Puncture angle on an endoscopic ultrasound image is independently associated with unsuccessful guidewire manipulation of endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy: a retrospective study in Japan.

Background/aims: Although endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy (EUS-HGS) is performed globally, the procedure remains challenging. Guidewire manipulation is the most difficult step, and there are few reports on the factors associated with unsuccessful guidewire manipulation. This study aimed to assess the significance of the puncture angle on EUS images and identify the most effective guidewire rescue method for patients with unsuccessful guidewire manipulation.

Response rate specific to bone metastasis of various cancers for immune checkpoint inhibitors: a systematic review.

Purpose: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have improved the prognosis of patients with cancer, such as melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, head and neck cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and urothelial carcinoma. The extension of life expectancy has led to an increased incidence of bone metastases (BM) among patients with cancer. BM result in skeletal-related events, including severe pain, pathological fractures, and nerve palsy.

Malawer type I/V proximal humerus reconstruction after tumor resection: a systematic review.

Background: Several reconstruction methods exist for Malawer type I/V proximal humerus reconstruction after bone tumor resection; however, no consensus has been reached regarding the preferred methods.

Methods: We conducted a literature search on various types of proximal humerus oncologic reconstruction methods. We collected data on postoperative functional outcomes assessed based on Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) scores, 5-year reconstruction survival rates, and complications.

Risk of complications and implant survival of surgical treatment of proximal femoral metastasis: a meta-analysis.

Purpose: The patients with femoral metastasis in the inter- or subtrochanteric area could be treated with intramedullary nailing or prosthetic reconstruction, however, it is controversial which surgical treatment could offer less complications and implant failure. Our purpose was to define the risk of complications and implant survival in patients treated with intramedullary nailing or prosthetic reconstruction.

Methods: We analyzed studies reporting the risk of complications, reoperations and removal of the implant in patients treated with intramedullary nailing, hemiarthroplasty, arthroplasty or megaprosthesis.

Similar complications, implant survival, and function following modular prosthesis and allograft-prosthesis composite reconstructions of the proximal femur for primary bone tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: There is a lack of consensus regarding the best type of reconstruction of the proximal femur following bone tumor resection. The objective of this study was to analyze the complication risks, implant survival, and functional outcomes following modular prosthesis (MP) and allograft-prosthesis composite (APC) reconstruction of the proximal femur after primary bone tumor resections.

Methods: We performed a search in the PubMed and Scopus libraries, obtaining 1 843 studies.

Evaluation of Astatine-211-Labeled Fibroblast Activation Protein Inhibitor (FAPI): Comparison of Different Linkers with Polyethylene Glycol and Piperazine.

Fibroblast activation proteins (FAP) are overexpressed in the tumor stroma and have received attention as target molecules for radionuclide therapy. The FAP inhibitor (FAPI) is used as a probe to deliver nuclides to cancer tissues. In this study, we designed and synthesized four novel At-FAPI(s) possessing polyethylene glycol (PEG) linkers between the FAP-targeting and At-attaching moieties.

Negligible procedure-related dissemination risk of mucosal incision-assisted biopsy for gastrointestinal stromal tumors versus endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration/biopsy.

Background: Mucosal incision-assisted biopsy (MIAB) is a valuable alternative to endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration/biopsy (EUS-FNAB) for sampling gastric subepithelial lesions (SELs). This study aimed to evaluate the potential risk of dissemination and impact on postoperative prognosis associated with MIAB, which has not yet been investigated.

Methods: Study 1: A prospective observational study was conducted to examine the presence or absence and growth rate of tumor cells in gastric juice before and after the procedure in patients with SELs who underwent MIAB (n = 25) or EUS-FNAB (n = 22) between September 2018 and August 2021.

Feasibility and Efficacy of Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Hepaticogastrostomy Without Dilation: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

Background: Recently, endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy (EUS-HGS) procedures have been gradually established; nonetheless, some adverse events (AEs) have been reported. Dilation procedures using a non-cautery or cautery device increase the incidence of AEs in EUS-HGS.

Aims: We evaluated EUS-HGS procedures without dilation and the factors associated with dilation.

Efficacy of Early Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Transluminal Drainage for Postoperative Pancreatic Fistula.

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided transluminal drainage (EUS-TD) is generally performed 4 weeks after disease onset for evacuating pancreatic fluid collections. However, the optimal timing for conducting the procedure in those diagnosed with postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) has not been established. We aimed to elucidate the efficacy and safety of early EUS-TD procedures for treating POPF.

Endoscopic mucosal resection endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial non-ampullary duodenal tumors.

Background: The selection of endoscopic treatments for superficial non-ampullary duodenal epithelial tumors (SNADETs) is controversial.

Aim: To compare the efficacy and safety of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for SNADETs.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients with SNADETs from a database of endoscopic treatment for SNADETs, which included eight hospitals in Fukuoka, Japan, between April 2001 and October 2017.

Mahaim fiber connecting the right atrium to the left ventricle: a case report.

