Endoscopic resection of subepithelial tumors

Management of subepithelial tumors(SETs) remains challenging. Endoscopic ultrasound(EUS) has improved differential diagnosis of these tumors but a definitive diagnosis on EUS findings alone can be achieved in the minority of cases. Complete endoscopic resection may provide a reasonable approach for tissue acquisition and may also be therapeutic in case of malignant lesions. Small SET restricted to the submucosa can be removed with established basic resection techniques. However, resection of SET arising from deeper layers of the gastrointestinal wall requires advanced endoscopic methods and harbours the risk of perforation. Innovative techniques such as submucosal tunneling and full thickness resection have expanded the frontiers of endoscopic therapy in the past years. This review will give an overview about endoscopic resection techniques of SET with a focus on novel methods.

Outcome Results of Treatment with Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT) in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Single Center Experience

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a poor prognosis. Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) with microspheres is a treatment option for HCC. This study aimed to assess safety and survival (OS) in patients with HCC treated with SIRT, to stratify patients with tumor vascularization and analyze the impact of sequential sorafenib treatment. Methods: Thirty-nine patients who received SIRT for HCC between 2010 and 2013 at our center were included in this retrospective analysis. Tumor vascularization was assessed using a combination of MRI, MAA-scintigraphy and angiography. Tumor vascularization was correlated with survival. Subgroups are treated with two commercially available 90Y-labeled products SIR-Spheres (n = 16) and TheraSpheres (n = 23) and sequential therapy with sorafenib compared to SIRT only was analyzed. Results: Adverse events occurred in 49% of patients with only four grade 3 and no grade 4 event. Median survival for all patients was 12.5 months (95% CI: 8.7 - 16.3). No significant differences were detectable between Thera Spheres or SIR Spheres. Survival was shorter in patients with low tumor vascularization score (OS: 3.8 months (95% CI 0 - 15.0), p = 0.043). Survival was longer with sorafenib upon progression after SIRT (n=16) with an OS of 17.4 months (95% CI: 12.1 – 22.7) compared to no sorafenib (n = 13;9.1 months;95% CI: 3.0 - 15.1) or progression upon sorafenib before SIRT (n = 10;8.6 months;95% CI: 5.5 - 11.7). Conclusions: SIRT is safe in HCC patients. Tumor vascularization by radiography and scintigraphy may predict survival benefit. Sorafenib is active after SIRT and significantly prolongs survival.

Endoscopic full-thickness resection: current status

Conventional endoscopic resection techniques such as endoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic submucosal dissection are powerful tools for treatment of gastrointestinal neoplasms. However,those techniques are restricted to superficial layers of the gastrointestinal wall. Endoscopic full-thickness resection(EFTR) is an evolving technique,which is just about to enter clinical routine. It is not only a powerful tool for diagnostic tissue acquisition but also has the potential to spare surgical therapy in selected patients. This review will give an overview about current EFTR techniques and devices.

Laparoscopy-assisted percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy enables enteral nutrition even in patients with distorted anatomy

AIM:To analyzed whether laparoscopy-assisted percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy(PEG)could be a valuable option for patients with complicated anatomy.METHODS:A retrospective analysis of twelve patients(seven females,five males;six children,six young adults;mean age 19.2 years)with cerebral palsy,spastic quadriparesis,severe kyphoscoliosis and interposed organs and who required enteral nutrition(EN)due to starvation was performed.For all patients,standard PEG placement was impossible due to distorted anatomy.All the patients qualified for the laparoscopyassisted PEG procedure.RESULTS:In all twelve patients,the laparoscopy-assisted PEG was successful,and EN was introduced four to six hours after the PEG placement.There were no complications in the perioperative period,either technical or metabolic.All the patients were discharged from the hospital and were then effectively fed using bolus methods.CONCLUSION:Laparoscopy-assisted PEG should become the method of choice for gastrostomy tube placement and subsequent EN if PEG placement cannot be performed safely.