Endoscopic mucosal resection of large hyperplastic polyps in 3 patients with Barrett’s esophagus

INTRODUCTION Benign esophageal tumors are rare, representing less than 1% of all esophageal tumors[1]. They are usually asymptomatic and often discovered incidentally[2]. Many classifications have been proposed for benign esophageal tumors: by histologica…     

Endoscopic mucosal resection for Barrett’s esophagus-related neoplasia

Evaluation of: Lopes CV, Hela M, Pesenti C et al. Circumferential endoscopic resection of Barrett’s esophagus with high-grade dysplasia or early adenocarcinoma. Surg. Endosc. 21(5), 820–824 (2007).

High-grade dysplasia may progress to esophageal adenocarcinoma in 16–32% of patients. Esophagectomy is the definitive therapy; however, the procedure has a mortality rate of 3–12% and 29–56% of patients develop at least one serious postoperative complication. Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for high-grade dysplasia or early carcinoma has been proposed for selected patients. With conventional EMR, Barrett’s epithelium is left behind, invasive lesions may be missed due to sampling error and long-term outcomes remain unknown. A recent study reports a mean follow-up of 31.6 months in patients treated with circumferential EMR. Allowing multiple sessions of EMR and repeat EMR for recurrence, the study reports a 90% success rate. EMR changed the initial biopsy diagnosis in 34% of patients. Another trial of EMR recently described the long-term follow-up of patients with early Barrett’s-associated cancer who were managed with EMR. Complete local remission was achieved in 99% of patients. The 5-year survival rate was 98%. EMR should be a part of the evaluation of Barrett’s-associated neoplasia. As mucosal resection evolves, the technique may become standard management for highly selected subgroups of patients.     

Endoscopic ablation of Barrett’s esophagus

Barrett’s esophagus is a premalignant lesion of the esophagus that arises as an abnormal tissue response to epithelial injury from gastroesophageal reflux. Barrett’s esophagus has previously been considered an irreversible lesion that required life-long surveillance to prevent malignant transformation. Recently, combination therapy with pharmacologic or surgical control of acid reflux combined with endoscopic delivery of a mucosal injury appears to have the capability of reversing superficial Barrett’s tissue, and perhaps deeper tissue as well. Whether Barrett’s esophagus is cured and cancer/dysplasia prevented by these techniques will require long-term follow-up of these patients.     

Endoscopic imaging of Barrett’s esophagus

The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma(EAC) has dramatically increased in the United States as well as Western European countries. The majority of esophageal adenocarcinomas arise from a backdrop of Barrett’s esophagus(BE),a premalignant lesion that can lead to dysplasia and cancer. Because of the increased risk of EAC,GI society guidelines recommend endoscopic surveillance of patients with BE. The emphasis on early detection of dysplasia in BE through surveillance endoscopy has led to the development of advanced endoscopic imaging technologies. These techniques have the potential to both improve mucosal visualization and characterization and to detect small mucosal abnormalities which are difficult to identify with standard endoscopy. This review summarizes the advanced imaging technologies used in evaluation of BE.     

Endoscopic treatment of Barrett’s esophagus:From metaplasia to intramucosal carcinoma

The annual incidence of adenocarcinoma arising from Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is approximately 0.5%. Through a process of gradual transformation from lowgrade dysplasia to high-grade dysplasia (HGD), adenocarcinoma can develop in the setting of BE. The clinical importance of appropriate identifi cation and treatment of BE in its various stages, from intestinal metaplasia to intramucosal carcinoma (IMC) hinges on the dramatically different prognostic status between early neoplasia and more advanced stages. Once a patient has symptoms of adenocarcinoma, there is usually locally advanced disease with an approximate 5-year survival rate of about 20%. Esophagectomy has been the gold standard treatment for BE with HGD, due to the suspected risk of harboring occult invasive carcinoma, which was traditionally estimated to be as high as 40%. In recent years, the paradigm of BE early neoplasia management has recently evolved, and endoscopic therapies (endoscopic mucosal resection, radiofrequency ablation, and cryotherapy) have entered the clinical forefront as acceptable non-surgical alternatives for HGD and IMC. The goal of endoscopic therapy for HGD or IMC is to ablateall BE epithelium (both dysplastic and non-dysplastic) due to risk of synchronous/metachronous lesion development in the remaining BE segment.     

