Abstract The evaluation of the patient with diarrhea can be complex and the treatment challenging. In this article, the definition of diarrhea and the pathophysiologic mechanisms that lead to ...diarrhea are reviewed. A simplified 5-step approach to the patient with diarrhea is provided and applied in a case-oriented manner applicable to everyday clinical practice. On completion of this article, you should be able to (1) define diarrhea, (2) outline various pathophysiologic mechanisms of diarrhea, and (3) describe a simplified 5-step approach to facilitate the evaluation of diarrhea.
Background and Aims Polyp size ≥1 cm triggers more frequent colonoscopic surveillance, yet size is typically based on subjective endoscopic estimates. We sought to compare contemporary assessments of ...polyp size by endoscopic estimation and pathology measurement. Methods Colonoscopy and pathology reports were reviewed from the 2012 medical records at a large institution. Only polyps resected in toto with both endoscopic estimates and pathology measurements were included. Pathology measurements were considered the criterion standard. Factors affecting endoscopic miscall rates were assessed by multivariate analyses. Results From 6067 polyps resected, both endoscopic and pathology sizes were available on 1528. Distribution of polyp size appraised by endoscopy but not by pathology revealed modal clustering, particularly around 1 cm. Among 99 polyps endoscopically called 1 cm, 72% were <1 cm on pathology. Of all 222 polyps estimated as ≥1 cm on endoscopy, 46% were <1 cm on pathology; of 1306 polyps estimated as <1 cm, 3.9% were ≥1 cm on pathology. By histology, 39% of adenomatous, 59% of sessile serrated, and 73% of hyperplastic polyps were overcalled; P = .008. By configuration, 34% of pedunculated, 49% of sessile, and 61% of flat polyps were overcalled; P = .014. Endoscopic overestimation was more common in women (54%) than in men (40%) ( P = .03) and with proximal (56%) than distal (40%) sites; P = .02. Miscall rates were unaffected by endoscopist covariates. Conclusions Substantial discordance exists between endoscopic and pathology-based assessments of polyp size. Almost half of polyps called advanced on endoscopic estimates of size ≥1 cm fell below this threshold on actual pathology measurements.
Little is known about progression of ischemic colitis (IC) among unselected patients. We aimed to estimate the incidence, risk factors, and natural history of IC in a population-based cohort in ...Olmsted County, Minnesota.
We performed a retrospective population-based cohort and nested case-control study of IC. Each IC case was matched to 2 controls from the same population on the basis of sex, age, and closest registration number. Conditional logistic regression, the Kaplan-Meier method, and proportional hazards regression were used to assess comorbidities, estimate survival, and identify characteristics associated with survival, respectively.
Four hundred forty-five county residents (median age, 71.6 years; 67% female) were diagnosed with IC from 1976 through 2009 and were matched with 890 controls. The age-adjusted and sex-adjusted incidence rates of IC nearly quadrupled from 6.1 cases/100,000 person-years in 1976-1980 to 22.9/100,000 in 2005-2009. The odds for IC were significantly higher among subjects with atherosclerotic diseases; odds ratios ranged from 2.6 for individuals with coronary disease to 7.9 for individuals with peripheral vascular disease. Of IC cases, 59% survived for 5 years (95% confidence interval, 54%-64%), compared with 90% of controls (95% confidence interval, 88%-92%). Age >40 years, male sex, right-sided colon involvement, concomitant small bowel involvement, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were all independently associated with mortality (P < .05).
The incidence of IC increased during the past 3 decades in a population-based cohort in Minnesota. IC typically presents in older patients with multiple comorbidities and is associated with high in-hospital mortality (11.5%) and rates of surgery (17%).
Evidence suggests that up to one fifth of colorectal carcinomas develop from serrated polyps, named for their pattern of colonic crypts, and include the sessile serrated adenoma/polyp (SSA/P) that ...has malignant potential. SSA/Ps are typically located in the proximal colon and have molecular features of hypermethylation of CpG islands in gene promoters and activating point mutations (V600E) in the
oncogene. Both of these features are seen in sporadic colorectal carcinomas with microsatellite instability (MSI) which is potentially consistent with an origin of these cancers from precursor SSA/Ps. Dysplasia is detected in a subset of SSA/Ps with a high risk of progression to carcinoma. An uncommon serrated polyp is the traditional serrated adenoma that is typically found in the left colon, has a tubulovillous architecture, and frequently harbors mutant
To date, the epidemiology of these serrated lesions is poorly understood, and limited observational data suggest a potential chemopreventive benefit of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The current primary strategy to reduce the risk of colorectal carcinoma from serrated polyps is to enhance their detection at colonoscopy and to ensure their complete removal. This review provides insight into the epidemiologic, clinical, histopathologic, and molecular features of serrated polyps and includes data on their endoscopic detection and chemoprevention.
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Identification of the serrated neoplasia pathway has improved our understanding of the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Insights include an increased recognition of the malignant potential of ...different types of serrated polyps such as sessile and traditional serrated adenomas. Sessile serrated adenomas share molecular features with colon tumors that have microsatellite instability and a methylator phenotype, indicating that these lesions are precursors that progress via the serrated neoplasia pathway. These data have important implications for clinical practice and CRC prevention, because hyperplastic polyps were previously regarded as having no malignant potential. There is also evidence that the serrated pathway contributes to interval or missed cancers. Endoscopic detection of serrated polyps is a challenge because they are often inconspicuous with indistinct margins and are frequently covered by adherent mucus. It is important for gastroenterologists to recognize the subtle endoscopic features of serrated polyps to facilitate their detection and removal, and thereby ensure a high-quality colonoscopic examination. Recognition of the role of serrated polyps in colon carcinogenesis has led to the inclusion of these lesions in postpolypectomy surveillance guidelines. However, an enhanced effort is needed to identify and completely remove serrated adenomas, with the goal of increasing the effectiveness of colonoscopy to reduce CRC incidence.
