目的:探讨经皮椎间孔镜技术治疗不同椎间孔镜下分型腰椎间盘突出症的手术疗效。方法:对128例行经皮椎间孔镜手术的腰椎间盘突出症患者进行椎间孔镜镜下分型,共分为4种:压迫型、瘢痕型、钙化型、侧隐窝狭窄型;并采用视觉模拟评分法(visua...目的:探讨经皮椎间孔镜技术治疗不同椎间孔镜下分型腰椎间盘突出症的手术疗效。方法:对128例行经皮椎间孔镜手术的腰椎间盘突出症患者进行椎间孔镜镜下分型,共分为4种:压迫型、瘢痕型、钙化型、侧隐窝狭窄型;并采用视觉模拟评分法(visual analog scale,VAS)、Oswestry功能障碍指数(Oswestry disability index,ODI)、日本骨科协会评估治疗分数(Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scores,JOA)及Mac Nab标准评估手术疗效。结果:经过平均(10.5±3.7)个月的随访,各分型患者腰腿痛VAS评分、ODI评分较术前均明显减低,JOA评分较术前明显升高,MacNab标准评定疗效优良率95.31%,VAS、ODI、JOA差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:经皮椎间孔镜技术对不同椎间孔镜下分型腰椎间盘突出症均有显著疗效,合理利用该分型可以使该手术最大程度地缓解患者的症状,有效提高手术疗效,显著减少术后复发率。展开更多
AIM: To compare endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD) and endoscopic mucosal resection(EMR) for early gastric cancer(EGC).METHODS: Computerized bibliographic search was performed on PubMed/Medline, Embase, Google Scho...AIM: To compare endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD) and endoscopic mucosal resection(EMR) for early gastric cancer(EGC).METHODS: Computerized bibliographic search was performed on PubMed/Medline, Embase, Google Schol-ar and Cochrane library databases. Quality of each included study was assessed according to current Co-chrane guidelines. Primary endpoints were en bloc re-section rate and histologically complete resection rate. Secondary endpoints were length of procedure, post-treatment bleeding, post-procedural perforation and re-currence rate. Comparisons between the two treatment groups across all the included studies were performed by using Mantel-Haenszel test for fixed-effects mod-els(in case of low heterogeneity) or DerSimonian and Laird test for random-effects models(in case of high heterogeneity).RESULTS: Ten retrospective studies(8 full text and 2 abstracts) were included in the meta-analysis. Overall data on 4328 lesions, 1916 in the ESD and 2412 in the EMR group were pooled and analyzed. The mean operation time was longer for ESD than for EMR(stan-dardized mean difference 1.73, 95%CI: 0.52-2.95, P =0.005) and the "en bloc " and histological complete re-section rates were significantly higher in the ESD group [OR = 9.69(95%CI: 7.74-12.13), P < 0.001 and OR = 5.66,(95%CI: 2.92-10.96), P < 0.001, respectively]. As a consequence of its greater radicality, ESD provided lower recurrence rate [OR = 0.09,(95%CI: 0.05-0.17), P < 0.001]. Among complications, perforation rate was significantly higher after ESD [OR = 4.67,(95%CI, 2.77-7.87), P < 0.001] whereas the bleeding incidences did not differ between the two techniques [OR = 1.49(0.6-3.71), P = 0.39].CONCLUSION: In the endoscopic therapy of EGC, ESD showed a superior efficacy but higher complication rate with respect to EMR.展开更多
AIM:To clarify the short and long-term results and to prove the usefulness of endoscopic resection in type 3gastric neuroendocrine tumors(NETs).METHODS:Of the 119 type 3 gastric NETs diagnosed from January 1996 to Sep...AIM:To clarify the short and long-term results and to prove the usefulness of endoscopic resection in type 3gastric neuroendocrine tumors(NETs).METHODS:Of the 119 type 3 gastric NETs diagnosed from January 1996 to September 2011,50 patients treated with endoscopic resection were enrolled in this study.For endoscopic resection,endoscopic mucosal resection(EMR)or endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD)was used.Therapeutic efficacy,complications,and follow-up results were evaluated retrospectively.RESULTS:EMR was performed in 41 cases and ESD in 9 cases.Pathologically complete resection was performed in 40 cases(80.0%)and incomplete resection specimens were observed in 10 cases(7 vs 3 patients in the EMR vs ESD group,P=0.249).Upon analysis of the incomplete resection group,lateral or vertical margin invasion was found in six cases(14.6%)in the EMR group and in one case in the ESD group(11.1%).Lymphovascular invasions were observed in two cases(22.2%)in the ESD group and in one case(2.4%)in the EMR group(P=0.080).During the follow-up period(43.73;13-60 mo),there was no evidence of tumor recurrence in either the pathologically complete resection group or the incomplete resection group.No recurrence was reported during follow-up.In addition,no mortality was reported in either the complete resection group or the incomplete resection group for the duration of the follow-up period.CONCLUSION:Less than 2 cm sized confined submucosal layer type 3 gastric NET with no evidence of lymphovascular invasion,endoscopic treatment could be considered at initial treatment.展开更多
