EUS-FNA for pancreatic solid lesions yielded a high accuracy and low complication rate. Both cytological and cell-block preparations and on-site cytopathological evaluation contributed to improve the accuracy. The diagnostic ability of EUS-FNA was less for smaller lesions, and repeated procedures may be needed if malignancy is suspected.

Cisplatin and etoposide combination as the first-line chemotherapy for hepatobiliary or pancreatic poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma had only marginal antitumor activity and relatively severe toxicity compared with previous studies on extrapulmonary poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma treated with the same regimen.

Despite its longer procedure time and higher perforation rate, ESD resulted in a higher en bloc resection rate and lower recurrence rate for larger colorectal tumors compared with EMR.

OBJECTIVES: Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) are precursor lesions of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a mathematical concept whose implementation automates learning and recognizing data patterns. The aim of this study was to investigate whether AI via deep learning algorithms using endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) images of IPMNs could predict malignancy. METHODS: This retrospective study involved the analysis of patients who underwent EUS before pancreatectomy and had pathologically confirmed IPMNs in a single cancer center. In total, 3,970 still images were collected and fed as input into the deep learning algorithm. AI value and AI malignant probability were calculated. RESULTS: The mean AI value of malignant IPMNs was significantly greater than benign IPMNs (0.808 vs 0.104, P < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the ability to diagnose malignancies of IPMNs via AI malignant probability was 0.98 ( P < 0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of AI malignant probability were 95.7%, 92.6%, and 94.0%, respectively; its accuracy was higher than human diagnosis (56.0%) and the mural nodule (68.0%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed AI malignant probability to be the only independent factor for IPMN-associated malignancy (odds ratio: 295.16, 95% confidence interval: 14.13–6,165.75, P < 0.001). DISCUSSION: AI via deep learning algorithm may be a more accurate and objective method to diagnose malignancies of IPMNs in comparison to human diagnosis and conventional EUS features.

A prospective clinical study was conducted to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided choledochoduodenostomy (CDS) with direct metallic stent placement using a prototype forward-viewing echoendoscope. The indication for EUS - CDS in this study was lower biliary obstruction only, and not failed endoscopic biliary drainage, because the aim was to evaluate EUS - CDS for first-line biliary drainage therapy. The technical and functional success rates were 94 % (17 /18) and 94 % (16 /17), respectively. Early complications (focal peritonitis) were encountered in two patients (11 %). No patients developed late complications. EUS - CDS with direct metallic stent placement using a forward-viewing echoendoscope was generally feasible and effective for malignant distal biliary tract obstruction. The forward-viewing echoendoscope was useful, especially for deploying the metallic stent.

K-ras mutation status and subtypes may be associated with survival duration in pancreatic cancer patients.

Background-The process of progression in coronary artery disease is unknown. Methods and Results-The subjects were 36 patients with 36 objective vessels with clinically significant progression of coronary artery disease (Ն15% per year) in whom 4 serial coronary arteriograms (CAGs) were performed at intervals of Ϸ4 months in a 1-year period. The degree of progression of percent stenosis between each of 2 serial CAGs was classified as marked (M: Ն15%), slight (S: 5% to 14%), and no progression (N: Ͻ5%). From the pattern of progression, the 36 vessels were classified as 14 type 1 vessels with marked progression (N3 N3 M in 13 vessels and S3 S3 M in 1 vessel) and 22 type 2 vessels without marked progression (S3 S3 S in 18 vessels, N3 S3 S in 4). Percent stenosis at the first, second, third, and final CAGs was 44Ϯ14%, 46Ϯ13%, 46Ϯ13%, and 88Ϯ10% (PϽ0.05 versus first CAG) in type 1 vessels and 44Ϯ11%, 50Ϯ9%, 59Ϯ9%, and 67Ϯ9% in type 2 vessels (PϽ0.05 for second, third, and final CAGs versus first CAG). Type 1 vessels featured the sudden appearance of severe stenosis due to marked progression, angina pectoris, or myocardial infarction (71%) and Ambrose type II eccentric lesions indicating plaque rupture or thrombi (57%). Type 2 vessels featured continuous slight progression of stenosis with smooth vessel walls; angina pectoris (14%) occurred when the percent stenosis reached a severe level. An increase in serum C-reactive protein was observed only in the type 2 vessel group, which suggests a relation between continuous slight progression and inflammatory change. Conclusions-Two types of stenosis progression provide a new insight into the mechanism of coronary artery disease.(Circulation. 1999;100:903-909.)

The appearance of marked progression and Ambrose's type II eccentric lesion on coronary angiograms 3 days before AMI suggests the presence of a considerable time from the onset of plaque rupture and/or thrombi until the onset of AMI. These features may be predictors of AMI. The concept provides new insight into the mechanism and prevention of human AMIs.