Endoscopic Ultrasound Findings Research Articles

Feasibility and clinical value of linear endoscopic ultrasonography imaging in the lower gastrointestinal subepithelial lesions.

Linear endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has been extensively utilized as a novel diagnostic and therapeutic modality across various fields. However, there have been relatively few studies focusing on lower gastrointestinal lesions. The aim of our study was to investigate the feasibility, safety and clinical value of linear EUS in the lower gastrointestinal subepithelial lesions. This was a retrospective study involving patients with lower gastrointestinal subepithelial lesions diagnosed by linear EUS from August 2019 to April 2023 at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University. The data, including basic clinical information, linear EUS features, technical success rate, complications, and follow-up, were retrospectively collected and analyzed. A total of 69 patients with lower gastrointestinal subepithelial lesions underwent examination by linear EUS. Excluding the rectum, the technical success rate of linear EUS was 90.6% (29/32). Apart from the 7 patients whose diagnosis remained unknown, 3 patients with no abnormal EUS findings, and 3 patients failed the procedure, 56 patients were included in the final diagnostic performance analysis. The most common locations of the lesions were the rectum (37/56, 66.1%) and sigmoid colon (7/56, 12.5%). Based on endoscopy findings and pathological results, the most prevalent types of subepithelial lesions in the lower gastrointestinal tract were neuroendocrine tumor (NET) (12/56, 20.3%), lipoma (8/56, 13.6%) and extraluminal compression (8/56, 13.6%). The majority of lesions ranged in diameter from 1 to 3cm (χ2 = 18.750, p < 0.001). After undergoing linear EUS examination, 36 patients received EUS-FNA (3/36), biopsy (5/36), endoscopic resection (25/36), or surgical excision (3/36) respectively. The pathological results of 29 patients were entirely consistent with the diagnosis made using linear EUS, with an 80.6% (29/36) diagnostic accuracy rate. Follow-up indicated that the lesions remained unchanged within 6-36months. All patients tolerated the procedure well without any complications. In conclusion, linear EUS demonstrates technical feasibility, safety, and a high diagnostic accuracy for subepithelial lesions in the lower gastrointestinal tract.

Endoscopic ultrasonography features of benign esophageal stenosis in children

To investigate the endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) features of benign esophageal stenosis in children. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical data of the children who were diagnosed with benign esophageal stenosis from February 2019 to February 2022. The clinical manifestations, EUS findings, and treatment outcome were analyzed to summarize the EUS features of benign esophageal stenosis in children. A total of 42 children with benign esophageal stenosis were included. Among these children, 19 (45%) had anastomotic stenosis after surgery for esophageal atresia, with unclear echogenic boundary of the esophageal walls and uneven thicknesses of the surrounding wall on EUS, and had 0-12 sessions of endoscopic treatment (average 2.1 sessions); 5 children (12%) had corrosive esophageal stenosis and 1 child (2%) had physical esophageal stenosis, with unclear stratification of the esophageal walls on EUS, and they had 2-9 sessions of endoscopic treatment (average 5.3 sessions); 1 child (2%) had patchy irregular hypoechoic areas of the esophageal walls on EUS and was diagnosed with tracheobronchial remnants with reference to pathology; 16 children (38%) had unexplained esophageal stenosis and unclear stratification of the esophageal walls on EUS, among whom 6 received endoscopic treatment. During follow-up, 95% (40/42) of the children had significant alleviation of the symptoms such as vomiting and dysphagia. For benign esophageal stenosis in children, EUS can help to evaluate the degree of esophageal wall involvement in esophageal stenosis lesions, possible etiologies, and the relationship between the esophagus and the lesion and provide an important basis for selecting treatment modality and avoiding complications, thereby helping to optimize the treatment regimen.

Role of Endoscopic Ultrasound in Staging and Vascular Assessment of Pancreatic Cancer.

