Diagnostic Value of EUS-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy for Gastric Linitis Plastica with Negative Endoscopic Biopsy

Due to the tendency of gastric linitis plastica (GLP) to cause extensive submucosal infiltration, a superficial endoscopic biopsy sometimes yields no evidence of malignancy, hindering definite diagnosis. The present study was a single-center retrospective analysis of 54 consecutive patients diagnosed with GLP between 2016 and 2020 to evaluate EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) biopsy outcomes in patients with negative endoscopic biopsy findings. A pathological GLP diagnosis was achieved by endoscopic biopsy in 40 patients (74.1%). EUS-FNA biopsy with a 22-gauge needle was performed in 13 of the remaining 14 patients, and GLP diagnosis was confirmed in 10 patients, with a median of three needle passes. The remaining four patients were laparoscopically diagnosed with GLP. The diagnostic ability of EUS-FNA biopsy for GLP was 76.9%, and EUS-FNA biopsy contributed to GLP diagnosis in 18.5% (10/54) of all cases. None of the 13 patients exhibited EUS-FNA biopsy-related adverse events. Univariable and multivariable analyses revealed an absence of superficial ulcerations as a predictor of false-negative endoscopic biopsy findings in patients with GLP. These results suggest EUS-FNA biopsy as a minimally invasive and safe alternative diagnostic modality for GLP in cases where conventional endoscopic biopsy fails to verify malignancy, although prospective studies with larger cohorts are warranted to confirm these findings.

APPLICATION OF MODERN METHODS OF ENDOSCOPIC HАEMOSTASIS IN THE TREATMENT OF GASTRODUODENAL ULCER BLEEDING

Summary. The aim of the study is to improve the results of treatment of patients with ulcerative gastroduodenal bleeding by using the methods of endoscopic hаemostasis. Materials and research methods. The results of endoscopic hаemostasis of 153 patients who were treated in the surgical department of the “Regional Clinical Hospital” were analyzed. Patients were examined clinically, laboratory and instrumental. Results and its discussion. For Forrest 1a, b bleeding, endoscopic clipping was used in 16 (10.4 %) patients with a visualized vessel in the bottom of the ulcer. In the studied patients of this group, there were no relapses of bleeding. Diathermy coagulation was used in 42 (27.5 %) patients. Recurrent bleeding was observed in 6 patients. Submucosal infiltration was performed in 37 (24.2 %) patients with ulcerative bleeding. Repeated bleeding was recorded in 9 patients within the next 3 hours after the intervention and in 7 patients during the first days after endoscopic hаemostasis. Combinations of endoscopic methods of hаemostasis were used in 58 (37.9 %) patients. Conclusions. The use of modern methods of endoscopic hаemostasis followed by adequate pharmacotherapy in most cases allows achieving a final stop of bleeding. Patients with a high risk of recurrent bleeding and a low surgical and anesthetic risk after successful endoscopic hаemostasis are shown surgical intervention before the development of recurrent bleeding.

Current Trends in Endoscopic Diagnosis and Treatment of Early Esophageal Cancer

Diagnosis of esophageal adenocarcinoma mostly occurs in the context of reflux disease or surveillance of Barrett’s metaplasia. Optimal detection rates are obtained with high definition and virtual or dye chromoendoscopy. Smaller lesions can be treated with endoscopic mucosal resection. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is an option for larger lesions. Endoscopic resection is considered curative (i.e., without significant risk of lymph node metastasis) if histopathology confirms en bloc and R0 resection of a well-differentiated (G1/2) tumor without infiltration of lymphatic or blood vessels and the maximal submucosal infiltration depth is 500µm. Ablation of remaining Barrett’s metaplasia is important, to reduce the risk of metachronous cancer. Esophageal squamous cell cancer is associated with different risk factors, and most of the detected lesions are diagnosed during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for other indications. Virtual high definition and dye chromoendoscopy with Lugol’s solution are used for screening and evaluation. ESD is the preferred resection technique. The criteria for curative resection are similar to Barrett’s cancer, but the maximum infiltration depth must not exceed lamina propria mucosae. Although a submucosal infiltration depth of up to 200 µm carries a substantial risk of lymph node metastasis, ESD combined with adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy gives excellent results. The complication rates of endoscopic resection are low, and the functional outcomes are favorable compared to surgery.

