Transnasal route: new approach to endoscopy

Unsedated Transnasal Endoscopy: A Safe, Well-Tolerated and Accurate Alternative to Standard Diagnostic Peroral Endoscopy

Diagnostic unsedated transnasal endoscopy (uTNE) has been proven to be a safe and well-tolerated procedure. Although its utilization in the United Kingdom (UK) is increasing, it is currently available in only a few centers. Through consideration of recent studies, we aimed to perform an updated review of the technological advances in uTNE, consider their impact on diagnostic accuracy, and to determine the role of uTNE in the COVID-19 era. Current literature has shown that the diagnostic accuracy of uTNE for identification of esophageal pathology is equivalent to conventional esophagogastroduodenoscopy (cEGD). Concerns regarding suction and biopsy size have been addressed by the introduction of TNE scopes with working channels of 2.4 mm. Advances in imaging have improved detection of early gastric cancers. The procedure is associated with less cardiac stress and reduced aerosol production; when combined with no need for sedation and improved rates of patient turnover, uTNE is an efficient and safe alternative to cEGD in the COVID-19 era. We conclude that advances in technology have improved the diagnostic accuracy of uTNE to the point where it could be considered the first line diagnostic endoscopic investigation in the majority of patients. It could also play a central role in the recovery of diagnostic endoscopic services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Seeding of Gastrostomy Tube Site in Patient With Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Tongue: A Case Report

Enteral nutrition (EN) is a widely used therapeutic tool to provide nutrition support for patients with various clinical conditions, including different types of cancer. Head and neck cancers, often complicated by dysphagia, are among leading indications for enteral feeding. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (PEJ) tubes are typically used to deliver EN. This article presents a case report of a young male with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue. Unfortunately, he developed metastasis of his cancer at the right lateral side of the PEG placement site, requiring surgical resection of seeded growth at the PEG site. This rare complication can be challenging, as it requires a high index of suspicion to diagnose and can potentially limit nutrition support options. A number of theories have been proposed to explain seeding during PEG/PEJ placement, including direct repositioning of malignant cells during instrumentation. A specific placement technique has not been shown to be superior, as seeding was reported with all placement techniques. However, given the lack of statistically powerful studies to describe this entity, there are still gaps we need to explore to better understand seeding of feeding tubes and best practices around diagnosis and early treatment. EN continues to be an important part of caring for patients with cancer during active or palliative treatments. Understanding potential risks in the setting of cancer metastasis is beneficial to the patients and multidisciplinary teams involved. Early recognition of possible seeding of feeding tube sites is necessary to ensure subsequent timely surgical intervention.

Use of anticoagulant or antiplatelet agents is not related to epistaxis in patients undergoing transnasal endoscopy

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Unsedated transnasal endoscopy (uTNE) has become accepted as a safe and tolerable method for upper gastrointestinal tact examinations. Epistaxis is 1 of the major complications of TNE, though its risk factors have not been elucidated. Generally, patients administered an anticoagulant or antiplatelet drug are considered to have an increased risk of epistaxis during TNE. Here, we investigated risk factors of epistaxis in patients undergoing uTNE, with focus on those who received antithrombotic agents.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We enrolled 6860 patients (average age 55.6 ± 12.97 years; 3405 males, 3455 females) who underwent uTNE and received the same preparations for the procedure. Epistaxis was evaluated using endoscopic images obtained while withdrawing the scope through the nostril. We also noted current use of medications including anticoagulant or antiplatelet agents prior to the endoscopic examination.

RESULTS

Epistaxis occurred in 3.6 % of the enrolled patients (245/6860), and that rate was significantly higher in younger patients (average age 49.31 ± 11.8 years for epistaxis group vs. 55.83 ± 13.0 years for no epistaxis group, P  < 0.01) as well as females (4.78 % vs. 2.35 %, P  < 0.01). The odds ratio for occurrence of epistaxis was 2.31 (95 %CI: 1.746 - 3.167) in the younger patients and 2.02 (95 % CI: 1.542 - 2.659) in females. In contrast, there was no significant difference for rate of epistaxis between patients with and without treatment with an antithrombotic agent (3.0 % vs. 3.6 %).

