Treatment of walled-off necrosis using lumen-apposing metal stents versus plastic stents: a systematic review and meta-analysis of data from randomized trials.

Background: Walled-off necrosis (WON) is highly morbid disease most effectively managed by endoscopic drainage with lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMSs) or plastic stents, with or without necrosectomy. This meta-analysis compared the clinical outcomes of patients included in randomized trials treated using LAMSs or plastic stents.

Methods: The MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched to identify all data collected from randomized trials comparing LAMSs and plastic stents for the treatment of WON.

Superiority of endoscopic interventions over minimally invasive surgery for infected necrotizing pancreatitis: meta-analysis of randomized trials.

Background And Aim: Infected necrotizing pancreatitis is a highly morbid disease managed by minimally invasive surgical (MIS) or endoscopy-based interventions. This meta-analysis compared the clinical outcomes of patients treated using either approach.

Methods: MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched to identify all randomized trials that compared MIS and endoscopy-based interventions for treatment of infected necrotizing pancreatitis.

Impact of Disconnected Pancreatic Duct Syndrome on the Endoscopic Management of Pancreatic Fluid Collections.

Objective: To study the effect of disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome (DPDS) on endoscopic management of pancreatic fluid collections (PFCs).

Background: Data on the impact of DPDS in patients undergoing endoscopic treatment of PFCs are limited.

Methods: Retrospective study of patients undergoing endoscopic drainage of PFCs from 2003 to 2015.

Translational and clinical perspectives on sphincter of Oddi dysfunction.

Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction is a complex pathophysiologic entity that is associated with significant morbidity causing abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. The purpose of this review is to describe the anatomy and physiology of the sphincter of Oddi, to understand the pathologic mechanisms thought to be responsible for symptomatology, review recent major studies, explore endoscopic and pharmacologic therapies and their efficacy, and to explore future research avenues.

Poor agreement between endoscopists and gastrointestinal pathologists for the interpretation of probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy findings.

Aim: To compare the interpretation of probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) findings between endoscopists and gastrointestinal (GI)-pathologists.

Methods: All pCLE procedures were undertaken and the endoscopist rendered assessment. The same pCLE videos were then viewed offline by an expert GI pathologist.

Total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation in chronic pancreatitis: recommendations from PancreasFest.

Description: Total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT) is a surgical procedure used to treat severe complications of chronic pancreatitis or very high risk of pancreatic cancer while reducing the risk of severe diabetes mellitus. However, clear guidance on indications, contraindications, evaluation, timing, and follow-up are lacking.

Methods: A working group reviewed the medical, psychological, and surgical options and supporting literature related to TPIAT for a consensus meeting during PancreasFest.

Multiple gastrointestinal stromal tumors and lipomatosis.

In this report, we describe a 36-year-old man with the synchronous occurrence of multiple gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors and multiple intestinal lipomas. Multiple, small, and well-circumscribed gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (3 mm to 2 cm) were present within the gastrectomy specimen. The gastrointestinal stromal tumors were composed of epithelioid cells that were strongly positive for CD117 but negative for S100 protein or smooth muscle-specific actin.

Health-related quality of life, somatization, and abuse in Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction.

Background: Most of the focus on patients with Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) has centered on endoscopic management, and thus little is known about quality of life in these patients.

Aims: We sought to determine what health-related quality of life components are troublesome to patients with SOD and compare to patients with recurrent pancreatitis.

Methods: Using the Brief Symptom Inventory and the SF-12 version 1, as well as proprietary questionnaires, we measured health-related quality of life in patients with biliary SOD and patients with recurrent idiopathic pancreatitis who underwent sphincter of Oddi manometry.