Early (<4 weeks) versus standard (≥4 weeks) endoscopic drainage of pancreatic walled-off fluid collections: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Previous studies have demonstrated that the ideal time for drainage of walled-off pancreatic fluid collections is 4 to 6 weeks after their development. However, some pancreatic collections, notably infected pancreatic fluid collections, require earlier drainage. Nevertheless, the optimal timing of the first intervention is unclear, and consensus data are sparse. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of EUS-guided drainage of pancreatic fluid collections <4 weeks after development compared with ≥4 weeks after development.

METHODS

Search strategies were developed for PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases from inception. Outcomes of interest were technical success, defined as successful endoscopic placement of a lumen-apposing metal stent; clinical success, defined as a reduction in cystic collection size; and procedure-related adverse events. A random-effects model was used for analysis, and results are expressed as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

Six studies (630 patients) were included in our final analysis, in which 182 patients (28.9%) were enrolled in the early drainage cohort and 448 patients (71.1%) in the standard drainage cohort. The mean fluid collection size was 143.4 ± 18.8 mm for the early cohort versus 128 ± 19.7 mm for the standard cohort. Overall, technical success was equal in both cohorts. Clinical success did not favor either standard drainage or early drainage (OR, .39; 95% CI, .13-1.22; P = .11). No statistically significant differences were found in overall adverse events (OR, 1.67; 95% CI, .63-4.45; P = .31) or mortality (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, .29-4.48; P = .85). Hospital stay was longer for patients undergoing early drainage compared with standard drainage (23.7 vs 16.0 days, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Both early (<4 weeks) and standard (≥4 weeks) drainage of walled-off pancreatic fluid collections offer similar technical and clinical outcomes. Patients requiring endoscopic drainage should not be delayed for 4 weeks.

Esophageal carcinoma cuniculatum: a narrative review to understand this rare and commonly misdiagnosed variant of well-differentiated esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Background and Objective

Esophageal carcinoma cuniculatum (CC) is a rare variant of a well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Unlike other forms of esophageal cancers, CC of the esophagus is difficult to diagnose on endoscopic biopsies. This can lead to a delay in the diagnosis and increases morbidity. We reviewed the available literature to shed light on the etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of this disease. Our aim is to create a better understanding of this rare disease entity and contribute to a timely diagnosis to reduce the associated morbidity and mortality.

Methods

Extensive review of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Google Scholar was conducted. We identified the published literature on Esophageal CC from inception till date. We report epidemiological trends, clinical presentation, diagnostic and treatment strategies to correctly identify the cases to reduce the likelihood of a missed diagnosis of esophageal CC.

Key Content and Findings

Associated risk factors for esophageal CC are chronic reflux esophagitis, smoking, alcohol consumption, immunosuppression, and achalasia. Dysphagia is the most common presentation. Primary diagnostic modality is an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), but diagnosis can be easily missed. To favor an early diagnosis, a histological scoring system has been proposed by Chen et al. where authors describe specific histological features that appear to be common based on the numerous mucosal biopsies examined from patients with CC.

Conclusions

A high clinical suspicion for the disease along with close endoscopic follow-up with repeat biopsies is needed for an early diagnosis. Surgery remains the gold standard for treatment and is associated with a favorable prognosis when the patients are diagnosed early.

Estimating the optimum number of colon biopsies for diagnosing microscopic colitis: a systematic review

Microscopic colitis (MC) is an inflammatory disease of the colon characterized by persistent watery, nonbloody diarrhea. Subtypes of MC include collagenous and lymphocytic MC. Microscopic examination of colon tissue is crucial to confirming the diagnosis because the colonic mucosa often appears normal during flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. We aim to determine the optimal sites and minimum number of colon biopsies required to diagnose MC from published studies. We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane databases from inception until October 2020 using the following keywords: microscopic, lymphocytic, collagenous, colitis, biopsy, and biopsies. We screened the search results for eligibility and extracted data from the included studies. We pooled the numbers of biopsies provided by each study to calculate the mean number of biopsies, SD, and SEM. We included three retrospective cohort studies with 356 patients (148 collagenous, 192 lymphocytic, and 16 mixed), and the total number of biopsies were 1854. The mean number of biopsies that were recommended by the included studies are 4, 4, and 9, respectively. The pooled mean ± SD is 5.67 ± 2.89. The included studies reported that biopsies from the ascending colon (AC) and descending colon (DC) had the highest diagnostic rates. To ensure a high level of certainty in diagnosing MC, a total of six biopsies should be taken from the AC and DC (3 AC and 3 DC). However, special care should be directed toward differentiating MC from other forms of colitis. In addition, detailed and comparative studies are needed to provide stronger recommendations to diagnose MC.

