Outcomes of Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Fine Needle Biopsy Using a Novel Hydrostatic Stylet Tissue Acquisition Technique

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) is frequently used to obtain core samples of solid lesions. Here, we describe and evaluate a novel hydrostatic stylet (HS) technique designed to optimize core sample acquisition, reporting diagnostic yield, efficacy, and safety relative to the conventional stylet slow-pull (SP) technique.

METHODS

A novel HS technique was developed and validated retrospectively. Consecutive patients who underwent EUS-FNB with core biopsy of solid lesions through either the HS or SP technique between January 2020 and April 2022 were included. Exclusion criteria included cystic lesions, nonlesional liver biopsies, and specimens sent for cytologic analysis only. Patient and lesion characteristics, number of passes, sample adequacy, and adverse events were compared between the two techniques.

RESULTS

A total of 272 patients were included with 138 in the HS group and 134 in the SP group. Lesion size and anatomic distribution were similar in both groups. Compared with the SP approach, the HS technique demonstrated significantly higher sample adequacy (97.8% vs 83.6%, P < 0.001), higher sensitivity (97.1% vs 89.7%, P = 0.03), and lower mean number of passes (1.2 vs 3.3, P < 0.001). Rates and severity of adverse events in the HS group were comparable to the SP group and existing literature. Similar associations were observed in pancreatic and nonpancreatic lesion subanalyses.

CONCLUSIONS

The novel HS technique demonstrated excellent biopsy sample adequacy and diagnostic yield while requiring fewer passes to obtain diagnostic specimens compared with a conventional EUS-FNB approach. Further prospective evaluation is needed to confirm these pilot findings and optimize EUS-FNB acquisition techniques.

Benefits of EUS-guided gastroenterostomy over surgical gastrojejunostomy in the palliation of malignant gastric outlet obstruction: a large multicenter experience

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Palliation of malignant gastric outlet obstruction (mGOO) allows resumption of peroral intake. Although surgical gastrojejunostomy (SGJ) provides durable relief, it may be associated with a higher morbidity, interfere with chemotherapy, and require an optimum nutritional status. EUS-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) has emerged as a minimally invasive alternative. We aimed to conduct the largest comparative series to date between EUS-GE and SGJ for mGOO.

METHODS

This multicenter retrospective study included consecutive patients undergoing SGJ or EUS-GE at 6 centers. Primary outcomes included time to resumption of oral intake, length of stay (LOS), and mortality. Secondary outcomes included technical and clinical success, reintervention rates, adverse events (AEs), and resumption of chemotherapy.

RESULTS

A total of 310 patients were included (EUS-GE, n = 187; SGJ, n = 123). EUS-GE exhibited significantly lower time to resumption of oral intake (1.40 vs 4.06 days, P < .001), at lower albumin levels (2.95 vs 3.33 g/dL, P < .001), and a shorter LOS (5.31 vs 8.54 days, P < .001) compared with SGJ; there was no difference in mortality (48.1% vs 50.4%, P = .78). Technical (97.9% and 100%) and clinical (94.1% vs 94.3%) success was similar in the EUS-GE and SGJ groups, respectively. EUS-GE had lower rates of AEs (13.4% vs 33.3%, P < .001) but higher reintervention rates (15.5% vs 1.63%, P < .001). EUS-GE patients exhibited significantly lower interval time to resumption of chemotherapy (16.6 vs 37.8 days, P < .001). Outcomes between the EUS-GE and laparoscopic (n = 46) surgical approach showed that EUS-GE had shorter interval time to initiation/resumption of oral intake (3.49 vs 1.46 days, P < .001), decreased LOS (9 vs 5.31 days, P < .001), and a lower rate of AEs (11.9% vs 17.9%, P = .003).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the largest study to date showing that EUS-GE can be performed among nutritionally deficient patients without affecting the technical and clinical success compared with SGJ. EUS-GE is associated with fewer AEs while allowing earlier resumption of diet and chemotherapy.

EUS-guided liver biopsy using a novel hydrostatic stylet technique

Video 1Hydrostatic stylet technique for the performance of EUS-guided liver biopsy.

EUS-guided enterocolostomy with lumen-apposing metal stent for palliation of malignant small-bowel obstruction (with video)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Interventions for malignant small-bowel obstruction (SBO) may be limited by extent of peritoneal disease, rendering surgical or traditional endoscopic methods (ie, luminal stenting or decompressive gastrostomy) unfeasible. We demonstrated the novel use of EUS-guided lumen-apposing metal stent placement for enterocolonic bypass in patients with malignant SBO who were deemed high risk for surgery.

