Endoscopic ultrasound elastography for solid pancreatic lesions

Elastography is one of technologies assisting diagnosis ofsolid pancreatic lesions(SPL). This technology has been previously used for measuring the stiffness of various organs based on a principle of "harder the lesions, higher chance for malignancy". Two elastography techniques; strain and shear wave elastography, are available. For endoscopic ultrasound(EUS), only the former is existing. To interpret results of EUS elastography for SPL, 3 methods are used:(1) pattern recognition;(2) strain ratio; and (3) strain histogram. Based on results of existing studies, these 3 techniques provide high sensitivity but low to moderate specificity and accuracy rate. This review will summarize all available information in order to update current situation of using elastography for an evaluation of SPLs to readers.

Factors influencing clinical outcomes of Histoacryl~ glue injection-treated gastric variceal hemorrhage

AIM: To determine the factors associated with clinical outcomes and complications of Histoacryl glue injection for acute gastric variceal hemorrhage. METHODS: Patients who presented to the Siriraj Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Center with active gastric variceal bleeding and were admitted for treatment between April 2008 and October 2011 were selected retrospectively for study inclusion. All bleeding varices were treated by injection of Histoacryl tissue glue (B. Braun Melsungen AG, Germany) through a 21G or 23G catheter primed with lipiodol to prevent premature glue solidification. Data recorded for each patient included demographic and clinical characteristics, endoscopic findings, clinical outcomes in terms of early and late re-bleeding, mortality, and procedure-related complications. Data from admission (baseline) and posttreatment were comparatively analyzed using stepwise logistic regression analysis to determine the correlation between factors and clinical outcomes.RESULTS: A total of 90 patients underwent Histoacryl injection to treat bleeding gastric varices. The mean age was 55.9 ± 13.9 (range: 15-88) years old, and 74.4% of the patients were male. The most common presentations were hematemesis (71.1%), melena (12.2%), and coffee ground emesis (8.9%). Initial hemostasis was experienced in 97.8% of patients, while re-bleeding within 120 h occurred in 10.0%. The presence of ascites was the only factor associated with early and late re-bleeding [odds ratio (OR)=10.67, 95%CI: 1.27-89.52, P=0.03 and OR=4.15, 95%CI: 1.34-12.86, P=0.01, respectively]. Early procedure-related complications developed in 14.4% of patients, and were primarily infections and non-fatal systemic embolization. Late re-bleeding was significantly correlated with early procedure-related complications by univariate analysis (OR=4.01, 95%CI: 1.25-12.87, P=0.04), but no factors were significantly correlated by multivariate analysis. The overall mortality rate was 21.1%, the majority of which were related to infections. The factors showing strong association with higher mortality risk were elevated total bilirubin (OR=16.71, 95%CI: 3.28-85.09, P < 0.01), a large amount of transfused fresh frozen plasma (OR=1.001, 95%CI: 1.000-1.002, P=0.03), and late re-bleeding (OR=10.99, 95%CI: 2.15-56.35, P=0.02).CONCLUSION: Histoacryl injection is a safe and effective hemostatic method for treating gastric variceal hemorrhage. Patients with compromised liver, including ascites, have a higher risk of re-bleeding.

Uncommon complications of therapeutic endoscopic ultrasonography: What, why, and how to prevent

There is an increasing role for endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)-guided interventions in the treatment of many conditions. Although it has been shown that these types of interventions are effective and safe, they continue to be considered only as alternative treatments in some situations. This is in part due to the occurrence of complications with these techniques, which can occur even when performed by experienced endosonographers. Although common complications have been described for many procedures, it is also crucial to be aware of uncommon complications. This review describes rare complications that have been reported with several EUS-guided interventions. EUS-guided biliary drainage is accepted as an alternative treatment for malignant biliary obstruction. Most of the uncommon complications related to this procedure involve stent malfunction, such as the migration or malposition of stents. Rare complications of EUS-guided pancreatic pseudocyst drainage can result from air embolism and infection. Finally, a range of uncommon complications has been reported for EUS-guided celiac plexus neurolysis, involving neural and vascular injuries that can be fatal. The goal of this review is to identify possible complications and promote an understanding of how they occur in order to increase general awareness of these adverse events with the hope that they can be avoided in the future.