Population trends in achalasia diagnosis and management: a changing paradigm

The Chicago Classification of esophageal motility disorders improved the differentiation of achalasia subtypes and tailored treatment. Heller myotomy (HM) and pneumatic dilation are two established treatments for achalasia. Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has become a third definitive option and is on the rise. Using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database, we evaluated patients hospitalized with achalasia and associated surgical and endoscopic interventions from 2013 to 2017 and compared patients undergoing HM versus POEM. The NIS database was queried to include patients with achalasia. Patients who underwent HM, POEM (only 2017 due to lack of distinct procedure code in 2013), pneumatic dilation, or esophagectomy were identified. Adverse events during the hospitalization were also queried using diagnosis codes. From 2013 to 2017, patients hospitalized with achalasia increased from 16 850 to 19 485. There were reductions in the number of esophageal dilations (10.6-5.4%, P < 0.001) and HM (18.7-13.1%, P < 0.001). In 2017, 580 POEMs were performed. Compared with patients undergoing HM in 2017, patients who had POEM had higher mean age > 64 (P = 0.004), Charlson comorbidity index (P < 0.001), disease severity (P < 0.001), and likelihood of mortality (P < 0.001). There were no differences in length of stay, mortality, or total costs between the HM and POEM groups. Patients hospitalized with achlasia increased from 2013 to 2017, possibly due to the growth and accessibility of high-resolution esophageal manometry. As expertise in POEM increases, the number of POEM performed is anticipated to rise with possible further reductions in other treatment modalities for achalasia.

Brevundimonas diminuta coinfection as source of pyogenic liver abscess

Brevundimonas diminuta, a non-fermenting gram-negative bacterium, is emerging as an important multidrug resistant opportunistic pathogen. It has been described in cases of bacteremia, pleuritis, keratitis and peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis. We describe, for the first time, a case of pyogenic liver abscess caused by coinfection of B. diminuta and Streptococcus anginosus, and briefly review pyogenic liver abscesses and the literature regarding B. diminuta.

Listeriosis in an immunocompetent patient after diagnostic colonoscopy

We present an 80-year-old female with type II diabetes (well controlled) who presented to the emergency department with a hemoglobin of 6.5 mg/d consistent with iron deficiency anemia (IDA). As part of the workup for IDA, she had an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy. EGD was unremarkable. Colonoscopy revealed a mass occupying about 50% of the circumference of her descending colon suspicious for malignancy, which was biopsied. Thirty-six hours later, she developed fevers; blood cultures grew Listeria monocytogenes. Workup to identify the source of bacteremia was negative for other sources of infection. Due to the temporal relationship, the development of bacteremia was attributed to the disturbance of the gastrointestinal tract possibly from recent biopsy of the colonic mass. She was treated with penicillin for a total of about 4 weeks with complete resolution of symptoms and clearance of bacteremia. She had a transverse colectomy 6 weeks later with surgical pathology of the lesion showing intramucosal adenocarcinoma. This case represents a rare complication of colonoscopy and is novel because our patient was not immunocompromised as previously reported in other cases.

Acute mesenteric ischaemia secondary to portal, splenic and superior mesenteric vein thrombosis

Mesenteric ischaemia represents an uncommon complication of splanchnic vein thrombosis which requires a high level of suspicion to diagnose in a timely manner. This report discusses a case of portal, splenic and superior mesenteric vein thrombosis leading to mesenteric ischaemia and infarct in a 79-year-old man. The diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischaemia and splanchnic vein thrombosis remains difficult due to the non-specific symptoms of these conditions. As diagnosis does continue to improve, treatment of acute mesenteric ischaemia using medical management has become increasingly possible before ischaemia advances to the point at which surgical resection is required.

