Is Endoscopic Papillectomy Safe for Ampullary Adenomas with High-Grade Dysplasia?

Objectives  This study was designed to provide safe management guidelines for ampullary adenoma by analysis of clinicopathological features. Background  The treatment of ampullary cancer has been established; however, the indications for treatment of ampullary adenoma remain controversial. Methods  Between July 1997 and July 2008, a total of 33 patients were diagnosed with ampullary adenoma prior to procedures: 20 endoscopic papillectomies (ESP), 5 transduodenal resections (TDR), and 8 pancreatoduodenectomies (PD). Results  The false-negative rate of biopsy for cancer was 27.5% (8/29). Coexistence of cancer in patients with pre-high-grade dysplasia (HGD) was 50.0% (5/10), whereas it was 15.7% in pre-low-grade dysplasia (LGD). In addition, the rate of recurrence was 80% (8/10) in patients with pre-HGD. The size of tumor by final pathology was 1.27 ± 0.89 cm in LGD, 1.81 ± 0.99 cm in HGD, and 1.98 ± 1.08 cm in cancer group. There was a significant correlation between size of tumor and final pathology (P = 0.036). According to receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, criterion to predict HGD/cancer was tumor size larger than 1.5 cm; sensitivity and specificity were 55.6% and 80.0%, respectively, and likelihood ratio was 2.778. However, size of tumor was not associated with preprocedural pathology. Conclusions  Ampullary adenoma with preprocedural HGD was highly associated with coexistence of cancer and recurrence. Moreover, most of large tumors were treated by surgical procedures and proved to be cancer. Therefore, we suggest that ampullary adenoma with preprocedural HGD or more than 1.5 cm should not be managed with endoscopic papillectomy due to high associated rates of recurrence.     

Endoscopic resection of ampullary neoplasms: a single-center experience

Background

An ampullary tumor, whether malignant or not, must be completely resected. A benign adenoma has the potential for malignant transformation. Currently, endoscopic papillectomy with curative intent is increasingly performed for benign papillary tumors. This study aimed to evaluate the outcome of endoscopic papillectomy performed for ampullary tumors at a single center.

Methods

From July 2003 to June 2008, 22 patients with a diagnosis of ampullary tumors determined by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) were treated using endoscopic resection of the tumors. Endoscopic resection was performed in a radical fashion analogous to polypectomy for colon adenomas.

Results

The 22 patients (9 men and 13 women) had an average age of 58 ± 14 years (range, 19–85 years). The median follow-up period was 169 days (range, 14–903 days). The papillary lesions ranged in size from 8 to 33 mm. The rate of concordance between the endoscopic forceps biopsy and the resected specimen was 50% (9/18) according to the Vienna classification. Complete endoscopic resections were performed for 17 of 22 the cases (77.3%). The median length of hospital stay was 4 days (range, 2–11 days), and there were no readmissions for complications. Endoscopic complications occurred for 5 (22.7%) of the 22 patients: postpapillectomy pancreatitis for 4 patients, bleeding for 1 patient, and retroperitoneal perforation for 1 patient. However, no procedure-related deaths occurred. After the papillectomy, a pathologically incomplete resection was noted in 10 cases, including submucosal invasion of an adenocarcinoma with lateral clean resection margins.

Conclusions

The findings showed that an endoscopic papillectomy was safe and effective for benign-appearing adenomas with negative biopsy results for a malignancy. This procedure should be considered as the initial intervention in such cases. The decision whether to perform a pancreatoduodenectomy can be made after the pathology report of the resected specimen is obtained from the endoscopic papillectomy.     

壶腹部癌的诊断和治疗

壶腹部癌的发病率高于胆管下端癌，但远低于胰头癌。据统计，其发病率仅为胰头癌的1／12。近年，随着消化内镜的普及，壶腹部癌的发现率逐渐增加。与胆管下端癌及胰头癌比较，壶腹部癌的预后相对较好，手术切除率高，术后5年生存率为30％-70％，诊断和治疗有其独自的特点。     

