Development and Validation of a Clinical Prognostic Nomogram for Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Patients.

BACKGROUND: Clinical staging is essential for clinical decisions but remains imprecise. We purposed to construct a novel survival prediction model for improving clinical staging system (cTNM) for patients with esophageal adenocarcioma (EAC). METHODS: A total of 4180 patients diagnosed with EAC were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database and included as the training cohort. Significant prognostic variables were identified for nomogram model development using multivariable Cox regression. The model was validated internally by bootstrap resampling, and then subjected to external validation with a separate cohort of 886 patients from 2 institutions in China. The prognostic performance was measured by concordance index (C-index), Akaike information criterion (AIC) and calibration plots. Different risk groups were stratified by the nomogram scores. RESULTS: A total of six variables were determined related with survival and entered into the nomogram construction. The calibration curves showed satisfied agreement between nomogram-predicted survival and actual observed survival for 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival. By calculating the AIC and C-index values, our nomogram presented superior discriminative and risk-stratifying ability than current TNM staging system. Significant distinctions in survival curves were observed between different risk subgroups stratified by nomogram scores. CONCLUSION: The established and validated nomogram presented better risk-stratifying ability than current clinical staging system, and could provide a convenient and reliable tool for individual survival prediction and treatment strategy making.

Development and validation of a new clinical staging system to predict survival for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients: Application of the nomogram.

INTRODUCTION: Survival of patients with the same clinical stage varies widely and effective tools to evaluate the prognosis utilizing clinical staging information is lacking. This study aimed to develop a clinical nomogram for predicting survival of patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: On the basis of data extracted from the SEER database (training cohort, n = 3375), we identified and integrated significant prognostic factors for nomogram development and internal validation. The model was then subjected to external validation with a separate dataset obtained from Jinling Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (validation cohort, n = 1187). The predictive accuracy and discriminative ability of the nomogram were determined by concordance index (C-index), Akaike information criterion (AIC) and calibration curves. And risk group stratification was performed basing on the nomogram scores. RESULTS: On multivariable analysis of the training cohort, seven independent prognostic factors were identified and included into the nomogram. Calibration curves presented good consistency between the nomogram prediction and actual observation for 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS. The AIC value of the nomogram was lower than that of the 8th edition American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM (AJCC) staging system, whereas the C-index of the nomogram was significantly higher than that of the AJCC staging system. The risk groups stratified by CART allowed significant distinction between survival curves within respective clinical TNM categories. CONCLUSIONS: The risk stratification system presented better discriminative ability for survival prediction than current clinical staging system and might help clinicians in decision making.

An artificial neural network model predicting pathologic nodal metastases in clinical stage I-II esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients.

BACKGROUND: Current preoperative staging for lymph nodal status remains inaccurate. The purpose of this study was to build an artificial neural network (ANN) model to predict pathologic nodal involvement in clinical stage I-II esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients and then validated the performance of the model. METHODS: A total of 523 patients (training set: 350; test set: 173) with clinical staging I-II ESCC who underwent esophagectomy and reconstruction were enrolled in this study. Their post-surgical pathological results were assessed and analysed. An ANN model was established for predicting pathologic nodal positive patients in the training set, which was validated in the test set. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was also created to illustrate the performance of the predictive model. RESULTS: Of the enrolled 523 patients with ESCC, 41.3% of the patients were confirmed pathologic nodal positive (216/523). The ANN staging system identified the tumour invasion depth, tumour length, dysphagia, tumour differentiation and lymphovascular invasion (LVI) as predictors for pathologic lymph node metastases. The C-index for the ANN model verified in the test set was 0.852, which demonstrated that the ANN model had a good predictive performance. CONCLUSIONS: The ANN model presented good performance for predicting pathologic lymph node metastasis and added indicators not included in current staging criteria and might help improve the staging strategies.