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of epistaxis was higher in younger and female patients. Importantly, that rate was not significantly increased in patients who were administered an antithrombotic agent.

Endoscopic meatus scoring scale versus sniff test to predict insertability before transnasal endoscopy: A prospective, randomized study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Sniff test is a common method before unsedated transnasal esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (UT-EGD) to select a nostril insertion site. Yet there is no objective method to select a more specific meatus insertion tract for anesthesia and insertion. We devised an endoscopic meatus scoring scale by anterior meatuscopy to select the most optimal meatus insertion tract. We hypothesized that meatuscopy instead of sniff test might improve tolerance and reduce adverse events during nasal anesthesia and UT-EGD.

METHODS

A prospective randomized controlled trial to compare patient tolerance and adverse events.

RESULTS

A total of 359 patients were assessed and finally 310 patients were analyzed. There were no statistical differences in patient characteristics and insertion failure rates. Pain scores during nasal anesthesia, nasal insertion/exsertion, UT-EGD, and overall tolerance were significantly lower in the meatuscopy group than sniff test group. Compared with the sniff tested patients, the meatuscopied patients had significantly lower epistaxis rates during insertion/exsertion, better visual capacity after decongestive anesthesia, and shorter total procedure time. A significantly higher proportion of the meatuscopied than sniff tested patients would like to receive the same procedure next time. Nasal discharge, nasal pain, epistaxis, and blowing out blood clots occurred significantly less frequent in the meatuscopy group than sniff test group. More sniff tested than meatuscopied patients had headache, delayed epistaxis, and sinusitis although they were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Selection of an optimal meatus insertion tract by an anterior meatuscopy causes lesser nasal pain, epistaxis, and post-procedural side effects in nasal anesthesia and UT-EGD than the conventional sniff test.

Improved method of gastrostomy tube replacement using a small-caliber transnasal endoscope

CONCLUSION

Gastrostomy tube replacement using a new approach through the abdominal-wall stoma with a small-caliber trans-nasal endoscope is feasible, fast, and safe compared with the trans-oral approach.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the feasibility of a new technique using a trans-nasal endoscope for gastrostomy tube replacement.

METHODS

Between June 2005 and December 2013 in the Peking University Third Hospital, 69 patients underwent gastrostomy tube replacement using the trans-oral approach (conventional method) or a small-caliber trans-nasal endoscope inserted through the abdominal-wall stoma (new method). A retrospective review was performed of the medical records of those patients, including demography and information about the surgical procedure and any complications. Patients were classified into the conventional group and the new method group. Descriptive statistics for all continuous variables were mean ± standard deviation and for categorical variables were number and percentage.

RESULTS

Gastrostomy tube replacement was achieved in 69 of 69 cases (100%); 23 of these procedures were performed using the new method. The surgery time with the conventional method (8.3 ± 2.0 min) was significantly longer than with the new method (6.0 ± 0.9 min, p < 0.001). With the conventional method, there was one patient (2%) with post-operative fever and skin infection; no complications occurred with the new method.

Impact of formal training in endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastrointestinal cancer: A systematic review and a meta-analysis

AIM: To summarize the clinical impact of a formal training for the effectiveness and safety of endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastrointestinal cancer.

METHODS: We searched databases including PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library and Science citation Index updated to August 2014 to include eligible articles. In the Meta-analysis, the main outcome measurements were en bloc resection rate, local recurrence rate (R0) and the incidence of procedure-related complications (perforation, bleeding).

RESULTS: En bloc resection was high for both, dissecting stomach tumors with an overall percentage of 93.2% (95%CI: 90.5-95.8) and dissecting colorectal tumors with an overall percentage of 89.4% (95%CI: 85.1-93.7). Although the number of studies reporting R0 resection (the dissected specimen was revealed free of tumor in both vertical and lateral margins) was small, the overall estimates for R0 resection were 81.4% (95%CI: 72-90.8) for stomach and 85.9% (95%CI: 77.5-95.5) for colorectal tumors, respectively. The analysis showed that the percentage of immediate perforation and bleeding were very low; 4.96 (95%CI: 3.6-6.3) and 1.4% (95%CI: 0.8-1.9) for colorectal tumors and 3.1% (95%CI: 2.0-4.1) and 4.8% (95%CI: 2.8-6.7) for stomach tumors, respectively.