Splenic sequestration crisis as an index manifestation of heterozygous hemoglobinopathy in an adult

Sickle β⁺-thalassemia rarely manifests with acute splenic sequestration crisis in adults. We report a case of a 20-year-old female who presented with fever and left upper quadrant abdominal pain. Laboratory studies revealed hemolytic anemia. Tests for autoimmune hemolysis and hemolytic diseases were negative except for Hemoglobin (Hb) electrophoresis, which revealed sickle cell trait (Hb AS). Infectious workup was unremarkable. Computed tomography scan of the abdomen showed marked splenomegaly. The patient received blood transfusions and empiric antibiotics with no improvement; thus, splenectomy was performed. Pathology specimen revealed peripheral serpiginous infarcts alternating with surrounding acute inflammation and small capillaries plugged with sickle cell shaped red blood cells consistent with splenic sequestration. DNA test later revealed beta-globin mutations consistent with sickle cell-beta⁺ thalassemia. Post-splenectomy, there was a gradual improvement in her clinical symptoms with concomitant rise in Hb to 10.6 g/dl at discharge.

Severe recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding following percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement: a rare complication

Severe bleeding requiring blood transfusions following endoscopic, percutaneous gastrostomy tube placement is a rare complication. We describe a case of severe recurrent haemorrhage with bright red blood from rectum from endoscopic, percutaneous gastrostomy tube placement, which ultimately required removal of the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube.

Hospitalization cost and length of stay in pancreatic cancer population: A national inpatient database study

e15793

Background: Pancreatic cancer accounts for 7% of all cancer deaths in the U.S. It contributes to burgeoning health care cost and is associated with poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to describe the disease burden, pattern of resource utilization, hospital cost and outcomes among hospitalized pancreatic cancer patients based on the location of disease. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study utilizing the 2014 national inpatient sample database. Adult records with a primary discharge diagnosis of pancreatic cancer were included. Records with no specification on cancer location were excluded. Regression models (logistic and linear) were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (OR), mean length of stay (LOS) and hospital charges (HC). Covariates included sociodemographic factors, co-morbidities and therapeutic surgical procedures received during hospitalization. Results: A total of 4,799 discharge records met the inclusion criteria. Overall, 74.3% had cancer in the pancreatic head and 25.6% had cancer in the body and tail. Pancreatic head cancers were more common in whites (73%). Patients with cancer in the body and tail more commonly experienced metastasis than patients with pancreatic head cancer (23.8% versus 20.4% p = 0.02). Compared to pancreatic head cancers, patients with body and tail cancers were more likely to have a pancreatectomy during index hospitalization (OR 45, 95% CI 27.8 - 65.2). Alternatively, cancers of the pancreatic head were more likely to have an endoscopic pancreatic procedure during index hospitalization compared to body and tail (OR 7.39, 95% CI 3.9 -13.9). Pancreatic head cancers were associated with a significantly longer mean hospital LOS (8.1 versus 6.4 days, mean difference 1.66, p < 0.001) and higher mean cost of hospitalization (Mean HC $85,263.40 versus $56,156.60 p < 0.001) compared to cancer in the body and tail. Conclusions: Despite lower rate of metastasis and pancreatectomy, patients hospitalized for pancreatic head cancers have longer hospital LOS and higher healthcare cost burden. Our findings may inform physicians, patients, and policymakers and may help channel resources toward specific patient population to reduce healthcare cost and improve outcomes for individuals and healthcare organizations.

Prevalence of esophageal malignant and premalignant lesions in a Michigan cohort, 2013-2017

