Rise In First-Time ERCP For Benign Indications >1 Year After Cholecystectomy Is Associated With Worse Outcomes

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Greater availability of less invasive biliary imaging to rule out choledocholithiasis should reduce the need for diagnostic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients who have a remote history of cholecystectomy. The primary aims were to determine the incidence, characteristics, and outcomes of individuals who undergo first-time ERCP > 1 year after cholecystectomy (late-ERCP).

METHODS

Data from a commercial insurance claim database (Optum Clinformatics) identified 583,712 adults who underwent cholecystectomy, 4,274 of whom underwent late-ERCP, defined as first-time ERCP for nonmalignant indications > 1 year after cholecystectomy. Outcomes were exposure and temporal trends in late-ERCP, biliary imaging utilization, and post-ERCP outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine patient characteristics associated with undergoing late ERCP.

RESULTS

Despite a temporal increase in the use of non-invasive biliary imaging (35.9% in 2004 to 65.6% in 2021, p<0.001), the rate of late-ERCP increased eight-fold: 0.5 to 4.2/1,000 person-years from 2005 to 2021, p<0.001). While only 44% of patients who underwent late-ERCP had gallstone removal, there were high rates of post-ERCP pancreatitis (7.1%), hospitalization (13.1%), and new chronic opioid use (9.7%). Factors associated with late-ERCP included concomitant disorder of gut-brain interaction (OR 6.48, 95%CI:5.88-6.91) and metabolic dysfunction steatotic liver disease (OR 3.27 95%CI:2.79-3.55) along with use of anxiolytic (OR 3.45 95%CI:3.19-3.58), anti-spasmodic (OR 1.60 95%CI:1.53-1.72), and chronic opioids (OR 6.24 95%CI:5.79-6.52).

CONCLUSION

The rate of late-ERCP post-cholecystectomy is increasing significantly, particularly in patients with comorbidities associated with disorder of gut-brain interaction and mimickers of choledocholithiasis. Late-ERCPs are associated with disproportionately higher rates of adverse events, including initiation of chronic opioid use.

Interventions for Pancreatitis-New Approaches, Knowledge Gaps, and Research Opportunities: Summary of a National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Workshop

ABSTRACT

There exists no cure for acute, recurrent acute or chronic pancreatitis and treatments to date have been focused on managing symptoms. A recent workshop held by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) focused on interventions that might disrupt or perhaps even reverse the natural course of this heterogenous disease, aiming to identify knowledge gaps and research opportunities that might inform future funding initiatives for NIDDK. The breadth and variety of identified active or planned clinical trials traverses the spectrum of the disease and was conceptually grouped for the workshop into behavioral, nutritional, pharmacologic and biologic, and mechanical interventions. Cognitive and other behavioral therapies are proven interventions for pain and addiction, but barriers exist to their use. Whilst a disease specific instrument quantifying pain is now validated, an equivalent is lacking for nutrition - and both face challenges in ease and frequency of administration. Multiple pharmacologic agents hold promise. Ongoing development of Patient Reported Outcome (PRO) measurements can satisfy Investigative New Drug (IND) regulatory assessments. Despite multiple randomized clinical trials demonstrating benefit, great uncertainty remains regarding patient selection, timing of intervention, and type of mechanical intervention (endoscopic versus surgery). Challenges and opportunities to establish beneficial interventions for patients were identified.

Indomethacin with or without prophylactic pancreatic stent placement to prevent pancreatitis after ERCP: a randomised non-inferiority trial

BACKGROUND

The combination of rectally administered indomethacin and placement of a prophylactic pancreatic stent is recommended to prevent pancreatitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in high-risk patients. Preliminary evidence suggests that the use of indomethacin might eliminate or substantially reduce the need for stent placement, a technically complex, costly, and potentially harmful intervention.

METHODS

In this randomised, non-inferiority trial conducted at 20 referral centres in the USA and Canada, patients (aged ≥18 years) at high risk for post-ERCP pancreatitis were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive rectal indomethacin alone or the combination of indomethacin plus a prophylactic pancreatic stent. Patients, treating clinicians, and outcomes assessors were masked to study group assignment. The primary outcome was post-ERCP pancreatitis. To declare non-inferiority, the upper bound of the two-sided 95% CI for the difference in post-ERCP pancreatitis (indomethacin alone minus indomethacin plus stent) would have to be less than 5% (non-inferiority margin) in both the intention-to-treat and per-protocol populations. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02476279), and is complete.

FINDINGS

Between Sept 17, 2015, and Jan 25, 2023, a total of 1950 patients were randomly assigned. Post-ERCP pancreatitis occurred in 145 (14·9%) of 975 patients in the indomethacin alone group and in 110 (11·3%) of 975 in the indomethacin plus stent group (risk difference 3·6%; 95% CI 0·6-6·6; p=0·18 for non-inferiority). A post-hoc intention-to-treat analysis of the risk difference between groups showed that indomethacin alone was inferior to the combination of indomethacin plus prophylactic stent (p=0·011). The relative benefit of stent placement was generally consistent across study subgroups but appeared more prominent among patients at highest risk for pancreatitis. Safety outcomes (serious adverse events, intensive care unit admission, and hospital length of stay) did not differ between groups.

