Study Protocol of the ESAP Study: Endoscopic Papillectomy vs. Surgical Ampullectomy vs. Pancreaticoduodenectomy for Ampullary Neoplasm-A Pancreas2000/EPC Study

Endoscopic papillectomy for ampullary lesions of minor papilla

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Ampullary lesions (ALs) of the minor duodenal papilla are extremely rare. Endoscopic papillectomy (EP) is a routinely used treatment for AL of the major duodenal papilla, but the role of EP for minor AL has not been accurately studied.

METHODS

We identified 20 patients with ALs of minor duodenal papilla in the multicentric database from the Endoscopic Papillectomy vs Surgical Ampullectomy vs Pancreatitcoduodenectomy for Ampullary Neoplasm study, which included 1422 EPs. We used propensity score matching (nearest-neighbor method) to match these cases with ALs of the major duodenal papilla based on age, sex, histologic subtype, and size of the lesion in a 1:2 ratio. Cohorts were compared by means of chi-square or Fisher exact test as well as Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS

Propensity score-based matching identified a cohort of 60 (minor papilla 20, major papilla 40) patients with similar baseline characteristics. The most common histologic subtype of lesions of minor papilla was an ampullary adenoma in 12 patients (3 low-grade dysplasia and 9 high-grade dysplasia). Five patients revealed nonneoplastic lesions. Invasive cancer (T1a), adenomyoma, and neuroendocrine neoplasia were each found in 1 case. The rate of complete resection, en-bloc resection, and recurrences were similar between the groups. There were no severe adverse events after EP of lesions of minor papilla. One patient had delayed bleeding that could be treated by endoscopic hemostasis, and 2 patients showed a recurrence in surveillance endoscopy after a median follow-up of 21 months (interquartile range, 12-50 months).

CONCLUSIONS

EP is safe and effective in ALs of the minor duodenal papilla. Such lesions could be managed according to guidelines for EP of major duodenal papilla.

Long-term follow-up of endoscopic papillectomy and the value of preventive pancreatic stent placement (with videos)

Background

Early-stage ampullary adenomas have only been reported in a small case series on endoscopic management. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of early ampullary adenoma with endoscopic management and identify the risk factors for acute pancreatitis after endoscopic papillectomy (EP).

Methods

In this study, 115 patients who underwent EP at Changhai Hospital (Shanghai, China) between January 2012 and December 2018 were retrospectively analysed. Endoscopy was performed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after EP. Data were statistically analysed using the t-test or the Mann-Whitney U test.

Results

A total of 107 patients were included in this study and the follow-up period was 75 ± 43 months. The average age of the 107 patients was 54.6 years and the average tumor size was 17 mm. The average age of the patients (53.7 ± 10.7 years vs 55.2 ± 10.5 years, P = 0.482), minimum tumor size (13 vs 19 mm, P = 0.063), and complete resection rate (84.78% vs 85.25%, P = 0.947) did not differ significantly between the stent placement and non-stent placement groups. Post-EP acute pancreatitis rates in the non-stent placement and stent placement groups were 11.48% and 4.35%, respectively. The risk of post-EP acute pancreatitis was significantly associated with the preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen level in univariate analysis, but not in multivariate analysis. The risk of post-EP acute pancreatitis was not significantly associated with the placement of the pancreatic stent in either univariate or multivariate analysis. Moreover, delayed proximal pancreatic duct stenosis was not noted in either group during long-term follow-up.

Conclusions

EP is a satisfactory option for treating adenomas of the ampulla of the duodenum.

Endoscopic papillectomy for ampullary lesions in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis compared with sporadic lesions: a propensity score-matched cohort

BACKGROUND

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a rare inherited syndrome that predisposes the patient to cancer. Treatment of FAP-related ampullary lesions is challenging and the role of endoscopic papillectomy has not been elucidated. We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of endoscopic papillectomy in matched cohorts of FAP-related and sporadic ampullary lesions (SALs).

METHODS

This retrospective multicenter study included 1422 endoscopic papillectomy procedures. Propensity score matching including age, sex, comorbidity, histologic subtype, and size was performed. Main outcomes were complete resection (R0), technical success, complications, and recurrence.

