Endoscopic treatment of extreme esophageal stenosis complicated with esophagotracheal fistula: A case report

BACKGROUND At present,there is no unified and effective treatment for extreme corrosive esophageal stenosis(CES)with esophagotracheal fistula(ETF).This case had extreme and severe esophageal stenosis(ES)and ETF after ingesting an enzyme-based chemical detergent,resulting in a serious pulmonary infection and severe malnutrition.Upper gastrointestinal imaging showed that he had an ETF,and endoscopy showed that he had extreme and severe esophageal stricture.This case was complex and difficult to treat.According to the domestic and foreign lite-rature,there is no universal treatment that is low-risk.CASE SUMMARY A patient came to our hospital with extreme ES,an ETF,and severe malnutrition complicated with pulmonary tuberculosis 1 mo after the consumption of an enzy-me-based detergent.The ES was serious,and the endoscope was unable to pass through the esophagus.We treated him by endoscopic incision method(EIM),esophageal stent placement(ESP),and endoscopic balloon dilation(EBD)by using the bronchoscope and gastroscope.This treatment not only closed the ETF,but also expanded the esophagus,with minimal trauma,greatly reducing the pain of the patient.According to the literature,there are no similar reported cases.CONCLUSION We report,for the first time,a patient with extreme CES complicated with ETF,where the endoscope could not be passed through his esophagus but he could be examined by bronchoscopy and treated by EIM,ESP,and EBD.

Effect of endoscopic sphincterotomy and endoscopic papillary balloon dilation endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies on the sphincter of Oddi

BACKGROUND Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP),with its clinical ad-vantages of less trauma and faster recovery,has become the primary treatment for choledocholithiasis.AIM To investigate the effects of different ERCP procedures on the sphincter of Oddi.METHODS The clinical data of 91 patients who underwent ERCP at Yixing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between February 2018 and February 2021 were analyzed retrospectively.The patients were divided into endoscopic sphinc-terotomy(EST,n=24)and endoscopic papillary balloon dilation(EPBD,n=67)groups.The duration of operation,pancreatic development,pancreatic sphinc-terotomy,intubation difficulties,stone recurrence,and incidence of reflux cho-langitis and cholecystitis were statistically analyzed in patients with a history of choledocholithiasis,pancreatitis,and Oddi sphincter dysfunction in the EST and EPBD groups.RESULTS Differences in hypertension,diabetes,increased bilirubin,small diameter of the common bile duct,or ampullary diverticulum between the two groups were not significant.Statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups concerning sex and age(<60 years).Patients with a history of choledocholithiasis,pancreatitis,and Oddi sphincter dysfunction were higher in the EST group than in the EPBD group.The number of cases of pancreatic development,pancreatic duct sphincterotomy,and difficult intubation were higher in the EST group than in the EPBD group.The number of Oddi’s sphincter manometries,ERCP surgical outcomes,and guidewires entering the pancreatic duct several times in EST group were lower than those in the EPBD group.The numbers of stone recurrences,reflux cholangitis,and cholecystitis were higher in the EST group than in the EPBD group.CONCLUSION In summary,common bile duct stones,pancreatitis history,and multiple guided wire introductions into the pancreatic duct are independent risk factors for EST and EPBD.Based on this evidence,this study can provide actionable insights for clinicians and researchers.