INTERPRETATION

For preventing post-ERCP pancreatitis in high-risk patients, a strategy of indomethacin alone was not as effective as a strategy of indomethacin plus prophylactic pancreatic stent placement. These results support prophylactic pancreatic stent placement in addition to rectal indomethacin administration in high-risk patients, in accordance with clinical practice guidelines.

FUNDING

US National Institutes of Health.

Characteristics of Patients Undergoing Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography for Sphincter of Oddi Disorders

The concept that sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) can cause attacks of biliary-type pain in postcholecystectomy patients and those with unexplained recurrent acute pancreatitis, and that endoscopic sphincterotomy can ameliorate symptoms, remains unproven. The Evaluating Predictors and Interventions in Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction (EPISOD) study of patients without objective evidence for biliary obstruction showed no difference in outcomes between those who underwent sphincterotomy or sham treatment.¹ To date, there have been no studies examining the characteristics of patients who still are being offered endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for SOD since the EPISOD publication, although the absolute number appears to have declined.².

Serum biomarkers for chronic pancreatitis pain patterns

OBJECTIVES

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is associated with debilitating refractory pain. Distinct subtypes of CP pain have been previously characterized based on severity (none, mild-moderate, severe) and temporal (none, intermittent, constant) nature of pain, but no mechanism-based tools are available to guide pain management. This exploratory study was designed to determine if potential pain biomarkers could be detected in patient serum and whether they associate with specific pain patterns.

METHODS

Cytokines, chemokines, and peptides associated with nociception and pain were measured in legacy serum samples from CP patients (N = 99) enrolled in the North American Pancreatitis Studies. The unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis was applied to cluster CP patients based on their biomarker profile. Classification and regression tree was used to assess whether these biomarkers can predict pain outcomes.

RESULTS

The hierarchical cluster analysis revealed a subset of patients with predominantly constant, mild-moderate pain exhibited elevated interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP1) whereas patients with higher interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) were more likely to have severe pain. Interestingly, analyses of each individual biomarker revealed that patients with constant pain had reduced circulating TNFα and fractalkine. Patients with severe pain exhibited a significant reduction in TNFα as well as trends towards lower levels of IL-6 and substance P.

DISCUSSION

The observations from this study indicate that unique pain experiences within the chronic pancreatitis population can be associated with distinct biochemical signatures. These data indicate that further hypothesis-driven analyses combining biochemical measurements and detailed pain phenotyping could be used to develop precision approaches for pain management in patients with chronic pancreatitis.

An Unsuccessful Randomized Trial of Percutaneous vs Endoscopic Drainage of Suspected Malignant Hilar Obstruction

Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are widely accepted but competing approaches for the management of malignant obstruction at the hilum of the liver. ERCP is favored in the United States on the basis of high success rates for non-hilar indications, the perceived safety and superior tissue sampling capability of ERCP relative to PTBD, and the avoidance of external drains that are undesirable to patients. A recent randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing the 2 modalities in patients with resectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma was terminated prematurely because of higher mortality in the PTBD group.¹ In contrast, most observational data suggest that PTBD is superior for achieving complete drainage.^2-6 Because the preferred procedure remains uncertain, we aimed to compare PTBD and ERCP as the primary intervention in patients with cholestasis due to malignant hilar obstruction (MHO).

Constant-severe pain in chronic pancreatitis is associated with genetic loci for major depression in the NAPS2 cohort

BACKGROUND

Pain is the most debilitating symptom of recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) and chronic pancreatitis (CP) and often requires chronic opioids or total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation to manage. Pain is a complex experience that can be exacerbated by depression and vice versa. Our aim was to test the hypothesis that depression-associated genes are associated with a constant-severe pain experience in RAP/CP patients.

STUDY

A retrospective study was done using North American Pancreatitis Study II (NAPS2) genotyped RAP and CP patients with completed case report forms (n = 1,357). Subjects were divided based on pattern of pain and pain severity as constant-severe pain (n = 787) versus not constant-severe pain (n = 570) to conduct a nested genome-wide association study. The association between reported antidepressant medication use and depression gene loci was tested.

RESULTS

Constant-severe pain was reported in 58% (n = 787) of pancreatitis patients. No differences in sex or alcohol consumption were found based on pain severity. Antidepressant use was reported in 28% (n = 223), and they had lower SF-12 mental quality of life (MCS, p < 2.2 × 10^- 16). Fifteen loci associated with constant-severe pain (p < 0.00001) were found to be in or near depression-associated genes including ROBO2, CTNND2, SGCZ, CNTN5 and BAIAP2. Three of these genes respond to antidepressant use (SGCZ, ROBO2, and CTNND2).

CONCLUSION

Depression is a major co-factor in the pain experience. This genetic predisposition to depression may have utility in counseling patients and in instituting early antidepressant therapy for pain management of pancreatitis patients. Prospective randomized trials are warranted.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION

Clinicaltriasl.gov.# NCT01545167.

Advanced techniques for pancreaticobiliary stone extraction

Background and Aims

Pancreaticobiliary stone extraction during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography can be challenging when working space is limited or the duct is irregular and strictured. We aimed to demonstrate several difficult anatomic scenarios in which stone extraction was accomplished by ductoscopic grasping and retrieval using miniature devices.

Methods

In 2 cases, a miniature retrieval basket and snare are used during cholangioscopy to grasp refractory stones in the intrahepatic and cystic ducts, respectively. In cases 3 and 4, a miniature basket and snare are used during pancreatoscopy to facilitate stone extraction from stenotic and tortuous pancreatic ducts. In case 5, a miniature forceps is used to extract a stone from within a dilated pancreatic side branch.

