Brazilian Group of Gastrointestinal Tumours' consensus guidelines for the management of oesophageal cancer

Oesophageal cancer is among the ten most common types of cancer worldwide. More than 80% of the cases and deaths related to the disease occur in developing countries. Local socio-economic, epidemiologic and healthcare particularities led us to create a Brazilian guideline for the management of oesophageal and oesophagogastric junction (OGJ) carcinomas. The Brazilian Group of Gastrointestinal Tumours invited 50 physicians with different backgrounds, including radiology, pathology, endoscopy, nuclear medicine, genetics, oncological surgery, radiotherapy and clinical oncology, to collaborate. This document was prepared based on an extensive review of topics related to heredity, diagnosis, staging, pathology, endoscopy, surgery, radiation, systemic therapy (including checkpoint inhibitors) and follow-up, which was followed by presentation, discussion and voting by the panel members. It provides updated evidence-based recommendations to guide clinical management of oesophageal and OGJ carcinomas in several scenarios and clinical settings.

Esophagectomy in a patient with pulmonary histoplasmosis: A case report of surgical aspects and complications (with video)

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Histoplasmose is an unfrequented associated to esophageal carcinoma.

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Pulmonary disease may interfere in the outcome after esophagectomy.

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Vacuum treatment is a good option after anastomotic leakage.

Introduction

Esophagectomy is a challenging procedure associated with considerable morbidity. Previous pulmonary diseases, such as histoplasmosis fungal infection, may interfere in operative and postoperative outcomes after esophagectomy. Anastomotic leakage is one of the most feared complications after esophagectomy. However, new therapies developed such as vacuum procedure and esophageal prosthesis have been provenly beneficial.

Presentation of case

We present a case with squamous cell carcinoma of the mid esophagus portion on a young patient with a pulmonary histoplasmosis history. After a multidisciplinary board, the patient underwent transhiatal esophagectomy with gastric-pull up and cervical anastomosis due to pulmonary disease. The patient later developed an anastomotic leak with mediastinal abscess. We describe this complication's management via an endoscopic vacuum system, esophageal prosthesis, and exhibit a video illustrating the technique.

Discussion

We illustrate the management of esophageal cancer associated with previous pulmonary disease. Histoplasmosis may misunderstand the esophageal cancer staging, and it can contribute to anastomotic leakage occurrence. An endoscopic vacuum system is an excellent tool for treating esophagogastric anastomosis fistula after esophagectomy, even when the drainage is accumulated in the mediastinum. The esophageal prosthesis may be used after mediastinal abscess resolution.

Conclusion

Treatment of the association of esophageal cancer and histoplasmosis is feasible. However, care should be taken to avoid highly potential postoperative complications.

Brazilian Group of Gastrointestinal Tumours' consensus guidelines for the management of gastric cancer

Gastric cancer is among the ten most common types of cancer worldwide. Most cases and deaths related to the disease occur in developing countries. Local socio-economic, epidemiologic and healthcare particularities led us to create a Brazilian guideline for the management of gastric carcinomas. The Brazilian Group of Gastrointestinal Tumors (GTG) invited 50 physicians with different backgrounds, including radiology, pathology, endoscopy, nuclear medicine, genetics, oncological surgery, radiotherapy and clinical oncology, to collaborate. This document was prepared based on an extensive review of topics related to heredity, diagnosis, staging, pathology, endoscopy, surgery, radiation, systemic therapy and follow-up, which was followed by presentation, discussion, and voting by the panel members. It provides updated evidence-based recommendations to guide clinical management of gastric carcinomas in several scenarios and clinical settings.

Role of EUS evaluation after endoscopic eradication of esophageal varices with band ligation

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Variceal recurrence after endoscopic band ligation (EBL) for secondary prophylaxis is a frequent event. Some studies have reported a correlation between variceal recurrence and variceal rebleeding with the EUS features of paraesophageal vessels. A prospective observational study was conducted to correlate EUS evaluation of paraesophageal varices, azygos vein, and thoracic duct with variceal recurrence after EBL variceal eradication in patients with cirrhosis.