Introduction Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen with contrast stands as the gold standard for assessing pancreatic cancer, encompassing both staging and vascular analysis. However, not all patients are suitable candidates for contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) scans due to factors such as contrast agent allergies, pregnancy, renal impairment, radiation risks, and limited tissue sampling capability in CECT scans of the abdomen. In light of these challenges, this study evaluated the diagnostic capabilities of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) compared to CECT for staging and vascular assessment of pancreatic cancer. Methods Fifty patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer underwent evaluations using both CECT scans and EUS, focusing on staging and vascular invasion assessment. Vascular evaluation was carried out using a categorization system based on EUS findings, classifying them into three types based on the tumor-vessel relationship: Type 1 indicating clear invasion or encasement of a vessel by a tumoror contact with a vessel wall exceeding 180 degrees, Type 2 representing abutment, wherein a tumor contacts a vessel wall but at an angle less than 180 degrees, and Type 3 implying clear non-invasion, where a discernible distance exists between a tumor and a vessel. In this categorization, Type 1 and Type 2 indicated signs of vascular invasion, while Type 3 indicated vascular non-invasion. These findings were subsequently compared to the results from CECT scans. The endoscopist performing EUS was blinded to the CT outcomes prior to the examination. Results Regarding pancreatic cancer staging, EUS exhibited remarkable sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy rates of 100% according to the T criterion.As for vascular invasion assessment,EUS demonstrated sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 100%, 95.93%, and 96%, respectively, for venous invasion. For arterial invasion, the figures were 95.65% sensitivity, 100% specificity, and an overall accuracy of 99.5%. Conclusion EUS is an effective modality for evaluating both staging and vascular invasion in pancreatic cancer, boasting exceptional sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy rates. The findings are robust enough to consider EUS a viable alternative to CT scans in evaluation, with the added advantage of EUS offering tissue sampling capability.

Rectal Hematoma Mimicking as a Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor: An Atypical Endoscopic Ultrasound Finding

Rectal Hematoma Mimicking as a Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor: An Atypical Endoscopic Ultrasound Finding

Comparing endoscopic ultrasonography and double contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in the preoperative diagnosis of gastric stromal tumor

BackgroundThis study was designed to perform a comparative analysis between endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and double contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (DCEUS) for the preoperative diagnosis of gastric stromal tumors (GSTs).MethodsA retrospective study was conducted involving 139 patients with histologically confirmed GSTs. All patients preoperatively underwent DCEUS and EUS. The pathology reports were treated as the baseline and were retrospectively compared with the findings of EUS and DCEUS.ResultsOf the 139 lesions, 120 and 113 were correctly identified by DCEUS and EUS, respectively, with an accuracy of 86.3% and 81.3%. The results revealed an insignificant difference between these two methods (p = 0.189).ConclusionsDCEUS can display not only the locations, sizes, shapes, borders, internal echoes, but also show the blood perfusion patterns of GSTs. It is a highly accurate, noninvasive, and convenient method to be used at the pre-treatment stage.

Rare Pancreatic/Peripancreatic Cystic Lesions Can Be Accurately Characterized by EUS with Through-the-Needle Biopsy-A Unique Pictorial Essay with Clinical and Histopathological Correlations.

Due to their aspecific macroscopic appearance, uncommon pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) are often misdiagnosed as mucinous lesions and improperly resected. We aimed to evaluate the endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided through-the-needle biopsy (TTNB) capacity of the preoperative diagnosis of uncommon PCLs. Overall, 136 patients with PCLs who underwent EUS-TTNB between 2016 and 2022 were retrospectively identified. Common histotypes (e.g., IPMN, serous cystadenoma, and mucinous cystadenoma) were excluded and 26 (19.1%) patients (15 female, mean age 52.9 ± 10.4) were analyzed. The EUS findings, adverse events (AEs), and TTNB outcomes in uncommon PCLs were evaluated. The cysts histotype was accurately diagnosed by TTNB in 24/26 (92.3%) cases (seven cystic neuroendocrine tumors, four squamoid cysts, three acinar cells cystadenomas, two lymphoepithelial cysts, two mucinous non-neoplastic cysts, two bronchogenic cysts, two cystic lymphangiomas, one solid-pseudopapillary neoplasm, and one schwannoma). In the remaining two cases, lymphangioma was eventually diagnosed after resection. Surgery was performed in 15/26 (57.7%) patients. The mean follow-up of non-surgical patients was 32.5 months. One severe acute case of pancreatitis (3.8%) that required surgery occurred after EUS-TTNB. Uncommon pancreatic/peripancreatic lesions represent the 19.1% of PCLs in our series, with mainly benign histotypes. TTNB demonstrated a high diagnostic performance with a low rate of AEs in this setting, representing a reliable tool with which to avoid useless surgery.

Differential Diagnosis of Thickened Gastric Wall between Hypertrophic Gastritis and Borrmann Type 4 Advanced Gastric Cancer.