Results

Stone extraction was successful in all cases without adverse events.

Conclusions

Miniature grasping accessories that fit through the working channel of the cholangioscope/pancreatoscope may allow stone retrieval in difficult anatomic scenarios and thus represent a meaningful addition to our therapeutic armamentarium for the treatment of this condition.

SpHincterotomy for Acute Recurrent Pancreatitis Randomized Trial: Rationale, Methodology, and Potential Implications

OBJECTIVES

In patients with acute recurrent pancreatitis (ARP), pancreas divisum, and no other etiologic factors, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with minor papilla endoscopic sphincterotomy (miES) is often performed to enlarge the minor papillary orifice, based on limited data. The aims of this study are to describe the rationale and methodology of a sham-controlled clinical trial designed to test the hypothesis that miES reduces the risk of acute pancreatitis.

METHODS

The SpHincterotomy for Acute Recurrent Pancreatitis (SHARP) trial is a multicenter, international, sham-controlled, randomized trial comparing endoscopic ultrasound + ERCP with miES versus endoscopic ultrasound + sham for the management of ARP. A total of 234 consented patients having 2 or more discrete episodes of acute pancreatitis, pancreas divisum confirmed by magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, and no other clear etiology for acute pancreatitis will be randomized. Both cohorts will be followed for a minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 48 months.

RESULTS

The trial is powered to detect a 33% risk reduction of acute pancreatitis frequency.

CONCLUSIONS

The SHARP trial will determine whether ERCP with miES benefits patients with idiopathic ARP and pancreas divisum. Trial planning has informed the importance of blinded outcome assessors and long-term follow-up.

Reducing the risk of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis using 4-Fr pancreatic plastic stents placed with common-type guidewires: Results from a prospective multinational registry

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Pancreatic plastic stents (PPS) can reduce the risk of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP). Prospective multicenter documentation of PEP rate after PPS placement is scarce. A new 4-Fr stent designed to be deployed over a 0.035-inch guidewire was used to assess the effectiveness of PEP prophylaxis.

METHODS

High-PEP-risk patients received a 4-Fr PPS for primary or secondary prophylaxis at seven centers in four countries. Patients were followed until spontaneous PPS migration, endoscopic stent removal, or for 4 months, whichever came first. Main outcome was PEP rate.

RESULTS

One hundred six (106) patients received PPS for PEP prophylaxis [61 (58%) primary, 45 (42%) secondary prophylaxis]. Median age was 54 years. Eighty-one (76%) PPS were placed using a 0.035-inch guidewire. By investigator choice 99 (93%) stents were single pigtail. Median stent length was 8 cm (range 3-12 cm). Technical success achieved in 100% of cases. Two patients in the primary prophylaxis group (3%, 95% CI 0.4-11%) experienced mild/moderate PEP. Seventy-eight PPS available for analysis underwent spontaneous migration after a median of 29 days. There were no reports of stent-induced ductal trauma. Post-hoc analysis of migration rate by PPS length showed no statistically significant trend.

CONCLUSIONS

Among high-risk patients in the primary prophylaxis group, observed rates of PEP are low (3%, 95% CI 0.4-11%) with the use of prophylactic 4-Fr pancreatic duct stents compatible with a 0.035-inch guidewire. This low rate is not unequivocally due to the prophylactic stent.

Accelerating the Drug Delivery Pipeline for Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis: Summary of the Working Group on Drug Development and Trials in Recurrent Acute Pancreatitis at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Workshop

Recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) is a complex clinical syndrome with significant morbidity, unpredictable outcomes, and limited treatment options. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease sponsored a workshop on July 25, 2018, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to address research gaps impeding development of effective therapies for pancreatitis. The RAP working group identified challenges to clinical progress using existing definitions, risk assessment, diagnostic and severity criteria, disease trajectories, outcomes, and research methods. Recurrent acute pancreatitis includes all the risk of acute pancreatitis and often progresses to chronic pancreatitis with variable complications of chronic pain, exocrine insufficiency, diabetes, and pancreatic cancer. However, the great variability among individuals with RAP requires better precision in defining the risks, individual episodes, as well as their frequency, pathogenic pathways, and specific outcome measures for each of the systems affected by pancreatic inflammation. Because of disease complexity, few patients are similar enough for traditional studies and methods to conduct clinical trials with small sample sizes are required. The need for genetic testing, biomarker development, and better imaging methods was highlighted. Adaptive and N-of-one study designs, better endpoints, and outcome measures including patient-reported outcomes should considered early in developing future therapeutic trial design and include all stakeholders.

Competence in Endoscopic Ultrasound and Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography, From Training Through Independent Practice

BACKGROUND & AIMS

It is unclear whether participation in competency-based fellowship programs for endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) results in high-quality care in independent practice. We measured quality indicator (QI) adherence during the first year of independent practice among physicians who completed endoscopic training with a systematic assessment of competence.

METHODS

We performed a prospective multicenter cohort study of invited participants from 62 training programs. In phase 1, 24 advanced endoscopy trainees (AETs), from 20 programs, were assessed using a validated competence assessment tool. We used a comprehensive data collection and reporting system to create learning curves using cumulative sum analysis that were shared with AETs and trainers quarterly. In phase 2, participating AETs entered data into a database pertaining to every EUS and ERCP examination during their first year of independent practice, anchored by key QIs.

