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Background: An anastomotic stricture after colorectal surgery is principally managed by endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD). Although this intervention is effective, however, subsequent procedures or surgical interventions are often required. This study aimed to assess the long-term outcomes of EBD for anastomotic stricture arising from colorectal cancer surgery. Materials and methods: We analyzed 173 patients who received curative surgery for colorectal cancer at our hospital between January 2000 and December 2022 and had undergone EBD to manage anastomotic stricture. The medical records of these cases were retrospectively reviewed to assess the outcomes and risk factors for restenosis and permanent stoma. Results: Of the 173 study patients, 41 (23.7%) presented with restenosis with a median time to recurrence of 49 [37–150] days. The restenosis group was significantly younger (55.6 years versus 60.8 years), with a more prominent rectal location (80.5% versus 57.6%), a higher incidence of hand-sewn anastomosis (24.4% versus 5.3%), and a higher percentage of neoadjuvant radiotherapy (34.1% versus 5.3%, P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis indicated neoadjuvant radiotherapy (adjusted HR 2.48; 95% CI 1.03–5.95) and cerebral vascular disease (adjusted HR 6.97; 95% CI 2.15–22.54) as independent prognostic factors for restenosis. Fourteen patients (8.1%) required a permanent stoma due to treatment failure. All cases needing a permanent stoma were male (14 patients, 100%, P = 0.007) and this group had a higher rate of neoadjuvant radiotherapy, adjuvant chemotherapy, and hand-sewn anastomosis. Conclusion: Patients receiving neoadjuvant radiotherapy are most prone to restenosis after an EBD intervention to manage an anastomotic stricture. Neoadjuvant radiotherapy is also a strong risk factor for requiring a permanent stomas due to treatment failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clinical usefulness of repeat colonoscopic polypectomy in patients with numerous polyps has not been sufficiently determined. We aimed to analyze the clinical outcomes of colonoscopic polypectomy with surveillance colonoscopies in patients with ≥ 10 polyps. We reviewed the medical records of 152 patients who underwent polypectomy of ≥ 10 polyps at the baseline colonoscopy. We investigated polyp number, polyp size, polypectomy method, procedure time, and adverse events of the baseline colonoscopy. We also investigated the frequency and interval of surveillance colonoscopies and their findings. The mean number of polyps detected at the baseline colonoscopy was 20.0, of which 16.0 polyps were endoscopically resected. The mean size of the largest polyp was 13.4 mm. The mean procedure time was 54.9 min. Post-polypectomy bleeding occurred in 6 (3.9%) patients, all of whom were treated conservatively. No patients developed perforation. With an increasing number of surveillance colonoscopies, the number of detected polyps and the procedure time decreased. Surveillance colonoscopies identified colorectal cancer only in three patients (2.0%), all of which were mucosal cancers that could be curatively treated by polypectomy. Colonoscopic polypectomy with repeat surveillance colonoscopies is a clinically effective, efficient, and safe management option in patients with ≥ 10 polyps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic viral hepatitis is associated with a wide range of extrahepatic diseases; however, evidence on a link between chronic viral hepatitis and colorectal neoplasia is still lacking. Aims: To analyze the association between chronic viral hepatitis and prevalence of colorectal neoplasia. Methods: A systematic review of articles published in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library between 2000 and 2020 was performed. Subgroup analyses based on the types of colorectal neoplasia and the etiology of chronic viral hepatitis were conducted. Results: Twelve eligible studies with 48,428 hepatitis B virus (HBV) patients and 46,561 hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients were included. Chronic viral hepatitis was significantly associated with an increased risk of both colorectal adenoma (odds ratio [OR], 1.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16–2.02; I2 = 83%) and colorectal cancer (CRC) (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.08–1.61; I2 = 94%). The etiology of chronic viral hepatitis was an independent factor related to heterogeneity for CRC subgroup analysis revealed an increased risk of CRC in both HBV (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.09–1.27; I2 = 37%) and HCV (OR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.78–1.97; I2 = 0%). HCV was associated with an increased risk of colorectal adenoma (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.22–1.79; I2 = 0%); however, HBV was not associated with an increased risk of colorectal adenoma and had considerable heterogeneity (OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 0.88–3.09; I2 = 90%). Conclusion: Our