Miniprobe EUS in management of pancreatic pseudocyst

Pancreatic pseudocysts(PP) arise from trauma and pancreatitis;endoscopic gastro-cyst drainage(EGCD) under endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS) in symptomatic PP is the treatment of choice.Miniprobe EUS(MEUS) allows EGCD in children.We report our experience on MEUS-EGCD in PP,reviewing 13 patients(12 children;male:female = 9:3;mean age:10 years,4 mo;one 27 years,malnourished male Belardinelli-syndrome;PP:10 post-pancreatitis,3 post-traumatic).All patients underwent ultrasonography,computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.Conservative treatment was the first option.MEUS EGCD was indicated for retrogastric cysts larger than 5 cm,diameter increase,symptoms or infection.EGCD(stent and/or nasogastrocystic tube) was performed after MEUS(20-MHz-miniprobe) identification of place for diathermy puncture and wire insertion.In 8 cases(61.5%),there was PP disappearance;one,surgical duodenotomy and marsupialization of retro-duodenal PP.In 4 cases(31%),there was successful MEUS-EGCD;stent removal after 3 mo.No complications and no PP relapse in 4 years of mean followup.MEUS EGCD represents an option for PP,allowing a safe and effective procedure.

DIAGNOSTIC VALUE OF MINIPROBE ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN ESOPHAGEAL PROTRUDING LESIONS

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of miniprobe ultrasonography (MPS) in the protruding lesions of esophagus. Methods Sixty-two patients with protruding lesions of esophagus were examined with MPS. Results The MPS examination showed diseases of esophageal polyp, inflammatory protruding, esophageal leiomyoma, esophageal leiomyosarcoma, esophageal venous aneurysm, esophageal lipoma, esophageal cyst, esophageal carcinoma, and extra esophageal compression including aorta compression, lung tumor compression and spina compression. Fourteen patients were verified by surgical operations and pathological examinations, resulting in 92.86% (13/14) diagnosis accuracy rate. Forty-eight cases had results of gastroscope examination consistent with that of MPS. Twelve cases had results of CT and MRI examination consistent with that of MPS. Follow-up was completed on 22 patients. Conclusion Besides imaging the esophageal layer, MPS can precisely locate the histological layer of the esophageal protruding lesions and predict their characters. This indicates its value in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of the protruding lesions of esophagus. Furthermore, the miniature probe used in MPS examination can pass the structured esophagus, enabling wider application of the examination.

Beyond boundaries:Feasibility of curved linear array echoendoscope in appendiceal neoplasm detection

We recently read with great interest a study by Zhang et al in the World Journal of Gastroenterology.In our practice,we focus specifically on examining appendiceal mucinous neoplasms(AMNs)with endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)using different scopes.AMNs are rare neoplastic lesions characterized by an accumulation of mucin inside a cystic dilatation of the appendix.Clinically,they can present as nonspecific acute appendicitis.AMNs can turn into a life-threatening condition,termed pseudomyxoma peritonei,in which the ruptured appendix causes accumulation of mucin in the abdomen.Therefore,accurate and rapid diagnosis of AMN is essential.EUS is able to confirm and stage AMNs;although,EUS examination was once limited to the rectal and anal regions due to the conven-tional oblique-view scopes.With the emergence of new forward-view linear echoendoscopes and instruments like EUS miniprobes and overtubes,the scope of examination is changing.Herein,we discuss the feasibility of using the curved linear array echoendoscopes to examine cecal and appendiceal orifice lesions.