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Biomedical subjects

Henning Gerke

Publications and source records attributed to Henning Gerke.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

Endoscopic argon plasma coagulation of Marlex mesh erosion after vertical-banded gastroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Marlex mesh erosions may occur as late complications after vertical-banded gastroplasty. Experience with the endoscopic treatment is limited. OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of argon plasma coagulation in the endoscopic treatment of eroded Marlex mesh. DESIGN: Case report. SETTINGS: Endoscopy Unit, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA. PATIENTS: We describe the endoscopic treatment of eroded Marlex mesh in 2 patients who presented with symptoms of gastric-outlet obstruction. INTERVENTIONS: In both cases, argon plasma coagulation was used to break down the eroded Marlex mesh. Fragments were subsequently removed with forceps and electrocautery snares. We did not encounter any complications with this method. RESULTS: The endoscopic treatment resulted in lasting symptomatic improvement in both patients. LIMITATIONS: Our experience is limited to 2 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Argon plasma coagulation appears to be a promising option for the endoscopic treatment of eroded Marlex mesh. It allows the fragmentation of large mesh portions and enables subsequent removal with a snare and a forceps. This method can result in symptomatic improvement and may obviate the need for surgery. Further data are necessary to evaluate the safety and the efficacy of this approach.

Endoscopy↗

Palliative endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage of a malignant pancreatic cyst causing gastric outlet obstruction.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts has been well described but it is not an established therapy for malignant pancreatic cystic neoplasms. We report the first EUS-guided cystogastrostomy for the palliative treatment of a cystic pancreatic adenocarcinoma. CASE REPORT: We describe a 70-year-old male with a nonresectable cystic pancreatic adenocarcinoma causing partial gastric outlet obstruction treated successfully with palliative EUS-guided cystogastrostomy stent placement. The diagnosis was confirmed by EUS-guided fine needle aspiration. Computerized tomography (CT) and EUS staging revealed vascular invasion precluding the patient from surgical resection. Cystogastrostomy was performed entirely under EUS guidance utilizing a 10-Fr double pigtail stent. After cystogastrostomy stent placement, the patient developed dramatic symptomatic improvement of gastric outlet obstructive symptoms, although subsequent imaging did not reveal complete collapse of the cystic structure. CONCLUSION: EUS-guided cystogastrostomy can be considered in the palliative treatment of nonresectable pancreatic cystic neoplasms. Cyst decompression may result in significant symptomatic improvement, although the architecture of malignant cysts may prevent complete resolution.

Aged↗

Pancreatic metastasis of an ovarian malignant mixed Mullerian tumor identified by EUS-guided fine needle aspiration and Trucut needle biopsy.

CONTEXT: Malignant mixed Mullerian tumors are rare ovarian neoplasms that account for less than 2% of ovarian malignancies. They have a generally poor prognosis and often develop recurrent disease. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a malignant mixed Mullerian tumor with metastasis to the pancreas. The metastatic tumor was identified by endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) and Trucut needle biopsy of the pancreas. CASE REPORT: We describe a 69-year-old female with concomitant Duke's C adenocarcinoma of the colon and stage III-C malignant mixed Mullerian tumor that presented with malignant ascites, increasing abdominal girth and a pancreatic head mass. EUS revealed an 11 cm cystic mass in the head of the pancreas that was characterized as a carcinosarcoma/malignant mesodermal mixed tumor by EUS-FNA and Trucut needle biopsy. The tumor was morphologically identical to the surgical specimen of her ovarian mass. The patient was treated with palliative chemotherapy and a three-month follow up CT scan did not reveal any new metastatic lesions. CONCLUSION: The pancreas is a rare site of metastasis and more commonly seen in renal cell carcinoma, melanoma or lung tumors; amongst others. Although ovarian adenocarcinoma has been reported as a primary site of pancreatic metastasis, it has not been previously described originating from a mixed Mullerian tumor of the ovary presenting as a cystic pancreatic head mass.

Aged↗

EUS characteristics of celiac ganglia with cytologic and histologic confirmation.

