Post cricoid tumours; a limiting factor for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy insertion in cancer patients: Results from a tertiary care hospital.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The aim of this study was to review all episodes of PEG insertion in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) at a cancer specialist centre. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using a structured data extraction form, we abstracted patients' demographic data and clinical information including the primary site of tumour, TNM staging, whether PEG tube was inserted successfully, any complications resulting from PEG tube insertion and duration the tube was in place. RESULTS: We identified a total of 339 HNC patients who had received at least one attempted PEG tube insertion. The mean age of patients was 49.5 ± 14.5 years and 66% (n: 233/339) were males. 151/ 339 (44.5%) patients had a tumour in the pharynx and nasopharynx, 103/ 339 (30.4%) in oral cavity, 81/ 339 (23.9%) in post-cricoid region and 4 (1.1%) of the patients had a laryngeal carcinoma. Histopathologically, most tumours (75.8%) were squamous cell carcinoma presenting at a T4 (52.6%), N0 (38.3%) and M0 (91.7%) stage. PEG tube was successfully inserted in 303/339 (89.4%) patients. There were 36 PEG failures; 24 (66.6%) in postcricoid and laryngeal tumours, 8 (22.3%) in pharynx/nasopharynx and 4 (11.1%) in oral cavity tumours. Of the 81 patients with post-cricoid tumour, PEG tube was successfully inserted in 57/ 81 (70.3%) of the patients. Age, gender or T stage of the tumour was not found to be statistically significant predictors of PEG failure. The only significant factor was presence of post-cricoid or laryngeal tumours that increased the risk of PEG failure 12 times (95% confidence interval: 3.4 to 42.3). CONCLUSION: PEG tube should be used as a first line feeding option in patients with all type of head and neck cancers, however, the attending clinicians should have this foresight of higher failure rates in patients with post-cricoid tumour.

Enteral stents are safe and effective to relieve malignant gastric outlet obstruction in the elderly.

BACKGROUND: Nausea, vomiting and intolerance to oral intake are usually the first presenting symptoms of gastric outlet obstruction, which not only cause malnutrition and increases chances of aspiration pneumonia but also greatly impair the quality of life. Self expandable metallic stents (SEMS) are both effective and safe to relieve the distressing symptoms of gastric outlet obstruction. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of endoscopic enteral stent insertion in malignant gastric outlet obstruction in older versus younger patients. METHODS: Eighty two patients were identified to have undergone SEMs insertion for malignant gastric outlet obstruction. Of these, 26 were ≥65 years (older patient group) and 56 were ≤65 years (younger patient group). These were retrospectively reviewed to assess the success rate and the complications of the procedure. RESULTS: Both groups were comparable in terms of technical success (100 % in older patient group versus 97 % in younger patient group). Clinical success rate, as determined by gastric outlet obstruction scoring system score (GOOSS) was also similar in both groups. Additionally, the rate of complications in both groups was also comparable, 27 % in older patient versus 23 % in younger patients (p = 0.085). CONCLUSION: Enteral stenting for malignant gastric outlet obstruction is effective in the older patient groups with its success rate and complications comparable to younger patient population.

Biliary sphincter of Oddi dysfunction: response rates after ERCP and sphincterotomy in a 5-year ERCP series and proposal for new practical guidelines.

INTRODUCTION: The diagnosis and management of sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) is challenging. AIMS: Retrospective review of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies (ERCPs) performed for biliary SOD between 2003 and 2007 and proposal for new management guidelines. METHODS: Patients were identified from the ERCP database. All patients had a history of typical biliary pain and were classified into three groups - group 1: patients with dilated common bile duct and abnormal laboratory investigations at time of pain; group 2: either of the above; group 3: none of the above. All patients underwent ERCP and endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES). Sphincter of Oddi manometry was not carried out. Patients were contacted 18 months after procedure with regard to relief of pain and complications. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients were included - 16.7% male and 83.3% female with an average age of 54.2 years. Ampullary stenosis was found in 76.2% of patients in group 1 and 70% in group 2 compared with 30% in group 3. In group 1, 90.5% of patients reported complete relief of pain compared with 75 and 50% in groups 2 and 3, respectively. Among them 55.6% of patients had previous cholecystectomy. Overall 85% of cholecystectomized patients and 81.3% of patients with an intact gallbladder had complete response to ES. There were no complications in all three groups. DISCUSSION: Our findings are similar to other studies documenting response rates to ES in manometry proven SOD. Our simpler guidelines are more applicable to clinical practice. Group 3 remains the most challenging group. Risk and benefits of ERCP and ES should be discussed with patients in centres where sphincter of Oddi manometry is unavailable, noting that 50% of patients respond favourably to ES.

