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:Background and aimsEUS-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE) is effective in relieving gastric outlet obstruction. Several techniques used to create EUS-GEs have been described. However, these techniques are dependent on passing a guidewire beyond the obstruction. We describe a direct needle-puncture technique that allows for successful EUS-GE creation without a guidewire.MethodsThe direct antegrade EUS-GE method often involves passing a guidewire and tube beyond the obstruction to distend the small bowel. An oblique echoendoscope is then positioned in the stomach to locate the distended small bowel. An electrocautery-enhanced lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS) is used to create the anastomosis. However, in cases when neither endoscope nor guidewire can be passed across the obstruction, the direct needle-puncture technique can be used. With the oblique echoendoscope positioned in the stomach, a collapsed loop of small bowel is located adjacent to the gastric wall. A 19-gauge needle is used to puncture the gastric and small bowel wall. The small bowel is distended with a mixture of saline, methylene blue, and contrast via a standard water pump connected to the needle. An antispasmodic is administered, and an electrocautery-enhanced LAMS is then introduced into the working channel to create a gastroenterostomy using the freehand method.ResultsThe direct needle-puncture technique was performed in 4 patients for these indications: postsurgical inflammation causing gastric outlet obstruction (case 1), tumor infiltration causing gastric outlet obstruction (cases 2A and 2B), and pancreaticobiliary limb access in a duodenal switch (case 3). The video shows the technique performed in a patient with postsurgical inflammation and a patient with duodenal tumor infiltration.ConclusionsThe direct needle-puncture technique is useful for performing gastroenterostomy when the guidewire cannot be passed beyond the obstruction. It can also be used to gain access to a targeted bowel limb in altered anatomy for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
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.