METHODS

Across 3 tertiary U.S. centers, a retrospective series of consecutive patients underwent attempted EUS-guided enterocolostomy (EUS-EC) for palliation of acute SBO because of malignant causes. Technique and devices used were described, and patient demographics and outcome data were collected.

RESULTS

Ten patients were included, of whom 9 (90.0%) were men, with a mean age of 64.5 ± 14.0 years and who were 1.5 ± 2.1 years postdiagnosis. Technical success was achieved in 8 of 10 patients (80.0%) and clinical success in 7 of 10 (70.0%), with a single major adverse event (10.0%) of aspiration. Median time until resumption of oral intake was 1.0 day (range, 0-8) after the procedure, with an interval to discharge home of 6.5 days and survival of 57.0 days.

CONCLUSIONS

EUS-EC is a new alternative for palliation of acute SBO because of advanced malignant disease when conservative measures fail and other surgical or endoscopic options are not possible. Additional larger studies with longer duration of follow-up are needed to further define efficacy and safety of this approach.

Evaluation of diagnostic yield of EUS among patients with asymptomatic common bile duct dilation: systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Common bile duct (CBD) dilation is a frequent indication for EUS. Among asymptomatic individuals, biliary dilation may not be clinically significant; however, EUS is often relied on for the exclusion of benign and malignant pathology that might require further intervention. The yield of EUS evaluation for this indication is not well characterized and has significant implications for health resource utilization because asymptomatic biliary dilation is prevalent. Through this systematic review, we sought to appraise the yield of EUS evaluation of asymptomatic patients with radiologic evidence of isolated CBD dilation.

METHODS

A protocolled search (PROSPERO: CRD42020193428) extracted original studies from the Cochrane Library, Ovid Embase, Google Scholar, Ovid Medline, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection that described diagnostic yield of EUS among asymptomatic patients with biliary dilation. Cumulative EUS diagnostic yield was calculated through meta-analysis of proportions using inverse variance methods and a random-effects model.

RESULTS

Of 2616 studies, 8 delineated the EUS yield among 224 asymptomatic patients. The cumulative yield of EUS for any pathology was 11.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.6%- 21.6%). The EUS yield for benign etiologies was 9.2% (95% CI, 1.1%-21.9%), of which choledocholithiasis comprised 3.4% (95% CI, 0%-11.2%) and malignant etiologies .5% (95% CI, 0%-3.4%) of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

EUS in patients with asymptomatic CBD dilation does yield findings of choledocholithiasis and malignancy, albeit at low rates. A cost-effectiveness analysis is warranted to further guide clinical decision-making in this area.

Outcomes of a hybrid technique using EMR and endoscopic full-thickness resection for polyps not amenable to standard techniques (with video)

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The full-thickness resection device (FTRD) offers a safe and effective approach for resection of complex colorectal lesions but is limited to lesions <2 cm in size. A hybrid approach-combining EMR with the FTRD-significantly expands the pool of lesions amenable to this technique; however, its safety and efficacy has not been well established.

METHODS

We report a single-center retrospective study of consecutive patients who underwent full-thickness resection (FTR) of colorectal lesions, either with a standalone FTRD or a hybrid (EMR + FTRD) approach. Outcomes of technical success, clinical success (macroscopically complete resection), R0 resection, and adverse events (AEs) were evaluated.

RESULTS

Sixty-nine FTR procedures (38 standalone FTR and 31 hybrid EMR + FTR) were performed on 65 patients. The most common indications were nonlifting polyp (43%) or suspected high-grade dysplasia or carcinoma (38%). Hybrid EMR + FTR permitted resection of significantly larger lesions (mean, 39 mm; range, 15-70 mm) compared with standalone FTR (mean, 17 mm; range, 7-25 mm; P < .01). Clinical success (91%), technical success (83%), and R0 resection (81%) rates did not differ between standalone and hybrid groups. Most patients (96%) were discharged home on the day of the procedure. Three AEs occurred, including 2 patients who developed acute appendicitis.

CONCLUSIONS

A hybrid approach combining EMR and FTRD maintains safety and efficacy while permitting resection of significantly larger lesions than FTRD alone.

