Through-the-scope esophageal stent for the relief of malignant dysphagia: Results of a multicentric study (with video).

BACKGROUND AND AIM: In presence of malignant dysphagia, in patients unfit for surgery, the placement of a self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) represents a safe and effective palliative treatment. Esophageal stents (ES) present an over-the-wire mechanism where the stent is deployed under X-ray control. Recently a through-the-scope (TTS) ES was launched. The aim of our retrospective study is to assess the technical and clinical success of the new TTS-ES. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with malignant dysphagia caused by esophageal cancer or ab-extrinsic compression, who underwent TTS esophageal stent in six Italian endoscopic referral centers, were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients were enrolled. TTS stent placement was successful in 39/40 patients (97.5%). 31 patients had an Ogilvie score of 4, nine an Ogilvie 3. After 2 weeks from stent placement 29 reported Ogilvie score of 0, eight a score of 1. None of the patients developed retrosternal pain requiring drugs. No patient experienced perforation, bleeding or migration. A total of seven patients (18%) developed dysphagia as late adverse event (AE). CONCLUSION: Through-the-scope ES presented less AEs, in terms of bleeding and perforation, if compared to the previous published data. An anti-migration system could be helpful, especially when the stent is placed for "ab-extrinseco" malignant dysphagia.

Synchronous colorectal cancer using CT colonography vs. other means: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of our study was to systematically review the evidence about synchronous colorectal cancer diagnosed with or without computed tomography colonography (CTC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two systematic searches were performed (PubMed and EMBASE) for studies reporting the prevalence of synchronous colorectal cancer (CRC): one considering patients who underwent CTC and the another one considering patients who did not undergo CTC. A three-level analysis was performed to determine the prevalence of patients with synchronous CRC in both groups of studies. Heterogeneity was explored for multiple variables. Pooled prevalence and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. A quality assessment (STROBE) was done for the studies. RESULTS: For CTC studies, among 2645 articles initially found, 21 including 1673 patients, published from 1997 to 2018, met the inclusion criteria. For non-CTC studies, among 6192 articles initially found, 27 including 111,873 patients published from 1974 to 2015 met the inclusion criteria. The pooled synchronous CRC prevalence was 5.7% (95% CI 4.7%-7.1%) for CTC studies, and 3.9% (95% CI 3.3%-4.4%) for non-CTC studies, with a significant difference (p = 0.004). A low heterogeneity was found for the CTC group (I2 = 10.3%), whereas a high heterogeneity was found in the non-CTC group of studies (I2 = 93.5%), and no significant explanatory variables were found. Of the 22 STROBE items, a mean of 18 (82%) was fulfilled by CTC studies, and a mean of 16 (73%) by non-CTC studies. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of synchronous CRC was about 4-6%. The introduction of CTC is associated with a significant increase of the prevalence of synchronous CRCs.

Linear asymptomatic pneumatosis as an unexpected finding of computed tomography colonography: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: We discuss asymptomatic colonic pneumatosis, an unexpected finding of computed tomography colonography that we must see as distinct from perforation. Among the papers detailing complications with computed tomography colonography, we found only one report focusing on linear pneumatosis. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 75-year-old Caucasian woman who had a high level of carcinoembryonic antigen, and who underwent computed tomography colonography. Our patient accidentally fell from a chair in the radiology department just before the examination, experiencing a right hip trauma. The examination was negative for colonic lesions but revealed the presence of some air bubbles in her right colon. Our patient remained asymptomatic throughout the procedure and afterwards; no intervention or treatment was necessary. CONCLUSION: Radiologists should consider colonic linear pneumatosis among the potential complications of computed tomography colonography, even if it is a rare event, to avoid unnecessary therapy and anxiety for the patient.

Contrast-enhanced computed tomography colonography in preoperative distinction between T1-T2 and T3-T4 staging of colon cancer.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To predict the T stage of nonrectal colon cancer using contrast-enhanced computed tomography colonography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-one patients with 67 nonrectal colon cancers consecutively underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography colonography after an incomplete colonoscopy. Two readers evaluated wall deformity and perilesional fat abnormality on three-dimensional double contrast enema-like views and multiplanar reconstructions. Pathology was used as the standard of reference. McNemar, Fisher, and Cohen κ statistics were used. RESULTS: At pathologic examination, we found the following stages: T1 (n = 5), T2 (n = 10), T3 (n = 41), T4a (n = 6), and T4b (n = 5). Intraobserver and interobserver reproducibilities were almost perfect for wall deformity (κ = 1.00 and κ = 0.88, respectively), substantial for perilesional fat abnormality (κ = 0.79 and κ = 0.74, respectively). Using the results of the more experienced reader, accuracy of wall deformity ≥50% (apple-core) alone for T ≥ 3 was 62 of 67 (0.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.83-0.97) and that of perilesional fat abnormality alone was 37 of 67 (0.55, 95% CI 0.43-0.67) (P < .001). Predictive value for ≥ T3 of the association wall deformity ≥50% with perilesional fat abnormality was 22 of 22 (1.00, 95% CI 0.85-1.00), higher, but not significantly, than that of wall deformity ≥50% with normal perilesional fat 29 of 33 (0.88, 95% CI 0.72-0.97) (P = .148, Fisher exact test). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of apple-core wall deformity, regardless of perilesional fat abnormality, is highly predictive of stage T3 or higher.

Impact of contrast-enhanced computed tomography colonography on laparoscopic surgical planning of colorectal cancer.

AIM: To evaluate the impact of contrast-enhanced computed tomography colonography (CE-CTC) on laparoscopic surgery planning in patient with stenosing colorectal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-nine patients with endoscopically proven colorectal cancer underwent CE-CTC, after incomplete conventional colonoscopy. Two experienced radiologists evaluated site, length, and TNM staging of colorectal cancers on three-dimensional double contrast enema-like views, 2D axial and multiplanar reconstructions. All the patients underwent colorectal resection and surgery bulletin, pathology of surgical specimens, and radiological follow-up at about 8 months were used as reference standard. RESULTS: The detection rate of colorectal cancer was 100 % (75/75); CE-CTC allowed for a diagnosis of a synchronous colorectal cancer in five patients (7 %). CE-CTC correctly judged the site of the lesions in all the cases; clinically significant localization errors at conventional colonoscopy were noted in 3 out of 69 patients (4 %). Additional colonic polyps greater than 6 mm in diameter were found in 21 out of 69 patients (30 %); in two patients (3 %) the surgeon performed an enlarged colectomy to include synchronous polyps proximal to colorectal cancer. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy were for T1-T2 vs. T3-T4: 96 %, 71 %, 92 %, 87 %, and 91 %, respectively; for N: 94 %, 42 %, 64 %, 86 %, and 70 %; for M: 100 %, 100 %, 83 %, 100 %, and 97 %. There were no complications associated with CE-CTC. CONCLUSION: Information given by CE-CTC concerning colorectal cancer location and synchronous colonic cancers and polyps changed the laparoscopic surgical strategy in almost 14 % of patients.

Role of computed tomography coronary angiography in the management of coronary anomalies.

Congenital abnormalities of coronary arteries are an uncommon cause of sudden cardiac death and are difficult to detect at coronary angiography. We describe two patients with acute coronary syndrome and non-occlusive coronary artery disease in which a 64-multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) coronary angiography showed the presence of a malignant coronary anomaly. Sixty-four-MDCT with the possibility of 3D reconstructions allows for easier diagnosis of coronary anomalies and provides essential details necessary for operative intervention.