Endoscopic Ultrasound (endoscopic + ultrasound)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Medical Sciences


Selected Abstracts


CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVE OF INTERVENTIONAL ENDOSCOPIC ULTRASOUND IN JAPAN

DIGESTIVE ENDOSCOPY, Issue 2009
Mitsuhiro Kida
Vilmann and Grimm made the first reports of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-fine needle aspiration (FNA), and since then EUS-FNA has become popular in the clinical fields, especially in Western countries. Furthermore interventional EUS such as pseudocyst drainage, EUS-guided biliary drainage, celiac plexus neurolysis, and dendritic cell injection, etc. have been introduced. We have investigated the current status and future perspectives of interventional EUS in Japan. Standardization of EUS-guided pseudocyst drainage has been achieved, but EUS-guided biliary dranage is still controversial, and EUS-fine needle injection (FNI) including EUS-celiac plexus neurolysis (CPN) and dendritic cell injection have been under investigation. In any case, EUS-FNA seems to be a promising future technique and new applications have to be invented. [source]


NON-GYNAECOLOGICAL CYTOLOGY: THE CLINICIAN'S VIEW

CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 2006
I. Penman
There is increased recognition of the importance of accurate staging of malignancies of the GI tract and lung, greater use of neoadjuvant therapies and more protocol-driven management. This is particularly important where regional lymph node involvement significantly impacts on curability. Multidetector CT and PET scanning have resulted in greater detection of potential abnormalities which, if positive for malignancy, would change management. There is also a greater recognition that many enlarged nodes may be inflammatory and that size criteria alone are unreliable in determining involvement. In other situations, especially pancreatic masses, not all represent carcinoma as focal chronic pancreatitis, autoimmune pancreatitis etc can catch out the unwary. A preoperative tissue diagnosis is essential and even if unresectable, oncologists are increasingly reluctant to initiate chemotherapy or enroll patients into trials without this. The approach to obtaining tissue is often hampered by the small size or relative inaccessibility of lesions by percutaneous approaches. As such novel techniques such as endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guided FNA have been developed. A 120cm needle is passed through the instrument and, under real-time visualisation, through the gastrointestinal wall to sample adjacent lymph nodes or masses. Multiple studies have demonstrated the safety and performance of this technique. In oesophageal cancer, confirmation of node positivity by has a major negative influence on curative resection rates and will often lead to a decision to use neoadjuvant chemotherapy or a non-operative approach. Sampling of lymph nodes at the true coeliac axis upstages the patient to M1a status (stage IV) disease and makes the patient incurable. In NSCLC, subcarinal lymph nodes are frequently present but may be inflammatory. If positive these represent N2 (stage IIIA) disease and in most centres again makes the patient inoperable. Access to these lymph nodes would otherwise require mediastinosocopy whereas this can be done simply, safely and quickly by EUS. Overall the sensitivity for EUS , FNA of mediastinal or upper abdominal lymph nodes is 83,90% with an accuracy of 80,90%. In pancreatic cancer performance is less good but pooled analysis of published studies indicates a sensitivity of 85% and accuracy of 88%. In a recent spin-off from EUS, endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) instruments have been developed and the ability to sample anterior mediastinal nodes has been demonstrated. It is likely that this EBUS , FNA technique will become increasingly utilised and may replace mediastinoscopy. The development of techniques such as EUS and EBUS to allow FNA sampling of lesions has increased the role of non-gynaecological cytology significantly in recent years. Cytology therefore remains important for a broad range of specialties and there is ongoing need for careful and close co-operation between cytologists and clinicians in these specialties. References:, 1. Williams DB, Sahai AV, Aabakken L, Penman ID, van Velse A, Webb J et al. Endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration biopsy: a large single centre experience. Gut. 1999; 44: 720,6. 2. Silvestri GA, Hoffman BJ, Bhutani MS et al. Endoscopic ultrasound with fine-needle aspiration in the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer. Ann Thorac Surg 1996; 61: 1441,6. 3. Rintoul RC, Skwarski KM, Murchison JT, Wallace WA, Walker WS, Penman ID. Endobronchial and endoscopic ultrasound real-time fine-needle aspiration staging of the mediastinum ). Eur Resp J 2005; 25: 1,6. [source]


A correlation study on diagnostic endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of lymph nodes with histological and clinical diagnoses, the UCLA Medical Center experience

DIAGNOSTIC CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 7 2008
Bita V. Naini M.D.
Abstract Endoscopic ultrasound guided (EUS) FNA procedure has two aspects, the endoscopic sampling and the FNA interpretation. The two aspects of the procedure are performed in two different disciplines; gastroenterology (EUS) and pathology (FNA). The aim of this study was to evaluate the concordance, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive (PPV), and negative predictive values (NPV). Sixty-one EUS-FNA procedures of the lymph nodes were analyzed by correlating the FNA results with histological or clinical diagnoses. The lymph nodes were divided in five groups; mediastinal, gastrohepatic, peripancreatic, portal, and perirectal. The study showed a concordance of 92% in mediastinal, 80% in gastrohepatic, 81% in peripancreatic, 95% in portal, and 100% in perirectal lymph nodes with an overall sensitivity of 84%, specificity of 92%, PPV of 88%, and NPV of 89%. In conclusion, EUS-FNA offers an invaluable approach for diagnostic examination of the internal lymph nodes where percutaneous FNA is either difficult or impossible. impossible. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2008;36:460,466. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration of solid pancreatic lesions: Performance and outcomes

JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 1 2009
Leon Fisher
Abstract Background and Aim:, We report our single-centre experience with endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) of solid pancreatic lesions with regard to clinical utility, diagnostic accuracy and safety. Methods:, We prospectively reviewed data on 100 consecutive EUS-FNA procedures performed in 93 patients (54 men, mean age 60.6 ± 12.9 years) for evaluation of solid pancreatic lesions. Final diagnosis was based on a composite standard: histologic evidence at surgery, or non-equivocal malignant cytology on FNA and follow-up. The operating characteristics of EUS-FNA were determined. Results:, The location of the lesions was pancreatic head in 73% of cases, the body in 20% and the tail in 7%. Mean lesion size was 35.1 ± 12.9 mm. The final diagnosis revealed malignancy in 87 cases, including adenocarcinomas (80.5%), neuroendocrine tumours (11.5%), lymphomas (3.4%) and other types (4.6%). The FNA findings were: 82% interpreted as malignant cytology, 1% as suspicious for neoplasia, 1% as atypical, 7% as benign process and 9% as non-diagnostic. No false-positive results were observed. There was a false-negative rate of 5%. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were 94.3%, 100%, 100%, 72.2% and 95%, respectively. In 23 (88.5%) of 26 aspirated lymph nodes malignancy was found. Minor complications occurred in two patients. Conclusions:, Our experience confirms that EUS-FNA in patients with suspected solid pancreatic lesions is safe and has a high diagnostic accuracy. This technique should be considered the preferred test when a cytological diagnosis of a pancreatic mass lesion is required. [source]


Endoscopic ultrasound staging of rectal cancer: Diagnostic value before and following chemoradiation

JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 2 2006
YAAKOV MAOR
Abstract Background:, Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has been shown to be a reliable tool for staging rectal cancer. Nevertheless, the accuracy of EUS after chemoradiation remains unclear; therefore the purpose of the present paper was to compare the accuracy of EUS staging for rectal cancer before and following chemoradiation. Methods:, Patients with rectal cancer undergoing EUS staging were stratified into two groups. Group I consisted of 66 patients who underwent surgery following EUS staging without preoperative chemoradiation. Group II consisted of 25 patients who had EUS evaluation following chemoradiation. The EUS staging was compared to surgical/pathological staging. Results:, The accuracy of the T staging for group I was 86% (57/66). Inaccurate staging was mainly associated with overstaging EUS T2 tumors. The accuracy of the N staging for group I was 71% (47/66). The accuracy of EUS for a composite T and N staging relevant to treatment decisions in group I was 91%. In group II, the accuracy of T and N staging was 72% (18/25) and 80% (20/25), respectively. Overstaging EUS T3 tumors accounted for most inaccurate staging. The EUS staging predicted post-chemoradiation T0N0 stage correctly in only 50% of cases. Conclusions:, Preoperative staging of rectal cancer by EUS is a useful modality in determining the need for preoperative chemoradiation. The EUS T staging following chemoradiation appears to be less accurate. Detection of complete response may be insufficient for selecting patients for limited surgical intervention. [source]


Clinical trial: a randomized trial comparing fluoroscopy guided percutaneous technique vs. endoscopic ultrasound guided technique of coeliac plexus block for treatment of pain in chronic pancreatitis

ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 9 2009
D. SANTOSH
Summary Background, Coeliac plexus block (CPB) is a management option for pain control in chronic pancreatitis. CPB is conventionally performed by percutaneous technique with fluoroscopic guidance (PCFG). Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is increasingly used for CPB as it offers a better visualization of the plexus. There are limited data comparing the two modalities. Aim, To compare the pain relief in chronic pancreatitis among patients undergoing CPB either by PCFG technique or by EUS guided technique. Methods, Chronic pancreatitis patients with abdominal pain requiring daily analgesics for more than 4 weeks were included. Fifty six consecutive patients (41 males, 15 females) participated in the study. EUSG-CPB was performed in 27 and PCFG-CPB in 29 patients. In both the groups, 10 mL of Bupivacaine (0.25%) and 3 mL of Triamcinolone (40 mg) were given on both sides of the coeliac artery through separate punctures. Results, Pre and post procedure pain scores were obtained using a 0-10 visual analogue scale. Improvement in pain scores was seen in 70% of subjects undergoing EUS-CPB and 30% in Percutaneous- block group (P = 0.044). Conclusions, EUS-guided coeliac block appears to be better than PCFG-CPB for controlling abdominal pain in patients with chronic pancreatitis. [source]


Review article: recent advances in the management of bleeding gastric varices

ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 1 2006
D. TRIPATHI
Summary Gastric variceal bleeding can be challenging to the clinician. Tissue adhesives can control acute bleeding in over 80%, with rebleeding rates of 20,30%, and should be first-line therapy where available. Endoscopic ultrasound can assist in better eradication of varices. The potential risks of damage to equipment and embolic phenomena can be minimized with careful attention to technique. Variceal band ligation is an alternative to tissue adhesives for the management of acute bleeding, but not for secondary prevention due to a higher rate of rebleeding. Endoscopic therapy with human thrombin appears promising, with initial haemostasis rates typically over 90%. The lack of controlled studies for thrombin prevents universal recommendation outside of clinical trials. Balloon occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration is a recent technique for patients with gastrorenal shunts, although its use is limited to clinical trials. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt is an option for refractory bleeding and secondary prophylaxis, with uncontrolled studies demonstrating initial haemostasis obtained in over 90%, and rebleeding rates of 15,30%. Non-cardioselective , -blockers are an alternative to transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt for secondary prophylaxis, although the evidence is limited. Shunt surgery should be considered in well-compensated patients. Splenectomy or embolization is an option in patients with segmental portal hypertension. [source]