Association of Search Query Interest in Gastrointestinal Symptoms With COVID-19 Diagnosis in the United States: Infodemiology Study

BACKGROUND

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a novel viral illness that has rapidly spread worldwide. While the disease primarily presents as a respiratory illness, gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea have been reported in up to one-third of confirmed cases, and patients may have mild symptoms that do not prompt them to seek medical attention. Internet-based infodemiology offers an approach to studying symptoms at a population level, even in individuals who do not seek medical care.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine if a correlation exists between internet searches for gastrointestinal symptoms and the confirmed case count of COVID-19 in the United States.

METHODS

The search terms chosen for analysis in this study included common gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Furthermore, the search terms fever and cough were used as positive controls, and constipation was used as a negative control. Daily query shares for the selected symptoms were obtained from Google Trends between October 1, 2019 and June 15, 2020 for all US states. These shares were divided into two time periods: pre-COVID-19 (prior to March 1) and post-COVID-19 (March 1-June 15). Confirmed COVID-19 case numbers were obtained from the Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering data repository. Moving averages of the daily query shares (normalized to baseline pre-COVID-19) were then analyzed against the confirmed disease case count and daily new cases to establish a temporal relationship.

RESULTS

The relative search query shares of many symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and constipation, remained near or below baseline throughout the time period studied; however, there were notable increases in searches for the positive control symptoms of fever and cough as well as for diarrhea. These increases in daily search queries for fever, cough, and diarrhea preceded the rapid rise in number of cases by approximately 10 to 14 days. The search volumes for these terms began declining after mid-March despite the continued rises in cumulative cases and daily new case counts.

CONCLUSIONS

Google searches for symptoms may precede the actual rises in cases and hospitalizations during pandemics. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, this study demonstrates that internet search queries for fever, cough, and diarrhea increased prior to the increased confirmed case count by available testing during the early weeks of the pandemic in the United States. While the search volumes eventually decreased significantly as the number of cases continued to rise, internet query search data may still be a useful tool at a population level to identify areas of active disease transmission at the cusp of new outbreaks.

Obesity alters the topographical distribution of ventilation and the regional response to bronchoconstriction

Obesity is associated with reduced operating lung volumes that may contribute to increased airway closure during tidal breathing and abnormalities in ventilation distribution. We investigated the effect of obesity on the topographical distribution of ventilation before and after methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)-computed tomography (CT) in healthy subjects. Subjects with obesity ( n = 9) and subjects without obesity ( n = 10) underwent baseline and postbronchoprovocation SPECT-CT imaging, in which Technegas was inhaled upright and followed by supine scanning. Lung regions that were nonventilated (Ventnon), low ventilated (Ventlow), or well ventilated (Ventwell) were calculated using an adaptive threshold method and were expressed as a percentage of total lung volume. To determine regional ventilation, lungs were divided into upper, middle, and lower thirds of axial length, derived from CT. At baseline, Ventnon and Ventlow for the entire lung were similar in subjects with and without obesity. However, in the upper lung zone, Ventnon (17.5 ± 10.6% vs. 34.7 ± 7.8%, P < 0.001) and Ventlow (25.7 ± 6.3% vs. 33.6 ± 5.1%, P < 0.05) were decreased in subjects with obesity, with a consequent increase in Ventwell (56.8 ± 9.2% vs. 31.7 ± 10.1%, P < 0.001). The greater diversion of ventilation to the upper zone was correlated with body mass index ( rs = 0.74, P < 0.001), respiratory system resistance ( rs = 0.72, P < 0.001), and respiratory system reactance ( rs = −0.64, P = 0.003) but not with lung volumes or basal airway closure. Following bronchoprovocation, overall Ventnon increased similarly in both groups; however, in subjects without obesity, Ventnon only increased in the lower zone, whereas in subjects with obesity, Ventnon increased more evenly across all lung zones. In conclusion, obesity is associated with altered ventilation distribution during baseline and following bronchoprovocation, independent of reduced lung volumes.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Using ventilation SPECT-computed tomography imaging in healthy subjects, we demonstrate that ventilation in obesity is diverted to the upper lung zone and that this is strongly correlated with body mass index but is independent of operating lung volumes and of airway closure. Furthermore, methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction only occurred in the lower lung zone in individuals who were not obese, whereas in subjects who were obese, it occurred more evenly across all lung zones. These findings show that obesity-associated factors alter the topographical distribution of ventilation.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: the prevalence of coeliac disease in patients with osteoporosis

BACKGROUND

Earlier studies have produced highly varying risk estimates for the prevalence of coeliac disease (CD) in osteoporosis.

