Repeated photodynamic therapy using a chlorin e6-embedded device to prolong the therapeutic effects on obesity

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of repeated photodynamic therapy (PDT) with a chlorin e6 (Ce6)-embedded intragastric satiety-inducing device (ISD) to maintain therapeutic effects of obesity in a juvenile pig.

METHODS

The Ce6-embedded ISD was fabricated with a dipping method. Twelve pigs were divided into four groups of three and were administered control, single, biweekly, or weekly PDT, respectively. The therapeutic effects were assessed by comparing the results of phototoxicity, endoscopy, fluoroscopy, hormone and weight changes, and histological examination.

RESULTS

The percentage of total body weight gain was significantly suppressed in PDT-treated pigs compared with control pigs (all p < 0.001). This suppression persisted in the repeated PDT groups, but percentage of total body weight gain gradually increased when PDT was stopped. Ghrelin levels in the PDT-treated groups were significantly lower and leptin levels were significantly higher than those in the control group (all p < 0.05). Inflammatory cell infiltration, collagen, TUNEL, and anti-ghrelin-positive deposition in the weekly group were significantly higher than those in the control, single, and biweekly groups (all p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Repeated and periodic PDT was technically feasible and safe and successfully maintained the therapeutic effects against obesity while eliminating the indwelling time and reducing ISD-related complications in pigs.

Dysphagia associated with esophageal wall thickening in patients with nonspecific high-resolution manometry findings: Understanding motility beyond the Chicago classification version 4.0

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have demonstrated that 50% of patients with normal high-resolution manometry (HRM) findings or ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) may have abnormal functional luminal imaging probe (FLIP) results. However, the specific HRM findings associated with abnormal FLIP results are unknown. Herein, we investigated the relationship between nonspecific manometry findings and abnormal FLIP results.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 684 patients who underwent HRM at a tertiary care center in Seoul, Korea, based on the Chicago Classification version 4.0 protocol.

KEY RESULTS

Among the 684 patients, 398 had normal HRM findings or IEM. Of these 398 patients, eight showed esophageal wall thickening on endoscopic ultrasonography or computed tomography; however, no abnormalities were seen during esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Among these eight patients, seven showed repetitive simultaneous contractions (RSCs) in at least one of the two positions: 61% (±29%) in 10 swallows in the supine position and 51% (±30%) in five swallows in the upright position. Four patients who underwent FLIP had a significantly decreased esophagogastric junction distensibility index (1.0 ± 0.5m m 2 mmHg - 1 at 60 mL). Two of these patients underwent per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) due to a lack of response to medication. Esophageal muscle biopsy revealed hypertrophic muscle with marginal eosinophil infiltration.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

A subset of patients (2%) with normal HRM findings or IEM and RSCs experienced dysphagia associated with poor distensibility of the thickened esophageal wall. FLIP assessment or combined HRM and impedance protocols may help better define these patients who may respond well to POEM.

Natural history of gastric leiomyoma

BACKGROUND

Most gastric leiomyomas are asymptomatic and benign subepithelial tumors (SETs); however, some may increase in size or become symptomatic. Understanding their natural history is therefore important to their management. We investigated the natural history of histologically proven gastric leiomyomas.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed histologically proven gastric leiomyoma cases at a tertiary center. The baseline characteristics of these cases were analyzed, and those with a follow-up period of at least 12 months without immediate resection were evaluated. The primary outcome was the frequency of size increase of more than 25% during the follow-up period, and the secondary outcome was the histopathologic results in cases that underwent resection.

RESULTS

Among the 231 patients with histologically proven gastric leiomyomas, the most frequent location was the cardia (77.1%), and the median size was 3 cm (IQR 2-4 cm). Eighty-four cases were followed up over a median period of 50.8 months (IQR 27.2-91.3 months). During the follow-up period, tumor size increased in two cases (2.4%). Surgical results showed that one case was leiomyoma, and the other was leiomyosarcoma. Among the remaining cases without change in size, 15 underwent surgical resection (n = 10) or endoscopic resection (n = 5), and all cases were confirmed as leiomyoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Most gastric leiomyomas are benign SETs, and an increase in size is not frequent, even in large-sized cases. Close monitoring with routine follow-up without resection may be sufficient in cases of histologically proven gastric leiomyoma. However, in cases of ulceration or size increase, resection may be beneficial.

Endoscopic resection of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor using clip-and-cut endoscopic full-thickness resection: a single-center, retrospective cohort in Korea

Background/Aims

To overcome the technical limitations of classic endoscopic resection for gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), various methods have been developed. In this study, we examined the role and feasibility of clip-and-cut procedures (clip-and-cut endoscopic full-thickness resection [cc-EFTR]) for gastric GISTs.

Methods

Medical records of 83 patients diagnosed with GISTs after endoscopic resection between 2005 and 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Moreover, clinical characteristics and outcomes were analyzed.

Results

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and cc-EFTR were performed in 51 and 32 patients, respectively. The GISTs were detected in the upper third of the stomach for ESD (52.9%) and cc-EFTR (90.6%). Within the cc-EFTR group, a majority of GISTs were located in the deep muscularis propria or serosal layer, accounting for 96.9%, as opposed to those in the ESD group (45.1%). The R0 resection rates were 51.0% and 84.4% in the ESD and cc-EFTR groups, respectively. Seven (8.4%) patients required surgical treatment (six patients underwent ESD and one underwent cc-EFTR,) due to residual tumor (n=5) and post-procedure adverse events (n=2). Patients undergoing R0 or R1 resection experienced recurrence during a median 14-month follow-up period, except for one patient in the ESD group.

Conclusions

Cc-EFTR displayed high R0 resection rates as the procedure safely and successfully removed small gastric GISTs.

Differential Diagnosis of Thickened Gastric Wall between Hypertrophic Gastritis and Borrmann Type 4 Advanced Gastric Cancer

Background/Aims

: Accurately diagnosing diffuse gastric wall thickening is challenging. Hypertrophic gastritis (HG), while benign, mimics the morphology of Borrmann type 4 advanced gastric cancer (AGC B-4). We compared the features of endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) between them.

Methods

: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent EUS for gastric wall thickening between 2000 and 2021, selecting HG and pathologically confirmed advanced gastric cancer cases. Ulceration and antral wall thickening were determined via endoscopy, while EUS assessed the 5-layered gastric wall structure, measuring the proper muscle (PM) layer and total wall thickness.

Results

: Male dominance was observed in AGC B-4, and the hemoglobin and albumin levels were significantly lower. The rate of antral wall thickening and presence of ulceration were significantly higher in AGC B-4 cases. Destruction of the PM layers was observed only in AGC B-4 cases, and the PM was significantly thicker in AGC B-4 cases. Forceps biopsy had an excellent success rate in ulcer-present AGC B-4 cases, but only a 42.6% success rate was observed for cases without ulcers, necessitating additional diagnostic modalities. A PM thickness of 2.39 mm distinguished between AGC B-4 and HG effectively. The multivariable analysis showed that a thickened PM layer and the presence of ulceration were significant risk factors for the diagnosis of AGC B-4.

Conclusions

: Endoscopic findings of a thickened gastric wall, including antral involvement, and presence of ulcer were significant risk factors for the diagnosis of AGC B-4. EUS findings of destroyed wall layers and a thickened PM of >2.39 mm were the key points of differentiation between HG and AGC B-4.

Incidence, Morbidity, and Mortality of Achalasia: A Nationwide, Population-Based Cohort Study in South Korea

Background/Aims

Although an association between achalasia and esophageal cancer has been reported, whether achalasia confers a substantial increase in mortality is unknown. Moreover, the causes of death related to achalasia have not been investigated. We performed this nationwide, population-based cohort study on achalasia because no such study has been performed since the introduction of high-resolution manometry in 2008.

Methods

This study was performed using data extracted from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, covering a 9-year period from 2009 to 2017. Control participants without a diagnostic code for achalasia were randomly selected and matched by sex and birth year at a case-to-control ratio of 1:4. Data on the cause of death from Statistics Korea were also analyzed.

Results

The overall incidence of achalasia was 0.68 per 100,000 person-years, and the prevalence was 6.46 per 100,000 population. Patients with achalasia (n=3,063) had significantly higher adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for esophageal cancer (aHR, 3.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25 to 9.22; p=0.017), pneumonia (aHR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.89 to 2.81; p<0.001), aspiration pneumonia (aHR, 3.92; 95% CI, 2.38 to 6.48; p<0.001), and mortality (aHR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.44 to 1.94; p<0.001). Esophageal cancer carried the highest mortality risk (aHR, 8.82; 95% CI, 2.35 to 33.16; p=0.001), while pneumonia had the highest non-cancer mortality risk (aHR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.31 to 3.96; p=0.004).

Conclusions

In this nationwide study, achalasia was associated with increased risk of mortality. Esophageal cancer and pneumonia were the most common comorbidities and the major causes of death in patients with achalasia.

Risk factors associated with recurrence of gastric hyperplastic polyps: a single-center, long-term, retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The likelihood of recurrence of gastric hyperplastic polyps (GHPs) following endoscopic resection and the need for long-term follow-up remain unknown. We, therefore, aimed to investigate the factors associated with the recurrence and cumulative incidence of GHPs over a 10-year period.