Risk factors analysis and stratification for microscopically positive resection margin in gastric cancer patients

Background: Cancer cells are often found postoperatively at surgical resection margins (RM) in patients with gastric cancer because of submucosal infiltration or hesitation to secure adequate RM. This study was designed to evaluate risk factors for microscopic positive RM and to clarify which patients should undergo intraoperative frozen section diagnosis (IFSD). Methods: Patients who underwent R0/1 gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma between 2000 and 2018 in a single cancer center in Japan were studied. We divided the patients into a positive RM group and negative RM group according to the results of definitive histopathological examinations. We performed multivariate analysis to analyze risk factors for positive RM by and used the identified risk factors to risk stratify the patients. Results: A total of 2757 patients were studied, including 49 (1.8%) in the positive RM group. The risk factors significantly associated with positive RM were remnant gastric cancer (odds ratio [OR] 4.7), esophageal invasion (OR 6.3), tumor size ≥80 mm (OR 3.9), and a histopathological diagnosis of undifferentiated type (OR 3.6), macroscopic type 4 (OR 3.7), or pT4 disease (OR 4.6). On risk stratification analysis, the incidence of positive RM was 0.1% without any risk factors, increasing to 0.4% with one risk factor, 3.1% with two risk factors, 5.3% with three risk factors, 21.3% with four risk factors, and 85.7% with five risk factors. Conclusions: The risk of macroscopically positive RM increased in patients who have risk factors. IFSD should be performed in patients who have four or more risk factors.

Serum miR-101-3p combined with pepsinogen contributes to the early diagnosis of gastric cancer

Background: This study aimed to explore the diagnostic value of serum miR-101-3p combined with pepsinogen (PG) on early diagnosis of gastric cancer (GC).Methods: A total of 61 atrophic gastritis (AG) and 86 GC patients, and 50 healthy volunteers were enrolled. The serum expression of miR-101-3p was measured by qRT-PCR. The serum content of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was measured by Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. The serum contents of PGI and PGII were measured by Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The diagnostic value of serum markers on AG and GC was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.Results: The expression of miR-101-3p, the content of PGI and the ratio of PGI/II were significantly decreased, and the content of PGII was significantly increased in AG patients compared with those in normal controls. The changes of the above serum indicators were more obvious in GC patients than those in AG patients. The content of CEA was significantly higher in GC patients than that in AG patients. In addition, the expression of miR-101-3p was negatively associated with the submucosal infiltration in GC patients. MiR-101-3p exhibited high diagnostic value on AG (AUC 0.8493, sensitivity 80.33%, specificity 80%) and GC (AUC 0.8749, sensitivity 72.09%, specificity 86.49%). MiR-101-3p + PGI + PGI/II (AUC 0.856, sensitivity 80.23%, specificity 77.05%) exhibited a high diagnostic value in distinguishing between AG and GC.Conclusions: MiR-101-3p was a potential diagnostic marker for AG and GC. MiR-101-3p + PGI + PGI/II was effective in distinguishing between AG and GC.

Serum miR-101-3p combined with pepsinogen contributes to the early diagnosis of gastric cancer

Background: This study aimed to explore the diagnostic value of serum miR-101-3p combined with pepsinogen (PG) on early diagnosis of gastric cancer (GC). Methods: A total of 61 atrophic gastritis (AG) and 86 GC patients, and 50 healthy volunteers were enrolled. The serum expression of miR-101-3p was measured by qRT-PCR. The serum content of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was measured by Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. The serum contents of PGI and PGII were measured by Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The diagnostic value of serum markers on AG and GC was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: The expression of miR-101-3p, the content of PGI and the ratio of PGI/II were significantly decreased, and the content of PGII was significantly increased in AG patients compared with those in normal controls. The changes of the above serum indicators were more obvious in GC patients than those in AG patients. The content of CEA was significantly higher in GC patients than that in AG patients. In addition, the expression of miR-101-3p was negatively associated with the submucosal infiltration in GC patients. MiR-101-3p exhibited high diagnostic value on AG (AUC 0.8493, sensitivity 80.33%, specificity 80%) and GC (AUC 0.8749, sensitivity 72.09%, specificity 86.49%). MiR-101-3p + PGI + PGI/II (AUC 0.856, sensitivity 80.23%, specificity 77.05%) exhibited a high diagnostic value in distinguishing between AG and GC. Conclusions: MiR-101-3p was a potential diagnostic marker for AG and GC. MiR-101-3p + PGI + PGI/II was effective in distinguishing between AG and GC.