壶腹部癌的诊断和治疗

Ampullary cancer is a relatively uncommon cancer,which is often considered to have a best prognosis among periampullary cancers.Preoperative endoscopic uhrasonography and transpapillary intraductal ultrasonography Call provide useful information not only for tumor staging but also for making therapeutic decisions,especially in patients who are appropriate for endoscopic papillectomy.Whipple resection and pylrus preserring panereaticoduodenectomy are considered to be the standard treatment for ampullary cancer.Although transduedenal ampullectomy is regarded as a less-invasive treatment compared with Whipple resection,it has a high morbidity and hish rate of cancer-cell remnant at the resected margin.Endoscopic papiilectomy may be the treatment of choice for selected cases of ampullary cancer. As to unresectable ampullary cancer,the performance of a biliary-enteric bypass is considered routine to solve obstructive ianndice.The decision as to whether to perform gastrojejunostomy in patients without obvious gastroduodenal obstruction secondary to the tumor remains controversial.We believe that prophylactic gastrojejunostomy should be performed routinely when a patient is undergoing surgical palliation for unresectable ampullary cancer.     

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??Consensus and controversy on endoscopic resection of duodenal papilla tumor ZHOU Ping-hong, XU Jia-xin. Endoscopy Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
Corresponding author: ZHOU Ping-hong, E-mail: zhou.pinghong@zs-hospital.sh.cn
Abstract As the development of the endoscopic examination technique, the detection rate of early duodenal ampullary tumors has increased. An active surveillance is not suitable for the actual medical condition of China. Besides, because of the high incidence of adverse events and mortality, surgery for the benign tumors is not suitable. Fortunately, endoscopic papillectomy has been widely accepted for its minimal invasive and safety. All the measures should be performed to assess the neoplasms and decide the optimum therapy. Biopsy specimens are obtained and evaluated from ampullary lesions suspicious for neoplasia. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) evaluation is to estimate the invasion of the neoplasm and features concerning for malignancy. And endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERCP) with both biliary and pancreatic duct evaluation is to assess for evidence of extension into either ductal system. Although the standard procedure for endoscopic resection remains controversial, prophylactic pancreatic duct stent placement and rectal indomethacin during papillectomy are recommended to reduce the risk of postprocedural pancreatitis. Patients undergoing endoscopic resection of ampullary neoplasms should be included in an endoscopic surveillance program to ensure complete tissue removal and assess for disease recurrence. It is recommended that individualized therapy should be selected by the comprehensive evaluation of the clinical history, combination with the skills of the endoscopist, and the balance of the adverse events and the risk of disease.     

Ampullary tumors: endoscopic versus operative management

Most ampullary adenomas (80%) are common benign ampullary tumors; however, they can range from mild dysplasia to high-grade dysplasia to invasive carcinoma. They are considered premalignant lesions found in the setting of familial polyposis syndromes or found sporadically, usually manifested by vague abdominal pain, liver enzyme elevation, jaundice, recurrent pancreatitis, or with uncommon symptoms such as gastrointestinal bleeding or duodenal obstruction. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with biopsy is a minimally invasive technique used to visualize these tumors directly and to evaluate their histologic characteristics. Definitive treatment primarily depends on these histologic results. Local resection has a high rate of recurrence (5% to 30%) and requires postoperative endoscopic surveillance, which is the reason it is not considered as a first choice in the management of ampullary tumors. The operative mortality is 10% or less for pancreaticoduodenectomy, a procedure of choice at most experienced centers for frank carcinoma, foci papillary adenocarcinoma in pre-excisional biopsies, or high-grade dysplasia ampullary adenomas. Endoscopic interventions for presumed benign ampullary adenomas have resolved symptoms of obstruction, but long-term follow up is necessary to detect early malignant transformation. In summary, the choice of treatment depends on level of surgical skill available, patient tolerance of long-term endoscopic surveillance versus radical surgery, and the presence or absence of coexisting familial adenomatous polyposis.     

Safety and long-term follow-up of endoscopic snare excision of ampullary adenomas