: Accurately diagnosing diffuse gastric wall thickening is challenging. Hypertrophic gastritis (HG), while benign, mimics the morphology of Borrmann type 4 advanced gastric cancer (AGC B-4). We compared the features of endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) between them. : We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent EUS for gastric wall thickening between 2000 and 2021, selecting HG and pathologically confirmed advanced gastric cancer cases. Ulceration and antral wall thickening were determined via endoscopy, while EUS assessed the 5-layered gastric wall structure, measuring the proper muscle (PM) layer and total wall thickness. : Male dominance was observed in AGC B-4, and the hemoglobin and albumin levels were significantly lower. The rate of antral wall thickening and presence of ulceration were significantly higher in AGC B-4 cases. Destruction of the PM layers was observed only in AGC B-4 cases, and the PM was significantly thicker in AGC B-4 cases. Forceps biopsy had an excellent success rate in ulcer-present AGC B-4 cases, but only a 42.6% success rate was observed for cases without ulcers, necessitating additional diagnostic modalities. A PM thickness of 2.39 mm distinguished between AGC B-4 and HG effectively. The multivariable analysis showed that a thickened PM layer and the presence of ulceration were significant risk factors for the diagnosis of AGC B-4. : Endoscopic findings of a thickened gastric wall, including antral involvement, and presence of ulcer were significant risk factors for the diagnosis of AGC B-4. EUS findings of destroyed wall layers and a thickened PM of >2.39 mm were the key points of differentiation between HG and AGC B-4.

A Curious Case of IgG4-Related Disease Masquerading As an Occult Abdominal Malignancy

Introduction IgG4-related disease is an autoimmune, fibroinflammatory disorder involving multiple organ systems in the body. Diagnosis is often suggested by strong IgG4-positive stain on tissue biopsy. Patients respond well to steroids; and in cases of relapse, steroid-sparing agents like rituximab, azathioprine or cyclosporine can be used. Case Presentation Here we present the case of a 77 year-old African-American female with a past medical history significant for cerebrovascular accident, chronic hepatitis C infection status post treatment with antivirals, left chronic dacryoadenitis and chronic iron-deficiency anemia. She presented to the hematology office for a follow-up visit for chronic anemia and complained of new onset right upper quadrant pain and unexplained weight loss. Subsequent abdominal and pelvic imaging showed hypoechoic lesion in pancreatic head along with multiple epigastric, omental and gastro-hepatic nodules/lymph nodes suspicious for malignancy. This was followed by esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) which revealed gastric body/antral erosions along with multiple enlarged abdominal lymph nodes and heterogeneous, hypoechoic irregular mass in the pancreatic head/neck, all of which were biopsied. While awaiting biopsy results, due to high suspicion for malignancy, PET-FDG was performed which showed hypermetabolic lesions corresponding to the EUS findings and a FDG-avid right paravertebral mid thoracic soft tissue mass favored to represent a neurogenic tumor, unrelated to abdominal disease. Laboratory work-up was significant for elevated IgG levels with particularly high titres of IgG subclass 4. Biopsy results from EUS showed no evidence of malignant cells, no clonal proliferation on flow cytometry in either the lymph nodes or pancreatic tissue. Cytology of pancreatic tissue biopsy revealed lymphoid infiltration, extensive edema and fibrosis with no malignant cells. Immunohistochemistry studies revealed strong positive stain for IgG4 suggestive of IgG4-related disease. Of note, the patient had been following up with ophthalmology for a few years for chronic inflammatory dacryoadenitis of the left eye, which can likely be attributed to IgG4-related disease. After shared-decision making with the patient regarding treatment options, treatment was initiated with a plan of rituximab for 4 cycles along with corticosteroid. As of this abstract submission, the patient received one dose of rituximab, pending assessment of response to treatment. Discussion Heterogeneous pancreatic masses on abdominal imaging should be considered malignant until otherwise proven. In cases where these masses are associated with diffuse abdominal and pelvic lymphadenopathy, definitive diagnosis is made through obtaining biopsies from the easily accessible sites. A benign, auto-immune, fibroinflammatory condition which mimics this presentation is IgG4-related disease, whose treatment is far less complicated than a metastatic carcinoma. It often involves lacrimal glands. A high index of suspicion backed by the biopsy results showing strong stain affinity to IgG4 and elevated blood IgG4 levels are required. Treatment involves initiation of steroids followed by steroid-sparing agents like azathioprine, cyclosporine or rituximab in cases of relapse after steroid induction. However, as in our case, combination therapy of simultaneous use of steroids with rituximab can be used after shared decision making with patients.

Combination of Serum CA 19-9 and Endoscopic Ultrasound Findings Can Predict Malignancy Risk in Patients With Chronic Pancreatitis Presenting With Pancreatic Head Mass: A Proof-of-Concept Study.