BACKGROUND: Celiac ganglia have not been previously identified by EUS. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether celiac ganglia can be detected by EUS and to define their characteristics. DESIGN: Retrospective review followed by prospective study. METHODS: Retrospective characterization was performed of all celiac ganglia that were incidentally identified by EUS-guided FNA or tru-cut needle biopsy from January 2004 to October 2005. We also prospectively assessed if these structures could be visualized in consecutive patients undergoing curved linear-array EUS. PATIENTS: Seven patients with celiac ganglia diagnosed by EUS-guided FNA (n = 7) and/or tru-cut needle biopsy (n = 1) were reviewed. Twenty-two patients were prospectively evaluated by curved-linear-array EUS. SETTINGS: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: EUS features and detection rate of celiac ganglia. RESULTS: All retrospectively evaluated celiac ganglia were identified anterior to the aorta, slightly to the left, and cephalad to the celiac artery take-off, and medial to the left adrenal gland. The mean distance from the celiac artery take-off was 10 mm (+/-3 mm); mean size was 13 mm (+/-3 mm) by 6 mm (+/-2 mm). They appeared as hypoechoic and multilobulated structures with hyperechoic strands. Celiac ganglia with sonographic features as described above were identified in 16 of 22 prospectively evaluated patients (73%). LIMITATIONS: Small number of patients; no tissue confirmation of prospectively evaluated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Celiac ganglia can be identified with curved linear-array EUS in the majority of patients. Their typical EUS appearance allows distinction from celiac lymph nodes.

Aged↗

The need for caution with topical anesthesia during endoscopic procedures, as liberal use may result in methemoglobinemia.

During upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, topical oropharyngeal anesthesia with lidocaine and/or benzocaine is used routinely by many endodscopists. Although such a practice is usually safe, there have been a number of reports of methemoglobinemia induced by topical anesthesia. Early treatment is extremely important as the development of methemoglobinemia is potentially fatal. Methemoglobinemia should be considered when oxygen desaturation occurs without another explanation. In this case series, we report 4 cases of methemoglobinemia that followed the liberal application of Cetacaine for ERCP. All patients recovered after appropriate treatment but these cases serve to highlight the potential problem, the importance of early recognition and treatment, and the most appropriate treatment options.

4-Aminobenzoic Acid↗

To cut or stretch?

Endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD) offers an alternative to endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST), which preserves the barrier function of the biliary sphincter. However, reports of increased complications, especially pancreatitis, have stalled the widespread adoption of this technique. A metaanalysis of randomized trials of EPBD versus EST found similar overall complication rates (10.5% vs 10.3%). However, while postprocedure bleeding was reduced with EPBD compared to EST (0% vs 2.0%), the rate of postprocedure pancreatitis was higher (7.4% vs 4.3%). In addition, 20% of EPBD cases required "rescue" EST. EPBD should probably be reserved for special indications, such as uncorrected or anticipated coagulopathy, and unfavorable endoscopic anatomy for EST.

Ampulla of Vater↗

Outcome of endoscopic minor papillotomy in patients with symptomatic pancreas divisum.

CONTEXT: Pancreas divisum has been associated with recurrent acute pancreatitis, chronic abdominal pain without elevated pancreatic enzymes, and chronic pancreatitis. Prior studies suggest that endoscopic minor papillotomy benefits certain symptomatic pancreas divisum patients. However, the data are quite limited and there is a lack of long-term follow-up. OBJECTIVE: To describe a retrospective study of endoscopic minor papillotomy for pancreas divisum. PATIENTS: Eighty-nine adult patients who underwent endoscopic minor papillotomy at our referral center were included in the study. Median follow-up was 29 months. INTERVENTION: We conducted a telephone survey. Fifty-three patients were available for the telephone survey. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients (60.4%) reported immediate improvement: however, symptoms recurred in 17 (53.1% of the immediate responders). Repeat endoscopic interventions were performed in 8 patients, with long-term improvement in two. Overall long-term improvement was achieved in 17 patients (32.1%). Results of minor papillotomy were more favorable for patients with recurrent, well-defined bouts of pancreatitis (immediate improvement: P=0.036; long-term improvement: P=0.064) compared to those with pancreatitis who reported continuous pain and those without clinical evidence of pancreatitis (immediate improvement: 73.3%, 42.9% and 44.4%, respectively; long-term improvement: 43.3%, 21.4%, and 11.1%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The long-term benefit from endoscopic minor papillotomy using strict criteria is poorer than suggested from previous studies. However, pancreas divisum patients with well-defined bouts of pancreatitis are more likely to benefit from endoscopic minor papillotomy than those without symptom-free intervals between "attacks" and those with pain that is not associated with elevated pancreatic enzymes.

Abdominal Pain↗

A wolf in sheep's clothing: a non-functioning islet cell tumor of the pancreas masquerading as a microcystic (serous cystic) adenoma.

CONTEXT: The endosonographic appearance of a microcystic "honeycomb" lesion of the pancreas usually indicates a serous cystic adenoma. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a non-functioning islet cell tumor that has the typical microcystic "honeycomb" appearance of a serous cystic adenoma. The implications for endoscopic ultrasound diagnosis and management of cystic pancreatic lesions are discussed. CONCLUSION: Islet cell tumors are a rare differential diagnosis of microcystic pancreatic lesions. If fine needle aspiration remains non-diagnostic preoperative distinction from serous cystic adenomas may be impossible.

Adenoma↗