Cannulation of pancreaticojejunostomy anastomosis with a novel controllable catheter.

Anastomotic stenosis of hepaticojejunostomy and pancreaticojejunostomy are common adverse events after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Kuraoka and colleagues describe their method of cannulating the bile and pancreatic ducts using a novel catheter with a controllable tip, which is useful when it is difficult to align the axis of the forceps port and the anastomosis.

The efficacy of a novel integrated outside biliary stent and nasobiliary drainage catheter system for acute cholangitis: a single center pilot study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic biliary drainage is the gold standard treatment for cholangitis. The two methods of biliary drainage are endoscopic biliary stenting and nasobiliary drainage. A novel integrated outside biliary stent and nasobiliary drainage catheter system (UMIDAS NB stent; Olympus Medical Systems) was recently developed. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of this stent in the treatment of cholangitis caused by common bile duct stones or distal bile duct strictures. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective pilot study by examining the medical records of patients who required endoscopic biliary drainage for cholangitis due to common bile duct stones or distal bile duct strictures, and who were treated with a UMIDAS NB stent, between December 2021 and July 2022. RESULTS: Records of 54 consecutive patients were reviewed. Technical and clinical success rates were 47/54 (87.0%) and 52/54 (96.3%), respectively. Adverse events were observed in 12 patients, with six patients experiencing pancreatitis as an adverse event, following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Regarding late adverse events, five cases of biliary stent migration into the bile duct were observed. Disease-related death occurred in one patient. CONCLUSION: The outside-type UMIDAS NB stent is an efficacious new method for biliary drainage and can be applied to many indications.

Role of EUS combined with a newly modified scoring system to detect pancreatic high-grade precancerous lesions.

Backgrounds and Objectives: Although pancreatic cancer (PC) has an extremely poor prognosis, the 5-year survival rate of patients with pancreatic high-grade precancerous lesion without invasive carcinoma (PHP) is favorable. PHP diagnosis and identification of patients requiring intervention are needed. We aimed to validate a modified PC detection scoring system regarding its detection ability for PHP and PC in the general population. Subjects and Methods: We modified an existing PC detection scoring system that incorporates low-grade risk (LGR) factors (family history, presence of diabetes mellitus [DM] or worsening DM, heavy drinking, smoking, stomach symptoms, weight loss, and pancreatic enzyme) and high-grade risk (HGR) factors (new-onset DM, familial PC, jaundice, tumor biomarkers, chronic pancreatitis, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, cysts, hereditary PC syndrome, and hereditary pancreatitis). Each factor was scored as one point; LGR score ≥3 points and/or HGR score ≥1 point (positive scores) were indicative of PC. The newly modified scoring system incorporated main pancreatic duct dilation as an HGR factor. The PHP diagnosis rate using this scoring system combined with EUS was prospectively analyzed. Results: Among 544 patients with positive scores, 10 had PHP. The diagnosis rates were 1.8% for PHP and 4.2% for invasive PC. Although the number of LGR and HGR factors tended to increase with PC progression, none of the individual factors were significantly different between patients with PHP and those without lesions. Conclusion: The newly modified scoring system evaluating multiple factors associated with PC could potentially identify patients with higher risk of PHP or PC.

A case of cholestasis caused by inferior vena cava filter.

Cholestasis and obstructive jaundice can be caused by several factors. Kuraoka et al. report an extremely rare case of cholestasis due to occlusion of the distal bile duct by an inferior vena cava filter, which was confirmed on imaging. Jaundice improved after placement of a biliary stent.