Background and Aims Multitarget stool DNA (MT-sDNA) testing is now approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for average-risk colorectal cancer screening. Trials leading to its approval used ...blinded colonoscopy as the reference standard. In the postapproval screen setting, the clinical performance and impact of MT-sDNA testing on unblinded colonoscopy has not been described. We measured the impact that knowledge of a positive MT-sDNA test result has on colonoscopy yield and quality. Methods The unblinded group comprised all patients with positive MT-sDNA results on screening from September 1, 2014 to September 30, 2015 at a single tertiary center. Off-label test patients were excluded. The blinded group included all MT-sDNA–positive participants in a preapproval screening study from the same center. Detailed colonoscopy findings and withdrawal times were recorded. Results There were 172 MT-sDNA–positive patients in the unblinded group and 72 in the blinded group. More total adenomatous/sessile serrated polyps (70% vs 53%, P = .013) and advanced neoplasms (28% vs 21%, P = .27) were detected in unblinded than in blinded groups. Median numbers of polyps detected were 2 (IQR, 1-4) and 1 (IQR, 0-2) in unblinded and blinded groups, respectively ( P = .0007). Among polyps detected, flat or slightly raised lesions in the right side of the colon were proportionately more frequent with unblinded (40%) than with blinded examinations (9%) ( P = .0017). Median withdrawal time was 19 minutes (IQR, 13-29) in the unblinded group compared with 13 minutes (IQR, 10-20) in the blinded group ( P = .0001). Conclusions Knowledge of a positive MT-sDNA result appears to have a beneficial impact on the diagnostic yield and quality of subsequent colonoscopy.
Abdominal wall pain (AWP) is a common and underrecognized cause of chronic abdominal pain. The etiology of AWP varies. History and physical examination are critical to an accurate diagnosis of AWP. ...Trigger point injection using either a corticosteroid, a local anesthetic, or a combination of both often gives relief of pain and is of diagnostic and therapeutic value. Increased awareness of AWP as a cause of chronic, nonvisceral abdominal pain can prevent fruitless searches for intra-abdominal pathology and reduce medical costs.
Background
Esophagitis dissecans superficialis (EDS) is a desquamative disorder of the esophagus, but there is a paucity of the literature regarding this condition.
Aim
We examined our institution’s ...experience to further characterize clinical outcomes, and endoscopic and histopathologic features.
Methods
Endoscopy and pathology databases were retrospectively reviewed from 2000 to 2013 at Mayo Clinic Rochester to identify potential cases of EDS. Medical records and endoscopic images were reviewed to identify cases, and original pathologic specimens were also reviewed. Clinical, endoscopic, and histologic characteristics of EDS were defined.
Results
Forty-one subjects were identified with a median age at diagnosis of 65.0 years (IQR 52.8–76.1) and a female preponderance (63.4 %). Many patients were taking a psychoactive agent (73.1 %) or acid-suppressive therapy (58.5 %) preceding the index endoscopy. Strips of sloughed membranes had a predilection for the distal and/or middle esophagus and resolved in 85.7 % of subjects at endoscopic follow-up. Parakeratosis and intraepithelial splitting were histologic features seen in all patients, while splitting of the connective tissue and intraepithelial bullae were seen in 46.2 and 11.1 %, respectively. There were no disease-related complications at a median follow-up of 10.4 months (IQR 1.2–17.2).
Conclusions
EDS is likely under-recognized. A distinct endoscopic feature of EDS is “sloughing” strips of mucosa with parakeratosis and intraepithelial splitting being sine qua non histologic findings. The use of psychoactive agents (particularly a SSRI or SNRI) was prevalent at endoscopic diagnosis, although the clinical relevance of this is uncertain. EDS appears to be a benign, incidental finding without complications.
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to determine computed tomography (CT) findings that aid in differentiating idiopathic myointimal hyperplasia of mesenteric veins (IMHMV) from other colitides.
...Methods
Retrospective review of histiologic proven cases of IMHMV (
n
= 12) with contrast enhanced CT (
n
= 11) and/or computed tomography angiography (CTA) (
n
= 9) exams. Control groups comprised of CT of infectious colitis (
n
= 13), CT of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (
n
= 12), and CTA of other colitides (
n
= 13). CT exams reviewed by 2 blinded gastrointestinal radiologists for maximum bowel wall thickness, enhancement pattern, decreased bowel wall enhancement, submucosal attenuation value, presence and location of IMV occlusion, peripheral mesenteric venous occlusion, dilated pericolonic veins, subjective IMA dilation, maximum IMA diameter, maximum peripheral IMA branch diameter, ascites, and mesenteric edema. Presence of early filling veins was an additional finding evaluated on CTA exams.
Results
Statistically significant CT findings of IMHMV compared to control groups included greater maximum bowel wall thickness, decreased bowel enhancement, IMV occlusion, and peripheral mesenteric venous occlusion (
p
< 0.05). Dilated pericolonic veins were seen more frequently in IMHMV compared to the infectious colitis group (64% versus 15%,
p
= 0.02). Additional statistically significant finding on CTA included early filling veins in IMHMV compared to the CTA control group (100% versus 46%,
p
= 0.008).
Conclusion
IMHMV is a rare chronic non-thrombotic ischemia predominantly involving the rectosigmoid colon. CT features that may aid in differentiating IMHMV from other causes of left-sided colitis include marked bowel wall thickening with decreased enhancement, IMV and peripheral mesenteric venous occlusion or tapering, and early filling of dilated veins on CTA.
Graphical abstract
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