Comparison of esophageal capsule endoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy for diagnosis of esophageal varices

AIM： To investigate the utility of esophageal capsule endoscopy in the diagnosis and grading of esophageal varices.
METHODS： Cirrhotic patients who were undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy （EGD） for variceal screening or surveillance underwent capsule endoscopy. Two separate blinded investigators read each capsule endoscopy for the following results： variceal grade, need for treatment with variceal banding or prophylaxis with beta-blocker therapy, degree of portal hypertensive gastropathy, and gastric varices.
RESULTS： Fifty patients underwent both capsule and EGD. Forty-eight patients had both procedures on the same day, and 2 patients had capsule endoscopy within 72 h of EGD. The accuracy of capsule endoscopy to decide on the need for prophylaxis was 74%, with sensitivity of 63% and specificity of 82%. Interrater agreement was moderate （kappa = 0.56）. Agreement between EGD and capsule endoscopy on grade of varices was 0.53 （moderate）. Inter-rater reliability was good （kappa = 0.77）. In diagnosis of portal hypertensive gastropathy, accuracy was 57%, with sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 17%. Two patients had gastric varices seen on EGD, one of which was seen on capsule endoscopy. There were no complications from capsule endoscopy.
CONCLUSION： We conclude that capsule endoscopy has a limited role in deciding which patients would benefit from EGD with banding or beta-blocker therapy. More data is needed to assess accuracy for staging esophageal varices, PHG, and the detection of gastric varices.     

Comparison of hepatic venous pressure gradient and endoscopic grading of esophageal varices

AIM: To determine the correlation between the hepatic venous pressure gradient and the endoscopic grade of esophageal varices.METHODS: From September 2009 to March 2013, a total of 176 measurements of hepatic venous pressure gradient(HVPG) were done in 146 patients. Each transjugular HVPG was measured twice, first using an end whole catheter(EH-HVPG), and then using a balloon catheter(B-HVPG). The HVPG was compared with the endoscopic grade of esophageal varices(according to the general rules for recording endoscopic findings of esophagogastric varices), which was recorded within a month of the measurement of HVPG.RESULTS: The study included 110 men and 36 women, with a mean age of 56.1 years(range, 43-76 years). The technical success rate of the pressure measurements was 100% and there were no complication related to the procedures. Mean HVPG was 15.3 mm Hg as measured using the end hole catheter method and 16.5 mm Hg as measured using the balloon catheter method. Mean HVPG(both EHHVPG and B-HVPG) was not significantly different among patients with different characteristics, including sex and comorbid factors, except for cases with hepatocellular carcinoma(B-HVPG, P = 0.01; EH-HVPG, P = 0.02). Portal hypertension( 12 mm Hg HVPG) occurred in 66% of patients according to EH-HVPG and 83% of patients according to B-HVGP, and significantly correlated with Child's status(B-HVPG, P 0.000; EHHVGP, P 0.000) and esophageal varies observed upon endoscopy(EH-HVGP, P = 0.003; B-HVGP, P = 0.006). One hundred and thirty-five endoscopies were performed, of which 15 showed normal findings, 27 showed grade 1 endoscopic esophageal varices, 49 showed grade 2 varices, and 44 showed grade 3 varices. When comparing endoscopic esophageal variceal grades and HVPG using univariate analysis, the P value was 0.004 for EH-HVPG and 0.002 for B-HVPG. CONCLUSION: Both EH-HVPG and B-HVPG showed a positive correlation with the endoscopic grade of esophageal varices, with B-HVPG showing a stronger correlation than EH-HVPG.     

