Biomedical subjects

Nuzhat A Ahmad

Publications and source records attributed to Nuzhat A Ahmad.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Rectal carcinoids.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To provide an updated review of the diagnosis, management, and treatment of rectal carcinoid tumors, with special emphasis on minimally invasive surgical techniques to treat localized disease. RECENT FINDINGS: Carcinoids are morphologically and biologically heterogeneous neuroendocrine tumors that have malignant potential, and are most commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract. The incidence of all carcinoids appears to be increasing, which may reflect improved diagnostic modalities. The rectum is the third most common location for gastrointestinal carcinoids. Recent data have suggested that rectal carcinoids are over-represented in Black and Asian populations. The survival rate for patients with rectal carcinoids is superior to that of carcinoids found elsewhere in the gastrointestinal tract. Tumor size in rectal carcinoids is predictive of metastasis and can reliably guide management. Review of recent literature demonstrates good evidence that localized rectal carcinoids are amenable to local resection. SUMMARY: With widespread colorectal cancer screening, heightened awareness, and improved diagnostic modalities, the incidence of rectal carcinoids should continue to increase. There is evidence that convincingly demonstrates that patients with rectal carcinoids less than 2 cm in diameter, localized to the mucosa or submucosa, may be safely and effectively removed via minimally invasive resection.

Carcinoid Tumor↗

PubMed2005

Practice patterns and attitudes toward the role of endoscopic ultrasound in staging of gastrointestinal malignancies: a survey of physicians and surgeons.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: It is unknown how physician specialties other than gastroenterologists that manage gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies utilize endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in their practices. The aim of this study was to (i) assess the proportion of gastroenterologists, oncologists, and surgeons that utilize EUS for staging of GI malignancies; (ii) assess the general availability of EUS; and (iii) determine which factors are associated with the use and availability of EUS. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire was mailed out to 1,200 randomly selected gastroenterologists, oncologists, and surgeons throughout the United States. RESULTS: The data was analyzed from 521 (43%) responses. There were 60% respondents who had EUS available within their practices. There was greater availability of EUS within the practices of surgeons (81%; p < 0.001), within academic practices (87%; p= < 0.001), and in practices that serve a population >500,000 (p < 0.001). The majority of respondents (71%) utilized EUS in their practices. There was a similar utilization of EUS across specialties (p= NS). There was greater utilization of EUS in academic centers (82%; p < 0.001), in practices that served a community of >500,000 (p= 0.003), and among respondents who had been in practice for less than 5 yr (p= 0.005). Employing logistic regression models for utilization of EUS, lesser number of years in practice, and availability of EUS were found to be the only significant predictors of utilization. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of practitioners utilized EUS in management of GI malignancies. There was similar utilization of EUS across specialties. EUS is available to the majority of practitioners who manage GI malignancies.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMed2004

The effect of lidocaine sprayed on the major duodenal papilla on the frequency of post-ERCP pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis remains a serious cause of ERCP-related morbidity. Topical application of lidocaine reportedly blunts cholecystokinin release from intestinal mucosa and reduces sphincter of Oddi spasm. A randomized trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of lidocaine sprayed on the major duodenal papilla on the frequency of post-ERCP pancreatitis. Secondary outcomes evaluated were ease of cannulation and severity of post-ERCP pancreatitis. METHODS: Patients undergoing ERCP were randomized in blocks of 6 to have 10 mL of either 1% lidocaine or normal saline solution sprayed on the major papilla before cannulation. Patients were observed for the development of post-ERCP pancreatitis. Patient history- and procedure-related variables were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 326 patients were enrolled, of whom 32 were excluded after randomization but before analysis. Of patients analyzed, 145 were randomized to treatment with lidocaine and 149 to placebo. No patient was lost to follow-up. There was no significant difference noted in patient history- or procedure-related variables. Seven patients in the lidocaine group and 5 in the placebo group developed post-ERCP pancreatitis (p=0.73). Ease of cannulation did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Lidocaine sprayed on the major papilla does not decrease the frequency of post-ERCP pancreatitis.

