Impact of introduction of endoscopic ultrasound on volume, success, and complexity of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in a tertiary referral center.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is commonly used to examine pancreaticobiliary disorders. We hypothesize that the introduction of EUS service may change the pattern and the complexity of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies (ERCPs) performed. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of introducing EUS on the volume, success, and complexity of ERCP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective data review of ERCP procedures done "before" and "after" the introduction of EUS (before EUS and after EUS). Patients' demographics, ERCP indications, types of sedation, therapeutic interventions, outcomes, complications, and complexity of ERCP were collected. The categorical and continuous variables were compared using Fisher's exact test and the unpaired t-test, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to compare ERCP outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 945 ERCPs performed over a 3-year period between January 2010 and January 2013 (411 and 534 in the "before EUS" and "after EUS" time periods, respectively) were included in this study. There was a 30% relative increase in the volume of ERCPs after the introduction of EUS. ERCP success rate was higher after the introduction of EUS, even after adjusting the complexity grade [odds ratio (OR) = 4.54, P = 0.001]. Significant increase in the complexity of ERCP was observed after the introduction of EUS service. The OR of performing grade 4 ERCP was 4.44 (P = 0.0005) after the introduction of EUS. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of a new EUS service in our tertiary referral university medical center is associated with an increase in the volume, success, and complexity of ERCP procedures. EUS expertise may be valuable for better ERCP outcomes.

A case with unusual stroke and fulminant outcome in a Hispanic male.

PATIENT: Male, 42 FINAL DIAGNOSIS: Moyamoya disease (MMD) Symptoms: Aphasia • concentration difficulty • dysarthria • personality change MEDICATION: - Clinical Procedure: - Specialty: Radiology. OBJECTIVE: Rare disease. BACKGROUND: Moyamoya disease (MMD) was first described in 1957 as "hypoplasia of the bilateral internal carotid arteries." The characteristic appearance of the associated network of abnormally dilated collateral vessels on angiography was later likened to "something hazy, like a puff of cigarette smoke," which, in Japanese, is Moyamoya. This paper describes the fulminant course of the disease in a Hispanic male involving the corpus callosum. CASE REPORT: A 42-year-old Hispanic male with progressive aphasia, slow mentation, and sudden onset of sensorimotor symptoms with gait disturbance was found to have multiple intracranial supratentorial infarcts of variable stages of evolution involving, but not limited to, the anterior corpus callosum, followed by rapid development of further infarcts. Angiography demonstrated right ACA occlusion, left supraclinoid ICA occlusion with a Moyamoya pattern of collateralization, and diffuse arteriopathy. A fulminant course ensued and the patient did not survive the acute phase of ischemic disease. CONCLUSIONS: Moyamoya disease may rarely present in North American Hispanic males, with advanced atypical clinical and imaging features involving the anterior corpus callosum and having a fulminant course.