AIM:To clarify the strategy for early diagnosis of pancreaticobiliary maljunction(PBM) without biliary dilatation and to pathologically examine gallbladder before cancer develops.METHODS:The anatomy of the union of th...AIM:To clarify the strategy for early diagnosis of pancreaticobiliary maljunction(PBM) without biliary dilatation and to pathologically examine gallbladder before cancer develops.METHODS:The anatomy of the union of the pancreatic and bile ducts was assessed by using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP).Patients with a long common channel in which communication between the pancreatic and bile ducts was maintained even during sphincter contraction were diagnosed as having PBM.Of these,patients in which the maximal diameter of the bile duct was less than 10 mm were diagnosed with PBM without biliary dilatation.The process of diagnosing 54 patients with PBM without biliary dilatation was retrospectively investigated.Histopathological analysis of resected gallbladder specimens from 8 patients with PBM without biliary dilatation or cancer was conducted.RESULTS:Thirty-six PBM patients without biliary dilatation were diagnosed with gallbladder cancer after showing clinical symptoms such as abdominal or back pain(n = 16) or jaundice(n = 12).Radical surgery for gallbladder cancer was only possible in 11 patients(31%) and only 4 patients(11%) survived for 5 years.Eight patients were suspected as having PBM without biliary dilatation from the finding of gallbladder wall thickening on ultrasound and the diagnosis was confirmed by ERCP and/or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography(MRCP).The median age of these 8 patients was younger by a decade than PBM patients with gallbladder cancer.All 8 patients underwent prophylactic cholecystectomy and bile duct cancer has not occurred.Wall thickness and mucosal height of the 8 resected gallbladders were significantly greater than controls,and hyperplastic changes,hypertrophic muscular layer,subserosal fibrosis,and adenomyomatosis were detected in 7(88%),5(63%),7(88%) and 5(63%) patients,respectively.Ki-67 labeling index was high and K-ras mutation was detected in 3 of 6 patients.CONCLUSION:To detect PBM without biliary dilatation before onset of gallbladder cancer,we should perform MRCP for individuals showing increased gallbladder wall thickness on ultrasound.展开更多
Abnormalities and variations of the biliary ducts are not rare.Most aberrant bile ducts eventually drain into the descending part of duodenum through the papilla of vater.However,drainage of the left hepatic bile duct...Abnormalities and variations of the biliary ducts are not rare.Most aberrant bile ducts eventually drain into the descending part of duodenum through the papilla of vater.However,drainage of the left hepatic bile duct into the stomach is extremely rare.A 29-year old man was admitted to the hospital with the diagnosis of biliary reflux gastritis.Comprehensive imaging modalities were performed including electronic endoscopy,endoscopic ultrasonography,endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and magnetic resonance cholangio-pancreatography.Finally,congenital ectopic left intrahepatic bile duct draining into the stomach was found,which caused biliary reflux gastritis.The patient did not receive any surgery.Good recovery was achieved by medical treatment.展开更多
Total mesorectal excision(TME) is the standard treatment for rectal cancer, but complications are frequent and rates of morbidity, mortality and genitourinary alterations are high. Transanal endoscopic microsurgery(TE...Total mesorectal excision(TME) is the standard treatment for rectal cancer, but complications are frequent and rates of morbidity, mortality and genitourinary alterations are high. Transanal endoscopic microsurgery(TEM) allows preservation of the anal sphincters and, via its vision system through a rectoscope, allows access to rectal tumors located as far as 20 cm from the anal verge. The capacity of local surgery to cure rectal cancer depends on the risk of lymph node invasion. This means that correct preoperative staging of the rectal tumor is necessary. Currently, local surgery is indicated for rectal adenomas and adenocarcinomas invading the submucosa, but not beyond(T1). Here we describe the standard technique for TEM, the different types of equipment used, and the technical limitations of this approach. TEM to remove rectal adenoma should be performed in the same way as if the lesion were an adenocarcinoma, due to the high percentageof infiltrating adenocarcinomas in these lesions. In spite of the generally good results with T1, some authors have published surprisingly high recurrence rates; this is due to the existence of two types of lesions, tumors with good and poor prognosis, divided according to histological and surgical factors. The standard treatment for rectal adenocarcinoma T2N0M0 is TME without adjuvant therapy. In this type of adenocarcinoma, local surgery obtains the best results when complete pathological response has been achieved with previous chemoradiotherapy. The results with chemoradiotherapy and TEM are encouraging, but the scientific evidence remains limited at present.展开更多