Unsedated transnasal endoscopy: a new technique for accurately detecting and grading esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients

OBJECTIVES: Endoscopic screening of cirrhotics for large esophageal varices (EV) is advocated before initiation of prophylactic therapy for variceal bleeding. Conscious sedation for conventional endoscopy is problematic in cirrhotic patients because of risk of prolonged encephalopathy. Unsedated transnasal endoscopy (T-EGD) is a new technique, which allows for unsedated examination because it is well tolerated. The aims of this study were to determine whether T-EGD is feasible for screening of cirrhotic patients for presence of EV and to compare the diagnostic yield of T-EGD with conventional endoscopy for detecting and grading of EV. METHODS: Fifteen cirrhotics with no history of variceal bleeding, known EV, severe thrombocytopenia, or recurrent epistaxis were evaluated by unsedated T-EGD using a 5.3-mm outer diameter endoscope. Immediately afterward, a different endoscopist, blinded to T-EGD findings, performed sedated conventional endoscopy in standard fashion. The presence and size of EV, gastric varices, and other findings were recorded. Patient tolerance was also evaluated. RESULTS: Both modalities detected EV in the same 10 and gastric varices in the same two patients and completely agreed on size of EV. No stigmata of recent variceal bleeding were noted. Average time for unsedated T-EGD was 5 min 6 s. All patients found both procedures acceptable overall, with no significant difference in choking, discomfort, and sore throat. One patient developed self-limited epistaxis after T-EGD. CONCLUSIONS: 1) EV are accurately detected and graded by T-EGD in cirrhotic patients. 2) T-EGD is a safe and less costly screening alternative for EV in cirrhotic patients.     

食管静脉曲张内镜下分级的初步研究

目的与临床上有无出血可能性相结合,研究食管静脉曲张程度分级的可量化指标及可信限。方法：回顾１９９３年１月至１９９８年１２月经电子内镜诊断的食管静脉曲张４８５例患者,全部采用１９９１年日本门脉高压症研究会制定的记录标准进行记录,将此４８５例分为有出血组２９５例和无出血组１９０例,进行单因素分析及组合因素分析,两组比较以出血组病例占８０％以上为重要,两组所占百分率相近为中度,出血组病例占１０％以下为轻     

Prognostic significance of failure to cross esophageal tumors by endoluminal ultrasound

SUMMARY. Failure to intubate and cross esophageal tumors by endosonography is reported in as many as 30% of cases and is thought to be associated with an especially poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to audit the above in a large consecutive case series of Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) examinations for esophageal cancer performed in a regional specialist cancer network with particular reference to outcome. A consecutive series of 411 patients underwent EUS examination by a specialist radiologist over a period of 9 years. Forty (10%) of patients required dilation, and there was total failure to cross the tumor in 12 patients (2.9%). Failure to traverse the primary tumor was associated with a diagnosis of squamous cell cancer (8 of 12 patients, 66%, rho = ?0.182, P = 0.011). Limited staging information was obtained in 7 of these patients, which altered the computed tomography stage in 5 patients (71%, 3 upstaged, 2 downstaged). Six patients received definitive chemoradiotherapy, two patients surgery and four patients palliative chemotherapy. The median and 5‐year survival in patients whose tumors were not crossed was 10 months and 28%, respectively, compared with 24 months and 24%, respectively in patients whose tumors were fully assessed. Failure to cross esophageal tumors in practice was far less common than the literature suggests, and esophageal tumor luminal stenosis should no longer be considered a limitation of endosonography.     

Comparability of localization data in transnasal and transoral esophagogastroduodenoscopy

Background  

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is an often-used and safe diagnostic method in gastroenterology. Transnasal esophagogastroduodenoscopy is now an established addition to the endoscopic instrumentarium. Although the two examination methods can be used alongside each other, there is a lack of studies on the comparability of the localization data obtained with the transoral and transnasal methods.     