Resultados de la cirugía de reconstrucción esofágica en pacientes pediátricos con patología esofágica compleja en dos hospitales de alto nivel de Medellín, Colombia, 2006-2016 / Esophageal reconstruction results in surgery of pediatric patients with complex esophageal pathology in two high level hospitals of Medellín, Colombia, 2006-2016 / Resultados da cirurgia de reconstrução esofágica em pacientes pediátricos com patologia esofágica complexa em dois hospitais de alto nível de Medellín, Colômbia, 2006-2016

RESUMEN Objetivos: el esófago difícil (complejo) representa la vía final común de un conjunto de enfermedades que requieren múltiples procedimientos o cirugía de reemplazo esofágico; ya sea porque desde el inicio es la única alternativa de manejo o porque han fallado previamente otros tipos de intervenciones menos radicales. El objetivo de este estudio es describir los resultados de la cirugía de reconstrucción esofágica en pacientes con patología esofágica compleja en dos hospitales de alto nivel de Medellín (Colombia) entre el 1° enero de 2006 y el 31 de junio de 2016. Métodos: estudio descriptivo retrospectivo en el que se revisaron las historias clínicas del Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe (HPTU) y el Hospital Universitario San Vicente Fundación (HSVF), recopilando 40 pacientes que cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. Resultados: el diagnóstico más frecuente de esófago difícil corresponde a atresia de esófago, seguido de quemadura esofágica. Las causas directas de la condición fueron estenosis esofágicas persistentes, fístulas traqueoesofágicas recurrentes, fístulas esofagopleurales y brecha larga. Las intervenciones quirúrgicas fueron en orden de frecuencia: ascenso gástrico, corrección de la fístula, interposición de colon, esofagostomía más gastrostomía, resección, anastomosis y esofagoplastias. Las principales complicaciones posoperatorias fueron la estenosis, las fístulas, la infección del sitio operatorio y los trastornos funcionales. Conclusiones: los niños con patología esofágica compleja representan un reto para los cirujanos pediátricos, tanto por la dificultad de los procedimientos a los que son sometidos como por la morbilidad de las enfermedades que conllevan y de las cirugías que requieren para dar continuidad al tracto digestivo.

SUMMARY Introduction: complex esophagus represents a final condition that occurs secondary to diseases that require multiple procedures or esophageal replacement surgery, either because it is the only treatment or because others interventions have failed. Our objective is to describe the results of esophageal reconstruction surgery in patients with complex esophageal pathology attended in two high-level hospitals in Medellin, Colombia, between January 1- 2006 and June 31- 2016. Methods: descriptive and retrospective study with review of clinical records at Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe (HPTU) and Hospital Universitario San Vicente Fundación (HSVF), collecting 40 patients. Results: the most frequent diagnosis was esophageal atresia, followed by esophageal burn. The main causes that led these patients to be classified as complex esophagus were persistent esophageal strictures, recurrent tracheoesophageal fistulas, esophageal fistulas and the long gap. The surgical interventions were in order of frequency: gastric replacement, closure of the fistula, colon replacement, esophagostomy and gastrostomy, resection and anastomosis and esophagoplasty. The main postoperative complications of patients undergoing esophageal reinterventions or esophageal replacement were stenosis, fistulas, surgical site infection and functional disorders. Conclusions: children with complex esophageal pathology represent a challenge for pediatric surgeons, because of the difficulty of the procedures they undergo as well as the morbidity of their diseases and surgeries they require to give continuity to their digestive tract.

RESUMO As crianças com patologia esofágica complexa representam um desafio para os cirurgiões pediátricos, tanto pela dificuldade dos procedimentos aos que são submetidos, como pela morbidez das doenças que implicam e das cirurgias que requerem para dar continuidade ao trato digestivo. O objetivo do estudo é descrever os resultados da cirurgia de reconstrução esofágica em pacientes com patologia esofágica complexa, definida como a falha no manejo endoscópico ou na cirurgia de reparação inicial em dois hospitais de alto nível de Medellín, Colômbia entre o dia 1° janeiro de 2006 e o dia 31 de junho de 2016. Se revisaram as histórias do Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe (HPTU) e Hospital San Vicente Fundación (HSVF), recopilando 40 pacientes. O diagnóstico mais frequente de esôfago difícil corresponde a atresia de esôfago, seguido de queimadura esofágica. As principais causas que levaram a estes pacientes a catalogarse como esôfago complexo foram: estenose esofágicas persistentes e fístulas traqueoesofágicas recorrentes, fístulas esôfago-pleurais e brecha longa. As intervenções cirúrgicas foram em ordem de frequência: Ascenso gástrico, correção da fístula, interposição de colón, esofagostomia mais gastrostomia, ressecção, anastomose e esofagoplastias. Apresentam-se as principais complicações pós-operatórias e o tempo de estância hospitalar, nutrição parenteral e em reiniciar a via oral, ademais, mostramos o seguimento pós-cirúrgico.

