Rare presentation of renal cell cancer as dysphagia: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Metastasis from distal solid organs to the esophagus is very rare. Renal cell cancer with esophageal metastasis is extremely rare. We present the first case report of undiagnosed renal cell cancer presenting as dysphagia. CASE PRESENTATION: A 56-year-old Caucasian man presented for dysphagia evaluation. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy examination revealed a 6 mm nodule located at gastroesophageal junction. Pathology and immunohistopathology were suggestive of metastatic renal cell cancer. Abdominal imaging revealed a large renal mass consistent with renal cell cancer. He underwent left nephrectomy and is clinically asymptomatic, while being monitored by Oncology and Urology. CONCLUSIONS: Undiagnosed renal cell cancer metastasis presenting as dysphagia is very rare. Careful upper endoscopy examination contributed to the diagnosis of this rare entity. A multidisciplinary team approach is key for management of these clinical dilemmas.

Choledocholithiasis in African American and Hispanic patients: a comparison between painless presentation and classical biliary pain with regards to clinical manifestations and outcomes.

Choledocholithiasis (CDL) usually presents with biliary pain. Painless CDL is also known to occur, especially in the elderly. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the mode of presentation (painful vs. painless) influences the clinical course and outcomes of CDL in African American and Hispanic patients. Ten years of admission and discharge records (January 1998-December 2007) were reviewed retrospectively, yielding 527 community hospital patients, aged 23-97 years, with the final diagnosis of CDL. Patients with painless presentation had higher odds of having comorbidities compared to patients presenting with pain. However, patients who presented with biliary pain were predominantly younger (mean age 34 years), and 59% were Hispanic females (p = 0.001). In our study painless CDL was associated with higher morbidity and mortality.

Natural history of Mallory-Weiss tear in African American and Hispanic patients.

The aim of this study was to determine the natural history of Mallory-Weiss tear (MWT) in African American and Hispanic patients. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of all patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding over a 10-year period. Endoscopic diagnosis of MWT was made in 12% (n = 698) of all patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding. More than half of our patients with MWT did not have a preceding history of retching or vomiting. Bleeding episodes were hemodynamically significant in 216 (31%) patients. Most of the patients with MWT (80%) had an uneventful and short hospital stay (range, 1-4 days). Recurrent upper gastrointestinal bleeding within 30 days occurred in 84 (12%) patients. Overall mortality was 10%; endoscopic hemostasis failure and associated comorbidities were the common culprits.

Endoscopic ultrasound identifies synchronous pancreas cystic lesions not seen on initial cross-sectional imaging.

OBJECTIVES: A retrospective review conducted to determine the utility of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) examination of the pancreas after initial pancreatic cyst detection with cross-sectional imaging. METHODS: A retrospective review of 145 patients referred for EUS for evaluation of pancreas cystic lesions. Initial cross-sectional imaging reports were reviewed and compared to subsequent EUS findings. Findings evaluated included cyst size, number, multifocality, presence in different surgical fields, cyst wall nodularity, main pancreatic duct (PD) dilation, communication with PD, and features suggestive of serous cystadenoma. RESULTS: Compared to computed tomographic scan, EUS more frequently identified pancreatic cystic lesion multifocality (47% vs 13%, P < 0.0001) and their presence in different surgical fields (33.3% vs 4.2%, P < 0.0001). Compared to magnetic resonance imaging, EUS was superior in identifying multifocality (58% vs 34%, P = 0.0002) and the presence of cysts in different surgical fields (42% vs. 26%, P = 0.021). Malignancy was suspected or confirmed in 3 patients by EUS fine-needle aspiration cytology, not suspected by cross-sectional imaging. Endoscopic ultrasound identified unappreciated features of serous cystadenomas in 10 patients. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic ultrasound identified synchronous pancreatic cystic lesions unappreciated by initial cross-sectional imaging, with undetected cysts frequently outside of typical resection margins. In addition, EUS identified the presence of unappreciated high- or low-risk characteristics in a small percentage of patients.