Clinical efficacy of laparoscopic cholecystectomy combined with endoscopic papillary balloon dilation in treatment of gallbladder stones with common bile duct stones: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND The incidence of cholelithiasis has been on the rise in recent years,but the choice of procedure is controversial.AIM To investigate the efficacy of laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC)combined with endoscopic papillary balloon dilation(EPBD)in patients with gallbladder stones(GS)with common bile duct stones(CBDS).METHODS The clinical data of 102 patients with GS combined with CBDS were selected for retrospective analysis and divided into either an LC+EPBD group(n=50)or an LC+endoscopic sphincterotomy(EST)group(n=52)according to surgical methods.Surgery-related indexes,postoperative recovery,postoperative complications,and expression levels of inflammatory response indexes were compared between the two groups.RESULTS Total surgical time,stone free rate,rate of conversion to laparotomy,and successful stone extraction rate did not differ significantly between the LC+EPBD group and LC+EST group.Intraoperative hemorrhage,time to ambulation,and length of hospitalization in the LC+EPBD group were lower than those of the LC+EST group(P<0.05).The rate of total complications of the two groups was 9.80%and 17.65%,respectively,and the difference was not statistically significant.No serious complications occurred in either group.At 48 h postoperatively,the expression levels of interleukin-6,tumor necrosis factor-α,high-sensitivity Creactive protein,and procalcitonin were lower in the LC+EPBD group than in the LC+EST group(P<0.05).At 3 d postoperatively,the expression levels of aspartate transaminase,alanine transaminase,and total bilirubin were lower in the LC+EPBD group than in the LC+EST group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION LC combined with EPBD and LC combined with EST are both effective procedures for the treatment of GS with CBDS,in which LC combined with EPBD is beneficial to shorten the patient’s hospitalization time,reduce the magnitude of elevated inflammatory response indexes,and promote postoperative recovery.

Predictors of outcomes of endoscopic balloon dilatation in strictures after esophageal atresia repair: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND Endoscopic balloon dilatation (EBD) has become the first line of therapy for benign esophageal strictures (ESs);however,there are few publications about the predictive factors for the outcomes of this treatment.AIM To assess the predictive factors for the outcomes of EBD treatment for strictures after esophageal atresia (EA) repair.METHODS Children with anastomotic ES after thoracoscopic esophageal atresia repair treated by EBD from January 2012 to December 2016 were included.All procedures were performed under tracheal intubation and intravenous anesthesia using a three-grade controlled radial expansion balloon with gastroscopy.Outcomes were recorded and predictors of the outcomes were analyzed.RESULTS A total of 64 patients were included in this analysis.The rates of response,complications,and recurrence were 96.77%,8.06%,and 2.33%,respectively.The number of dilatation sessions and complications were significantly higher in patients with a smaller stricture diameter (P=0.013 and 0.023,respectively) and with more than one stricture (P=0.014 and 0.004,respectively).The length of the stricture was significantly associated with complications of EBD (P=0.001).A longer interval between surgery and the first dilatation was related to more sessions and a poorer response (P=0.017 and 0.024,respectively).CONCLUSION The diameter,length,and number of strictures are the most important predictive factors for the clinical outcomes of endoscopic balloon dilatation in pediatric ES.The interval between surgery and the first EBD is another factor affectingresponse and the number of sessions of dilatation.

Long-term outcomes of endoscopic papillary large-balloon dilation(12-15 mm)with or without limited sphincterotomy for removal of bile duct stones

Background:Limited endoscopic sphincterotomy with large balloon dilation(ES-LBD)and endoscopic papillary large-balloon dilation(EPLBD)have been proven safe and effective for removal of bile duct stones.However,the long-term outcomes are not clear.The aim of this study was to assess the long-term outcomes of EPLBD(12-15 mm)with or without limited sphincterotomy for removal of common bile duct(CBD)stones.Methods:Patients with EPLBD or ES-LBD referred for the removal of bile-duct stones between June 2008 and August 2020 were retrospectively reviewed.Complete stone clearance,endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP)-related adverse events,and late biliary complications during long-term follow-up were analyzed.Results:Basic patient characteristics were not significantly different between the groups that underwent EPLBD(n=168)and ES-LBD(n=57).EPLBD compared with ES-LBD resulted in similar outcomes in terms of overall successful stone removal(99.4%vs.100%,P=1.00)and ERCP-related adverse events(7.7%vs.5.3%,P=0.77).The mean duration of the follow-up were 113.6 months and 106.7 months for patients with EPLBD and ES-LBD,respectively(P=0.13).There was no significant difference between EPLBD and ES-LBD in the incidence of stone recurrence[20(11.9%)vs.9(15.8%);P=0.49].Multivariate analysis showed that a diameter of CBD≥15 mm(OR=3.001;95%CI:1.357-6.640;P=0.007)was an independent risk factor for stone recurrence.Conclusions:The application of a large balloon(12-15 mm)via EPLBD is an effective and safe alternative to ES-LBD for extraction of large CBD stones.Endoscopic sphincterotomy prior to EPLBD may be unnec-essary.A diameter of CBD≥15 mm is a risk factor of stone recurrence.

