Endoscopic characteristics of small intestinal malignant tumors observed by balloon-assisted enteroscopy

BACKGROUND Capsule endoscopy and balloon-assisted enteroscopy(BAE) enable visualization of rare small bowel conditions such as small intestinal malignant tumors.However,details of the endoscopic characteristics of small intestinal malignant tumors are still unknown.AIM To elucidate the endoscopic characteristics of small intestinal malignant tumors.METHODS From March 2005 to February 2017,1329 BAE procedures were performed at Keio University Hospital. Of these procedures,malignant tumors were classified into three groups,Group 1: epithelial tumors including primary small intestinal cancer,metastatic small intestinal cancer,and direct small intestinal invasion by an adjacent organ cancer; Group 2: small intestinal malignant lymphoma; and Group 3,small intestinal gastrointestinal stromal tumors. We systematically collected clinical and endoscopic data from patients' medical records to determine the endoscopic characteristics for each group.RESULTS The number of patients in each group was 16(Group 1),23(Group 2),and 6(Group 3),and the percentage of solitary tumors was 100%,43.5%,and 100%,respectively(P < 0.001). Patients' clinical background parameters including age,symptoms,and laboratory data were not significantly different between the groups. Seventy-five percent of epithelial tumors(Group 1) were located in the upper small intestine(duodenum and ileum),and approximately 70% of gastrointestinal stromal tumors(Group 3) were located in the jejunum. Solitary protruding or mass-type tumors were not seen in malignant lymphoma(Group2)(P < 0.001). Stenosis was seen more often in Group 1,(68.8%,27.3%,and 0%;Group 1,2,and 3,respectively; P = 0.004). Enlarged white villi inside and/or surrounding the tumor were seen in 12.5%,54.5%,and 0% in Group 1,2,and 3,respectively(P = 0.001).CONCLUSION The differential diagnosis of small intestinal malignant tumors could be tentatively made based on BAE findings.

Endoscopic removal of foreign bodies:A retrospective study in Japan

BACKGROUND The ingestion of foreign bodies(FBs)and food bolus impaction(FBI)in the digestive tract are commonly encountered clinical problems.Methods to handle such problems continue to evolve offering advantages,such as the avoidance of surgery,reduced cost,improved visualization,reduced morbidity,and high removal success rate.However,to date,no studies have evaluated the endoscopic management of FBs in Japan.AIM To elucidate level of safety and efficacy in the endoscopic management of FBs and FBI.METHODS A total of 215 procedures were performed at Keio University Hospital between November 2007 and August 2018.Data were collected from medical charts,and endoscopic details were collected from an endoscopic reporting system.Procedures performed with a flexible gastrointestinal endoscope were only taken into account.Patients who underwent a technique involving FB or FBI from the digestive tract were only included.Data on patient sex,patient age,outpatient,inpatient,FB type,FB location,procedure time,procedure type,removal device type,success,and technical complications were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively.RESULTS Among the 215 procedures,136(63.3%)were performed in old adults(≥60 years),180(83.7%)procedures were performed in outpatients.The most common type of FBs were press-through-pack(PTP)medications[72(33.5%)cases],FBI[47(21.9%)],Anisakis parasite(AP)[41(19.1%)cases].Most FBs were located in the esophagus[130(60.5%)cases]followed by the stomach[68(31.6%)cases].AP was commonly found in the stomach[39(57.4%)cases],and it was removed using biopsy forceps in 97.5%of the cases.The most common FBs according to anatomical location were PTP medications(40%)and dental prostheses(DP)(40%)in the laryngopharynx,PTP(48.5%)in the esophagus,AP(57.4%)in the stomach,DP(37.5%)in the small intestine and video capsule endoscopy device(75%)in the colon.A transparent cap with grasping forceps was the most commonly used device[82(38.1%)cases].The success rate of the procedure was 100%,and complication were observed in only one case(0.5%).CONCLUSION Endoscopic management of FBs and FBI in our Hospital is extremely safe and effective.

Maintenance treatment with infliximab for ulcerative ileitis after intestinal transplantation: A case report

BACKGROUND Evidence has been published on the successful applications of the anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha antibody infliximab,such as induction therapy,salvage treatment for acute cellular rejection,and treatment for chronic ulcerative inflammation,in intestinal transplant recipients.However,the optimal protocol for the effective use of infliximab remains largely undetermined due to scarcity of available clinical data.We report a continuative application of infliximab as maintenance therapy for recurrent chronic ulcerative ileitis in a recipient of isolated intestinal transplantation(ITx).CASE SUMMARY The patient was a 11-year-old boy with intestinal motility disorder classified as a hypogenic type of intestinal dysganglionosis.The patient underwent living-donor related intestinal transplant.His immunosuppression regimen consisted of daclizumab,tacrolimus,and steroids.Although he did not show rejection while on tacrolimus monotherapy,routine screening endoscopy showed several ulcerative lesions in the distal end of the graft 2 years after the intestinal transplant.Endoscopic work up to evaluate the progression of anemia revealed stenosis with ulcerative inflammatory changes and multiple longitudinal ulcers in the graft.Since the endoscopic findings suggested ulcerative lesions in Crohn’s disease,infliximab treatment was considered.Treatment with infliximab and a small dose of oral prednisolone afforded successful withdrawal of total parenteral nutrition and maintenance of a well-functioning graft without infectious complications for 5 years since the administration of the first dose of infliximab.CONCLUSION Infliximab is effective as maintenance therapy for recurrent chronic ulcerative ileitis in an isolated ITx patient.