RESULTS

By the end of training, most AETs had achieved overall technical competence (EUS 91.7%, ERCP 73.9%) and cognitive competence (EUS 91.7%, ERCP 94.1%). In phase 2 of the study, 22 AETs (91.6%) participated and completed a median of 136 EUS examinations per AET and 116 ERCP examinations per AET. Most AETs met the performance thresholds for QIs in EUS (including 94.4% diagnostic rate of adequate samples and 83.8% diagnostic yield of malignancy in pancreatic masses) and ERCP (94.9% overall cannulation rate).

CONCLUSIONS

In this prospective multicenter study, we found that although competence cannot be confirmed for all AETs at the end of training, most meet QI thresholds for EUS and ERCP at the end of their first year of independent practice. This finding affirms the effectiveness of training programs. Clinicaltrials.gov ID NCT02509416.

Trends in the timing of inpatient ERCP relative to cholecystectomy: a nationwide database studied longitudinally

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

ERCP has largely replaced common bile duct exploration for therapy of common bile duct pathology, yet its use as a purely diagnostic test has declined. Among inpatients, we hypothesized that timing between ERCP and cholecystectomy (CCY) has changed. The objectives were to measure temporal trends in the timing between inpatient ERCP and CCY and to examine factors associated with delays.

METHODS

We used the National Inpatient Sample between 1998 and 2013 to classify admissions for gallstone-related diagnoses undergoing inpatient CCY and ERCP by timing relative to CCY: within (±) 1 day, ≥2 days before, and ≥2 days after. Logistic regression and Poisson regression were used to determine pattern utilization and association of ERCP timing on hospital length of stay.

RESULTS

Between 1998 and 2013, the proportion of admissions for CCY associated with same-stay ERCP increased (14.5% in 1998 to 17.3% in 2013, P < .001), and approximately two-thirds of ERCPs were performed within 1 day of CCY. After adjusting for covariates, the mean adjusted length of stay remained significantly shorter for patients who underwent CCY within 1 day of ERCP (5.13 vs 7.48 days for ERCP ≥2 days before and vs 7.41 days for ERCP ≥2 days after, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Use of inpatient ERCP in conjunction with CCY has increased minimally between 1998 and 2013, whereas length of stay has decreased. ERCPs performed within 1 day of CCY were associated with shorter hospital length of stay, suggesting delays between inpatient procedures should be minimized unless medical comorbidities preclude it.

Known genetic susceptibility factors for chronic pancreatitis in patients of European ancestry are rare in patients of African ancestry

BACKGROUND

Multiple pathogenic genetic variants are associated with pancreatitis in patients of European (EA) and Asian ancestries, but studies on patients of African ancestry (AA) are lacking. We evaluated the prevalence of known genetic variations in African-American subjects in the US.

METHODS

We studied prospectively enrolled controls (n = 238) and patients with chronic (CP) (n = 232) or recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) (n = 45) in the NAPS2 studies from 2000-2014 of self-identified AA. Demographic and phenotypic information was obtained from structured questionnaires. Ancestry and admixture were evaluated by principal component analysis (PCA). Genotyping was performed for pathogenic genetic variants in PRSS1, SPINK1, CFTR and CTRC. Prevalence of disease-associated variants in NAPS2 subjects of AA and EA was compared.

RESULTS

When compared with CP subjects of EA (n = 862), prevalence of established pathogenic genetic variants was infrequent in AA patients with CP, overall (29 vs. 8.19%, OR 4.60, 95% CI 2.74-7.74, p < 0.001), and after stratification by alcohol etiology (p < 0.001). On PCA, AA cases were more heterogeneous but distinct from EA subjects; no difference was observed between AA subjects with and without CP-associated variants. Of 19 A A patients with CP who had pathogenic genetic variants, 2 had variants in PRSS1 (R122H, R122C), 4 in SPINK1 (all N34S heterozygotes), 12 in CFTR (2 CFTR^sev, 9 CFTR^BD, 1 compound heterozygote with CFTR^sev and CFTR^BD), and 1 in CTRC (R254W).

CONCLUSION

Pathogenic genetic variants reported in EA patients are significantly less common in AA patients. Further studies are needed to determine the complex risk factors for AA subjects with pancreatitis.

Recurrent Acute Pancreatitis Significantly Reduces Quality of Life Even in the Absence of Overt Chronic Pancreatitis

OBJECTIVES

The impact of recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) on quality of life (QOL) is unknown. We hypothesized that RAP would reduce QOL even in the absence of chronic pancreatitis (CP).

METHODS

Data were pooled from three prospective, cross-sectional studies conducted across 27 U.S. centers (the North American Pancreatitis Studies); these included subjects with chronic pancreatitis (n = 1086), RAP alone (n = 508), and non-disease controls (n = 1025). QOL was measured using the Short Form 12 (SF-12), generating a Physical Component Summary (PCS) and the Mental Component Summary score (MCS). Multivariable regression models were developed to measure the effect of RAP on QOL, the predictors of lower QOL in those with RAP, and the differential effect QOL predictors between CP and RAP.

