Differences between sporadic hyperplastic gastric polyps and portal hypertensive gastric polyps: a review

Portal hypertension (PH) is one of the most severe complications of chronic liver diseases. It is defined as an increase in pressure in the portal venous system which results in a portosystemic gradient >5 mmHg. In the western world, cirrhosis is the most frequent cause of PH, mainly due to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and alcoholic liver disease. Patients with PH have esophageal varices in 68-73% of cases, portal hypertensive gastropathy in 51-73% and hyperplastic polyps (HPs) in 0.9-2%. Recent studies have shown that HPs found in PH patients are different from classical HPs. They constitute a new entity called portal hypertensive polyps (PHPs). The main difference between sporadic HPs and PHP is the presence of larger and more numerous vascular capillaries in the lamina propria. The clinical course of PHPs is unknown. Their physiopathology seems different from HPs: the increased congestion caused by higher portal pressure in the stomach may induce capillaries proliferation and neoangiogenesis. PHPs may be responsible for symptoms, such as pyloric obstruction, iron deficiency and anemia. Their prevalence in portal hypertensive and cirrhotic patients is from 1% to 8%. PHPs can be single or numerous, in the antrum or the gastric corpus. Their size ranges from 2 to 3 cm. PHPs seem to disappear or shrink with the treatment of PH. They should be resected in case of symptom and if >10 mm, after Helicobacter pylori eradication if present. However, their recurrence is frequent (40-79%), thus surveillance endoscopy is mandatory, at the same time as esophageal varices.

Design and validation of a therapeutic EUS training program using a live animal model: Taking training to the next level

Background and Objectives:

EUS has evolved into a therapeutic modality for gastrointestinal disorders. Simulators, ex vivo models, and phantoms are the current teaching methods for therapeutic EUS (TEUS). We create and evaluate a high-fidelity simulated live animal model (HiFi SAM) for teaching endoscopists TEUS.

Materials and Methods:

Designing a curriculum that uses HiFi SAM and enables trainees to perform realistic procedures with expert mentors.

Results:

Twenty-seven trainees participated in a 3-day program with 6 h of theoretical and 14 h of hands using life HiFi SAM. Eighteen experts participated. Twenty-two (20–25) TEUS were defined for each HiFi SAM, and 616 were performed in all. Of 616/264 (43%) were evaluated with a mean of 88 per course (ranging between 80 and 95). Ninety-one percent (240/264) of the procedures were completed successfully. In 24, success was not achieved due to technical and/or model problems. Student rating of HiFi SAM was: 71% excellent rating (scale 8–10) and 95% excellent/good. The HiFi SAM procedure evaluation was (scale 1–5): fine-needle biopsy: 4.79, radiofrequency: 4.76, common bile duct and gallbladder drainage: 4.75, cystic drainages: 4.72, neurolysis: 4.55, microbiopsy: 4.50, and hepatogastric drainage: 4.04, with an overall satisfaction rate of 4.56 (91%). A short survey showed: 83% would recommend absolutely (17% most likely), 33% think that ITEC training was sufficient for their practice, and 66% would like additional training, especially more practice in specific techniques rather than more clinical case discussion. Regarding impact on their practice, 66% of the trainees started a new procedure and/or noted improvement in previous ones.

Conclusion:

HiFi SAM is a complex model; however, experts and trainees are satisfied with the training this new curriculum provided.

Tissue acquisition and pancreatic masses: Which needle and which acquisition technique should be used?

Background and study aims  Pancreatic cancer represents the fourth most common cause of cancer-related deaths in Western countries and the need of a low-risk investigation to obtain an accurate histopathological diagnosis has become increasingly pressing. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) with fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is the standard method for obtaining samples from pancreatic masses. In recent years, there has been an increasing need to obtain histological specimens during EUS procedures, rather than cytological ones, to guide oncological treatment options, leading to the so-call "FNB concept." Different needles have been developed for fine-needle biopsy (FNB) in recent years, enabling acquisition of larger specimens on which to perform histological and molecular analyses. The aim of this narrative review was to assess the role of EUS-guided FNA and FNB in patients with pancreatic masses, and to identify which needle and which acquisition technique should be used to improve tissue acquisition.

[Risk factors for hyperechogenic páncreas in ecoendoscopy: study of cases and controls]

OBJECTIVE

To identify through ecoendoscopy (EE) hyperecogenic pancreas and to determinate risk factors for it in a sample of patients evaluated between June 2005 and May 2010.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Cases and controls study, retrospective observational study, in a population of 5,495 patients; from them 989 were selected as cases (with an increase of partial or global ecogenicity of the pancreas) and 642 controls (with a normal pancreatic ecopattern). Demographical, clinical and ecoendoscopical variables from both groups were compared; OR were calculated with their 95%CI, after bivariate and multivariate risk factors analyses.

RESULTS

In the studied population, identified risk factors, mostly associated at the multivariate analyses, included: liver steatosis (OR=29.581; 95%CI 17.942-48.770), mixed hepatopathy (OR=10.724; 95%CI 1.634-70.378), hypothyroidism (OR=8.381; 95%CI 2.067-33.977) and smoking (OR=2.790; 95%CI 1.036-7.515). Other factors were: chronic hepatopathy, family history of diabetes mellitus and high blood pressure, age and body mass index.

CONCLUSIONS

There are few studies regard the identification of risk factors for pancreatic steatosis using EE. Current findings are similar with others recently reported in other countries, where liver steatosis is a predictor to find hyperecogenic pancreas at the EE (OR=29). However, this study found an association two-fold higher than that previously reported. In addition, is clear that in this study there are multiple factors associated with the finding of hyperecogenic pancreas that should be considered.

Usefulness of endoscopic ultrasonography in patients with "idiopathic" acute pancreatitis

PURPOSE

No underlying cause is found in as many as 30% of patients with acute pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of endoscopic ultrasonography in the diagnosis of biliary tract pathology or chronic pancreatitis in these patients.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We evaluated 168 patients who were referred with idiopathic pancreatitis. Diagnoses obtained by endoscopic ultrasonography were prospectively compared with those obtained at surgery in 101 patients, by endoscopic cholangiopancreatography in 49 patients, or by bile crystal analysis and medical follow-up in 18 patients.

RESULTS

Endoscopic ultrasonography was abnormal in 135 (80%) patients, 124 of whom had biliary tract disease. When the results of endoscopic ultrasonography were compared with those made after multidisciplinary investigations, endoscopic ultrasonography correctly identified the cause-most commonly biliary tract disease-of the "idiopathic" pancreatitis in 155 (92%) of the 168 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic ultrasonography is valuable in determining the cause of acute pancreatitis in patients initially considered to have idiopathic pancreatitis.