Accurate Evaluation of Residual Common Bile Duct Stones by Endoscopic Ultrasound: A Two-Step Check Method for Residual Stone Clearance.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Residual common bile duct (CBD) stones occasionally become symptomatic after stone removal with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) upon removal of the endoscopic biliary stent (EBS). An accurate evaluation of residual stones before stent removal is necessary. This study evaluated a new two-step check method using endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) for the detection of residual stones after ERCP stone removal. METHODS: Fifty-six patients who underwent CBD stone removal and EBS placement were prospectively enrolled. Residual stones were evaluated by the check method. EBS was removed at the time of the check method or at a later time of residual stone removal. The primary outcome was to evaluate the efficacy of this check method. RESULTS: Residual CBD stone/sludge was detected in 20 of 56 patients (35.7%; stones: 28.6%, sludge: 7.1%) by the check method and removed by the ERCP procedure at a later time. After stent and final stone removal, patients were followed for an average of 211 days; cholangitis recurred in only 1.8% of patients. There were no adverse events associated with the check method. Temporary EBS prevented the recurrence of cholangitis by residual stone and caused no adverse events in the pancreatobiliary tract until the two-step check method (median, 113 days; range, 17-232 days). CONCLUSION: The new check method may be ideal and feasible for EBS removal because recurrences are very rare when a clear CBD has been verified, and an additional ERCP procedure is also possibly avoided.

Relationship between colonic diverticulosis and colon neoplasms in Japanese patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Colonic diverticulosis (CD) has been reported to be associated with presence of colon neoplasms (CNs) in Western patients, since most of the associated risk factors are common between them. However, such correlation has not been fully investigated in Asian patients. In this study, the association of CNs with CD was evaluated in a multicenter investigation. METHODS: We enrolled 5633 patients who underwent both colonoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy due to annual follow-up, screening for positive occult blood testing and abdominal symptoms between January 2016 and December 2017 at three institutions. The relationship between the presence of CNs and CD was investigated, and predictors for presence of CNs were determined by multivariate logistic analysis. RESULTS: The enrolled patients consisted of 1799 (31.9%) with CD (average age 70.0 years, male 64.0%) and 3834 without CD (66.0 years, male 52.9%), with the prevalence of CNs in those groups 46.6% and 44.2%, respectively (P = 0.090). Predictors for early colon cancer were shown to be age (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.04, P = 0.010), laxatives use (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.17-2.64, P = 0.007), gastric neoplasms (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.23-3.81, P = 0.008), and CD (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.16-2.31, P = 0.005). Early colon cancer in the distal colon was most frequently detected in patients with right-sided CD (RR 2.50, P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: In Japanese patients, early colon cancer was more frequently found in those with as compared to those without CD. The presence of CD may be an important indicator for an index colonoscopy examination to detect colon cancer. (Clinical-trial-registry: UMIN000038985).

Postpolypectomy bleeding of colorectal polyps in patients with continuous warfarin and short-term interruption of direct oral anticoagulants.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Postpolypectomy bleeding (PPB) is the most common adverse event after colorectal polypectomy. Use of anticoagulants is an important risk factor for PPB. This study aimed to evaluate PPB in patients receiving treatment with warfarin and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). METHODS: Between August 2017 and July 2019, 5449 patients with 12,601 polyps who underwent endoscopic snare resection of colorectal polyps were enrolled. Endoscopic snare resection was performed in patients receiving continuous warfarin (C-warfarin) and in patients who experienced 1 day cessation of (O-) of DOACs in accordance with the Japanese Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society guidelines. RESULTS: The PPB rate in the group receiving anticoagulants was statistically higher than that in the group without anticoagulants (8.5% [33/387] vs 1.2% [63/5,062], respectively; P < .001). By multivariate logistic regression analysis, male gender (odds ratio [OR], 2.17; P = .007), warfarin (OR, 4.64; P < .001), DOACs (OR, 6.59; P < .001), and multipolyp removal (OR, 1.77; P = .007) were significant risk factors for PPB. PPB was observed in 9 and 21 patients in the C-warfarin and O-DOACs groups, respectively: C-warfarin (8.0% [9/113]), O-dabigatran (6.1% [2/33]), O-rivaroxaban (14.8% [9/61]), O-apixaban (9.8% [9/92]), and O-edoxaban (1.8% [1/56]). The PPB rate with the O-edoxaban group was significantly lower than that with the O-rivaroxaban group (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Use of anticoagulant therapy was an independent risk factor for PPB. The rates of PPB in patients receiving C-warfarin and O-DOACs were also higher than those in patients not receiving anticoagulants. Edoxaban may be safe through short-term withdrawal in patients undergoing endoscopic snare resection of colorectal polyps.

