-NETs. We evaluated whether patients with such d-NETs who chose "watch and wait" involving regular endoscopic surveillance had equivalent disease-related outcomes to patients undergoing endoscopic or surgical resection.

METHODS

Retrospective review of patients with histologically confirmed d-NETs at Liverpool ENETS Centre of Excellence 2007-2020.

RESULTS

Sixty-nine patients were diagnosed with d-NET of which 50 were sporadic, non-functioning, non-ampullary tumours. Patient treatment groups were similar in terms of age, gender, and tumour location and grade, but unsurprisingly, larger tumours (median diameter 17 mm [p < 0.0001]) were found in the surgically treated group. Five patients underwent surgical resection with no evidence of tumour recurrence or disease-related death. Twelve patients underwent endoscopic resection (ER), with 1 local recurrence detected during follow-up. Thirty patients (28 with d-NETs ≤10 mm) underwent "watch and wait" with resection only if tumours increased in size. The d-NETs in 28/30 patients remained stable or decreased in size over a median 27 months (IQR: 15-48, R: 3-98). In 7 patients, the d-NET was completely removed by avulsion during diagnostic biopsy and was not seen at subsequent endoscopies. Only 2 patients showed increased d-NET size during surveillance, of whom only one was fit for ER. No NET-related deaths were documented during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

All of the localized, ≤10 mm, grade 1, non-functioning, non-ampullary d-NETs in this cohort behaved indolently with very low risks of progression and no tumour-related deaths. "Watch and wait," therefore, appears to be a safe alternative management strategy for selected d-NETs.

Endoscopic Mucosal Resection and Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection

Therapeutic endoscopy is an emerging field within general surgery. This article explores the evidence for and usage of endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection throughout the gastrointestinal tract. We aim to educate surgeons and provide an understanding of these techniques. With education and appropriate training, the surgeon will gain confidence and hopefully adopt these tools into their daily practice.

Endoscopic Resection for the Treatment of Superficial Esophageal Neoplasms

Superficial esophageal neoplasms (SENs) are being diagnosed increasingly frequently due to the screening endoscopy and advances in endoscopic techniques. Endoscopic resection (ER) is a relatively noninvasive treatment method with low morbidity and mortality that provides excellent oncologic outcomes. Endoscopic submucosal dissection is associated with higher rates of en bloc, complete and curative resections and lower rates of local recurrence than endoscopic mucosal resection. The most serious complication of ER is stricture, the treatment and prevention of which are crucial to maintain the patient’s quality of life. ER for SEN is feasible, effective, and safe and can be considered a first-line treatment for SENs in which it is technically feasible.

Histopathological Findings Related to ORISE™ Injectable Submucosa Lifting Agent Used in the Endoscopic Mucosal Resection of Bowel Neoplasms: A Review of Three Cases

The use of nonsaline injectable lifting agents is now routine in the performance of endoscopic mucosal resection of bowel neoplasms (EMR). These agents are used to elevate the mucosa from the muscularis propria and permit more a complete resection of the lesion while mitigating risk of possible thermal injury to the bowel wall and thus preventing perforation. After injection, these new agents, which are replacing normal saline, often remain present in the tissues for some time following the procedure and may be identified in the resection specimens where they may mimic a number of other conditions such as mucin pools, lymphangiomas, granulomatous inflammation, and amyloid deposition. We describe the histological findings associated with the use of nonsaline injectable mucosal lifting agents. Awareness of these agents and their associated artefact may reduce misdiagnosis or the use of unnecessary ancillary studies and highlights the importance of proving relevant clinical information on submission of specimens for pathological examination.

Resection of early esophageal neoplasms: The pendulum swings from surgical to endoscopic management

Esophageal cancer is a highly lethal disease and is the sixth leading cause of cancer related mortality in the world. The standard treatment is esophagectomy which is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This led to development of minimally invasive, organ sparing endoscopic therapies which have comparable outcomes to esophagectomy in early cancer. These include endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection. In early squamous cell cancer, endoscopic submucosal dissection is preferred as it is associated with cause specific 5-year survival rates of 100% for M1 and M2 tumors and 85% for M3 and SM1 tumors and low recurrence rates. In early adenocarcinoma, endoscopic resection of visible abnormalities is followed by ablation of the remaining flat Barrett’s mucosa to prevent recurrences. Radiofrequency ablation is the most widely used ablation modality with others being cryotherapy and argon plasma coagulation. Focal endoscopic mucosal resection followed by radiofrequency ablation leads to eradication of neoplasia in 93.4% of patients and eradication of intestinal metaplasia in 73.1% of patients. Innovative techniques such as submucosal tunneling with endoscopic resection are developed for management of submucosal tumors of the esophagus. This review includes a discussion of various endoscopic techniques and their clinical outcomes in early squamous cell cancer, adenocarcinoma and submucosal tumors. An overview of comparison between esophagectomy and endoscopic therapy are also presented.

Chromoendoscopy Plus Mucosal Resection Versus Conventional Electrocoagulation for Intestinal Polyps in Children: Two Case Series

BACKGROUND

Conventional high-frequency electrocoagulation (HFEC) of intestinal polyps may be difficult in children and endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) could be a less invasive option. Chromoendoscopy improves tissue localization during endoscopy, but its exact influence on the outcomes of children with intestinal lesions is still unknown.