Caustic Esophageal Stenosis: Epidemiological, Clinical, Endoscopic and Therapeutic Aspects at the Gabriel TouréUniversity Hospital in Bamako

Voluntary or accidental ingestion of a caustic product is increasingly encountered in our country. Caustic esophageal stenosis is the most common sequel. Its treatment involves instrumental dilation and/or surgery which is particularly heavy. The aim of this study was to study the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of caustic esophageal strictures in our context. The retrospective study took place from December 2013 to December 2017 in the Hepato-Gastroenterology department of the Gabriel Touré university hospital in Bamako. We included patients with caustic esophageal stenosis referred to the gastrointestinal endoscopy unit for dilation. 67 patients admitted for caustic stenosis were included. The mean age of our patients was 20.76 ± 19.9 years with extremes of 1 and 70 years and a sex ratio of 1.9. In 50.7% of cases, the product ingested was basic in nature. The clinical symptomatology was dominated by dysphagia (100%), vomiting (100%), the emaciated (60%) and cough (40%). In 59 (88%) patients, the stenosis was unique and multiple in 8 (12%). The KILLIAN mouth as the sole site of the stenosis was found in 40.3% of patients. The number of sessions was ≤ 3 in 16.4% and >3 in 83.6% with a mean of 4.59 ± 1.57 sessions. The evolution was favorable in 95.5% of our patients. However, we recorded three (3) cases of death all following a perforation. Conclusion: Caustic esophageal stenosis, a consequence of ingestion of caustics, is increasingly observed in our context. Endoscopic dilation occupies an important place in its management.

Minor endoscopic sphincterotomy followed by large balloon dilation for large choledocholith treatment

AIM To evaluate early and late outcomes of endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation(EPLBD) with minor endoscopic sphincterotomy(m EST) for stone removal.METHODS A total of 149 consecutive patients with difficult common bile duct(CBD) stones(diameter ≥ 10 mm or ≥ 3 stones) underwent conventional endoscopic sphincterotomy(EST) or m EST plus EPLBD from May 2012 to April 2016. Their demographic, laboratory and procedural data were collected, and pancreaticobiliary complications were recorded.RESULTS Sixty-nine(94.5%) of the patients in the EPLBD + m EST group and 64(84.2%) in the conventional EST group achieved stone clearance following the first session(P = 0.0421). The procedure time for EPLBD + m EST was shorter than for EST alone(42.1 ± 13.6 min vs 47.3 ± 11.8 min, P = 0.0128). The overall rate of early complications in the EPLBD + m EST group(11%) was lower than in the EST group(21.1%); however, the difference was not significant(P = 0.0938). The cumulative recurrence rate of cholangitis and CBD stones between the two groups was also similar. The procedure time was independently associated with post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis(OR = 6.374, 95%CI: 1.193-22.624, P = 0.023), CBD stone diameter ≥ 16 mm(OR = 7.463, 95%CI: 2.705-21.246, P = 0.0452) and use of mechanical lithotripsy(OR = 9.913, 95%CI: 3.446-23.154, P = 0.0133) were independent risk factors for stone recurrence. CONCLUSION EPLBD with m EST is more effective than EST alone for difficult CBD stone removal, with shorter procedure time and fewer early complications.

