Discrepancy between self-reported and actual colonoscopy polypectomy practices for the removal of small polyps

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Cold snare polypectomy (CSP) is associated with higher rates of complete resection compared with cold biopsy forceps (CBF) for the removal of small polyps (4-9 mm). This study aimed to evaluate self-reported polypectomy preferences and actual practice patterns among endoscopists at an academic center and to identify factors associated with the use of CSP for small polyps.

METHODS

In phase A, endoscopists completed a survey evaluating preferences for polypectomy techniques. In phase B, we performed a retrospective analysis of all consecutive colonoscopies with polypectomy (January 2016 to September 2018). Uni- and multivariate analysis were performed to identify factors associated with CSP for small polyps.

RESULTS

Nineteen of 26 (73%) endoscopists completed the survey (phase A); 3 (15.8%) were interventional endoscopists. Most respondents indicated that they use CSP (89.5%) for small polyps and identified no reasons for choosing CBF over CSP (73.7%). In phase B, we identified 1118 colonoscopies with 2625 polypectomies for polyps ≤9 mm. Most diminutive polyps (≤3 mm) were removed with CBF (819 of 912; 90%). CBF (46.2%) was also preferentially used for removal of small polyps (n = 1713), followed by hot snare polypectomy (27.2%), and CSP (26.6%). On multivariate analysis, interventional endoscopists were associated with a higher likelihood of using CSP for small polyps (odds ratio, 1.38; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-1.79; P = .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Significant discrepancy exists between self-reported preferences and actual polypectomy practices. CBF is still preferentially used over CSP for the removal of polyps sized 4-9 mm; further strategies are needed to monitor and implement adequate polypectomy techniques.

Pilot Study: Neurocognitive Disorders and Colonoscopy in Older Adults

In a preoperative anesthesia setting with integrated neuropsychology for individuals >64 years of age, we completed a pilot study examining the association between neurocognitive disorders with frequency of missed colonoscopies and quality of bowel preparation (prep). Gastroenterologists completed the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) for each patient. Of 47 older adults seen in our service, 68% met criteria for neurocognitive disorders. All individuals failing to attend the colonoscopy procedure had met criteria for major neurocognitive disorder. Poor bowel prep was also identified in 100% of individuals with major neurocognitive disorder and 28% of individuals with mild neurocognitive disorder. Our pilot data suggest that, in high-risk individuals, the presence of neurocognitive disorders is risk factors for missed appointments and inadequate bowel prep. These pilot data provide reference statistics for future intervention protocols.

Effective communication of cross-sectional imaging findings in Crohn's disease: comparing conventional EMR reporting to a published scoring system

PURPOSE

The purpose of the article is to compare information regarding small bowel lesions in Crohn's disease (CD) patients communicated by a published scoring system and radiology reports from electronic medical record (EMR) of cross-sectional abdominal imaging.

METHODS

Two gastrointestinal radiologists (reference readers) blinded to EMR reports scored cross-sectional imaging exams using a published scoring system. Investigators compared EMR and radiologist scores based on the mentioned findings and severity documentation of each variable. Statistical analysis involved means and difference in proportions and logistic regression modeling.

RESULTS

Seventy-three CD patients, with average age 40.6 years (± SD 14.4), having 80 small bowel lesions on imaging were included. EMR reports reliably mentioned within the consensus score included thickness (79%, p = 0.000), enhancement (70%, p = 0.000), active inflammation (86%, p = 0.000), perienteric fluid (82%, p = 0.000), and presence of stricture (62%, p = 0.002). Minimal lumen diameter (19%, p = 0.000), comb sign (19%, p = 0.000), lesion length (57%, p = 0.06), and fistula (50%, p = 1.0) were reported less often. There was a strong association between the EMR and scoring scale in noting severity of active inflammation (88%, p = 0.000), perienteric fluid (76%, p = 0.000), and internal fistula (71%, p = 0.000). The proportion matching severity values of comb sign and minimal lumen were 24% and 21%, respectively (p = 0.000). Severity matches for stricture were less likely among the non-GI radiologists (odds ratio = 0.33, SE = 0.168, p = 0.029). The odds of reporting stricture and fistula severity were 3.6 and 5.7, respectively, on MRE.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings and severity of inflammation were communicated consistently. Stricture severity including minimal luminal diameter, was less reliably reported, though its prognostic significance impacts management.

