Main recommendations
ESGE recommends that the evaluation of superficial gastrointestinal (GI) lesions should be made by an experienced endoscopist, using high definition white-light and ...chromoendoscopy (virtual or dye-based).
ESGE does not recommend routine performance of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or positron emission tomography (PET)-CT prior to endoscopic resection.
ESGE recommends endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) as the treatment of choice for most superficial esophageal squamous cell and superficial gastric lesions.
For Barrett’s esophagus (BE)-associated lesions, ESGE suggests the use of ESD for lesions suspicious of submucosal invasion (Paris type 0-Is, 0-IIc), for malignant lesions > 20 mm, and for lesions in scarred/fibrotic areas.
ESGE does not recommend routine use of ESD for duodenal or small-bowel lesions.
ESGE suggests that ESD should be considered for en bloc resection of colorectal (but particularly rectal) lesions with suspicion of limited submucosal invasion (demarcated depressed area with irregular surface pattern or a large protruding or bulky component, particularly if the lesions are larger than 20 mm) or for lesions that otherwise cannot be completely removed by snare-based techniques.
ESGE recommends that an en bloc R0 resection of a superficial GI lesion with histology no more advanced than intramucosal cancer (no more than m2 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma), well to moderately differentiated, with no lymphovascular invasion or ulceration, should be considered a very low risk (curative) resection, and no further staging procedure or treatment is generally recommended.
ESGE recommends that the following should be considered to be a low risk (curative) resection and no further treatment is generally recommended: an en bloc R0 resection of a superficial GI lesion with superficial submucosal invasion (sm1), that is well to moderately differentiated, with no lymphovascular invasion, of size ≤ 20 mm for an esophageal squamous cell carcinoma or ≤ 30 mm for a stomach lesion or of any size for a BE-related or colorectal lesion, and with no lymphovascular invasion, and no budding grade 2 or 3 for colorectal lesions.
ESGE recommends that, after an endoscopically complete resection, if there is a positive horizontal margin or if resection is piecemeal, but there is no submucosal invasion and no other high risk criteria are met, this should be considered a local-risk resection and endoscopic surveillance or re-treatment is recommended rather than surgery or other additional treatment.
ESGE recommends that when there is a diagnosis of lymphovascular invasion, or deeper infiltration than sm1, or positive vertical margins, or undifferentiated tumor, or, for colorectal lesions, budding grade 2 or 3, this should be considered a high risk (noncurative) resection, and complete staging and strong consideration for additional treatments should be considered on an individual basis in a multidisciplinary discussion.
ESGE recommends scheduled endoscopic surveillance with high definition white-light and chromoendoscopy (virtual or dye-based) with biopsies of only the suspicious areas after a curative ESD.
Background and Aims Capsule endoscopy for visualization of the upper GI tract has thus far been experimental and potentially expensive. Our aim was to demonstrate the maneuverability and evaluate the ...ability to completely visualize and maintain views in the upper GI tract by using a simple magnetic-assisted capsule endoscopy (MACE) system. Methods Twenty-six volunteers were recruited. The hand-held magnet was placed at strategic points on the body surface and rotated to hold and maneuver the capsule. The ability to view the upper GI tract landmarks was noted: esophagogastric junction (EGJ), cardia, fundus, body, incisura, antrum, and pylorus. Control was assessed by the ability to hold the capsule for 1 minute at 5 positions: the lower esophagus and 4 designated positions in the proximal and distal stomach and also traversing the stomach and through the pylorus. Volunteers subsequently underwent a standard gastroscopy. Results The median data are as follows: age, 38 years (range 26-45 years); BMI, 24 (range 19–38); and procedure time, 24 minutes (range 12-39 minutes). Successful visualization of each landmark was EGJ, 92%; cardia, 88%; fundus, 96%; body, 100%; incisura, 96%; antrum, 96%; and pylorus, 100%; with fewer clear views of the EGJ and fundus. The capsule could be held in 88% of designated positions for 1 minute, moved from the fundus to the antrum in all cases, and traversed the pylorus in 50% (n = 13). An age of 40 years and older was associated with successful pyloric traversing ( P = .04). There was positive concordance for 8 of 9 minor pathological findings on standard gastroscopy. Conclusion MACE in the upper GI tract is feasible. There is a high degree of visualization and control, with some improvement required for optimizing proximal gastric views and traversing the pylorus.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) are the first-line treatments for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). This study aimed to compare ...long-term clinical outcome and oncological clearance between EMR and ESD for the treatment of superficial esophageal SCC.
We conducted a retrospective multicenter study in five French tertiary care hospitals. Patients treated by EMR or ESD for histologically proven superficial esophageal SCC were included consecutively.
