Post-cholecystectomy Mirizzi Syndrome.

Post-cholecystectomy Mirizzi syndrome (PCMS) is characterized by symptoms of recurrent abdominal pain, jaundice, and fever in patients who underwent cholecystectomy. Imaging is crucial in the diagnosis of PCMS and Mirizzi syndrome. Imaging modalities have evolved over the years with abdominal ultrasonography, computed tomography of the abdomen, and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography being used in the diagnosis of PCMS and Mirizzi syndrome. The imaging findings show obstruction of the common hepatic duct due to impingement by a stone in the cystic duct or gallbladder infundibulum. PCMS management has evolved over the years with the current first-line management being endoscopic intervention. This case describes a 61-year-old male presenting with recurrent right upper quadrant pain two years after undergoing cholecystectomy due to cholelithiasis. The patient was later diagnosed with PCMS, and endoscopic management was performed with complete resolution of the symptoms.

Impact of pediatric versus adult colonoscope on terminal ileum intubation: a retrospective study.

Background: Various possible predictors of successful terminal ileal intubation (TII) have been explored but the role of the type of colonoscope is unclear. Methods: We carried out a retrospective review of a prospectively collected database of all colonoscopies performed at a single endoscopy unit between May 2015 and July 2020. The primary outcome measure was successful TII in patients with specific indications for ileal examination. The primary predictor was the type of endoscope, pediatric or adult, used during the procedure. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results: In 5845 colonoscopies fulfilling the study criteria, the overall TII rate was 67.8%. In univariate analysis, the use of a pediatric colonoscope was associated with a higher TII rate (72.1% vs. 58.8%, P<0.001). Other variables associated with successful TII based on univariate analysis included the patient's age, male sex, body mass index, endoscopists' specialty, place of training, shorter colonoscope insertion time, shorter duration of the procedure, longer withdrawal time, procedures performed in the afternoon, type of sedation administered during colonoscopy, and cleanliness of the colon. Multivariate analysis yielded an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.40 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21-1.62) for the use of a pediatric colonoscope. Propensity score-matching analysis also showed superiority of the pediatric colonoscope in achieving TII compared to an adult colonoscope, OR 1.35 (95%CI 1.17-1.57). Conclusions: Pediatric colonoscope increases the success of TII during colonoscopy. For endoscopists performing colonoscopy with intent to examine the terminal ileum, it is recommended to choose a pediatric colonoscope to maximize the success rate.

Clinical Yield of Ileal Intubation During Screening Colonoscopy.

Objectives Ileal intubation during screening colonoscopy can serve as supportive evidence of complete examination. However, most studies conducted in Western countries showed a limited value of ileal inspection in asymptomatic patients undergoing colonoscopy. Therefore, our aim is to determine the clinical yield of routine ileal examination during the performance of screening colonoscopy in a cohort of patients in the Middle East and identify factors associated with successful ileal intubation in this setting. Methods A retrospective review of a prospectively collected database of all screening colonoscopies was performed at a single endoscopy unit. The patients were divided into two groups; group A included patients in whom the extent of examination was the cecum and group B comprised of those who underwent ileal intubation as well. We summarized the endoscopic and pathological findings of the ileoscopic examinations and their clinical impact. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to compare both groups and to identify factors predictive of ileal intubation in the setting of screening colonoscopy.  Results Two thousand four hundred seventy-three unique completed screening colonoscopies were analyzed (group A=1465 patients, group B=1008 patients). Overall Ileal intubation rate was 40.8%. Of the patients in group B, 3.7% were noted to have findings on ileoscopy, which were deemed to be clinically significant in almost half (1.8% overall). Univariate analysis identified the following factors as being predictive of ileal intubation during screening colonoscopy: patients' age (51.7 vs. 53.5 years, p<0.001), short cecal insertion time, endoscopists' specialty (gastroenterology 42.3% vs. surgery 24.3%, p<0.001), type of colonoscope (pediatric 47.1% vs. adult 33.5% colonoscope, p<0.001), and quality of preparation in the right colon (poor vs. adequate/good : (25.6% vs. 42.5%, p<0.001). Mixed-effects logistic regression identified patients' age, endoscopist specialty, quality of right colon preparation, and cases with short insertion time as independent variables predicting ileal intubation during SC Conclusion The clinical yield of routine ileal intubation during screening colonoscopy is low. Ileal intubation during screening colonoscopy in our cohort was more likely in younger patients with adequate/good right colon preparation and when the exam is performed by a gastroenterologist, in cases with short insertion time. Prospective studies are needed to assess our research findings and to determine the clinical value of routinely intubating terminal ileum during screening colonoscopy in the population of the Middle East.

Incidental Diagnosis of Duodenal Giardiasis.

Giardia lamblia is a protozoan that results in the commonly diagnosed giardiasis. Due to its prevalence and incidence worldwide, it is essential to recognize the different presentations of giardiasis, routes of transmission, modalities of diagnosis, treatments, and complications. Diagnostic modalities have evolved over the years and can be achieved reliably through noninvasive stool testing. Endoscopic duodenal aspirate and biopsies can also be used; however, they yield lower sensitivity and specificity rates and are therefore not used as a first-line modality for diagnosing giardiasis. Nonetheless, its use should be considered in cases with high suspicion and unremarkable stool testing. Herein, we discuss the case of a 27-year-old male with chronic weight loss and abdominal pain for six months diagnosed with G. lamblia through a duodenal biopsy.

Endosonographic examination of thyroid gland among patients with nonthyroid cancers.

