Recent advances in diagnostic upper endoscopy

BACKGROUND Esophageo-gastro-duodenoscopy(EGD)is an important procedure used for detection and diagnosis of esophago-gastric lesions.There exists no consensus on the technique of examination.AIM To identify recent advances in diagnostic EGDs to improve diagnostic yield.METHODS We queried the PubMed database for relevant articles published between January 2001 and August 2019 as well as hand searched references from recently published endoscopy guidelines.Keywords used included free text and MeSH terms addressing quality indicators and technological innovations in EGDs.Factors affecting diagnostic yield and EGD quality were identified and divided into the follow segments:Pre endoscopy preparation,sedation,examination schema,examination time,routine biopsy,image enhanced endoscopy and future developments.RESULTS We identified 120 relevant abstracts of which we utilized 67 of these studies in our review.Adequate pre-endoscopy preparation with simethicone and pronase increases gastric visibility.Proper sedation,especially with propofol,increases patient satisfaction after procedure and may improve detection of superficial gastrointestinal lesions.There is a movement towards mandatory picture documentation during EGD as well as dedicating sufficient time for examination improves diagnostic yield.The use of image enhanced endoscopy and magnifying endoscopy improves detection of squamous cell carcinoma and gastric neoplasm.The magnifying endoscopy simple diagnostic algorithm is useful for diagnosis of early gastric cancer.CONCLUSION There is a steady momentum in the past decade towards improving diagnostic yield,quality and reporting in EGDs.Other interesting innovations,such as Raman spectroscopy,endocytoscopy and artificial intelligence may have widespread endoscopic applications in the near future.

The success of sleeve gastrectomy in the management of metabolic syndrome and obesity

The rapid reversal of diabetes,hypertension,hyperlipidaemia and obesity by surgical means has challenged accepted doctrines regarding the management of metabolic syndrome.Sleeve gastrectomy,which developed initially as a preparatory procedure for biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch,has seen an exponential rise in popularity as an effective lone laparoscopic bariatric procedure.Superior excess weight loss,a low complication rate,and excellent food tolerance,combined with a short hospital stay,have made this the procedure of choice for patients and surgeons across the globe.High volume centres nurture the ongoing development of experienced and specialized teams,pathways and regimens.Optimum surgical outcomes allow minimization of metabolic syndrome,reducing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk.

Validation of genetic variants associated with metabolic dysfunctionassociated fatty liver disease in an ethnic Chinese population

BACKGROUND Genetic factors play an important role in the pathogenesis and development of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD).AIM To study the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs),previously identified in Western populations,with the risk of MAFLD in a Singapore Chinese population and their interactions with environmental and medical risk factors.METHODS A retrospective case-control study was conducted with 72 MAFLD cases and 72 controls with no hepatic steatosis on computed tomography,magnetic resonance imaging,or controlled attenuation parameter score.Subjects were recruited from two tertiary hospitals.Genetic alleles such as NCAN,GCKR,LYPLAL1,PNPLA3,PPP1R3B,FDFT1,COL13A1,EFCAB4B,PZP,and TM6SF2 were genotyped using the TaqMan®Predesigned SNP Genotyping Assay.RESULTS Weight and body mass index(BMI)were 1.2-times higher in patients(70.6 kg,95%confidence interval[CI]:57.1-84.1 vs 60.8 kg,95%CI:48.5-73.1,P<0.001 and 26.9 kg,95%CI:23-40.8 vs 23.3 kg 95%CI:19-27.6,P<0.001 respectively).The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in patients was 40.3%and 20.8%in controls(P=0.011).Patients had higher mean triglycerides than controls(P<0.001).PNPLA3 GG was more likely to be associated with MAFLD(43.4%CC vs 69.7%GG,P=0.017,and 44.8%CG vs 69.7%GG,P=0.022).In multivariable analysis,hypertriglyceridemia(odds ratio[OR]:2.0495%CI:1.3-3.1,P=0.001),BMI(OR:1.295%CI:1.1-1.4,P<0.001)and PNPLA3 GG(OR:3.495%CI:1.3-9.2,P=0.014)were associated with MAFLD(area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.823).CONCLUSION Among the Chinese population of Singapore,PNPLA3 homozygous GG allele is a strong predictor of MAFLD,whereas LYPLAL1,GCKR,FDFT1,COL13A1,PZP,and TM6SF2 are not significantly associated.Hypertriglyceridemia,high BMI,and PNPLA3 GG are independent predictors of MAFLD.

Foregut bypass vs.restrictive bariatric procedures for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease:a meta-analysis of 3,355 individuals

Background:Bariatric surgery represents an important treatment option for severely obese patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).However,there remains inadequate data regarding the effects of different bariatric procedures on various NAFLD parameters,especially for histological outcomes.Thus,this meta-analysis aimed to compare the effects of restrictive bariatric procedures and foregut bypass on the metabolic,biochemical,and histological parameters for patients with NAFLD.Methods:Medline and Embase were searched for articles relating to bariatric procedures and NAFLD.Pairwise meta-analysis was conducted to compare efficacy of bariatric procedures pre-vs.post-procedure with subgroup analysis to further compare restrictive against foregut bypass procedures.Results:Thirty-one articles involving 3,355 patients who underwent restrictive bariatric procedures(n=1,460)and foregut bypass(n=1,895)were included.Both foregut bypass(P<0.01)and restrictive procedures(P=0.03)significantly increased odds of fibrosis resolution.Compared to restrictive procedures,foregut bypass resulted in a borderline non-significant decrease in fibrosis score(P=0.06)and significantly lower steatosis score(P<0.001).For metabolic parameters,foregut bypass significantly lowered body mass index(P=0.003)and low-density lipoprotein(P=0.008)compared to restrictive procedures.No significant differences were observed between both procedures for aspartate aminotransferase(P=0.17)and alkaline phosphatase(P=0.61).However,foregut bypass resulted in significantly lower gamma-glutamyl transferase than restrictive procedures(P=0.01)while restrictive procedures resulted in significantly lower alanine transaminase than foregut bypass(P=0.02).Conclusions:The significant histological and metabolic advantages and comparable improvements in biochemical outcomes support the choice of foregut bypass over restrictive bariatric procedures in NAFLD management.

Gastric metastases of oral carcinoma resulting from percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement via the introducer technique

Introduction.Tumour cell implantation is a rare complication in patients with head and neck cancers,who have undergone percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy(PEG)tube placement.It has not been reported in patients who underwent a PEG insertion via the radiological or introducer technique.We describe a novel case presentation of metastatic disease in a patient who underwent PEG placement via the introducer(Russell)technique which,to the best of our knowledge,has not not previously been described.Case presentation.The patient was a 37-year-old Malay woman who developed metastatic squamous cell carcinoma deposits in her stomach and liver one month after a gastrostomy tube was removed following the completion of treatment for oropharyngeal carcinoma.Conclusion.Previous authors have advocated the use of alternative PEG insertion technique apart from the‘pull’technique to minimise the risk of tumour implantation from head and neck cancers.Our case report suggests that this risk is not totally eliminated when the PEG tube is inserted via the introducer technique.