Inflammatory head mass of pancreas (IMP) developing in background of chronic pancreatitis (CP) is difficult to distinguish from carcinoma pancreas. We aimed to delineate natural course of IMP and predict their malignancy risk, avoiding unnecessary biopsies. In this retrospective single-center study, clinical records of patients with CP with diagnosed pancreatic head mass were reviewed. Clinical, laboratory, imaging, endoscopic findings, and follow-up details were retrieved from prospectively maintained database. A diagnostic nomogram was developed combining serum cancer antigen 19-9 and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) findings to predict the risk of malignancy. We identified 107 patients with pancreatic head mass with CP of whom 87 (81.3%) were IMP and 20 (18.7%) were malignant. Patients with IMP were more frequently young males with alcohol-related CP and low CA 19-9 in comparison with those with malignancy (age IMP: 41.3 ± 11.3 vs carcinoma: 49.3 ± 14.5 years [ P = 0.009]; males 89.7% vs 65% [ P = 0.011]; alcoholic etiology: 71.3% vs 20% [ P < 0.001]; median CA 19-9: 25.78 [interquartile range, 7.20-120.60] vs 1034.50 [106.65-7808.25] [ P < 0.001]). A diagnostic nomogram combining CA 19-9 and EUS findings could identify malignancy with an optimism-corrected c-statistic of 0.905, which was better than both CA 19-9 (0.80) and EUS alone (0.826). Patients with IMP had relatively benign disease course with 40.2% biliary obstruction, 20.7% portal venous thrombosis, 14.9% gastric outlet obstruction, and 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival being 97.3%, 92.7%, and 92.0%, respectively. Surgery was required in only 12 patients (13.8%) with IMP. Combination of CA 19-9 and EUS best identifies malignancy risk in patients with IMP, who have otherwise benign course.

Characteristics and endoscopic ultrasound findings of gastrointestinal lesions: single-center experience

Aims: We aimed to present the characteristics, indications, endoscopic ultrasonography procedure details, diagnoses and complication rate of patients who underwent endosonpgraphy in a single center. Methods: Forty six patients admitted to Trakya Unversity Faculty of Medicine and underwent EUS (±FNA) procedure between January 2021 and May 2022 were included in the study. Patients files were analysed retrospectively. Demographic characteristics, presence and types of comorbidity, presence and types of malignancy in the family, use of antithrombotic drugs, laboratory data, details of eus procedure, pathology results, adverse events were recorded. The data obtained in the study were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science for Windows 26 package program. Results: A total of 46 patients were included in the study. 46% (n=21) were women. The median age was 64 (28-87). Antithrombotic use was present in 25% of the patients. Comorbidities were present in 84% of patients. The indications for EUS were predominantly pancreatic lesions (n=31). Aspirations were performed in addition to ultrasonographic examination in 78% (n=36) of the patients. 19 G (Gauge) needles were used in 30 and 25 G needles were used in 6 patients. Biopsy stations were stomach (n=31), duodenum (n=4), esophagus (n=1). Median long axis of the lesions was 34 (7-173) mm and the short axis was 26 (1-76) mm. 42% of the biopsied pancreatic lesions were cystic and 58% were solid. The CA19-9 level in solid lesions was statistically significantly higher than cystic (1512 /28 U/ml; p= 0.008). CA19-9 level was found mean 2061±3295 U/ml in patients with adenocarcinoma (n=8), 71±106 U/ml in cystic neoplasm and 152±338 in benign disorders (p=0.026). Cut-off value predicting adenocarsinoma with %87,5 spesifity and %87,5 sensitivity in our cohort was 174 U/ml (( AUC 0.85 ( 0.63-1)). Spesifity and sensitivity of the level 40 ( nearest level to universaly detected upper limit: 37 U/mL) was %62,5 and %87,5 respectively. Comparing malignant and benign lesions of pancreas overall, no statistical significance was found of CA19-9 level in predicting the diagnosis of tumor (p=0.15). Of the patients who underwent biopsy, 61% were malignant and 39% were benign. Malignant diagnoses were: adenocarsinoma, cystic neoplasm, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, neuroendocrine tumor, mesenchymal tumor, lumphoma, metastasis. Benign diagnoses were: otoimmune pancreatitis, normal cyst, chronic pancreatitis, pseudocyst, walled-off necrosis, polyp, no lesion. Post-procedure complications were not observed in any of the patients. Conclusion: The availability of endoscopic ultrasonography is expanding nowadays. Endoscopy ultrasonography is a precise, advantageous, and risk-free technique when performed by trained personnel.