In the majority of cases presenting with the Mahaim fiber (MF), the MF connects the lateral right atrium (RA) to the right bundle branch or the right ventricle. We present the case of a 33-year-old man with antidromic atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia using MF connected to the septal RA and left ventricle (LV). Although the Mahaim potential was recorded at the septal RA, ablation at this site could not eliminate the MF and had a potential risk of injury to the atrioventricular node.

Superiority of mucosal incision-assisted biopsy over ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy in diagnosing small gastric subepithelial lesions: a propensity score matching analysis.

Background: Gastric subepithelial lesions, including gastrointestinal stromal tumors, are often found during routine gastroscopy. While endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNAB) has been the gold standard for diagnosing gastric subepithelial lesions, alternative open biopsy procedures, such as mucosal incision-assisted biopsy (MIAB) has been reported useful. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of MIAB for the diagnosis of gastric SELs compared with EUS-FNAB.

Efficacy of hybrid therapy using prior administration of bepridil hydrochloride and cryoballoon ablation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.

Background: Rhythm control before catheter ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF) can improve clinical outcomes. We sought to investigate the efficacy of pretreatment with bepridil prior to cryoballoon ablation (CBA) with respect to clinical outcomes in patients with PeAF.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 65 consecutive patients with PeAF who underwent CBA following pretreatment with bepridil hydrochloride (bepridil).

Objective validity of the Japan Narrow-Band Imaging Expert Team classification system for the differential diagnosis of colorectal polyps.

Background And Aim: The Japan Narrow-Band Imaging (NBI) Expert Team (JNET) classification is a recently proposed NBI magnifying endoscopy-based classification system for colorectal tumors. Although the usefulness of this system has been reported by JNET experts, its objective validity remains unclear. We tested its validity and usefulness for the diagnosis of colorectal polyps by including colonoscopy experts and non-experts as test participants.

Mucosal incision-assisted biopsy versus endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration with a rapid on-site evaluation for gastric subepithelial lesions: A randomized cross-over study.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the diagnostic yield of mucosal incision-assisted biopsy (MIAB) and endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) with a rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) for gastric subepithelial lesions (SEL) suspected of being gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) with an intraluminal growth pattern.

Methods: This was a prospective randomized, cross-over multicenter study. The primary outcome was the diagnostic yield of EUS-FNA and MIAB.

Mucosal Profiles of Immune Molecules Related to T Helper and Regulatory T Cells Predict Future Relapse in Patients With Quiescent Ulcerative Colitis.

Background: T helper (Th)- and regulatory T (Treg) cell-related immune molecules are implicated in ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the association between their mucosal expression during remission and the subsequent clinical course of UC is unknown.

Methods: The expression of cytokines and transcription factors related to Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg in endoscopic mucosal biopsy specimens from 40 UC patients in clinical remission and 9 controls was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Mucosally Expressed Cytokines are Associated with the Esophageal Motility Function.

Background And Aim: Although basic research has shown that certain cytokines affect gastrointestinal motility, the clinical evidence is lacking. The objective of this study was to explore the association between mucosally expressed cytokines and the esophageal motility function in humans.

Methods: We enrolled a total of 57 patients with suspected esophageal motility disorders (EMDs) who underwent high-resolution manometry.

[A case of non-cardiac chest pain caused by esophageal motility disorder observed on esophageal high-resolution manometry].

A 20-year-old man was referred to our hospital with dysphagia and chest pain. Heart disease was denied. No abnormality was observed in upper esophagogastroduodenoscopy and fluoroscopy;furthermore, no gastric acid-related symptoms were observed on combined esophageal multichannel intraluminal impedance and pH monitoring.

Development of Image-enhanced Endoscopy of the Gastrointestinal Tract: A Review of History and Current Evidences.

Endoscopy imaging of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract has evolved tremendously over the last few decades. Key milestones in the development of endoscopy imaging include the use of various dyes for chromoendoscopy, the application of optical magnification in endoscopy, the introduction of high-definition image capturing and display technology and the application of altered illuminating light to achieve vascular and surface enhancement. Aims of this review paper are to summarize the development and evolution of modern endoscopy imaging and in particular, imaged-enhanced endoscopy (IEE), to promote appropriate usage, and to guide future development of good endoscopy practice.

The Effective Treatment with Cyclosporine of a Ulcerative Colitis Patient with Concurrent Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Who Subsequently Developed Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum.

Although extraintestinal manifestations of inflammatory bowel diseases are not uncommon, few reports have described concurrent idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is also a rare complication of ulcerative colitis (UC). This report describes the case of a 14-year-old boy who experienced recurrent ulcerative colitis 3 months after temporary improvement following treatment with prednisolone (20 mg/day) and granulocyte/monocyte adsorption apheresis.

Telemedicine for gastrointestinal endoscopy: The Endoscopic Club E-conference in the Asia Pacific Region.

 An Endoscopic Club E-conference (ECE) was set up in May 2014 to cater to increased demand for gastrointestinal endoscopy-related teleconferences in the Asia-Pacific region which were traditionally organized by the medical working group (MWG) of Asia-Pacific Advanced Network. This study describes how the ECE meeting was run, examines the group dynamics, outlines feedback and analyzes factors affecting the enthusiasm of participants. It is hoped that the findings here can serve as guidance for future development of other teleconference groups.