Endoscopic ultrasound of pancreatic cystic lesions

ANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 9 2010
Shyam Prasad
Abstract Background:, The impact of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) on the management of pancreatic cystic lesions remains unclear, and there are no published studies of the Australian experience in this area. The aim of this study was to review the experience of EUS for such lesions within our institution. Methods:, A retrospective review was undertaken of data collected prospectively over a two-year period within the EUS database of St. Vincent's Hospital. Patients who underwent EUS for suspected pancreatic cystic lesions were identified. Data were collected on demographic variables, EUS findings, the results of EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and the findings on clinical and radiological follow-up. Results:, Fifty-nine patients were identified. Two thirds were female. Most lesions were located at the pancreatic head. Median diameter was 25 mm. FNA was performed in 36 cases (61%). On cytology, six (17%) showed features of mucinous tumours and five (14%) showed adenocarcinoma. The remainder contained either non-specific benign cells or insufficient epithelial tissue. Follow-up data on 48 cases (83%), after a median duration of 15 months, revealed that 15 lesions (31%) had been resected, including six serous and six mucinous tumours. The level of carcinoembryonic antigen in FNA specimens appeared to be higher in mucinous than in serous neoplasms. Twenty-four lesions had undergone repeat radiological imaging: only three had grown in size. Conclusions:, EUS and FNA are useful procedures for assessing pancreatic cystic lesions. Malignant features are demonstrated in only a small minority. The majority of the remainder show no signs of progression during follow-up. [source]


Oesophagectomy for tumours and dysplasia of the oesophagus and gastro-oesophageal junction

ANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 4 2009
Krishna Epari
Abstract Background:, Neoadjuvant therapy, radical lymphadenectomy and treatment in high-volume centres have been proposed to improve outcomes for resectable oesophageal tumours. The aim of the present study was to review the oesophagectomy experience of a single surgeon with a moderate caseload who uses neoadjuvant therapy selectively and performs a conservative lymphadenectomy. Methods:, A retrospective review of prospectively collected data was performed. The study included 125 consecutive attempted oesophageal resections performed by a single surgeon (RC) from 1993 to 2006. Results:, All patients were staged with computed tomography and also laparoscopy for lower third and junctional tumours. Endoscopic ultrasound was used in 69%. Seventy-seven per cent were adenocarcinomas. Neoadjuvant therapy was used selectively in 23%. One hundred and twenty-one resections were carried out, giving an overall resection rate of 97% with an R0 resection in 82%. In-hospital mortality was 0.8%, clinical anastomotic leak 1.7% and median length of stay 14 days. Overall median and 5-year survival were 46 months and 47%. Stage-specific 5-year survival was 100%, 71%, 41% and 21% for stages 0, I, II and III, respectively. Isolated local recurrence occurred in 8%. Conclusions:, A moderate volume surgeon with specialist training in oesophageal resectional surgery can achieve a low mortality and anastomotic leak rate with good survival outcomes. The role for neoadjuvant therapy and radical lymphadenectomy is controversial and remains to be clearly defined. Accurate preoperative staging is essential for selection of patients for curative surgery with or without neoadjuvant therapy and for comparison of results. [source]


NON-GYNAECOLOGICAL CYTOLOGY: THE CLINICIAN'S VIEW

CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 2006
I. Penman
There is increased recognition of the importance of accurate staging of malignancies of the GI tract and lung, greater use of neoadjuvant therapies and more protocol-driven management. This is particularly important where regional lymph node involvement significantly impacts on curability. Multidetector CT and PET scanning have resulted in greater detection of potential abnormalities which, if positive for malignancy, would change management. There is also a greater recognition that many enlarged nodes may be inflammatory and that size criteria alone are unreliable in determining involvement. In other situations, especially pancreatic masses, not all represent carcinoma as focal chronic pancreatitis, autoimmune pancreatitis etc can catch out the unwary. A preoperative tissue diagnosis is essential and even if unresectable, oncologists are increasingly reluctant to initiate chemotherapy or enroll patients into trials without this. The approach to obtaining tissue is often hampered by the small size or relative inaccessibility of lesions by percutaneous approaches. As such novel techniques such as endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guided FNA have been developed. A 120cm needle is passed through the instrument and, under real-time visualisation, through the gastrointestinal wall to sample adjacent lymph nodes or masses. Multiple studies have demonstrated the safety and performance of this technique. In oesophageal cancer, confirmation of node positivity by has a major negative influence on curative resection rates and will often lead to a decision to use neoadjuvant chemotherapy or a non-operative approach. Sampling of lymph nodes at the true coeliac axis upstages the patient to M1a status (stage IV) disease and makes the patient incurable. In NSCLC, subcarinal lymph nodes are frequently present but may be inflammatory. If positive these represent N2 (stage IIIA) disease and in most centres again makes the patient inoperable. Access to these lymph nodes would otherwise require mediastinosocopy whereas this can be done simply, safely and quickly by EUS. Overall the sensitivity for EUS , FNA of mediastinal or upper abdominal lymph nodes is 83,90% with an accuracy of 80,90%. In pancreatic cancer performance is less good but pooled analysis of published studies indicates a sensitivity of 85% and accuracy of 88%. In a recent spin-off from EUS, endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) instruments have been developed and the ability to sample anterior mediastinal nodes has been demonstrated. It is likely that this EBUS , FNA technique will become increasingly utilised and may replace mediastinoscopy. The development of techniques such as EUS and EBUS to allow FNA sampling of lesions has increased the role of non-gynaecological cytology significantly in recent years. Cytology therefore remains important for a broad range of specialties and there is ongoing need for careful and close co-operation between cytologists and clinicians in these specialties. References:, 1. Williams DB, Sahai AV, Aabakken L, Penman ID, van Velse A, Webb J et al. Endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration biopsy: a large single centre experience. Gut. 1999; 44: 720,6. 2. Silvestri GA, Hoffman BJ, Bhutani MS et al. Endoscopic ultrasound with fine-needle aspiration in the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer. Ann Thorac Surg 1996; 61: 1441,6. 3. Rintoul RC, Skwarski KM, Murchison JT, Wallace WA, Walker WS, Penman ID. Endobronchial and endoscopic ultrasound real-time fine-needle aspiration staging of the mediastinum ). Eur Resp J 2005; 25: 1,6. [source]


