Clinical issues and challenges in imaging of gastrointestinal diseases:A minireview and our experience

Imaging techniques play a crucial role in the modern era of medicine,particularly in gastroenterology.Nowadays,various non-invasive and invasive imaging modalities are being routinely employed to evaluate different gastrointestinal(GI)diseases.However,many instrumental as well as clinical issues are arising in the area of modern GI imaging.This minireview article aims to briefly overview the clinical issues and challenges encountered in imaging GI diseases while highlighting our experience in the field.We also summarize the advances in clinically available diagnostic methods for evaluating different diseases of the GI tract and demonstrate our experience in the area.In conclusion,almost all imaging techniques used in imaging GI diseases can also raise many challenges that necessitate careful consideration and profound expertise in this field.

Advancements and challenges in gastrointestinal imaging

A recent review by Gulinac et al,provides an in-depth analysis of current clinical issues and challenges in gastrointestinal imaging.This editorial highlights the advancements in imaging techniques,including the integration of artificial intelligence and functional imaging modalities,and discusses the ongoing relevance of traditional nuclear medicine tests.The future of gastrointestinal imaging looks promising,with continuous improvements in resolution,enhanced ability to analyze color and texture beyond visual diagnosis,faster image processing,and the application of molecular imaging and nanoparticles expected to enhance diagnostic accuracy and clinical outcomes.

Postoperative multiple metastasis of clear cell sarcoma-like tumor of the gastrointestinal tract in adolescent:A case report

BACKGROUND Clear cell sarcoma-like tumor of the gastrointestinal tract(CCSLGT)is a rare malignant gastrointestinal mesenchymal soft tissue tumor.Its genetic feature is EWSR1 gene rearrangement.Histologically,it is often accompanied by a varying number of CD68-positive osteoclast-like giant cells.CCSLGT mostly occurs in the small intestinal wall of young people and children.In terms of clinical manifestations,there is no significant difference between it and other gastrointestinal tumors,and the diagnosis depends on immunohistochemistry and gene detection.CASE SUMMARY A 16-year-old man developed dizziness and fatigue 2 mo ago,and 10 d ago showed progressive exacerbation of paroxysmal epigastric pain and stopped flatulence and defecation.Computed tomography showed a soft tissue mass in the distal ileum.After complete resection of the lesion,it was diagnosed by combined immunohistochemical and genetic examination as CCSLGT.After surgery,the patient gradually developed lymph node,liver,lung,bone,left thigh,pleura and adrenal metastasis.The survival time was 4 years and 8 mo.CONCLUSION Whole abdominal computed tomography enhancement is recommended for patients with gastrointestinal symptoms.There is no effective treatment for CCSLGT with multiple metastases via the lymphatic system and bloodstream after surgical resection.

Comparison between air and carbon dioxide insufflation in the endoscopic submucosal excavation of gastrointestinal stromal tumors

AIM:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of CO2 insufflation compared with air insufflation in the endoscopic submucosal excavation(ESE) of gastrointestinal stromal tumors.METHODS:Sixty patients were randomized to undergo endoscopic submucosal excavation,with the CO2 group(n = 30) and the air group(n = 30) undergoingCO2 insufflation and air insufflation in the ESE,respectively.The end-tidal CO2 level(pETCO2) was observed at 4 time points:at the beginning of ESE,at total removal of the tumors,at completed wound management,and 10 min after ESE.Additionally,the patients' experience of pain at 1,3,6 and 24 h after the examination was registered using a visual analog scale(VAS).RESULTS:Both the CO2 group and air group were similar in mean age,sex,body mass index(all P > 0.05).There were no significant differences in PetCO2 values before and after the procedure(P > 0.05).However,the pain scores after the ESE at different time points in the CO2 group decreased significantly compared with the air group(1 h:21.2 ± 3.4 vs 61.5 ± 1.7;3 h:8.5 ± 0.7 vs 42.9 ± 1.3;6 h:4.4 ± 1.6 vs 27.6 ± 1.2;24 h:2.3 ± 0.4 vs 21.4 ± 0.7,P < 0.05).Meanwhile,the percentage of VAS scores of 0 in the CO2 group after 1,3,6 and 24 h was significantly higher than that in the air group(60.7 ± 1.4 vs 18.9 ± 1.5,81.5 ± 2.3 vs 20.6 ± 1.2,89.2 ± 0.7 vs 36.8 ± 0.9,91.3 ± 0.8 vs 63.8 ± 1.3,respectively,P < 0.05).Moreover,the condition of the CO2 group was better than that of the air group with respect to anal exsufflation.CONCLUSION:Insufflation of CO2 in the ESE of gastrointestinal stromal tumors will not cause CO2 retention and it may significantly reduce the level of pain,thus it is safe and effective.

Recent advances in the management of gastrointestinal stromal tumor

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST)is a rare but an important clinical entity seen in our clinical practice.It is the most common mesenchymal tumor of the gastrointestinal tract and most common malignancy of the small intestine.Although the exact prevalence of GIST is not known,the incidence of GIST has been increasing.GISTs arise from interstitial cells of Cajal.Most of the GISTs occur due to mutation in c-kit gene or platelet derived growth factor receptor alpha gene.15%of GISTs do not have these mutations and they are called wildtype GISTs.Almost all GISTs express KIT receptor tyrosine kinase.Histologically,GISTs look like spindle cell tumors most of the time but they can be epitheloid or mixed type.The median size of GISTs varies from 2.7 cm to 8.9 cm.Clinically,patients with small GISTs remain asymptomatic but as the GIST size increases,patients present with various symptoms depending on the location of the GIST.Most of GISTs are located in the stomach or small bowel.Diagnosis is suspected on imaging and endoscopic studies,and confirmed by tissue acquisition with immunohistochemical staining.The aggressiveness of GISTs depends on the size,mitotic index and location.Surgical resection is the treatment of choice.But various endoscopic modalities of resection are increasingly being tried.Tyrosine kinase inhibitors are extremely useful in the management of large GISTs,unresectable GISTs and metastatic GISTs.Treatment options for metastatic GISTs also include radiotherapy,chemotherapy,hepatic artery embolization,chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the distal common bile duct:Literature review with focus on pathological examination

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor(IMT)of the biliary tract is rare,and often difficult to diagnose or to distinguish from other tumors due to its atypical clinical presentation and nonspecific radiological features.Histologically,IMTs are(myo)fibroblastic neoplasms with a prominent inflammatory infiltrate.They are characterized by receptor tyrosine kinase gene rearrangements,most often involving an anaplastic lymphoma kinase(ALK)translocation.The final diagnosis of IMT depends on histopathology and immunohistochemical examination.In this manuscript,we provide a clinical and morphomolecular overview of IMT and the difficulties that may arise in using immunohistochemical and molecular techniques in diagnosing IMT.

SMOOTH MUSCLE TUMORS OF THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT EXPRESSION OF RAS P21 ONCOGENE PRODUCT AND THE ASSOCIATION WITH CLINICOPATHOLOGY

Quantitative analysis of ras oncogene product P21 was performed on paraffin blocks from 55 smooth musele tumors of the gastrointestinal tract by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry.No positive evidence for P21 was found in 5 cases of normal smooth muscle tissues.