Resection was performed for 148 tumors (80 EMR, 68 ESD) in 132 patients. The curative resection rate was 21.3 % in the EMR group and 73.5 % in the ESD group (
< 0.001). The recurrence rate was 23.7 % in the EMR group and 2.9 % in the ESD group (
= 0.002). The 5-year recurrence-free survival rate was 73.4 % in the EMR group and 95.2 % in the ESD group (
= 0.002). Independent factors for cancer recurrence were resection by EMR (hazard ratio HR 16.89,
= 0.01), tumor infiltration depth ≥ m3 (HR 3.28,
= 0.02), no complementary treatment by chemoradiotherapy (HR 7.04,
= 0.04), and no curative resection (HR 11.75,
= 0.01). Risk of metastasis strongly increased in patients with tumor infiltration depth ≥ m3, and without complementary chemoradiotherapy (
= 0.02).
Endoscopic resection of superficial esophageal SCC was safe and efficient. Because it was associated with an increased recurrence-free survival rate, ESD should be preferred over EMR. For tumors with infiltration depths ≥ m3, chemoradiotherapy reduced the risk of nodal or distal metastasis.
The variables associated with gastroesophageal reflux (GER) after peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) are largely unknown. This study aimed to: 1) identify the prevalence of reflux esophagitis and ...asymptomatic GER in patients who underwent POEM, and 2) evaluate patient and intraprocedural variables associated with post-POEM GER.
All patients who underwent POEM and subsequent objective testing for GER (pH study with or without upper gastrointestinal GI endoscopy) at seven tertiary academic centers (one Asian, two US, four European) were included. Patients were divided into two groups: 1) DeMeester score ≥ 14.72 (cases) and 2) DeMeester score of < 14.72 (controls). Asymptomatic GER was defined as a patient with a DeMeester score ≥ 14.72 who was not consuming proton pump inhibitor (PPI).
A total of 282 patients (female 48.2 %, Caucasian 84.8 %; mean body mass index 24.1 kg/m
) were included. Clinical success was achieved in 94.3 % of patients. GER evaluation was completed after a median follow-up of 12 months (interquartile range 10 - 24 months). A DeMeester score of ≥ 14.72 was seen in 57.8 % of patients. Multivariable analysis revealed female sex to be the only independent association (odds ratio 1.69, 95 % confidence interval 1.04 - 2.74) with post-POEM GER. No intraprocedural variables were associated with GER. Upper GI endoscopy was available in 233 patients, 54 (23.2 %) of whom were noted to have reflux esophagitis (majority Los Angeles Grade A or B). GER was asymptomatic in 60.1 %.
Post-POEM GER was seen in the majority of patients. No intraprocedural variables were identified to allow for potential alteration in procedural technique.
In patients with persistent symptoms after Heller myotomy (HM), treatment options include repeat HM, pneumatic dilation, or peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM). We evaluated the efficacy and safety of ...POEM in patients with achalasia with prior HM vs without prior HM.
We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 180 patients with achalasia who underwent POEM at 13 tertiary centers worldwide, from December 2009 through September 2015. Patients were divided into 2 groups: those with prior HM (HM group, exposure; n = 90) and those without prior HM (non-HM group; n = 90). Clinical response was defined by a decrease in Eckardt scores to 3 or less. Adverse events were graded according to criteria set by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Technical success, clinical success, and rates of adverse events were compared between groups. Patients were followed up for a median of 8.5 months.
POEM was technically successful in 98% of patients in the HM group and in 100% of patients in the non-HM group (P = .49). A significantly lower proportion of patients in the HM group had a clinical response to POEM (81%) than in the non-HM group (94%; P = .01). There were no significant differences in rates of adverse events between the groups (8% in the HM group vs 13% in the non-HM group; P = .23). Symptomatic reflux and reflux esophagitis after POEM were comparable between groups.
POEM is safe and effective for patients with achalasia who were not treated successfully by prior HM. Although the rate of clinical success in patients with prior HM is lower than in those without prior HM, the safety profile of POEM is comparable between groups.
Introduction
Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is effective in achalasia. The objective of this study was to evaluate the short-term clinical efficacy of POEM in non-achalasia esophageal motility ...disorders (NAEMD).
Patients and methods
Patients with NAEMD diagnosed by high-resolution manometry were included in a retrospective multicentric study. For each individual case, two controls paired on gender and age were matched: one with type I/II achalasia and one with type III achalasia. The clinical response, defined by an Eckardt score ≤ 3, was assessed at 3 and 6 months.
Results
Ninety patients (mean age 66 years, 57 men) were included, 30 patients with NAEMD (13 jackhammer esophagus, 6 spastic esophageal disorders, 4 nutcracker esophagus, and 7 esophagogastric junction obstruction), 30 patients with type I–II achalasia, and 30 patients with type III achalasia. The 3-month response rates were 80% (24/30), 90% (27/30), and 100% (30/30) in NAEMD, type I–II achalasia and type III achalasia, respectively (
p
< 0.01). Eckardt scores improved from preoperative baseline in all groups (median scores 2.0 after POEM vs. 6.5 before POEM, 1.3 vs. 7.2, and 0.5 vs. 6.1 in NAEMD, type I//I and Type III, respectively). No predictive factor of response was identified. In NAEMD patients, there was a significant improvement of dysphagia, regurgitation, and chest pain scores. The 6-month response rates were 63.2% (12/19), 95.5% (21/22), and 87.0% (20/23) in NAEMD, type I–II achalasia and type III achalasia, respectively (
p
= 0.03).
