Fundic Gland Polyposis Associated with Proton-Pump Inhibitor Use

We describe the case of a man with fundic gland polyposis associated with proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) use. Some investigators have reported an association between long-term PPI use and an increase in the risk of developing fundic gland polyps (FGPs). These FGPs are considered to be reversible on stopping PPI treatment. The current patient had used a PPI for 10 years, resulting in multiple FGPs in his gastric body. However, 6 months after cessation of the PPI, the FGPs had obvously regressed, even though a histamine-2 receptor antagonist had subsequently been prescribed. This case demonstrates a link between PPI treatment and FGPs

Advanced Oropharyngeal Cancer Can Be Easily Missed During Esophagogastroduodenoscopy

The case of an elderly man with an advanced oropharyngeal cancer that was missed during esophagogastroduodenoscopy is described. He was referred for endoscopic resection of superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasms. He died a month after referral due to an advanced oropharyngeal cancer with a metastatic lesion to the brain. Patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma are high risk for head and neck cancer. The pharynx is the most common site for cancer in the head and neck region. Consequently, the pharynx should be observed carefully when patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma undergo esophagogastroduodenoscopy

Treatment strategy for gastric non-invasive intraepithelial neoplasia diagnosed by endoscopic biopsy

Treatment strategies, whether as follow-up or “total incisional biopsy” for gastric noninvasive intraepithelial neoplasia diagnosed by examination of an endoscopic forceps biopsy specimen, are controversial due to problems associated with the diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic forceps biopsy and questions about the safety and efficacy of endoscopic treatment. Based on the histological findings of the biopsy specimen, it is difficult to differentiate between reactive or regenerative changes, inflammation and neoplastic changes, intraepithelial and invasive tumors. Therefore, gastric neoplasia diagnosed as noninvasive intraepithelial often develop into invasive carcinoma during follow-up. Recent advances in endoscopic modalities and treatment devices, such as image-enhanced endoscopy and high-frequency generators, may make endoscopic treatment, such as endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), a therapeutic option for gastric intraepithelial neoplasia, including low-grade neoplasms. Future studies are required to evaluate whether ESD is a valid strategy for gastric intraepithelial neoplasm with regard to safety and cost effectiveness

Evaluation of Endoscopic Ultrasound Image Quality Is Necessary in Endosonographic Assessment of Early Gastric Cancer Invasion Depth

We evaluated whether endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) image quality affects the accuracy of diagnosing the vertical invasion depth of early gastric cancer (EGC). A total of 75 lesions in 75 patients suspected of having EGC were enrolled. All patients underwent EUS examination. Findings of EUS were compared with histopathologic results. We evaluated the effect of the following clinicopathologic factors: location, diameter, surface pattern, concomitant ulceration, histology type, and EUS image quality score. EUS image quality was scored based on detection repeatability, appropriate probe placement, and clarity of the five gastric wall layers including the lesion. Sixty-three lesions (84%) were pathologically mucosal and 12 lesions (16%) were submucosal cancer. Overall accuracy was 82.7%. Significantly more lesions in the upper and middle portions of the stomach were incorrectly diagnosed than in the lower portion (=0.0019). Lesion diameter was significantly larger among incorrectly diagnosed lesions (=0.0257). Low-quality images were significantly more often associated with incorrectly diagnosed lesions than with correctly diagnosed lesions (=0.0001). Multivariate analysis revealed that EUS image quality was associated with EUS staging accuracy (odds ratio, 21.8; 95% confidence interval, 4.5–137.6). Low-quality EUS images led to an incorrect diagnosis of invasion depth of EGC, independent of tumor location or size