The Association between the Growth Pattern and Malignancy in the Formation of Ulceration in Gastric Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor.

Objective In general, surface ulceration in gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is considered a malignant feature; however, the mechanism underlying its formation has not been evaluated in detail. In this study, we analyzed the factors involved in ulceration using resected specimens of gastric GIST. Methods A total of 48 samples were retrospectively analyzed. We examined the association of surface ulceration of gastric GIST with the MIB-1 labeling index, mitotic number, tumor size, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) findings and growth pattern on computed tomography (CT). Results The proportion of men was significantly higher in the ulceration group than in the non-ulceration group (p=0.04146), whereas age was not significantly different between the groups. Tumor was significantly larger in the ulceration group than in the non-ulceration group (p=0.0048). There was no correlation between tumor size and ulcer number. The MIB-1 index was not related to ulceration, nor were EUS findings. The number of mitotic cells tended to be higher in the ulceration group than in the non-ulceration group (p=0.05988). Intraluminal growth pattern was strongly associated with ulceration (p=0.00019). After a multivariate analysis, the growth pattern was the only factor associated with ulceration of gastric GIST. Conclusion Although formation of surface ulceration in gastric GIST was partially associated with the degree of malignancy, the growth pattern was the most important factor associated with ulceration in gastric GIST.

THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON ENDOSCOPIC ULTRASOUND PROCEDURES IN A HIGH-VOLUME ENDOSCOPY UNIT IN BRAZIL.

•In pancreatic neoplasms the EUS plays a key role in the management. •During the pandemic period, lockdown measures prevented patients with comorbidities from performing EUS. •The D-EUS decreased during COVID-19, while I-EUS increased and EUS-TA was the most commonly I-EUS procedure performed, with no increase in adverse events. •Despite the moderate impact of the pandemic period in endoscopic services around the world, EUS-TA of solid and cystic tumors of the pancreas was the main indication. Background - Reports of the impact of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic period/2020 on endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) are scarce. Objective - We analyzed the impact of the pandemic period/2020 on the demographics, indications, and number of diagnostic EUS (D-EUS) and interventional EUS (I-EUS) procedures performed in a high-volume endoscopy unit compared with the previous non-pandemic period/2019. Methods - We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients undergoing D-EUS or I-EUS from March 1, 2019, to February 29, 2020 (non-pandemic period/2019) and from March 1, 2020, to February 28, 2021 (pandemic period/2020). Data compared between the study periods included sex, age, comorbidities, EUS findings and diagnosis, need for interventional procedures during EUS, and adverse events (AEs). Results were significant at P<0.05. Results - EUS procedures decreased from 475 in the non-pandemic period/2019 to 289 in the pandemic period/2020, accounting for a 39% reduction. In non-pandemic period/2019, 388 (81.7%) D-EUS and 88 (18.5%) I-EUS were performed, against 206 (71.3%) D-EUS and 83 (28.7%) I-EUS in pandemic period/2020 (P=0.001). Only 5/289 (1.7%) patients had COVID-19. Fewer patients with comorbidities underwent EUS during pandemic period/2020 due to lockdown measures (P<0.001). D-EUS decreased, whereas I-EUS increased (P<0.001). EUS-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA) was the most common I-EUS, performed in 83/289 (28.7%) patients in pandemic period/2020, against 88/475 (18.5%) in non-pandemic period/2019 (P=0.001). AEs did not differ significantly between the study periods. Conclusion - Pandemic Period/2020 had a moderate impact on reducing EUS procedures due to the risks involved. Although I-EUS increased, EUS-related AEs did not. Solid and cystic pancreatic tumors remained a major indication for EUS-TA even during the pandemic period/2020.

Proposal and Validation of New Diagnostic Criteria for Diagnostic Weights of Endoultrasonographic Findings for Early Chronic Pancreatitis.