Feasibility of endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage for acute cholecystitis patients receiving antithrombotic therapy.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) as a treatment for patients with acute cholecystitis has been shown to obtain high technical and clinical success rates and a low recurrence rate. However, the safety of EUS-GBD for patients receiving antithrombotic therapy (ATT) has not been proven. The aim was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of EUS-GBD in patients receiving ATT. METHODS: Twelve patients with acute cholecystitis associated with gallstones who were receiving antithrombotic therapy and underwent EUS-GBD were enrolled in this retrospective study. Patients with grade II or III cholecystitis who had failed endoscopic transpapillary GBD (ETGBD) or developed recurrence after multiple ETGBD procedures underwent urgent drainage by EUS-GBD. The primary outcome was the rate of bleeding complications after the procedure and the secondary outcomes were the technical and clinical success rates, complications, and recurrence. RESULTS: Eleven (91.6%) patients underwent EUS-GBD with continuation of ATT (at least 1 agent). Five of 12 patients (41.7%) were receiving more than 1 agent for ATT. The rate of bleeding complications was 0% and the technical success rate was 100%, even though some patients had high-grade (severe) cholecystitis and/or several underlying diseases. Early complications were found in 2 (16.7%) patients. The clinical success rate was 91.7% (11/12). There were no recurrences of cholecystitis during the follow-up period (mean 261 [range 5-650] days). CONCLUSIONS: EUS-GBD yielded high technical and clinical success rates and a low recurrence rate. No patients receiving ATT developed bleeding complications. EUS-GBD might be a good option for patients on ATT.

Endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage for acute cholecystitis is feasible for patients receiving antithrombotic therapy.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with acute cholecystitis receiving antithrombotic therapy (ATT) have an increased risk of bleeding complications during surgery and percutaneous drainage. Endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage (ETGBD) is recommended for such cases; however, evidence is limited. To investigate this issue further, we performed a retrospective multicenter study. METHODS: One hundred thirty patients with acute cholecystitis who underwent ETGBD were enrolled. They were divided into an ATT group (continuation of ATT on the day of the procedure and/or heparin substitution) and a Non-ATT group (discontinuation or no use of ATT). The primary outcome was bleeding complication rate, and the secondary outcomes were technical success rate, clinical success rate and total complication rate. RESULTS: Eighty-three patients were enrolled in the ATT group, and 47 were enrolled in the Non-ATT group. In the ATT group, 42.2% continued multi-agent ATT. No bleeding complications occurred in either group. There were no significant differences between the ATT and Non-ATT groups in the technical success rate (84.3% vs 89.4%, P = 0.426 respectively) or the clinical success rate (97.1% vs 100%, P = 0.259, respectively). The overall early complication rate was 3.1% (4/130): mild pancreatitis (n = 3) and cholangitis (n = 1). Stent dysfunction was found in 10.9% of patients (at 196 days on average), and the 12-month stent patency rate was 69.0%. CONCLUSIONS: No significant difference was found in the bleeding complication rate between ETGBD with and without ATT. ETGBD may be an ideal drainage method for patients with acute cholecystitis receiving ATT.