Administration, Topical↗

PubMed2004

Initial evaluation of a duodenoscope modified to allow guidewire fixation during ERCP.

BACKGROUND: Catheter/guidewire exchanges during ERCP require the coordinated efforts of an endoscopist and endoscopy assistant. A prototype duodenoscope was developed to improve the control of catheter/guidewire exchange by enabling fixation of guidewires at the elevator lever. METHODS: An initial prototype duodenoscope and a subsequent modification of this instrument were used to perform ERCP in 7 and 10 patients, respectively. The following were recorded: total procedure time, fluoroscopy time, catheter/guidewire exchange time, guidewire repositioning, loss of guidewire access, success or failure of fixation, and endoscopist satisfaction. OBSERVATIONS: The initial and the modified prototype duodenoscopes were used in a variety of catheter/guidewire exchanges (n=46). Guidewire fixation was achieved in 75% of catheter/guidewire exchanges with the initial prototype and in 93% with the modified prototype and was reflected in shorter exchange times. Access to the desired duct was not lost during any exchange, and the need for repositioning was eliminated. CONCLUSIONS: A new prototype duodenoscope with an elevator lever that enables guidewire fixation will improve the ease and efficiency of catheter/guidewire exchange during ERCP. Modifications made to the original prototype improved reliability of guidewire fixation.

Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde↗

PubMed2004

Acute pancreatitis after EUS-guided FNA of solid pancreatic masses: a pooled analysis from EUS centers in the United States.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and the severity of pancreatitis after EUS-guided FNA of solid pancreatic masses. A survey of centers that offer training in EUS in the United States was conducted. METHODS: A list of centers in which training in EUS is offered was obtained from the Web site of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Designated program directors were contacted via e-mail. The information requested included the number of EUS-guided FNA procedures performed for solid pancreatic masses, the number of cases of post-procedure pancreatitis, and the method for tracking complications. For each episode of pancreatitis, technical details were obtained about the procedure, including the location of the mass, the type of fine needle used, the number of needle passes, and the nature of the lesion. RESULTS: Nineteen of the 27 programs contacted returned the questionnaire (70%). In total, 4909 EUS-guided FNAs of solid pancreatic masses were performed in these 19 centers over a mean of 4 years (range 11 months to 9 years). Pancreatitis occurred after 14 (0.29%): 95% CI[0.16, 0.48] procedures. At two centers in which data on complications were prospectively collected, the frequency of acute pancreatitis was 0.64%, suggesting that the frequency of pancreatitis in the retrospective cohort (0.26%) was under-reported (p=0.22). The odds that cases of pancreatitis would be reported were 2.45 greater for the prospective compared with the retrospective cohort (95% CI[0.55, 10.98]). The median duration of hospitalization for treatment of pancreatitis was 3 days (range 1-21 days). The pancreatitis was classified as mild in 10 cases, moderate in 3, and severe in one; one death (proximate cause, pulmonary embolism) occurred after the development of pancreatitis in a patient with multiple comorbid conditions. CONCLUSIONS: EUS-guided FNA of solid pancreatic masses is infrequently associated with acute pancreatitis. The procedure appears to be safe when performed by experienced endosonographers. The frequency of post EUS-guided FNA pancreatitis may be underestimated by retrospective analysis.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2004

