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Intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) utilizes probe catheter and operates at a higher frequency (12-30 MHz). It can be passed down the biopsy channel of a side-view endoscope during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, and it provides real-time, high-quality imaging of pancreatobiliary ducts and the surrounding structures. IDUS has been used in defining choledocholithiasis, evaluating biliary as well as pancreatic strictures or thickening, and local staging of tumor. We shall discuss the utility of IDUS in the current review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Etiology of acute pancreatitis (AP) remains idiopathic in 30% of patients. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has been shown to increase the diagnostic yield in patients with idiopathic AP (IAP). Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of EUS in achieving etiological diagnosis in patients with IAP. Materials and Methods: Consecutive 192 patients with IAP were evaluated prospectively with EUS over a period of 2 years. Patients who had no etiological diagnosis for AP after detailed history, clinical examination, laboratory investigations, and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography were included in the study. Results: The mean age of patients was 34.6 ± 12 and male:female ratio was 2.1:1. Of these, 135 patients had gallbladder intact (Group A) and 57 patients had undergone cholecystectomy (Group B). In Group A, EUS identified a possible cause in 79 (58.5%) patients; microlithiasis (n = 48), chronic pancreatitis (CP) (n = 23), common bile duct (CBD) and gallbladder stone (n = 3), pancreatic divisum (n = 3), small pancreatic tumor (n = 1), and anomalous pancreaticobiliary junction (n = 1). In Group B, EUS yielded diagnosis in 28 (49.1%) patients; CP (n = 22), ascariasis (n = 3), CBD stone (n = 2), and pancreatic divisum (n = 1). Overall EUS helped in achieving etiological diagnosis in 107 (55.1%) of patients with IAP. The presence of intact gallbladder showed a tendency for increased diagnostic yield (P = 0.06). Conclusion: EUS is a useful modality to establish the diagnosis in IAP and this technique should be incorporated in the evaluation of IAP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is very limited literature on results of fine needle aspiration (FNA) of small (defined as ≤1 cm at long and short axis) lymph nodes, particularly in the setting of pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO). Methods: The study was conducted from July 2014 to December 2015 at a tertiary care center. A total of 34 endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided FNAs in 33 patients were done for lymph nodes =1 cm at long and short axis and these were included in the analysis. Results: The study cohort comprised 33 patients; 23 males and 10 females, mean age of 58 ± 12 years. Indication of FNA was to look for malignancy (n = 15), PUO (n = 16), unexplained weight loss (n = 1), and presence of lymphadenopathy in prospective liver donor (n = 1). The FNA was taken from mediastinal nodes (n = 20, 14 subcarinal) and abdominal (n = 14, 8 at porta). The mean size of lymph nodes was 87 ± 11 mm at large axis and 68 ± 17 mm at short axis. A total of 3 (8.8%) FNAs were nondiagnostic (inadequate material). The cytopathologic diagnosis was malignancy in 8 (23.5%), granulomatous change in 8 (23.5%), and reactive lymphadenopathy in 15 (44.1%). Thus, EUS-guided FNA of these small nodes changed the management decisions in 44% of cases (one patient had tubercular lymphadenopathy at two sites). The 22-gauge EUS FNA needle was used in majority of patients (n = 26). There was no significant difference between pathologic (malignant and granulomatous) and reactive lymph nodes regarding size at long or short axis, ratio of long and short axis, hypoechogenicity, and sharply defined borders. Conclusion: EUS-guided FNA of small lymph nodes showed pathological enlargement in 44% of cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 59-year-old male was diagnosed as carcinoma gallbladder around 1 year back and underwent radical cholecystectomy. He also received four cycles of chemotherapy. Now, he complained upper abdominal heaviness; positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) was done which showed PET-avid 8.5 mm sized lymph node at aortocaval region. There was no safe route, so endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) was advised. However, FNA was not possible without crossing inferior vena cava and further management depended on FNA report. The EUS-FNA was done, and cytopathological smears were consistent with metastatic adenocarcinoma. There was no complication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 74-year-old male presented with dysphagia for 2 months. Computed tomography revealed irregular wall thickening of the esophagus at T3 to T5 level. He underwent gastroscopy which revealed a submucosal bulge with normal mucosa at 25 cm from incisors. Repeated biopsies were taken, all were negative for malignancy. The patient underwent endoscopic ultrasound, and fine-needle aspiration was taken which was suggestive for squamous cell carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and Objective: High-resolution esophageal manometry is the most important investigation for the evaluation of patients with dysphagia and noncardiac chest pain (NCCP). Chicago Classification (CC) utilizing an algorithmic approach in analyzing high-resolution manometry has been accepted worldwide, and an updated version, CC v3.0, of this classification has been developed by the International high-resolution manometry working Group in 2014. Data on the spectrum of esophageal motility disorders in Indian population are scarce as well as a newer version of CC has not been used to classify. The aim of our study is to evaluate clinical presentation and manometric profile of patients with suspected esophageal motility disorders using CC v3.0. Methodology: In this retrospective study, consecutive patients referred for esophageal manometry at our center from 2010 to 2015 were included in the study. High-resolution esophageal manometry was performed with 22-channel water-perfusion system (MMS, The Netherlands). Newer version of CC (CC v3.0) was used to classify motility disorders. Results: A total of 400 patients were included, with a mean age of 44 years and 67.5% were males. Out of these, 60% (n = 240) patients presented with motor dysphagia while 40% (n = 160) had NCCP. Motility disorder was present in 50.5% (n = 202) of the patients while 49.5% (n = 198) patients had normal manometry. Disorders of esophagogastric junction outflow were the predominant type of disorder, found in 33.75% (n = 135). About 14.25% (n = 57) of the patients had minor disorders of peristalsis while 5% (n = 20) of the patients had other major disorders of peristalsis. Achalasia was the most common motility disorder present in 30% (n = 120) patients. Conclusion: Dysphagia was the most common esophageal symptom followed by NCCP in our series. Achalasia was the most common esophageal motility disorder followed by fragmented peristalsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]