RESULTS

Compared to controls (51.0 ± 9.4), subjects with RAP (41.1 ± 11.4) and CP (37.2 ± 11.8) had lower PCS (p < 0.01). Subjects with CP had lower PCS compared to those with RAP (p < 0.01). Similarly, MCS was lower among RAP (44.6 ± 11.5) and CP (42.8 ± 12.2) subjects compared to controls (51.7 ± 9.1, p < 0.01). Subjects with CP had lower MCS compared to those with RAP (p < 0.01). After controlling for independent predictors of PCS, RAP was associated with lower PCS (estimate -8.46, p < 0.01) and MCS (estimate -6.45, p < 0.0001) compared to controls. The effect of endocrine insufficiency on PCS was differentially greater among RAP subjects (-1.28 for CP vs. -4.9 for RAP, p = 0.0184).

CONCLUSIONS

Even in the absence of CP, subjects with RAP have lower physical and mental QOL. This underscores the importance of identifying interventions to attenuate RAP before the development of overt CP.

Percutaneous transhepatic vs. endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage for suspected malignant hilar obstruction: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background

The optimal approach to the drainage of malignant obstruction at the liver hilum remains uncertain. We aim to compare percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) to endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) as the first intervention in patients with cholestasis due to suspected malignant hilar obstruction (MHO).

Methods

The INTERCPT trial is a multi-center, comparative effectiveness, randomized, superiority trial of PTBD vs. ERC for decompression of suspected MHO. One hundred and eighty-four eligible patients across medical centers in the United States, who provide informed consent, will be randomly assigned in 1:1 fashion via a web-based electronic randomization system to either ERC or PTBD as the initial drainage and, if indicated, diagnostic procedure. All subsequent clinical interventions, including crossover to the alternative procedure, will be dictated by treating physicians per usual clinical care. Enrolled subjects will be assessed for successful biliary drainage (primary outcome measure), adequate tissue diagnosis, adverse events, the need for additional procedures, hospitalizations, and oncological outcomes over a 6-month follow-up period. Subjects, treating clinicians and outcome assessors will not be blinded.

Discussion

The INTERCPT trial is designed to determine whether PTBD or ERC is the better initial approach when managing a patient with suspected MHO, a common clinical dilemma that has never been investigated in a randomized trial.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT03172832. Registered on 1 June 2017.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13063-018-2473-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Provider-specific quality measurement for ERCP using natural language processing

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Natural language processing (NLP) is an information retrieval technique that has been shown to accurately identify quality measures for colonoscopy. There are no systematic methods by which to track adherence to quality measures for ERCP, the highest risk endoscopic procedure widely used in practice. Our aim was to demonstrate the feasibility of using NLP to measure adherence to ERCP quality indicators across individual providers.

METHODS

ERCPs performed by 6 providers at a single institution from 2006 to 2014 were identified. Quality measures were defined using society guidelines and from expert opinion, and then extracted using a combination of NLP and data mining (eg, ICD9-CM codes). Validation for each quality measure was performed by manual record review. Quality measures were grouped into preprocedure (5), intraprocedure (6), and postprocedure (2). NLP was evaluated using measures of precision and accuracy.

RESULTS

A total of 23,674 ERCPs were analyzed (average patient age, 52.9 ± 17.8 years, 14,113 were women [59.6%]). Among 13 quality measures, precision of NLP ranged from 84% to 100% with intraprocedure measures having lower precision (84% for precut sphincterotomy). Accuracy of NLP ranged from 90% to 100% with intraprocedure measures having lower accuracy (90% for pancreatic stent placement).

CONCLUSIONS

NLP in conjunction with data mining facilitates individualized tracking of ERCP providers for quality metrics without the need for manual medical record review. Incorporation of these tools across multiple centers may permit tracking of ERCP quality measures through national registries.

Informative Patterns of Health-Care Utilization Prior to the Diagnosis of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Early-detection tests for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are needed. Since a hypothetical screening test would be applied during antecedent clinical encounters, we sought to define the variability in health-care utilization leading up to PDAC diagnosis. This was a retrospective cohort study that included patients diagnosed with PDAC in the Indianapolis, Indiana, area between 1999 and 2013 with at least 1 health-care encounter during the antecedent 36-month period (n = 1,023). Patients were classified by unique patterns of health-care utilization using a group-based trajectory model. The prevalences of PDAC signals, such as diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic pancreatitis, were compared. Four distinct trajectories were identified, the most common (42.0%) being having few clinical encounters more than 6 months prior to PDAC diagnosis (late acceleration). In all cases, a minority of persons had DM (30.6%, with 9.5% <1.5 years before PDAC) or any pancreatic disorder (39.9%); these were least common in the late-acceleration group (DM, 14.7%; any pancreatic disorder, 32.1% (P < 0.001)). The most common pattern of antecedent care was having few clinical encounters until shortly before PDAC diagnosis. Since the majority of patients diagnosed with PDAC do not have an antecedent PDAC signal, early-detection strategies limited to these groups may not apply to the majority of cases.