Utility of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography on biliopancreatic diseases in patients with Billroth Ⅱ-reconstructed stomach

AIM To examine the utility of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP) on biliopancreatic diseases in the patients with Billroth II-reconstructed stomach.METHODS For 26 cases of biliopancreatic diseases in patients with Billroth Ⅱ-reconstructed stomach,ERCP was conducted using a straight-view scope or a retrograde obliqueviewing endoscope.All the cases were patients aiming at selective insertion into the bile duct.One patient aimed at diagnosis,and 25 patients aimed at treatment.The cases in which the endoscope reached the duodenal papilla and anastomosis,and insertion into the bile duct became possible,were considered successful.RESULTS The rate of reaching the duodenal papilla and anastomosis was 84.7%(22/26 patients).Among the cases without reaching the duodenal papilla and anastomosis,there were 2 in which the endoscope did not pass due to tumor-induced duodenal infiltration.In 1 case,the fiber did not reach the duodenal papilla due to long afferent loop.The success rate of insertion into the bile duct in patients in which the endoscope reached the duodenal papilla and anastomosis was 90.9%(20/22 patients),and the success rate of procedures including treatment was 86.3%(19/22 patients).After treatment,mild cholangitis was observed in 1 patient(4.5%,1/22 patients) but relieved conservatively.No other accidental symptom was observed.CONCLUSION It was considered that the ERCP for biliopancreatic diseases in patients with Billroth II-reconstructed stomach will become a less invasive,safe and useful examination and treatment approach.

Long-term outcomes of endoscopic papillary balloon dilation for removal of bile duct stones in Billroth Ⅱ gastrectomy patients

Background： Endoscopic papillary balloon dilation （EPBD） for common bile duct （CBD） stones removal in Billroth II gastrectomy patients is feasible. However, the long-term outcomes of this technique are notclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the procedural and long-term outcomes of EPBD for removal of CBD stones in Billroth II gastrectomy patients.

Innovation of endoscopic management in difficult common bile duct stone in the era of laparoscopic surgery

Common bile duct(CBD)stone is a common biliary problem,which often requires endoscopic approach as the initial treatment option.Roughly,7%-12%of the subjects who experience cholecystectomy were subsequently referred to biliary endoscopist for further management.In general,there are three classifications of difficult CBD stone,which are based on the characteristics of the stone(larger than 15 mm,barrel or square-shaped stones,and hard consistency),accessibility to papilla related to anatomical variations,and other clinical conditions or comorbidities of the patients.Currently,endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation(EPLBD)of a previous sphincterotomy and EPLBD combined with limited sphincterotomy performed on the same session is still recommended by the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy as the main approach in difficult CBD stones with history of failed sphincterotomy and balloon and/or basket attempts.If failed extraction is still encountered,mechanical lithotripsy or cholangioscopy-assisted lithotripsy or extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy can be considered.Surgical approach can be considered when stone extraction is still failed or the facilities to perform lithotripsy are not available.To our knowledge,conflicting evidence are still found from previous studies related to the comparison between endoscopic and surgical approaches.The availability of experienced operator and resources needs to be considered in creating individualized treatment strategies for managing difficult biliary stones.

Fecal marker levels as predictors of need for endoscopic balloon dilation in Crohn's disease patients with anastomotic strictures

AIM To evaluate the accuracy and best cut-off value of fecal calprotectin(FC) and fecal lactoferrin(FL) to predict disease recurrence in asymptomatic patients presenting with anastomotic strictures. METHODS This was a longitudinal single tertiary center study based on prospectively collected data(recorded in a clinical database created for this purpose) performed between March 2010 and November 2014. Crohn's disease(CD) patients with anastomotic stricture who submitted to postoperative endoscopic evaluation were included. Stools were collected on the day before bowel cleaning for FC and FL. Endoscopic balloon dilation(EBD) was performed if the patient presented an anastomotic stricture not traversed by the colonoscope, regardless of patients' symptoms. Successful dilation was defined as passage of the colonoscope through the dilated stricture into the neotermimal ileum.Postoperative recurrence was defined as a modified Rutgeerts score of ≥ i2 b. RESULTS In a total of 178 patients who underwent colonoscopy, 58 presented an anastomotic stricture, 86% were asymptomatic, and 48(54% male; median age of 46.5 years) were successfully dilated. Immediate success rate was 92% and no complications were recorded. FC and FL levels correlated significantly with endoscopic recurrence(P < 0.001) with an optimal cut-off value of 90.85 μg/g(sensitivity of 95.5%, specificity of 69.2%, positive predictive value(PPV) of 72.4%, negative predictive value(NPV) of 94.7% and accuracy of 81%] for FC and of 5.6 μg/g(sensitivity of 77.3%, specificity of 69.2%, PPV of 68%, NPV of 78.4% and accuracy of 72.9%) for FL.CONCLUSION Fecal markers are good predictors of CD endoscopic recurrence in patients with asymptomatic anastomotic stricture. FC and FL may guide the need for EBD in this context.