METHODS

Between May 1995 and December 2020, 1,018 GHPs > 1 cm were endoscopically resected from 869 patients. Medical records of these patients were retrospectively reviewed and their clinical features and outcomes were assessed. Groups of GHPs with recurrence and those without recurrence group were compared, and univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to identify the potential risk factors for GHP recurrence.

RESULTS

A total of 104 (12.0%) patients who underwent endoscopic removal of GHPs experienced recurrence. Compared to patients without recurrent GHPs, those with recurrent GHPs showed considerably larger median polyp size (28 mm vs. 14 mm, P < 0.001), a higher proportion of multiple polyps (41.3% vs. 29.3%, P = 0.020), polyps with lobulation (63.5% vs. 40.3%, P = 0.001), and exudate (63.5% vs. 46.8%, P = 0.001). Compared to the local recurrence (n = 52) group, the metachronous recurrence (n = 52) group had larger median polyp size (20 mm vs. 16 mm, P = 0.006) as well as higher rates of polyp lobulation (86.5% vs. 40.4%, P < 0.001) and exudate (82.7% vs. 44.4%, P = 0.001). After primary GHP excision, the cumulative incidence of recurrence was 7.2%, 12.7%, and 19.6% at 2 years, 5 years, and 10 years, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of GHP recurrence following endoscopic excision increased as the follow-up period increased, especially in patients whose GHPs were large-sized, multiple, or characterized by surface exudates/lobulations.

Photoactive intragastric satiety-inducing device using polymeric photosensitizers for minimally invasive weight loss treatment

An intragastric satiety-inducing device (ISD) located in the stomach induce satiety and fullness in the absence of food by continuously pressing on the distal esophagus and cardia of the stomach. To improve the therapeutic function of ISD, Chlorin e6 (Ce6) was embedded in a disk portion of ISD, generating reactive oxygen species and stimulating endocrine cells under the laser irradiation. Since Ce6 has remarkable light efficiency but poor solubility in various solvents, it is essential to use a polymeric photosensitizer and optimize a suitable coating solution composition. Methoxy polyethylene glycol-Ce6 was uniformly coated and the spontaneous release amount of the Ce6 from the device could be reduced, which induced photo-responsive cell death and reduced ghrelin levels in vitro. In mini pigs operated single therapy (PDT or ISD) or combination therapy (Photoreactive ISD), there were differences in body weight (control: 28% vs. Photoreactive ISD: 4%, P < 0.001), ghrelin (control: 4% vs. Photoreactive ISD: 35%, P < 0.001), and leptin levels (control: 8% vs. Photoreactive PDT: 35%, P < 0.001) at 4 weeks.

Comparison of Diagnosis of Esophageal Motility Disorders by Chicago Classification Versions 3.0 and 4.0

Background/Aims

We aim to investigate the diagnostic accuracy and differences between Chicago classification version 3.0 (CC v3.0) and 4.0 (CC v4.0).

Methods

Patients who underwent high-resolution esophageal manometry (HRM) for suspected esophageal motility disorders were prospectively recruited between May 2020 and February 2021. The protocol of HRM studies included additional positional change and provocative testing designed by CC v4.0.

Results

Two hundred forty-four patients were included. The median age was 59 (interquartile range, 45-66) years, and 46.7% were males. Of these, 53.3% (n = 130) and 61.9% (n = 151) were categorized as normalcy by CC v3.0 and CC v4.0, respectively. The 15 patients diagnosed of esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (EGJOO) by CC v3.0 was changed to normalcy by position (n = 2) and symptom (n = 13) by CC v4.0. In seven patients, the ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) diagnosis by CC v3.0 was changed to normalcy by CC v4.0. The diagnostic rate of achalasia increased from 11.1% (n = 27) to 13.9% (n = 34) by CC v4.0. Of patients diagnosed IEM by CC v3.0, 4 was changed to achalasia based on the functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP) results by CC v4.0. Three patients (2 with absent contractility and 1 with IEM in CC v3.0) were newly diagnosed with achalasia using a provocative test and barium esophagography by CC v4.0.

Conclusions

CC v4.0 is more rigorous than CC v3.0 for the diagnosis of EGJOO and IEM and diagnoses achalasia more accurately by using provocative tests and FLIP. Further studies on the treatment outcomes following diagnosis with CC v4.0 are needed.

Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding Due to a Left Gastric Artery Pseudoaneurysm: A Case Series

BACKGROUND

Left gastric artery (LGA) pseudoaneurysm presenting with upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding is rare but fatal, unless treated.

AIMS

We aimed to describe the clinical and endoscopic features of patients with UGI bleeding due to LGA pseudoaneurysms.

METHODS

We performed a computerized search of our hospital's de-identified clinical data warehouse to identify patients with UGI bleeding due to an LGA pseudoaneurysm between 2000 and 2020. Patients' electronic medical records and data on esophagogastroduodenoscopy and digital subtraction angiography were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Of 26 patients with an LGA pseudoaneurysm, six patients had UGI bleeding related to an LGA pseudoaneurysm. No patients had previous vascular diseases or pancreatitis. One patient had liver cirrhosis and a history of radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma, one had colon cancer, two had undergone abdominal surgeries, one had received chemoradiotherapy for renal cell carcinoma, and one had no intraabdominal diseases. Symptoms were hematemesis in two, hematochezia in the other two, and melena in the remaining two patients. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed a pulsating bulge in the ulcer in two and a large Dieulafoy's lesion-like structure in four patients. All patients achieved hemostasis by angioembolization.

CONCLUSION

LGA pseudoaneurysm should be suspected in UGI bleeding if a large Dieulafoy's lesion-like structure or a pulsating bulge in the ulcer is found at the lesser curvature of the gastric body on endoscopy and if the patient has any intra-abdominal inflammatory disease.

High-resolution impedance manometry for comparing bolus transit between patients with non-obstructive dysphagia and asymptomatic controls

BACKGROUND

Currently, there are no high-resolution impedance manometry (HRIM)-based diagnostic criteria for non-obstructive dysphagia (NOD). New impedance parameters, such as the esophageal impedance integral (EII) and volume of inverted impedance (VII) ratios, have shown strong correlations with bolus transit. This study compared the EII and VII ratios as diagnostic tools for NOD.

METHODS

We analyzed 36 participants (12 patients with achalasia, 12 patients with NOD [7 with normal motility and 5 with ineffective esophageal motility], and 12 asymptomatic controls) who underwent HRIM with a maximum of 5 swallows per participant. The EII and VII ratios were calculated as Z2 (post-swallow)/Z1 (pre-swallow). Bolus transit was retrospectively evaluated using transluminal impedance analysis.

KEY RESULTS

Both EII and VII ratios could effectively distinguish the achalasia group from the non-achalasia groups (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUROC]: 0.83 for VII vs. 0.80 for EII; p = 0.73). However, the VII ratio was significantly better in discriminating asymptomatic controls from patients with dysphagia (NOD + achalasia) (AUROC: 0.81 vs. 0.68; p = 0.01). Moreover, the VII ratio was better in discriminating asymptomatic controls from patients with NOD (AUROC: 0.68 vs. 0.51; p = 0.06). In repeated swallows, the VII ratio was consistently the lowest in controls and the highest in patients with achalasia, whereas the EII ratio did not show a consistent pattern.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

The VII ratio was more reliable than the EII ratio for describing bolus transit and distinguishing patients with NOD from asymptomatic controls, even during repeated measures of subsequent swallows.

Clinical outcomes of Dieulafoy's lesion compared with peptic ulcer in upper gastrointestinal bleeding

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Although Dieulafoy's lesion (DL) is an important cause of nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, few studies have investigated the clinico-epidemiological outcomes due to its rarity. Here, we investigated clinical features of upper GI bleeding caused by peptic ulcer (PU) or DL and compared endoscopic treatment outcomes.

METHODS

Patients with upper GI bleeding resulting from PU or DL who visited emergency room between January 2013 and December 2017 were eligible. Clinical features and treatment outcomes were retrospectively investigated.

RESULTS

Overall, 728 patients with upper GI bleeding due to PU (n = 669) and DL (n = 59) were enrolled. The median age was 64 years (interquartile range [IQR], 56-75 years), and 74.3% were male. Endoscopic intervention was performed in 53.7% (n = 359) and 98.3% (n = 58) of the PU and DL groups, respectively (P < 0.0001). Patients were matched by sex, age, body mass index, comorbidity, and past medical history, and 190 PU and 52 DL were finally selected. The rebleeding rates within 7 (7.37% vs 17.31%, P = 0.037) and 30 (7.37% vs 26.92%, P < 0.001) days after initial endoscopy were significantly lower in the PU than in the DL group after propensity score matching. During the median follow-up period of 52 months (IQR, 34-70 months), there was no difference in overall survival rate (67.9% vs 82.7%, P = 0.518).

CONCLUSIONS

Although DL is a rare cause of upper GI bleeding, it requires endoscopic hemostasis more frequently and has a higher rate of rebleeding than PU even after therapeutic endoscopy. Endoscopists should pay attention and perform active endoscopic hemostasis for DL bleeding.

