Schistosomal(bilharzial)polyps:Travel through the colon and beyond

Schistosomiasis(bilharziasis)is a major neglected tropical disease.It is endemic in many tropical and subtropical communities.Schistosomal polyps(S.polyps)are not uncommon presentation of this infection.Although the colon is the most commonly affected organ,many other organs are affected.S.polyps are associated with a variable range of morbidity independent of the Schistosomal infection.S.polyps are frequently described in endemic areas and increasingly reported in non-endemic areas mainly among immigrants and visitors to the endemic areas.This review aimed to increase awareness of practitioners,especially gastroenterologists,for this peculiar type of polyps caused by this neglected infection hence improving patient outcomes.Web-based search of different databases was conducted for the literature focusing the development of S.polyps in the colon and other organs with analysis of the clinical manifestations,diagnosis and treatment.The following key words were used in the search,“Schistosomiasis”OR“Bilharziasis”AND“Polyps”OR“Polyp”AND“Colon”OR“Small intestine”OR“Duodenum”OR“Stomach”OR“Esophagus”OR”Gallbladder”OR”Pharynx”OR“Larynx”OR“Trachea”OR”Urinary bladder”OR“Ureter”OR“Renal Pelvis”OR“Urethra”.All publication types including case reports,case series,original research,and review articles were retrieved and analyzed.S.polyps are not infrequent presentation of acute or chronic Schistosomal infection.S.polyps are described in many organs including the bowel,genitourinary tract,skin,gallbladder and the larynx.Presentation of S.polyps is variable and depends on the site,number as well as the polyp size.The relationship of S.polyps to malignant transformation is a matter of discussion.Presence of S.polyps is sometimes the only manifestation of Schistosomiasis.Small polyps can be treated medically with praziquantel,while large accessible polyps are amendable for endoscopic excision through different polyp resection techniques.However,huge,complicated,non-accessible and suspicious polyps are indicated for surgical management or advanced endoscopic resection when appropriate.Clinicians and endoscopists should be aware about these facts when treating patients living in,immigrated from or visiting endemic areas.

Post-cholecystectomy iatrogenic bile duct injuries:Emerging role for endoscopic management

Post-cholecystectomy iatrogenic bile duct injuries(IBDIs),are not uncommon and although the frequency of IBDIs vary across the literature,the rates following the procedure of laparoscopic cholecystectomy are much higher than open cholecystectomy.These injuries caries a great burden on the patients,physicians and the health care systems and sometime are life-threatening.IBDIs are associated with different manifestations that are not limited to abdominal pain,bile leaks from the surgical drains,peritonitis with fever and sometimes jaundice.Such injuries if not witnessed during the surgery,can be diagnosed by combining clinical manifestations,biochemical tests and imaging techniques.Among such techniques abdominal US is usually the first choice while Magnetic Resonance Cholangio-Pancreatography seems the most appropriate.Surgical approach was the ideal approach for such cases,however the introduction of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography(ERCP)was a paradigm shift in the management of such injuries due to accepted success rates,lower cost and lower rates of associated morbidity and mortality.However,the literature lacks consensus for the optimal timing of ERCP intervention in the management of IBDIs.ERCP management of IBDIs can be tailored according to the nature of the underlying injury.For the subgroup of patients with complete bile duct ligation and lost ductal continuity,transfer to surgery is indicated without delay.Those patients will not benefit from endoscopy and hence should not do unnecessary ERCP.For low–flow leaks e.g.gallbladder bed leaks,conservative management for 1-2 wk prior to ERCP is advised,in contrary to high-flow leaks e.g.cystic duct leaks and stricture lesions in whom early ERCP is encouraged.Sphincterotomy plus stenting is the ideal management line for cases of IBDIs.Interventional radiologic techniques are promising options especially for cases of failed endoscopic repair and also for cases with altered anatomy.Future studies will solve many unsolved issues in the management of IBDIs.

Real time endoscopic ultrasound elastography and strain ratio in the diagnosis of solid pancreatic lesions

AIM To evaluate the accuracy of the elastography score combined to the strain ratio in the diagnosis of solid pancreatic lesions(SPL). METHODS A total of 172 patients with SPL identified by endoscopic ultrasound were enrolled in the study to evaluate the efficacy of elastography and strain ratio in differentiating malignant from benign lesions. The semi quantitative score of elastography was represented by the strain ratio method. Two areas were selected, area(A) representing the region of interest and area(B) representing the normal area. Area(B) was then divided by area(A). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value(PPV), negative predictive value(NPV), and accuracy were calculated by comparing diagnoses made by elastography, strain ratio and final diagnoses.RESULTS SPL were shown to be benign in 49 patients and malignant in 123 patients. Elastography alone had a sensitivity of 99%, a specificity of 63%, and an accuracy of 88%, a PPV of 87% and an NPV of 96%. The best cut-off level of strain ratio to obtain the maximal area under the curve was 7.8 with a sensitivity of 92%, specificity of 77%, PPV of 91%, NPV of 80% and an accuracy of 88%. Another estimated cut off strain ratio level of 3.8 had a higher sensitivity of 99% and NPV of 96%, but with less specificity, PPV and accuracy 53%, 84% and 86%, respectively. Adding both elastography to strain ratio resulted in a sensitivity of 98%, specificity of 77%, PPV of 91%, NPV of 95% and accuracy of 92% for the diagnosis of SPL. CONCLUSION Combining elastography to strain ratio increases the accuracy of the differentiation of benign from malignant SPL.