K-Ras and microsatellite marker analysis of fine-needle aspirates from intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas,

DIAGNOSTIC CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 9 2006
Karen E. Schoedel M.D.
Abstract Preoperative diagnosis of pancreatic cystic lesions is difficult despite the combination of cytomorphology, radiographic imaging characteristics, and fluid tumor markers such as carcinoembryonic antigen. Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) represent a subset of preinvasive pancreatic cystic neoplasms and are associated with accumulated genetic mutations, especially K-ras and tumor suppressor genes such as p53. Application of molecular techniques to cyst fluid obtained by endoscopic ultrasound guided fine-needle aspiration (EUSFNA) may contribute to preoperative assessment. Sixteen patients with pancreatic cystic lesions had cyst fluid obtained by preoperative pancreatic EUSFNA or intraoperative aspiration. All patients subsequently underwent surgical resection of the pancreas and IPMN was documented in all (6 adenomas, 6 borderline tumors, and 4 carcinomas). DNA was extracted from the cyst fluids and mutational analysis for K-ras point mutations and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) analysis using a preselected panel of genomic loci were performed. LOH was observed in 3 of 4 carcinomas as compared to 4 of 11 adenomas and borderline lesions (1 was QNS). LOH and K-ras mutations were both acquired in 2 of 4 carcinomas and in 1 of 12 adenoma/borderline lesions. Although the study is small, molecular analysis for LOH and K-ras mutations is useful in the preoperative evaluation of cystic pancreatic lesions. Increasing degree of neoplasia appears to correlate with increased genetic abnormality using a panel of selected genomic markers. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2006;34:605,608. © 2006 Wiley,Liss, Inc. [source]


Cytologic diagnosis of pancreatic endocrine tumors by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration: A review

DIAGNOSTIC CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 9 2006
Fuju Chang M.D., Ph.D.
Abstract Precise localization and diagnosis of pancreatic endocrine tumors (PETs) is important, because pancreatic PETs have different clinical and biological behavior and treatment modalities than do exocrine pancreatic tumors. In contrast to the much more common exocrine adenocarcinomas, cytologic studies of PET are relatively rare and many cytopathologists lack experience with the cytomorphologic features of these tumors. During the last 10 yr, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) has matured into an accurate, highly sensitive, and cost-effective modality for the preoperative localization of pancreatic PETs. This has resulted in an increased number of PETs first sampled as cytology specimens. This manuscript focuses on the cytomorphologic features most suggestive of pancreatic PETs, differential diagnosis, and diagnostic pitfalls of PETs. The technical development of EUS-guided FNA and the ancillary studies for pancreatic PETs are also reviewed. The data summarized in this review indicate that EUS-FNA is a valuable method in the recognition of pancreatic PETs and in most cases cytopathologists could reach a correct diagnosis of these tumors, including their hormone producing capability on aspirated cytologic material. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2006;34:649,658. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration diagnosis of metastatic sex cord tumor with annular tubules: A case report

DIAGNOSTIC CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 8 2006
Lori J. Ryan M.D.
Abstract The cytologic findings of a paratracheal metastasis from a malignant sex cord tumor with annular tubules (SCTATs) diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration are described. Cytologic features of SCTATs include the presence of highly cellular aspirates forming simple and complex rosette-like structures around central rounded hyaline material, small nucleoli, and prominent nuclear grooves. These cytologic findings are clearly distinct from the poorly formed rosette-like structures of granulosa-cell tumors and are reminiscent of the low-power appearance of the cribriform variant of adenoid cystic carcinoma. The fine needle aspiration cytologic features of only two other cases have been previously described and, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first case reporting the cytologic diagnosis of a distant metastasis of a SCTATs by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration. In this case, the distinctive and characteristic cytologic features have allowed the proper diagnosis of a distant metastasis of SCTATs. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2006;34:576,579. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology diagnosis of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas is highly predictive of pancreatic neoplasia

