An international, multi-institution survey on performing EUS-FNA and fine needle biopsy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) and fine needle biopsy (FNB) are effective techniques that are widely used for tissue acquisition. However, it remains unclear how to obtain high-quality specimens. Therefore, we conducted a survey of EUS-FNA and FNB techniques to determine practice patterns worldwide and to develop strong recommendations based on the experience of experts in the field. METHODS: This was a worldwide multi-institutional survey among members of the International Society of EUS Task Force (ISEUS-TF). The survey was administered by E-mail through the SurveyMonkey website. In some cases, percentage agreement with some statements was calculated; in others, the options with the greatest numbers of responses were summarized. Another questionnaire about the level of recommendation was designed to assess the respondents' answers. RESULTS: ISEUS-TF members developed a questionnaire containing 17 questions that was sent to 53 experts. Thirty-five experts completed the survey within the specified period. Among them, 40% and 54.3% performed 50-200 and more than 200 EUS sampling procedures annually, respectively. Some practice patterns regarding FNA/FNB were recommended. CONCLUSION: This is the first worldwide survey of EUS-FNA and FNB practice patterns. The results showed wide variations in practice patterns. Randomized studies are urgently needed to establish the best approach for optimizing the FNA/FNB procedures.

Surveillance of the Antimicrobial Resistance Rates of Helicobacter pylori Ten Years Later in the Western Central Region, Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium associated with gastroduodenal disease and gastric cancer. Empirical therapy in the treatment of H. pylori infection increases the risk of apparition of antimicrobial drug resistance. In a previous report, in H. pylori clinical isolates, resistance rates to commonly used antimicrobial drugs were as follows: metronidazole 82%, clarithromycin 3.8%, and amoxicillin 1.9%. The aim was to establish the variation of resistance rates and the detection of H. pylori genetic mutations isolated from dyspeptic patients. METHODS: Antimicrobial susceptibility profiles were performed by the E-test method for metronidazole, clarithromycin, amoxicillin, and tetracycline in 61 clinical isolates. Sequencing was performed to detect mutations associated with resistance to clarithromycin. RESULTS: According to our results, resistance rates found in the 61 isolates were 78.60% for metronidazole and 8.20% for clarithromycin. None of the studied isolates had resistance to tetracycline and amoxicillin. Secondary resistance rates displayed an increase when compared to primary rates for metronidazole (87.50 vs. 77.35%) and for clarithromycin (25.66 vs. 5.66%). Of 5 isolates resistant to clarithromycin, 3 had the A2143G mutation. By comparing the results in this work with previous reports, antimicrobial drug resistance rates did not show major modifications for metronidazole, amoxicillin, and tetracycline during the last 10 years. For clarithromycin, the resistance rate showed a moderate increase; nevertheless, it remains low (<15%) and this change was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Together, all findings in this work indicate that these antimicrobial drugs can still be used as first line of defense on infected patients living in this region of the country.

An international, multi-institution survey of the use of EUS in the diagnosis of pancreatic cystic lesions.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Currently, pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) are recognized with increasing frequency and have become a more common finding in clinical practice. EUS is challenging in the diagnosis of PCLs and evidence-based decisions are lacking in its application. This study aimed to develop strong recommendations for the use of EUS in the diagnosis of PCLs, based on the experience of experts in the field. METHODS: A survey regarding the practice of EUS in the evaluation of PCLs was drafted by the committee member of the International Society of EUS Task Force (ISEUS-TF). It was disseminated to experts of EUS who were also members of the ISEUS-TF. In some cases, percentage agreement with some statements was calculated; in others, the options with the greatest numbers of responses were summarized. RESULTS: Fifteen questions were extracted and disseminated among 60 experts for the survey. Fifty-three experts completed the survey within the specified time frame. The average volume of EUS cases at the experts' institutions is 988.5 cases per year. CONCLUSION: Despite the limitations of EUS alone in the morphologic diagnosis of PCLs, the results of the survey indicate that EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration is widely expected to become a more valuable method.

A multi-institution consensus on how to perform EUS-guided biliary drainage for malignant biliary obstruction.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: EUS-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) was shown to be useful for malignant biliary obstruction (MBO). However, there is lack of consensus on how EUS-BD should be performed. METHODS: This was a worldwide multi-institutional survey among members of the International Society of EUS conducted in February 2018. The survey consisted of 10 questions related to the practice of EUS-BD. RESULTS: Forty-six endoscopists of them completed the survey. The majority of endoscopists felt that EUS-BD could replace percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage after failure of ERCP. Among all EUS-BD methods, the rendezvous stenting technique should be the first choice. Self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) were recommended by most endoscopists. For EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy (HGS), superiority of partially-covered SEMS over fully-covered SEMS was not in agreement. 6-Fr cystotomes were recommended for fistula creation. During the HGS approach, longer SEMS (8 or 10 cm) was recommended. During the choledochoduodenostomy approach, 6-cm SEMS was recommended. During the intrahepatic (IH) approach, the IH segment 3 was recommended. CONCLUSION: This is the first worldwide survey on the practice of EUS-BD for MBO. There were wide variations in practice, and randomized studies are urgently needed to establish the best approach for the management of this condition.