AIMS

To analyze a series of children treated with EMR or HFEC and assess the value of chromoendoscopy.

METHODS

This was a retrospective analysis of two case series of patients treated at the Gastroenterology Department of the Guiyang Children's Hospital between February 2014 and November 2016. The children underwent EMR (n = 34) or conventional HFEC (n = 120). Demographic, clinical, and perioperative data were analyzed.

RESULTS

The polyps were larger in the HFEC group [median, 3.9 (0.1-27.0) versus 1.3 (0.03-64.0) mm, P = .03]. There was a higher frequency of multiple polyps in the EMR group (50.0% versus 15.1%, P < .001). Operation time and intraoperative bleeding were similar between the two groups (both P > .05). Hospital stay was longer with EMR than with HFEC [median, 5 (3-12) versus 4 (2-14) days, P = .02]. There was no intestinal perforation in either group. Postoperative bleeding amount was similar in both groups (P = .73). In the EMR group, 19 patients were operated using chromoendoscopy, whereas only 2 patients in the HFEC group were operated.

CONCLUSION

EMR could be appropriate for the treatment of intestinal polyps in children.

Peptide Hydrogels—A Tissue Engineering Strategy for the Prevention of Oesophageal Strictures

Endoscopic treatment of Barrett's oesophagus often leads to further damage of healthy tissue causing fibrotic tissue formation termed as strictures. This study shows that synthetic, self‐assembling peptide hydrogels (PeptiGelDesign) support the activity and function of primary oesophageal cells, leading to epithelialization and stratification during in vitro 3D co‐culture. Following buffering in culture media, rat oesophageal stromal fibroblasts (rOSFs) are incorporated into a library of peptide hydrogels, whereas mouse oesophageal epithelial cells (mOECs) are seeded on the surface. Optimal hydrogels (PGD‐AlphaProC and PGD‐CGD2) support mOEC viability (>95%), typical cell morphology (cobblestone‐like), and slower migration over a shorter distance compared to a collagen control, at 48 h. Positive expression of typical epithelial markers (ZO‐1 and cytokeratins) is detected using immunocytochemistry at day 3 in culture. Furthermore, optimal hydrogels are identified which support rOSF viability (>95%) with homogeneous distribution when incorporated into the hydrogels and also promote the secretion of collagen type I detected using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), at day 7. A 3D co‐culture model using optimal hydrogels for both cell types supports a stratified epithelial layer (expressing involucrin and AE1/AE3 markers). Findings from this study could lead to the use of peptide hydrogels as a minimally invasive endoscopic therapy to manage oesophageal strictures.

British Society of Gastroenterology/Association of Coloproctologists of Great Britain and Ireland guidelines for the management of large non-pedunculated colorectal polyps

These guidelines provide an evidence-based framework for the management of patients with large non-pedunculated colorectal polyps (LNPCPs), in addition to identifying key performance indicators (KPIs) that permit the audit of quality outcomes. These are areas not previously covered by British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) Guidelines.A National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) compliant BSG guideline development process was used throughout and the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) tool was used to structure the guideline development process. A systematic review of literature was conducted for English language articles up to May 2014 concerning the assessment and management of LNPCPs. Quality of evaluated studies was assessed using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) Methodology Checklist System. Proposed recommendation statements were evaluated by each member of the Guideline Development Group (GDG) on a scale from 1 (strongly agree) to 5 (strongly disagree) with >80% agreement required for consensus to be reached. Where consensus was not reached a modified Delphi process was used to re-evaluate and modify proposed statements until consensus was reached or the statement discarded. A round table meeting was subsequently held to finalise recommendations and to evaluate the strength of evidence discussed. The GRADE tool was used to assess the strength of evidence and strength of recommendation for finalised statements.KPIs, a training framework and potential research questions for the management of LNPCPs were also developed. It is hoped that these guidelines will improve the assessment and management of LNPCPs.

Management of colonic polyps and the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme

This article describes the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme and the management of large colonic polyps, many of which are diagnosed and managed successfully during bowel cancer screening, in addition to non-endoscopic management options.

Approach to rectal cancer surgery

Rectal cancer is a distinct subset of colorectal cancer where specialized disease-specific management of the primary tumor is required. There have been significant developments in rectal cancer surgery at all stages of disease in particular the introduction of local excision strategies for preinvasive and early cancers, standardized total mesorectal excision for resectable cancers incorporating preoperative short- or long-course chemoradiation to the multimodality sequencing of treatment. Laparoscopic surgery is also increasingly being adopted as the standard rectal cancer surgery approach following expertise of colorectal surgeons in minimally invasive surgery gained from laparoscopic colon resections. In locally advanced and metastatic disease, combining chemoradiation with radical surgery may achieve total eradication of disease and disease control in the pelvis. Evidence for resection of metastases to the liver and lung have been extensively reported in the literature. The role of cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for peritoneal metastases is showing promise in achieving locoregional control of peritoneal dissemination. This paper summarizes the recent developments in approaches to rectal cancer surgery at all these time points of the disease natural history.