Endoscopic mucosal resection of large hyperplastic polyps in 3 patients with Barrett＇s esophagus

AIM: To report the endoscopic treatment of large hyperplastic polyps of the esophagus and esophago-gastric junction (EGJ) associated with Barrett's esophagus (BE) with low-grade dysplasia (LGD), by endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). METHODS: Cap fitted EMR (EMR-C) was performed in 3 patients with hyperplastic-inflammatory polyps (HIPs) and BE. RESULTS: The polyps were successfully removed in the 3 patients. In two patients, with short segment BE (SSBE) (<= 3 cm), the metaplastic tissue was completely excised. A 2 cm circumferential EMR was performed in one patient with a polyp involving the whole EGJ. A simultaneous EMR-C of a BE-associated polypoid dysplastic lesion measuring 1 cm multiply 10 cm, was also carried out. In the two patients, histologic assessment detected LGD in BE. No complications occurred. Complete neosquamous re-epithelialization occurred in the two patients with SSBE. An esophageal recurrence occurred in the remaining one and was successfully retreated by EMR. CONCLUSION: EMR-C appears to be a safe and effective method for treating benign esophageal mucosal lesions, allowing also the complete removal of SSBE.     

Endoscopic imaging in Barrett’s esophagus

Barrett’s esophagus is the only known precursor that predisposes patients to the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma. The current recommended surveillance method is targeted biopsies of any abnormalities followed by random four-quadrant biopsies every 2 cm using standard white light endoscopy. Compliance with this and sampling error are two of the biggest problems. Several novel imaging technologies have been developed to aid the diagnosis of early neoplasia in Barrett’s esophagus. There are emerging data that some of these new modalities can increase the yield of detecting dysplasia. This review will discuss some of the present available techniques and technologies including chromoendoscopy, narrow-band imaging, autofluorescence imaging, optical coherence tomography, confocal endomicroscopy and endocytoscopy. Based on the current evidence, these imaging modalities appear to be promising as adjunctive tools to white light endoscopy. A few of them, nevertheless, remain experimental due to expense, lack of expertise, generalizability as well as reproducibility of results.     

Endoscopic diagnosis of dysplasia in Barrett’s esophagus

Evaluation of: Sharma P, Hawes RH, Bansal A et al. Standard endoscopy with random biopsies versus narrow band imaging targeted biopsies in Barrett’s oesophagus: a prospective, international, randomised controlled trial. Gut 62(1), 15–21 (2013).

Barrett’s esophagus, or columnar metaplasia with gastric cardiac cells or intestinal cells, develops in the squamous epithelium of the esophageal mucosa in relation to gastroesophageal reflux. An increased risk of neoplasia justifies surveillance at regular intervals. Conventional guidelines recommend detection of areas with intestinal metaplasia or dysplasia by taking random four-quadrant biopsies at every 1 or 2 cm. Alternatively, image processing with narrow band imaging (NBI), is proposed to improve detection. This international and randomized study in persons with Barrett’s esophagus compares conventional endoscopy in white light with random four-quadrant biopsies and NBI imaging with focused biopsies only. Randomization enrolled 123 patients with Barrett’s esophagus who successively underwent exploration with the two methods. The study confirmed that NBI had the same efficacy as white light in the detection of intestinal metaplasia, with a higher proportion of dysplasia detected (30 vs 21%) and a lower number of biopsies per patient (3.6 vs 7.6).     

Gallstones increase the prevalence of Barrett’s esophagus

Purpose  

Bile and acid exposures are thought to be major risk factors for Barrett’s esophagus in Western countries. The association of gallstones with Barrett’s esophagus has not been fully evaluated. The present study was designed as a case-control study for determining the possible factors associated with endoscopically suspected esophageal metaplasia (ESEM), defined as an endoscopic finding suggestive of Barrett’s esophagus, in Japanese patients.     