Mechanical lithotripsy (ML) is usually considered as a standard treatment option for large bile duct stones. However, it is impossible to retrieve oversized stones because the conventional lithotripsy basket may not...Mechanical lithotripsy (ML) is usually considered as a standard treatment option for large bile duct stones. However, it is impossible to retrieve oversized stones because the conventional lithotripsy basket may not be able to grasp the stone. However, there is no es- tablished endoscopic extraction method for such gi- ant stone removal. We describe a case of successful extraction of a 4-cm large stone using a gastric bezoar basket. A 78-year-old woman had suffered from upper abdominal pain for 20 d. Contrast-enhanced computed tomogram revealed a 4-cm single stone in the distal common bile duct (CBD). Endoscopic stone retraction was decided upon and endoscopic papillary balloon dilation was performed using a large balloon. An at- tempt to capture the stone using a standard lithotripsy basket failed due to the large stone size. Subsequently, we used a gastric bezoar basket to successfully capturethe stone. The stone was fragmented into small pieces and extracted. The stone was completely removed after two sessions of endoscopic retrograde cholangio- pancreatography; each of which took 30 rain. No com- plications occurred during or after the procedure. The patient was fully recovered and discharged on day 11 of hospitalization. ML using a gastric bezoar basket is a safe and effective retrieval method in select cases, and is considered as an alternative nonoperative option for the management of difficult CBD stones.展开更多
AIM:To examine factors influencing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy(PEG) uptake and outcomes in motor neuron disease(MND) in a tertiary care centre.METHODS:Case notes from all patients with a confirmed diagnosis of...AIM:To examine factors influencing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy(PEG) uptake and outcomes in motor neuron disease(MND) in a tertiary care centre.METHODS:Case notes from all patients with a confirmed diagnosis of MND who had attended the clinic at the Repatriation General Hospital between January 2007 and January 2011 and who had since died,were audited.Data were extracted for demographics(age and gender),disease characteristics(date of onset,bulbar or peripheral predominance,complications),date and nature of discussion of gastrostomy insertion,nutritional status [weight measurements,body mass index(BMI)],date of gastrostomy insertion and subsequent progress(duration of survival) and quality of life(QoL) [Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised(ALSFRS-R)].In addition,the type of clinician initiating the discussion regarding gastrostomy was recorded as Nutritional Support Team(involved in providing nutrition input viz Gastroenterologist,Speech Pathologist,Dietitian) and other(involved in non-nutritional aspects of patient care).Factors affecting placement and outcomes including length of survival,change in weight and QoL were determined.RESULTS:Case records were available for all 86 patients(49 men,mean age at diagnosis 66.4 years).Thirty-eight patients had bulbar symptoms and 48 had peripheral disease as their presenting feature.Sixty-six patients reported dysphagia.Thirty-one patients had undergone gastrostomy insertion.The major indications for PEG placement were dysphagia and weight loss.Nine patients required immediate full feeding,whereas 17 patients initially used the gastrostomy to supplement oral intake,4 for medication administration and 1 for hydration.Initially the PEG regime met 73% ± 31% of the estimated total energy requirements,increasing to 87% ± 32% prior to death.There was stabilization of weight in patients undergoing gastrostomy [BMI at 3 mo(22.6 ± 2.2 kg/m 2) and 6 mo(22.5 ± 2.0 kg/m 2) after PEG placement compared to weight at the time of the procedure(22.5 ± 3.0 kg/m 2)].However,weight loss recurred in the terminal stages of the illness.There was a strong trend for longer survival from diagnosis among MND in PEG recipients with limb onset presentation compared to similar patients who did not undergo the procedure(P = 0.063).Initial discussions regarding PEG insertion occurred earlier after diagnosis when seen by nutrition support team(NST) clinicians compared to other clinicians.