Failed biliary access following needle knife fistulotomy: is repeat interval ERCP worthwhile?

OBJECTIVE: Needle knife fistulotomy is a useful alternative in gaining access to the biliary system when standard cannulation techniques have been exhausted. Where access cannot be achieved following fistulotomy the convention has been to abandon further endoscopic attempts. Recent experience at our center suggests that repeat ERCP is frequently successful. This study assesses the utility of repeat ERCP in a cohort of patients for whom biliary access could not be achieved despite needle knife fistulotomy during the initial procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who had undergone needle knife fistulotomy without successful biliary access were identified over a 3-year period. Primary endpoint was success of repeat ERCP in gaining biliary access without further intervention. Secondary endpoints were repeat ERCP time interval and findings and interventions at repeat ERCP. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients were identified (mean age 60.2 years; 47% male). ERCP indications were: jaundice 60%, dilated biliary system 32%, choledocholithiasis 35%, gallstone pancreatitis 3%, bile leak 3%. 53% (19 of 36 patients) had a repeat ERCP and 68% (13 of 19) of repeat ERCPs were successful. Median time to repeat ERCP was 6 days (range 1-21 days). Repeat ERCP findings were: choledocholithiasis 46%, pancreatic cancer 15% and cholangiocarcinoma 39%. Interventions at repeat ERCP were as follows: plastic stent insertion 46%, metal stent insertion 39% and balloon trawl 15%. CONCLUSION: Follow-up ERCP after a short interval is worthwhile in patients for whom initial ERCP and fistulotomy is unsuccessful as biliary access is frequently obtained without further intervention and definitive management is facilitated in the majority of cases.

NSAID-induced colopathy. A case series.

The adverse effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the upper gastrointestinal tract and small intestine are well established. The effect of such therapy on the large intestine, so called NSAID colopathy, is less well described. We present four such cases demonstrating the characteristic endoscopic findings. One case in particular is, to our knowledge, the first report of the natural history of this clinical entity, initially presenting with the acute picture of inflammation and ulceration with subsequent progression to the more chronic development of diaphragm-like fibrous strictures. NSAID-induced colonic damage is a clinically significant condition. Two of our patients presented with bloody diarrhoea while the other two patients developed symptomatic anaemia. With the increasing use of enteric coated and sustained release NSAID preparations this condition is likely to become more frequent. Increasing awareness of its clinical presentation and of its spectrum of endoscopic findings facilitates a more prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment to be established.

Successful outcome of sphincterotomy and 7 French pigtail stent insertion in the management of post-cholecystectomy bile leaks.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is widely used to manage post-cholecystectomy bile leaks. However, the best endoscopic intervention remains controversial. We investigated the success of a 7 French double pigtail stent following sphincterotomy in the management of such bile leaks. METHODS: Between July 1998 and June 2008, 48 patients were referred for ERCP for presumed post-cholecystectomy bile leaks. Leaks were confirmed at ERCP and managed by a combination of sphincterotomy and stent insertion unless contraindicated. RESULTS: Bile duct cannulation was successful in 44 (91.7%) patients. A leak of the cystic duct was demonstrated in 19 (43.2%) patients, the duct of Luschka in 11 (25.0%), and the common hepatic duct in 5 (11.4%). Complete transection of the common bile duct occurred in 4 patients. The remaining patients had no cholangiographic evidence of a leak. Sphincterotomy was performed in 34 patients. A 7 French double pigtail plastic stent was placed in all 35 patients with cholangiographic evidence of a bile leak. No bile leaks were demonstrated at a follow-up of 8-16 weeks and all stents were removed successfully. CONCLUSION: The combination of sphincterotomy and insertion of a 7 French double pigtail stent results in excellent outcomes in the management of post-cholecystectomy bile leaks.