Conventional endoscopic mucosal resection versus modified endoscopic mucosal resection for duodenal neuroendocrine tumor

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

As the incidence of duodenal neuroendocrine tumors (DNET) is steadily increasing, the role of endoscopic treatment for appropriate lesions is becoming more significant. We aimed to compare the outcomes according to lesion size and endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) techniques for DNET treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients who underwent endoscopic treatment for DNET between June 2000 and December 2019 were included. The clinicopathologic features and treatment outcomes were investigated by reviewing medical records.

RESULTS

Overall, 104 cases underwent endoscopic resection for nonampullary DNET, including conventional EMR (n = 57), cap-assisted EMR (EMR-C, n = 19), and precut EMR (EMR-P, n = 28). The en bloc resection rates (100% vs. 94.7% vs. 96.4%) and histologic complete resection rates (45.6% vs. 52.6% vs. 57.1%) were not significantly different between the EMR, EMR-C, and EMR-P groups. The histologic complete resection rates were significantly higher in lesions < 10 mm than in lesions ≥ 10 mm (69.8% vs. 38.9%, P = 0.013). In lesions < 10 mm, perforation occurred more frequently in the modified EMR group than in the conventional EMR group (13.2% vs. 0.0%, P = 0.007). During the median follow-up period of 88.0 months, the recurrence-free survival (92.2% vs. 94.4% vs. 92.1%) and overall survival (98.0% vs. 88.1% vs. 100.0%) rates did not show significant differences between the EMR, EMR-C, and EMR-P groups.

CONCLUSION

Conventional EMR and modified EMR are feasible and effective for the treatment of nonampullary DNET sized < 10 mm and limited to mucosal and submucosal layer. Additionally, endoscopists should be aware of the high risk of perforation in modified EMR.

Clinical outcomes of marginal ulcer bleeding compared with those of peptic ulcer bleeding

BACKGROUND

Marginal ulcer bleeding (MUB) is a complication that can occur following several types of surgery. However, few studies exist on it. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of MUB with those of peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB).

METHODS

Between January 2013 and December 2017, 5,076 patients underwent emergent esophagogastroduodenoscopy for suspected upper gastrointestinal bleeding. We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed the medical records of MUB and PUB patients and developed a propensity score matching (PSM) method to adjust for between-group differences in baseline characteristics with 1:2 ratios. Sex, age, body mass index (BMI), underlying diseases, and drugs were included as matching factors.

RESULTS

A total of 64 and 678 patients were diagnosed with MUB and PUB, respectively, on emergent esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and 62 and 124 patients with MUB and PUB, respectively, were selected after PSM. Rebleeding was significantly higher in patients with MUB than in those with PUB (57.8% vs 9.1%, p < 0.001). Mortality caused by bleeding was higher in patients with MUB than in those with PUB (4.7% vs. 0.4%, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that proton pump inhibitor (PPI) administration (odds ratio [OR], 0.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.03-0.56; p = 0.011) after first bleeding was inversely correlated with MUB rebleeding. Large ulcer size (> 1 cm) (OR, 6.69; 95% CI, 1.95-27.94; p = 0.005) and surgery covering pancreas (OR, 3.97; 95% CI, 1.19-15.04) were independent risk factors for MUB rebleeding.

CONCLUSIONS

MUB showed a severe clinical course than PUB. Therefore, MUB should be managed more cautiously, especially for large ulcers and pancreatic surgery. Prophylactic PPI administration may be helpful in reducing rebleeding in MUB.

Clinical Significance of Epstein-Barr Virus and Helicobacter pylori Infection in Gastric Carcinoma

Background/Aims

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Helicobacter pylori (HP) coinfection may synergistically induce severe inflammatory responses in the stomach tissue, increasing the risk of developing gastric cancer. We aimed to analyze the effect of EBV and HP coinfection on the clinicopathologic features and prognosis of gastric cancer, as well as to evaluate the role of EBV infection in non-gastric carcinoma with lymphoid stroma (non-GCLS).

Methods

Overall, 956 patients who underwent surgery for gastric cancer between September 2014 and August 2015 were eligible and divided into groups, according to GCLS morphology, EBV infection, and HP infection. Clinicopathologic characteristics and oncologic outcomes were analyzed retrospectively.

Results

EBV and HP coinfection was significantly associated with male sex, proximal location, GCLS morphology, and equivocal p53 expression (p<0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that EBV infection alone (hazard ratio [HR], 0.362; 95% CI, 0.131 to 0.996; p=0.049) and lower third location (HR, 0.624; 95% CI, 0.413 to 0.943; p=0.025) were inversely correlated with overall survival. During median follow-up period of 72 months, overall survival rate was not significantly different between the EBV and HP coinfection group and others (97.6% vs 86.8%; log-rank p=0.144). In non-GCLS patients (n=920), overall survival rate was not significantly different between the EBV infection group and others (96.9% vs 86.4%; log-rank p=0.126).

Conclusions

EBV and HP coinfection is not an independent prognostic factor for gastric cancer. EBV infection status, regardless of HP infection, affects the clinicopathologic features of all types of gastric cancer. However, it does not lead to a significant difference in overall survival of non-GCLS patients.

Usefulness of EndoFLIP in diverticular peroral endoscopic myotomy for symptomatic epiphrenic diverticulum

Background/Aims

Diverticular peroral endoscopic myotomy (D-POEM) is known to be a safe and feasible technique for managing diverticular diseases of the esophagus. In this study, we aimed to report our experience with D-POEM and to investigate the usefulness of EndoFLIP in determining the need for cardiomyotomy with septotomy for symptomatic epiphrenic diverticulum.

Methods

Consecutive patients who underwent D-POEM for symptomatic epiphrenic diverticulum between September 2019 and September 2021 were eligible for this study. EndoFLIP and high-resolution manometry (HRM) results and endoscopic treatment outcomes were retrospectively investigated.

Results

A total of 9 patients with symptomatic epiphrenic diverticulum were included. The median size of the diverticulum and septum was 50 (interquartile range [IQR], 48-80) mm and 20 (IQR, 20-30) mm, respectively. The overall technical success rate was 100%, with a median procedure time of 60 (IQR, 46-100) min. The 5 patients (HRM results; 3 normal, 1 ineffective esophageal motililty, and 1 Jackhammer esophagus) who had decreased esophagogastric junction distensibility index (DI) on pre-procedure EndoFLIP underwent cardiomyotomy with septotomy regardless of the presence of esophageal motility disorders, and the DI increased and normalized after procedure. The mean dysphagia score decreased from 2.0 ± 1.0 pre-procedure to 0.4 ± 0.7 during a median follow-up of 11 (IQR, 4-21) months post-procedure. No serious adverse events that required surgical intervention or delayed discharge were noted.

Conclusions

EndoFLIP may help decide whether to perform combined cardiomyotomy and septotomy for the treatment of an epiphrenic diverticulum. Further large-scale studies are needed to confirm these results.

Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Benign Peptic Ulcer Bleeding After an Emergency Endoscopy Based on Patient Location

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

In the efforts toward reducing bleeding-related mortality, it is crucial to determine the risk factors for rebleeding after endoscopic hemostasis in benign peptic ulcer (BPU).

METHODS

Between 2013 and 2017, the medical records of 864 BPU patients were selected from 5076 who had undergone emergency endoscopy for suspected upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Patients who visited the emergency room or were hospitalized for other illnesses were selected. The primary end point was rebleeding within 30 days after initial endoscopy. The risk factors of rebleeding and subgroup analyses according to patient location were evaluated.

RESULTS

Among 864 BPU bleeding patients, rebleeding after completion of BPU bleeding occurred in 140 (16.2%). Initial indicators of hypotension (OR 1.878, p = 0.005) and Forrest classes Ia (OR 25.53, p < 0.001), Ib (OR 27.91, p = 0.005), IIa (OR 21.41, p < 0.001), and IIb (OR 23.74, p < 0.001) were independent risk factors of rebleeding compared to Forrest class III, and being inpatients (OR 1.75, p = 0.01). Compared to the outpatients, the inpatients showed significantly higher rebleeding rates (25.6% vs 13.8%, p < 0.001), predictive bleeding scores, red blood transfusion counts, proportion of Forrest classes Ia, Ib, and IIb (p < 0.001), and overall mortality rates (68.8% vs 34.0%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Patient location was a novel predictive factor of BPU rebleeding. Particularly, being an inpatient correlated with increased rebleeding. Furthermore, Forrest classes Ia, Ib, IIa, and IIb were predictive of rebleeding not only the included BPUs, but also in the inpatient or outpatient groups.

Scoring systems for predicting clinical outcomes in peptic ulcer bleeding

Few studies have focused on assessing the usefulness of scoring systems such as the Rockall score (RS), Glasgow-Blatchford score (GBS), and AIMS65 score for risk stratification and prognosis prediction in peptic ulcer bleeding patients. This study aimed to assess scoring systems in predicting clinical outcomes of patients with peptic ulcer bleeding. A total of 682 peptic ulcer bleeding patients who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy between January 2013 and December 2017 were found eligible for this study. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of each score was calculated for predicting rebleeding, hospitalization, blood transfusion, and mortality. The median age of patients was 64 (interquartile range, 56-75) years. Of the patients, 74.9% were men, and 373 underwent endoscopic intervention. The median RS, GBS, and AIMS65 scores were significantly higher in patients who underwent endoscopic intervention than in those who did not. The AUROC of RS for predicting rebleeding was significantly higher than that of GBS (P = .022) or AIMS65 (P < .001). GBS best predicted the need for blood transfusion than either pre-RS (P = .013) or AIMS65 (P = .001). AIMS65 score showed the highest AUROC for mortality (0.652 vs. 0.622 vs. 0.691). RS was significantly associated with rebleeding (odds ratio, 1.430; P < .001) and overall survival (hazard ratio, 1.217; P < .001). The RS, GBS, and AIMS65 scoring systems are acceptable tools for predicting clinical outcomes in peptic ulcer bleeding. RS is an independent prognostic factor of rebleeding and overall survival.