CONCLUSION: In order to obtain the same rate of success of the analyzed studies it is a necessity to create training centers in the western countries during the “several years” of gastroenterology residence first only to teach EGC diagnose and second only to train endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Catheter-free method is sufficient for preparation for transnasal endoscopy: randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Although transnasal endoscopy (TNE) is generally a comfortable and safe procedure, it has some disadvantages, such as complicated preprocessing and occasional repulsion reaction during catheterization. In an attempt to simplify the preprocessing method, the efficacy of a catheter-free method in which a catheter is not inserted into the nasal cavity was assessed.

METHODS

The present study was a prospective, open-label, single-center, randomized controlled study with parallel assignment allocation 1:1. Between March 2009 and August 2009, a total of 93 TNE-naïve patients were enrolled and randomized. Patients were prospectively randomized into two groups (catheter-free vs catheter-insertion method). Patients who prepared according to the catheter-free method and who were unsuccessful underwent the catheter-insertion method. Clinical characteristics, success rate, complications, vital signs, acceptability, and tolerability were assessed and compared.

RESULTS

Success rates of the catheter-free and catheter-insertion methods were 88% (n=44) and 88% (n=38) (P>0.05), respectively. Causes of failure in the catheter-free method included severe rhinalgia (n=1, 2%) and narrowing of the nasal cavity (n=5, 10%). Causes of failure in the catheter-insertion method included narrowing of the nasal cavity (n=5, 11%). Six patients whose TNE failed with the catheter-free method also experienced failed TNE with the catheter-insertion method. There were no statistical differences in vital signs, acceptability, and tolerability.

CONCLUSION

The catheter-free method is sufficient for preparation for TNE. The success rate of TNE depends more on the structure of the nasal cavity than the preprocessing method.

Transnasal PEG tube placement in patients with head and neck cancer

BACKGROUND

Head and neck cancer (H&NCa) patients have an increased risk of malnutrition and dysphagia because of their malignancy and the adverse events of therapy. Most of these patients require gastrostomies. Four percent to 7% of H&NCa patients are unable to undergo per oral percutaneous gastrostomies. Transnasal endoscopy is an option for gastrostomy placement in selected patients.

OBJECTIVE

Clinical, epidemiologic characteristics and outcomes of transnasal PEG (t-PEG) placement.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis.

SETTING

Tertiary care hospital, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

PATIENTS

All patients who underwent t-PEG placement.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Epidemiology, adverse events, and outcomes of t-PEG placement.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients underwent t-PEG placement from January 2010 to May 2013. All patients had H&NCa and 56.3% had metastasis. Indications for the transnasal approach were airway compromise, malignant oropharyngeal obstruction, and trismus, among others. All procedures were successful using a 20F gastrostomy tube, push technique, anesthesiologist-guided propofol sedation, and/or nasotracheal intubation. Of all patients, 68.8% were white and 68.8% were men. Mean age was 54 years, and mean body mass index was 20.87. Two patients had a total of 2 adverse events: poor wound healing and wound site infection. Of all patients, 18.75% had leukopenia, 6.25% neutropenia, and 50% lymphopenia. Mean white blood cell count, absolute neutrophil count, and absolute lymphocyte count were 8.6 × 10(9)/L, 6.57 × 10(9)/L, and .93 × 10(9)/L, respectively. Eleven patients were alive, 2 were lost to follow-up, and 3 had died at the time of review.

LIMITATIONS

Retrospective analysis, small cohort, patient selection bias.

CONCLUSION

t-PEG placement is a viable and safe option for H&NCa patients when the standard endoscopic approach is not feasible.

Direct biliary drainage using transnasal endoscopy for patients with severe-to-moderate acute cholangitis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Endoscopic biliary drainage (BD) is an effective palliative treatment for acute cholangitis. Transnasal endoscopy (TNE) using an ultraslim endoscope can be less stressful and has limited hemodynamic effects compared with endoscopic retrograde cholangiography using a conventional duodenoscope. Here, we evaluate the clinical usefulness of direct BD by TNE in critically ill patients with acute cholangitis who had undergone endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) previously.