[Background and study aim] A commonly applied method for diagnosing chronic pancreatitis (CP) uses endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), assigning weights to each EUS diagnostic finding. It is the Rosemont classification (RC). In 2019, to improve EUS diagnostic specificity, Japanese diagnostic criteria for early chronic pancreatitis (ECP) were revised. Nevertheless, the criteria use no weighting of EUS diagnostic findings, as the RC does. This study was undertaken to propose diagnostic criteria that would weight each EUS finding of ECP and that would be more specific than the RC. [Methods] By EUS of the pancreas, 773 patients underwent detailed observation from January 2018 to March 2019 at our institution. An expert finalized all cases when patients were diagnosed. Using data from the medical records, 97 consecutive patients with EUS diagnostic findings of ECP based on the Japanese diagnostic criteria of ECP2009 (JDCECP2009) were selected. The definition under the RC of "Indeterminate for CP" was equivalent to ECP. Each case was diagnosed using (1) JDCECP2009 and (2) the Japanese diagnostic criteria of ECP2019 (JDCECP2019). Moreover, the four diagnostic EUS findings in JDCECP2019 were applied to the RC, weighted (modified-JDCECP2019), and subsequently compared with the earlier diagnostic criteria. As Modified-JDCECP2019, we suggested (3) RC-A-the current four items scored related to the RC, and (4) RC-B-the five items scored by dividing lobularity with and without honeycombing. [Results] Diagnoses produced based on each criterion were normal: ECP = (1) 20:77, (2) 46:51, (3) 52:42, and (4) 60:35. [Conclusions] Modified-JDCECP2019 may provide EUS diagnoses for ECP with higher specificity.

Benefits of pancreatic parenchymal endoscopic ultrasonography in predicting microscopic precancerous lesions of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer primarily arises from microscopic precancerous lesions, such as pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) and acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM). However, no established method exists for predicting pancreatic precancerous conditions. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) can detect changes in pancreatic parenchymal histology, including fibrosis. This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between pancreatic parenchymal EUS findings and microscopic precancerous lesions. We retrospectively analyzed 114 patients with pancreatobiliary tumors resected between 2010 and 2020 and evaluated the association between pancreatic parenchymal EUS findings and the number of PanIN, ADM, and pancreatic duct gland (PDG). Of the 114 patients, 33 (29.0%), 55 (48.2%), and 26 (22.8%) had normal EUS findings, hyperechoic foci/stranding without lobularity, and hyperechoic foci/stranding with lobularity, respectively. Multivariate analyses revealed that abnormal EUS findings were significantly associated with the frequency of PanIN (hyperechoic foci/stranding without lobularity: OR [95% CI] = 2.7 [1.0–7.3], with lobularity: 6.5 [1.9–22.5], Ptrend = 0.01) and ADM (hyperechoic foci/stranding without lobularity: 3.1 [1.1–8.2], with lobularity: 9.7 [2.6–36.3], Ptrend = 0.003) but not with PDG (hyperechoic foci/stranding without lobularity: 2.2 [0.8–5.8], with lobularity: 3.2 [1.0–10.2], Ptrend = 0.12). We observed a trend toward a significantly higher number of precancerous lesions in the following order: normal findings, hyperechoic foci/stranding without lobularity, and hyperechoic foci/stranding with lobularity. Pancreatic parenchymal EUS findings were associated with the increased frequency of PanIN and ADM. Lobularity may help predict the increased number of precancerous lesions.

Esophageal cancer T-staging on MRI: A preliminary study using cine and static MR sequences

ObjectivesTo evaluate the added value of cine MR in addition to static MRI for T-Staging assessment of esophageal cancer (EC). Materials and methodsThis prospective monocentric study included 54 patients (mean age 66.3 ± 9.4 years, 46 men) with histologically proven EC. They underwent MRI on a 3 T-scanner in addition to the standard workup. Acquisitions included static and cine sequences (steady-state-free-precession and real-time True-FISP during water ingestion). Three radiologists independently assessed T-staging and diagnosis confidence by reviewing (1) static sequences (S-MRI) and (2) adding cine sequences (SC-MRI). Inter-reader agreement was performed. MRI T-staging was correlated to reference standard T-staging (histopathology or consensus on endoscopic ultrasonography and imaging findings) and to clinical outcome by log-rank test. ResultsBoth S-MRI and SC-MRI T-staging showed a significant correlation with reference T-staging (rs = 0.667, P < 0.001). SC-MRI showed a slightly better performance in distinguishing T1-T3 from T4 with a sensitivity, specificity and AUC of 76.5% (95% CI: 50.1–93.2), 83.8% (68–93.8) and 0.801 (0.681–0.921) vs 70.6% (44–89.7), 83% (68–93.8) and 0.772 (0.645–0.899) for S-MRI. Compared to S-MRI, SC-MRI increased inter-reader agreement for T4a and T4b (κ = 0.403 and 0.498) and T-staging confidence. ConclusionMRI is accurate for T-staging of EC. The addition of cine sequences allows better differentiation between T1-T3 and T4 tumors with increased diagnostic confidence and inter-reader agreement.

Clinical Characteristics and Endoscopic Management of Duodenal Lipomas: 10-Year Experience from a Tertiary Center in China.