DIAGNOSTIC CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 7 2006
Robert E. Emerson M.D.
Abstract Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) have been considered difficult to diagnose by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology. We identified 57 cases diagnosed as IPMN or consistent with IPMN by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided FNA over a 9-yr period. Histologic follow-up was available for 20 patients (35%). Pancreatic neoplasia was demonstrated in 18 of these cases (90%). The histologic diagnoses were IPMN (16 cases), pancreatic intraductal neoplasia (grade 1b, 1 case), invasive mucin-producing adenocarcinoma (1 case), and chronic pancreatitis with a pseudocyst (2 cases). Sixty-two cases of IPMN without coexisting adenocarcinoma were diagnosed by histology during this time period. Of these, 35 (56%) had a preceding EUS-guided FNA. The diagnosis made by EUS-guided FNA in these 35 cases was negative or nondiagnostic (6 cases), benign cyst (1 case), chronic pancreatitis (2 cases), atypical ductal cells (2 cases), adenocarcinoma or suspicious for adenocarcinoma (3 cases), consistent with mucinous cystic neoplasm (4 cases), and IPMN or consistent with IPMN (16 cases). An EUS FNA diagnosis of probable or definite neoplasia was, therefore, made in 71% of cases of histologically proven IPMN. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2006;34:457,462. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVE OF INTERVENTIONAL ENDOSCOPIC ULTRASOUND IN JAPAN

DIGESTIVE ENDOSCOPY, Issue 2009
Mitsuhiro Kida
Vilmann and Grimm made the first reports of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-fine needle aspiration (FNA), and since then EUS-FNA has become popular in the clinical fields, especially in Western countries. Furthermore interventional EUS such as pseudocyst drainage, EUS-guided biliary drainage, celiac plexus neurolysis, and dendritic cell injection, etc. have been introduced. We have investigated the current status and future perspectives of interventional EUS in Japan. Standardization of EUS-guided pseudocyst drainage has been achieved, but EUS-guided biliary dranage is still controversial, and EUS-fine needle injection (FNI) including EUS-celiac plexus neurolysis (CPN) and dendritic cell injection have been under investigation. In any case, EUS-FNA seems to be a promising future technique and new applications have to be invented. [source]


International survey on esophageal cancer: part II staging and neoadjuvant therapy

DISEASES OF THE ESOPHAGUS, Issue 3 2009
J. Boone
SUMMARY The outcome of esophagectomy could be improved by optimal diagnostic strategies leading to adequate preoperative patient selection. Neoadjuvant therapy could improve outcome by increasing the number of radical resections and by controlling metastatic disease. The purposes of this study were to gain insight into the current worldwide practice of staging modalities and neoadjuvant therapy in esophageal cancer, and to detect intercontinental differences. Surgeons with particular interest in esophageal surgery, including members of the International Society for Diseases of the Esophagus, the European Society of Esophagology , Group d'Etude Européen des Maladies de l'Oesophage, and the OESO, were invited to participate in an online questionnaire. Questions were asked regarding staging modalities, neoadjuvant therapy, and response evaluation applied in esophageal cancer patients. Of 567 invited surgeons, 269 participated resulting in a response rate of 47%. The responders currently performing esophagectomies (n= 250; 44%) represented 41 countries across the six continents. Esophagogastroscopy with biopsy and computed tomography (CT) scanning were routinely performed by 98% of responders for diagnosing and staging esophageal cancer, while endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and barium esophagography were routinely applied by 58% and 51%, respectively. Neoadjuvant therapy is routinely administered by 33% and occasionally by 63% of responders. Of the responders that administer identical neoadjuvant regimens to esophageal adenocarcinoma (AC) and squamous cell carcinoma, 54% favor chemoradiotherapy. For AC, chemotherapy is preferred by 31% of the responders that administer neoadjuvant therapy, whereas for squamous cell carcinoma, the majority of responders (38%) prefer chemoradiotherapy. Response to neoadjuvant therapy is predominantly assessed by CT scanning of the chest and abdomen (86%). Barium esophagography, EUS, and combined CT/PET scan are requested for response monitoring in equal frequency (25%). Substantial differences in applied staging modalities and neoadjuvant regimens were detected between surgeons from different continents. In conclusion, currently the most commonly applied diagnostic modalities for staging and restaging esophageal cancer are CT scanning of the chest and abdomen, gastroscopy, barium esophagography and EUS. Neoadjuvant therapy is routinely applied by one third of the responders. Intercontinental differences have been detected in the diagnostic modalities applied in esophageal cancer staging and in the administration of neoadjuvant therapy. The results of this survey provide baseline data for future research and for the development of international guidelines. [source]


Role of endoscopic ultrasound in superficial esophageal cancer

DISEASES OF THE ESOPHAGUS, Issue 2 2009
Tan Attila
SUMMARY The recent increase in the incidence of superficial esophageal cancer and promising developments in potentially curative endoscopic therapies have placed endoscopic ultrasound in a central position with regard to decision making. This is a review of the literature to determine the role of endoscopic ultrasound and high frequency probe ultrasonography in the assessment of superficial esophageal carcinomas. [source]


Selective dose escalation of chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced esophageal cancer

DISEASES OF THE ESOPHAGUS, Issue 7 2008
S. K. Seung
SUMMARY., This phase II study assessed the use of concurrent continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil and weekly carboplatin plus paclitaxel with selective radiation dose escalation for patients with localized esophageal cancer. Patients with esophageal carcinoma were staged by thoracic and abdominal computed tomography, endoscopic ultrasound, and positron emission tomography scans. Patients received a continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil 225 mg/m2 on days 1 to 38 and intravenous paclitaxel 45 mg/m2 and carboplatin AUC 2 on days 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, and 36. Radiotherapy was delivered in 1.8-Gy fractions, 5 d/wk for 5.5 weeks. Six to 8 weeks after initial therapy, patients without metastatic progression but with a positive biopsy, or less than partial response received a 9-Gy boost with the same concurrent chemotherapy. Twenty-four patients were enrolled: 18 patients were enrolled initially; 6 additional patients were enrolled following a protocol amendment designed to reduce the esophagitis by adding the radioprotectant amifostine. Median follow-up was 30 months. Twenty (83%) patients had adenocarcinomas of the lower esophagus/gastroesophageal junction. Seventeen patients (81%) attained at least a partial response. Six patients received boost treatment. At 4 years, overall survival was 28%, cause-specific survival was 38%, locoregional control was 61%, and distant metastasis-free survival was 52%. Radiation delays ranged from 0 to 62 days (median, 8 d), primarily owing to esophagitis. In total, 28% of patients developed esophageal strictures requiring dilatations. There were no differences in esophageal strictures, local control, or survival with the addition of amifostine. [source]