Adherence to quality indicators and surveillance guidelines in the management of Barrett's esophagus: a retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND

 Adherence to quality indicators and surveillance guidelines in the management of Barrett's esophagus (BE) promotes high-quality, cost-effective care. The aims of this study were (1) to evaluate adherence to standardized classification (Prague Criteria) and systematic (four-quadrant) biopsy protocol, (2) to identify predictors of practice patterns, and (3) to assess adherence to surveillance guidelines for non-dysplastic BE (NDBE).

METHODS

 This was a single-center retrospective study of esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) performed for BE (June 2008 to December 2015). Patient demographics, procedure characteristics, and histology results were obtained from the procedure report-generating database and chart review. Adherence to Prague Criteria and systematic biopsies was based on operative report documentation. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of practice patterns. Guideline adherent surveillance EGD was defined as those performed within 6 months of the recommended 3- to 5-year interval.

RESULTS

 In total, 397 patients (66.5 % male; mean age 60.1 ± 12.5 years) had an index EGD during the study period. Adherence to Prague Criteria and systematic biopsies was 27.4 % and 24.1 %, respectively. Endoscopists who performed therapeutic interventions for BE were more likely to use the Prague Criteria (OR: 3.16; 95 %CI: 1.47 - 6.82; P  < 0.01) than those who did not. Longer time in practice was positively associated with adherence to Prague Criteria (OR 1.07; 95 %CI: 1.02 - 1.12; P  < 0.01) but with a lower likelihood of performing systematic biopsies (OR 0.91; 95 %CI: 0.85 - 0.97; P  < 0.01). More than half (55.6 %) of patients with NDBE underwent surveillance EGD sooner (range 1 - 29 months) than the recommended interval.

CONCLUSION

 Adherence to quality indicators and surveillance guidelines in BE is low. Operator characteristics, including experience with endoscopic therapy for BE and time in practice predicted practice pattern. Future efforts are needed to reduce variability in practice and promote high-value care.

Histologic Characterization of Kratom Use-Associated Liver Injury

Kratom is an herbal product derived from the leaves of Southeast Asian Mitragyna speciosa trees. It has traditionally been used by indigenous people to relieve fatigue and manage pain, diarrhea, or opioid withdrawal. The use of kratom has become more commonplace in the United States for similar purposes. Only rare reports of kratom liver toxicity exist in the literature but without histologic characterization. Herein, we report one case of kratom use-associated liver toxicity in a 38-year-old patient. The patient complained of dark colored urine and light colored stools after using kratom. He had unremarkable physical examination. Laboratory testing at presentation revealed elevated alanine aminotransferase (389 U/L), aspartate aminotransferase (220 U/L), total bilirubin (5.1 mg/dL), and alkaline phosphatase (304 U/L). There was no serology evidence of viral hepatitis A, B, and C. The acetaminophen level at presentation was below detectable limits. Ultrasound examination of the right upper quadrant revealed normal echogenicity and contour of the liver without bile ductal dilatation or disease of the gallbladder. The patient underwent liver biopsy 4 days after the initial presentation which revealed a pattern of acute cholestatic liver injury including zone 3 hepatocellular and canalicular cholestasis, focal hepatocyte dropout, mild portal inflammation, and bile duct injury. Kratom was stopped, the patient improved clinically and biochemically and was discharged 8 days after the initial presentation. To our best knowledge, this is the first case report detailing the histology of kratom use-associated liver injury.

Carbon dioxide insufflation is associated with increased serrated polyp detection rate when compared to room air insufflation during screening colonoscopy

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Sessile serrated adenomas (SSA) and traditional serrated adenomas (TSA) have been increasingly recognized as precursors of colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of carbon dioxide insufflation (CO ₂ I) vs. room air insufflation (AI) on serrated polyp detection rate (SPDR) and to identify factors associated with SPDR.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Single-center retrospective cohort study of 2083 screening colonoscopies performed with AI (November 2011 through January 2013) or CO ₂ I (February 2013 to June 2015). Data on demographics, procedure characteristics and histology results were obtained from a prospectively maintained endoscopy database and chart review. SPDR was defined as proportion of colonoscopies in which ≥ 1 SSA, TSA or hyperplastic polyp (HP) ≥ 10 mm in the right colon was detected. Multi-variate analysis (MVA) was performed to identify predictors of SPDR.

