Revista Española de Enfermedades Digestivas

Lower morbidity and improved outcomes in patients with screen-detected colorectal cancer

The impact of screening on short-term outcome after surgery for colorectal cancer

Aim: To investigate the influence of a screening program on the short-term outcome of patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer. Methods: Between April 2010 and December 2012 patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer via the screening program (n = 80) were compared with patients diagnosed elsewhere (n = 106). Only patients of ≥ 50 and ≤ 69 years of age diagnosed outside the program were selected as controls. The clinical variables included age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) status, Charlson index, preoperative hemoglobin and serum albumin levels, surgical approach, tumor location and stage, perioperative transfusion and postoperative morbidity. A multivariate analysis was used to identify variables independently associated with outcome. Results: There were no significant differences with regard to age, sex and ASA status. Preoperative hemoglobin (14.1 ± 1.6 g/dl vs 12.3 ± 2.3 g/dl; p < 0.001) and serum albumin (4.45 ± 0.26 g/dl vs 4.0 ± 0.6 g/dl; p < 0.001) levels were significantly higher in the screening group. The overall morbidity was significantly lower in the screening group (38.8% vs 63.2; p < 0.001) and mainly related to a higher rate of Clavien-Dindo grade II complications in controls. There were no differences with regard to wound infection, postoperative ileus, anastomotic leakage or reoperations. The median length of hospital stay was shorter in the screening group (6 vs 9 days; p = 0.003). Multivariate analysis showed that diagnosis outside the screening program, type of surgical procedure, open surgery and Charlson index were independent risk factors for postoperative complications. Conclusions: The diagnosis of colorectal cancer via the screening program is associated with a lower rate of postoperative minor complications and a shorter hospital stay.

Characterization of liver changes in ZSF1 rats, an animal model of metabolic syndrome

Background: The non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the hepatic counterpart of the metabolic syndrome. ZSF1 rats are a metabolic syndrome animal model in which liver changes have not been described yet. Aim: The characterization of liver histological and innate immunity changes in ZSF1 rats. Methods: Five groups of rats were included (n = 7 each group): healthy Wistar-Kyoto control rats (Ctrl), hypertensive ZSF1 lean (Ln), ZSF1 obese rats with a normal diet (Ob), ZSF1 obese rates with a high-fat diet (Ob-HFD), and ZSF1 obese rats with low-intensity exercise training (Ob-Ex). The animals were sacrificed at 20 weeks of age, their livers were collected for: a) measurements of the area of steatosis, fibrosis and inflammation (histomorphological analysis); and b) innate immunity (toll-like receptor [TLR] 2, TLR4, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ [PPARγ], toll interacting protein [TOLLIP]) and inflammatory marker (tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNFvs], interleukin 1 [IL-1]) expression analysis by real-time PCR. Results: Ob, Ob-HFD and Ob-Ex were significantly heavier than Ln and Ctrl animals. Ob, Ob-HFD and Ob-Ex animals had impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance. ZSF1 Ob, Ob-HFD and Ob-Ex presented a higher degree of steatosis (3,5x; p < 0.05) than Ctrl or ZSF1 Ln rats. Steatohepatitis and fibrosis were not observed in any of the groups. No differences in expression were observed between Ctrl, Ln and Ob animals (except for the significantly higher expression of TOLLIP observed in the Ob vs Ln comparison). Ob-HFD and Ob-Ex rats showed increased expression of PPARγ and TOLLIP as compared to other groups. However, both groups also showed increased expression of TLR2 and TLR4. Nevertheless, this did not translate into a differential expression of TNFα or IL-1 in any of the groups. Conclusion: The ZSF1 model is associated with liver steatosis but not with steatohepatitis or a significantly increased expression of innate immunity or inflammation markers.

Colonic lesions in patients undergoing small bowel capsule endoscopy: incidence, diagnostic and therapeutic impact

Background: Nowadays, capsule endoscopy is the first-line procedure to assess the small bowel. During small bowel procedures, other segments of the gastrointestinal tract may be visualized. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the incidence of colonic abnormalities in patients undergoing small bowel capsule and its impact on patient management. Patients and methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of data from 526 consecutive capsule endoscopy procedures performed at a single tertiary-care centre between 2008 and 2011. Patients with incomplete procedures were excluded from the analysis. Patient baseline characteristics, colonic lesions, diagnosis and management before and after capsule endoscopy were recorded and a descriptive analysis was performed. Results: Four hundred and sixty four patients were finally included in the analysis. Two hundred and ninety three patients were male (57.3%) and the mean age was 61.3 ± 20.03 years (18-86). Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (59%) and inflammatory bowel disease (19%) were the main indications for the procedure. Colonic abnormalities were detected by capsule endoscopy in 47 (9%) of 464 patients. The most common types of missed lesions were vascular lesions (34%) and colonic ulcers (32%). This information had a clinical or diagnostic impact of 7.55% and a therapeutic impact of 6.03%. Conclusion: All images of the colon should be evaluated during small bowel capsule endoscopy as they may provide relevant information that may result in changes in patient management.