Cholecystectomy reduces subsequent cholangiocarcinoma risk in choledocholithiasis patients undergoing endoscopic intervention

BACKGROUND Cholangiocarcinoma is a disease with a high mortality rate.Our previous study revealed that cholelithiasis patients who undergo endoscopic sphincterotomy(ES)/endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation are at a higher risk for subsequent cholangiocarcinoma than cholelithiasis patients who undergo cholecystectomy.AIM To clarify the relationship between recurrent biliary events and subsequent cholangiocarcinoma risk in choledocholithiasis patients.METHODS From one million random cases in the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database 2004–2011,we selected symptomatic choledocholithiasis patients older than 18 years who were admitted from January 2005 to December 2009(study group).Cases for a control group were defined as individuals who had never been diagnosed with cholelithiasis,matched by sex and age in a 1:3 ratio.The study group was further divided into ES/endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation,both ES/endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation and cholecystectomy,and no intervention groups.RESULTS We included 2096 choledocholithiasis patients without previous intervention or cholangiocarcinoma.A total of 12(2.35%),11(0.74%),and 1(1.00%)subsequent cholangiocarcinoma cases were diagnosed among 511 ES/endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation patients,1485 patients with no intervention,and 100 ES/endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation and cholecystectomy patients,respectively.The incidence rates of recurrent biliary event were 527.79/1000 person-years and 286.69/1000 person-years in the subsequent cholangiocarcinoma and no cholangiocarcinoma group,showing a high correlation between subsequent cholangiocarcinoma risk and recurrent biliary events.CONCLUSION Choledocholithiasis patients who undergo further cholecystectomy after ES/endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation have decreased subsequent cholangiocarcinoma risk due to reduced recurrent biliary events.

Endoscopic balloon dilation for management of stricturing Crohn’s disease in children

BACKGROUND Crohn’s disease(CD)has a multitude of complications including intestinal strictures from fibrostenotic disease.Fibrostenotic disease has been reported in 10%-17%of children at presentation and leads to surgery in 20%-50%of cases within ten years of diagnosis.When symptoms develop from these strictures,the treatment in children has primarily been surgical resection.Endoscopic balloon dilation(EBD)has been shown to be a safe and efficacious alternative to surgery in adults,but evidence is poor in the literature regarding its safety and efficacy in children.AIM To evaluate the outcomes of children with fibrostenosing CD who underwent EBD vs surgery as a treatment.METHODS In a single-center retrospective study,we looked at pediatric patients(ages 0-18)who carry the diagnosis of CD,who were diagnosed after opening a dedicated Inflammatory Bowel Disease clinic on July 1,2012 through May 1,2019.We used diagnostic codes through our electronic medical record to identify patients with CD with a stricturing phenotype.The type of intervention for patients’strictures was then identified through procedural and surgical billing codes.We evaluated their demographics,clinical variables,whether they underwent EBD vs surgery or both,and their clinical outcomes.RESULTS Of the 139 patients with CD,25(18%)developed strictures.The initial intervention for a stricture was surgical resection in 12 patients(48%)and EBD in 13 patients(52%).However,4(33%)patients whom initially had surgical resection required follow up EBD,and thus 17 total patients(68%)underwent EBD at some point in their treatment process.For those 8 patients who underwent successful surgical resection alone,4 of these patients(50%)had a fistula present near the stricture site and 4(50%)had strictures greater than 5 cm in length.All patients who underwent EBD had no procedural complications,such as a perforation.Twenty-two(88%)of the treated strictures were successfully managed by EBD and did not require any further surgical intervention during our follow up period.CONCLUSION EBD is safe and efficacious as an alternative to surgery for palliative management of strictures in selected pediatric patients with CD.

