Endoscopic Management of Gastric Polyp with Outlet Obstruction without Polypectomy

Early gastric cancer with ball valve syndrome treated by endoscopic submucosal dissection

An 84-year-old woman with pneumonia, congestive heart failure and chronic renal failure presented for iron-deficiency anemia and appetite loss. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed a 60-mm sub-pedunculated tumor arising from the antrum of the stomach. The tumor was friable, with bleeding, and prolapsed into the duodenal bulb, the ball valve syndrome. The tumor was considered the cause of the anemia and appetite loss. Attempted endoscopic reduction of the prolapsing tumor was unsuccessful, but the base of its stalk could be identified through the transparent hood; thus, we removed the tumor with endoscopic submucosal dissection. The tumor was retrieved successfully, and pathohistological examination revealed the tumor to be a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. This case suggests that endoscopic submucosal dissection is useful as an alternative to surgery for removal of gastric tumors that have prolapsed into the duodenal bulb when polypectomy was difficult, but provided the tumor's attachment site can be identified endoscopically.

A Large Gastric Inflammatory Fibroid Polyp

Inflammatory fibroid polyp (IFP) is an unusual benign gastrointestinal subepithelial tumor (SET). The endosonographic (EUS) features of IFPs were sporadically reported on imaging tips or small case series study. However, the differential diagnosis and optimal treatment of gastric IFP is still challenging. We report an unusual case of a large erosioned and prolapsing gastric submucosal lesion, presenting primarily with obstructive symptoms ("ball valve syndrome") and anemia. On EUS examination, a 50 mm SET in the distal antrum was seen, with hypoechoic but heterogeneous echo-pattern, located in the second and third sonographic layers of the gastric wall (deep mucosal and submucosal). The fourth (muscle) layer was intact; no peri-lesional adenopathies were identified. A decision was made to proceed to endoscopic treatment because of the mentioned symptoms. Histopathologic evaluation of the resected specimen with immunohistochemical staining was consistent with the diagnosis of IFP. IFP rarely reach these large dimensions or cause symptoms. Despite its benign etiology, endoscopic resection was important in both establishing a histologic diagnosis and treatment. EUS was crucial in the differential diagnosis. The literature concerning IFP is also reviewed.

Development of a swine bile duct dilation model using endoclips or a detachable snare under cap-assisted endoscopy

BACKGROUND

A reproducible large animal model of bile duct dilation for the preclinical testing of new biliary devices and for training endoscopic biliary intervention is required. Surgical methods are mainly used to produce large animal models of biliary obstruction.

OBJECTIVE

To develop an animal model of bile duct dilation using endoscopic methods and to compare the merits of endoclips and detachable snares for the obstruction of major duodenal papillae.

DESIGN

Proof of concept experimental study.

SETTINGS

Animal laboratory.

INTERVENTIONS

Endoscopic clipping of the major duodenal papilla or closure of the major duodenal papilla with a detachable snare.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Feasibility, efficacy, and safety of endoscopic methods to develop swine models with bile duct dilation were estimated by degree of dilation at the common bile duct (CBD), intrahepatic duct (IHD), and gallbladder (GB).

RESULTS

All animals survived until the end of the experiment. Clipping of the major duodenal papilla and closure of the major duodenal papilla with a detachable snare were performed successfully in all swine. No technical difficulty or adverse event occurred during the procedures. Biliary dilatations in all animals were observed on cholangiograms (mean Δ% of postprocedural and preprocedural maximum diameters: CBD, 301%; IHD, 223.5%; GB, 34.8%). Degree of bile duct dilation in the snare group tended to be greater (CBD, 367.3%; IHD, 298.3%; GB, 47.8%) than in the endoclip group (CBD, 234.7%; IHD, 148.7%; GB, 21.8%), but this difference was not significant. An analysis of degrees of dilation according to location in the biliary tree showed that the GB was not dilated as well as the CBD or IHD.

LIMITATIONS

Animal model.

CONCLUSION

The 2 endoscopic procedures described are effective and safe for creating a swine model of bile duct dilation and could be helpful for training biliary intervention and for endoscopic biliary studies.

Antral hyperplastic polyp: A rare cause of gastric outlet obstruction

INTRODUCTION

Gastric polyps are usually found incidentally during upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examinations. These polyps are generally benign, with hyperplasia being the most common. While gastric polyps are often asymptomatic, they can cause gastric outlet obstruction.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 64 years-old female patient presented to our polyclinic with a history of approximately 2 months of weakness, occasional early nausea, vomiting after meals and epigastric pain. A polypoid lesion of approximately 25mm in diameter was detected in the antral area of the stomach, which prolapsed through the pylorus into the duodenal bulbus, and subsequently caused gastric outlet obstruction, as revealed by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy of the patient. The polyp was retrieved from the pyloric canal into the stomach with the aid of a tripod, and snare polypectomy was performed.

DISCUSSION

Currently, widespread use of endoscopy has led to an increase in the frequency of detecting hyperplastic polyps. While most gastric polyps are asymptomatic, they can cause iron deficiency anemia, acute pancreatitis and more commonly, gastric outlet obstruction because of their antral location. Although there are no precise principles in the treatment of asymptomatic polyps, polyps >5mm should be removed due to the possibility of malignant transformation.

CONCLUSION

According to the medical evidence, polypectomy is required for gastric hyperplastic polyps because of the risks of complication and malignancy. These cases can be successfully treated endoscopically.