RESULTS

Propensity score matching identified 202 patients (101 FAP, 101 SAL) with comparable baseline characteristics. FAP patients were mainly asymptomatic (79.2 % [95 %CI 71.2-87.3] vs. 46.5 % [95 %CI 36.6-56.4]); P < 0.001). The initial R0 rate was significantly lower in FAP patients (63.4 % [95 %CI 53.8-72.9] vs. 83.2 % [95 %CI 75.8-90.6]; P = 0.001). After repeated interventions (mean 1.30 per patient), R0 was comparable (FAP 93.1 % [95 %CI 88.0-98.1] vs. SAL 97.0 % [95 %CI 93.7-100]; P = 0.19). Adverse events occurred in 28.7 %. Pancreatitis and bleeding were the most common adverse events in both groups. Severe adverse events were rare (3.5 %). Overall, 21 FAP patients (20.8 % [95 %CI 12.7-28.8]) and 16 SAL patients (15.8 % [95 %CI 8.6-23.1]; P = 0.36) had recurrence. Recurrences occurred later in FAP patients (25 [95 %CI 18.3-31.7] vs. 2 [95 %CI CI 0.06-3.9] months).

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic papillectomy was safe and effective in FAP-related ampullary lesions. Criteria for endoscopic resection of ampullary lesions can be extended to FAP patients. FAP patients have a lifetime risk of relapse even after complete resection, and require long-time surveillance.

Endoscopic and Surgical Management of Non-Metastatic Ampullary Neuroendocrine Neoplasia: A Multi-Institutional Pancreas2000/EPC Study

INTRODUCTION

Ampullary neuroendocrine neoplasia (NEN) is rare and evidence regarding their management is scarce. This study aimed to describe clinicopathological features, management, and prognosis of ampullary NEN according to their endoscopic or surgical management.

METHODS

From a multi-institutional international database, patients treated with either endoscopic papillectomy (EP), transduodenal surgical ampullectomy (TSA), or pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for ampullary NEN were included. Clinical features, post-procedure complications, and recurrences were assessed.

RESULTS

65 patients were included, 20 (30.8%) treated with EP, 19 (29.2%) with TSA, and 26 (40%) with PD. Patients were mostly asymptomatic (n = 46; 70.8%). Median tumor size was 17 mm (12-22), tumors were mostly grade 1 (70.8%) and pT2 (55.4%). Two (10%) EP resulted in severe American Society for Gastrointestinal Enterology (ASGE) adverse post-procedure complications and 10 (50%) were R0. Clavien 3-5 complications did not occur after TSA and in 4, including 1 postoperative death (15.4%) of patients after PD, with 17 (89.5%) and 26 R0 resection (100%), respectively. The pN1/2 rate was 51.9% (n = 14) after PD. Tumor size larger than 1 cm (i.e., pT stage >1) was a predictor for R1 resection (p < 0.001). Three-year overall survival and disease-free survival after EP, TSA, and PD were 92%, 68%, 92% and 92%, 85%, 73%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Management of ampullary NEN is challenging. EP should not be performed in lesions larger than 1 cm or with a endoscopic ultrasonography T stage beyond T1. Local resection by TSA seems safe and feasible for lesions without nodal involvement. PD should be preferred for larger ampullary NEN at risk of nodal metastasis.

A nomogram diagnostic prediction model of pancreatic metastases of small cell lung carcinoma based on clinical characteristics, radiological features and biomarkers

Objective

To investigate clinical characteristics, radiological features and biomarkers of pancreatic metastases of small cell lung carcinoma (PM-SCLC), and establish a convenient nomogram diagnostic predictive model to differentiate PM-SCLC from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC) preoperatively.

Methods

A total of 299 patients with meeting the criteria (PM-SCLC n=93; PDAC n=206) from January 2016 to March 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 249 patients from hospital 1 (training/internal validation cohort) and 50 patients from hospital 2 (external validation cohort). We searched for meaningful clinical characteristics, radiological features and biomarkers and determined the predictors through multivariable logistic regression analysis. Three models: clinical model, CT imaging model, and combined model, were developed for the diagnosis and prediction of PM-SCLC. Nomogram was constructed based on independent predictors. The receiver operating curve was undertaken to estimate the discrimination.

Results

Six independent predictors for PM-SCLC diagnosis in multivariate logistic regression analysis, including clinical symptoms, CA199, tumor size, parenchymal atrophy, vascular involvement and enhancement type. The nomogram diagnostic predictive model based on these six independent predictors showed the best performance, achieved the AUCs of the training cohort (n = 174), internal validation cohort (n = 75) and external validation cohort (n = 50) were 0.950 (95%CI, 0.917-0.976), 0.928 (95%CI, 0.873-0.971) and 0.976 (95%CI, 0.944-1.00) respectively. The model achieved 94.50% sensitivity, 83.20% specificity, 86.80% accuracy in the training cohort and 100.00% sensitivity, 80.40% specificity, 86.70% accuracy in the internal validation cohort and 100.00% sensitivity, 88.90% specificity, 87.50% accuracy in the external validation cohort.