The utility of FDG-PET in the preoperative staging of esophageal cancer

DISEASES OF THE ESOPHAGUS, Issue 5 2008
S. Gananadha
SUMMARY., Accurate staging of esophageal cancer is important when determining which patients will potentially benefit from curative surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incremental effect of 2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) when used in addition to standard staging modalities. Patients referred to two surgeons in an Australian metropolitan teaching hospital with esophageal or esophago-gastric junction malignancy between May 2002 and December 2006 were included. Patients who had undergone prereferral treatment with chemotherapy or radiotherapy were excluded. Patients undergoing resection for gastrointestinal stromal tumors or high-grade dysplasia within Barrett's esophagus were also excluded. Clinical and non-clinical data were recorded prospectively. Pretreatment staging included routine CT scan and selective endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). FDG-PET was performed in patients judged to have curable disease on CT scanning and EUS. From a total of 130 eligible patients, 76 were judged to have curable disease on the basis of CT and EUS findings. Of these 76 patients, 19 (25%) were excluded from surgery due to additional information obtained from FDG-PET. The addition of FDG-PET to routine preoperative staging resulted in the exclusion from surgery of 19 (25%) patients who prior to the introduction of FDG-PET would have undergone attempted resection. FDG-PET should be performed in all patients under consideration for esophagogastric resection in order to avoid resection in patients with disseminated disease. [source]


The role of surveillance endoscopy and endosonography after endoscopic ablation of high-grade dysplasia and carcinoma of the esophagus

DISEASES OF THE ESOPHAGUS, Issue 2 2008
A. D. Savoy
SUMMARY., Barrett's esophagus (BE) with high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or early carcinoma treated with surgery or photodynamic therapy (PDT) is at risk of recurrence. The efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) for surveillance after PDT is unknown. Our objective was to determine if EUS is superior to esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and/or CT scan for surveillance of BE neoplasia after PDT. The study was designed as a retrospective review with the setting as a tertiary referral center. Consecutive patients with BE with HGD or carcinoma in situ treated with PDT were followed with EUS, CT scan and EGD with jumbo biopsies every 1 cm at 3, 4, or 6-month intervals. Exclusion criteria was < 6 months of follow up and/or < 2 EUS procedures. Main outcome measurements were residual or recurrent disease discovered by any method. Results showed that 67/97 patients met the inclusion criteria (56 men and 11 women). Median follow-up was 16 months. Recurrent or residual adenocarcinoma (ACA) was detected in four patients during follow-up. EGD with random biopsies or targeted nodule biopsies detected three patients. EUS with endoscopic mucosal resection of the nodule confirmed T1 recurrence in one of these three. In the fourth patient, CT scan revealed perigastric lymphadenopathy and EUS-FNA (fine needle aspiration) confirmed adenocarcinoma. There were two deaths, one related to disease progression and one unrelated. The rate of recurrent/persistent ACA after PDT was 4/67 = 6%. EUS did not detect disease when EGD and CT were normal. Limitations of this study include non-blinding of results and preferential status of non-invasive imaging (CT) over EUS. Our experience suggests that EUS has little role in the surveillance of these patients, unless discrete abnormalities are found on EGD or cross-sectional imaging. [source]


Barrett's esophagus: current and future role of endosonography and optical coherence tomography

DISEASES OF THE ESOPHAGUS, Issue 2 2004
S. A. Faruqi
SUMMARY., This paper reviews the role of endosonography and optical coherence tomography (OCT) for imaging of Barrett's esophagus (BE). The routine use of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) to screen patients with BE is neither justified nor cost effective. EUS does appear to have a role in patients who have BE and high-grade dysplasia or intramucosal carcinoma, in whom a non-operative therapy is being contemplated. For patients with a diagnosis of esophageal cancer with or without BE, EUS is superior to computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging for assessing esophageal wall penetration and for detecting regional lymph node involvement. In its current state, OCT is not yet ready for application in clinical practice. However, given its superior resolution compared with other modalities such as EUS, OCT has great potential as a powerful adjunct to standard endoscopy in surveillance of BE and may enhance the ability of endoscopists to detect high-grade dysplasia at an early stage. With further technical refinement, this technique may become a mainstay in the surveillance of BE and other premalignant conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. [source]


Mediastinal bronchial artery aneurysm with hematemesis

DISEASES OF THE ESOPHAGUS, Issue 4 2003
A. Fukunaga
SUMMARY, Mediastinal bronchial artery aneurysm is a rare condition which can lead to potentially fatal hemorrhage. In most cases it presents respiratory symptoms due to rupture into pleural parenchyma. But when it develops mediodorsally and compresses the esophagus, it may cause dysphagia or hematemesis. Here we report a case of mediastinal bronchial artery aneurysm which presented with hematemesis. Computed tomography and endoscopic ultrasound showed what seemed to be a submucosal tumor on the esophagus. We were able to correctly diagnose the aneurysm using magnetic resonance imaging and probe thoracoscopy, and were able to successfully treat with transluminal artery embolization. [source]