Background Adenomas of the duodenal papilla are rare. Because of their malignant potential, resection is mandatory. Options for resection include endoscopic resection techniques, transduodenal local excision, and pancreaticoduodenectomy. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the safety and outcome of endoscopic snare resection of papillary adenomas in a Greek cohort of patients. Methods Fourteen patients (six women and eight men; age range, 42–76 years) were referred for endoscopic management of ampullary adenomas. A questionnaire was completed for each patient, which included preoperative and postoperative data points. Presenting symptoms were jaundice (n = 4), cholangitis (n = 1), and pain (n = 2). Seven patients were asymptomatic. If there was no common bile and main pancreatic duct invasion and the appearance suggested a benign lesion, biductal sphincterotomy onto normal duodenal tissue was performed. The adenomas were resected via a diathermy snare, along with the major papilla, after elevation of the lesion by epinephrine plus dextrose 50% (1:10,000) solution. At the discretion of the endoscopist, a biliary or pancreatic stent was inserted as a prophylactic procedure immediately after excision. Results Histopathologically, resected tissue included 11 adenomas and three adenomas with focal malignancy, referred for pancreaticoduodenectomy. Immediate complications were moderate bleeding (n = 1) and mild pancreatitis (n = 1). No procedure-related death occurred. Follow-up was available for 11 patients (mean, 28.36 months; range, 6–72). Pancreatic and biliary stents were placed in four and nine patients, respectively. Follow-up endoscopy revealed recurrent/residual adenomatous tissue in two patients (18%), which was resected endoscopically. Conclusion Endoscopic snare resection of adenomas of the major duodenal papilla is a safe, well-tolerated alternative to surgical therapy. In expert hands, complications are mild and may be avoided by pre-resection biductal sphincterotomy, stent placement, and elevation of the lesion by epinephrine plus dextrose 50% solution injection.     

内镜下黏膜切除术治疗消化道早期癌和癌前病变

目的探讨内镜黏膜切除术(EMR)在治疗消化道肿瘤中的临床应用价值。方法对2001年4月至2005年12月间行EMR治疗的28例患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果28例患者共计42个病灶。内镜分型：隆起型(Ⅰ型)9个,其中亚蒂型(Ⅰsp)2个,无蒂型(Ⅰs)7个；平坦型(Ⅱ型)33个,其中平坦隆起型(Ⅱa)23个,平坦隆起加平坦凹陷型(Ⅱa加Ⅱc)4个。表面平坦型(Ⅱb)6个。直接用圈套器切除38个病灶；另4个用透明帽切除病灶大小为0．6 cm×0．6 cm至3．0 cm×3．5 cm,均为扁平病灶。40个病灶取到组织进行病理检查,36个病灶(90．0%)获完全切除,其中2个病灶2次分割切除、1个病灶3次分割切除；4个病灶未完全切除；另2个病灶无病理结果,无法判断是否完全切除和进行病理分型。切除后病灶的组织学分型：早期癌4个(活检仅1个)；重度不典型增生11个(活检仅8个),中度17个(活检20个)；单纯腺瘤6个(活检7个)；非腺瘤性息肉2个(活检4个)；24个病灶(60．0%)手术前后病理诊断一致；EMR术后病理诊断早期癌和重度不典型增生较活检比例高。全组术中未发生大出血或穿孔等严重并发症。有5次在切除后局部出现少量渗血。结论EMR操作简单、安全,病灶切除完全。     

Endoscopic snare papillectomy with biliary and pancreatic stent placement for tumors of the major duodenal papilla

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and follow-up results of endoscopic papilletomy (ESP) with pancreatic and biliary duct stent placement for ampullary tumors. The therapeutic approach to benign ampullary tumors remains unsettled. The ESP procedure is a curative treatment option for benign papillary tumors, but ESP raises concerns about a relatively high risk for procedure-related complications such as pancreatitis. A pancreatic stent may protect against complications.

Methods

Between September 2000 and June 2008, 36 patients with ampullary tumors confined to the mucosa and no intraductal tumor growth underwent ESP. The preprocedural diagnostic tools included endoscopic ultrasound, transpapillary intraductal ultrasound, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Pancreatic and biliary stent placement was attempted if feasible. Endoscopic follow-up evaluation was conducted periodically as surveillance for recurrence.

Results

En bloc ESP was achieved for 94% of lesions with a median size of 14 mm. There were 26 adenomas including 4 high-grade intraepithelial neoplasias (HGINs), 5 carcinomas in adenoma, and 3 intramucosal cancers. Complete resections with tumor-free lateral and basal margins was achieved for 81% of the cases. During the median follow-up period of 14 months, there was one recurrent adenoma, which was successfully eradicated by a repeat ESP. A pancreatic stent was placed in 35 cases and a biliary stent in 29 cases. Mild acute pancreatitis and bleeding, managed endoscopically, occurred in 3 cases each (8%).

Conclusion

The ESP procedure can be feasible for benign ampullary adenoma, HGIN, and noninvasive cancer without intraductal tumor growth. Prophylactic stent placement in the pancreatic and bile ducts may reduce procedure-related complications.     