METHODS

EUS was performed before and 1 month after EBL variceal eradication. Paraesophageal varices, azygos vein, and thoracic duct maximum diameters were evaluated in predetermined anatomic stations. After EBL variceal eradication, patients were submitted to endoscopic examinations every 3 months for 1 year. We looked for EUS features that could predict variceal recurrence.

RESULTS

Thirty patients completed a 1-year endoscopic follow-up. Seventeen patients (57%) presented variceal recurrence. There was no correlation between azygos vein and thoracic duct diameter with variceal recurrence. Larger paraesophageal varices predicted variceal recurrence in both evaluation periods. Paraesophageal varices diameters that best correlated with variceal recurrence were 6.3 mm before EBL (52.9% sensitivity, 92.3% specificity, and .749 area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUROC]) and 4 mm after EBL (70.6% sensitivity, 84.6% specificity, and .801 AUROC).

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that paraesophageal varices diameter measured by EUS predicts variceal recurrence within 1 year after EBL variceal eradication. Paraesophageal diameter after variceal eradication is a better recurrence predictor, because it has a lower cut-off parameter, higher sensitivity, and higher AUROC.

Penetrance of functioning and nonfunctioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 in the second decade of life

CONTEXT

Data are scarce on the penetrance of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1)-related nonfunctioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NF-PETs) and insulinomas in young MEN1 patients. A potential positive correlation between tumor size and malignancy (2-3 cm, 18%; >3 cm, 43%) has greatly influenced the management of MEN1 adults with NF-PETs.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to estimate the penetrance of NF-PETs, insulinomas, and gastrinomas in young MEN1 carriers.

DESIGN

The data were obtained from a screening program (1996-2012) involving 113 MEN1 patients in a tertiary academic reference center.

PATIENTS

Nineteen MEN1 patients (aged 12-20 y; 16 patients aged 15-20 y and 3 patients aged 12-14 y) were screened for NF-PETs, insulinomas, and gastrinomas.

METHODS

Magnetic resonance imaging/computed tomography and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) were performed on 10 MEN1 carriers, magnetic resonance imaging/computed tomography was performed on five patients, and four other patients underwent an EUS.

RESULTS

The overall penetrance of PETs during the second decade of life was 42% (8 of 19). All eight PET patients had NF-PETs, and half of those tumors were multicentric. One-fifth of the screened patients (21%; 4 of 19) harbored at least one large tumor (>2.0 cm). Insulinoma was detected in two NF-PET patients (11%) at the initial screening; gastrinoma was not present in any cases. Six of the 11 (54%) screened patients aged 15-20 years who underwent an EUS had NF-PETs. Potential false-positive EUS results were excluded based on EUS-guided biopsy results, the reproducibility of the NF-PET findings, or the observation of increased tumor size during follow-up. Distal pancreatectomy and the nodule enucleation of pancreatic head tumors were conducted on three patients with large tumors (>2.0 cm; T2N0M0) that were classified as grade 1 neuroendocrine tumors (Ki-67<2%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data demonstrated high penetrance of NF-PETs in 15- to 20-year-old MEN1 patients. The high percentage of the patients presenting consensus criteria for surgery for NF-PET alone or NF-PET/insulinoma suggests a potential benefit for the periodic surveillance of these tumors in this age group.

Biometry and fetal weight estimation by two-dimensional and three-dimensional ultrasonography: an intraobserver and interobserver reliability and agreement study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate and compare the intraobserver and interobserver reliability and agreement for the biparietal diameter (BPD), abdominal circumference (AC), femur length (FL) and estimated fetal weight (EFW) obtained by two-dimensional ultrasound (2D-US) and three-dimensional ultrasound (3D-US).

METHODS

Singleton pregnant women between 24 and 40 weeks were invited to participate in this study. They were examined using 2D-US in a blinded manner, twice by one observer, intercalated by a scan by a second observer, to determine BPD, AC and FL. In each of the three examinations, three 3D-US datasets (head, abdomen and thigh) were acquired for measurements of the same parameters. We determined EFW using Hadlock's formula. Systematic errors between 3D-US and 2D-US were examined using the paired t-test. Reliability and agreement were assessed by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), limits of agreement (LoA), SD of differences and proportion of differences below arbitrary points.