OBJECTIVES: There is limited endosonographic literature regarding thyroid gland pathology, which is frequently visualized during upper endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Our objective was to assess the prevalence of benign and malignant thyroid lesions encountered during routine upper EUS within a cancer center setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data were prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed. All upper EUS procedures performed between October 2012 and July 2014 were reviewed at a large referral cancer center. Data collected included patient demographics, preexisting thyroid conditions, thyroid gland dimensions, the presence or absence of thyroid lesions, and EUS morphology of lesions if present, and interventions performed to characterize thyroid lesions and pathology results when applicable. RESULTS: Two hundred and forty-five EUS procedures were reviewed. Of these, 100 cases reported a detailed endosonographic examination of the thyroid gland. Most of the thyroid glands were endosonographically visualized when the tip of the scope was at 18 cm from the incisors. Twelve cases showed thyroid lesions, out of which three previously undiagnosed thyroid cancers were visualized during EUS (two primary papillary thyroid cancers and one anaplastic thyroid cancer). Transesophageal EUS-guided fine needle aspiration of thyroid lesions was feasible when the lesion was in the inferior portion of the thyroid gland, and the tip of the scope was at 18 cm or more from the incisors. CONCLUSIONS: Routine EUS examination may detect unexpected thyroid lesions including malignant ones. We encourage endosonographers to screen the visualized portions of the thyroid gland during routine withdrawal of the echoendoscope.

Anatomical Location of Pathology Is Predictive of Prolonged Fluoroscopy Time During ERCP: A Multicenter American Study.

BACKGROUND: Different factors have been associated with prolonged fluoroscopy time (FT) during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). AIM: We hypothesize that FT depends on both the anatomical location of the pathology managed during ERCP and the complexity of the ERCP. METHODS: Three centers participated in a retrospective multi-center cohort study. Data on patient demographics, ERCP complexity, and the location of pathology were collected. The relationships between FT and the location of pathology, ERCP complexity, patient demographics, and ERCP maneuvers, respectively, were analyzed. Prolonged FT was defined as a FT > 10 min. RESULTS: A total of 442 cases underwent ERCP in three different centers (301 cases, 76 cases, and 65 cases in centers A, B, and C, respectively) by six endoscopists. The median FT for all cases was 282 (range 8-3,516) s. Mean FT increased progressively according to anatomical location in the order extrahepatic cases {n = 298; mean FT 292 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 263-322] s}, pancreatic cases [n = 27; mean FT 359 (95 % CI 200-517) s], and intrahepatic cases [n = 117; mean FT 736 s (95 % CI 635-836) s]. Mean FT increased progressively with the complexity scale, with mean FT for Grade I, 218 (95 % CI 138-299) s; Grade II, 295 (95 % 261-329) s; Grade III, 586 (95 % CI 508-663) s; Grade IV, 636 (95 % CI 437-834) s. Multivariable analysis confirmed that prolonged FT was independently associated with anatomical location of the targeted pathology during ERCP-but not with ERCP complexity and endoscopy center. CONCLUSION: Prolonged FT during ERCP is associated most strongly with intrahepatic cases. FT can be used most effectively as a quality measure if it is stratified according to presence or absence of intrahepatic cases.

Primary papillary thyroid carcinoma diagnosed by using endoscopic ultrasound with fine needle aspiration.

There is paucity in the literature on the use of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) for evaluating the thyroid gland. We report the first case of primary papillary thyroid cancer diagnosed by using EUS and fine needle aspiration (FNA). A 66-year-old man underwent EUS for the evaluation of mediastinal lymphadenopathy. FNA of the lymph nodes showed benign findings. A hypoechoic mass was noted in the right lobe of the thyroid gland. Therefore, FNA was performed. The cytological results were consistent with primary papillary thyroid cancer.

Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided diagnosis of subepithelial tumors.

Subepithelial lesions are frequently discovered during routine endoscopic examinations. These lesions represent a wide spectrum of heterogeneous benign to malignant conditions. Most of these lesions are asymptomatic. There is no consensus regarding how to manage these lesions. Over the last 2 decades, the approach to these lesions has significantly improved owing to the introduction of endoscopic ultrasonography, fine-needle aspiration, immunohistochemical staining methods, and different treatment options. This article discusses the nature of subepithelial lesions, focusing on the most recent developments that use endoscopic ultrasonography to diagnose and manage these lesions.

Incidental pancreatography via ERCP in patients with anomalous pancreaticobiliary junction does not result in pancreatitis in a North American population.

INTRODUCTION: Anomalous pancreaticobiliary junction (APBJ) is the term used to describe anatomical variants of pancreatic and biliary ductal junctional anatomy. Patients have junction of the pancreatic and bile ducts located outside the duodenal wall, forming a long common channel. We report our findings and clinical outcomes in a North American series of patients with APBJ undergoing ERCP. METHODS: Retrospective chart review. RESULTS: We reviewed 2,218 ERCP performed on 1,050 patients. Twelve patients (1.1%) with APBJ were identified (5F, 7M). No patient had an associated choledochocele. Mean age was 53.2 (range 17-85). A total of 43 ERCP procedures were performed on these 12 patients. All patients experienced passive pancreatography. No patient developed post-ERCP pancreatitis. Only one patient had a history of antecedent pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS: In North American patients undergoing ERCP, 1.1% of patients had APBJ. Our study population was predominately Caucasian, male, and in all but one patient lacked a history of prior pancreatitis. No patient developed post-ERCP pancreatitis. This suggests that APBJ may have different clinical manifestations in a North American population when compared to Asian populations.