Reliability of endoscopic esophageal mucosectomy using TxHood,a multipurpose treatment hood

Endoscopic mucosectomy, comprising both endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), is a minimally invasive treatment for patients with early esophageal carcinoma. The use of ESD is appropriate for mucosal lesions of any size. However, ESD techniques are relatively difficult and can lead to serious complications such as perforation and massive bleeding, which have been reported more frequently after ESD than after EMR. This study describes a novel technique for ESD using a newly designed multipurpose treatment hood (TxHood) as well as basic experiments to ensure its safety. The TxHood includes various therapeutic tools such as an electric needleknife, a snare wire, and an injection needle, and the lines can be selected freely before insertion of an enodoscope covered by a TxHood. The main techniques for ESD are endoscopic submucosal saline injections on demand through a working channel of the endoscope or TxHood and a cut or swing cut with a needleknife attached to the TxHood. Moreover, the target area can be grasped with a grasping forceps through a working channel of the endoscope to obtain effective countertraction. In these experiments, an electric needleknife set parallel to the shaft of the endoscope offered safety and ease of handling for the dissecting procedures. Altogether, 16 resections of mucosa with an average size of 3.5 × 2.5 cm (range, 2 × 2 to 7 × 4 cm) were performed. The average time required for each targeted endoscopic resection area was about 15 min. No perforations or instances of uncontrollable bleeding occurred. In conclusion, this basic study demonstrates that the new ESD technique with the TxHood provides a useful treatment for early esophageal carcinoma and may be applicable for all mucosal or submucosal tumors in the gastrointestinal tract. Presented at the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) 2006 meeting in Dallas, April 2006, during the New Technology session.     

Outcomes of dysplasia arising in Barrett's esophagus: a dynamic view

BACKGROUND: The management of dysplasia arising in Barrett's esophagus is controversial. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty patients (group 1, prompt attitude) underwent operation as soon as high-grade dysplasia (HGD) was discovered (n = 8) or just after either the presence of HGD was confirmed (n = 9) or invasive carcinoma (IC) was found (n = 3) in a second set of biopsy samples taken soon after HGD had been discovered. In contrast, esophagectomy in 13 patients (group 2, expectant attitude) was performed only because HGD persisted (n = 4) or turned into IC (n = 4) at endoscopic followup (7 to 23 months) (subgroup 2a, n = 8) or because HGD (n = 2) or low-grade dysplasia (LGD) (n = 3) was disregarded until dysphagia and IC developed (12 to 70 months) (subgroup 2b, n = 5). Skeletonizing en-bloc esophagectomy was performed in 29 patients and four patients (three with HGD and one with mucosal IC in the resected specimen) underwent vagus-sparing esophagectomy. RESULTS: Invasive carcinoma was found in 11 of 24 patients (45.8%) supposed to have only HGD (in repeat biopsies in 3 patients from group 1 and in the resected specimen in eight of 21 patients (38%) operated on for HGD. Metastatic lymph nodes were found in the resected specimen of seven patients (group 1: one of 20 or 5%, versus subgroup 2a: two of eight or 25%, versus subgroup 2b: four of five or 80%; p = 0.001). Unlike none of the 26 patients (0%) with an intramural process, five of the seven patients (71.4%) with an extramural process (one had had disregarded LGD) developed neoplastic recurrence at followup (p < 0.0001). Cancer-related survival in the long term was 100% in group 1 versus 52.5% in group 2 (p = 0.0094). CONCLUSIONS: Invasive carcinoma is present in almost one half of patients with HGD within a Barrett's area. Promptness in the decision regarding an esophageal resection as soon as HGD is found is much safer than expectant observation. Not enrolling a patient with LGD in an endoscopic surveillance program can lead to the development of extramural IC with poor outcomes.     

