Comparison of 8- and 10-mm diameter fully covered self-expandable metal stents: A multicenter prospective study in patients with distal malignant biliary obstruction.

Objectives: The time to recurrent biliary obstruction (TRBO) of unresectable distal malignant biliary obstruction is generally thought to be longer when a self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) with a thicker inner diameter is used for drainage, but the dependence on the inner diameter using a fully covered SEMS (FCSEMS) is uncertain. The objective of this multicenter prospective study was to compare TRBO and adverse events, such as cholecystitis and pancreatitis, in treatment of patients with unresectable malignant biliary obstruction using 8- and 10-mm diameter FCSEMS.

Methods: Eighteen tertiary-care centers participated in the study.

Quantitative evaluation of pancreatic tumor fibrosis using shear wave elastography.

Background & Aims: There is no established non-invasive method for diagnosis of pancreatic fibrosis. Shear wave elastography (SW-EG) may be a candidate for this purpose. The aims of this study were to assess the reproducibility of SW-EG in the normal imaging pancreas (Phase 1) and to evaluate the diagnostic performance of SW-EG for pancreatic fibrosis classified histologically (Phase 2).

Prospective multicenter study on the usefulness of EUS-guided FNA biopsy for the diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis.

Background And Aims: In the International Consensus Diagnostic Criteria (ICDC), autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is classified into types 1 and 2, and its definite histopathology diagnosis can be made based only on surgical or core biopsy specimens. Although EUS-guided FNA (EUS-FNA) biopsy is a safe technique for the collection of pancreatic tissue, no consensus viewpoint has been reached with regard to the role of EUS-FNA biopsy in the diagnosis of AIP. This study investigated the utility of pancreatic tissue collected by EUS-FNA biopsy by using a standard 22-gauge aspiration needle in the diagnosis of AIP.

The prognostic factors and trajectory of HRQOL in patients with pancreatic cancer who received psychiatric intervention.

Background And Aim: Patients with advanced pancreatic cancer have severe pain, anxiety, and depression, and these symptoms deteriorate quality of life (QOL). Previous study reported that early psychiatric intervention for advanced cancer patients may improve QOL. We evaluated the trajectory of health-related QOL (HRQOL) in patients with pancreatic cancer after an early psychiatric intervention.

Preliminary study on evaluation of the pancreatic tail observable limit of transabdominal ultrasonography using a position sensor and CT-fusion image.

Background And Aim: Transabdominal ultrasonography (US) is commonly used for the initial screening of bilio-pancreatic diseases in Asian countries due to its widespread availability, the non-invasiveness and the cost-effectiveness. However, it is considered that US has limits to observe the area, namely the blind area. The observation of the pancreatic tail is particularly difficult.

Quantitative analysis of diagnosing pancreatic fibrosis using EUS-elastography (comparison with surgical specimens).

Background: An accurate diagnosis of pancreatic fibrosis is clinically important and may have potential for staging chronic pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to diagnose the grade of pancreatic fibrosis through a quantitative analysis of endoscopic ultrasound elastography (EUS-EG).

Methods: From September 2004 to October 2010, 58 consecutive patients examined by EUS-EG for both pancreatic tumors and their upstream pancreas before pancreatectomy were enrolled.

A case of pyometra treated with endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage.

A 90-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of a high-grade fever and appetite loss. On computed tomography scan, a huge cystic lesion about 10 cm in diameter was observed in the pelvic cavity, attached to the vagina and the neck of uterus. Pyometra was strongly suspected; however, a probe could not be inserted into the opening of the uterus because of atrophic changes.