Endoscopic scoring system for gastric atrophy and intestinal metaplasia: correlation with OLGA and OLGIM staging: a single-center prospective pilot study in Korea

BACKGROUND/AIMS

We aimed to develop an endoscopic scoring system to evaluate gastric atrophy and intestinal metaplasia using narrow-band imaging (NBI) and near focus mode (NFM) to compare endoscopic scores with the Operative link for gastritis assessment (OLGA) and the Operative link for gastric intestinal metaplasia assessment (OLGIM).

METHODS

A total of 51 patients who underwent diagnostic esophagogastroduodenoscopy were prospectively enrolled and endoscopic scoring using NBI and NFM was performed. Four areas (the lesser and greater curvatures of the antrum and the lesser and greater curvature side of the corpus) were observed and biopsies were taken. The degree of atrophy was scored from 0 to 2 according to the Kimura-Takemoto classification. The degree of intestinal metaplasia was scored from 0 to 4 according to the location and the extent of the intestinal metaplasia.

RESULTS

The correlation coefficient for atrophy between the endoscopic and histologic scores was 0.70 (95% CI: 0.52-0.81 p < .001) and for intestinal metaplasia, it was 0.75 (95% CI: 0.60-0.85; p < .001). For atrophic gastritis, an endoscopic score >1 correlated with OLGA stage III and IV with a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and agreement of 88, 74, 75, 87, and 80.4%, respectively, and for intestinal metaplasia, an endoscopic score >1 correlated with high OLGIM stage III and IV with 100, 59, 69, 100, and 78.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic scoring for gastric atrophy and intestinal metaplasia using NBI-NFM likely correlates with histologic staging in Korea, a high-risk region for gastric cancer.

The Predictive Value of Intraoperative Esophageal Functional Luminal Imaging Probe Panometry in Patients With Achalasia Undergoing Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy: A Single-center Experience

Background/Aims

We evaluated the clinical significance and prognostic power of functional luminal imaging probe (FLIP) panometry in patients with achalasia treated with peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM), and examined the clinical parameters associated with symptomatic improvement and the presence of contractility (POC) following POEM.

Methods

We reviewed the electronic medical records of patients with achalasia treated with FLIP panometry and POEM at a tertiary teaching hospital in Seoul, Republic of Korea. Follow-up examination was composed of esophageal manometry and questionnaires on symptoms. We analyzed the FLIP data by interpolating using the cubic spline method in MATLAB.

Results

We retrospectively analyzed 33 men and 35 women (mean age 52 ± 17 years), of whom 14, 39, and 15 patients were diagnosed with achalasia types I, II, and III, respectively. The FLIP panometry diagnoses were reduced esophagogastric junction opening (REO) with a retrograde contractile response (n = 43); REO with an absent contractile response (n = 5); REO with a normal contractile response (n = 11); and a retrograde contractile response (n = 9). Overall, the patients showed improvements in Eckardt scores following POEM from 6.48 ± 2.20 to 1.16 ± 1.15 (P < 0.01). Post-POEM symptomatic improvement was not significantly associated with any of the clinical parameters, including panometry diagnosis. Conversely, post-POEM POC was significantly associated with the presence of repetitive antegrade contractions and achalasia subtypes (both P < 0.01).

Conclusion

While FLIP panometry was not significantly associated with the clinical course of achalasia, FLIP panometry was associated with POC following POEM and may complement manometry in the functional evaluation of esophageal motility disorders.

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction for the Detection of Helicobacter pylori and Clarithromycin Resistance

Background/Aims

Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is a fast and simple method for the simultaneous detection of clarithromycin (CLR) resistance and Helicobacter pylori. We evaluated the effectiveness of RT-PCR compared to that of the rapid urease test (RUT) and assessed its value in verifying CLR resistance.

Methods

A total of 70 specimens with confirmed H. pylori infection in culture were enrolled and analyzed in this prospective study. All specimens were subjected to RT-PCR assay using fluorescence melting peak signals to detect H. pylori infection and CLR resistances caused by either A2142G or A2143G mutations in the 23S ribosomal RNA gene (23S rRNA). The results were compared to those of RUT and antimicrobial susceptibility culturing tests to investigate the efficacy of RT-PCR.

Results

Among the 70 specimens analyzed, the positivity rate was 97.1% (68/70) with RT-PCR and 82.9% (58/70) with RUT. CLR resistance (minimum inhibitory concentration >1.0 μg/mL) was confirmed in 18.6% (13/70), and fluorescence melting curve analysis showed that 84.6% (11/13) had point mutations in 23S rRNA. Ten specimens had only A2143G mutation, and one specimen contained both A2142G and A2143G mutations.

Conclusions

RT-PCR assay was found to be more efficient than RUT in detecting H. pylori infection and could effectively verify CLR resistance compared to the antimicrobial susceptibility culturing test. Considering the high sensitivity and accessibility of RT-PCR method, it could be used to easily detect CLR-resistant H. pylori, thus helping clinicians select suitable treatment regimen and improve the eradication rate.

Natural History of Asymptomatic Esophageal Subepithelial Tumors of 30 mm or Less in Size

BACKGROUND

No definite guidelines for the management of small esophageal subepithelial tumors (SETs) have been established, because there are limited data and studies on their natural history. We aimed to assess the natural history and propose optimal management strategies for small esophageal SETs.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed as esophageal SETs ≤ 30 mm in size between 2003 and 2017 using endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) with a minimal follow-up of 3 months were enrolled, and their esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and EUS were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

Of 275 esophageal SETs in 262 patients, the initial size was < 10 mm, 10-20 mm, and 20-30 mm in 104 (37.8%), 105 (38.2%), and 66 (24.0%) lesions, respectively. Only 22 (8.0%) SETs showed significant changes in size and/or echogenicity and/or morphology at a median of 40 months (range, 4-120 months). Tissues of 6 SETs showing interval changes were obtained using EUS-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy; 1 was identified as a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and was surgically resected, while the other 5 were leiomyomas and were regularly observed. Eight SETs showing interval changes were resected surgically or endoscopically without pathological confirmation; 1 was a GIST, 2 were granular cell tumors, and the other 5 were leiomyomas.

CONCLUSION

Regular follow-up with EGD or EUS may be necessary for esophageal SETs ≤ 30 mm in size considering that small portion of them has a possibility of malignant potential. When esophageal SETs ≤ 30 mm show significant interval changes, pathological confirmation may precede treatment to avoid unnecessary resection.

Outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial esophageal neoplasms in patients with liver cirrhosis

Background/Aims

The treatment of superficial esophageal neoplasms (SENs) in cirrhotic patients is challenging and rarely investigated. We evaluated the outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) to determine the efficacy and safety of treating SENs in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Methods

The baseline characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients who underwent ESD for SENs between November 2005 and December 2017 were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

ESD was performed in 437 patients with 481 SENs, including 15 cirrhotic patients with 17 SENs. En bloc resection (88.2% vs. 97.0%) and curative resection (64.7% vs. 78.9%) rates were not different between the cirrhosis and non-cirrhosis groups (p=0.105 and p=0.224, respectively). Bleeding was more common in cirrhotic patients (p=0.054), and all cases were successfully controlled endoscopically. The median procedure and hospitalization duration did not differ between the groups. Overall survival was lower in cirrhotic patients (p=0.003), while disease-specific survival did not differ between the groups (p=0.85).

Conclusions

ESD could be a safe and effective treatment option for SENs in patients with cirrhosis. Detailed preprocedural assessments are needed, including determination of liver function, esophageal varix status, and remaining life expectancy, to identify patients who will obtain the greatest benefit.

Reevaluation of the expanded indications in undifferentiated early gastric cancer for endoscopic submucosal dissection

BACKGROUND

Although the criteria for the indication of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for undifferentiated early gastric cancer (UD-EGC) have been recently proposed, accumulating reports on the non-negligible rate of lymph node metastasis (LNM) after indicated ESD raise questions on the reliability of the current criteria.

AIM

To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of LNM in UD-EGC cases meeting the expanded indication for ESD.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 4780 UD-EGC cases that underwent surgical resection between January 2008 and February 2019 at Asan Medical Center, a tertiary university hospital in Korea. To identify the risk factors of LNM of UD-EGC meeting the expanded criteria for ESD, we performed a case-control study by matching the cases with LNM to those without at a ratio of 1:4. We reviewed the clinical, endoscopic, and histologic features of the cases to identify features with a significant difference according to the presence of LNM. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the odds ratios (ORs).