[Clinical, pathological and microbiological association of Helicobacter pylori in gastric biopsies in the department of Caldas-Colombia]. / Asociación clínica, patológica y microbiológica de Helicobacter pylori en biopsias gástricas en el departamento de Caldas-Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the clinical, pathological and microbiological association of Helicobacter pylori in gastric biopsies in a population of the department of Caldas (Colombia). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 72 patients, who were referred for digestive endoscopy to the San Marcel clinic in the city of Manizales during the second half of 2015; two biopsies of the antrum and two of the body of the stomach were taken for histopathological study and microbiological culture. Data were submitted to descriptive and relational statistical procedures. RESULTS: H. pylori was found in 47.2% by histological analysis and 26.4% by microbiological culture, with predominance in the female sex. Epigastralgia is the main reason for consultation associated with H. pylori infection. CONCLUSION: we found an association between the reason for consultation, female sex, microbiological culture and histological presence of H. pylori. Age was associated with established endoscopic diagnosis. The culture presented a high specificity (84.2%) and a low sensitivity (38.2%), compared to the histopathological finding.

Asociación clínica, patológica y microbiológica de Helicobacter pylori en biopsias gástricas en el departamento de Caldas-Colombia / Clinical, pathological and microbiological association of Helicobacter pylori in gastric biopsies in the department of Caldas-Colombia

Objectivo: Establecer la asociación clínica, patológica y microbiológica de Helicobacter pylori en biopsias gástricas en una población del departamento de Caldas (Colombia). Materiales y método: Se incluyeron 72 pacientes que fueron remitidos para endoscopia digestiva a la clínica San Marcel de la ciudad de Manizales durante el segundo semestre de 2015; a quienes se les tomaron dos biopsias del antro y dos del cuerpo del estómago para estudio histopatológico y cultivo microbiológico. Los datos fueron sometidos a procedimientos estadísticos descriptivos y relacionales. Resultados: se encontró una proporción de H. pylori del 47,2% por análisis histológico y del 26,4% por cultivo microbiológico, con predominio del sexo femenino. Siendo la epigastralgia el principal motivo de consulta asociado a la infección por H. pylori. Conclusión: se encontró asociación entre motivo de consulta, sexo femenino, cultivo microbiológico y presencia histológica de H. pylori. La edad se asoció al diagnóstico endoscópico establecido. El cultivo presentó frente al hallazgo histopatológico una especificidad elevada (84,2%) y una baja sensibilidad (38,2%).

Objective: To establish the clinical, pathological and microbiological association of Helicobacter pylori in gastric biopsies in a population of the department of Caldas (Colombia). Materials and methods: We included 72 patients, who were referred for digestive endoscopy to the San Marcel clinic in the city of Manizales during the second half of 2015; two biopsies of the antrum and two of the body of the stomach were taken for histopathological study and microbiological culture. Data were submitted to descriptive and relational statistical procedures. Results: H. pylori was found in 47.2% by histological analysis and 26.4% by microbiological culture, with predominance in the female sex. Epigastralgia is the main reason for consultation associated with H. pylori infection. Conclusion: we found an association between the reason for consultation, female sex, microbiological culture and histological presence of H. pylori. Age was associated with established endoscopic diagnosis. The culture presented a high specificity (84.2%) and a low sensitivity (38.2%), compared to the histopathological finding.

Practice guidelines for endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac plexus neurolysis.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of guideline was to provide clear and relevant consensus statements to form a practical guideline for clinicians on the indications, optimal technique, safety and efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound guided celiac plexus neurolysis (EUS-CPN). METHODS: Six important clinical questions were determined regarding EUS-CPN. Following a detailed literature review, 6 statements were proposed attempting to answer those questions. A group of expert endosonographers convened in Chicago, United States (May 2016), where the statements were presented and feedback provided. Subsequently a consensus group of 35 expert endosonographers voted based on their individual level of agreement. A strong recommendation required 80% voter agreement. The modified GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) criteria were used to rate the strength of recommendations and the quality of evidence. RESULTS: Eighty percent agreement was reached on 5 of 6 consensus statements, 79.4% agreement was reached on the remaining one. CONCLUSIONS: EUS-CPN is efficacious, should be integrated into the management of pancreas cancer pain, and can be considered early at the time of diagnosis of inoperable disease. Techniques may still vary based on operator experience. Serious complications exist, but are rare.