经鼻胃镜检查的临床应用评估及对照研究

目的 探讨使用超细电子胃镜经鼻临床应用的安全性和价值.方法 将240例行胃镜检查的患者随机分成3组,分别为超细胃镜经鼻检查组(A组,n=82)、超细胃镜经口检查组(B组,n=79)及标准胃镜经口检查组(C组,n=79).在胃镜检查前及检查过程中通过监护仪记录患者的收缩压、舒张压、脉率、血氧饱和度、心肌耗氧量(以心率动脉收缩压乘积来衡量),并记录内镜插入时间和检查完成时间.胃镜检查结束后所有患者均完成一份问卷调查表.结果 在胃镜检查过程中,3组患者的血氧饱和度均有轻微的下降,但下降的比例各组间差异无统计学意义;A组患者收缩压、舒张压、脉率、心肌耗氧量增加的比例均显著低于B组和C组(P＜0.05).A组患者胃镜插入时不适感及检查时恶心程度的VAS评分最低(P＜0.05).经鼻胃镜检查较经口胃镜检查耗时更长(P＜0.05),但随着检查例数的增加.经鼻胃镜检查的插入时间会逐渐缩短.结论 经鼻胃镜检查,相对于普通内镜检查,患者的痛苦小,耐受性更好,对心血管功能的影响更小,是一种安全、易于掌握的胃镜检查方法,经鼻插入可能是超细胃镜最佳的进镜途径.     

Comparison of the effects on cardiopulmonary function of ultrathin transnasal versus normal diameter transoral esophagogastroduodenoscopy in Japan

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Transnasal esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is reported to be more pleasant than conventional transoral EGD. In this study, we compared the hemodynamic effects of transnasal and transoral EGD. METHODOLOGY: The subjects were 120 patients with upper gastrointestinal conditions. Transnasal and transoral EGD were performed on 60 subjects each. Oxygen saturation, heart rate and blood pressure were monitored. Subjects were also asked for their condition with each EGD. RESULTS: VAS scores for discomfort at the insertion, and for trouble breathing and nausea during the procedure, were significantly lower for transnasal than for transoral EGD. A significant increase in the heart rate and significant decrease in oxygen saturation were seen only in the transoral group during EGD. The double product (heart rate x systolic blood pressure) was also significantly increased only in the transoral group. No significant changes were seen in the transnasal EGD. CONCLUSIONS: Double product has been reported to correlate with myocardial oxygen consumption. Transnasal EGD is a safe technique, and is not only less stressful to patients, but also has fewer hemodynamic effects than the transoral method.     

Role of ultrathin transnasal esophagogastroduodenoscopy: experience with 50 patients

Conventional gastroscopes have a diameter of 8.8–12 mm; ultrathin endoscopes have an outer diameter of 5.3–5.9 mm. We share our experience with 50 patients who underwent transnasal esophagogastroduodenoscopy using an ultrathin endoscope. The indications included endoscopyassisted nasogastric tube placement in 25 patients, tight lesions not negotiable with conventional endoscope in 9, restricted mouth opening in 9, corrosive injury in 3, restricted cervical spine movement in 2 and altered sensorium following cerebrovascular accident in 2 patients. Transnasal esophageal intubation failed in 1 patient each with oropharyngeal malignancy and lipoma annularis coli. Wire-guided naso-jejunal tube placement was done in 2 patients and transnasal percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy was done in 1 patient. Two patients developed self-limiting epistaxis. Ultrathin transnasal esophagogastroduodenoscope is a useful tool in endoscopy units, particularly those dealing with oncology patients. Inability to deliver endotherapy due to small diameter of the working channel is a limitation.     

超声内镜对食管胃底静脉曲张的诊断及治疗疗效判断

急性消化道出血是消化系疾病中常见的临床症状,其中肝硬变失代偿导致的食管或胃底静脉曲张(esophageal varices,EV/gastric varices,GV)破裂出血尤为棘手,严重时常危及生命,因此,准确的诊断和对治疗疗效的判断至关重要.近年来,国内外应用硬化剂、组织粘合剂(如histoacryl)、皮圈套扎等在紧急内镜止血及预防治疗上取得了显著疗效,但对于上述各治疗方法的疗效评价仍缺乏客观的依据及相对量化的标准且有时仅依赖常规内镜下的肉眼判断,尤其是对胃底曲张静脉的诊断还不够准确.我们复习近期文献同时结合作者自己的临床实践体验,对超声内镜(endoscopic ultrasonography,EUS)在食管和胃底曲张静脉诊断及治疗疗效判断中的临床应用作一概述.     