Surgical Management of Failed Endoscopic Treatment of Pancreatic Disease

Introduction  Endoscopic therapy of acute and chronic pancreatitis has decreased the need for operative intervention. However, a significant proportion of patients treated endoscopically require definitive surgical management for persistent symptoms. Objective  Our aim was to determine which patients are likely to fail with endoscopic therapy, and to assess the clinical outcome of surgical management. Patients were identified using ICD-9 codes for pancreatic disease as well as CPT codes for endoscopic therapy followed by surgery. Material and Methods  Patients with documented acute or chronic pancreatitis treated endoscopically prior to surgical therapy were included (N = 88). The majority of patients (65%) exhibited chronic pancreatitis due to alcohol abuse. Common indicators for surgery were: persistent symptoms, anatomy not amenable to endoscopic treatment and unresolved common bile duct or pancreatic duct strictures. Surgical salvage procedures included internal drainage of a pseudocyst or an obstructed pancreatic duct (46%), debridement of peripancreatic fluid collections (25%), and pancreatic resection (31%). Results  Death occurred in 3% of patients. The most common complications were hemorrhage (16%), wound infection (13%), and pulmonary complications (11%). Chronic pancreatitis with persistent symptoms is the most common reason for pancreatic surgery following endoscopic therapy. Surgical salvage therapy can largely be accomplished by drainage procedures, but pancreatic resection is common. Conclusion  These complex procedures can be performed with acceptable mortality but also with significant risk for morbidity. Presented at the 49th Annual Meeting of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, San Diego, CA, May 21, 2008.     

Barrett's oesophagus: endoscopic diagnosis and follow-up

Barrett's oesophagus (BO), or replacement of the squamous mucosa by a specialized intestinal metaplasia due to gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), predisposes to adenocarcinoma. It is estimated that 6 to 12% of patients undergoing GI endoscopy have short BO (< 3 cm), and 1% have a long BO. Macroscopic diagnosis of BO is sometimes difficult and, in case of doubt, endoscopy should be redone after a period of efficient anti-secretory treatment. Diagnosis of BO is histological and should be confirmed by biopsies. The incidence of adenocarcinoma is globally estimated at 0.5% patient by year of follow-up, and exists for both short and long BO. Due to this low incidence, screening for BO is only justified in patients at high risk for adenocarcinoma (male gender, age > 50 ans, old GORD in a young patient). Low-grade dysplasia (LGD) then high-grade dysplasia (HGD) precedes adenocarcinoma. Histological diagnosis of LGD is difficult: the main cause of confusion is inflammation so diagnosis of LGD must be confirmed after a 3-month high-dose anti-secretory treatment. Diagnosis of HGD is easier but multiple biopsies are needed to determine the focal or multifocal disposition of HGD. The benefit of follow-up of BO is debated. Aged patients should be followed only if dysplasia is present. When dysplasia is absent, an endoscopic control with biopsies is desirable within 3 to 5 years. In case of dysplasia, the latter must be confirmed by another examination of biopsies, particularly in case of suspicion of HGD and after antisecretory treatment. In case of LGD, endoscopy with biopsies should be redone 6 months later to screen for HGD, then every year if LGD is confirmed. In case of HGD, the 5-year risk of cancer is 60% so surgical or endoscopic treatment is usually proposed. If HGD follow-up is decided, it should be performed on a 3- to 6-month basis.     

A case of ampullary carcinoma successfully managed with endoscopic snare resection

Pancreaticoduodenectomy and transduodenal ampullectomy have been the procedures of choice for ampullary cancer in most patients. However, for patients with small ampullary neoplasms or who are unfit for laparotomy or refuse open surgical operations, endoscopic snare ampullectomy may be appropriate. We report here a case of ampullary carcinoma in which endoscopic snare ampullectomy was performed successfully, with long-term survival. The patient was a 77-year-old man with a 30-year history of ulcerative colitis, who presented with epigastric pain and fever. He had a history of four laparotomies. Laboratory studies showed a mild elevation in alkaline phosphatase, serum aspartate aminotransferase, gamma glutamyltransferase, and C-reactive protein values. At endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, the ampulla was prominent, with granulomatous proliferation. The common bile duct was dilated to approximately 25 mm in diameter. Biopsy specimens of the ampulla showed a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. Because of extensive adhesions of the peritoneal cavity due to the prior four laparotomies and the patient's refusal of surgery, endoscopic snare ampullectomy was performed. Ten days after the ampullectomy, the patient was discharged from the hospital without any complication. The patient has been well for the 4 years since then, without recurrence of the tumor or jaundice. Endoscopic snare ampullectomy may be considered as a viable alternative to surgery in patients with small ampullary tumors who are unfit for surgery or who prefer a nonsurgical approach.     