RESULTS

Of the 4780 UD-EGC cases, 1240 (25.9%) were identified to meet the expanded indication for ESD. Of the 1240 cases, 14 (1.1%) cases had LNM. Among the various clinical, endoscopic, and histopathological features that were evaluated, mixed histology (tumors consisting of 10%-90% of signet ring cells) had a marginally significant association (P = 0.059) with the risk of LNM. Moreover, diffuse blurring of the muscularis mucosae (MM) underneath the tumorous epithelium, a previously unrecognized histologic feature, had a significant association with the absence of LNM (P = 0.028). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the blurring of MM was the only explanatory variable significantly associated with a reduced risk of LNM (OR: 0.12, 95%CI: 0.02-0.95; P = 0.045).

CONCLUSION

The risk of LNM is higher than expected when using the current expanded indication for UD-EGC. Histological evaluation could provide useful clues for reducing the risk of LNM.

Photodynamic Methylene Blue-Embedded Intragastric Satiety-Inducing Device to Treat Obesity

Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for weight recidivism, and endoscopic bariatric treatment has been developed for a similar effect without anatomical modification. An intragastric satiety-inducing device (ISD) is a minimally invasive approach to induce satiety by continuously pressing the stomach and stimulating ghrelin-producing cells. To enhance the therapeutic effects of ISD, photodynamic therapy (PDT) can be combined by generating singlet oxygen under laser irradiation. Methylene blue (MB), as a photosensitizer (PS), was coated on the ISD surface for singlet oxygen production to stimulate or destroy cells. Ghrelin-producing cells effectively inhibited ghrelin secretion and induced gastrointestinal satiety signals compared with the MB-uncoated device via PDT. Herein, MB-embedded ISDs were developed, and their photoresponsive abilities were demonstrated in the device itself and in vitro. PDT with an MB-embedded ISD was successfully performed in a porcine model, which had 2-fold reduced body weight gain (12% in PDT vs 24% in control) and 2-fold reduced ghrelin levels (21.2 pg/mL in PDT vs 45.1 pg/mL in control) at the first week postprocedure. The simple and unique operation extends the point of view in PDT and is expected to be a novel endoscopic bariatric therapy.

Influence of Preoperative Nutritional Status on Patients Who Undergo Upfront Surgery for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Few studies have focused on preoperative nutritional status of esophageal cancer patients eligible for upfront surgery. We aimed to investigate the association of preoperative nutritional status with prognosis of patients who undergo upfront surgery for esophageal cancer. A total of 274 patients who underwent upfront surgery for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma between January 2012 and December 2016 were eligible. Preoperative nutritional status was evaluated using prognostic nutritional index (PNI) scoring system, nutritional risk screening 2002 (NRS 2002), and controlling nutritional status. The median age was 63 years (interquartile range, 58-70) and 94.7% of patients were male. The pathological stages were Stage I-74.5% (204/274), Stage II-20.4% (56/274), and Stage III-5.1% (14/274). Multivariate analysis revealed that advanced stage, a low PNI, and a high NRS 2002 were independent predictors of overall survival. During median follow-up period of 55 mo, overall survival rates were lower in the high NRS 2002 group (P < 0.001). A high NRS 2002 score was associated with frequent postoperative complications, especially pneumonia and anastomosis site leakage (P = 0.003). The poor preoperative nutritional status with a high NRS 2002 is associated with postoperative complications as well as poor overall survival in patients with upfront surgery for esophageal cancer.Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/01635581.2022.2042573.

Clinical outcomes of endoscopic removal of foreign bodies from the upper gastrointestinal tract

Background

Ingested foreign objects frequently require emergency removal. This study aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of endoscopic removal of foreign bodies from the upper gastrointestinal tract and the risk factors for adverse events.

Methods

Adults (> 18 years) who underwent endoscopic management of ingested foreign bodies at two centers, one inland and one on the coast, between January 2008 and December 2017 were eligible. Clinical characteristics and procedure-related outcomes were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups, based on whether the foreign bodies were sharp or blunt in shape.

Results

A total of 853 patients aged 19–96 years were analyzed. Ingestion of fish bones was more common in the coastal area, whereas ingestion of food boluses was more common in the inland area. The duration of impaction ranged from 1 h to over 1 month and was significantly longer in patients who ingested blunt than sharp foreign bodies (15 vs. 5 h, p < 0.001). Most (98.9%) foreign bodies were successfully removed. Adverse events occurred in 31.2 % of patients, including ulcers (4.0%) and perforations (3.3 %). Multivariate analysis showed that age (odds ratio [OR] 1.015, p = 0.012), sharp foreign bodies (OR 5.133, p < 0.001), location in the esophagus (OR 2.723, p = 0.018), and duration of impaction (OR 1.431, p < 0.001) were factors associated with adverse events.

Conclusions

Early recognition and timely endoscopic removal of ingested foreign bodies, particularly in elderly patients and those with sharp foreign bodies, may improve clinical outcomes.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12876-021-01959-3.

Optimal Initial Workup in Patients With Superficial Primary Gastric MALT Lymphoma

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The prognosis of gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is favorable, especially in the absence of lymph node metastasis (LNM). We investigated LNM incidence and location in superficial type gastric MALT lymphoma.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of 450 patients newly diagnosed with gastric MALT lymphoma with tumor infiltration confined to the mucosa or submucosa as evidenced by endoscopic ultrasonography. LNM incidence and location were evaluated.

RESULTS

Of the 450 patients, most patients (434, 96.4%) were initially LNM negative as confirmed by computed tomography (CT) scanning. Sixteen patients (3.6%) were LNM positive. There was no difference in clinical characteristics between the 2 groups except for the extent of lymphoma involvement and endoscopic findings. Among 41 patients undergoing abdominal/pelvic CT (APCT) only, LNM was detected in 1 (2.4%). There were 8 LNM cases among 238 patients undergoing both APCT and chest CT (3.4%). Among 171 patients undergoing APCT, chest CT, and neck CT, 7 cases of LNM were detected (4.1%). The detection rates for each CT were as follows: abdominal CT, 13/450 (2.9%); chest CT, 6/408 (1.5%); and neck CT, 1/171 (0.6%). Among 6 patients with chest CT-positive findings, 3 showed no evidence of LNM on APCT.

CONCLUSION

LNM was an infrequent finding in gastric MALT lymphoma patients with tumor infiltration confined to the mucosa or submucosa. Besides endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasonography, APCT and chest CT are considered as optimal initial workup modalities in patients with assumed primary superficial gastric MALT lymphoma.

Clinical Outcomes of Endoscopic Treatment for Type 1 Gastric Neuroendocrine Tumor

BACKGROUND

Although the rate of early detection and endoscopic treatment of gastric neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) is steadily increasing, there are insufficient studies on the long-term outcomes of endoscopic treatment. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the clinical features and long-term outcomes of endoscopic treatment for type 1 gastric NETs.

METHODS

Subjects who underwent endoscopic treatment for gastric NETs between March 1997 and December 2015 were included. Clinical features and endoscopic treatment outcomes were retrospectively investigated by reviewing medical records.

RESULTS

In total, 125 subjects underwent endoscopic treatment including forceps biopsy (n = 21), argon plasma coagulation (n = 1), endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR, n = 62), and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD, n = 41). In total, 103 patients with 114 lesions, who underwent EMR or ESD, were analyzed to evaluate endoscopic and oncologic outcomes. The rates of en bloc resection in the EMR and ESD groups were 91.5% and 97.7%, respectively. Complete resection rates were significantly higher in the ESD group than in the EMR group; it was also higher in < 1-cm small-sized lesions than in 1-2-cm large-sized lesions. Adverse events were similar between the two groups. During a median follow-up period of 63 months, local recurrence rates were 6.5% and 2.4% in the EMR and ESD groups, respectively, and the disease-free survival rate did not differ significantly between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic treatment for type 1 gastric NETs less than 2 cm in diameter and confined to mucosal and submucosal layers could be an effective and safe treatment strategy based on the favorable long-term outcome.

Effect of Antithrombotic Therapy on Bleeding after Argon Plasma Coagulation for Gastric Neoplasms

Background/Aims

Postprocedural bleeding is known to be relatively low after argon plasma coagulation (APC) for gastric neoplasms; however, there are few studies proving the effect of antithrombotic agents. This study aimed to analyze the incidence of delayed bleeding (DB) based on antithrombotic agents administered and to identify the risk factors for DB in APC for gastric tumors.

Methods

A total of 785 patients with 824 lesions underwent APC for single gastric neoplasm between January 2011 and January 2018. After exclusion, 719 and 102 lesions were classified as belonging to the non-antithrombotics (non-AT) and AT groups, respectively. The clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups, and we determined the risk factors for DB in gastric APC.

Results

Of the total 821 cases, DB occurred in 20 cases (2.4%) 17 cases in the non-AT group and three cases in the AT group (2.4% vs 2.9%, p=0.728). Multivariate analysis of the risk factors for DB confirmed the following significant, independent risk factors male sex (odds ratio, 7.66; 95% confidence interval, 1.02 to 57.69; p=0.048) and chronic kidney disease (odds ratio, 4.51; 95% confidence interval, 1.57 to 13.02; p=0.005). Thromboembolic events and perforation were not observed in all patients regardless of whether they took AT agents.

Conclusions

AT therapy is acceptably safe in gastric APC because it does not significantly increase the incidence of DB. However, patients with chronic kidney disease or male sex need to receive careful follow-up on the incidence of post-APC bleeding.