The effect of anticoagulants on delayed bleeding after colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The withdrawal of antithrombotic therapy from patients at high risk of thromboembolism is controversial. Previously, treatment with anticoagulants, such as warfarin and dabigatran, was recommended for heparin bridge therapy (HBT) during endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). However, HBT is associated with a high risk of bleeding during and after ESD. This study aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of colorectal ESD in patients treated with warfarin and direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC). METHODS: This study included 412 patients with superficial colorectal neoplasms that were resected by ESD between June 2010 and June 2018. The patients were classified into two groups: without antithrombotics (n = 286) and with anticoagulants (n = 51). The anticoagulants group was further divided into two groups: warfarin (n = 26) and DOAC (n = 25). RESULTS: Among all patients, delayed bleeding occurred in 35 (8.5% [35/412]) patients. The bleeding rate in the anticoagulants group (11.8% [6/51]) was higher than that in the group without antithrombotics (6.6% [19/286]), but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.240). The bleeding rate in the DOAC group (16.0% [4/25]) was higher than that in the warfarin group (7.7% [2/26]), but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.419). All delayed bleeding was successfully managed with endoscopic hemostasis. Thromboembolic events were not observed in any patients. CONCLUSIONS: The bleeding rate with anticoagulants was relatively high. However, all bleeding events with anticoagulants were minor and clinically controllable. Colorectal ESD with DOAC and warfarin may be feasible and acceptable.

A New Technique of Endoscopic Transpapillary Gallbladder Drainage Combined with Intraductal Ultrasonography for the Treatment of Acute Cholecystitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage (ETGBD) is useful for the treatment of acute cholecystitis; however, the technique is difficult to perform. When intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) is combined with ETGBD, the orifice of the cystic duct in the common bile duct may be more easily detected in the cannulation procedure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ETGBD with IDUS compared with that of ETGBD alone. METHODS: A total of 100 consecutive patients with acute cholecystitis requiring ETGBD were retrospectively recruited. The first 50 consecutive patients were treated using ETGBD without IDUS, and the next 50 patients were treated using ETGBD with IDUS. Through propensity score matching analysis, we compared the clinical outcomes between the groups. The primary outcome was the technical success rate. RESULTS: The technical success rate of ETGBD with IDUS was significantly higher than that of ETGBD without IDUS (92.0% vs. 76.0%, p=0.044). There was no significant difference in procedure length between the two groups (74.0 min vs. 66.7 min, p=0.310). The complication rate of ETGBD with IDUS was significantly higher than that of ETGBD without IDUS (6.0% vs. 0%, p<0.001); however, only one case showed an IDUS technique-related complication (pancreatitis). CONCLUSION: The assistance of IDUS may be useful in ETGBD.

Relationship between Barrett's esophagus and colonic diseases: a role for colonoscopy in Barrett's surveillance.

BACKGROUND: Given that risk factors for Barrett's carcinogenesis are predictive, appropriate management and surveillance of Barrett's esophagus (BE) may be provided. The presence of colorectal neoplasms (CRNs) is a possible predictor of the development of BE and the progression to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). We evaluated the relationship between BE or EAC and colonic diseases, including neoplasms and diverticulosis. METHODS: Patients (N = 5606) who underwent both colonoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy between January 2016 and December 2017 at three institutions were enrolled. The relationships between the presence of colonic diseases and BE or EAC and other clinical or endoscopic predictors of the presence of BE were investigated retrospectively. RESULTS: The prevalence of BE ≥ 1 cm and ≥ 3 cm in length was 13.0% and 0.52%, respectively. BE was closely related with the presence of colorectal adenoma (48.4% vs. 37.2% in non-BE; P < 0.001), adenocarcinoma (16.6% vs. 8.4%, P < 0.001) and colonic diverticulosis (CD) (34.1% vs. 29.3%, P < 0.001). In patients with long-segment BE, CRNs (79.3%, P < 0.001) and CD (48.2%, P = 0.038) were more common. EAC patients also had a statistically significantly higher incidence of CRNs than non-BE patients (87.5% vs. 45.6%, P = 0.027). Diverticulosis at the distal colon correlated significantly with EAC and BE (50.0%, P = 0.010 and 15.4%, P = 0.024, vs. 12.0% in non-BE). Multivariate analysis showed that CRNs (t = 8.55, P < 0.001), reflux esophagitis (t = 5.26, P < 0.001) and hiatal hernia (t = 11.68, P < 0.001) were predictors of BE. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of CRNs was strongly associated with BE and EAC. Therefore, colonoscopy may be useful for establishing a strategy for the surveillance of BE.

