Should EUS-guided tissue acquisition for histologic examination replace fine needle aspiration for cytologic examination? Another brick in the wall

Since its initial description in 1992 (1), endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) has become the procedure of choice to obtain samples to reach the definitive diagnosis and proper lymph nodal staging of lesions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and of adjacent organs (2). The sensitivity of EUS-FNA, however, is strongly dependent on the availability of an on-site cytopathology, which has been clearly demonstrated to significantly influence the diagnostic accuracy, as well as, the proportions of indeterminate and unsatisfactory samples (3-5). Cytopathology, however, requires a high degree of expertise and unfortunately, the access to rapid on-site cytopathology evaluation (ROSE) and the availability of a cytopathologist specifically trained to interpret EUS specimens is not possible in many centers (6). This has created a barrier to the dissemination of EUS in the community and in many countries because the lack of cytology expertise results in a low diagnostic accuracy and therefore in a limited overall perceived utility of EUS (7,8)

Effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy in rosacea patients Efecto del tratamiento erradicador frente a Helicobacter pylori en la rosácea

Objective: the causal relation between rosacea and Helicobacter pylori infection is discussed. We evaluated the clinical evolution of rosacea after infection eradication. Patients and methods: we have prospectively studied 44 patients diagnosed with rosacea. Helicobacter pylori infection was determined, and infected patients were treated with eradication therapy. The evolution of dermatological symptoms in a subgroup of 29 infected patients in whom eradication had been achieved was followed during 16.8 (± 17.8) months. Median age was 50.6 (± 14.1) years for 22 women (75.9%) and 7 men (24.1%). Clinical response according to gender and clinical subtype of rosacea was evaluated. Results: complete improvement was observed in 10 patients (34.5%; 95% CI: 18.6-54.3%), relevant improvement in 9 (31.1%; 95% CI: 16-51%), poor improvement in 5 (17.2%; 95% CI: 6.5-36.4%), and absence of improvement in 5 cases (17.2%; 95% CI: 6.5-36.4%). No significant differences in dermatological evolution according to sex were observed. Regarding subtype of rosacea there was a relevant improvement in 83.3% (95% CI: 64.1-93.8%) of cases with papulopustular type as opposed to 36.5% (95% CI: 20-56.1%) of cases with erythematous predominance, p = 0.02. Conclusions: based on these results, the relation between Helicobacter pylori and rosacea is supported, and infection should be investigated in these patients because an appreciable percentage of patients diagnosed with rosacea and Helicobacter pylori infection can benefit from eradication therapy, mainly in the papulopustular subtype

Biliary sphincterotomy reduces the risk of acute gallstone pancreatitis recurrence in non-candidates for cholecystectomy

Background: Population aging and comorbidity are leading to an increase in patients unfit for cholecystectomy. Aims: To evaluate whether endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy after a first episode of acute gallstone pancreatitis reduces the risk of pancreatitis recurrence and gallstone-related events in non-surgical candidates. Methods: Retrospective study of patients admitted for a first episode of acute gallstone pancreatitis rejected for cholecystectomy between 2013–2018. The role of endoscopic sphincterotomy was evaluated by adjusting for age, severity of pancreatitis, and presence of choledocholithiasis. Results: We included 247 patients (mean age 80 ± 12 years; Charlson index: 5; severity of pancreatitis: 72% mild). Sphincterotomy was performed in 23.9%. Recurrence of pancreatitis occurred in 17.4% patients (median follow-up: 426 days). The one-year cumulative incidence of a new episode of pancreatitis was 1.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.2–12%) and 23% (95% CI: 17–31%) in patients with and without sphincterotomy, respectively (p = 0.006). In multivariate analysis, sphincterotomy showed a protective role for recurrence of pancreatitis (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.08–0.92, p = 0.037) and for any gallstone-related event (HR 0.46, 95% CI: 0.21–0.98, p = 0.043). Conclusions: Endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy reduced the risk of gallstone pancreatitis recurrence and other biliary-related disorders in patients with a first episode of pancreatitis non-candidates for cholecystectomy

Training model for teaching endoscopic submucosal dissection of gastric tumors Modelo para el aprendizaje y entrenamiento en la técnica de disección endocópica submucosa de tumores gástricos

Introduction: the elevated risk of complications and technical complexity of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has limited its implementation in our medical system. Objective: to design and evaluate a training program for learning the ESD technique. Methods: four endoscopists with no experience with ESD underwent a 4-step training program: 1) review of the existing literature, didactic material, and theoretical aspects of ESD; 2) ESD training in an ex-vivo animal model; 3) ESD training in an in-vivo animal model(supervised by ESD expert); and 4) ESD performance in a patient. A standard gastroscope and an ESD knife (IT, Flex or Hook-knife Olympus®) were employed. The classical ESD technique was performed: rising of the lesion, circumferential incision, and submucosal dissection. Results: ex-vivo animal model: 6 x swine stomach/esophagus -cost < 100 euro; 6 x ESD: antrum (n = 2), body (n = 3) and fundus/cardia (n = 1)-; size of resected specimen: 4-10 cm; ESD duration: 105-240 minutes; therapeutic success: 100%; complications: perforation (1/6: 16%) sealed with clips. In-vivo animal model: 6 ESD (antrum/body of stomach: 4; esophagus: 2); size: 2-5 cm; duration: 40-165 minutes; success: 100%; complications: 0%. Patient: ESD of a gastric lesion located in the antrum/body; size: 3 cm; duration 210 minutes; a complete resection was achieved; no complications. Conclusions: the results of the present study support the usefulness of this model for learning ESD in our system