AIMS

To investigate the prevalence of CD among individuals with osteoporosis.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of articles published in PubMed, Medline or EMBASE through May 2017 to identify studies looking at prevalence of CD in patients with osteoporosis. Search terms included "coeliac disease" combined with "fractures", "bone disease", "bone density", "densitometry", "osteoporos*", "osteomal*", "osteodys" or "dexa" or "dxa" or "skelet". Non-English papers with English-language abstracts were included. We used fixed-effects inverse variance-weighted models, and tested heterogeneity through subgroup analysis as well as through meta-regression.

RESULTS

We identified eight relevant studies, comprising data from 3188 individuals with osteoporosis. Of these, 59 individuals (1.9%) had CD. A weighted pooled analysis demonstrated biopsy-confirmed CD in 1.6% (95% CI = 1.1%-2.0%) of individuals with osteoporosis. The heterogeneity was moderate (I²  = 40.1%), and influenced by the underlying CD prevalence in the general population. After adding four studies (n = 814) with CD defined as positive tissue transglutaminase or endomysial antibodies, the pooled prevalence was comparable (1.6%; 95% CI = 1.2%-2.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

About 1 in 62 individuals with osteoporosis, or 1.6%, have biopsy-verified CD. This prevalence is comparable to that in the general population. These findings argue against routinely screening patients with osteoporosis for CD, which is contrary to current guideline recommendations. Additional studies are needed to determine the true utility of such screening programs.

Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Drainage of Pelvic Fluid Collections

Pelvic fluid collections can be challenging and often inaccessible because of their location and close proximity to adjacent organs and spine. This causes an increased risk for morbidity and poor outcomes. Recent advances in endoscopic ultrasound and therapeutic devices provide an effective, safe, and minimally invasive option to surgery or interventional radiology. These devices offer a relatively pain-free method that has shown good outcomes with minimal risk in recent case series, and has increasingly become the first-line treatment of choice. This article summarizes the current literature and the technique and considerations for successful drainage of these collections.

Factors associated with villus atrophy in symptomatic coeliac disease patients on a gluten-free diet

BACKGROUND

Duodenal injury persists in some coeliac disease patients despite gluten-free diet, and is associated with adverse outcomes.

AIM

To determine the prevalence and clinical risk factors for persistent villus atrophy among symptomatic coeliac disease patients.

METHODS

A nested cross-sectional analysis was performed on coeliac disease patients with self-reported moderate or severe symptoms while following a gluten-free diet, who underwent protocol-mandated duodenal biopsy upon enrolment in the CeliAction clinical trial. Demographic factors, symptom type, medication use, and serology were examined to determine predictors of persistent villus atrophy.

RESULTS

Of 1345 symptomatic patients, 511 (38%, 95% CI, 35-41%) were found to have active coeliac disease with persistent villus atrophy, defined as average villus height to crypt depth ratio ≤2.0. On multivariable analysis, older age (OR, 5.1 for ≥70 vs. 18-29 years, 95% CI, 2.5-10.4) was a risk factor while longer duration on gluten-free diet was protective (OR, 0.37, 95% CI, 0.24-0.55 for 4-5.9 vs. 1-1.9 years). Villus atrophy was associated with use of proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs; OR, 1.6, 95% CI, 1.1-2.3), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs; OR, 1.64, 95% CI, 1.2-2.2), and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; OR, 1.74, 95% CI, 1.2-2.5). Symptoms were not associated with villus atrophy after adjusting for covariates. Conclusions A majority of symptomatic coeliac disease patients did not have active disease on follow-up histology. Symptoms were poorly predictive of persistent mucosal injury. The impact of NSAIDs, PPIs, and SSRIs on mucosal healing in coeliac disease warrants further study.

Color perception through atmospheric haze

The radiance of most objects seen at a distance through the atmosphere is dominated by scattered light of a blue hue that should make the landscape appear predominately blue. However, common experience shows that people can see colors at a distance. A possible explanation of this paradox is that the visual system splits the light into a haze layer and the background landscape. A straightforward mathematical description of this splitting explains the results of a color matching study in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In this study, hues of objects seen through haze were found to be constant with changes in optical depth while colorfulness decreased exponentially.