Endoscopic ultrasonography in pancreatic diseases: advances in tissue acquisition

Background and study aims  Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) improved the diagnostic performance and upgraded the role of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) into an interventional modality, able to guide patient management and treatment.This review aimed to highlight the advances, emerging practices, procedural techniques and technological innovations in EUS tissue acquisition in pancreatic diseases. Methods  A thorough review of the literature was performed using PubMed to identify articles that describe techniques, advances, and practices in EUS tissue acquisition in gastrointestinal diseases. Conclusion  Since the first EUS-FNA procedure, EUS guided-tissue acquisition has been evolving continuously. Development of needles with innovative tip design enabled procurement of larger samples with preserved histological architecture. Moreover, sampling techniques and complementary methods, such as contrast harmonic imaging and EUS-elastography, have been introduced in an effort to improve diagnostic performance and sample adequacy.

Human taeniasis/cysticercosis: a potentially emerging parasitic disease in Europe

Taenia saginata (T. saginata)/Taenia solium (T. solium) taeniasis/cysticercosis disease complexes remain a significant challenge for food safety and public health. Human taeniasis is an infectious disease caused by the ingestion of the metacestode larval stage, the cysticerci of T. saginata in beef or T. solium in pork. Humans can also become infected via the ingestion of T. solium eggs. In this case, the cysticerci can establish in the central nervous system, causing the infection called neurocysticercosis. T. solium is of higher importance than T. saginata because the former species can cause neurocysticercosis in humans, a major cause of neurological morbidity in the world. The taeniasis/cysticercosis complex is included in the list of neglected zoonotic diseases by the World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization, with T. solium being the number one foodborne parasite; it occurs mostly in developing countries, such as regions of Asia, Africa and Latin America, where the disease remains endemic. Long absent in Western Europe and other developed countries, cysticercosis has been recently re-emerged as a result of immigration, travel and commerce. In this review, cysticercosis is presented with special emphasis on some aspects of this neglected disease: the main clinical manifestations, risk factors and epidemiology. In addition, any recent advances in diagnostic approaches and treatment are discussed. Finally, the complexities involved in the control of the disease and the need to revise current management strategies are highlighted.

Malignant esophageal dysphagia palliation using insertion of a covered Ultraflex stent without fluoroscopy: a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of placing self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) without fluoroscopy for palliation of malignant esophageal or esophagogastric strictures.

METHODS

From January 2003 to June 2008, a prospective observational study investigated the placement of covered proximal-release Ultraflex stents without fluoroscopy in nonoperable malignant esophageal and esophagogastric strictures. The technical success as well as the early and late complications (perforation, migration, severe gastroesophageal reflux, hematemesis, and reobstruction due to tissue ingrowth or overgrowth) were recorded. Dysphagia before and after stent placement was scored on a 5-point scale. All the patients were observed monthly in the outpatient clinic or by telephone contact until death.

RESULTS

The study enrolled 89 patients (16 women; mean age, 69.54±7.1 years) with dysphagia due to inoperable esophageal or esophagogastric malignant strictures (29 squamous cell cancers, 52 adenocarcinomas, and 8 obstructive malignant extrinsic compressions). The mean stricture length was 6.2±2.8 cm. Endoscopic deployment was achieved for 83 patients (93.2%), with accurate stent positioning in all the patients except one. An adequate relief of symptoms was noted for 82 of the patients (92.1%). During the follow-up period, 36 patients (43.4%) had recurrent dysphagia, caused by tumor overgrowth in 32 cases and stent migration in 4 cases, after an average time of 82 days (range 67-216 days). A stent-in-stent procedure was performed in 27 cases. For two patients, a third stent-in-stent needed to be placed after 85 and 216 days, respectively.

CONCLUSION

In most cases, SEMSs can be accurately and safely positioned without fluoroscopy for palliative treatment of malignant esophageal dysphagia.

Endoscopic closure of a large iatrogenic rectal perforation using endoloop/clips technique

Retroflexion to evaluate the rectal vault provides significant additional information compared with standard forward view of the rectum. The procedure is easily performed with rare complications and is well tolerated by patients. We describe the first case of a large oval rectal perforation after retroflexion of the colonoscope in a healthy rectum during a follow-up colonoscopy, immediately closed with the endoloop/clips technique. The patient had an uneventful course and was discharged after 5 days. At his 2-month follow-up visit he remained asymptomatic and endoscopy revealed complete healing of the perforation.

Synchronous occurrence of a primary colon adenocarcinoma and a gastric stromal tumor. A case report

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are currently the object of a great clinical and experimental interest. We are presenting the case of a 69-year-old patient, who was presented with lower gastrointestinal bleeding and dyspeptic symptoms over the last six months. The colonoscopy showed a large tumor of the sigmoid and the gastroscopy a large gastric tumor of the antrum, which were histologically diagnosed as colonic adenocarcinoma and gastric stromal tumor respectively. The patient underwent a sigmoidectomy and a partial gastrectomy. Six months after surgery were the clinical condition, abdominal CT, gastroscopy and colonoscopy without pathological findings. To our best knowledge, this is the second report of a synchronous gastric stromal tumor and a colonic adenocarcinoma in medical literature.