Prospective evaluation of the efficacy of peroral endoscopic myotomy in patients with achalasia

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is an endoscopic alternative to surgical myotomy in patients with achalasia. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and clinical outcomes of POEM.A total of 20 patients with achalasia who underwent POEM between October 2016 and November 2017 were prospectively recruited. The intraoperative esophagogastric junction distensibility index (mm2/mm Hg) was measured pre- and post-myotomy using an endoluminal functional lumen imaging probe. Clinical response was defined as Eckardt score ≤3. Health-related quality of life was measured by the 36-item short-form health survey score.POEM was successfully completed in all cases. The median procedure time was 68.5 minutes (range 50.0-120.0), and the median myotomy length was 13 cm (range 11-18). Major adverse events were encountered in 2 cases. Overall, clinical responses were observed in all patients during a median follow-up of 11.9 months (range 1.2-26.2). Postoperative esophagogastric junction distensibility index was significantly higher than baseline (from 1.3 [range 0.8-6.9] to 6.3 [range 25-19.2], P < .001). The median Eckardt scores were decreased after POEM (5 [range 2-11] to 1 [range 0-3], P < .001), and the 36-item short-form health survey score was also improved significantly after POEM (67.5 [range 34.5-93.9] to 85.7 [range 53.4-93.3], P = .004).POEM is an effective treatment for achalasia, based on the improvement of both symptoms and objective measures.Clinicaltrial.gov NCT02989883.

Allogeneic epithelial cell sheet transplantation for preventing esophageal stricture after circumferential ESD in a porcine model: preliminary results

OBJECTIVES

Circumferential endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for large lesions induces severe stricture, requiring subsequent treatment. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of allogeneic epithelial cell sheet transplantation in preventing esophageal stricture after circumferential ESD in a porcine model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 15 conventional pigs underwent a 4 cm long circumferential ESD in the mid-esophagus. Out of these animals, 11 were immediately subjected to allogeneic oral mucosal cell sheet transplantation at the resection site, whereas four pigs underwent circumferential ESD only. We performed upper endoscopy 1 and 2 weeks after ESD and assessed the degree of esophageal stricture and histologic characteristics.

RESULTS

Dysphagia scores and weight change ratios recorded 1 and 2 weeks after ESD did not differ between the two groups. The stricture rate 2 weeks after ESD was 100% in the control group and 90.9% in the cell sheet group (p = 1.000). The median mucosal constriction rates of the control and cell sheet groups were 73.5% (range 63.0-80.0%) and 53.8% (37.5-73.3%, p = .018), respectively. With regard to microscopic measurements, the length of re-epithelialization was greater in the cell sheet group than in the control group (2,495 µm vs. 369 µm, p = .008). Median fibrosis thickness and degree of muscle damage were not significantly different between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Although allogeneic epithelial cell sheet transplantation showed greater re-epithelialization and less mucosal constriction of post-ESD ulcers, it was not sufficiently effective in preventing post-ESD stricture.

Predictive Role of Endoscopic Surveillance after Total Gastrectomy with R0 Resection for Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic surveillance after total gastrectomy (TG) for gastric cancer is routinely performed to detect tumor recurrence and postoperative adverse events. However, the reports on the clinical benefits of endoscopic surveillance are ambiguous. We investigated the clinical benefit of endoscopic surveillance after TG for gastric cancer.

METHODS

We analyzed 848 patients who underwent TG with R0 resection for gastric cancer between 2011 and 2012 (380 early gastric cancer and 468 advanced gastric cancer) and underwent regular postoperative surveillance with endoscopy and abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT) with contrast.

RESULTS

Median follow-up periods were 58 months for both endoscopy (range, 3-96) and abdominopelvic CT (range, 1-96). Tumor recurrence occurred in 167 patients (19.7%), of whom seven (4.2%) were locoregional recurrences in the peri-anastomotic area (n = 5) or regional gastric lymph nodes (n = 2). Whereas the peri-anastomotic recurrences were detected by both endoscopy and abdominopelvic CT, regional lymph node recurrences were only detected by abdominopelvic CT. Out of the 23 events of postoperative adverse events, the majority (87%) were detected by radiologic examinations; three events of benign strictures in the anastomotic site were detected only by endoscopy.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic surveillance did not have a significant role in detecting locoregional tumor recurrence and postoperative adverse events after TG with R0 resection for gastric cancer. Routine endoscopic surveillance after TG may be considered optional and performed according to the capacities of each clinical setting.

Prevalence and endoscopic treatment outcomes of upper gastrointestinal neoplasms in familial adenomatous polyposis

BACKGROUND

Although upper gastrointestinal (GI) neoplasms are not rare in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), few studies have focused on them and the long-term outcomes of their treatment by endoscopy. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the prevalence and endoscopic treatment outcomes of upper GI neoplasms in patients with FAP.

METHODS

Among 215 patients diagnosed with FAP between January 1991 and December 2019, 208 who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy were eligible. The clinical features and endoscopic treatment outcomes of upper GI neoplasms were retrospectively investigated and analyzed.

RESULTS

Among the enrolled patients, 113 (54.3%) had one or more upper GI neoplasms: gastric adenoma (n = 34), gastric cancer (n = 7), nonampullary duodenal adenoma (n = 86), and ampullary adenoma (n = 53). Among patients with gastric neoplasms (n = 37), 24 (64.9%) underwent treatment (endoscopic treatment: 22, surgery: 2). No tumor-related mortality occurred during median follow-up of 106 months (interquartile range [IQR] 63-174). Endoscopic treatment was performed in 47 (54.7%) of 86 patients with nonampullary duodenal adenoma and in 32 (60.4%) of 53 patients with ampullary adenoma. No patient underwent surgery for duodenal neoplasms, and no tumor-related mortality occurred during median follow-up of 88 months (IQR 42-145). The proportion of patients with increased Spigelman stage at 2 years after the initial diagnosis or treatment was significantly higher in untreated group than in the group treated for duodenal neoplasms (27.3% vs. 0.0%, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic surveillance in FAP patients is important for the detection and treatment of upper GI neoplasms in early stage. In particular, endoscopic therapy for duodenal neoplasms can reduce the severity of duodenal polyposis.

Effects of Proton Pump Inhibitor on the Distribution of Helicobacter pylori and Associated Gastritis in Patients with Gastric Atrophy

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Acid suppression therapy is thought to be associated with the topography of Helicobacter pylori and associated gastritis, leading to corpus-predominant gastritis. This study was aimed to investigate the influence of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment on the distribution of H. pylori and associated gastritis in patients with atrophic change.

METHODS

Patients who underwent endoscopic resection for gastric neoplasms and received PPI for 2 months were prospectively analyzed. Biopsy specimens were obtained from 5 areas in the stomach before, during, and after the treatment with PPI. Histological examination was -performed using the updated Sydney system, and -bacterial density of H. pylori was further graded by immunohistochemistry (ClinicalTrials.gov registration number NCT02449941).

RESULTS

A total of 15 patients were analyzed, of whom 7 had H. pylori infection. The degree of activity and inflammation were greater in patients with H. pylori infection than in those without H. pylori infection. During the PPI treatment, the density of H. pylori decreased not only in the antrum but also in the corpus. The degree of activity and inflammation improved significantly in the antrum, particularly in the presence of H. pylori infection, while the corpus gastritis was not affected by PPI use. Atrophy and intestinal metaplasia remained unchanged in both regions of the stomach. The observed changes reverted following the discontinuation of PPI treatment.

CONCLUSION

PPI treatment decreased H. pylori both in the antrum and the corpus in patients with atrophic gastritis. Antral gastritis improved during PPI treatment, whereas no changes were found in the corpus.

Analysis of clinical outcomes and prognostic factors in patients treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma

As patients receiving definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) are heterogeneous, we aimed to identify prognostic factors and failure patterns after dCRT. From 2006 to 2015, 327 patients who received dCRT for ESCC were reviewed. Treatment response to dCRT was evaluated based on EORTC-PET criteria with endoscopy and CT results. After dCRT, 296 patients (90.5%) achieved disease stabilisation, with 132 cases of complete response (CR) (40.4%), 158 of partial response (PR) (48.3%) and 6 of stable disease (SD) (1.8%); 31 patients (9.5%) had progressive disease (PD). Median overall survival (OS) from response evaluation was 24.0 months in the overall population. Post-treatment clinical response was the most significant prognostic factor for OS in the multivariate analysis (median OS, 65.0 months for CR, 17.3 months for PR, 4.4 months for SD and 4.0 months for PD; p < 0.0001). Median progression-free survival (PFS) in 296 patients who achieved disease stabilisation was 13.1 months, and only clinical response was a significant factor in the multivariate analysis. The median PFS of CR, PR and SD patients were 36.9, 9.2 and 2.8 months, respectively (p < 0.0001). The clinical response was also significantly associated with the predominant failure pattern (locoregional failure [81.6%] in the initial non-PD group vs. distant metastasis [87.1%] in the initial PD group [p < 0.0001]). In conclusion, definitive chemoradiotherapy-treated ESCC patients showed highly different prognoses after treatment especially according to the clinical response to chemoradiotherapy.

Clinical course of duodenal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma: Comparison with gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma

BACKGROUND AND AIM

There are few cases of duodenal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma reported in the literature, and little is known about the clinical course of this disease. Here, we aimed to characterize the clinical features of duodenal MALT lymphoma by comparison with gastric MALT lymphoma.