Patient preferences after endoscopic ultrasound with fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) diagnosis of pancreas cancer: rapid communication valued over long-term relationships.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ultrasound with fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is used for the diagnosis of pancreatic malignancy. However, there are limited data as to patient preferences regarding the delivery of cancer diagnoses. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess if patients had met the endosonographer before their EUS, their suspicion of having cancer, and whether they would like the cytology results given to them by their referring physician (with whom they had a previous relationship) or the endosonographer. This question was also asked with respect to the timing of receiving cytology results. METHODS: A total of 131 patients with a suspected solid pancreatic mass undergoing EUS-FNA at 2 tertiary referral centers were prospectively enrolled and completed a preprocedure questionnaire. RESULTS: One hundred twenty patients (92%) had not met the endosonographer before their EUS-FNA, and only 37 patients (28%) thought they had a pancreatic malignancy. Of the 131 patients, 89 (68%) stated that they wanted to hear results from the endosonographer (P = 0.0001) and 100 patients (76%) chose to hear results as soon as possible from the endosonographer (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our data highlight the importance of the endosonographer's role in the delivery of cancer diagnoses and that patients value expediency of reporting results over long-term physician relationships.

Littoral cell angioma of the spleen diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy.

Littoral cell angiomas are uncommon primary vascular neoplasms that arise from the sinusoidal lining or littoral cells of the splenic red pulp, and hence are unique to the spleen. We report a case of littoral cell angioma in 34-year-old woman, which was diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNAB). The cytologic features of littoral cell angiomas have been described only in three previous case reports, one of which was a bench-top aspirate. In our case, we have utilized the fine-needle aspiration samples obtained by a linear endoscopic ultrasound examination for establishing the diagnosis. The characteristic cytologic features identified on the smears along with immunohistochemical analysis performed on the compact cellblock prepared from the aspirate aided in the confirmation of the diagnosis. We suggest that EUS-FNAB is a safe and reliable method in the diagnosis of vascular lesions of the spleen.

Drug-induced cholestasis.

Recent progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms of bile formation and cholestasis have led to new insights into the pathogenesis of drug-induced cholestasis. This review summarizes their variable clinical presentations, examines the role of transport proteins in hepatic drug clearance and toxicity, and addresses the increasing importance of genetic determinants, as well as practical aspects of diagnosis and management.

Safety and efficacy of colonoscopy in the elderly: experience in an innercity community hospital serving African American and Hispanic patients.

Data regarding safety and efficacy of colonoscopy in elderly African American and Hispanic patients is scarce. We designed our study to determine the safety and efficacy of colonoscopy in this population. We retrospectively reviewed records of 1530 patients, who underwent colonoscopy over a nine-year period. The population included the elderly group (age>65 years) comprising 780 patients and control group (aged < or = 65 years) comprising 750 patients. Data about cancer prevalence, complications and 30 day mortality were abstracted. The median age was 77 years (range 66-101, 61% females) for the elderly group and 57 years (range 18-65, 51% females) for controls. The elderly group required lower doses of medications for conscious sedation (P<.0001). The crude completion rate was lower for the elderly group (79.5% vs 89.7%), however the adjusted completion rate was similar in both groups (90.3% elderly vs 90.9% control). There was no significant difference in outcome between the two ethnic groups. Diagnostic yield was higher in the elderly group (69% vs 49%, P<.0001), with a significantly higher rate of cancer detection (7.9% vs 1.8%, P<.0001). There was no statistical difference in complication rate between the two groups (P=.35). There were 2 deaths within 30 days of colonoscopy: one in the elderly group, and one in the control group. Our results suggest that colonoscopy in our elderly patients was safe and effective and resulted in a high diagnostic yield. Therefore, old age alone should not deter colonoscopic evaluation when indicated.

Pancreatic and Gastric Plasmacytoma Presenting with Obstructive Jaundice, Diagnosed with Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration.

Pancreatic plasmacytoma is a rare disorder which may present with obstructive jaundice. Only eighteen cases have been reported in the English language literature. We present the first case of pancreatic plasmacytoma and gastric plasmacytoma diagnosed with endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). A 75-year-old male with a known history of multiple myeloma presented with obstructive jaundice and a pancreatic mass. A concomitant gastric mass due to gastric plasmacytoma was seen. The diagnosis was established via EUS-FNA of the pancreatic mass. Pancreatic plasmacytoma should be suspected in patients with a history of myeloma. EUS-FNA is a safe and effective modality in the diagnosis of pancreatic plasmacytoma. Radiation therapy should be the first-line of therapy in treating pancreatic plasmacytomas.