(5.4 ± 7.0 mo vs 11.9 ± 13.4 mo,P = 0.028).There was a significant increase in PEG uptake(56% vs 24%,P = 0.011) if PEG discussions were initiated by the NST staff compared to other clinicians.There was no change in the ALSFRS-R score in patients who underwent PEG(pre 34.1 ± 8.6 vs post 34.8 ± 7.4),although in non-PEG recipients there was a nonsignificant fall in this score(33.7 ± 7.9 vs 31.6 ± 8.8).Four patients died within one month of the procedure,4 developed bacterial site infection requiring antibiotics and 1 required endoscopic therapy for gastric bleeding.Less serious complications attributed to the procedure included persistent gastrostomy site discomfort,poor appetite,altered bowel function and bloating.CONCLUSION:Initial discussion with NST clinicians increases PEG uptake in MND.Gastrostomy stabilizes patient weight but weight loss recurs with advancing disease.展开更多
文摘目的:探讨经皮椎间孔镜技术治疗不同椎间孔镜下分型腰椎间盘突出症的手术疗效。方法:对128例行经皮椎间孔镜手术的腰椎间盘突出症患者进行椎间孔镜镜下分型,共分为4种:压迫型、瘢痕型、钙化型、侧隐窝狭窄型;并采用视觉模拟评分法(visual analog scale,VAS)、Oswestry功能障碍指数(Oswestry disability index,ODI)、日本骨科协会评估治疗分数(Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scores,JOA)及Mac Nab标准评估手术疗效。结果:经过平均(10.5±3.7)个月的随访,各分型患者腰腿痛VAS评分、ODI评分较术前均明显减低,JOA评分较术前明显升高,MacNab标准评定疗效优良率95.31%,VAS、ODI、JOA差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:经皮椎间孔镜技术对不同椎间孔镜下分型腰椎间盘突出症均有显著疗效,合理利用该分型可以使该手术最大程度地缓解患者的症状,有效提高手术疗效,显著减少术后复发率。
文摘AIM: To compare endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD) and endoscopic mucosal resection(EMR) for early gastric cancer(EGC).METHODS: Computerized bibliographic search was performed on PubMed/Medline, Embase, Google Schol-ar and Cochrane library databases. Quality of each included study was assessed according to current Co-chrane guidelines. Primary endpoints were en bloc re-section rate and histologically complete resection rate. Secondary endpoints were length of procedure, post-treatment bleeding, post-procedural perforation and re-currence rate. Comparisons between the two treatment groups across all the included studies were performed by using Mantel-Haenszel test for fixed-effects mod-els(in case of low heterogeneity) or DerSimonian and Laird test for random-effects models(in case of high heterogeneity).RESULTS: Ten retrospective studies(8 full text and 2 abstracts) were included in the meta-analysis. Overall data on 4328 lesions, 1916 in the ESD and 2412 in the EMR group were pooled and analyzed. The mean operation time was longer for ESD than for EMR(stan-dardized mean difference 1.73, 95%CI: 0.52-2.95, P =0.005) and the "en bloc " and histological complete re-section rates were significantly higher in the ESD group [OR = 9.69(95%CI: 7.74-12.13), P < 0.001 and OR = 5.66,(95%CI: 2.92-10.96), P < 0.001, respectively]. As a consequence of its greater radicality, ESD provided lower recurrence rate [OR = 0.09,(95%CI: 0.05-0.17), P < 0.001]. Among complications, perforation rate was significantly higher after ESD [OR = 4.67,(95%CI, 2.77-7.87), P < 0.001] whereas the bleeding incidences did not differ between the two techniques [OR = 1.49(0.6-3.71), P = 0.39].CONCLUSION: In the endoscopic therapy of EGC, ESD showed a superior efficacy but higher complication rate with respect to EMR.
文摘AIM:To clarify the short and long-term results and to prove the usefulness of endoscopic resection in type 3gastric neuroendocrine tumors(NETs).METHODS:Of the 119 type 3 gastric NETs diagnosed from January 1996 to September 2011,50 patients treated with endoscopic resection were enrolled in this study.For endoscopic resection,endoscopic mucosal resection(EMR)or endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD)was used.Therapeutic efficacy,complications,and follow-up results were evaluated retrospectively.RESULTS:EMR was performed in 41 cases and ESD in 9 cases.Pathologically complete resection was performed in 40 cases(80.0%)and incomplete resection specimens were observed in 10 cases(7 vs 3 patients in the EMR vs ESD group,P=0.249).Upon analysis of the incomplete resection group,lateral or vertical margin invasion was found in six cases(14.6%)in the EMR group and in one case in the ESD group(11.1%).Lymphovascular invasions were observed in two cases(22.2%)in the ESD group and in one case(2.4%)in the EMR group(P=0.080).During the follow-up period(43.73;13-60 mo),there was no evidence of tumor recurrence in either the pathologically complete resection group or the incomplete resection group.No recurrence was reported during follow-up.In addition,no mortality was reported in either the complete resection group or the incomplete resection group for the duration of the follow-up period.CONCLUSION:Less than 2 cm sized confined submucosal layer type 3 gastric NET with no evidence of lymphovascular invasion,endoscopic treatment could be considered at initial treatment.