Conclusion
Although less effective than in achalasia, POEM is an effective treatment for NAEMD. Long-term follow-up data are needed to further confirm that POEM may be a valid treatment of NAEMD.
Full text
Available for:
EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
INTRODUCTION: Polyp size determination plays an important role in endoscopic decision making and follow-up determination. However, there is a lack of knowledge of endoscopist accuracy for polyp ...sizing and efficacy of available tools for size measurement. Our aim was to compare the accuracy of visual assessment, snare, forceps, and virtual scale endoscope (VSE) in estimating polyp size among a diverse group of endoscopists. METHODS: We conducted a prospective video-based study. One hundred twenty polyps measured and recorded along with all available measurement tools were randomized to visual assessment, snare, forceps, or VSE group. Eleven endoscopists conducted video-based measurement using the randomized measurement tool. Primary outcome was relative accuracy in polyp size measurement compared with caliper measurement immediately postresection. RESULTS: One thousand three hundred twenty measurements were performed. VSE had statistically significantly higher relative accuracy when compared to forceps (79.3 vs 71.3%; P < 0.0001). Forceps had statistically significantly higher relative accuracy when compared to visual assessment (71.3 vs 63.6%; P = 0.0036). There was no statistically significant difference when comparing visual assessment and snare-based measurements (63.6 vs 62.8%; P = 0.797). Overall, 21.5% of polyps >5 mm were misclassified as ≤5 mm and 17.3% of polyps ≥10 mm were misclassified as <10 mm. VSE had the lowest percentage of polyps >5 mm misclassified as ≤5 mm (2.6%), polyps ≤5 mm misclassified as >5 mm (5.1%), and polyps <10 mm misclassified as ≥10 mm (1.7%). DISCUSSION: Visual size estimation of polyps is inaccurate independently of training level, sex, and specialty. Size measurement accuracy can be improved using forceps and yields the highest relative accuracy when an adaptive scale technology is used.
Introduction
Different treatments exist for Zenker diverticulum. We compared flexible endoscopic myotomy of the cricopharyngeal muscle, using a technique called the “window technique” in order to ...improve the field of view, to surgical approaches.
Materials and methods
Patients were retrospectively included and divided into a gastrointestinal group, with flexible endoscopic myotomy, and an ear–nose–throat treatments group with either rigid endoscopic treatment, either cervicotomy. We evaluated effectiveness in terms of quality of life (on a scale on 0 to 10) safety and technical aspects of each procedure.
Results
A total 106 patients who underwent 128 interventions were included. Rigid endoscopic procedures were the shortest (
p
< 0.001), with no difference for adverse event. Endoscopic approaches, flexible and rigid ones, were associated with shorter time to intake resumption (1 and 3 days, respectively, vs 6 after cervicotomy) and shorter length of hospital stay (3 and 4 days, respectively, vs 7 after cervicotomy) (
p
= 0.001). Post-operative QoL was better after flexible endoscopy (9/10) and open cervicotomy (9/10) than after rigid endoscopy (7/10) (
p
= 0.004). Patients declared fewer residual symptoms after open cervicotomy (77% of low symptomatic patients) and flexible endoscopy (80%) than after rigid endoscopy (43%) (
p
= 0.003). Conversion to open surgery was more frequent during rigid than flexible endoscopies (18% vs 0%,
p
= 0.0008).
Conclusion
Flexible endoscopic approach of Zenker diverticulum treatment seems to be safe and effective and may be an alternative to surgical approaches. Myotomy can be eventually helped by the window technique.
Full text
Available for:
EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Abstract
Background
Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is considered a primary treatment modality for achalasia. It can be performed using either the anterior or posterior approach. A previous ...randomized clinical trial (RCT) showed that the posterior approach was noninferior to the anterior approach at 1 year post-POEM in terms of clinical success, rate of adverse event, and risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The aim of this post-RCT study was to compare outcomes at ≥ 2 years post-POEM.
Methods
Patients who previously completed the 1-year follow-up were contacted and their Eckardt, dysphagia, and GERD questionnaire (GERDQ) scores and frequency of proton pump inhibitor use were recorded. Clinical success was defined as an Eckardt score < 3.
Results
150 patients were initially randomized and 138 completed the 1-year follow-up. Of the 138, 111 (anterior group 54, posterior group 57) also completed ≥ 2 years of follow-up, with an overall clinical success decrease from 89 % to 82 %. At ≥ 2 years post-POEM, clinical success was achieved in 46/54 (85 %) and 45/57 (79 %) in the anterior and posterior groups, respectively (
P
= 0.43). A similar decrease in clinical success was noted in both groups at ≥ 2 years (anterior: 90 % to 85 %; posterior 89 % to 79 %;
P
= 0.47). GERDQ score was 6 (interquartile range 6 – 8;
P
= 0.08) in both treatment groups.
Conclusions
The anterior and posterior POEM techniques remained equally effective at 2 years and decreases in efficacy were similar between the two approaches over time. GERD outcomes were also similar in both groups during medium-term follow-up.