METHODS

Thirteen patients diagnosed with duodenal MALT lymphoma at Asan Medical Center from March 1997 to February 2017 were included in this retrospective study, along with patients with gastric MALT lymphoma, matched by age and sex at a 1:10 ratio.

RESULTS

Median age of patients with duodenal MALT lymphoma was 49 (range 20-72) years, and 53.8% (7/13) were male. Comparison of patient characteristics indicated that Helicobacter pylori infection (46.2% vs 90.8%, P < 0.001) and lymph node metastasis (23.1% vs 5.4%, P = 0.049) rates differed between patients with duodenal and gastric MALT lymphoma. Overall complete remission (61.5% vs 86.2%, P = 0.021) and complete remission after initial H. pylori eradication therapy (50% vs 87.7%, P = 0.037) were significantly lower in patients with duodenal than gastric MALT lymphoma. Complications including bleeding, stricture, and transformation to high-grade lymphoma occurred in a total of seven patients (4.9%), with a higher incidence in patients with duodenal than gastric MALT lymphoma (38.5% vs 1.5%, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Duodenal MALT lymphoma is very rare, and treatment outcomes appear to be inferior to those of gastric MALT lymphoma.

Modified bismuth quadruple therapy with low-dose metronidazole as first-line therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection

BACKGROUND

Bismuth-containing quadruple therapy is an effective alternative first-line therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of a modified twice-a-day bismuth quadruple regimen (BQT-2) with low-dose (1000 mg total) metronidazole as first-line therapy for the eradication of H pylori.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this prospective pilot study, patients diagnosed with H pylori infection and naïve to eradication therapy were included. The modified BQT-2 therapy consisted of rabeprazole 20 mg, amoxicillin 1 g, metronidazole 500 mg, and tripotassium dicitrato bismuthate 600 mg (elemental bismuth 240 mg) twice daily, given 30 minutes before morning and evening meals for 14 days. H pylori eradication was assessed by ¹³ C-urea breath test conducted at least 4 weeks after therapy completion.

RESULTS

In 66 patients who received the modified BQT-2 regimen, the compliance rate was 100% and the H pylori eradication rate was 77.3%. H pylori was successfully cultured in 50 (75.8%) patients. The resistance rates to metronidazole and clarithromycin were 30.0% and 22.0%, respectively. Eradication rates were not significantly different according to the resistance to metronidazole (metronidazole-susceptible: 74.3% [26/35], metronidazole-resistant: 73.3% [11/15]; P > .99). Most of the adverse events were mild, with 20 (30%) patients developing nausea, epigastric soreness, loose stool, asthenia, skin rash, dizziness, taste perversion, headache, or dyspepsia.

CONCLUSIONS

Twice-a-day modified BQT-2 regimen with low-dose metronidazole was suboptimal as an alternative first-line therapy for eradicating H pylori, despite high patient compliance.

Long-term Outcomes and Factors Affecting the Survival of Patients with Mucosal Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background/Aims

Data regarding the prognosis of early esophageal cancer are lacking. This study investigated the long-term outcomes and factors affecting the survival of patients with mucosal esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (T1aESCC).

Methods

We analyzed the clinical and tumor-specific parameters of 263 patients who received surgical resection (SR; n=63) or endoscopic resection (ER; n=200) for T1aESCC. Underlying comorbidities were scored using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Overall survival (OS) was the primary outcome, and multivariate regression analysis was performed to predict factors for OS.

Results

Of the study patients (age, 64.5±8.0 years), the CCI was 1.0±1.4 in the ER group and 0.6±0.9 in the SR group (p=0.107). The 5-year OS rate during follow-up (54.4±20.4 months) was 85.7% (ER group, 86.8%; SR group, 82.4%; p=0.631). The cumulative 5-year incidence of esophageal cancer recurrence was 10.5% in the ER group (vs 0% in the SR group). The overall mortality rate was 12.9% (12.0% in the ER group and 15.9% in the SR group; p=0.399). The most common cause of mortality was second primary cancers in the ER group (75%) and organ dysfunction or postoperative complications in the SR group (70%). According to multivariate analysis, only CCI was significantly associated with OS (p<0.001). The 5-year OS rate in patients with a CCI >2 and in those with a CCI ≤2 was 60.2% and 88.2%, respectively (p<0.001). The treatment method (ER vs SR) was not a significant affecting factor (p=0.238).

Conclusions

The long-term prognosis of patients with T1aESCC was significantly associated with underlying comorbidities.

Various Novel and Emerging Technologies in Endoscopic Bariatric and Metabolic Treatments

Obesity, along with its comorbidities, has become a significant public health concern worldwide. Bariatric surgery is considered the most effective treatment modality; however, only 2% of patients with obesity undergo bariatric surgery. Endoscopic bariatric and metabolic therapies (EBMTs) are emerging alternatives to traditional bariatric surgery for patients who are not eligible for or do not prefer surgical treatment. EBMTs are generally categorized as space-occupying, gastric restrictive, aspiration, and small bowel therapies. We aimed to review various non-balloon and non-gastroplasty devices with available clinical data and discuss the possible mechanisms of action, efficacy, and safety profile of these EMBTs.

Duodenal Decubitus Ulcer Caused by Percutaneous Endoscopic Transgastric Jejunostomy Tube

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) has substituted surgical gastrostomy for long-term enteral nutrition. Percutaneous endoscopic transgastric jejunostomy (PEG-J) entails placing a feeding tube into the jejunum through PEG. Unlike PEG, PEG-J is associated with complications caused by the jejunal extension tube. Herein, we report a rare complication of PEG-J. A 71-year-old woman who underwent PEG-J for the administration of carbidopa-levodopa, complained of epigastric pain, dyspepsia, and weight loss of more than 10% in 2 months. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed a duodenal decubitus ulcer caused by the pressure from the jejunal extension tube. After removal of the PEG-J and a 4-week treatment with a proton pump inhibitor, the ulcer healed and the symptoms resolved.

Associations of Serum Lipid Level with Gastric Cancer Risk, Pathology, and Prognosis

Purpose

The association of serum lipids with gastric cancer is controversial. We clarified the role of serum lipids in the development, progression, and prognosis of gastric cancer.

Materials and Methods

In total, 412 patients diagnosed with gastric cancer were prospectively recruited, and 2,934 control subjects who underwent screening endoscopy were enrolled from December 2013 to March 2017 to conduct a case-control study in a tertiary center. Serum lipid profiles, including total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG), apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), and apolipoprotein B, and clinicopathologic characteristics were analyzed.

Results

The gastric cancer group showed significantly lower HDL-C, higher LDL-C, and lower apoA-I level than the control group. In multivariate analysis, old age (odds ratio [OR], 1.051; p < 0.001), smoking (OR, 1.337; p < 0.001), a family history of gastric cancer (OR, 2.038; p < 0.001), Helicobacter pylori seropositivity (OR, 4.240; p < 0.001), lower HDL-C (OR, 0.712; p=0.020), and higher LDL-C (p=0.002) were significant risk factors for gastric cancer. Lower HDL-C and higher LDL-C remained significant after adjustments for covariates, including age and sex. In a subgroup analysis of the gastric cancer group, lower TG levels were associated with undifferentiated histology. No serum lipids were associated with overall survival.

Conclusion

Lower HDL-C and higher LDL-C were associated with the risk of gastric cancer, even after adjusting for age, sex, and other factors. In the gastric cancer group, undifferentiated histology was associated with lower TG levels.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection as alternative to surgery for complicated gastric heterotopic pancreas

BACKGROUND

Gastric heterotopic pancreas (GHP) is generally asymptomatic and rarely features complications such as pancreatitis, pseudocysts, gastric outlet obstruction, bleeding, obstructive jaundice, or intussusception. However, the treatment of complicated GHP is challenging and often requires surgical resection.

AIM

To investigate the clinical outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) as alternative to surgical resection for complicated GHP.

METHODS

This is a single-center, retrospective study. Between January 2013 and December 2017, a total of 5 patients underwent ESD for complicated GHP at Asan Medical Center. Patients who were diagnosed with complicated GHP were treated conservatively as with general practice for acute pancreatitis. After conservative management for resolving the acute phase of pancreatitis, ESD was performed as definitive treatment for complicated GHP. ESD was performed using the conventional method under conscious sedation. The clinical features of patients and tumors, procedure-related characteristics, and long-term outcomes were investigated.

RESULTS

The age of the 5 patients ranged from 28-43 years. Two of the patients were males. All lesions were located in the greater curvature of the antrum. On endoscopic ultrasonography during the pain episode, all lesions were located across the muscularis mucosa, submucosa, and proper muscle layers. The median lesion size was 20 [interquartile range (IQR), 18-35] during the pain episode at the time of the diagnosis of complicated GHP, and 15 mm (IQR, 9-33) at the time of ESD after conservative treatment. The procedure time ranged from 15-120 min. There were no procedure-related adverse events such as perforation or bleeding. The length of hospital stay after the procedure ranged from 2-4 d. All patients were symptom free during the median follow-up period of 46.0 mo (IQR, 39-60).