METHODS

Twenty-three patients with severe-to-moderate acute cholangitis who had undergone ES previously were enrolled prospectively. BD was achieved by TNE, using an ultraslim upper endoscope with a 5-Fr nasobiliary drainage catheter and/or a plastic stent. The technical and clinical success, as well as the safety, of the procedure were investigated.

RESULTS

A total of 23 patients were enrolled, including 17 with bile duct stones. The severity of the cholangitis was severe in nine (39.1%) and moderate in 14 patients (60.9%). The technical success rate was 95.7% (22/23). Nasobiliary drainage was performed in 15 patients, a plastic stent was placed in three, and both treatments were used in four patients. In three patients, direct BD by TNE was achieved in the intensive care unit without fluoroscopy. Direct cholangioscopy for distal common bile duct was performed in nine patients (40.9%), and three patients underwent immediate stone extraction under endoscopic visualization. Clinical improvement was achieved in 20/23 (87.0%) of patients. No significant procedure-related complications occurred.

CONCLUSION

Direct BD by TNE may be useful in critically ill patients with severe-to-moderate acute cholangitis who had undergone ES previously.

Does concomitant use of paracetamol potentiate the gastroduodenal mucosal injury associated with aspirin? A prospective, randomised, pilot study

BACKGROUND

Paracetamol is commonly prescribed for first-line symptomatic treatment in patients with osteoarthritis and aspirin is often co-administered for cardiovascular prophylaxis. It is not known if an interaction exists between aspirin and paracetamol in regards to gastroduodenal mucosal injury.

AIM

To investigate whether or not co-administered aspirin with paracetamol results in an increased rate of endoscopic gastroduodenal mucosal injury as compared to either agent alone.

METHODS

In this prospective, double-blind, randomised, three-arm, placebo- and active-controlled, parallel-group pilot study healthy adult subjects (18-75 years old) with a normal baseline trans-nasal oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (TN-EGD), received oral paracetamol 4000 mg q.d.s. (n = 21), aspirin 325 mg q.d.s. (n = 19) or paracetamol 4000 mg q.d.s. and aspirin 325 mg q.d.s. (n = 20). Upper gastrointestinal mucosal injury was evaluated after 7 days of treatment with TN-EGD.

RESULTS

The rate of gastric ulcers in subjects receiving paracetamol (0/21, 0%) alone or aspirin (3/19, 16%) or both (2/20, 10%) was not different. There were, however, significantly more subjects with one or more lesions (erosion or ulcer) per subject in the paracetamol and aspirin (16/20, 80%) treated subjects as compared to the aspirin (8/19, 42%, P < 0.001) or the paracetamol (3/21, 14%, P < 0.01) exposed subjects. The mean number of lesions per subject was also greater (7.9 vs. 0.7, P < 0.01) in those treated with aspirin and paracetamol compared to paracetamol alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Co-administration of paracetamol and aspirin was not associated with a significant difference in endoscopic ulcer rates compared to either drug alone. There was a strong signal for increased endoscopic erosions and ulcers in the combined group compared to either aspirin or paracetamol alone.

Percutaneous gastrostomy tube placement using a balloon catheter in patients with head and neck cancer

BACKGROUND

Patients with head and neck cancer frequently require gastrostomy feeding. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy with push-type gastrostomy tubes using a rupture-free balloon (RFB) catheter under computed tomography (CT) and fluoroscopic guidance in patients with head and neck cancer with swallowing disturbance or trismus.

METHODS

Percutaneous CT and fluoroscopic gastrostomy placement of push-type gastrostomy tubes using a RFB catheter was performed in consecutive patients with head and neck cancer between April 2007 and July 2010. The technical success, procedure duration, and major or minor complications were evaluated.