RESULTS

We evaluated 102 singleton pregnancies. No significant systematic error between 2D-US and 3D-US was observed. The ICC values were higher for 3D-US in both intra- and interobserver evaluations; however, only for FL was there no overlap in the 95% CI. The LoA values were wider for 2D-US, suggesting that random errors were smaller when using 3D-US. Additionally, we observed that the SD values determined from 3D-US differences were smaller than those obtained for 2D-US. Higher proportions of differences were below the arbitrarily defined cut-off points when using 3D-US.

CONCLUSION

3D-US improved the reliability and agreement of fetal measurements and EFW compared with 2D-US.

Three-dimensional Doppler evaluation of single spherical samples from the placenta: intra- and interobserver reliability

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the intra- and interobserver reliability of assessment of three-dimensional power Doppler (3D-PD) indices from single spherical samples of the placenta.

METHODS

Women with singleton pregnancies at 24-40 weeks' gestation were included. Three scans were independently performed by two observers; Observer 1 performed the first and third scan, intercalated by the scan of Observer 2. The observers independently analyzed the 3D-PD datasets that they had previously acquired using four different methods, each using a spherical sample: random sample extending from basal to chorionic plate; random sample with 2 cm(3) of volume; directed sample to the region subjectively determined as containing more color Doppler signals extending from basal to chorionic plate; or directed sample with 2 cm(3) of volume. The vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI) and vascularization flow index (VFI) were evaluated in each case. The observers were blinded to their own and each other's results. Additional evaluation was performed according to placental location: anterior, posterior and fundal or lateral. Intra- and interobserver reliability was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC).

RESULTS

Ninety-five pregnancies were included in the analysis. All three placental 3D-PD indices showed only weak to moderate reliability (ICC < 0.66 and ICC < 0.48, intra- and interobserver, respectively). The highest values of ICC were observed when using directed spherical samples from basal to chorionic plate. When analyzed by placental location, we found lower ICCs for lateral and fundal placentae compared to anterior and posterior ones.

CONCLUSION

Intra- and interobserver reliability of assessment of placental 3D-PD indices from single spherical samples in pregnant women greater than 24 weeks' gestation is poor to moderate, and clinical usefulness of these indices is likely to be limited.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for the treatment of early esophageal and gastric cancer--initial experience of a western center

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic submucosal dissection is a new Japanese technique characterized by en-bloc resection of the entire lesion irrespective of size, with lower local recurrence when compared to endoscopic mucosal resection.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the feasibility, early results and complications of the endoscopic submucosal dissection technique for treating early gastric and esophageal cancer at the Endoscopic Unit of Clinics Hospital and Cancer Institute of the São Paulo University.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty patients underwent endoscopic resection using the endoscopic submucosal dissection technique for early gastric or esophageal cancer. The patients were evaluated prospectively as to the executability of the technique, the short-term results of the procedure and complications.

RESULTS

Sixteen gastric adenocarcinoma lesions and six esophageal squamous carcinoma lesions were resected. In the stomach, the mean diameter of the lesions was 16.2 mm (0.6-3.5 mm). Eight lesions were type IIa + IIc, four were type IIa and four IIc, with thirteen being well differentiated and three undifferentiated. Regarding the degree of invasion, five were M2, seven were M3, two were Sm1 and one was Sm2. The mean duration of the procedures was 85 min (20-160 min). In the esophagus, all of the lesions were type IIb, with a mean diameter of 17.8 mm (6-30 mm). Regarding the degree of invasion, three were M1, one was M2, one was M3 and one was Sm1. All had free lateral and deep margins. The mean time of the procedure was 78 min (20-150 min)

CONCLUSION

The endoscopic submucosal dissection technique was feasible in our service with a high success rate.

Lower uterine segment thickness measurement in pregnant women with previous Cesarean section: reliability analysis using two- and three-dimensional transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the reliability of two- and three-dimensional ultrasonographic measurement of the thickness of the lower uterine segment (LUS) in pregnant women by transvaginal and transabdominal approaches.

