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Dia T Simmons

Publications and source records attributed to Dia T Simmons.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

A novel endoscopic approach to brachytherapy in the management of Hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: Traditionally, biliary brachytherapy sources are placed percutaneously via transhepatic drains or endoscopically via nasobiliary tubes (NBT). Another ERCP is needed for stent replacement after NBT removal. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility and safety of endoscopic transpapillary insertion of irradiation sources through 10-Fr stents. METHODS: Medical records of Mayo Clinic Rochester patients undergoing biliary brachytherapy for hilar cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) were reviewed. Patients were part of a treatment protocol with curative intent including external beam radiation therapy (4,500 cGy), radiation sensitization (5-FU), and low dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy (<3,000 cGy) followed by liver transplantation. The 10-Fr biliary stent placed across the malignant biliary stricture was directly cannulated using a radiopaque (192)Ir embedded ribbon within a 300-cm long, 5.1-Fr plastic sheath. After withdrawal of the endoscope, the external end of the brachytherapy catheter was rerouted transnasally and secured. Each patient was hospitalized in a shielded room up to 24 h after which the brachytherapy catheter was removed by hand. RESULTS: Between 1999 and 2004, 32 patients underwent biliary brachytherapy via endoscopically placed 10-Fr plastic stents (mean age 50.6 yr, 69% PSC, bilateral brachytherapy catheters 28.1%). The technical complication observed was immediate brachytherapy catheter displacement (7 of 32, 22%) managed by prompt brachytherapy catheter repositioning. CONCLUSION: LDR biliary brachytherapy administration via endoscopically placed biliary stents is technically feasible and appears reasonably safe in select patients with unresectable perihilar CCA. Unlike NBTs, stents can potentially be placed in bilateral ductal systems to accommodate dual brachytherapy catheters when indicated.

Bile Duct Neoplasms↗

Endoluminal palliation.

Endoluminal palliation involves the application of endoscopic techniques or devices to relieve the symptoms of malignant gastrointestinal obstruction. This is most often achieved with the use of self-expandable metal stents (SEMS). SEMS can be deployed as far distally or proximally in the gastrointestinal tract as the reach of an adult colonoscope. This article outlines the use of endoscopic techniques to provide endoluminal palliation.

Brachytherapy↗

Technology insight: Enteral stenting and new technology.

Self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) have gained acceptance for use in the gastrointestinal tract in order to relieve malignant luminal obstruction. In the upper gastrointestinal tract SEMS are used as an alternative to surgical bypass for palliation of malignant gastric-outlet obstruction. In the colon, SEMS are used to avoid colostomy during palliation and as a bridge to surgery for left-sided colonic obstruction. Enteral SEMS appear to be cost effective. This article reviews the latest in stent technology as well as the outcomes following their placement.

Constriction, Pathologic↗

A retrospective comparison of outcomes using three different precut needle knife techniques for biliary cannulation.

GOALS: To assess the outcome differences following different precut biliary sphincterotomy needle-knife techniques. BACKGROUND: Precut biliary needle-knife sphincterotomy (NKS) allows biliary access when standard cannulation techniques fail. Little comparative data exist on the outcome of precut NKS. STUDY: Retrospective comparison of outcome differences of three NKS techniques performed by three pancreaticobiliary endoscopists at a tertiary referral center. RESULTS: A total of 139 consecutive biliary NKS were performed. In 44 cases (technique A), NKS was performed using a precut fistulotomy technique avoiding the papillary orifice, with pure cutting current, and occasional pancreatic duct (PD) stenting (6 of 44). In 47 cases (technique B), NKS was performed starting from the papillary orifice cutting upward with blended current, and no PD stenting. In 48 cases (technique C), NKS was performed as B but using pure cutting current and frequent PD stenting (15 of 48). NKS was successful in 95.5%, 95.7%, and 89.6% at initial endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and 100%, 97.8%, and 95.6% after a second endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Total complications were not significantly different between the three groups; however, a lower incidence of pancreatitis occurred using technique A compared with techniques B and C (not significant). CONCLUSIONS: NKS techniques result in a high success rate of biliary cannulation with a similar overall complication rate. Avoiding cutting at the papillary orifice may reduce the risk of pancreatitis. When cutting at the papillary orifice, pancreatic duct stenting, pure cutting current, or both may reduce the incidence of pancreatitis.

Biliary Tract Diseases↗

Direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy placement in a patient with intracorporeal left ventricular assist device.

We present a case involving a patient who required enteral feeding after implantation of an abdominally positioned left ventricular assist device. The position of the device occupied most of the abdomen, precluding percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement. However, in the case presented, direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (DPEJ) tube placement was achieved without interfering with the intracorporeal device. To our knowledge, there are no previous reports in the literature of successful DPEJ placement in a patient with an abdominally positioned heart assist device. DPEJ should be considered as a long-term enteral feeding route when structural barriers prevent percutaneous gastric access.

Abdominal Cavity↗