Manifestaciones extraintestinales de la infecc ión por Helicobacter Pylori: un enfoque en las patologías cardiovasculares / Extraintestinals manifestations of the infection by Helicobacter Pylori: an approach in the cardiovascular pathologies

Helicobacter pylori infecta más del 50% de la población mundial y se ha asociado al desarrollo de patologías gastroduodenales como: gastritis crónica, úlceras duodenales y gástricas, cáncer gástrico y linfoma de tejido linfoide asociado a mucosas. En los últimos años han aparecido un número considerable de publicaciones que plantean la existencia de una relación entre Helicobacter pylori y patologías que se alejan del sistema digestivo (extraintestinales) tal es el caso de las patologías cardiovasculares (como la enfermedad isquémica coronaria), dermatológicas (como la rosácea), tipo endocrino y enfermedades inmunológicas, entre otras. En este escrito se abordará principalmente las patologías de tipo cardiovascular..(AU)

Helicobacter pylori infects more than 50% of the world population and it has been associated to the development of gastroduodenal pathologies such as: chronic gastritis, duodenal and gastric ulcers, gastric cancer and MALT lymphoma (lymphoid tissue lymphoma associated to mucosa). In the last years, a significant number of publications have appeared which suggest the existence of a relationship between Helicobacter pylori and pathologies that deviate from the digestive system (extraintestinal) such is the case of vascular type pathologies (such as ischemic coronary disease), dermatological pathologies (such as rosacea), endocrine type pathologies and immunological diseases, among others. This article aims to deal with cardiovascular type pathologies..(AU)

Cancer colorrectal: una mirada clínica, genética y molecular / Colorectal cancer: clinical, molecular and genetics view

El cáncer Colorrectal ocupa la cuarta causa de muerte por cáncer en Estados Unidosde América y la quinta causa de muerte por cáncer en Colombia y de esta forma se convierte en un problema de salud pública. El 98% de los cánceres Colorrectales son adenocarcinomas y el otro 2% corresponden a linfomas, carcinoides y tumores estromales gastrointestinales. Las manifestaciones clínicas se relacionan con el tamaño y la localización de la lesión, el 80% de los casos reportados de CCR no presentan un componente hereditario convirtiéndolos en CCR esporádicos. El CCR está asociado con la acumulación de mutaciones en genes supresores de tumores (p53, APC, SMAD,SCC, NM23), oncogenes (MYC y RAS) y genes reparadores del ADN (MSH1, MSH6 y MLH2) estas alteraciones genéticas hacen de este tipo de cáncer un desorden poligenético,convirtiéndolo en un modelo clásico para estudiar las bases genéticas del cáncer.

Evaluación de diferentes pruebas para el diagnóstico de H. pylori / Evaluation of different tests to diagnose H. pylori

Introducción: todos los métodos disponibles para el diagnóstico de H. pylori tienen diferencias en su sensibilidad y especificidad. El propósito de este estudio es determinar el índice de desempeño, sensibilidad, especificidad y valores predictivos de cuatro métodos invasivos, teniendo como técnica de referencia la definición de caso: cultivo positivo o la concordancia de por lo menos dos procesos de diagnósticos positivos. Metodología: a setenta y dos pacientes se les tomaron cinco biopsias distribuidas para PCR-ureC, cultivo, prueba rápida de ureasa (PRU) y examen histológico (EH). Resultados: los índices de desempeño (ID), sensibilidad, especificidad y valores predictivos mostraron diferencias. La pareja EH-PCR tuvo eficacia considerable por presentar los mayores valores en los índices analizados. La prevalencia de lainfección fue de 86.1%. Conclusión: para establecer el verdadero estatus de la infección por H. pylori, se debe utilizar el criterio de definición de caso.

Introduction: all of the available tests for the diagnosis of H. pylori have differencesin their sensibility and specificity. The purpose of this study is to determine thedevelopmental index, sensibility, specificity and predictable values of four invasive methods, using the case definition as a referential technique; positive culture o concordance of at least two processes of positive diagnostics.Methods: five biopsies were taken among seventy two patients, distributed for PCR-ureC, culture, quick ureic test (PRU) and histological examination (EH).Results: the developmental index (ID), sensibility, specificity and predictivemeasures showed differences. The couple EH-PCF was considerably effective, presenting the greatest values of analyzed indexes. The prevalence of infection was of 86.1%. Conclusion: in order to establish the true status of the infection by H. pylori, it is necessary to use the criteria by case definition.

Tratamiento endoscópico de banda gástrica penetrada / Endoscopic treatment of an extruded gastric band

Se describe el caso de una paciente a quien se le colocó una banda gástrica como tratamiento de su obesidad mórbida con buen resultado en cuanto a pérdida de peso. Presentó extrusión de la banda gástrica al estómago luego de 1 año, y a los 26 meses ya estaba prácticamente en el estómago sostenida por un pequeño puente de tejido. Se realizaron dos procedimientos endoscópicos para extraerla. En el primero se seccionó el puente de tejido pero la banda permaneció fija por el conector que comunica con el reservorio subcutáneo, el cual había sido retirado previamente. En el segundo procedimiento, una semana después del primero, se cortó la banda, ya libre en el estómago, con un litotriptor biliar y una guía monofilamento, logrando luego extraerla con facilidad. Se describen los procedimientos, las dificultades que se tuvieron y cómo se resolvieron