Clinical impact of endoscopic ultrasonography on the management of malignancies.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: There are limited data evaluating the clinical impact of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS). We assessed the impact of EUS on management of known or suspected malignancies. METHODS: Physicians requesting EUS were contacted before the examination and asked: "How would you manage this patient if EUS were not available?" Pre-EUS responses were recorded on standardized forms, and compared with management recommendations as determined by the same requesting physician after EUS. Endosonographers performing the study were blinded to the pre-EUS responses. RESULTS: Responses were obtained from requesting physicians before and after EUS in 90 patients. Requesting physicians were composed of surgeons (33%), non-EUS-performing gastroenterologists (58%), oncologists (3%), internists (4%), and a pulmonologist (1%). After EUS, referring clinicians altered management plans in 46 of 90 patients (51%). By anatomic site, management changes occurred in 12 of 22 patients (56%) undergoing esophageal EUS, 9 of 15 (60%) undergoing gastric EUS, 21 of 43 (49%) undergoing pancreatic EUS, and 4 of 10 (40%) undergoing rectal EUS. There were no significant differences in the frequency of post-EUS management changes with respect to examination site (P = .76). EUS fine-needle aspiration (FNA) altered management in 9 of 20 (45%) patients. Management changes involved less complex or decreased risk-associated approaches in the majority (70%), and included 14 of 50 (28%) patients in whom surgical procedures were no longer planned. CONCLUSIONS: Based on EUS examination findings, clinicians requesting EUS alter patient management in one half of cases, and more often pursue a less-complicated approach. EUS substantially impacts clinical care, and should be used in appropriate settings to guide patient management.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Endoscopic management of biliary complications after adult living donor liver transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: Biliary complications and their treatment in adult cadaveric liver transplantation (CLT) are well described. However, biliary complications and their management in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) are not well characterized. We assessed the role of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the diagnosis and management of biliary complications following LDLT. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of all LDLT recipients with duct-to-duct anastomoses (n = 15). Specific data included referral for ERCP, diagnosis, and therapy. Comparisons were made to a 260 CLT recipient cohort. RESULTS: Greater percentage of LDLT recipients underwent ERCP (73%) compared to CLT recipients (25%; p= 0.001). Biliary complications diagnosed by ERCP in LDLT recipients consisted of bile leaks and strictures, and were more frequent than in CLT recipients (leaks: 53%vs 12%; p= 0.001; strictures: 27%vs 5%; p= 0.01). Most leaks occurred at T-tube sites (LDLT: 87%; CLT: 65%). Diagnosis and therapy of leaks required a median of 2 ERCP procedures in both groups. Bile leaks were successfully treated endoscopically in 100% and 84% of LDLT and CLT recipients, respectively (p= 0.56). Most biliary strictures were anastomotic (LDLT: 100%; CLT: 64%). Strictures were diagnosed and treated with a median of 1.5 and 2 ERCP procedures in the LDLT and CLT groups, respectively. The duration of endoscopic therapy was a median of 10 and 14 wk, and success rates were 75% and 62% (p= 1.0) in LDLT and CLT groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: LDLT is associated with increased biliary complications as compared to CLT. ERCP is useful for diagnosis, can successfully treat most LDLT-related biliary complications, and should be attempted prior to more invasive interventions.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Interobserver agreement among endosonographers for the diagnosis of neoplastic versus non-neoplastic pancreatic cystic lesions.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of agreement among endosonographers for EUS diagnosis of neoplastic versus non-neoplastic pancreatic cystic lesions and the specific type of cystic lesion. METHODS: Videotapes of EUS procedures from 31 consecutive cases of a range of histopathologically proven lesions, including mucinous cystic neoplasm, serous cystadenoma, neuroendocrine tumor, intraductal papillary mucinous tumor, and pseudocyst, were used to make a study videotape, which was reviewed by 8 experienced endosonographers. The reviewers, blinded to clinical and surgical histopathology results, reviewed each case for the presence or absence of the following features: abnormality of pancreatic duct and parenchyma, margins, solid component, debris, and septations. They were asked to identify each lesion as neoplastic or non-neoplastic and to give a specific diagnosis for each lesion. RESULTS: There was fair agreement between endosonographers for diagnosis of neoplastic versus non-neoplastic lesions (kappa = 0.24). Agreement for individual types of lesions was moderately good for serous cystadenomas (kappa = 0.46) but fair for the remainder. Agreement was moderately good for presence or absence of solid component (kappa = 0.43); fair for presence or absence of abnormal pancreatic duct (kappa = 0.29), debris (kappa = 0.21), and septations (kappa = 0.30); and slight for presence or absence of margins (kappa = 0.01) and abnormal pancreatic parenchyma (kappa = 0.01). Accuracy rates of EUS for the diagnosis of neoplastic versus non-neoplastic lesions ranged from 40% to 93%. CONCLUSIONS: There is little more than chance interobserver agreement among experienced endosonographers for diagnosis of neoplastic versus non-neoplastic, specific type, and EUS features of pancreatic cystic lesions.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Endoscopic ultrasonography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography imaging for pancreaticobiliary pathology: the gastroenterologist's perspective.

