Project description:A growing number of studies have explored EUS-guided vascular catheterization due to the relative proximity of the gastrointestinal tract to the major blood vessels of the mediastinum and abdomen. In particular, EUS-guided access of the portal vein (PV) may be favorable given the relative difficulty of PV access through standard percutaneous routes. Two major diagnostic applications of EUS-guided vascular access include angiography and assessment of intravascular pressure. This review will outline the different devices and techniques employed to obtain angiographic visualization and/or direct pressure measurements of the portal circulation. Ease of access, safety, and important lessons learned from each approach will be highlighted.
Project description:Background and aimsPortal hypertension is a serious adverse event of liver cirrhosis. Recently, we developed a simple novel technique for EUS-guided portal pressure gradient (PPG) measurement (PPGM). Our animal studies showed excellent correlation between EUS-PPGM and interventional radiology-acquired PPGM. In this video we demonstrate the results of the first human pilot study of EUS-PPGM in patients with liver disease.MethodsEUS-PPGM was performed by experienced endosonographers using a linear echoendoscope, a 25-gauge FNA needle, and a novel compact manometer. The portal vein and hepatic vein (or inferior vena cava) were targeted by use of a transgastric or transduodenal approach. Feasibility was defined as successful PPGM in each patient. Safety was based on adverse events captured in a postprocedural interview.ResultsTwenty-eight patients underwent EUS-PPGM with 100% technical success and no adverse events. PPG ranged from 1.5 to 19 mm Hg and had excellent correlation with clinical parameters of portal hypertension, including the presence of varices (P = .0002), PH gastropathy (P = .007), and thrombocytopenia (P = .036).ConclusionThis novel technique of EUS-PPGM using a 25-gauge needle and compact manometer is feasible and appears safe. Given the availability of EUS and the simplicity of the manometry setup, EUS-guided PPG may represent a promising breakthrough for procuring indispensable information in the management of patients with liver disease.
Project description:Video 1EUS-guided pancreatic drainage using the rendezvous technique in a patient with pancreaticojejunal anastomosis stenosis and pancreatic duct stone.
Project description:With the abundant mammalian lncRNAs identified recently, a comprehensive annotation resource for these novel lncRNAs is an urgent need. Since its first release in November 2016, AnnoLnc has been the only online server for comprehensively annotating novel human lncRNAs on-the-fly. Here, with significant updates to multiple annotation modules, backend datasets and the code base, AnnoLnc2 continues the effort to provide the scientific community with a one-stop online portal for systematically annotating novel human and mouse lncRNAs with a comprehensive functional spectrum covering sequences, structure, expression, regulation, genetic association and evolution. In response to numerous requests from multiple users, a standalone package is also provided for large-scale offline analysis. We believe that updated AnnoLnc2 (http://annolnc.gao-lab.org/) will help both computational and bench biologists identify lncRNA functions and investigate underlying mechanisms.
Project description:Results of endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EUBD) are unknown in case of proximal stricture. The aim is to assess clinical outcomes of EUBD in patients with malignant hilar obstruction.Patients undergoing EUBD with hilar strictures were prospectively included. Primary outcome was clinical success at 7 and 30 days (defined by 50% bilirubin decrease). Secondary outcomes were technical success, procedure-related complications, length of hospital stay, reintervention rate, survival and chemotherapy administration.Eighteen patients with a mean age of 68.8 years were included. On 15 classable stenosis, 7 (47%) were noted Bismuth I-II, 7 (47%) Bismuth III, and 1 (6.7%) Bismuth IV. Reasons for EUBD were surgically modified anatomy in 10 patients (55.6%), impassable stricture at ERCP in 7 (38.9%) and duodenal obstruction in 1 (5.6%). Only hepaticogastrostomy was performed. Clinical success was at day 7 and 30 respectively 72.2% and 68.8%. Technical success was 94%. Complications occurred in 3 (16.7%) patients. Median (range) length of hospital stay was 10 (6-35) days. Reintervention rate was 16.7%. Median (range) survival was 79 (5-390) days. Chemotherapy was possible in 10 (55.6%) patients.EUBD is feasible for hilar obstruction for surgically altered anatomy or after ERCP failure. Clinical outcome is satisfactory when considering underlying advanced disease, allowing chemotherapy.
Project description:EUS-guided rendezvous technique (EUS-RV) is an effective salvage technique for failed biliary cannulation during ERCP. However, it is still difficult to achieve cannulation in some cases, especially using the intrahepatic bile duct (IHBD) approach, which requires complicated guidewire manipulation. EUS-hybrid rendezvous technique (HRV) has been applied as a salvage technique for difficult guidewire placement during EUS-RV with IHBD approach. The aims of this study were to evaluate the efficacy and safety of EUS-HRV using a retrospective study. Database analysis revealed 29 patients who underwent EUS-RV for difficult biliary cannulation. Among them, 8 patients underwent EUS-HRV as a salvage technique for difficult guidewire placement during EUS-RV with the IHBD approach. In EUS-HRV, a 6-French dilator was advanced into the biliary system for better guidewire manipulation. After successful guidewire placement, the EUS scope was exchanged for a duodenoscope, keeping the guidewire and dilator in place. The EUS-placed guidewire was retrieved through the duodenoscope, followed by cannulation over the guidewire. The dilator remained at the fistula until completion of the procedure. The analysis showed that the guidewire placement and the subsequent scope exchange and deep biliary cannulation after the retrieval of the EUS-placed guidewire were successfully conducted for all 8 patients. Mild pancreatitis was recognized as an adverse event in 1 patient. The overall success rate of EUS-RV combined with EUS-HRV was improved up to 90% (26/29). Our results suggested that EUS-HRV can be an effective and safe salvage technique in cases wherein guidewire placement is difficult during EUS-RV with IHBD approach.