Endoscopic evaluation of esophageal varices. Comparison of a classic method and the metric system

The authors compare 2 endoscopic systems of classification of esophageal varices size, one metric system and the classification by degrees, evaluated simultaneously in 70 endoscopic examinations of 53 patients with portal hypertension. They show that the classification by degrees is inadequate, especially in serial evaluation, for its inherent subjectivity, even when executed by one sole examiner. The metric system, under these circumstances, is less liable to change under the subjective influences and gives more exact reproductions, thus being recommended by the authors.     

Comparison of three nonsurgical treatments for bleeding esophageal varices

Ninety-seven patients with recent or active variceal bleeding were randomly assigned to oral propranolol, endoscopic sclerotherapy plus oral propranolol, or transhepatic sclerotherapy plus oral propranolol. The effects of treatment on the number of units transfused, rebleeding of any magnitude, major rebleeding, and death were assessed in these patients, 82% of whom were alcoholic and 81% Child's Class C. After a minimum follow-up interval of 2 yr (range, 27-65 mo), major rebleeding rates were 65% for propranolol alone, 45% for endoscopic sclerotherapy plus propranolol, and 60% for transhepatic sclerotherapy plus propranolol. The corresponding death rates were 81% for propranolol alone, 55% for endoscopic sclerotherapy plus propranolol, and 66% for transhepatic sclerotherapy plus propranolol (p = 0.03). Thirty-three patients (34%) never received propranolol; 8 due to medical contraindications and 25 because they died or bled enough to meet the definition of treatment failure within 3 or 4 days of randomizations (no significant differences among treatment groups). Patients assigned to propranolol alone bled sooner, bled more units, and had a higher mortality rate than patients treated by endoscopic sclerotherapy plus propranolol. Patients treated with transhepatic sclerotherapy plus propranolol had intermediate results. Propranolol alone is inadequate treatment for esophageal variceal bleeding in patients with advanced liver disease.     

Gastroesophageal reflux and bleeding esophageal varices.

The incidence of gastroesophageal reflux was evaluated with the use of a pH probe in 12 patients with cirrhosis and recent variceal hemorrhage and in 15 healthy control subjects. Short episodes of reflux occurred in 42% of the patients and in 47% of the controls. During an observation period of 1 hr, the cumulative duration of reflux was similar in patients (2.5 +/- 1.3 min) and controls (3.1 +/- 1.4 min). Mean lower esophageal sphincter pressures were normal in both groups but did not show a significant correlation with the duration of reflux. These data support previous observations that gastroesophageal reflux dose not appear to be a contributing factor in the development of variceal hemorrhage.     

Association of esophageal cancer and esophageal varices

Of the 312 cases of esophageal cancer seen over 2 years, four patients had associated varices. Three patients gave history of alcohol abuse. All had malnutrition and splenomegaly. Endoscopic biopsies were safe in the presence of varices. External radiation did not have any untoward effect on the varices. Prophylactic sclerotherapy was not required in these patients. The association between esophageal carcinoma and varices could be secondary to alcohol consumption or merely coincidental.     

密集套扎法与螺旋形套扎法治疗食管静脉曲张的疗效对比

目的 观察密集套扎法与螺旋形套扎法治疗食管静脉曲张(EV)的疗效.方法 将EV病例分成密集套扎组(密集组)与螺旋形套扎组(螺旋组).密集组于贲门口齿状线以上2～3 cm开始套扎,每条静脉顺序向上尽量多点套扎;螺旋组自齿线开始,自下而上每隔2～3 cm沿四周曲张静脉呈螺旋形选点套扎.分别治疗1～2次,术后随访6个月.结果 密集组平均每例套扎1.6次,16.3个点,螺旋组分别为1.8次,10.5个点;密集组急诊止血率94.74%,术后并发症发生率25.71%,死亡率5.71%;螺旋组分别为94.44%,24.24%,9.09;(P>0.05).密集组总有效率88.57%,EV复发率11.43%,再出血率2.86%,螺旋组分别为66.67%、33.33%、18.18%,(P<0.05).结论 密集套扎法在EV总有效率、EV复发率、再出血率方面优于螺旋形套扎法.