Influence of type 2 diabetes mellitus on Khorana venous thromboembolism risk in colorectal cancer patients

Background: Many studies have documented the association between venous thromboembolism (VTE) and colorectal cancer (CRC). The Khorana model is a VTE risk assessment model for predicting cancer-associated thrombosis. Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) has also been reported to increase the risk of VTE. Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of T2DM on Khorana VTE risk in CRC patients and to explore the relationship between Khorana VTE category and CRC clinicopathological factors. Methods: This analysis included 615 CRC patients (205 with T2DM). Fibrinogen and D-dimer levels were compared within each group. A comparison was made of the proportion of patients in different Khorana VTE risk categories in CRC patients with and without T2DM. The association between Khorana VTE risk category and clinicopathological factors among all the CRC patients was evaluated. Results: Fibrinogen levels of CRC patients with T2DM were significantly higher than those of non-diabetes patients (4.13 ± 1.06 vs 3.94 ± 0.98, p < 0.001). A higher proportion of CRC patients with T2DM were in the Khorana intermediate-to-high risk category (H = 4.749, p = 0.029). Female sex, diabetes, colon location (compared with rectum), larger tumor size, advanced pT stage and pN stage were correlated with the intermediate-to-high Khorana VTE risk category, with odd ratios (95% confidence intervals [CI]) of 1.537 (1.064-2.220), 1.499 (1.027-2.186), 2.313 (1.588-3.370), 2.284 (1.542-3.383), 4.429 (2.088-9.396) and 1.822 (1.230-2.698), respectively. Conclusion: T2DM increases Khorana VTE risk in CRC patients. Female sex, diabetes, colon location, large tumor size and poor stage are associated with the intermediate-to-high Khorana VTE risk category.

Endoscopically placed stents: a useful alternative for the management of refractory benign cervical esophageal stenosis

Introduction: Benign esophageal strictures are relatively frequent and can severely affect the quality of life of a patient. Stenting has been proposed for the treatment of refractory cases. Lesions affecting the cervical esophagus are more difficult to treat, and the placement of stents in this location has traditionally been restricted due to potential adverse events. The aim of this study was to describe the efficacy and safety of endoscopic stenting in the management of refractory benign cervical esophageal strictures (RBCES) in a single-center cohort study. Methods: We analyzed 12 patients with RBCES (Kochman's criteria) and severe dysphagia. We recorded previous endoscopic treatments, stricture characteristics and demographic data. The two types of stents used were fully covered self-expandable metallic stents (FCSEMS) and uncovered biodegradable stents (BDS). FCSEMS were removed eight weeks after placement, and BDS were followed-up until degradation. We assessed technical and clinical success, rate of stricture recurrence and adverse events. Results: The mean age of participants was 64 years (range 30-85). A total of 23 stents (13 FCSEMS and 10 BDS) were placed in 12 patients (median 1.92, range 1-4). The technical success rate was 96% (22/23 stents). Eight patients (66.6%) maintained adequate oral intake at the end of follow-up (median 33.3 months, range 3-84 months). Migration was recorded in 7/23 stents (30.4%) and epithelial hyperplasia in 4/23 stents (17.4%). No severe adverse events were noted. All patients complained of minor cervical pain after placement that was well controlled with mild analgesia. Conclusions: Endoscopic stent therapy seems to be effective and safe in the management of RBCES.

Lesiones serradas y síndrome de poliposis serrada

The serrated pathway has been shown to be an alternative colorectal carcinogenetic route potentially accounting for up to one third of all CRCs. Serrated lesions, particularly SSPs, have been a focus of research during the past few years. They have well-established histological and molecular characteristics that account for their potential carcinogenetic risk through the accumulation BRAF, KRAS and methylator profile (CpG) mutations. Their endoscopic identification and resection represent a challenge because of their specific characteristics, and the need for an adequate specimen for histological diagnosis. Knowledge of these lesions is key, as is the adoption of established criteria for their endoscopic description and histological diagnosis. SPS is the maximum expression of involvement by serrated lesions, is associated with increased risk for CRC, and requires attentive endoscopic follow-up, as well as family screening. While the exact etiopathogenic mechanism remains unknown, current research will likely provide us with appropriate answers in the not too distant future.