Duodenal lipomas are rarely found in the gastrointestinal tract. Most published literature referring to the tumors is limited to case series. There remained issues about the understanding and management of duodenal lipomas to be clarified. We aimed to investigate the clinical and endoscopic features of duodenal lipomas. Additionally, outcomes of endoscopic resection for duodenal lipomas were evaluated. A total of 29 duodenal lipomas resected endoscopically from December 2011 to October 2021 were included. Clinical characteristics, endoscopic features, and endoscopic ultrasound findings were analyzed retrospectively. The endoscopic resection was performed in 3 ways: hot snare polypectomy, endoscopic mucosa resection, and endoscopic submucosal dissection. Of the 29 duodenal lipomas, 21 were located at the second portion with a mean size of 25.8 mm (range, 7-60 mm). Yamada type IV was the most common macroscopic type in 14 lesions, exhibiting a tendency of forming large peduncles. Seven patients had digestive symptoms. The occurrence of symptoms is associated with the tumor size. Endoscopic ultrasound was performed on 23 duodenal lipomas, of which 20 demonstrated homogenous echogenicity and 3 presented heterogeneous with tubular anechoic region. The endoscopic resection operation was successfully conducted on 29 patients without severe adverse events. The rate of en bloc and endoscopic complete resection was 93.1% and 86.2%, respectively. Recurrence was noted in 1 patient. Clinical characteristics with typical endoscopic ultrasound features are helpful in duodenal lipomas diagnosis. The endoscopic resection is a safe and effective treatment for duodenal lipomas with considerable long-term outcomes.

Endoscopic ultrasonographic features of submucosal lesions of upper digestive tract suspected gastrointestinal stromal tumors and their correlation with progression and pathological risk grade of the lesions

Objective: To investigate the endoscopic ultrasonographic (EUS) characteristics of submucosal lesions of upper digestive tract suspected gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) and their correlation with biological behaviors and pathological risk grade of the tumors. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. The EUS findings, follow-up review, surgical treatment and pathological data of patients with suspected GIST at the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Center of Peking University People's Hospital from January 2013 to April 2021 were collected. All samples were divided into follow-up group and treatment group based on the pathological condition and the patient's treatment intention. According to whether or not the tumor was enlarged in EUS, the follow-up group was divided into non-enlarged group and enlarged group. Paired T-test was used to compare the lesion size before and after follow-up, and logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of tumor enlargement. According to the treatment methods, the treatment group was further divided into endoscopic treatment group and surgical treatment group. According to the pathological results and risk grade, the treatment group was further divided into the low-risk group and the medium-risk group. The risk factors of pathological malignant risk were analyzed by logistic regression, and the tumor diameter of patients with moderate or above pathological risk was predicted by receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curve. The relationship between the findings of EUS and the progression and pathological risk of GIST were also explored. Results: Seventy-three cases including 23 males and 50 females, with an age of 58 (30-88) years, were included in the follow-up group, with a mean lesion diameter of (1.21±0.49) cm before follow-up, median follow-up interval of 33.8 months, and a lesion diameter of (1.18±0.49) cm after follow-up. There was no significant difference (all P>0.05) in lesion diameter between before and after follow-up. There was no significant difference (all P>0.05) between tumor enlargement group (18 cases, 24.7%) and non-enlargement group (55 cases, 75.3%). One hundred and thirty-eight cases, including 52 males and 86 females, with an age of 60 (19-84) years, were enrolled in the treatment group, with a mean EUS estimated diameter of (2.55±1.35) cm and pathological diameters of (3.43±2.42) cm. Ninety-five (68.8%) of these cases were pathologically confirmed as GIST while 43 cases were diagnosed as other tumor types, including 37 benign tumors and 6 malignant tumors. In multifactorial logistic regression analysis, only the increase of tumor diameter [OR (95%CI): 1.800 (1.172-2.766), P=0.007] was a risk factor for pathological intermediate or higher risk. The optimal tumor diameter for predicting pathological intermediate or higher risk using ROC curve analysis was 2.75 cm, with a sensitivity 71.4%, specificity 79.0%, Youden index 0.5 and area under ROC curve 0.807 (95%CI: 0.703-0.909). Conclusions: EUS is essential for assessing the risk of progression and malignancy of submucosal lesions of upper digestive tract suspected GIST. For lesions of small diameter, the interval of follow-up shall be relatively extended while the indication of treatment could be partially waived.