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients (14 men, 7 women; age range, 55-78 years; mean age, 69.3 years) underwent gastrostomy tube placement. The tumor location was the pharynx (n = 8), oral cavity (n = 7), and gingiva (n = 6). Gastrostomy was performed in 15 patients during treatment and 6 patients after treatment. Percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy was technically successful in all patients. The median procedure time was 35 ± 19 (interquartile range) minutes (range, 25-75). The average follow-up time interval was 221 days (range, 10-920 days). No major complications related to the procedure were encountered. No tubes failed because of blockage, and neither tube dislodgement nor intraperitoneal leakage occurred during the follow-up periods.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous CT and fluoroscopic-guided gastrostomy with push-type tubes using a RFB catheter is a relatively safe and effective means of gastric feeding, with high success and low complication rates in patients with head and neck cancer in whom endoscopy was not feasible.

An open-label, single-arm study assessing the efficacy and safety of L: -menthol sprayed onto the gastric mucosa during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The results of a phase III, placebo-controlled study demonstrated that endoscopic direct spraying of L: -menthol onto the gastric mucosa effectively suppressed gastric peristalsis in the study patients. The aim of the study reported here was to determine whether the anti-peristaltic effect of an L: -menthol preparation facilitates endoscopic examinations in a clinical setting.

METHODS

This was a multicenter, open-label, single-arm trial in which the study cohort comprised patients in whom L: -menthol was likely to be used to facilitate endoscopic examination in clinical settings. The primary outcome was the proportion of subjects with no peristalsis (Grade 1) after treatment and at the end of endoscopy (defined as the complete suppression of gastric peristalsis). This variable was assessed according to the level of anti-Helicobacter pylori immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody, pepsinogen test results, whether sedation was performed, and whether subjects were considered unsuitable for the use of conventional antispasmodics.

RESULTS

Of the 119 enrolled subjects, data from 112 were included in the primary efficacy analysis. Gastric peristalsis was completely suppressed in 37.5% of the patients [42/112 patients; 95% confidence interval (CI) 28.5-47.1]. Subgroup analyses revealed that the rate of peristalsis suppression was significantly higher in patients with elevated levels of anti-H. pylori IgG antibody (26/44, 59.1%; 95% CI 43.2-73.7); P < 0.001] and positive pepsinogen test results (21/35, 65.6%; 95% CI 46.8-81.4; P < 0.001]. There was no significant difference according to sedation (17/52, 32.7%; 95% CI 20.3-47.1; P = 0.434) or whether subjects were considered unsuitable for use of conventional antispasmodic agents (14/28, 50.0%; 95% CI 30.6-69.4; P = 0.12].

CONCLUSION

These findings are comparable to those of the phase III placebo-controlled study and provide further evidence that endoscopic direct spraying of L: -menthol effectively suppresses gastric peristalsis during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Does a small biopsied gastric specimen limit the usage of two directional transnasal esophagogastroduodenoscopy?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

It is difficult to approach certain gastric regions due to the limited bending ability of transnasal esophagogastroduodenoscopy (TN-EGD). We analyzed the TN-EGD biopsied specimens according to where they were obtained inside the stomach.

METHODS

Two hundred and eighty-nine gastric biopsy specimens were obtained during diagnostic TN-EGD. The gastric biopsied specimens were quantified according to their diameter and depth in micrometers, and depth in layers (superficial mucosa, deep mucosa, muscularis mucosa and submucosa). The quality was measured by the degrees of anatomical orientation (good, intermediate and poor), presence of crush artifact (none to minimal, mild and moderate) and overall diagnostic adequacy (adequate, suboptimal and inadequate).

RESULTS

Poor orientation, presence of crush and overall diagnostic inadequacy were present in 33 (11.4%), 26 (9.0%) and 37 (12.8%) of the 289 specimens, respectively. Deep mucosa was present in 211 specimens (73.0%), while muscularis mucosa was present in only 75 specimens (26.0%). Specimens taken from the posterior aspect of the cardia exhibited the shallowest depth (P = 0.011), poorest orientation (P < 0.001) and poorest diagnostic adequacy (P < 0.001). Fluoroscopic findings demonstrated that the posterior aspect of the cardia was difficult to approach closely and perpendicularly because of the anatomical configuration of the stomach in nature.

CONCLUSION

TN-EGD biopsied specimens obtained from the posterior aspect of the cardia exhibit limitations in both quality and quantity. When performing a biopsy using two directional TN-EGD, special attention should be paid to gastric lesions located on the posterior aspect of the cardia.