RESULTS

A total of 131 histologically confirmed serrated polyps (129 SSA, 2 TSA and 0 HP ≥ 10 mm) were detected. SPDR was higher with CO ₂ I vs. AI (4.8 % vs. 1.4 %; P  < 0.0001). On MVA, CO ₂ I was associated with higher SPDR when compared to AI (OR: 9.52; 95 % CI: 3.05 - 30.3). Both higher body mass index (OR 1.05; 95 % CI:1.02 - 1.09) and longer colonoscope withdrawal time (OR 1.11; 95 % CI: 1.07 - 1.16) were also associated with higher SPDR.

CONCLUSION

CO ₂ I is associated with higher SPDR when compared to AI during screening colonoscopy. While the mechanism remains unknown, we speculate that the favorable gas characteristics of CO ₂ compared to room air results in improved polyp detection by optimizing bowel insufflation. These findings suggest an additional reason to prefer the use of CO ₂ I over AI during colonoscopy.

Survey study on the practice patterns in the endoscopic management of malignant distal biliary obstruction

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM

 Endoscopic biliary drainage for malignant distal biliary obstruction (MDBO) is a common practice. Controversy persists with regard to its role in resectable MDBO, the optimal technical method and type of stent. The aim of this study was to evaluate practice patterns in the treatment of MDBO among endoscopists with varying levels of experience and practice backgrounds.

METHODS

 Electronic survey distributed to members of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE). The main outcome measures included practice setting (academic vs. community), volume of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies (ERCPs), reasons for endoscopic drainage in MDBO, and technical approach.

RESULTS

 A total of 335 subjects (54 % community-based endoscopists) completed the survey. Most academic physicians (69 %) reported performing ≥ 150 ERCPs annually compared to 18.8 % of community physicians ( P  < 0.001). In aggregate, 13.1 % of respondents performed ERCP in resectable MDBO because of surgeon preference or as the standard of care at their institution. The use of metal vs. plastic stents in MDBO varied based on practice setting. Routine sphincterotomy for MDBO was more common among community (78 %) vs academic endoscopists (61.1 %) ( P  < 0.001). Over half (58 %) of the subjects avoided covering the cystic duct take-off during stenting MDBO if there was a gallbladder in situ.

CONCLUSION

 There is significant variability in practice patterns for the treatment of MDBO. In spite of the recent ASGE guideline recommendations, some patients with resectable MDBO still undergo preoperative ERCP. Current clinical practices are not clearly supported by available data and underscore the need to increase adherence to gastrointestinal societal recommendations and an evidence-based approach to standardized patient care.

Does carbon dioxide insufflation impact adenoma detection rate? A single-center retrospective analysis

Background and study aims: Carbon dioxide (CO₂) has been associated with reduced post-procedural pain and improved patient satisfaction when compared to air insufflation (AI). The effect of CO₂ insufflation (CO₂I) on the adenoma detection rate (ADR) remains unclear. The aims of this study are to compare ADR in patients undergoing screening colonoscopy with AI vs. CO₂I and identify predictors of ADR. Patients and methods: Single-center retrospective cohort study of 2,107 patients undergoing screening colonoscopy at the University of Florida Hospital between November 2011 and June 2015. Patient demographics, procedural parameters, and histology results were retrospectively obtained from a prospectively maintained colonoscopy database. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to identify predictors of ADR. Results: A total of 2107 colonoscopies (644 with AI and 1463 with CO₂I) were analyzed. Overall ADR was 27.8 %. There was no significant difference in ADR between AI (27.6 %) vs. CO₂I (27.8 %) (P = 0.93). Method of insufflation (AI vs. CO₂I) was not significantly associated with ADR (OR 0.9; 95 % CI:0.7 - 1.2). Older age (OR: 1.02; 95 % CI: 1.001 - 1.03 per year increase), male gender (OR 1.48; 95 % CI: 1.17 - 1.87), and longer scope withdraw time (OR 1.13; 95 % CI: 1.1 - 1.16 per minute) were associated with a higher ADR. Fellow involvement was negatively associated with ADR (OR 0.60; 95 % CI: 0.47 - 0.77). Conclusion: ADR was similar between patients who underwent screening colonoscopy with AI vs. CO₂I. While CO₂I has been associated with improved patient comfort and post-procedural recovery time, there is no definitive evidence to suggest that this method of luminal distention enhances ADR.