Safety and efficacy of over-the-scope clip-assisted full thickness resection of duodenal subepithelial tumors: A case report

Spannungsfeld endoskopische Resektionsverfahren bei GEP-NET // Endoscopic resection for GEP-NET

Neuroendokrine Tumoren des Verdauungstraktes (GEP-NET) sind eine seltene Tumorentität, die häufig als Zufallsbefund diagnostiziert werden. Ein großer Teil dieser Zufallsdiagnosen wird im Rahmen einer endoskopischen Untersuchung gestellt. Während die vollständige Entfernung des Tumors im Sinne einer kurativen chirurgischen Resektion nach onkologischen Kriterien das Standardvorgehen für lokalisierte Tumorerkrankungen ist, kann bei kleinen Tumoren ohne Hinweis und Risiko für eine lymphogene Metastasierung eine endoskopische Abtragung in gleicher Intention erfolgen. Während dies für Magen-, Duodenum- und Rektum-NET der Standard ist, sollten NET des Jejunums und Ileums aufgrund der hohen Metastasierungsrate trotz geringer Tumorgröße regelhaft nicht endoskopisch angegangen werden. Die Grenze für eine endoskopische Resektion ergibt sich sowohl durch die technische Machbarkeit im Sinne des Erreichens einer R0-Resektion, der erwarteten Komplikationen im Sinne von Blutung und Perforationen als auch durch das vermutete Risiko für eine lymphogene Metastasierung. Generell wird eine endoskopische Resektion bei Befunden < 1 cm regelhaft empfohlen, da sowohl die gute technische Machbarkeit als auch das geringe Metastasierungsrisiko für eine endoskopische Resektion sprechen. Bei allen Befunden über 2 cm Größe sind sowohl die technischen Erfolgsaussichten so niedrig als auch das Metastasierungsrisiko so hoch, dass in dieser Situation regelhaft ein chirurgisches Vorgehen erfolgen sollte. Es bleibt somit ein Graubereich bei der Tumorgröße zwischen 1 und 2 cm, wo sowohl endoskopische, aber auch chirurgische Resektionsverfahren sinnvoll eingesetzt werden können. Zunehmend kommen auch gemeinsame Eingriffe im Sinne eines endoskopisch-laparoskopischen Rendezvous-Verfahrens zum Einsatz – insbesondere im Duodenum bieten sich diese Eingriffe an, um eine minimale Resektion mit größtmöglicher R0-Erfolgsrate und niedriger Perforationsrate zu erreichen.

Over-the-scope clip-assisted endoscopic full-thickness resection has potential to treat complex nonampullary duodenal lesions: a single-center case series

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The duodenum is considered a challenging area for the endoscopic resection of lesions. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of over-the-scope clip (OTSC)-assisted endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) for complex nonampullary duodenal lesions unsuitable for conventional resection techniques.

METHODS AND PATIENTS

We conducted a retrospective case review of 13 consecutive patients with complex nonampullary duodenal tumors that were unsuitable for conventional resection techniques; these patients underwent EFTR assisted with OTSC at Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University from September 2015 to September 2020. The OTSC device was placed, and tumors were resected after the lesions were identified. Data were abstracted for demographics, lesion features, histopathologic diagnoses, technical success rates, complete resection (R0 resection) rates, and complications.

RESULTS

Thirteen patients with duodenal lesions (6 adenomas and 7 submucosal tumors with nonlifting signs, incomplete lifting signs, difficult locations, failed ESD/EMR attempts or suspected origin in the muscularis propria) subjected to EFTR were included. The sizes of all the lesions evaluated by endoscopy were smaller than 20 mm, and most of them (84.6%, 11/13) were smaller than 12 mm. All 13 applications of the clips, endoscopic resection and full-thickness resection were successful (13/13, 100%). Complete resection was achieved in 12 patients (12/13, 92.3%). There were no immediate or delayed complications, including bleeding, infection and perforation.

CONCLUSIONS

OTSC -assisted EFTR appears to be effective and safe for complex nonampullary duodenal lesions smaller than 20 mm (particularly those ≤ 10-12 mm) that are unsuitable for conventional resection techniques.

Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Gastrointestinal Tract: A Focused Review and Practical Approach for Gastroenterologists

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are rare tumors derived from the neuroendocrine cell system, and more commonly found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Over the last decades, the incidence of GI-NETs has been steadily increasing, partly due to the expanding indications for endoscopy. Most patients with NETs are asymptomatic, and their NETs are noticed during screening examinations; thus, endoscopists are on the frontline of the diagnosis of GI-NETs. Since GI-NETs are less frequent than other malignancies, the natural history, diagnosis, and management of these tumors may not be fully understood. In this review, we aim to update the endoscopist on key clinical features and management of patients with gastric, duodenal, and rectal NETs.

Endoscopic full-thickness resection of duodenal lesions (with video)

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The endoscopic treatment of non-lifting or submucosal duodenal lesions is associated with a high risk of incomplete resection and adverse events. Clip-assisted endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) is a new approach for en bloc removal of neoplastic lesions in the GI tract. The aim of this study was to investigate its efficacy and safety in the duodenum.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively collected all consecutive patients with duodenal lesions who underwent EFTR with OTSC (Ovesco Endoscopy, Tübingen, Germany) or the new full-thickness resection device (FTRD; Ovesco Endoscopy, Tübingen, Germany). Complete resection rate was defined as histologically-verified R0 resection. Main endoscopic and clinical outcomes (technical success, rate of EFTR, adverse events) were systematically assessed at 3 and 6 months.

RESULTS

Between May 2017 and January 2019, 10 patients with duodenal lesions underwent EFTR (5 non-lifting adenomas, 2 adenomas recurrence/relapse and 3 subepithelial tumours). Technical success was overall achieved in 8/10 cases (80%). The two FTRD failed cases were completed with snare resection. The complete full-thickness resection rate was achieved in 8/10 (80%), while in two cases it was limited to mucosal or submucosal layer. R0 resection rate was achieved in 8/10 (80%) patients. The mean procedure time was 75 min (range 53-120 min). There were no major adverse events. At 3 and 6-month follow-up, no recurrence was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Clip-assisted EFTR is a feasible and effective technique for en bloc resection of "difficult" superficial neoplasia and submucosal lesions in the duodenum, representing another technique that must be part of the endoscopist's armamentarium.