METHODS

This was a study of 30 pregnant women who had had at least one previous Cesarean section and were between 36 and 39 weeks' gestation, with singleton pregnancies in cephalic presentation. Sonographic examinations were performed by two observers using both 4-7-MHz transabdominal and 5-8-MHz transvaginal volumetric probes. LUS measurements were performed using two- and three-dimensional ultrasound, evaluating the entire LUS thickness transabdominally and the LUS muscular thickness transvaginally. Each observer measured the LUS four times by each method. Reliability was analyzed by comparing the mean of the absolute differences, the intraclass correlation coefficients, the 95% limits of agreement and the proportion of differences < 1 mm.

RESULTS

Transvaginal ultrasound provided greater reliability in LUS measurements than did transabdominal ultrasound. The use of three-dimensional ultrasound improved significantly the reliability of the LUS muscular thickness measurement obtained transvaginally.

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasonographic measurement of the LUS muscular thickness transvaginally appears more reliable than does that of the entire LUS thickness transabdominally. The use of three-dimensional ultrasound should be considered to improve measurement reliability.

Digestive tract microbiota in healthy volunteers

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to standardize the methods of sample collection of mucus from the digestive tract and to determine the microbiota in healthy volunteers from Brazil, collecting samples from the mouth, esophagus, stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon, and rectum.

METHODS

Microbiota of selected healthy volunteers from the oral cavity (n=10), the esophagus (n=10), the upper digestive tract (n=20), and the lower digestive tract (n=24) were evaluated through distinct collection methods. Collection methods took into account the different sites, using basic scraping and swabbing techniques, stimulated saliva from the oral cavity, irrigation-aspiration with sterile catheters especially designed for the esophagus, a probe especially designed for upper digestive tract, and a special catheter for the lower digestive tract.

RESULTS

(i) Mixed microbiota were identified in the oral cavity, predominantly Gram-positive aerobic and anaerobic cocci; (ii) transitional flora mainly in the esophagus; (iii) Veillonella sp, Lactobacillus sp, and Clostridium sp in the stomach and duodenum; (iv) in the jejunum and upper ileum, we observed Bacteroides sp, Proteus sp, and Staphylococcus sp, in addition to Veillonella sp; (v) in the colon, the presence of "nonpathogenic" anaerobic bacteria Veillonella sp (average 10(5) UFC) indicates the existence of a low oxidation-reduction potential environment, which suggests the possibility of adoption of these bacteria as biological markers of total digestive tract health.

CONCLUSIONS

The collection methods were efficient in obtaining adequate samples from each segment of the total digestive tract to reveal the normal microbiota. These procedures are safe and easily reproducible for microbiological studies.

Surgery or endoscopy for palliation of biliary obstruction due to metastatic pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Both endoscopic and surgical drainage procedures are effective palliative methods for malignant biliary obstruction. Surgical drainage is still preferred in developing countries due to the high cost of procuring metal biliary stents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life and the cost of care in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer after endoscopic biliary drainage and surgical drainage.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This is a prospective, randomized controlled trial conducted in a tertiary referral center in Brazil. Patients with biliary obstruction due to metastatic pancreatic cancer and liver metastasis, but without gastric outlet obstruction, were included in the study. Endoscopic biliary drainage with the insertion of a metal stent into the bile duct was compared with the surgical drainage procedure (choledochojejunostomy and gastrojejunostomy). Quality of life was assessed before, and 30 days, 60 days, and 120 days after the drainage procedure. The cost of drainage procedure, cost during the first 30 days and the total cost from drainage procedure to death were calculated.

RESULTS

Of the 273 patients with pancreatic malignancy seen at our hospital between July 2001 and October 2004, 35 patients were eligible for the study, and 30 agreed to participate in the study. Both surgical and endoscopic drainage procedures were successful, without any mortality in the first 30 days. The cost of biliary drainage procedure (US dollars 2,832 +/- 519 vs 3,821 +/- 1,181, p= 0.031), the cost of care during the first 30 days after drainage (US dollars 3,122 +/- 877 vs 6,591 +/- 711, p= 0.001), and the overall total cost of care that included initial care and subsequent interventions and hospitalizations until death (US dollars 4,271+/- 2,411 vs 8,321 +/- 1,821, p= 0.0013) were lower in the endoscopy group compared with the surgical group. In addition, the quality of life scores were better in the endoscopy group at 30 days (p= 0.042) and 60 days (p= 0.05). There was no difference between the two groups in complication rate, readmissions for complications, and duration of survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic biliary drainage is cheaper and provides better quality of life in patients with biliary obstruction and metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Endoscopic ablation of Barrett's esophagus using argon plasma coagulation: a prospective study after fundoplication