Endoscopic balloon dilation of crohn's disease stricturessafety,efficacy and clinical impact

AIM To evaluate the incidence of anastomotic strictures after intestinal resection in Crohn's disease(CD), demonstrate long-term efficacy and safety of endoscopic balloon dilation(EBD) in CD strictures and its impact on the diagnosis of subclinical postoperative endoscopic recurrence. METHODS Retrospective single tertiary center study based on prospectively collected data between 2010 and 2015including anastomotic and non-anastomotic strictures. RESULTS29% of 162 CD patients included developed an anastomotic stricture. 43 patients with anastomotic strictures and 37 with non-anastomotic strictures underwent EBD; technical success was 97.7% and 100%, respectively, however, 63% and 41% needed repeat dilation during the 4.4-year follow-up. Longer periods between surgery and index colonoscopy and higher lactoferrin levels were associated with the presence of stricture after surgery. Calprotectin levels > 83.35 μg/g and current or past history of smoking were associated with a shorter time until need for dilation(HR = 3.877, 95%CI: 1.480-10.152 and HR = 3.041, 95%CI: 1.213-7.627). Anastomotic strictures had a greater need for repeat dilation(63% vs 41%, P = 0.047). No differences were found between asymptomatic and symptomatic cohorts. Disease recurrence diagnosis was only possible after EBD in a third of patients. CONCLUSION EBD is an effective and safe alternative to surgery, with a good short and long-term outcome, postponing or even avoiding further surgery. EBD may allow to diagnose disease recurrence in patients with no clinical signs/biomarkers of disease activity.

Endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation alone or combined with small or complete sphincterotomy for the removal of large common bile duct stones

Background:Endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation(EPLBD)has been proposed as an alternative to manage large bile duct stones.However,EPLBD alone or combined with sphincterotomy remains controversial.Methods:Between Jan.2014 and Dec.2017,195 consecutive patients with proven large common bile duct stones(size≥10 mm)were retrospectively analyzed.We compared the baseline characteristics,procedure time,success rate of stone removal and morbidity outcomes in different groups.Results:There were no significant difference between baseline characteristics of the groups compared.A total of 89.2%,95.4%,and 93.8% of the patients in the EPLBD,EPLBD+small sphincterotomy(SES),and EPLBD+complete sphincterotomy(CES)groups had stones cleared(P=0.473),respectively.There was no difference in terms of procedure time(33.5±10.2,34.8±9.0,34.9±8.2,in the EPLBD,EPLBD+SES,and EPLBD+CES groups,respectively).However,when assigned to tvvo groups according to bile duct stones diameter(bile duct stones<13 mm,bile duct stones≥13 mm).in the bile duct stones<13 mm group,the procedure time was significantly less in the EPLBD group than the EPLBD+SES group and the EPLBD+CES group(P=0.028).In the bile duct stones≥13 mm group,the mechanical lithotripsy rate of EPLBD was significantly higher compared to EPLBD+SES or EPLBD+CES(P=0.032).The complication rates were similar among all groups.Conclusions:The diameter of bile duct stones should be taken into consideration when choosing EPLBD alone or combined with small sphincterotomy for the removal of common bile duct stones.

Comprehensive review on small common bile duct stones

Common bile duct stones are among the most common conditions encountered by endoscopists.Therefore,it is well researched;however,some items,such as indications for endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation(EPBD),safety of EPBD and endoscopic sphincterotomy in patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy or direct oral anticoagulant,selection strategy for retrieval balloons and baskets,lack adequate evidence.Therefore,the guidelines have been updated with new research,while others remain unchanged due to weak evidence.In this review,we comprehensively summarize the standard methods in guidelines and new findings from recent studies on papillary dilation,stone retrieval devices,difficult-to-treat cases,troubleshooting during the procedure,and complicated cases of cholangitis,cholecystolithiasis,or distal biliary stricture.