A vanished gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor

BackgroundLocal resection is the standard treatment for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery (LECS) is a minimally invasive surgery used to resect GISTs. Herein, we report an extremely rare case of a gastric GIST that grossly vanished during LECS.Case presentationA 50-year-old Japanese female was referred to our hospital after an abnormality was detected during an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) at her annual health checkup. Based on EGD, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), and computer tomography (CT) findings, the patient was diagnosed with a 50-mm submucosal tumor (SMT) with intraluminal growth on the anterior wall of the lesser curvature of the upper body of the stomach. We routinely use LECS to treat the intraluminal growth type of GISTs. During the intraoperative endoscopy, the intraluminal submucosal tumor, which was detected preoperatively, had vanished. A red-white scar was observed in the regressed tumor region. LECS was performed by resecting at a distance away from the scar tissue and closing the gastric wall with intracavitary sutures. In the evaluation from the tumor section view of the original resected specimen, a 22 × 14 × 8 mm lobular neoplasm was observed that was predominantly located in the gastric submucosa to the muscularis propia. Pathological findings confirmed the diagnosis of GIST with intermediate risk indicated by the Fletcher classification. The patient continued postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with imatinib and no recurrence was detected over 12 months after surgery.ConclusionLECS was performed on the vanished gastric GIST, providing the best surgical treatment and leading to an accurate diagnosis and optimal postoperative care.

Endoscopic Ultrasound Can Differentiate High-Grade Pancreatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia, Small Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma, and Benign Stenosis.

High-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma ≤10 mm are targets for early detection of pancreatic cancer. However, their imaging characteristics are unknown. We aimed to identify endoscopic ultrasound findings for the detection of these lesions. Patients diagnosed with high-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (n=29), pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma ≤10 mm (n=11) (who underwent surgical resection), or benign main pancreatic duct stenosis (n=20) between January 2014 and January 2021 were retrospectively included. Six features differentiating these lesions were examined by endoscopic ultrasonography: main pancreatic duct stenosis, upstream main pancreatic duct dilation, hypoechoic areas surrounding the main pancreatic duct irregularities (mottled areas without demarcation or round areas with demarcation), branch duct dilation, prominent lobular segmentation, and atrophy. Interobserver agreement was assessed by two independent observers. Hypoechoic areas surrounding the main pancreatic duct irregularities were observed more frequently in high-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (82.8%) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma ≤10 mm (90.9%) than in benign stenosis (15.0%) (p<0.001). High-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia exhibited mottled hypoechoic areas more frequently (79.3% vs 18.9%, p<0.001), and round hypoechoic areas less frequently (3.4% vs 72.7%, p<0.001), than pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma ≤10 mm. The sensitivity and specificity of hypoechoic areas for differentiating high-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma ≤10 mm, and benign stenosis were both 85.0%, with moderate interobserver agreement. The hypoechoic areas surrounding main pancreatic duct irregularities on endoscopic ultrasound may differentiate between high-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma ≤10 mm, and benign stenosis (Trial Registration: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000044789).

Diagnostic Accuracy of Endoscopic Ultrasonography in Selecting Patients for Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Early Gastrointestinal Neoplasms.

Tumor invasion depth and lymph node metastasis determine the prognosis of gastrointestinal (GI) neoplasms. GI neoplasms limited to mucosa (m1 or m2) and superficial submucosa (sm1) can be treated effectively with minimally invasive endoscopic therapy, while the deep invasion of the submucosa (sm2 or sm3) is associated with lymph node metastasis, and surgical resection is required. Correct staging is therefore crucial for preoperative evaluation and planning. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) can be used to detect the depth of invasion due to its close proximity to the lesion. The diagnostic accuracy of EUS, when compared to conventional endoscopic staging, is debated as it can under- or overstage the lesion. We aim in this study to determine if EUS can accurately differentiate mucosal from submucosal GI neoplasms to select patients with early GI lesions for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) or surgery. From March 2014 to February 2022, 293 patients with early superficial GI neoplasms were admitted to our endoscopic unit for EUS staging. To evaluate the accuracy of EUS, we compared the preoperative EUS findings with the definitive histopathologic findings on the resected specimen. Overall, 242 of 293 lesions were correctly staged by EUS (82.59%). In the evaluation of submucosal invasion or deeper, EUS understaged 38 of 293 (12.96%) and overstaged 13 of 293 (4.43%) lesions. EUS has excellent accuracy in staging superficial GI neoplasms; its use is highly recommended before ESD since it can also detect lymph node metastases around the lesions, thus changing the indication from ESD to surgery.