With advances in noninvasive radiologic technology, additional adjunctive techniques are developing, and the roles for ERCP and EUS are continuously changing. In a diagnostic setting, ERCP is currently best reserved for patients with a high likelihood of needing endoscopic therapy, and EUS is especially useful for cases in which other imaging techniques have been inconclusive or are of inferior diagnostic capability. In a therapeutic setting, ERCP and EUS retain important roles in the management of both benign and malignant pancreatic and biliary disease. Certainly, technological advances also directly affect these modalities and expanded applications for ERCP and EUS for the pancreas and biliary tract are anticipated.

Biliary Tract Diseases↗

PubMed2002

Endoscopic ultrasound and endoscopic mucosal resection for rectal cancers and villous adenomas.

EUS is the most accurate tool for local staging of rectal carcinoma. In addition to providing accurate T- and N-stages, EUS allows assessment of the internal and external anal sphincters. Accurate endosonographic staging directs the optimal method of management of rectal carcinoma, type of resection, and candidacy for neoadjuvant therapy. EMR may be applied to large rectal adenomas as an alternative to surgical resection in selected patients. EUS is important in discriminating lesions suitable for EMR.

Adenoma↗

PubMed2002

Efficacy, safety, and clinical outcomes of endoscopic mucosal resection: a study of 101 cases.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is an alternative to surgery for removal of superficial neoplastic lesions of the GI tract. The aim of this study was to assess the safety, efficacy, and clinical outcomes of EMR. METHODS: Data from consecutive EMR procedures performed by using suction cap-assisted and/or saline solution-assisted snare resection techniques over a 45-month period were reviewed retrospectively. EUS was performed before EMR in the majority of cases. Immediate and delayed complications were recorded. Survival was assessed in patients with carcinoma or high-grade dysplasia on final histopathology in whom EMR achieved complete resection. RESULTS: One hundred one lesions were removed by EMR in 92 patients. Indications were adenoma (67%), high-grade dysplasia (13%), intramucosal carcinoma (11%), and lesions of uncertain histopathology (10%). Locations were esophagus 19%, stomach 14%, duodenum 27%, rectum 12%, and colon 29%. Suction cap-assisted technique was used in 26% and saline solution-assisted polypectomy in 74% of cases. Complete resection was achieved in 89%. For complete resection, 17% required more than 1 session. Post-EMR histopathology was adenoma 47%, high-grade dysplasia 13%, carcinoma 16%, carcinoid 3%, benign 19%, and low-grade dysplasia 3%. EMR resulted in upgrading of histopathologic staging to carcinoma or high-grade dysplasia in 44%. Bleeding was the only complication (early 16, delayed 6). The median cancer-free survival in patients with adenocarcinoma who underwent complete resection by EMR was 27 months (interquartile range: 17-28 months). CONCLUSION: EMR achieves complete resection in a majority of patients but is associated with a higher risk of bleeding compared with standard polypectomy. EMR changes pathologic stage in a significant number of patients. Survival data are encouraging, but long-term follow-up studies are needed.

Adult↗