BackgroundImatinib is a long-term, oral, targeted therapy for high-risk resected and advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST). It is known that sarcopenia affects prognosis and treatment tolerance in patients with various solid cancers. We analysed lumbar skeletal muscle index changes in imatinib-treated GIST patients. Imatinib tolerance was also assessed to evaluate the influence of pre-treatment sarcopenia.MethodsThirty-one patients with advanced (n = 16) or high-risk resected (n = 15) GIST treated with imatinib (400 mg/day) were analysed retrospectively. Lumbar skeletal muscle indexes were evaluated on computed tomography images obtained before starting imatinib for all patients and at 6 months for those initially sarcopenic. Sarcopenia was defined using consensual cutoffs. Imatinib-induced toxicities were assessed after 3 months of administration.ResultsTwelve (38.7%) of the 31 patients were sarcopenic, including one unassessable at 6 months. Seven (63.6%) of the 11 assessable sarcopenic patients became non-sarcopenic after 6 months of imatinib. Pre-treatment sarcopenia was not associated with grades 3–4 toxicities, but the mean number of all-grade toxicities per sarcopenic patient was significantly higher for those non-sarcopenic (4.1 vs. 1.7, respectively, p < 0.01) after 3 months of treatment. Grades 1–2 anaemia and grades 1–2 fatigue were more frequent for sarcopenic than non-sarcopenic patients (83% vs. 26%, P < 0.01 and 42% vs. 5%, P = 0.02, respectively).ConclusionsSarcopenia is reversible in some GIST patients treated with imatinib. Pre-imatinib sarcopenia is predictive of non-severe toxicities, particularly anaemia and fatigue.
Background:Results of endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EUBD) are unknown in case of proximal stricture. The aim is to assess clinical outcomes of EUBD in patients with malignant hilar obstruction.Methods:Patients undergoing EUBD with hilar strictures were prospectively included. Primary outcome was clinical success at 7 and 30 days (defined by 50% bilirubin decrease). Secondary outcomes were technical success, procedure-related complications, length of hospital stay, reintervention rate, survival and chemotherapy administration.Results:Eighteen patients with a mean age of 68.8 years were included. On 15 classable stenosis, 7 (47%) were noted Bismuth I–II, 7 (47%) Bismuth III, and 1 (6.7%) Bismuth IV. Reasons for EUBD were surgically modified anatomy in 10 patients (55.6%), impassable stricture at ERCP in 7 (38.9%) and duodenal obstruction in 1 (5.6%). Only hepaticogastrostomy was performed. Clinical success was at day 7 and 30 respectively 72.2% and 68.8%. Technical success was 94%. Complications occurred in 3 (16.7%) patients. Median (range) length of hospital stay was 10 (6–35) days. Reintervention rate was 16.7%. Median (range) survival was 79 (5–390) days. Chemotherapy was possible in 10 (55.6%) patients.Conclusions:EUBD is feasible for hilar obstruction for surgically altered anatomy or after ERCP failure. Clinical outcome is satisfactory when considering underlying advanced disease, allowing chemotherapy.
Background: Computed tomography scan is the current standard cross-sectional imaging modality for neuroendocrine tumor (NET) workup. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) has proven to be more sensitive than standard sequences to diagnose liver metastases; whole-body DW-MRI may be more sensitive than whole-body MRI. Clinical implications have not yet been assessed. Thus, we evaluated radiological and clinical contributions of liver and whole-body DW-MRI to manage NETs. Methods: Twenty-five abnormal liver and 22 abnormal whole-body standard MRIs were first analyzed retrospectively. MR images were then reanalyzed after adding DW sequences. The standard of reference for metastasis confirmation was a combination of radiological follow-up and histological proof. Clinical impact was defined as MRI changes of liver invasion (unilobar to bilobar and/or <50 to >50% of liver) or therapeutic management changes made during a dedicated multidisciplinary meeting after whole-body MRI. Results: Thirty-two patients with mainly small intestine NETs (24/32) were studied. Adding DW to standard liver MRI yielded additional findings for 45% of the patients with 1.78 times more new lesions, mainly infracentimetric; it induced a management change for 18% of the patients. DW sequences added to whole-body MRI yielded additional findings for 71% of the patients, with 1.72 times more lesions, mainly infracentimetric, and induced a change in management for 19% of the patients. Conclusion: Adding DW sequences to standard MRI revealed additional metastases and led to modifications of patient management.Prospective studies are needed to confirm these results.