Serum miR-101-3p combined with pepsinogen contributes to the early diagnosis of gastric cancer

Background: This study aimed to explore the diagnostic value of serum miR-101-3p combined with pepsinogen (PG) on early diagnosis of gastric cancer (GC). Methods: A total of 61 atrophic gastritis (AG) and 86 GC patients, and 50 healthy volunteers were enrolled. The serum expression of miR-101-3p was measured by qRT-PCR. The serum content of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was measured by Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. The serum contents of PGI and PGII were measured by Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The diagnostic value of serum markers on AG and GC was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: The expression of miR-101-3p, the content of PGI and the ratio of PGI/II were significantly decreased, and the content of PGII was significantly increased in AG patients compared with those in normal controls. The changes of the above serum indicators were more obvious in GC patients than those in AG patients. The content of CEA was significantly higher in GC patients than that in AG patients. In addition, the expression of miR-101-3p was negatively associated with the submucosal infiltration in GC patients. MiR-101-3p exhibited high diagnostic value on AG (AUC 0.8493, sensitivity 80.33%, specificity 80%) and GC (AUC 0.8749, sensitivity 72.09%, specificity 86.49%). MiR-101-3p + PGI + PGI/II (AUC 0.856, sensitivity 80.23%, specificity 77.05%) exhibited a high diagnostic value in distinguishing between AG and GC. Conclusions: MiR-101-3p was a potential diagnostic marker for AG and GC. MiR-101-3p + PGI + PGI/II was effective in distinguishing between AG and GC.

Accuracy and Pitfalls in the Assessment of Early Gastrointestinal Lesions

Superficial neoplastic lesions of the digestive tract are usually asymptomatic, and often represent incidental findings on endoscopy. The Paris Classification was developed for the systematic evaluation of superficial lesions of the oesophagus, stomach and colon. The significance of this classification in clinical practice is that it allows the depth of invasion to be estimated. Chromoendoscopy is used to improve the visualization of gastrointestinal lesions. There are 2 types of chromoendoscopy: dye and virtual chromoendoscopy. In addition to chromoendoscopy, advanced endoscopy techniques have great importance in the detection of early gastrointestinal lesions. Although the depth of invasion can be estimated by endoscopy, the final decision regarding therapeutic approach is made on the basis of histopathological examination, as obtained by biopsy or endoscopic resection (ER). Polypectomy, endoscopic mucosal resection, and endoscopic submucosal dissection may be considered ER. For early gastrointestinal lesions with or without limited submucosal infiltration, ER can serve as therapy. In patients with neoplastic lesions localized deeper than the submucosa, or if the location of the lesion carries a high risk of perforation, a full-thickness resection can be performed. Guidelines for assessment and therapy of early oesophageal, gastric and colorectal lesions are currently available.

Ileocecal lipomatosis presenting as intermittent intestinal obstruction and hematochezia: case report with literature review

Lipomatosis of the ileocecal valve is defined as the submucosal infiltration or accumulation of adipose tissue in the ileocecal region, usually resulting in non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms like abdominal distension, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, alternating diarrhea and constipation and occasionally bleeding per rectum. Lipomas are the most common benign mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. Distribution of alimentary lipomas demonstrates a predilection for the colon, but they may originate anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract. Here, we are describing the case of an elderly male who presented with rectal bleeding. Both colonoscopy and computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis confirmed the presence of a mass near the ileocecal valve. Because of bleeding, the patient required right hemicolectomy to resect the lesion. Both macroscopic and microscopic pathology were consistent with lipoma at the ileocecal valve. Previous cases of ileocecal valve lipomas have been reported in the literature, with the majority presenting as intussusception or volvulus. We present a rare case of an ileocecal valve lipoma with superficial ulceration presenting as lower gastrointestinal bleeding that was treated successfully with resection.