La vía serrada se ha demostrado como vía alternativa de carcinogénesis colorrectal que podría explicar hasta un tercio de todos los CCR. Las lesiones serradas, en particular los PSS, han sido objeto de estudio en los últimos años. Presentan características histológicas y moleculares definidas, que explican su potencial riesgo de carcinogénesis mediante acúmulo de mutaciones BRAF, KRAS y perfil metilador (CgP). Su detección y resección endoscópica plantean un desafío por sus particulares características, así como por la necesidad de contar con un adecuado espécimen para su diagnóstico histológico. Es esencial el conocimiento de estas lesiones, así como la adopción de criterios definidos para su descripción endoscópica y diagnóstico histológico. El SPS es la expresión máxima de afectación por lesiones serradas, se asocia con un riesgo aumentado de CCR y requiere un estrecho seguimiento endoscópico, así como un cribado familiar. Aunque aún no se ha podido establecer el mecanismo etiopatogénico exacto, es probable que las vías de investigación en marcha puedan darnos una respuesta en un futuro no muy lejano.

Vesícula biliar multiseptada: un raro hallazgo ecográfico

Tuberculosis ganglionar peripancreática primaria como diagnóstico diferencial de neoplasia pancreática

Primary peripancreatic lymph node tuberculosis is an exceptional entity in immunocompetent patients, but its incidence is increasing in developed countries in recent years due to increasing immigration. It usually presents as a pancreatic mass and is misdiagnosed as pancreatic neoplasia in most cases, with the diagnosis of tuberculosis occurring after surgery. We report the case of a 38 year old Pakistani man with abdominal pain of several months duration, who was initially diagnosed with a pancreatic neoplasm after detecting a mass in the pancreatic isthmus by computed tomography (CT) and abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, after performing an endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNAB), the patient was diagnosed with peripancreatic lymph node tuberculosis. After receiving anti-tuberculous treatment, the patient presented clinical improvement, despite a small reduction in the lesion size. In conclusion, peripancreatic lymph node tuberculosis is part of the differential diagnosis of pancreatic neoplasia. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNAB) represents a valuable and useful diagnostic tool for detecting this pathology, avoiding surgeries with a high morbidity and mortality.

La tuberculosis ganglionar peripancreática primaria es una entidad excepcional especialmente en pacientes inmunocompetentes, pero su incidencia está incrementándose en nuestro medio durante los últimos años debido a la creciente inmigración. Suele presentarse como una masa pancreática y se diagnostica erróneamente como neoplasia de páncreas en la mayoría de los casos, realizándose el diagnóstico de tuberculosis tras la cirugía. Presentamos el caso de un varón de 38 años pakistaní con un cuadro de dolor abdominal de varios meses de evolución que inicialmente se diagnosticó de neoplasia pancreática tras detectar mediante tomografía computarizada (TC) y resonancia magnética nuclear (RMN) abdominal una masa en el istmo pancreático. No obstante, tras realizar una ecoendoscopia con toma de biopsias mediante punción-aspiración con aguja fina (PAAF) se diagnosticó de tuberculosis ganglionar peripancreática. Tras recibir tratamiento antituberculoso el paciente presentó mejoría clínica, a pesar de una escasa reducción del tamaño de la lesión. En conclusión, la tuberculosis ganglionar peripancreática forma parte del diagnóstico diferencial de la neoplasia de páncreas. La toma de biopsias guiada por ecoendoscopia representa una herramienta diagnóstica de gran valor y utilidad en la detección de dicha patología, evitando realizar cirugías con elevada morbimortalidad.

Laparoscopic transgastric ERCP in bariatric surgery patients: our experience

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) is the surgical treatment of choice for morbid obesity. Several therapeutic options to remove common bile duct (CBD) stones have been proposed in these patients. Laparoscopy-assisted transgastric ERCP (LATERCP) has a high success rate. However, the procedure is not fully standardized and some technical variations have been proposed. We introduce two cases in which laparoscopic transgastric ERCP has been used to treat choledocholithiasis after LRYGB.

Utilidad de la neoadyuvancia en el manejo del GIST rectal

Leptomeningeal carcinomatosis in a young patient with obstructive colorectal signet-ring cell adenocarcinoma

Colitis ulcerosa con afectación gástrica y duodenal

Cholangitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: a rare complication?

Complicación tras biopsia en una esofagitis eosinofílica

Síndrome compartimental abdominal secundario a pancreatitis aguda necrotizante