The aim of the prospective clinical study presented here is to test the effectiveness of a multimode approach consisting of argon plasma coagulation combined with laparoscopic fundoplication in the management of Barrett's esophagus. Argon plasma coagulation was performed in 19 patients with Barrett's esophagus who had previously undergone surgical antireflux treatment. The mean follow-up time was 17 months, ranging between 6 and 27 months. Squamous epithelium was completely restored in all patients. In 68.4% of cases two sessions were required. The most frequent complications were chest discomfort and retrosternal pain. In 11 patients the symptoms lasted 3 days and in six cases persisted for a longer period, requiring analgesic medication. Short-term dysphagia and odynophagia were observed in four patients.

A new biliary access technique for the long-term endoscopic management of intrahepatic stones

Intrahepatic stone disease poses a difficult postoperative management problem due to frequent stone recurrence. Most of the methods proposed for long-term access to the intrahepatic biliary tree require multiple sessions of additional, usually invasive, procedures. An alternative method for endoscopic long-term access to the intrahepatic ducts, represented by a side-to-side anastomosis between the isolated Roux-en-Y jejunal limb of the bilioenteric bypass and the duodenum (duodenojejunostomy), was used in eight patients with retained and/or recurrent stones after surgical treatment of intrahepatic stone disease. There were no short- or long-term complications or mortality associated with the duodenojejunostomy. Postoperative endoscopic access to the intrahepatic ducts was successfully achieved in five of six patients: one with stone recurrence, one with a left hepatic duct stricture and stone recurrence and one with known retained postoperative stones. In two patients, no stones were found at endoscopy. Side-to-side duodenojejunostomy may be useful in the long-term endoscopic management of recurrent intrahepatic biliary stone disease and should be indicated whenever a bilioenteric anastomosis is performed for the treatment of bilateral intrahepatic stone disease.

Early alterations of blood pressure in normotensive and normoalbuminuric Type 1 diabetic patients

With the objective to examine patterns of blood pressure (BP) in normotensive and normoalbuminuric Type 1 diabetic patients during 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) we studied 28 Type 1 diabetic patients aged 27+/-7.1 years with a disease duration of 9+/-6.6 years, and 28 non-diabetic normotensive subjects aged 25+/-6.5 years matched to the diabetic group for age, gender, skin color, weight, height, body mass index, clinic BP and absence of microalbuminuria. Systolic BP (sBP) and diastolic BP (dBP) were recorded for 24 h, daytime and nighttime. SBP and dBP burden, night/day BP ratios and percent nighttime BP fall were determined. Subjects with a nocturnal fall in either sBP or dBP of less than 10% of daytime values were classified as non-dippers. Both sBP (111+/-7.1 vs. 104+/-9 mmHg; P=0.003) and dBP nighttime (66+/-6.1 vs. 61+/-5.3 mmHg; P=0.001) were higher in diabetic patients than non-diabetic subjects. Night/day ratios for sBP (0.93+/-0.04 vs. 0.89+/-0.05; P=0.006) and dBP (0.86+/-0.06 vs. 0.82+/-0.06; P=0.007) were higher in diabetics. The loss of a fall in sBP was more prevalent in diabetic subjects (78 vs. 39%; P=0.007). Non-dippers for sBP and dBP in the diabetic group had higher BP burden during the nighttime (21.4+/-16.6 vs. 3.2+/-3.9%; P=0.01 and 21.9+/-10 vs. 3.7+/-5.5%; P<0.001, respectively). Our data demonstrate higher sBP and dBP during the nighttime and loss of the nocturnal fall in BP in Type 1 diabetic patients. Further prospective studies are needed to define if high BP burden in diabetic non-dippers during the night could represent a risk for nephropathy and cardiovascular disease.