CONCLUSION

ESD appears to be a feasible and effective treatment option for complicated GHP based on the favorable clinical outcomes.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection as alternative to surgery for complicated gastric heterotopic pancreas

BACKGROUND

Gastric heterotopic pancreas (GHP) is generally asymptomatic and rarely features complications such as pancreatitis, pseudocysts, gastric outlet obstruction, bleeding, obstructive jaundice, or intussusception. However, the treatment of complicated GHP is challenging and often requires surgical resection.

AIM

To investigate the clinical outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) as alternative to surgical resection for complicated GHP.

METHODS

This is a single-center, retrospective study. Between January 2013 and December 2017, a total of 5 patients underwent ESD for complicated GHP at Asan Medical Center. Patients who were diagnosed with complicated GHP were treated conservatively as with general practice for acute pancreatitis. After conservative management for resolving the acute phase of pancreatitis, ESD was performed as definitive treatment for complicated GHP. ESD was performed using the conventional method under conscious sedation. The clinical features of patients and tumors, procedure-related characteristics, and long-term outcomes were investigated.

RESULTS

The age of the 5 patients ranged from 28-43 years. Two of the patients were males. All lesions were located in the greater curvature of the antrum. On endoscopic ultrasonography during the pain episode, all lesions were located across the muscularis mucosa, submucosa, and proper muscle layers. The median lesion size was 20 [interquartile range (IQR), 18-35] during the pain episode at the time of the diagnosis of complicated GHP, and 15 mm (IQR, 9-33) at the time of ESD after conservative treatment. The procedure time ranged from 15-120 min. There were no procedure-related adverse events such as perforation or bleeding. The length of hospital stay after the procedure ranged from 2-4 d. All patients were symptom free during the median follow-up period of 46.0 mo (IQR, 39-60).

CONCLUSION

ESD appears to be a feasible and effective treatment option for complicated GHP based on the favorable clinical outcomes.

Isolation of Helicobacter pylori using leftover tissue in the rapid urease test kit

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Isolation of Helicobacter pylori is considered difficult because of the requirement of the additional biopsy tissue and the effort involved in the isolation of the bacterium. We investigated whether H pylori can be cultured from tissue samples used for the rapid urease test (RUT).

METHODS

Totally, 174 specimens from 87 patients referred for endoscopy were prospectively included. During endoscopy, two biopsy specimens were obtained, one each from the gastric antrum and the corpus, and were placed into a commercially available RUT kit. After detection of urease activity, H pylori was cultured using tissue leftover in the RUT, regardless of the result.

RESULTS

H pylori was successfully isolated using leftover tissue in 72.4% (63/87) of the patients. In 32 patients, H pylori was isolated from both specimens, while in 31 patients, it was isolated from either antrum or corpus. Eighty-one H pylori strains were isolated from 141 specimens with positive RUT results (57.4%), whereas 14 strains were isolated from 33 specimens with negative RUT results (42.4%). The median interval between tissue acquisition and inoculation onto the isolation media was 3.6 hours (range: 0.5-27.5 hours) in cases with successful cultures, compared to 23.5 hours (range: 0.5-76.0 hours) in cases with failed cultures. Among the positive RUT tissues, 80.4% (45/56) were cultured successfully when the tissue was inoculated within 4 hours of the biopsy.

CONCLUSIONS

RUT kits can be used as transport media for H pylori, and this media is most efficient when used within 4 hours of the test.

Clinical Outcomes of Enteral Feeding Protocol Via Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy: A Single-Center, Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND

The development of the endoscopic technique has resulted in an increasing number of patients undergoing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) insertion; however, the protocols for increasing the volume of feeding formula after PEG insertion have not been established. Therefore, we compared the clinical outcomes of patients receiving low- and high-volume increase in enteral feeding formula.

METHODS

A total of 215 patients who underwent PEG insertion between January 2016 and March 2019 were included. They were divided into 2 groups according to the increase in volume of feeding formula: the low-volume group (n = 135) received ≤150 mL/d, and the high-volume group (n = 80) received ≥300 mL/d. Patient characteristics, procedure, and feeding-related clinical outcomes were retrospectively reviewed using medical records.

RESULTS

The adverse events of the feeding protocol did not significantly differ between the 2 groups. The number of days needed to attain the calorie targets was significantly lower in the high-volume group than in the low-volume group (5.4 ± 3.0 vs 2.4 ± 1.5; P < .001). The duration of supplemental parenteral nutrition and the length of hospitalization were also significantly lower in the high-volume group (3.9 ± 3.3 vs 1.2 ± 2.2; P < .001 and 5.8 ± 2.7 vs 4.6 ± 2.6; P = .007, respectively).

CONCLUSION

To rapidly attain the calorie targets in appropriately selected patients with PEG insertion, a high-volume increase in daily feeding can safely be recommended given the favorable outcomes.

Comparison Between Redo Endoscopic Treatment and Surgery in Patients with Locally Recurrent Gastric Neoplasms

BACKGROUND

Treatment of locally recurrent gastric neoplasms after endoscopic resection remains challenging. We investigated the efficacy and safety of treatment options for recurrent gastric neoplasms localized to the scar of previous endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD).

METHODS

The clinicopathological characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients who underwent endoscopic treatment or surgery for recurrent gastric neoplasms between June 2010 and May 2017 were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

Of the 92 patients included, 74 underwent endoscopic treatment (51 redo ESD, 23 argon plasma coagulation [APC] ablation) and 18 underwent surgery. The redo ESD procedure time was significantly longer than that of the primary ESD (31.0 versus 22.0 min, p = 0.018). Overall, adverse events occurred in 11 patients (12.0%), with the incidence being significantly higher in the surgery group (27.8% versus 8.1% in the endoscopic treatment group, p = 0.036). Local recurrence-free survival rates were 81.1% for the endoscopic treatment group (86.3% and 69.6% for redo ESD and APC groups, respectively) and 100% for the surgery group (log rank p = 0.033). Logistic regression analysis showed that tumor size > 12.5 mm (odds ratio [OR] 5.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25-26.9, p = 0.032) and tumors located in the upper two-thirds of the stomach (OR 4.43, 95% CI 1.27-16.8, p = 0.023) were associated with non-curative resection after redo ESD.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic treatment could be an effective and safe alternative to surgery for selected patients with gastric neoplasms recurring at the scar of previous ESD. Especially, patients having small lesions located in the distal part of the stomach could be a good candidate for redo ESD.

New parameter for quantifying bolus transit with high-resolution impedance manometry: A comparison with simultaneous esophagogram

BACKGROUND

Esophageal bolus transit can be assessed using esophagogram or high-resolution impedance manometry (HRIM). The three-dimensional volume of inverted impedance (VII) has been developed to quantify the residual bolus between each swallow through spatiotemporal analysis. However, this novel metric has not been validated against simultaneous esophagogram.

METHODS

A total of nine healthy volunteers (Seven males, aged 19-45 years) were prospectively evaluated with HRIM and barium esophagogram. In addition, 21 symptomatic patients (12 males, aged 20-85 years) without major motility disorder were also included. The VII was estimated from HRIM data using MATLAB program and was compared with residual bolus volume in the esophagus estimated from simultaneous esophagogram.

KEY RESULTS

A total of 80 swallows (24 in controls and 56 in patients) were analyzed. Results from the VII method were concordant with the bolus transit pattern estimated from the esophagogram in 91.3% (73/80) of swallows. The correlation between quantitative data from VII and the volume of residual bolus estimated from esophagogram was strong in both groups with a Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.805 for healthy volunteers and 0.730 for symptomatic patients. The intraclass correlation coefficient of VII between the three swallows within a subject was 0.901 in healthy subjects and 0.705 in patients, indicating a modest reliability of this method.

CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES

The newly developed VII method is a reliable method in assessing residual bolus volume in the esophagus based on comparison with bolus volume estimated from simultaneous esophagogram.

Clinical Outcomes following Endoscopic Treatment for Sporadic Nonampullary Duodenal Adenoma

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Endoscopic treatment for duodenal neoplasms is associated with a high risk of perforation. This study aimed to determine the feasibility of endoscopic treatment for sporadic nonampullary duodenal adenoma (SNDA).

METHODS

Consecutive patients undergoing endoscopic treatment for SNDA between January 2005 and December 2015 were included in the study. Clinical characteristics and endoscopic outcomes were analyzed using medical records. Long-term outcome was assessed in patients whose follow-up period was >12 months >1 year.

RESULTS

A total of 95 lesions (92 patients) were treated with argon plasma coagulation (APC) ablation (n = 25), endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR, n = 59), or endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD, n= 11). The median age was 54.9 years, and 63% were male. In patients who underwent EMR and ESD, the en bloc resection rate was 83.1 and 90.0% (p > 0.99); and the complete resection rate was 81.4 and 80% (p > 0.99), respectively. Perforation occurred in 8 patients (8.7%), 4 of whom required surgery. The ESD group showed a significantly higher perforation rate than APC or EMR group (45.5 vs. 0 and 5.1%; p < 0.001). During the median follow-up period of 19 months (range 12-137 months), one patient in the APC ablation group experienced recurrence; no recurrences were seen among EMR and ESD groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Favorable long-term outcomes indicate that endoscopic treatment is an effective approach for the treatment of SNDA. Considering the high risk of perforation associated with ESD, APC, or EMR may be an acceptable alternative.