Banding hemorrhoids using the O'Regan Disposable Bander. Single center experience

BACKGROUND

Hemorrhoids are the most common anorectal disorder in the Western World and are a major cause of active, relapsing or chronic rectal bleeding. Many treatment options have been proposed and tried for early-stage hemorrhoids. There is general agreement that rubber banding ligation (RBL) is safe and effective.

AIMS

To evaluate the effectiveness and complications associated with RBL performed in outpatients for symptomatic hemorrhoids using the O'Regan Disposable Bander device.

RESULTS

Sixty consecutive patients underwent hemorrhoid banding with the O'Regan Disposable Bander. The mean time required for one session was 6.2 min; the longest was 10 min. No major complications were noted. Minor early and late bleeding was reported in 10% and 6.7% respectively, but none was severe. Pain occurred in 6.7% but was not severe. In all cases, clinical and endoscopic (range and form scores) improvement was observed and patients of all ages, including the elderly, were found to be tolerant to the procedure.

CONCLUSION

RBL performed in outpatients for symptomatic hemorrhoids using the O'Regan Disposable Bander device is associated with a good response and low complication rate. We recommend the technique as a safe and reliable treatment option.

Inflammatory fibroid polyp or Vanek's tumour

We report a case of a 65-year-old woman who presented with recurrent episodes of severe, postprandial abdominal pain followed by projectile vomiting. Gastroscopy revealed a large polyp in the prepyloric region. During peristalsis, the polyp was repeatedly 'passing' through the pylorus into the duodenal bulb, hence obstructing the lumen. The polyp was eventually removed in a piecemeal fashion. Histopathologic examination revealed an inflammatory fibroid polyp (known also as Vanek's tumour). A brief review on inflammatory fibroid polyps follows.

Development of multiple myeloma in a patient with gastrointestinal stromal tumor treated with imatinib mesylate: A case report

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare tumors, which represent approximately 1% of the neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract. These tumors rarely give extra-abdominal metastases. However, their clinical outcome is potentially adverse. In some rare cases, co-existance of GISTs with other malignancies has been reported. Here we present a case of a 74-year old male with GIST, which was managed by surgical resection. Fourteen months later, the patient presented with liver metastases and imatinib mesylated was administered. During treatment, the patient reported skeletal pain and plane X-rays revealed osteolytic bone lesions. Further investigation revealed the presence of multiple myeloma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the co-existence of multiple myeloma (MM) with GIST.

A case of early gastric cancer with bone metastases: are bone marrow micrometastases significant?

Gastric adenocarcinoma is currently the 14th cause of death worldwide. Early gastric cancer, defined as cancer not penetrating deeper than the submucosa, is considered to carry an excellent prognosis with 5-year survival rates reaching more than 90%. Cases of bone metastases due to intramucosal gastric cancer are very rarely described. A case of a 70-year old male presenting with confirmed bone metastases 7 years after a curative resection for a mucosal gastric carcinoma is discussed. The patient was investigated with bone marrow biopsy and bone scan and showed no other signs of disease. The clinicopathologic features included poor differentiation, signet ring cells presence, no lymph node involvement and a negative second laparotomy two years after the initial surgery. Studies concerning the presence of residual disease in the form of bone marrow micrometastases are briefly reviewed emphasizing that intramucosal gastric cancer still carries the p sibility for metastasis, many years after a curative resection, mandating long term alertness from the attending physician.

Large mesenteric gastrointestinal stromal tumor in a patient with familial adenomatous polyposis syndrome

We report a case of a 30-year-old man who presented with severe debilitation, anemia and diarrhea over two months. Colonoscopy revealed many (>100) polyps (familial adenomatous polyposis syndrome). Abdominal CT scan showed a large mass at the left upper abdomen in conjunction with the splenic flexure. Total colectomy with mesenteric mass and adjacent small bowel removal and ileoanal pouch was performed. Examination of the resected mesenteric mass showed a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) with scarce mitosis and infiltration of the adjacent small bowel. We describe for the first time in medical literature the coexistence of familial adenomatous polyposis syndrome and GIST in a 30-year-old man.

Complicated endoscopic management of Bouveret's syndrome. A case report and review

A rare case of gastric outlet obstruction due to a large gallstone (Bouveret's syndrome) presenting with abdominal pain and vomiting is reported. The endoscopic management of the gallstone was unsuccessful because of the size of the stone that got stuck in oesophagus. The final management of the patient was surgical and the gallstone was retrieved via a gastrotomy. The case report is followed by a brief review of Bouveret's syndrome.