Predictive factors of coexisting cancer in Barrett’s high-grade dysplasia

Background Identification of high-grade dysplasia (HGD) in Barrett’s esophagus has been considered an indication for esophagectomy because of the high risk for coexisting cancer. However, rigorous endoscopic surveillance programs recently have been recommended, reserving esophagectomy for patients whose cancer is identified on biopsy. This approach risks continued surveillance for patients who already have cancer unless reliable markers for the presence of occult cancer are identified. This study aimed to determine the endoscopic, histologic, and demographic features associated with the presence of occult cancer in patients with HGD. Methods Endoscopic, histologic, and demographic findings for 31 patients who underwent esophagectomy for HGD were reviewed. The presence of an ulcer, nodule, stricture, or raised area on preoperative endoscopy was noted. The results of endoscopic biopsies taken before resection every 1 to 2 cm along the Barrett’s segment were reviewed. The HGD was categorized as unilevel if the dysplasia was limited to one level of biopsy and as multilevel if more than one level was involved. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of cancer in the resected specimens, and these variables were compared. Results The prevalence of coexisting cancer in patients with HGD was 45% (14/31). Of the 31 patients in this study, 9 had a visible lesion. Cancer was found in the resected specimens from 7 (78%) of 9 patients with a visible lesion and 7 (32%) of 22 patients without a visible lesion (p = 0.019). Of 22 patients without a visible lesion, 10 had multilevel and 12 had unilevel HGD. The findings showed that 6 (60%) of 10 patients with multilevel HGD and 1 (8.3%) of 12 patients with unilevel HGD had cancer in the resected esophagus (p = 0.009). Conclusion For patients with HGD, a lesion visible on endoscopy and/or HGD at multiple biopsy levels is associated with an increased risk for coexisting cancer. These patients should be considered for early esophagectomy. Presented at the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) meeting, Hollywood, FL, USA, 13–16 April 2005     

Endoscopic characteristics of gastric adenomas suggesting carcinomatous transformation

Background  Currently, endoscopic resections, including endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), are widely performed for the management of gastric neoplasia. This study aimed to evaluate the potential predictive factors for carcinomas on the basis of endoscopic features. Methods  This study investigated 114 samples from 114 patients. Gastric adenoma was diagnosed initially for all the patients. The endoscopic findings were reviewed for location, size, gross appearance, surface nodularity, ulceration, surface color, and number of biopsy samples. These variables were analyzed and compared between an adenoma group (51 cases) and a carcinoma group (63 cases) on the basis of postresection diagnosis. Results  The mean age of the patients was 62 years (range, 43–82 years), and 83 of the patients were men. The diameter of the lesions was 14.6 ± 8.2 mm in the adenoma group and 15.4 ± 7.4 mm in the carcinoma group. Depressed type, combined high-grade dysplasia, red discoloration, and mucosal ulceration were significant variables associated with carcinomas. In the multivariate analysis, combined high-grade dysplasia was a significant independent predictor of carcinomas. Conclusions  The results suggest that patients with high-grade dysplasia on forceps biopsies should be considered candidates for endoscopic resection. Characteristics of gastric adenomas such as a depressed type, red color, and ulceration that may have foci of carcinomas in other parts of the adenomas also should be considered for endoscopic resection.     

Status of endoscopic liver surgery in Japan: a questionnaire survey conducted by the Japanese Endoscopic Liver Surgery Study Group

Background/purpose  In 2007, the First Annual Meeting of the Japanese Endoscopic Liver Surgery Study Group was convened. We report the results of a questionnaire survey conducted by this study group that attempted to assess the current status and safety of endoscopic liver surgery. Methods  A questionnaire survey was conducted at 26 hospitals to determine the operative procedures, rates of conversion to open surgery, and morbidity rates in patients who had undergone laparoscopic hepatectomy and endoscopic ablation therapy. Results  Laparoscopic hepatectomy was performed in 471 patients by means of nonanatomical partial resection (57.7%), left lateral sectionectomy (24.6%), hemihepatectomy (12.5%), sectionectomy other than lateral sectionectomy (2.5%), and segmentectomy (2.5%). Hepatectomy was performed by a totally laparoscopic procedure in 47% of the patients and by a hybrid procedure in 53%. The rate of complications was 12.3%; there was no case of serious liver failure or operative mortality. Endoscopic ablation therapy was performed in 169 patients through a thoracoscopic (25.4%) or laparoscopic approach (74.6%), using radiowaves (55.6%), microwaves (40.2%), cryotherapy (1.8%), or ethanol (0.6%). The incidence of complications was 6.6%. Conclusions  In properly selected patients, laparoscopic hepatectomy and endoscopic ablation therapy are safe treatments for liver tumors.     