Systematic review of transgastric ERCP in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass patients

Balloon-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatoscopy (ERCP) in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) patients is technically challenging due to anatomic and accessory constraints, thus success rates are modest. Transgastric ERCP (TG-ERCP) offers a viable alternative. We aimed to systematically review the literature on TG-ERCP in RYGB patients to better define the technical approaches, success rates, and adverse events of this procedure. A computer-assisted search of the Embase and PubMed databases was performed to identify studies that focused on the techniques and clinical outcomes of TG-ERCP. Two investigators independently identified studies and abstracted relevant data. The literature search yielded 26 eligible studies comprising 509 TG-ERCP cases. Access to the excluded stomach to facilitate ERCP was achieved laparoscopically in 58% of reported cases, via open surgery (6% of reported cases), by antecedent placement of a percutaneous gastrostomy tube (33%), or with endoscopic ultrasound assistance (3%). Successful gastric access was reported in 100% of cases and successful ductal cannulation in 98.5%. Adverse events were reported in 14% of cases; 80% of these were related to gastrostomy creation and the rest were attributable to ERCP. Wound infections (n = 19, 3.7%) were the most common gastrostomy-related adverse event, and post-ERCP pancreatitis (n = 7, 1.4%) was the most common ERCP-related adverse event. No deaths were reported. Based on existing observational studies, TG-ERCP appears to be a safe and highly effective approach in patients with RYGB anatomy. Additional research and clinical experience are needed to more precisely define the risk-benefit ratio and optimal technique of TG-ERCP.

Adjunctive radiofrequency ablation for the endoscopic treatment of ampullary lesions with intraductal extension (with video)

Catheter-based radiofrequency ablation (RFA) delivered during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) may represent a viable treatment option for intraductal extension of ampullary neoplasms, however, clinical experience with this modality is limited. After ampullary resection, 4 patients with intraductal extension underwent adjunctive RFA of the distal bile duct. All patients received a temporary pancreatic stent to reduce the risk of pancreatitis, as well as a plastic biliary stent to prevent biliary obstruction. Three patients were treated for adenoma and 1 for adenoma with a focus of adenocarcinoma. During a short follow-up period, 3 patients experienced complete eradication of the target lesion, whereas the patient with a focus of adenocarcinoma had progression to overt invasive cancer. There were no immediate adverse events. One patient developed a post-RFA bile duct stricture, which has required additional endoscopic therapy. Catheter-based RFA of ampullary lesions that extend up the bile duct is technically feasible. Additional research is necessary to understand the risks and long-term benefits of this technique.

Effect of Covered Metallic Stents Compared With Plastic Stents on Benign Biliary Stricture Resolution: A Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

Endoscopic placement of multiple plastic stents in parallel is the first-line treatment for most benign biliary strictures; it is possible that fully covered, self-expandable metallic stents (cSEMS) may require fewer endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography procedures (ERCPs) to achieve resolution.

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether use of cSEMS is noninferior to plastic stents with respect to stricture resolution.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Multicenter (8 endoscopic referral centers), open-label, parallel, randomized clinical trial involving patients with treatment-naive, benign biliary strictures (N = 112) due to orthotopic liver transplant (n = 73), chronic pancreatitis (n = 35), or postoperative injury (n = 4), who were enrolled between April 2011 and September 2014 (with follow-up ending October 2015). Patients with a bile duct diameter less than 6 mm and those with an intact gallbladder in whom the cystic duct would be overlapped by a cSEMS were excluded.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients (N = 112) were randomized to receive multiple plastic stents or a single cSEMS, stratified by stricture etiology and with endoscopic reassessment for resolution every 3 months (plastic stents) or every 6 months (cSEMS). Patients were followed up for 12 months after stricture resolution to assess for recurrence.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Primary outcome was stricture resolution after no more than 12 months of endoscopic therapy. The sample size was estimated based on the noninferiority of cSEMS to plastic stents, with a noninferiority margin of -15%.

RESULTS

There were 55 patients in the plastic stent group (mean [SD] age, 57 [11] years; 17 women [31%]) and 57 patients in the cSEMS group (mean [SD] age, 55 [10] years; 19 women [33%]). Compared with plastic stents (41/48, 85.4%), the cSEMS resolution rate was 50 of 54 patients (92.6%), with a rate difference of 7.2% (1-sided 95% CI, -3.0% to ∞; P < .001). Given the prespecified noninferiority margin of -15%, the null hypothesis that cSEMS is less effective than plastic stents was rejected. The mean number of ERCPs to achieve resolution was lower for cSEMS (2.14) vs plastic (3.24; mean difference, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.74 to 1.46; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Among patients with benign biliary strictures and a bile duct diameter 6 mm or more in whom the covered metallic stent would not overlap the cystic duct, cSEMS were not inferior to multiple plastic stents after 12 months in achieving stricture resolution. Metallic stents should be considered an appropriate option in patients such as these.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01221311.

Rectal indomethacin alone versus indomethacin and prophylactic pancreatic stent placement for preventing pancreatitis after ERCP: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background

The combination of prophylactic pancreatic stent placement (PSP) – a temporary plastic stent placed in the pancreatic duct – and rectal non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is recommended for preventing post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP) in high-risk cases. Preliminary data, however, suggest that PSP may be unnecessary if rectal NSAIDs are administered. Given the costs and potential risks of PSP, we aim to determine whether rectal indomethacin obviates the need for pancreatic stent placement in patients undergoing high-risk ERCP.