BACKGROUNDRectosigmoid endometriosis is an underdiagnosed disease responsible for abdominal pain, transit disorders and rectal bleeding. Two surgical approaches, rectosigmoid bowel resection (segmental or patch) or intramuscular layer dissection (shaving), are available.AIMTo assess whether the lesion features observed via preoperative rectosigmoid endoscopic ultrasonography (RS-EUS) might predict the need for bowel resection.METHODSThis multicentric retrospective study was conducted on patients with rectosigmoid endometriosis who underwent a curative surgical procedure, evaluated by RS-EUS performed by two trained operators, between January 2012 and March 2018. A univariate statistical analysis was performed on nodules’ RS-EUS features (thickness, width, infiltration of the submucosae, presence of a bump into the digestive lumen and presence of multiple rectosigmoid localizations). A multivariate logistic regression was then performed on the significant results.RESULTSOf the 367 patients, 73 patients with rectosigmoid endometriosis were evaluated by RS-EUS and underwent rectosigmoid surgery. After the univariate analysis was completed, thickness, width and infiltration of the submucosae were identified as potential predictive factors for bowel resection. In a multivariate logistic regression model, only thickness appeared to be a significant [odds ratio (OR) = 1.49, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04-2.12, P = 0.028] predictive factor for bowel resection. Receiver operating characteristic analysis performed showed that a thickness over 5.20 mm might be used as cut-off with a sensitivity of 76%, a specificity of 81%, and an area under carve = 0.82. The cut-off values for 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity were 0.90 mm and 10.00 mm, respectively. A trend concerning width to predict the need for resection was also observed (OR 1.12, 95%CI: 1.00-1.26, P = 0.054)CONCLUSIONThe presence of a rectosigmoid nodule of endometriosis greater than 5.20 mm thick on RS-EUS might predict the need for bowel resection.
Introduction
EUS-guided cystoenterostomy (EUCE), a technique used for the drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts and peri-enteric collections, requires specific skills for which dedicated models are needed. Based on a compact EASIE model (Erlangen Active Simulator for Interventional Endoscopy), we developed two ex vivo porcine models of retrogastric cysts and evaluated learning performance within the frame of a structured training program.
Material and methods
The first model was made of porcine colon (i. e. “natural cyst”), the second one with an ostomy bag (i. e. “artificial cyst”). All procedures were achieved with an EUS scope under fluoroscopy. Both models were evaluated prospectively over a 2-day session involving 14 students and five experts. The primary end point was overall satisfaction with each model.
Results
The “natural cyst” and “artificial cyst” were prepared within 10 and 16.5 minutes (
P
= 0.78), respectively. Model grading showed a non-significant trend for overall satisfaction in favor of the artificial model (
P
= 0.06). As secondary end points, difference was not significant for impression of realism (
P
= 0.75) whereas the “artificial cyst” was graded significantly better by experts and students in terms of ability to teach procedural steps (
P
= 0.01) and ease of puncture (
P
= 0.03). Moreover, experts considered the ability to improve students’ proficiency to be superior with the “artificial cyst” (
P
= 0.008).
Conclusion
Both “artificial” and “natural cysts” are efficient for EUCE training in terms of overall satisfaction. However, the “artificial cyst” model appears to make the procedure easier with a higher ability to teach procedural steps and improve the students’ proficiency. Larger applications of this model are needed to validate as a standard of training.
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