e15541

Background: Esophageal cancer is diagnosed in roughly 4 per 100,000 US population. Older men are most frequently affected. Adenocarcinoma is most common and incidence is increasing. EGD with biopsy is important for diagnosis. Many patients present with metastases, limiting treatment options. EGD can identify Barrett’s esophagus, a precursor lesion for adenocarcinoma, but evaluation of biopsy specimens is difficult. This study describes findings from esophageal biopsies in a large community-based Michigan cohort. Methods: Patients aged ≥18 years undergoing EGD with esophageal biopsies in Sparrow Health System were identified. Pathology reports were abstracted for sociodemographics, procedure information, and pathologic findings. Only patients with complete data were included for analysis. Statistical comparisons were assessed by chi-square tests or Fisher’s exact test in contingency tables for categorical variables, or t-tests for continuous variables as appropriate. Results: 4,471 patients were included. 3,279 (73.3%) had benign findings, 1,117 (25%) premalignant changes, 69 (1.54%) malignancy including adenocarcinoma, poorly differentiated cancer or high-grade dysplasia, 1 (0.022%) squamous cell cancer, and 5 (0.11%) neuroendocrine tumors. The latter six were excluded from analyses.Most procedures were performed for inpatients (70.5% for benign, 72.5% malignant and 76.3% pre-malignant; p< 0.001 for all comparisons). Patients with malignancy were older than those with premalignancy [mean 69.8 (SD = 10.4) vs 62.6 (SD = 12.2) years; p< 0.001], who were older than those with benign findings [62.6 (SD = 12.2) vs 56.2 (SD = 14.7) years; p< 0.001]. Patients with premalignancy came from areas with higher average household incomes ($42,179 vs $41,247; p< 0.01). There were no other socioeconomic or sex differences between groups. Conclusions: In a community sample, esophageal malignancy was uncommon but premalignant changes common. Most procedures occurred during hospitalizations. Ensuring appropriate post-discharge follow up for premalignant changes could be challenging. Association between premalignant changes and higher average household income is intriguing and merits additional study.

HIV associated cancers

e18254

Background: The incidence or the prevalence of AIDS-defining cancers has reduced drastically (70% or more in the United States) since the introduction of three-drug antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the mid-1990s. However, the data from the inpatient sample is lacking. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis using data from the 2014 National Inpatient Sample database. We identified patients with either primary or secondary diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Then we identified patients with various cancers including AIDS-defining cancers. Afterward, we ran logistic regression to check the degree of association between the diagnosis of each cancer with the diagnosis of HIV during the identified hospitalizations. We also assessed the prevalence of each of the cancer among the identified HIV patients, as well as the mortality in this cohort. Results: A total of 115955 hospitalizations with a diagnosis of HIV were identified. Among them, there were 6985 hospitalizations with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, 2230 with rectal and anal cancer, 1170 with Kaposi sarcoma, 870 with head and neck cancer, 865 with skin cancer, 840 with cervical cancer. Logistic regression showed odds ratio (OR) of 1632.857 (95% CI 1168 - 2284, p < 0.01) for Kaposi sarcoma, 9.13 (95% CI 5.7-14.5, p-value < 0.01) for other male cancer, 8.34 (95% CI 7.68-9.06; p-value < 0.01) for Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, 6.65 (95% CI was 5.5-8, p-value < 0.01) for Hodgkin's lymphoma, 5.04 (95% CI 4.5-5.6 p < 0.01) for rectal and anal cancer, 2.33 (95% CI 1.9-2.8, p < 0.01) for cervical cancer. Mortality was statistically significant with liver cancer, lung cancer, brain cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma, and Kaposi sarcoma. Conclusions: The prevalence of Kaposi sarcoma, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and cervical cancer are found to be high among hospitalized patients with HIV most likely because of nonadherence to their HIV medications. Future studies to check their correlation of these cancers with disease control is required. It is interesting to note that the prevalence of rectal and anal cancer, head and neck cancer, and skin cancer is high in this cohort.

Prevalence of gastric cancer and premalignant changes in a Michigan cohort, 2013-2017