Doença do refluxo gastroesofágico / Gastroesophageal reflux disease

A doença do refluxo gastroesofágico (DRGE) é uma condição que se desenvolve quando o refluxo do conteúdo procedente do estômago provoca sintomas desagradáveis e/ou complicações. O seu quadro clínico, em geral, costuma ser bastante simples, representado por pirose e/ou regurgitação (manifestações típicas). As manifestações atípicas (sintomas crônicos laríngeos, asma), entretanto, podem também se apresentar isoladamente, tornando mais difícil a suspeita diagnóstica. As manifestações clínicas da doença não são necessariamente correlacionadas com a gravidade das lesões esofágicas. A DRGE pode ser erosiva (quando erosões são visíveis ao exame endoscópico) ou não erosiva (endoscopia negativa). O exame endoscópico não apresenta sensibilidade elevada, já que em cerca de 50% das vezes as erosões não são vistas durante o procedimento. O método endoscópico permite a realização de biópsias nos casos de complicação, como o esôfago de Barrett, estenose e ulceração. A pHmetria de 24 horas é um método sensível e específico, mas apresenta alguns inconvenientes, entre os quais a incapacidade para reconhecer o refluxo duodenogástrico. Nesse sentido, a combinação da pHmetria com a impedância esofágica pode ser bastante útil. O tratamento clínico é dividido em medidas comportamentais/dietéticas (elevação da cabeceira da cama, perda de peso, suspensão do fumo, evitação de chocolate, alimentos gordurosos etc.) e farmacológicas, estas compreendendo o uso de inibidores da bomba protônica (omeprazol, lansoprazol, pantoprazol, rabeprazol e esomeprazol). As complicações da doença e os pacientes que requerem tratamento contínuo de manutenção, principalmente os mais jovens, consistem nas principais indicações cirúrgicas da DRGE. Usualmente os mais responsivos ao tratamento cirúrgico são os que melhor respondem ao tratamento clínico.

Spectrum of Esophageal Abnormality Seen on Thoracic CT

A variety of diseases involve the esophagus including esophagitis, benign or malignant tumors, varices, and esophageal perforation. We reviewed the thoracic CT of these various esophageal diseases, and classified them by similar CT findings. The CT findings were circumferential wall thickening, nodular wall thickening, abnormal luminal dilatation, fistula formation, and mass or mass like lesion. Although CT alone has limited diagnostic ability in esophageal disease, it may have an important role in diagnosing submucosal dissection, fistula, perforation, and intramural abscess.

The Spectrum of Benign Esophageal Lesions: Imaging Findings

Benign esophageal lesions occur in various diseases. Barium studies are useful for the evaluation of mucosal surface lesions but provide little information about the extramucosal extent of disease. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, on the other hand, permit the assessment of wall thickness, mediastinal involvement, adjacent lymphadenopathy, and distant spread. In diseases such as fibrovascular polyps, duplication cysts, scleroderma, trauma, caustic esophagitis, hiatal hernia, esophageal diverticulum, achalasia, and paraesophageal varices, the findings of imaging studies are specific, obviating the need for further invasive diagnostic work-up. The advent of helical computed tomography and its volume data set allows the acquisition of multiplanar images, and magnetic resonance imaging is useful both for this and for tissue characterization. Thus, multiplanar cross-sectional imaging further extends the role of imaging modalities to the evaluation of benign esophageal lesions. Through an awareness of the multiplanar cross-sectional appearances of various benign esophageal lesions, the radiologist can play an important role in the detection, diagnosis, further diagnostic planning, and treatment of the diseases in which they occur.