Saline-pocket endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial colorectal neoplasms: a randomized controlled trial (with video).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a time-consuming procedure because of the technical difficulty. The newly developed saline-pocket ESD (SP-ESD) provides a clearer view and better traction of the submucosal layer compared with the standard ESD with gas insufflation (S-ESD). This study aimed to prospectively compare the efficacy and safety between S-ESD and SP-ESD in patients with superficial colorectal neoplasms (SCNs). METHODS: From April 2017 to November 2018, 95 patients with SCNs ≥20 mm in diameter were prospectively and randomly enrolled. Four patients were excluded because of an incomplete ESD procedure. Patients were finally allocated to 2 groups, S-ESD with 45 patients and SP-ESD with 46 patients. The primary outcome was dissection speed. Secondary outcomes were ESD procedure time, en bloc and complete resection rates, perforation rate, and adverse effects. RESULTS: Median dissection speed was significantly faster in the SP-ESD than the S-ESD group (20.1 mm2/min [range, 17.3-28.1] vs 16.3 mm2/min [range, 11.4-19.8]; P < .001). Median procedure time was significantly shorter in the SP-ESD than the S-ESD group (29.5 minutes [range, 22.3-44] vs 41 minutes [range, 31-55]; P < .001). The en bloc and complete resection rates were 100% in both groups. No perforations occurred among patients. The volume of saline solution used in the SP-ESD group was significantly greater than that in the S-ESD group (200 mL [range, 120-250] vs 150 mL [range, 100-200]; P = .016). CONCLUSIONS: SP-ESD improved dissection speed and procedure time compared with S-ESD. SP-ESD may be an alternative method for resection of SCNs. (Clinical trial registration number: UMIN 000026317.).

Control Mechanism for Carbon-Chain Length in Polyunsaturated Fatty-Acid Synthases.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are essential fatty acids. PUFA synthases are composed of three to four subunits and each create a specific PUFA without undesirable byproducts. However, detailed biosynthetic mechanisms for controlling final product profiles have been obscure. Here, the bacterial DHA and EPA synthases were carefully dissected by in vivo and in vitro experiments. In vitro analysis with two KS domains (KSA and KSC ) and acyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) substrates showed that KSA accepted short- to medium-chain substrates while KSC accepted medium- to long-chain substrates. Unexpectedly, condensation from C18 to C20 , the last elongation step in EPA biosynthesis, was catalyzed by KSA domains in both EPA and DHA synthases. Conversely, condensation from C20 to C22 , the last elongation step for DHA biosynthesis, was catalyzed by the KSC domain in DHA synthase. KSC domains therefore determine the chain lengths.

Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease Involving a Lumbar Facet Joint Following Urinary Tract Infection.

A 75-year-old woman was admitted with urosepsis due to Escherichia coli infection. After improvement with a ureteral stent and antimicrobial agent, she complained of back pain and showed elevated inflammation marker levels. Arthralgia and arthritis of multiple peripheral joints were noted, and radiography indicated cartilage calcification. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed lumbar facet joint effusion. Her symptoms improved with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug administration. Thus, she was diagnosed with calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD)-related facet joint arthritis (FJA) rather than infectious FJA. CPPD-related FJA is an important differential diagnosis in elderly individuals with a risk of CPPD disease who complain of back pain.