Endoscopic Treatment of High-Grade Dysplasia and Early Esophageal Cancer

Background

The emergence of novel endoscopic modalities has challenged the role of surgery for patients with Barrett’s esophagus (BE) and high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or early esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Aim

The aim of this study was to review the available evidence of the endoscopic treatment of HGD and early esopahgeal adenocarcinoma.

Results

For most patients with BE and HGD, endoscopic ablative therapy is the preferred treatment strategy. Patients with intramucosal adenocarcinoma (T1a) should be treated with endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) followed by ablative therapy, in order to eradicate the remaining intestinal metaplasia. The best approach to treatment of adenocarcinoma with submucosal invasion (T1b) remains elusive. Endoscopic resection may be suitable for low-risk T1b tumors (well differentiated, without lymphovascular invasion and with superficial submucosal invasion); however, further data are necessary to better risk stratify this group. Careful endoscopic surveillance is recommended following complete eradication of intestinal metaplasia to detect recurrent disease.

Conclusion

Patients with BE and HGD should undergo endoscopic ablative therapy. Patients with T1a adenocarcinoma should be treated with EMR and subsequent ablation of the entire BE segment. Low-risk T1b tumors may be suitable for endoscopic resection.

     

Expert pathology review and endoscopic mucosal resection alters the diagnosis of patients referred to undergo therapy for Barrett’s esophagus

Background

Endoscopic therapy has emerged as an alternative to surgical esophagectomy for the management of Barrett’s esophagus (BE)-associated neoplasia. Accurate pretreatment staging is essential to ensure an appropriate choice of therapy and optimal long-term outcomes. This study aimed to assess the frequency with which expert histopathologic review of biopsies combined with endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) would alter the pretreatment diagnosis of BE-associated neoplasia.

Methods

Patients referred to the Vanderbilt Barrett’s Esophagus Endoscopic Treatment Program (V-BEET) were retrospectively identified. Demographic, histopathologic, and endoscopic data were extracted from the medical record.

Results

For this study, 29 subjects referred for endoscopic staging of BE fulfilled the entry criteria. The referral diagnosis was low-grade dysplasia (LGD) in 3 % (1/29), high-grade dysplasia (HGD) in 62 % (18/29), intramucosal adenocarcinoma (T1a) adenocarcinoma in 17 % (5/29), and invasive adenocarcinoma in 17 % (5/29) of the subjects. Expert histopathologic review of available referral biopsy specimens altered the diagnosis in 33 % (5/15) of the cases. Further diagnostic staging with EMR showed BE without dysplasia in 10 % (3/29), LGD in 14 % (4/29), HGD in 34 % (10/29), T1a adenocarcinoma in 28 % (8/29), and invasive adenocarcinoma in 14 % (4/29) of the patients. The combination of expert histopathologic review and EMR altered the initial diagnosis for 55 % (16/29) of the subjects, with 56 % (9/16) upstaged to more advanced disease and 44 % (7/16) downstaged to less advanced disease.

Conclusions

The practice of combined expert histopathologic review and EMR alters the pretreatment diagnosis for the majority of patients with BE-associated neoplasia. Caution is advised for those embarking on endoscopic or surgical treatment for BE-associated neoplasia in the absence of these staging methods.     

Rationale for endoscopic management of adenoma of the papilla of Vater: options and limitations

BACKGROUND: Several studies and our own results prove that endoscopic therapy in selected cases of benign adenomas is safe and technically feasible. In patients refusing surgery or patients with high comorbidity and poor physical health status, endoscopic resection is an excellent alternative. DISCUSSION: The decision for endoscopic or surgical excision of adenomas is determined by general health status, histology, size, location, and depth of the lesion. In carcinoma of the papilla of Vater it is important to assess the tumoral ductal infiltration correctly to determine whether endoscopic resection is a viable option. Intraductal ultrasound is essential before initiating treatment and it therefore contributes to conservative therapy in patients with tumors of the papilla of Vater. Temporary placement of a short pancreatic duct stent may protect against pancreatitis and might allow more excessive ablation of adenomatous tissue, especially around the pancreatic duct orifice. After endoscopic sphincterotomy, biliary and pancreatic endoprostheses can be inserted easily in cases of obstructed pathways or cholangitis and pancreatitis due to tumor obstruction. Argon plasma coagulation can be used to treat oozing tumor hemorrhages or to vaporize tumoral residues after endoscopic snare resection. Endoscopic surveillance is essential after surgical or endoscopic resection of adenomas of the papilla of Vater.