Methods/Design

The SVI (Stent vs. Indomethacin) trial is a comparative effectiveness, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, non-inferiority study of rectal indomethacin alone versus the combination of rectal indomethacin and PSP for preventing PEP in high-risk cases. One thousand four hundred and thirty subjects undergoing high-risk ERCP, in whom PSP is planned solely for PEP prevention, will be randomized to indomethacin alone or combination therapy. Those who are aware of study group assignment, including the endoscopist, will not be involved in the post-procedure care of the patient for at least 48 hours. Subjects will be assessed for PEP and its severity by a panel of independent and blinded adjudicators. Indomethacin alone will be declared non-inferior to combination therapy if the two-sided 95 % upper confidence bound of the treatment difference is less than 5 % between the two groups. Biological specimens will be obtained from trial participants and centrally banked.

Discussion

The SVI trial is designed to determine whether PSP remains necessary in the era of NSAIDs pharmacoprevention. The associated bio-repository will establish the groundwork for important scientific breakthrough.

Trial registration

NCT02476279, registered June 2015.

Cystic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: outcomes of preoperative endosonography-guided fine needle aspiration, and recurrence during long-term follow-up

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

The role of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) in the diagnosis and management of cystic pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) is unclear. We aimed to compare clinical/endosonographic characteristics of cystic with solid PNETs, determine diagnostic accuracy of preoperative EUS-FNA, and evaluate recurrence rates after resection.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All patients with cystic or solid PNET confirmed by EUS-FNA between 2000 and 2014 were identified. A matched case-control study compared 50 consecutive patients with cystic PNETs with 50 consecutive patients with solid PNETs, matched by gender and age at diagnosis of index cystic PNET. We compared clinical/endosonographic characteristics, assessed diagnostic accuracy of preoperative EUS-FNA for identifying malignancy, and analyzed tumor-free survival of patients with cystic and solid PNETs.

RESULTS

Cystic PNETs tended to be larger than solid PNETs (mean 26.8 vs. 20.1 mm, P = 0.05), more frequently nonfunctional (96 % vs. 80 %, P = 0.03), and less frequently associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (10 % vs. 28 %, P = 0.04). With surgical pathology as reference standard, EUS-FNA accuracies for malignancy of cystic and solid PNETs were 89.3 % and 90 %, respectively; cystic PNETs were less associated with metastatic adenopathy (22 % vs. 42 %, P = 0.03) and liver metastasis (0 % vs. 26 %, P < 0.001). Cystic fluid analysis (n = 13), showed benign cystic PNETs had low carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), Ki-67 ≤ 2 %, and no loss of heterozygosity. Patients with cystic and solid PNETs had similar recurrence risk up to 5 years after complete resection.

CONCLUSIONS

Cystic PNETs have distinct clinical and EUS characteristics, but were associated with less aggressive biological behavior compared with solid PNETs. EUS-FNA is accurate for determining malignant potential on preoperative evaluation. Despite complete resection, recurrence is observed up to 5 years following surgery.

Performance characteristics of EUS for locoregional evaluation of ampullary lesions

BACKGROUND

The accuracy of EUS in the locoregional assessment of ampullary lesions is unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To compare EUS with ERCP and surgical pathology for the evaluation of intraductal extension and local staging of ampullary lesions.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Tertiary-care referral center.

PATIENTS

All patients who underwent EUS primarily for the evaluation of an ampullary lesion between 1998 and 2012.

INTERVENTION

EUS.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Comparison of EUS sensitivity/specificity for intraductal and local extension with ERCP and surgical pathology by using the area under the receiver-operating characteristic (AUROC) curves and outcomes of the subgroup referred for endoscopic papillectomy.

RESULTS

We identified 119 patients who underwent EUS for an ampullary lesion, of whom 99 (83%) had an adenoma or adenocarcinoma. Compared with ERCP (n = 90), the sensitivity/specificity of EUS for any intraductal extension was 56%/97% (AUROC = 0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.64-0.89). However, when using surgical pathology as the reference (n = 102), the sensitivity/specificity of EUS (80%/93%; AUROC = 0.87; 95% CI, 0.76-0.97) and ERCP (83%/93%; AUROC = 0.88; 95% CI, 0.77-0.99) were comparable. The overall accuracy of EUS for local staging was 90%. Of 58 patients referred for endoscopic papillectomy, complete resection was achieved in 53 (91%); in those having intraductal extension by EUS or ERCP, complete resection was achieved in 4 of 5 (80%) and 4 of 7 (57%), respectively.

LIMITATION

Retrospective design.

CONCLUSIONS

EUS and ERCP perform similarly in evaluating intraductal extension of ampullary adenomas. Additionally, EUS is accurate in T-staging ampullary adenocarcinomas. Future prospective studies should evaluate whether EUS can identify characteristics of ampullary lesions that appropriately direct patients to endoscopic or surgical resection.

Association of greater intravenous volume infusion with shorter hospitalization for patients with post-ERCP pancreatitis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

There are no data specifically correlating early intravenous volume infusion (IVI) with the length of hospitalization for postendoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP).

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted within 24 h after ERCP to our institute with PEP. IVI during the first 24 h after ERCP was assessed. Primary outcome was severity of PEP, defined by length of hospitalization according to consensus guidelines: mild ≤ 3, moderate 4-10, and severe > 10 days.

RESULTS

Of 72 eligible patients, 41 (56.9%) had mild and 31 (43.1%) moderate/severe PEP. Both groups had comparable demographics, indications, and procedural factors except patients with moderate/severe PEP were older (median age 49 vs 36 years, P = 0.05) and more likely to be discharged and readmitted within the first 24 h (41.9% vs 14.6%, P < 0.01). Patients with mild PEP received significantly greater IVI during the first 24 h (2834 mL [2046, 3570] vs 2044 mL [1227, 2875], P < 0.02) and 50% more fluid post-ERCP (2270 mL [1435, 2961] vs 1515 [950-2350], P < 0.02) compared with those with at least moderate PEP.