Magnifying endoscopy for the diagnosis of specialized intestinal metaplasia in short-segment Barrett’s esophagus

AIM:To determine whether magnified observation of short-segment Barrett’s esophagus(BE)is useful for the detection of specialized intestinal metaplasia(SIM).METHODS:Thirty patients with suspected short-segment BE underwent magnifying endoscopy up to×80.The magnified images were analyzed with respect to their pit-patterns,which were simultaneously classified into five epithelial types[Ⅰ(small round),Ⅱ(straight),Ⅲ(long oval),Ⅳ(tubular),Ⅴ(villous)]by Endo’s classification.Then,a 0.5%solution of methylene blue(MB)was sprayed over columnar mucosa.The patterns of the magnified image and MB staining were analyzed.Biopsies were obtained from the regions previously observed by magnifying endoscopy and MB chromoendoscopy.RESULTS:Three of five patients with a typeⅤ(villous)epithelial pattern had SIM,whereas 21 patients with a non-typeⅤepithelial patterns did not have SIM.The sensitivity,specificity,accuracy,positive predictive value,and negative predictive value of pit-patterns in detecting SIM were 100%,91.3%,92.3%,60%and100%,respectively(P=0.004).Three of the 12 patients with positive MB staining had SIM,whereas 14patients with negative MB staining did not have SIM.The sensitivity,specificity,accuracy,positive predictive value,and negative predictive value of MB staining in detecting SIM were 100%,60.9%,65.4%,25%and100%,respectively(P=0.085).The specificity and accuracy of pit-pattern evaluation were significantly superior compared with MB staining for detecting SIM by comparison with the exact McNemar’s test(P=0.0391).CONCLUSION:The magnified observation of a shortsegment BE according to the mucosal pattern and its classification can be predictive of SIM.     

Barrett食管的内镜与病理特征分析

目的探讨Barrett食管（BE）的病理和内镜特点。方法对152例经胃镜榆查并经病理检查证实的BE患者资料进行回顾性分析、总结。结果BE患者以40—60岁居多。临床症状有不同程度重叠,烧心反酸51．32％（78／152）、吞咽困难5．92％（9／152）、胸骨后疼痛7．89％（12／152）、上腹痛或不适44．08％（67／152）,无症状者5．26％（8／152）。内镜下表现为LSBE者7例（4．61％）、SSBE者145例（95．39％）。可见岛型98例,占64．47％;舌型39例,占25．66％;全周型15例,占9．87％。病理检查152例食管下段复层鳞状上皮均被柱状上皮取代,68例（44．74％）有肠化。结论BE多见于中年人,临床无特殊表现,诊断依靠内镜和病理检查,以岛型多见,但岛型肠化率最低,年龄与肠化相关,伴异型增生和肠化患者应加强随访以防止癌变。     

特殊肠化生型巴雷特食管的内镜治疗效果评价

目的　评价特殊肠化生型巴雷特食管（Barrett esophagus,BE）的内镜治疗效果。方法　2017年1月—2019年12月在武汉大学人民医院确诊特殊肠化生型BE,并分别行内镜下射频消融术（endoscopic radiofrequency ablation,ERFA）、内镜黏膜切除术（endoscopic mucosal resection,EMR）治疗的56例患者纳入回顾性分析,主要观察术后出血、进食梗阻、手术时间、住院时间和残留或复发等。结果　ERFA组（n=43）与EMR组（n=13）在患者年龄、性别、BE长度、术前消化道症状及合并症方面差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。相对于ERFA组,EMR组术后出血发生率［23.1%（3/13）比0,P=0.010］、进食梗阻发生率［30.8%（4/13）比4.7%（2/43）,P=0.022］较高,手术时间［6.0（5.6,6.2）min比5.4（5.2,5.5）min,Z=4.95,P<0.001］及住院时间［6.0（5,7）d比3.5（3,4）d,Z=5.76,P<0.001］较长。术后疼痛及发热发生率2组比较差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。EMR组患者随访期间均未见肠化生病灶残留或复发,ERFA组第1次治疗后随访活检发现41.9%（18/43）的患者存在肠化生残余病灶,差异有统计学意义（P=0.005）。结论　EMR治疗特殊肠化型BE更彻底;而ERFA治疗操作更简单,用时较短,术后并发症较少,在临床应用更为广泛。     

