Incomplete resection of colorectal polyps of 4-20 mm in size when using a cold snare, and its associated factors.

BACKGROUND : Cold snare polypectomy (CSP) is increasingly used for polypectomy and is recommended as the first-line modality for small (< 10 mm) polyps. This study aimed to evaluate incomplete resection rates (IRRs) when using CSP for colorectal polyps of 4-20 mm. METHODS : Adults (45-80 years) undergoing screening, surveillance, or diagnostic colonoscopy and CSP by one of nine endoscopists were included. The primary outcome was the IRR for colorectal polyps of 4-20 mm, defined as the presence of polyp tissue in marginal biopsies after resection of serrated polyps or adenomas. Secondary outcomes included the IRR for serrated polyps, ease of resection, and complications. RESULTS: 413 patients were included (mean age 63; 48 % women) and 182 polyps sized 4-20 mm were detected and removed by CSP. CSP required conversion to hot snare resection in < 1 % of polyps of < 10 mm and 44 % of polyps sized 10-20 mm. The IRRs for polyps < 10 mm and ≥ 10 mm were 18 % and 21 %. The IRR was higher for serrated polyps (26 %) compared with adenomas (16 %). The IRR was higher for flat (IIa) polyps (odds ratio [OR] 2.9, 95 %CI 1.1-7.4); and when resection was judged as difficult (OR 4.2, 95 %CI 1.5-12.1), piecemeal resection was performed (OR 6.6, 95 %CI 2.0-22.0), or visible residual polyp was present after the initial resection (OR 5.4, 95 %CI 2.0-14.9). Polyp location, use of a dedicated cold snare, and submucosal injection were not associated with incomplete resection. Intraprocedural bleeding requiring endoscopic intervention occurred in 4.7 %. CONCLUSIONS : CSP for polyps of 4-9 mm is safe and feasible; however, for lesions ≥ 10 mm, CSP failure occurs frequently, and the IRR remains high even after technical success. Incomplete resection was associated with flat polyps, visual residual polyp, piecemeal resection, and difficult polypectomies.

Evaluation of the polyp-based resect and discard strategy: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Standard colonoscopy practice requires removal and histological characterization of almost all detected small (< 10 mm) and diminutive (≤ 5 mm) colorectal polyps. This study aimed to test a simplified polyp-based resect and discard (PBRD) strategy that assigns surveillance intervals based only on size and number of small/diminutive polyps, without the need for pathology examination. METHODS: A post hoc analysis was performed on patients enrolled in a prospective study. The primary outcome was surveillance interval agreement of the PBRD strategy with pathology-based management according to 2020 US Multi-Society Task Force guidelines. Chart analysis also evaluated clinician adherence to pathology-based recommendations. One-sided testing was performed with a null-hypothesis of 90 % agreement with pathology-based surveillance intervals and a two-sided 96.7 % confidence interval (CI) using correction for multiple testing. RESULTS: 452 patients were included in the study. Surveillance intervals assigned using the PBRD strategy were correct in 97.8 % (96.7 %CI 96.3-99.3 %) of patients compared with pathology-based management. The PBRD strategy reduced pathology examinations by 58.7 % while providing 87.8 % of patients with immediate surveillance interval recommendations on the day of colonoscopy, compared with 47.1 % when using pathology-based management. Chart analysis of surveillance interval assignments showed 63.3 % adherence to pathology-based guidelines. CONCLUSION: The PBRD strategy surpassed the 90 % agreement with the pathology-based standard for determining surveillance interval, reduced the need for pathology examinations, and increased the proportion of patients receiving immediate surveillance interval recommendations. The PBRD strategy does not require expertise in optical diagnosis and may replace histological characterization of small and diminutive colorectal polyps.

Sirolimus in Refractory Cronkhite-Canada Syndrome and Focus on Standard Treatment.

Cronkhite-Canada syndrome is a rare syndrome consisting of extensive gastrointestinal polyposis and ectodermal changes including cutaneous hyperpigmentation, alopecia, and onychodystrophy. We report the case of a 45-year-old Caucasian male patient who failed multiple treatments over 2 years including steroids, azathioprine, adalimumab, and cyclosporine. He had recurrent and prolonged hospitalizations because of diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, and malnutrition. Sirolimus was initiated with a significant clinical and endoscopic benefit apparent within, respectively, 2 and 8 weeks. An ongoing remission was achieved and maintained for over 6 months after prednisone tapering. We review the current evidence on treatment of Cronkhite-Canada syndrome and suggest the incorporation of sirolimus in that algorithm.

CD47 fusion protein targets CD172a+ cells in Crohn's disease and dampens the production of IL-1ß and TNF.

In mice, the transfer of CD172a(+) (SIRP-α) dendritic cells (DCs) elicits T cell-driven colitis, whereas treatment with CD47-Fc protein, a CD172a-binding agent, confers protection. The aim of this study was to elucidate the nature and functional properties of human CD172a(+) DCs in chronic intestinal inflammation. Here, we show that CD172a(+)CD11c(+) cells accumulate in the mesenteric lymph nodes (mLNs) and inflamed intestinal mucosa in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). These cells are distinct from resident DCs and may coexpress markers typically associated with monocyte-derived inflammatory DCs such as CD14 and/or DC-SIGN, E-Cadherin, and/or CX3CR1. Spontaneous IL-1ß and TNF production by HLA-DR(+) cells in CD tissues is restricted to those expressing CD172a. An avidity-improved CD47 fusion protein (CD47-Var1) suppresses the release of a wide array of inflammatory cytokines by CD172a(+) cells, which may include HLA-DR(-)CD172a(+) neutrophils, in inflamed colonic explant cultures and impairs the ability of HLA-DR(+)CD172a(+) cells to activate memory Th17 but not Th1 responses in mLNs. In conclusion, targeting CD172a(+) cells may represent novel therapeutic perspectives for patients with CD.

The importance of human resources management in health care: a global context.

BACKGROUND: This paper addresses the health care system from a global perspective and the importance of human resources management (HRM) in improving overall patient health outcomes and delivery of health care services. METHODS: We explored the published literature and collected data through secondary sources. RESULTS: Various key success factors emerge that clearly affect health care practices and human resources management. This paper will reveal how human resources management is essential to any health care system and how it can improve health care models. Challenges in the health care systems in Canada, the United States of America and various developing countries are examined, with suggestions for ways to overcome these problems through the proper implementation of human resources management practices. Comparing and contrasting selected countries allowed a deeper understanding of the practical and crucial role of human resources management in health care. CONCLUSION: Proper management of human resources is critical in providing a high quality of health care. A refocus on human resources management in health care and more research are needed to develop new policies. Effective human resources management strategies are greatly needed to achieve better outcomes from and access to health care around the world.