文摘AIM:To clarify the strategy for early diagnosis of pancreaticobiliary maljunction(PBM) without biliary dilatation and to pathologically examine gallbladder before cancer develops.METHODS:The anatomy of the union of the pancreatic and bile ducts was assessed by using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP).Patients with a long common channel in which communication between the pancreatic and bile ducts was maintained even during sphincter contraction were diagnosed as having PBM.Of these,patients in which the maximal diameter of the bile duct was less than 10 mm were diagnosed with PBM without biliary dilatation.The process of diagnosing 54 patients with PBM without biliary dilatation was retrospectively investigated.Histopathological analysis of resected gallbladder specimens from 8 patients with PBM without biliary dilatation or cancer was conducted.RESULTS:Thirty-six PBM patients without biliary dilatation were diagnosed with gallbladder cancer after showing clinical symptoms such as abdominal or back pain(n = 16) or jaundice(n = 12).Radical surgery for gallbladder cancer was only possible in 11 patients(31%) and only 4 patients(11%) survived for 5 years.Eight patients were suspected as having PBM without biliary dilatation from the finding of gallbladder wall thickening on ultrasound and the diagnosis was confirmed by ERCP and/or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography(MRCP).The median age of these 8 patients was younger by a decade than PBM patients with gallbladder cancer.All 8 patients underwent prophylactic cholecystectomy and bile duct cancer has not occurred.Wall thickness and mucosal height of the 8 resected gallbladders were significantly greater than controls,and hyperplastic changes,hypertrophic muscular layer,subserosal fibrosis,and adenomyomatosis were detected in 7(88%),5(63%),7(88%) and 5(63%) patients,respectively.Ki-67 labeling index was high and K-ras mutation was detected in 3 of 6 patients.CONCLUSION:To detect PBM without biliary dilatation before onset of gallbladder cancer,we should perform MRCP for individuals showing increased gallbladder wall thickness on ultrasound.
文摘Abnormalities and variations of the biliary ducts are not rare.Most aberrant bile ducts eventually drain into the descending part of duodenum through the papilla of vater.However,drainage of the left hepatic bile duct into the stomach is extremely rare.A 29-year old man was admitted to the hospital with the diagnosis of biliary reflux gastritis.Comprehensive imaging modalities were performed including electronic endoscopy,endoscopic ultrasonography,endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and magnetic resonance cholangio-pancreatography.Finally,congenital ectopic left intrahepatic bile duct draining into the stomach was found,which caused biliary reflux gastritis.The patient did not receive any surgery.Good recovery was achieved by medical treatment.
文摘Total mesorectal excision(TME) is the standard treatment for rectal cancer, but complications are frequent and rates of morbidity, mortality and genitourinary alterations are high. Transanal endoscopic microsurgery(TEM) allows preservation of the anal sphincters and, via its vision system through a rectoscope, allows access to rectal tumors located as far as 20 cm from the anal verge. The capacity of local surgery to cure rectal cancer depends on the risk of lymph node invasion. This means that correct preoperative staging of the rectal tumor is necessary. Currently, local surgery is indicated for rectal adenomas and adenocarcinomas invading the submucosa, but not beyond(T1). Here we describe the standard technique for TEM, the different types of equipment used, and the technical limitations of this approach. TEM to remove rectal adenoma should be performed in the same way as if the lesion were an adenocarcinoma, due to the high percentageof infiltrating adenocarcinomas in these lesions. In spite of the generally good results with T1, some authors have published surprisingly high recurrence rates; this is due to the existence of two types of lesions, tumors with good and poor prognosis, divided according to histological and surgical factors. The standard treatment for rectal adenocarcinoma T2N0M0 is TME without adjuvant therapy. In this type of adenocarcinoma, local surgery obtains the best results when complete pathological response has been achieved with previous chemoradiotherapy. The results with chemoradiotherapy and TEM are encouraging, but the scientific evidence remains limited at present.