CONCLUSION

In patients with PEP, greater IVI during the first 24 h after ERCP is associated with reduced length of hospitalization. Lower IVI was more commonly observed in individuals who were discharged and then readmitted during the first 24 h.

Endoscopic papillectomy: risk factors for incomplete resection and recurrence during long-term follow-up

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic papillectomy is increasingly used as an alternative to surgery for ampullary adenomas and other noninvasive ampullary lesions.

OBJECTIVE

To measure short-term safety and efficacy of endoscopic papillectomy, define patient and lesion characteristics associated with incomplete endoscopic resection, and measure adenoma recurrence rates during long-term follow-up.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Tertiary-care academic medical center.

PATIENTS

All patients who underwent endoscopic papillectomy for ampullary lesions between July 1995 and June 2012.

INTERVENTION

Endoscopic papillectomy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Patient and lesion characteristics associated with incomplete endoscopic resection and ampullary adenoma-free survival analysis.

RESULTS

We identified 182 patients who underwent endoscopic papillectomy, 134 (73.6%) having complete resection. Short-term adverse events occurred in 34 (18.7%). Risk factors for incomplete resection were jaundice at presentation (odds ratio [OR] 0.21; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.07-0.69; P = .009), occult adenocarcinoma (OR 0.06; 95% CI, 0.01-0.36; P = .002), and intraductal involvement (OR 0.29; 95% CI, 0.11-0.75; P = .011). The en bloc resection technique was strongly associated with a higher rate of complete resection (OR 4.05; 95% CI, 1.71-9.59; P = .001). Among patients with ampullary adenoma who had complete resection (n = 107), 16 patients (15%) developed recurrence up to 65 months after resection.

LIMITATIONS

Retrospective analysis.

CONCLUSION

Jaundice at presentation, occult adenocarcinoma in the resected specimen, and intraductal involvement are associated with a lower rate of complete resection, whereas en bloc papillectomy increases the odds of complete endoscopic resection. Despite complete resection, recurrence was observed up to 5 years after papillectomy, confirming the need for long-term surveillance.

ERCP via gastrostomy vs. double balloon enteroscopy in patients with prior bariatric Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery

BACKGROUND

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is the most common bariatric surgery. The performance of ERCP in bariatric RYGB is challenging due to the long Roux limb. We herein compared the indications and technical outcomes of ERCP via percutaneous gastrostomy (GERCP) and double balloon enteroscopy (DBERCP) for patients with prior bariatric RYGB anatomy.

METHODS

Between December 2005 and November 2011, consecutive ERCP patients who had undergone RYGB were identified using a prospectively maintained electronic ERCP database. Medical records were abstracted for ERCP indications and outcomes. In most cases, the gastrostomy was done by either laparoscopic or open surgery and allowed to mature at least 1 month before performing ERCP. The choice of route for ERCP was at discretion of managing physician.

RESULTS

Forty-four patients (F = 42) with GERCP and 28 patients (F = 26) with DBERCP were identified. The mean age was younger in GERCP than DBERCP (44.8 vs. 56.1, p < 0.001). GERCP patients were more likely to have suspected sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (77 %) as the primary indication whereas DBERCP was suspected CBD stone (57 %). The mean total number of sessions/patient in GERCP and DBERCP was 1.7 ± 1.0 and 1.1 ± 0.4, respectively (p = 0.004). GERCP access to the major papilla was successful in all but two (97 %), whereas duct cannulation and interventions were successful in all. In DBERCP, the success rate of accessing major papilla, cannulation and therapeutic intervention was 78, 63, 56 %, respectively. There was one (3.1 %) post-ERCP pancreatitis in DBERCP. Complications occurred in 11 GERCP procedures (14.5 %) and 10 were related to the gastrostomy. This was significantly higher than that of DBERCP (p = 0.022).

CONCLUSIONS

GERCP is more effective than DBERCP in gaining access to the pancreatobiliary tree in patients with RYGB, but it is hindered by the gastrostomy maturation delay and a higher morbidity. Technical improvements in each method are needed.

Technologies for imaging the normal and diseased pancreas

The prognosis is poor for most patients with pancreatic cancer, chronic pancreatitis, or other pancreatic diseases. Advances in pancreatic imaging could help identify these diseases at earlier stages, when they are easier to treat. Radiographic imaging and endoscopic imaging of the pancreas have progressed from the abdominal roentogram and endoscopic retrograde pancreatography to multi-detector computed tomography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic ultrasonography, and pancreatoscopy. These technologies have improved the diagnosis and treatment of benign disease but have not significantly increased our ability to detect early-stage disease or affect outcomes of patients with pancreatic cancer or chronic pancreatitis. Advances in endoscopic imaging and molecular-based radiographic tests could allow physicians to identify pancreatic lesions and their precursors at earlier stages. Furthermore, research studies that include these tools could improve our understanding of disease pathogenesis and identify diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets. We review endoscopic imaging modalities, focusing on new endoscopic and molecular-based radiographic imaging tests that have the potential to substantially improve diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic disease.