Conclusion

We proposed a noninvasive and convenient nomogram diagnostic predictive model based on clinical characteristics, radiological features and biomarkers to preoperatively differentiate PM-SCLC from PDAC.

Outcomes of rescue procedures in the management of locally recurrent ampullary tumors: A Pancreas 2000/EPC study

BACKGROUND

Ampullary lesions are rare and can be locally treated either with endoscopic papillectomy or transduodenal surgical ampullectomy. Management of local recurrence after a first-line treatment has been poorly studied.

METHODS

Patients with a local recurrence of an ampullary lesion initially treated with endoscopic papillectomy or transduodenal surgical ampullectomy were retrospectively included from a multi-institutional database (58 centers) between 2005 and 2018.

RESULTS

A total of 103 patients were included, 21 (20.4%) treated with redo endoscopic papillectomy, 14 (13.6%) with transduodenal surgical ampullectomy, and 68 (66%) with pancreaticoduodenectomy. Redo endoscopic papillectomy had low morbidity with 4.8% (n = 1) severe to fatal complications and a R0 rate of 81% (n = 17). Transduodenal surgical ampullectomy and pancreaticoduodenectomy after a first procedure had a higher morbidity with Clavien III and more complications, respectively, 28.6% (n = 4) and 25% (n = 17); R0 resection rates were 85.7% (n = 12) and 92.6% (n = 63), both without statistically significant difference compared to endoscopic papillectomy (P = .1 and 0.2). Pancreaticoduodenectomy had 4.4% (n = 2) mortality. No deaths were registered after transduodenal surgical ampullectomy or endoscopic papillectomy. Recurrences treated with pancreaticoduodenectomy were more likely to be adenocarcinomas (79.4%, n = 54 vs 21.4%, n = 3 for transduodenal surgical ampullectomy and 4.8%, n = 1 for endoscopic papillectomy, P < .0001). Three-year overall survival and disease-free survival were comparable.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopy is appropriate for noninvasive recurrences, with resection rate and survival outcomes comparable to surgery. Surgery applies more to invasive recurrences, with transduodenal surgical ampullectomy rather for carcinoma in situ and early cancers and pancreaticoduodenectomy for more advanced tumors.

Development and Validation of Prognostic Nomograms for Periampullary Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: A SEER Database Analysis

(1) Background: Periampullary neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are rare tumors that lack a prognostic prediction model. We aimed to design comprehensive and effective nomograms to predict prognosis; (2) Methods: Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses were used to screen out significant variables for the construction of the nomograms. The discrimination and calibration of the nomograms were carried out using calibration plots, concordance indices (C-indices), and area under time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves (time-dependent AUCs). Decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to compare the clinical applicability of the nomograms, TNM (Tumor- Node-Metastasis) stage, and SEER stage; (3) Results: The independent risk factors for overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) of patients with periampullary NENs included age, tumor size, histology, differentiation, N stage, M stage, and surgery, which were used to construct the nomograms. The calibration curves and C-indices showed a high degree of agreement between the predicted and actual observed survival rates. The AUCs displayed good calibration and acceptable discrimination of the nomograms. Additionally, the DCA curves indicated that the nomograms showed better clinical applicability; (4) Conclusions: We developed and validated nomogram prognostic models for patients with periampullary NENs. The nomograms provided insightful and applicable tools to evaluate prognosis.

Endoscopic papillectomy or pancreaticoduodenectomy for ampullary lesions: a single center retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to compare post-operative morbidity, mortality, and completeness of resection following endoscopic vs. radical surgical resection for ampullary lesions.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of the prospectively collected data from a surgical database for patients with ampullary lesions at our institution was performed. All consecutive patients undergoing endoscopic papillectomy (EP) or pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for ampullary lesions between 2007 and 2021 were eligible for this analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 85 patients were included of whom 42 underwent EP whereas 43 received a PD. The resected lesion was a tubulovillous adenoma in 26 patients (61.9%) in the EP cohort, and 37 patients (86.0%) in the PD cohort had adenocarcinomas. The completeness of resection was equal in both cohorts. Significantly more patients of the PD cohort had to undergo reinterventions. After a mean follow up of 36 months (EP) vs. 16 months (PD), the rate of tumor recurrence did not differ between both groups.

