Results of endoscopic biliary drainage in patients with malignant hilar stricture

Abstract In Malignant Hilar Biliary Stricture (MHBS) palliative biliary drainage is a frequent strategy, improving the quality of life, reducing pruritus, loss of appetite and relieving cholangitis. The endoscopic approach is an effective, although challenging procedure. This study aimed to evaluate technical and clinical success rates of biliary drainage by ERCP. This is a retrospective study including all patients with MHBS referred to Instituto do Cancer do Hospital de São Paulo (ICESP) submitted to biliary drainage by ERCP, between January 2010 and December 2017. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to evaluate predictors of clinical failure, as total bilirubin levels, Bismuth classification, number of hepatic sectors drained and presence of cholangitis. In total, 82 patients presenting unresectable MHBS were included in this study. 58.5% female and 41.5% male, with a mean age of 60±13 years. Bismuth classification grades II, IIIA, IIIB and IV were noted in 23.2%, 15.9%, 14.6% and 46.3%, respectively. Technical and clinical success was achieved in 92.7% and 53.7% respectively. At multivariable logistic-regression analyses, Bismuth IV strictures were related to higher clinical failure rates when compared to other strictures levels, with an Odds Ratio of 5.8 (95% CI 1.28‒20.88). In conclusion, endoscopic biliary drainage for malignant hilar biliary stricture had a high technical success but suboptimal clinical success rate. Proximal strictures (Bismuth IV) were associated with poor drainage outcomes.

Endoscopy infection control strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic: experience from a tertiary cancer center in Brazil

OBJECTIVES: Strategic planning for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) care has dominated the agenda of medical services, which have been further restricted by the need for minimizing viral transmission. Risk is particularly relevant in relation to endoscopy procedures. This study aimed to describe a contingency plan for a tertiary academic cancer center, define a strategy to prioritize and postpone examinations, and evaluate the infection rate among healthcare workers (HCWs) in the endoscopy unit of the Cancer Institute of the State of São Paulo (ICESP). METHODS: We created a strategy to balance the risk of acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and to mitigate the effects of postponing endoscopic procedures in oncological patients. A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on all endoscopies between March and June 2020 compared with those during the same period in 2019 was carried out. All HCWs were interviewed to obtain clinical data and SARS-CoV-2 test results. RESULTS: During the COVID-19 outbreak, there was a reduction of 55% in endoscopy cases in total. Colonoscopy was the most affected modality. The total infection rate among all HCWs was 38%. None of the senior digestive endoscopists had COVID-19. However, all bronchoscopists had been infected. One of three fellows had a serological diagnosis of COVID-19. Two-thirds of all nurses were infected, whereas half of all technicians were infected. CONCLUSIONS: In this pandemic scenario, all endoscopy services must prioritize the procedures that will be performed. It was possible to maintain some endoscopic procedures, including those meant to provide nutritional access, tissue diagnosis, and endoscopic resection. Personal protective equipment (PPE) seems effective in preventing transmission of COVID-19 from patients to digestive endoscopists. These measures can be useful in planning, even for pandemics in the future.

Dilatación endoscópica biliar transpapilar con balón para el tratamiento de la colédoco litiasis / Biliary transpapillary endoscopic balloon dilation for treating choledocholithiasis

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transpapillary papilloplasty in patients with choledocholithiasis. Materials and methods: All endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures performed at Hospital Ana Costa, in the city of Santos, Brazil, over the last five years were retrospectively evaluated using the hospitalÆs information database. The success of the procedure and complications due to residual calculi, pancreatitis, bleeding and perforation were evaluated. Results: From January 2010 to May 2014, 1860 ERCP procedures were performed. Fifty-five patients were evaluated here. Their ages ranged from 12 to 98 years (mean, 66.3; standard deviation, 19.34; median, 71). Thirty-two patients (58.2%) were women. Sixteen (29.1%) presented giant choledocholithiasis, with calculi larger than 12 mm. Twenty-seven (49.1%) had multiple choledocholithiasis. Conclusion: In view of the therapeutic efficacy and low complication rate among our patients, we can conclude that endoscopic papilloplasty is a safe and effective method for endoscopic treatment of choledocolithiasis in selected cases...

Evaluar la eficacia y seguridad de la papiloplastía trnaspapilar en la colédoco litiasis. Material y métodos: Todas las colangoipancreatografías retrogradas endoscópicas (CPRE) realizadas en el Hospital Ana Costa en la ciudad de Santos Brasil, en los últimos cinco años fueron evaluadas retrospectivamente usando la base de datos del hospital. El éxito y las complicaciones del procedimiento debido a cálculos residuales, pancreatitis, sangrados y perforación fueron estudiados. Resultados: De enero del 2010 a mayo del 2014, se realizaron 1860 CPREs. Se estudiaron 55 pacientes, cuyas edades fluctuaron entre 12 a 98 años con una media de 66,3 y desviación estándar de 19,34. Treinta dos pacientes fueron mujeres (58,2%). 16 (29,1%) tuvieron litiasis coledociana gigante con cálculos mayores de 12 mm y veintisiete (49,1%) tuvieron litiasis múltiple. Conclusión: En vista de la eficacia y la poca frecuencia de complicaciones entre nuestros pacientes podemos concluir que la papilotomía endoscópica es un método seguro y efectivo para el tratamiento de la coledocolitiasis en casos seleccionados...

Linfoma primário de cólon / Prymary limphoma of large bowell

O linfoma colorretal primário é uma doença rara (0,2 a 0,6% de todas as neoplasias colônicas), apresentando pior prognóstico quando comparado com o linfoma gástrico primário ou com o adenocarcinoma do cólon. É uma doença com sintomatologia inespecífica, o que dificulta o diagnóstico precoce. A importância deste caso é mostrar as variadas formas de apresentação macroscópica do linfoma de células do manto (MCL), uma variante do linfoma não-Hodgkin de células B, de ocorrência rara no cólon.