EUS-guided FNA of solid pancreatic masses: a prospective, randomized trial comparing 22-gauge and 25-gauge needles.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of prospective, randomized studies comparing the diagnostic yield and complication rates of 22-gauge and 25-gauge needles during EUS-FNA of solid pancreatic masses. OBJECTIVES: Our primary aim was to compare the diagnostic yield of 22-gauge and 25-gauge needles. Secondary aims included determining the number of needle passes performed, ease of needle passage, and complications. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized study. SETTING: Tertiary referral centers at Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, and Virginia Piper Cancer Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota. PATIENTS: Patients with a suspected solid pancreatic mass from February 2007 to June 2008 were enrolled. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to EUS-FNA with a 22-gauge or 25-gauge needle. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: A diagnostic result was defined as cytology findings positive for malignant cells. RESULTS: A total of 131 patients were enrolled: EUS-FNA was performed with a 22-gauge needle in 64 patients and with a 25-gauge needle in 67 patients. Cytology was diagnostic in 120 (91.6%) of 131 patients overall: 56 (87.5%) of 64 with 22-gauge needles and 64 (95.5%) of 67 with 25-gauge needles (no statistically significant difference was found between the 2 groups; P=.18). A similar number of passes was performed in both arms (mean [SD] 2.6 [1.2] each; P=.96). There were no complications in either group. LIMITATION: A larger number of patients is needed to determine small differences in diagnostic yield. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first prospective, randomized trial comparing 22-gauge and 25-gauge needles in EUS-FNA of solid pancreatic masses. We achieved equally high diagnostic yields by using a similar number of passes, showing that 25-gauge needles are an effective alternative to 22-gauge needles.

Clinical significance of incidental colorectal wall thickening on computed tomography scan in African-American and Hispanic patients.

We sought to assess the significance of an incidental finding of colorectal wall thickening (CRWT) on computed tomography (CT) scan in African-American and Hispanic patients. We retrospectively reviewed charts of African-American and Hispanic patients from January 1994 to December 2005. Those patients were included in whom the colonoscopy was performed due to incidental CRWT on CT scan. Patients with a history or a family history of colorectal malignancy, inflammatory bowel disease, or colorectal surgery, with an incomplete colonoscopic examination, or <18 years of age were excluded. Endoscopic and pathological findings were abstracted. Thirty-two patients met the criteria. Endoscopic examination was abnormal in 21 (65.6%). The positive predictive value of CRWT for abnormal endoscopic examination was 65.6%. Abnormal endoscopic examination revealed diverticulosis in 9 (43%), erythematous mucosa in 8 (38%), polyps in 6 (29%), mass in 2 (9%), thickened folds in 1 (5%), and diverticulitis in 1 (5%). Histopathological findings revealed colitis in 7 (33%), adenoma in 4 (19%), hyperplastic polyps in 4 (19%), adenocarcinoma in 2 (9%), lymphoid aggregates in 2 (9%), melanosis coli in 1 (5%), and normal in 1 (5%) in the abnormal examination group. Abnormal endoscopic examination was found in 65.6% of patients. The prevalence of colitis, adenomas, and malignancy was high, therefore abnormal CRWT warrants further endoscopic evaluation.

Fecal incontinence in older patients.

Fecal incontinence (FI), the involuntary passage of fecal material through the anus, is a common medical problem in older people, especially in frail older nursing home residents. FI is often associated with urinary incontinence. Severe constipation leading to fecal impaction, laxative abuse, diarrhea, cognitive impairment, senescence, and neuromuscular disorders including autonomic neuropathy, are among the leading causes of FI in older patients. FI affects patients' physical and psychological well-being, and is responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality in older patients. This results in significant healthcare costs. Comprehensive management of this disorder requires a systematic approach including thorough history, physical examination, and step-wise evaluation. This review in contrast to others published in last decade, focuses on management of FI in frail older nursing home patients, who require an individualized approach, which should be minimally invasive and cost-effective. In many cases of FI, treatment of the underlying condition; adequate control of diarrhea, constipation, or fecal impaction; adjustment of medications; and proper feeding may control or reduce FI. Advanced tests are often not necessary in this population.