CONCLUSION

Equivalently high completeness of resection rates and correspondingly low recurrence rates can be achieved after EP and PD. Our results regarding residual tumor and recurrence rates show that even large tumors can be resected endoscopically with high primary success and completeness of resection rates.

Surgical ampullectomy: A comprehensive review

Tumours of the ampulla of Vater are relatively uncommon lesions of the digestive system. They are typically diagnosed at an earlier stage than other types of tumours in this region, due to their tendency to invoke symptoms by obstructing the bile duct or pancreatic duct. Consequently, many are potentially curable by excision. Surgical ampullectomy (SA) (or transduodenal ampullectomy) for an ampullary tumour was first described in 1899, but was soon surpassed by pancreatoduodenectomy (PD), which offered a more extensive resection resulting in a lower risk of recurrence. Ongoing innovation in endoscopic techniques over recent decades has led to the popularization of endoscopic papillectomy (EP), particularly for adenomas and even early cancers. The vast majority of resectable ampullary tumours are now treated using either PD or EP. However, SA continues to play a role in specific circumstances. Many authors have suggested specific indications for SA based on their own data, practices, or interpretations of the literature. However, certain issues have attracted controversy, such as its use for early ampullary cancers. Consequently, there has been a lack of clarity regarding indications for SA, and no evidence-based consensus guidelines have been produced. All studies reporting SA have employed observational designs, and have been heterogeneous in their methodologies. Accordingly, characteristics of patients and their tumours have differed substantially across treatment groups. Therefore, meaningful comparisons of clinical outcomes between SA, PD and EP have been elusive. Nevertheless, it appears that suitably selected cases of ampullary tumours subjected to SA may benefit from favourable peri-operative and long-term outcomes with very low mortality and significantly long survival, hence its role in this setting warrants further clarification, while it can also be useful in the management of specific benign entities. Whilst the commissioning of a randomised controlled trial seems unlikely, well-designed observational studies incorporating adjustments for confounding variables may become the best available comparative evidence for SA, potentially informing the eventual development of consensus guidelines. In this comprehensive review, we explore the role of SA in the modern management of ampullary lesions.

Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis: Endoscopic and Surgical Resection for Ampullary Lesions

Ampullary lesions (ALs) can be treated by endoscopic (EA) or surgical ampullectomy (SA) or pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). However, EA carries significant risk of incomplete resection while surgical interventions can lead to substantial morbidity. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis for R0, adverse-events (AEs) and recurrence between EA, SA and PD. Electronic databases were searched from 1990 to 2018. Outcomes were calculated as pooled means using fixed and random-effects models and the Freeman-Tukey-Double-Arcsine-Proportion-model. We identified 59 independent studies. The pooled R0 rate was 76.6% (71.8–81.4%, I² = 91.38%) for EA, 96.4% (93.6–99.2%, I² = 37.8%) for SA and 98.9% (98.0–99.7%, I² = 0%) for PD. AEs were 24.7% (19.8–29.6%, I² = 86.4%), 28.3% (19.0–37.7%, I² = 76.8%) and 44.7% (37.9–51.4%, I² = 0%), respectively. Recurrences were registered in 13.0% (10.2–15.6%, I² = 91.3%), 9.4% (4.8–14%, I² = 57.3%) and 14.2% (9.5–18.9%, I² = 0%). Differences between proportions were significant in R0 for EA compared to SA (p = 0.007) and PD (p = 0.022). AEs were statistically different only between EA and PD (p = 0.049) and recurrence showed no significance for EA/SA or EA/PD. Our data indicate an increased rate of complete resection in surgical interventions accompanied with a higher risk of complications. However, studies showed various sources of bias, limited quality of data and a significant heterogeneity, particularly in EA studies.

Endoscopic papillectomy for an ampullary neuroendocrine tumor

Ampullary neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are extremely rare, have a high rate of transmural invasion and lymph node metastasis, and are generally recommended for surgery. In contrast, endoscopic papillectomy (EP) for ampullary NET, a low-grade type within the submucosal layer, is feasible and useful to avoid surgery. However, EP for ampullary NET is controversial, there are no consensus guidelines, and international recommendations are lacking. We present the case of a 60-year-old man with an ampullary NET who was successfully treated with EP via a hexagonal snare. Prior to EP, endoscopic ultrasonography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, and intraductal ultrasonography in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography were performed to assess for ductal infiltration of the NET. The specimen revealed a low-grade NET measuring 1.0 × 0.8 × 0.7 cm without venous or lymphatic infiltration, which was negative for horizontal and vertical margins. No recurrence was observed over a 12-month follow-up.