Imaging of intestinal fibrosis: current challenges and future methods

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/166213/1/ueg2bf00613.pd

Letter: immune checkpoint inhibitor‐induced colitis—shouldn’t we be checking more often? Authors’ reply

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/151368/1/apt15448_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/151368/2/apt15448.pd

Increasing ultraviolet light exposure is associated with reduced mortality from Clostridium difficile infection

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/166256/1/ueg2bf00112.pd

Nuances of the psychogastroenterology patient: A predictive model for gastrointestinal quality of life improvement

BackgroundGastrointestinal conditions are multifactorial in nature, and certain patients can benefit greatly from brain–gut psychotherapies delivered by mental health professionals who specialize in psychogastroenterology. This study aimed to identify features associated with improvements in GI‐specific quality of life scores following behavioral health interventions (BHI). The second aim was to create a psychogastroenterology referral care pathway incorporating identified characteristics for greatest benefit from GI‐specific behavioral therapy.MethodsWe performed a prospective observational study of 101 (63 women; median age, 45 years) gastroenterology patients referred for psychogastroenterology consultation at a single center. Patients attended an average of seven sessions with a single GI psychologist where evidence‐based brain–gut psychotherapies were employed. GI‐specific quality of life (IBS‐QOL) and psychological distress (BSI‐18) were assessed before and after BHI. Patients completed self‐reported questionnaires. We performed a multivariable analysis to determine predictors associated with IBS‐QOL score improvement.Key ResultsA total of 53 (52.5%) patients experienced improvement in IBS‐QOL score. Patients with improved IBS‐QOL scores had significantly higher baseline BSI general domain T‐scores (61.9 vs. 56.9, P = 0.002). Female gender (odds ratio [OR], 3.2), pretreatment BSI somatization T‐score ≥63 (OR, 3.7), and a diagnosis of depression (OR, 4.2) were associated with greater odds of IBS‐QOL score improvement following BHI.Conclusions and InferencesWe identified factors associated with response to GI‐specific BHI to aid in optimizing the utilization of psychogastroenterology services and provide referring providers with information to inform treatment recommendations. Female patients with disorders of gut–brain interaction (DGBIs), high somatization, and depression should be considered a priority for brain–gut psychotherapies.Gastrointestinal conditions are multifactorial in nature, and certain patients can benefit greatly from brain–gut psychotherapies delivered by mental health professionals who specialize in psychogastroenterology. Females with disorders of gut–brain interaction, high somatization, and depression should be considered priority for brain–gut psychotherapies. Behavioral health outcomes were not limited to disease; patients with IBD should be routinely considered for referral. Optimizing utilization of GI‐specific behavioral health specialists for the best outcomes can maximize quality of life and disease experience, but also improve value‐based care.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/151345/1/nmo13663.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/151345/2/nmo13663_am.pd

Cold snare piecemeal resection of colonic and duodenal polyps ≥1 cm

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic removal of duodenal and colorectal adenomas is currently considered to be the standard of care for prevention of adenocarcinoma. The use of cautery carries a risk of delayed bleeding, post-polypectomy syndrome, and perforation. We examined the safety and feasibility of removing colonic and duodenal polyps ≥ 1 cm using a piecemeal cold snare polypectomy technique. PATIENTS: The study included 15 patients with duodenal polyps ≥ 1 cm and 15 patients with colonic polyps ≥ 1 cm. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Bleeding, perforation, abdominal pain, or hospitalization occurring within 2 weeks of polypectomy. RESULTS: Between 24 August 2011 and 29 April 2013, 15 patients had removal of duodenal polyps ≥ 1 cm. Mean patient age was 64 years and 9/15 patients were male. The mean polyp size was 24 mm (10 - 60 mm). All polyps were removed with a cold snare and some required cold biopsy forceps. One patient required hospitalization for gastrointestinal blood loss 7 days post-polypectomy; this patient was using Coumadin. Between 27 February 2012 and 30 May 2013, 15 patients underwent resection of a ≥ 1 cm colonic polyp. Mean patient age was 68 years and 9/15 were male. The mean polyp size was 20 mm (10 - 45 mm). All polyps were primarily removed with a cold snare. None of the patients required hemostatic clips for control of immediate bleeding. One patient presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain 1 day after initial endoscopy. CT scan showed no abnormalities and the patient was discharged. CONCLUSIONS: Cold snare polypectomy for large duodenal and colonic polyps is technically feasible and may have a favorable safety profile compared to standard electrocautery-based endoscopic resection. Comparative trials are required to determine the relative safety and efficacy of cold snare techniques for complete and durable resection of large polyps compared to standard hot snare methods

Cold snare polypectomy for non-pedunculated colon polyps greater than 1 cm

Background and study aims Colonic polyps > 1 cm in size are commonly managed using hot polypectomy techniques. The most frequent adverse events (delayed bleeding, post-polypectomy syndrome, and perforation) are related to electrocautery-induced injury. We hypothesized that cold resection of large polyps may have similar efficacy and improved safety compared to hot polypectomy. Our aims were to evaluate efficacy and safety of piecemeal cold snare resection of colonic polyps > 1 cm. Patients and methods Patients undergoing lift and piecemeal cold snare polypectomy of non-pedunculated colon polyps > 1 cm from October 2013 to September 2015 were identified retrospectively. Efficacy was defined by the absence of residual adenomatous tissue at endoscopic follow-up. Adverse events (AEs), including post-procedural bleeding, bowel perforation, or post-procedural pain requiring hospitalization were assessed by chart review and telephone follow-up.  Results Seventy-three patients underwent piecemeal cold snare polypectomy for 94 colon polyps > 1 cm with 56 of 73 patients completing follow-up on 72 polyps. Residual or recurrent adenoma was found in 7 cases (9.7 %). Median polyp size was significantly greater in those with residual/recurrent adenoma (37.1 vs. 19.1 mm, P < .0001). There were no AEs among all 73 patients enrolled. Conclusions Piecemeal cold snare resection of colon polyps > 1 cm is feasible, safe and efficacious when compared to published hot polypectomy data. Additional observational and randomized comparative effectiveness studies are necessary to demonstrate comparable adenoma eradication and improved safety advantage over existing hot snare polypectomy techniques

Comparison of noncontrast MRI magnetization transfer and T2‐Weighted signal intensity ratios for detection of bowel wall fibrosis in a Crohn's disease animal model

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/113105/1/jmri24815.pd

Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography Helps Discriminate Low‐grade From High‐grade Bowel Wall Fibrosis in Ex Vivo Human Intestinal Specimens

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/135467/1/jum201433122115.pd