meta-analysis showed that chronic viral hepatitis is associated with an increased risk of colorectal neoplasia. The strategy of stricter screening colonoscopy may benefit from patients with chronic viral hepatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the sensitive diagnosis of colorectal cancer lesions, advanced molecular imaging techniques using cancer-specific targets have emerged. However, issues regarding the clearance of unbound probes and immunogenicity remain unresolved. To overcome these limitations, we developed a small-sized scFv antibody fragment conjugated with FITC for the real-time detection of colorectal cancer by in vivo molecular endoscopy imaging. A small-sized scFv fragment can target colon cancer secreted protein-2 (CCSP-2), highly expressed in colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues; moreover, its full-length IgG probe has been used for molecular imaging previously. To assess the efficacy of anti-CCSP-2 scFv-FITC, surgical specimens were obtained from 21 patients with colorectal cancer for ex vivo molecular fluorescence analysis, histology, and immunohistochemistry. Orthotopic mice were administered with anti-CCSP-2 scFv-FITC topically and intravenously, and distinct tumor lesions were observed by real-time fluorescence colonoscopy. The fluorescence imaging of human colon cancer specimens allowed the differentiation of malignant tissues from non-malignant tissues (p < 0.05), and the CCSP-2 expression level was found to be correlated with the fluorescence intensity. Here, we demonstrated the feasibility and safety of anti-CCSP-2 scFv-FITC for molecular imaging as well as its potential in real-time fluorescence colonoscopy for the differential diagnosis of tumor lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coexistence of colorectal neoplasia and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease has been reported. Subclinical atherosclerosis can be evaluated noninvasively and easily by assessing carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and carotid plaque using ultrasonography.Aims: We aimed to evaluate the association between carotid ultrasonography findings and colorectal conventional adenoma (AD) in health checkup examinees.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of health checkup examinees ≥ 40 years old who had undergone both carotid ultrasonography and colonoscopies at a single hospital between January 2012 and December 2016.Results: The median age of 4871 eligible participants was 54 years (range, 40-89). AD was found in 2009 individuals (41.2%), with a mean number of 1.9 ± 1.7 lesions. Abnormal CIMT (≥ 1 mm) and carotid plaque were found in 1366 (28.0%) and 1255 (25.8%) individuals, respectively. AD and high-risk adenoma (HRA) were observed more frequently in those with abnormal CIMT or plaque. Moreover, abnormal CIMT and plaque were independent risk factors for the presence of AD (odds ratio [OR]: 1.21, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06-1.39, P = 0.006; OR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.08-1.43, P = 0.002) and HRA (OR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.05-1.52, P = 0.034; OR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.10-1.65, P = 0.004), respectively.Conclusions: Abnormal CIMT and the presence of carotid plaque were significantly associated with AD and HRA, and each was an independent risk factor for AD and HRA. More careful observation might be needed during colonoscopies in individuals with abnormal carotid ultrasonographic findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Few studies have compared the costs of colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and endoscopic piecemeal mucosal resection (EPMR).Aims: Here, we aimed to investigate the cost-effectiveness of these approaches by analyzing clinical outcomes and costs.Methods: Data from patients undergoing colorectal ESD and EPMR were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical outcomes (procedure time, complete resection, and recurrence) were compared, and total direct costs (procedural and follow-up) were assessed.Results: Data from 429 ESD and 115 EPMR patients were included in the analysis. The complete resection rate was significantly higher (83.9% vs. 32.2%, p < 0.001), recurrence rate was lower (0.5% vs. 7.1%, p < 0.001), procedure time was longer (55.4 ± 47.0 vs. 25.6 ± 32.7 min, p < 0.001), and total direct procedural costs at the initial resection were higher (1480.0 ± 728.0 vs. 729.8 ± 299.7 USD, p < 0.001) in the ESD group than in the EPMR group. The total number of surveillance endoscopies was higher in the EPMR group (1.7 ± 1.5 vs. 1.3 ± 1.1, p = 0.003). The cumulative total costs of ESD and EPMR were comparable at 3 and 2 years' follow-up in the adenoma and mucosal/superficial submucosal cancer subgroups, respectively.Conclusions: Colorectal ESD was associated with higher complete resection and lower recurrence rates. EPMR showed shorter procedure times and similar cumulative total direct costs. ESD or EPMR should be chosen based on both clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]