Markers suggest reduced malignant potential of subsquamous intestinal metaplasia compared with Barrett's esophagus

Esophageal subsquamous intestinal metaplasia (SSIM) is frequently observed in patients with Barrett's esophagus (BE) and can also be found in patients after endoscopic ablative treatments for dysplastic BE. While these ‘buried glands’ appear identical to BE glands, features of SSIM and its malignant potency have yet to be fully elucidated. To determine differences in malignant potential between nondysplastic BE and SSIM, the Automated Cellular Imaging System was used to assess and compare changes in DNA content between SSIM and BE. Samples were further immunostained for Ki67 and Lgr5 to gauge general proliferative and possible stem cell features, respectively, in SSIM cells compared with BE glands. No significant differences were found between SSIM and BE with regards to DNA ploidy aberrance. However, significant differences were noted between SSIM and BE upon immunohistochemical analysis. SSIM was found to be negative for both Ki67 and Lgr5 while BE was positive for both markers. SSIM cells appear to be relatively quiescent and behave differently from BE, suggesting a reduced proclivity toward cancer progression.     

Meta-analysis of Barrett’s esophagus in China

AIM:To investigate the epidemiology and characteristics of Barrett’s esophagus(BE)in China and compare with cases in the west.METHODS:Studies were retrieved from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure and PubMed databases using the terms"Barrett"and"Barrett AND China",respectively,as well as published studies about BE in China from 2000 to 2011.The researchers reviewed the titles and abstracts of all search results to determine whether or not the literature was relevant to the current topic of this research.The references listed in the studies were also searched.Inclusion and exclusion criteria for the literature were appropriately established,and the data reported in the selected studies were analyzed.Finally,a meta-analysis was performed.RESULTS:The current research included 3873 cases of BE from 69 studies.The endoscopic detection rate of BE in China was 1%.The ratio of male to female cases was 1.781 to 1,and the average age of BE patients was 49.07±5.09 years.Island-type and shortsegment BE were the most common endoscopic manifestations,accounting for 4.48%and 80.3%,respectively,of all cases studied.Cardiac-type BE was observed in 40.0%of the cases,representing the most common histological characteristic of the condition.Cancer incidence was 1.418 per 1000 person-years.CONCLUSION:Average age of BE patients in China is lower than in Western countries.Endoscopic detection and cancer incidence were also lower in China.     

Endoscopic mucosal resection for early adenocarcinoma arising in Barrett's esophagus

A 58‐year‐old man was diagnosed to have an esophageal adenocarcinoma arising in Barrett's esophagus by screening examination at the previous hospital. Endoscopically, a slightly reddish elevated lesion with a central depressed component was detected in the Barrett's epithelium. Endoscopic ultrasonography showed the thickness of the second layer of the esophagus and no enlarged lymph node. Histological examination of a biopsy specimen revealed well or moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. From these findings, the lesion was diagnosed as a mucosal esophageal cancer, type IIa + IIc, arising in Barrett's esophagus. As he refused operation, the lesion was resected endoscopically with his informed consent. Histologically, the resected specimens showed moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma arising in Barrett's esophagus. The adenocarcinoma had invaded the superficial muscularis mucosa, but was limited to the deep one with no vessel invasion. Barrett's esophagus often has a double muscularis mucosa. Connective tissues containing vascular and lymphatic vessels exist between them. However, one consideration is whether the existence of vessels between the double muscularis mucosa and the presence of vessel invasion are risk factors for metastasis. In order for a definitive indication for endoscopic mucosal resection, the frequency of lymph node and distant metastasis in cases of early Barrett's cancer needs to be investigated.     