Validation of a prediction rule to maximize curative (R0) resection of early-stage pancreatic adenocarcinoma

HPB, Issue 7 2009
Philip Bao
Abstract Background:, The surgeon's contribution to patients with localized pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC) is a margin negative (R0) resection. We hypothesized that a prediction rule based on pre-operative imaging would maximize the R0 resection rate while reducing non-therapeutic intervention. Methods:, The prediction rule was developed using computed tomography (CT) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) data from 65 patients with biopsy-proven PAC who underwent attempted resection. The rule classified patients as low or high risk for non-R0 outcome and was validated in 78 subsequent patients. Results:, Model variables were: any evidence of vascular involvement on CT; EUS stage and EUS size dichotomized at 2.6 cm. In the validation cohort, 77% underwent resection and 58% achieved R0 status. If only patients in the low-risk group underwent surgery, the prediction rule would have increased the resection rate to 92% and the R0 rate to 73%. The R0 rate was 40% higher in low-risk compared with high-risk patients (P < 0.001). High risk was associated with a 67% rate of non-curative surgery (unresectable disease and metastases). Conclusion:, The prediction rule identified patients most likely to benefit from resection for PAC using pre-operative CT and EUS findings. Model predictions would have increased the R0 rate and reduced non-therapeutic interventions. [source]


Diagnostic evaluation of cystic pancreatic lesions

HPB, Issue 1 2008
B. C. VISSER
Abstract Background. Cystic pancreatic neoplasms (CPNs) present a unique challenge in preoperative diagnosis. We investigated the accuracy of diagnostic methods for CPN. Material and methods. This retrospective cases series includes 70 patients who underwent surgery at a university hospital for presumed CPNs between 1997 and 2003, and for whom a definitive diagnosis was established. Variables examined included symptoms, preoperative work-up (including endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in 22 cases and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in 12), and operative and pathological findings. Preoperative computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans (n=50 patients; CT=48; MRI=13) were independently reviewed by two blinded GI radiologists. Results. The final histopathologic diagnoses were mucinous cystic neoplasm (n=13), mucinous cystadenocarcinoma (10), serous cystadenoma (11), IPMN (14), simple cyst (3), cystic neuroendocrine tumor (5), pseudocyst (4), and other (10). Overall, 25 of 70 were malignant (37%), 21 premalignant (30%), and 24 benign (34%). The attending surgeon's preoperative diagnosis was correct in 31% of cases, incorrect in 29%, non-specific "cystic tumor" in 27%, and "pseuodcyst vs. neoplasm" in 11%. Eight had been previously managed as pseudocysts, and 3 pseudocysts were excised as presumed CPN. In review of the CT and MRI, a multivariate analysis of the morphologic features did not identify predictors of specific pathologic diagnoses. Both radiologists were accurate with their preferred (no. 1) diagnosis in <50% of cases. MRI demonstrated no additional utility beyond CT. Conclusions. The diagnosis of CPN remains challenging. Cross-sectional imaging methods do not reliably give an accurate preoperative diagnosis. Surgeons should continue to err on the side of resection. [source]


Nonoperative imaging techniques in suspected biliary tract obstruction

HPB, Issue 6 2006
Frances Tse
Abstract Evaluation of suspected biliary tract obstruction is a common clinical problem. Clinical data such as history, physical examination, and laboratory tests can accurately identify up to 90% of patients whose jaundice is caused by extrahepatic obstruction. However, complete assessment of extrahepatic obstruction often requires the use of various imaging modalities to confirm the presence, level, and cause of obstruction, and to aid in treatment plan. In the present summary, the literature on competing technologies including endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), percutaneous transhepatic cholangiopancreatography (PTC), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS), magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), helical CT (hCT) and helical CT cholangiography (hCTC) with regards to diagnostic performance characteristics, technical success, safety, and cost-effectiveness is reviewed. Patients with obstructive jaundice secondary to choledocholithiasis or pancreaticobiliary malignancies are the primary focus of this review. Algorithms for the management of suspected obstructive jaundice are put forward based on current evidence. Published data suggest an increasing role for EUS and other noninvasive imaging techniques such as MRCP, and hCT following an initial transabdominal ultrasound in the assessment of patients with suspected biliary obstruction to select candidates for surgery or therapeutic ERCP. The management of patients with a suspected pancreaticobiliary condition ultimately is dependent on local expertise, availability, cost, and the multidisciplinary collaboration between radiologists, surgeons, and gastroenterologists. [source]


Endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration of solid pancreatic lesions: Performance and outcomes

JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY, Issue 1 2009
Leon Fisher
Abstract Background and Aim:, We report our single-centre experience with endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) of solid pancreatic lesions with regard to clinical utility, diagnostic accuracy and safety. Methods:, We prospectively reviewed data on 100 consecutive EUS-FNA procedures performed in 93 patients (54 men, mean age 60.6 ± 12.9 years) for evaluation of solid pancreatic lesions. Final diagnosis was based on a composite standard: histologic evidence at surgery, or non-equivocal malignant cytology on FNA and follow-up. The operating characteristics of EUS-FNA were determined. Results:, The location of the lesions was pancreatic head in 73% of cases, the body in 20% and the tail in 7%. Mean lesion size was 35.1 ± 12.9 mm. The final diagnosis revealed malignancy in 87 cases, including adenocarcinomas (80.5%), neuroendocrine tumours (11.5%), lymphomas (3.4%) and other types (4.6%). The FNA findings were: 82% interpreted as malignant cytology, 1% as suspicious for neoplasia, 1% as atypical, 7% as benign process and 9% as non-diagnostic. No false-positive results were observed. There was a false-negative rate of 5%. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were 94.3%, 100%, 100%, 72.2% and 95%, respectively. In 23 (88.5%) of 26 aspirated lymph nodes malignancy was found. Minor complications occurred in two patients. Conclusions:, Our experience confirms that EUS-FNA in patients with suspected solid pancreatic lesions is safe and has a high diagnostic accuracy. This technique should be considered the preferred test when a cytological diagnosis of a pancreatic mass lesion is required. [source]


Role of endoscopic ultrasound in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

JOURNAL OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY, Issue 4 2007
Diego Kuperschmit MD
No abstract is available for this article. [source]


Pancreatic cystic lesions: clinical predictors of malignancy in patients undergoing surgery

ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 2 2010
E. S. HUANG
Summary Background, Despite advances in cross-sectional imaging and the use of molecular markers, distinguishing between benign and malignant cysts remains a clinical challenge. Aims, To identify both preoperative clinical and cyst characteristics at the time of EUS that predict malignancy. Methods, A retrospective analysis was performed on consecutive patients with pancreatic cysts who underwent endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and surgical resection from May 1996 to December 2007 at a tertiary centre. Clinical history, EUS characteristics, cytology, tumour markers and surgical histology were collected. Predictors of malignancy were determined by univariate and multivariate analysis using logistic regression. Results, A total of 153 patients underwent a EUS and subsequent surgical intervention. Of the 153 patients, 57 (37%) had a histological diagnosis of malignancy. On univariate analysis, older age (P < 0.001), male gender (P = 0.010), jaundice (P = 0.039), history of other malignancy (P = 0.036), associated mass in cyst (P = 0.004) and malignant cytology (P < 0.001) were found to be associated with malignancy. History of pancreatitis (P = 0.008) and endoscopist impression of pseudocyst (P = 0.001) were found to be associated with benign cysts. Multivariate analysis found that only older age [Odds ratio (OR), 1.04; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01,1.08], male gender (OR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.08,4.73) and malignant cytology (OR, 6.60; 95% CI, 2.02,21.58) were independent predictors of malignancy. Conclusions, Older age, male gender and malignant cytology from EUS predict malignancy at surgical resection. These characteristics may be used to estimate the probability of malignancy in a cyst and aid in management. Aliment Pharmacol Ther,31, 285,294 [source]


Systematic review: endoscopic and imaging-based techniques in the assessment of portal haemodynamics and the risk of variceal bleeding

ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 10 2009
S. N. SGOUROS
Summary Background, Invasive measurement of the hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) is regarded as the gold standard for risk stratification and the evaluation of pharmaceutical agents in patients with portal hypertension. Aim, To review the techniques for endoscopic and imaging-based assessment of portal haemodynamics, with particular emphasis on trials where the results were compared with HVPG or direct portal pressure measurement. Methods, Systematic search of the MEDLINE electronic database with keywords: portal hypertension, variceal bleeding, variceal pressure, endoscopic ultrasound, Doppler ultrasonography, magnetic resonance angiography, CT angiography, hepatic venous pressure gradient. Results, Computed tomography angiography and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) have been both employed for the diagnosis of complications of portal hypertension and for the evaluation of the efficacy of endoscopic therapy. Colour Doppler ultrasonography and magnetic resonance angiography has given discrepant results. Endoscopic variceal pressure measurements either alone or combined with simultaneous EUS, correlate well with HVPG and risk of variceal bleeding and have a low interobserver variability. Conclusions, Endoscopic and imaging-based measurements of portal haemodynamics provide an alternate means for the assessment of complications of portal hypertension. Further studies are required to validate their use in risk stratification and the evaluation of drug therapies in patients with portal hypertension. [source]


Clinical trial: a randomized trial comparing fluoroscopy guided percutaneous technique vs. endoscopic ultrasound guided technique of coeliac plexus block for treatment of pain in chronic pancreatitis

ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 9 2009
D. SANTOSH
Summary Background, Coeliac plexus block (CPB) is a management option for pain control in chronic pancreatitis. CPB is conventionally performed by percutaneous technique with fluoroscopic guidance (PCFG). Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is increasingly used for CPB as it offers a better visualization of the plexus. There are limited data comparing the two modalities. Aim, To compare the pain relief in chronic pancreatitis among patients undergoing CPB either by PCFG technique or by EUS guided technique. Methods, Chronic pancreatitis patients with abdominal pain requiring daily analgesics for more than 4 weeks were included. Fifty six consecutive patients (41 males, 15 females) participated in the study. EUSG-CPB was performed in 27 and PCFG-CPB in 29 patients. In both the groups, 10 mL of Bupivacaine (0.25%) and 3 mL of Triamcinolone (40 mg) were given on both sides of the coeliac artery through separate punctures. Results, Pre and post procedure pain scores were obtained using a 0-10 visual analogue scale. Improvement in pain scores was seen in 70% of subjects undergoing EUS-CPB and 30% in Percutaneous- block group (P = 0.044). Conclusions, EUS-guided coeliac block appears to be better than PCFG-CPB for controlling abdominal pain in patients with chronic pancreatitis. [source]