基金Supported by Grant from Inha University Research
文摘Mechanical lithotripsy (ML) is usually considered as a standard treatment option for large bile duct stones. However, it is impossible to retrieve oversized stones because the conventional lithotripsy basket may not be able to grasp the stone. However, there is no es- tablished endoscopic extraction method for such gi- ant stone removal. We describe a case of successful extraction of a 4-cm large stone using a gastric bezoar basket. A 78-year-old woman had suffered from upper abdominal pain for 20 d. Contrast-enhanced computed tomogram revealed a 4-cm single stone in the distal common bile duct (CBD). Endoscopic stone retraction was decided upon and endoscopic papillary balloon dilation was performed using a large balloon. An at- tempt to capture the stone using a standard lithotripsy basket failed due to the large stone size. Subsequently, we used a gastric bezoar basket to successfully capturethe stone. The stone was fragmented into small pieces and extracted. The stone was completely removed after two sessions of endoscopic retrograde cholangio- pancreatography; each of which took 30 rain. No com- plications occurred during or after the procedure. The patient was fully recovered and discharged on day 11 of hospitalization. ML using a gastric bezoar basket is a safe and effective retrieval method in select cases, and is considered as an alternative nonoperative option for the management of difficult CBD stones.
文摘AIM:To examine factors influencing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy(PEG) uptake and outcomes in motor neuron disease(MND) in a tertiary care centre.METHODS:Case notes from all patients with a confirmed diagnosis of MND who had attended the clinic at the Repatriation General Hospital between January 2007 and January 2011 and who had since died,were audited.Data were extracted for demographics(age and gender),disease characteristics(date of onset,bulbar or peripheral predominance,complications),date and nature of discussion of gastrostomy insertion,nutritional status [weight measurements,body mass index(BMI)],date of gastrostomy insertion and subsequent progress(duration of survival) and quality of life(QoL) [Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised(ALSFRS-R)].In addition,the type of clinician initiating the discussion regarding gastrostomy was recorded as Nutritional Support Team(involved in providing nutrition input viz Gastroenterologist,Speech Pathologist,Dietitian) and other(involved in non-nutritional aspects of patient care).Factors affecting placement and outcomes including length of survival,change in weight and QoL were determined.RESULTS:Case records were available for all 86 patients(49 men,mean age at diagnosis 66.4 years).Thirty-eight patients had bulbar symptoms and 48 had peripheral disease as their presenting feature.Sixty-six patients reported dysphagia.Thirty-one patients had undergone gastrostomy insertion.The major indications for PEG placement were dysphagia and weight loss.Nine patients required immediate full feeding,whereas 17 patients initially used the gastrostomy to supplement oral intake,4 for medication administration and 1 for hydration.Initially the PEG regime met 73% ± 31% of the estimated total energy requirements,increasing to 87% ± 32% prior to death.There was stabilization of weight in patients undergoing gastrostomy [BMI at 3 mo(22.6 ± 2.2 kg/m 2) and 6 mo(22.5 ± 2.0 kg/m 2) after PEG placement compared to weight at the time of the procedure(22.5 ± 3.0 kg/m 2)].However,weight loss recurred in the terminal stages of the illness.There was a strong trend for longer survival from diagnosis among MND in PEG recipients with limb onset presentation compared to similar patients who did not undergo the procedure(P = 0.063).Initial discussions regarding PEG insertion occurred earlier after diagnosis when seen by nutrition support team(NST) clinicians compared to other clinicians.(5.4 ± 7.0 mo vs 11.9 ± 13.4 mo,P = 0.028).There was a significant increase in PEG uptake(56% vs 24%,P = 0.011) if PEG discussions were initiated by the NST staff compared to other clinicians.There was no change in the ALSFRS-R score in patients who underwent PEG(pre 34.1 ± 8.6 vs post 34.8 ± 7.4),although in non-PEG recipients there was a nonsignificant fall in this score(33.7 ± 7.9 vs 31.6 ± 8.8).Four patients died within one month of the procedure,4 developed bacterial site infection requiring antibiotics and 1 required endoscopic therapy for gastric bleeding.Less serious complications attributed to the procedure included persistent gastrostomy site discomfort,poor appetite,altered bowel function and bloating.CONCLUSION:Initial discussion with NST clinicians increases PEG uptake in MND.Gastrostomy stabilizes patient weight but weight loss recurs with advancing disease.