Endoscopic submucosal dissection compared to endoscopic mucosal resection for early Barrett esophagus neoplasia

Endoscopic resection has become an invaluable diagnostic and therapeutic tool in the evaluation and management of early Barrett esophagus (BE) neoplasia. While endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is the current standard of care for the resection of nodular early BE neoplasia, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been recently introduced as part of the armamentarium in the treatment of these lesions. The potential advantages of ESD compared to EMR include higher en-bloc and R0 resection rates, decreased local recurrence, and the procurement of large en-bloc specimens that may facilitate pathologic staging. On the other hand, EMR is less time-consuming and has been traditionally associated with a lower incidence of serious adverse events when compared to ESD. At present, the choice of the endoscopic resection technique hinges on operator’s preferences, patient and lesions characteristics and available local expertise. Future high-quality studies comparing clinical outcomes between ESD and EMR are needed to better define their roles in the management of early BE neoplasia.     

内镜下冷冻消融术治疗Barrett食管的临床疗效分析

目的 探讨内镜下冷冻消融术治疗Barrett食管（BE）的临床疗效.方法 2008年1月至2009年5月间对22例经胃镜检查确诊为BE的患者进行了内镜下压缩二氧化碳冷冻治疗,对其疗效、疗程和并发症发生情况进行总结和分析.结果 22例患者中除2例中途退出研究外,其余20例通过1～3次冷冻消融治疗均取得BE黏膜组织学完全逆转,其中9例获得内镜完全逆转、11例获得内镜有效逆转.随访6个月,20例患者中仅有3例出现复发,其中2例为隐性肠化生、1例存在轻度肠化上皮,BE黏膜总的组织逆转率为85%（17/20）.此20例患者共进行了42次冷冻治疗,平均2.1次/例,其中1例发生食管溃疡,3例发生中、重度食管炎,均予药物对症治疗后愈合.结论 内镜下冷冻消融术治疗BE是安全有效的,近期疗效较好,并且操作简便、并发症少、依从性好.     

Study of intestinal metaplasia in Barrett’s esophagus

OBJECTIVE : The aim of the present study was to investigate the factors predisposing patients with Barrett’s esophagus (BE) to intestinal metaplasia (IM). METHODS : Forty‐seven BE patients were studied. By using endoscopic and histological methods, esophageal IM was diagnosed in 36 patients, who were compared with 11 patients without IM in regard to their age, the endoscopic appearance of the esophagus and esophageal motility. RESULTS : The patients’ age and endoscopic features of the esophagus, but not esophageal motor function and grade of macroscopic esophagitis, were risk factors for the development of IM. CONCLUSIONS : Patient age and endoscopic features of the BE mucosa are associated with IM and may be prognostic factors for BE.     

Role of chemoprophylaxis with either NSAIDs or statins in patients with Barrett’s esophagus简

The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma, a poor prognosis neoplasia, has risen dramatically in recent decades. Barrett’s esophagus represents the best-known risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma development. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs through cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition and prostaglandin metabolism regulation could control cell proliferation, increase cell apoptosis and regulate the expression of growth and angiogenic factors. Statins can achieve equivalent effects through prenylation and subsequently control of cellular signaling cascades. At present, epidemiological studies are small and underpowered. Their data could not justify either medication as a chemo-preventive agent. Population based studies have shown a 43% reduction of the odds of developing an esophageal adenocarcinoma, leaving out or stating a 25% reduction in patients consuming non-aspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and a 50% reduction in those patients consuming aspirin. They have also stated a 19% reduction of esophageal cancer incidence when statins have been used. Observational studies have shown that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs could reduce the adenocarcinoma incidence in patients with Barrett’s esophagus by 41%, while statins could reduce the risk by 43%. The cancer preventive effect has been enhanced in those patients taking a combination of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and statins (a 74% decrease). Observational data are equivocal concerning the efficacy of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug subclasses. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs clearly have substantial potential for toxicity, while statins are rather safe drugs. In conclusion, both non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and statins are promising chemopreventive agents and deserve further exploration with interventional studies. In the meanwhile, their use is justified only in patients with cardiovascular disease.