Feasibility of gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection with continuous low-dose aspirin for patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for gastric neoplasms during continuous low-dose aspirin (LDA) administration is generally acceptable according to recent guidelines. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the effect of continuous LDA on the postoperative bleeding after gastric ESD in patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). AIM: To investigate the feasibility of gastric ESD with continuous LDA in patients with DAPT. METHODS: A total of 597 patients with gastric neoplasms treated with ESD between January 2010 and June 2017 were enrolled. The patients were categorized according to type of antiplatelet therapy (APT). RESULTS: The postoperative bleeding rate was 6.9% (41/597) in all patients. Patients were divided into the following two groups: no APT (n = 443) and APT (n = 154). APT included single-LDA (n = 95) and DAPT (LDA plus clopidogrel, n = 59) subgroups. In the single-LDA and DAPT subgroups, 56 and 39 patients were received continuous LDA, respectively. The bleeding rate with continuous single-LDA (10.7%) was similar to that with discontinuous single-LDA (10.3%) (P > 0.99). Although the bleeding rate with continuous LDA in patients receiving DAPT (23.1%) was higher than that with discontinuous LDA in patients receiving DAPT (5.0%), no significant difference was observed (P = 0.141). CONCLUSION: The bleeding rate with continuous LDA in patients receiving DAPT was not statistically different from that with discontinuous LDA in patients receiving DAPT. Therefore, continuous LDA administration may be acceptable for ESD in patients receiving DAPT, although patients should be carefully monitored for possible bleeding.

Control Mechanism for cis Double-Bond Formation by Polyunsaturated Fatty-Acid Synthases.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and arachidonic acid (ARA) are essential fatty acids for humans. Some microorganisms biosynthesize these PUFAs through PUFA synthases composed of four subunits with multiple catalytic domains. These PUFA synthases each create a specific PUFA without undesirable byproducts, even though the multiple catalytic domains in each large subunit are very similar. However, the detailed biosynthetic pathways and mechanisms for controlling final-product profiles are still obscure. In this study, the FabA-type dehydratase domain (DHFabA ) in the C-subunit and the polyketide synthase-type dehydratase domain (DHPKS ) in the B-subunit of ARA synthase were revealed to be essential for ARA biosynthesis by in vivo gene exchange assays. Furthermore, in vitro analysis with truncated recombinant enzymes and C4 - to C8 -acyl ACP substrates showed that ARA and EPA synthases utilized two types of DH domains, DHPKS and DHFabA , depending on the carbon-chain length, to introduce either saturation or cis double bonds to growing acyl chains.

Water-pocket endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial gastric neoplasms (with video).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: During endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), a clear view is essential for precise dissection of the appropriate submucosal layer. Some advantages have been reported for underwater techniques of endoscopic resection in comparison with the gas insufflation method. We have developed a new ESD method with the creation of a local water pocket (WP) that provides a clear view in the dissection field. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the feasibility and safety of WP-ESD for superficial gastric neoplasms. METHODS: We prospectively recruited 50 patients with gastric neoplasms (early gastric cancer or gastric adenomas) between April 2017 and December 2017. Among them, 48 patients were treated with the WP-ESD technique. The patients undergoing WP-ESD were compared with 48 patients treated with standard ESD (S-ESD) who were selected by propensity score matching. The primary outcome was the ESD procedure time. RESULTS: Total procedure time was significantly shorter in the WP-ESD group than in the S-ESD group (median [interquartile range], 27.5 [19-45] minutes vs 41 [29.8-69] minutes; P < .001). Similarly, the dissection speed was significantly greater in the WP-ESD group than in the S-ESD group (median [interquartile range], 22.5 [16.8-35.3] mm2/min vs 17.3 [12.7-22.1] mm2/min; P < .001). The rates of complete en bloc resection in the WP-ESD group and the S-ESD group were 97.9% and 95.8%, respectively (P > .99). There were no perforations in either group. CONCLUSION: WP-ESD was associated with a shorter procedure time than S-ESD. WP-ESD may provide an alternative method for resection of superficial gastric neoplasms. (Clinical trial registration number: UMIN 000030266.).