e15539

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is uncommon in the US. Incidence varies by geography, race/ethnicity, sex, age, and socioeconomic status (SES). H. pylori is a risk factor for premalignant lesions and GC. Prior studies estimate risk of progression from premalignant to GC at 0.1-0.5% per year. US prevalence of premalignant lesions is unclear. This study describes the prevalence of premalignant lesions and GC in a large community-based sample. Methods: Patients aged ≥18 years undergoing EGD with gastric biopsy in Sparrow Health System were identified. Pathology reports were abstracted for sociodemographics, procedure information, and pathologic findings. Only patients with complete data were included for analysis. Statistical comparisons were assessed by chi-square tests or Fisher’s exact test in contingency tables for categorical variables, or t-tests for continuous variables as appropriate. Results: 4,111 patients were included for analysis. 3,783 (92.04%) had benign findings, 119 (2.90%) premalignant changes, and 31 (0.75%) gastric malignancies. 177 (4.31%) were H. pylori positive. Patients with benign (72.2%), premalignant (69.8%) and H. pylori-positive (69.5%) findings were often inpatients ( p< 0.001 for all comparisons), but not patients with GC (58%, p= 0.37). Benign findings and H. pylori were more common in females (69.3%, p< 0.001 and 59.9%, p< 0.001, respectively). There were no sex differences for premalignant or malignant lesions. Patients with premalignancy and malignancy were older than those with benign findings (mean age 61.6 (SD = 14.8) vs 54.9 (SD = 16.1) years, p< 0.001, and 69.9 (SD = 14.2) vs 54.9 (SD = 16.1) years, p< 0.001, respectively). There was no age difference between patients with benign changes or H. pylori (mean age 54.9 (SD = 16.1) vs 56.4 (SD = 14.4) years, p= 0.24). There were no differences in SES by histological subtype. Conclusions: In a community sample, premalignant lesions and GC were uncommon and did not vary by sex or income. H. pylori infection was also uncommon and varied by sex. This may reflect actual burden of infection or protocols for testing biopsy specimens. Understanding local prevalence of premalignant changes could inform resource planning and surveillance strategies.

Racial disparities and treatment outcomes among patients admitted with a diagnosis of colorectal cancer: Analysis of the 2014 national inpatient sample database

529

Background: Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the United states and the second most common cause of death. Despite universal advocacy for screening colonoscopies and early diagnosis, racial disparities in screening and diagnosis of colorectal cancer exist and affect patients outcomes. In this analysis we determine racial disparities and treatment outcomes for colorectal cancer treatment in the United States. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of the National Inpatient Sample 2014 Database (HCUP_NIS) which contains records of all hospital discharges in the United States Patients 18 years and older with a diagnosis of colorectal cancer were identified by their ICD 9 codes along with treatment they had for colorectal cancer. We then used multivariable regression to identify the effect of race on receiving a therapeutic procedure (open surgical, laparoscopic or robotic) during hospitalization and outcomes as it relates to inpatient mortality. We adjusted for patients age, sex, number of comorbidities (elixhauser comorbidity score), insurance type, and hospital level charactertistics (i.e. size, teaching status) and location (urban and rural location). Results: There were 25,749 discharge diagnosis of colorectal cancer in the United States in 2014 of which 19,300 were associated with undergoing a procedure for colorectal cancer treatment. Whites accounted for the majority of colorectal cancer admissions (65%) while blacks 11.4 %, Hispanics 8.0%, Asian/Pacific Islanders 3.2 %, and Native Americans 0.4%. Blacks had the lowest frequency of procedure related admissions and were less likely to undergo a therapeutic procedure relating to colorectal cancer treatment (67.5 vs. 76.6 OR 0.84 CI 0.75 - 0.93) compared to whites. For specific procedures, blacks (OR 0.81, CI 0.72-0.91) and Hispanics (OR 0.85, CI 0.74-0.98) had a significantly lesser odds of undergoing open surgical procedures when compared to whites but were similarly likely (Blacks OR 0.93, CI 0.81-1.05, Hispanics OR 0.84, CI 0.61-1.14) to undergo laparoscopic/robotic surgical procedure. On multivariable analysis, Asian/Pacific Islanders had a significantly higher mortality (OR 1.61 CI 1.01-2.60) for non-procedure related colorectal cancer admissions. However, this increase mortality was not seen in procedure related colorectal cancer admissions. Overall, after adjusting for potential confounders and treatment, there was no significant variation amongst different races for colorectal cancer mortality in patients admitted to the hospital. Conclusions: Among patients with colorectal cancer there was no procedure related mortality differences between various races. However, for some reason Asian/Pacific Islanders had a significantly higher mortality for non-procedure related colorectal cancer admissions. Further studies are warranted to understand the above findings.

Dural arteriovenous fistula as a treatable dementia

Dementia is a chronic loss of neurocognitive function that is progressive and irreversible. Although rare, dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) could present with a rapid decline in neurocognitive function with or without Parkinson-like symptoms. DAVFs represent a potentially treatable and reversible cause of dementia. Here, we report the case of an elderly woman diagnosed with a DAVF after presenting with new-onset seizures, deteriorating neurocognitive function, and Parkinson-like symptoms.