Corrosive upper gastrointestinal strictures in children:Difficulties and dilemmas

Children constitute 80%of all corrosive ingestion cases.The majority of this burden is contributed by developing countries.Accidental ingestion is common in younger children(<5 years)while suicidal ingestion is more common in adolescents.The severity of injury depends on nature of corrosive(alkali or acid),pH,amount of ingestion and site of exposure.There are multiple doubts and dilemmas which exist in management of both acute ingestion and chronic complications.Acute ingestion leads to skin,respiratory tract or upper gastrointestinal damage which may range from trivial to life threatening complications.Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is an important early investigation to decide for further course of management.The use of steroids for prevention of stricture is a debatable issue.Upper gastrointestinal stricture is a common longterm sequelae of severe corrosive injury which usually develops after three weeks of ingestion.The cornerstone of management of esophageal strictures is endoscopic bougie or balloon dilatations.In case of resistant strictures,newer adjunctive therapies like intralesional steroids,mitomycin and stents can be utilized along with endoscopic dilatation.Surgery is the final resort for strictures resistant to endoscopic dilatations and adjunctive therapies.There is no consensus on best esophageal replacement conduit.Pyloric strictures require balloon dilatation,failure of which requires surgery.Patients with post-corrosive strictures should be kept in long term follow-up due to significantly increased risk of carcinoma.Despite all the endoscopic and surgical options available,management of corrosive stricture in children is a daunting task due to high chances of recurrence,perforation and complications related to poor nutrition and surgery.

Enteroscopy in children and adults with inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)includes Crohn’s disease(CD),ulcerative colitis and unclassified entities.CD commonly involves the terminal ileum and colon but at the time of diagnosis it can be confined to the small bowel(SB)in about 30%of the patients,especially in the young ones.Management of isolated SB-CD can be challenging and objective evaluation of the SB mucosa is essential in differentiating CD from other enteropathies to achieve therapeutic decisions and to plan the follow-up.The introduction of cross-sectional imaging techniques and capsule endoscopy(CE)have significantly expanded the ability to diagnose SB diseases providing a non-invasive test for the visualization of the entire SB mucosa.The main CE limitations are the low specificity,the lack of therapeutic capabilities and the impossibility to take biopsies.Device assisted enteroscopy(DAE)enables histological confirmation when traditional endoscopy,capsule endoscopy and cross-sectional imaging are inconclusive and also allows therapeutic interventions such as balloon stricture dilation,intralesional steroid injection,capsule retrieval and more recently stent insertion.In the current review we will discuss technical aspect,indications and safety profile of DAE in children and adults with IBD.

Dilation assisted stone extraction for complex biliary lithiasis:Technical aspects and practical principles

Common bile duct stones are frequently diagnosed worldwide and are one of the main indications for endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography.Endoscopic sphincterotomy(EST)has been used for the removal of bile duct stones for the past 40 years,providing a wide opening to allow extraction.Up to 15%of patients present with complicated choledocholithiasis.In this context,additional therapeutic approaches have been proposed such as endoscopic mechanical lithotripsy,intraductal or extracorporeal lithotripsy,or endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation(EPLBD).EPLBD combined with EST was introduced in 2003 to facilitate the passage of large or multiple bile duct stones using a balloon greater than 12 mm in diameter.EPLBD without EST was introduced as a simplified technique in 2009.Dilation-assisted stone extraction(DASE)is the combination of two techniques:EPLBD and sub-maximal EST.Several studies have reported this technique as safe and effective in patients with large bile duct stones,without any increased risk of adverse events such as pancreatitis,bleeding,or perforation.Nevertheless,it is difficult to analyze the outcomes of DASE because there are no standard techniques and definitions between studies.The purpose of this paper is to provide technical guidance and specific information about the main issues regarding DASE,based on current literature and daily clinical experience in biliary referral centers.