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Objectives: High-resolution manometry (HRM) and esophagography are used for achalasia diagnosis; however, achalasia phenotypes combining esophageal motility and morphology are unknown. Moreover, predicting treatment outcomes of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) in treatment-naïve patients remains an unmet need., Methods: In this multicenter cohort study, we included 1824 treatment-naïve patients diagnosed with achalasia. In total, 1778 patients underwent POEM. Clustering by machine learning was conducted to identify achalasia phenotypes using patients' demographic data, including age, sex, disease duration, body mass index, and HRM/esophagography findings. Machine learning models were developed to predict persistent symptoms (Eckardt score ≥3) and reflux esophagitis (RE) (Los Angeles grades A-D) after POEM., Results: Machine learning identified three achalasia phenotypes: phenotype 1, type I achalasia with a dilated esophagus (n = 676; 37.0%); phenotype 2, type II achalasia with a dilated esophagus (n = 203; 11.1%); and phenotype 3, late-onset type I-III achalasia with a nondilated esophagus (n = 619, 33.9%). Types I and II achalasia in phenotypes 1 and 2 exhibited different clinical characteristics from those in phenotype 3, implying different pathophysiologies within the same HRM diagnosis. A predictive model for persistent symptoms exhibited an area under the curve of 0.70. Pre-POEM Eckardt score ≥6 was the greatest contributing factor for persistent symptoms. The area under the curve for post-POEM RE was 0.61., Conclusion: Achalasia phenotypes combining esophageal motility and morphology indicated multiple disease pathophysiologies. Machine learning helped develop an optimal risk stratification model for persistent symptoms with novel insights into treatment resistance factors., (© 2023 Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society.)

Background and Aim: Anticoagulant users with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) sometimes suffer from gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) and have difficulty continuing the medication. Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) has been developed for such situations. We aimed to clarify the clinical significance of a history of GIB in comparison to other factors in patients who had undergone LAAC., Methods: From October 2019 to September 2023, patients with NVAF who underwent LAAC at our hospital were enrolled. We investigated the percentage of patients with a history of GIB who underwent LAAC and compared the incidence of post-LAAC bleeding in these patients compared to those with other factors., Results: A total of 45 patients were included. There were 19 patients (42%) with a history of GIB who underwent LAAC. In a Kaplan-Meier analysis, the cumulative incidence of bleeding complications after LAAC was significantly higher in patients with a history of GIB in comparison to patients with other factors. There were eight cases of post-LAAC bleeding in total, and seven cases had GIB., Conclusions: We need to recognize that GIB is a significant complication in patients who undergo LAAC. The management of GIB by gastroenterologists is essential to the success of LAAC., (© 2023 The Authors. JGH Open published by Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Foundation and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Background and Aim: Underwater endoscopic mucosal resection (UEMR) has become widespread for treating colorectal polyps. However, which observational mode is best suited for determining polyp margins underwater remains unclear. To determine the best mode, we analyzed three imaging modes: white light imaging (WLI), blue laser imaging (BLI) and linked color imaging (LCI)., Methods: Images of consecutive colorectal polyps previously examined by these three modes before UEMR were analyzed according to the degree of underwater turbidity (transparent or cloudy). Color differences between the polyps and their surroundings were calculated using the Commission Internationale d'Eclairage Lab color space in which 3-D color parameters were expressed. Eight evaluators, who were blinded to the histology, scored the visibility from one (undetectable) to four (easily detectable) in both underwater conditions. The color differences and visibility scores were compared., Results: Seventy-three polyps were evaluated. Sixty-one polyps (44 adenomatous, 17 serrated) were observed under transparent conditions, and 12 polyps (seven adenomatous, five serrated) were observed under cloudy conditions. Under transparent conditions, color differences for the BLI (8.5) and LCI (7.9) were significantly higher than that of WLI (5.7; P < 0.001). Visibility scores for BLI (3.6) and LCI (3.4) were also higher than that of WLI (3.1; P < 0.0001). Under cloudy conditions, visibility scores for LCI (2.9) and WLI (2.7) were significantly higher than that of BLI (2.2; P < 0.0001 and P = 0.04, respectively)., Conclusions: BLI and LCI were better observational modes in transparent water; however, BLI was unsuitable for cloudy conditions., (© 2019 Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society.)

Objectives: Endoscopic biopsies for nonampullary duodenal epithelial neoplasms (NADENs) can induce submucosal fibrosis, making endoscopic resection difficult. However, no biopsy-free method exists to distinguish between NADENs and non-neoplasms. We developed a diagnostic algorithm for duodenal neoplasms based on magnifying endoscopy findings and evaluated the model's diagnostic ability., Methods: Magnified endoscopic images and duodenal lesion histology were collected consecutively between January 2015 and April 2016. Diagnosticians classified the surface patterns as pit, groove or absent. In cases of nonvisible surface patterns, the vascular pattern was evaluated to determine regularity or irregularity. The correlation between our algorithm (pit-type or absent with irregular vascular pattern) and the lesion histology were evaluated. Four evaluators, who were blinded to the histology, also classified the endoscopic findings and evaluated the diagnostic performance and interobserver agreement., Results: Endoscopic images of 114 lesions were evaluated (70 NADENs and 44 non-neoplasms, 31 in the superior and 83 in the descending and horizontal duodenum). Of the NADEN surface patterns, 88% (62/70) were pit-type, while 79% (35/44) of the non-neoplasm surface patterns were groove-type. Our diagnostic algorithm for differentiating NADENs from non-neoplasms was high (sensitivity 96%, specificity 95%) in the descending and horizontal duodenum. The evaluators' diagnostic performances were also high, and interobserver agreement for the algorithm was good between each diagnostician and evaluator (κ = 0.60-0.76)., Conclusion: Diagnostic performance of our algorithm sufficiently enabled eliminating endoscopic biopsies for diagnosing the descending and horizontal duodenum., (© 2019 Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society.)

Background and Aim: The incidence of post-endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) coagulation syndrome (PECS) can be decreased by closing mucosal defects. However, large mucosal defects after colorectal ESD cannot be closed endoscopically. We established line-assisted complete clip closure (LACC), a novel technique for large mucosal defects after colorectal ESD. We evaluated the prophylactic efficacy of LACC for preventing PECS., Methods: Sixty-one consecutive patients on whom LACC after colorectal ESD was attempted from January 2016 to August 2016 were analyzed. After exclusion of patients with incomplete LACC and adverse events during ESD, 57 patients comprised the LACC group. In contrast, 495 patients who did not undergo closure of a mucosal defect comprised the control group. Propensity score matching was used to adjust for patients' backgrounds. Treatment outcomes were evaluated between the groups., Results: Median resected specimen size in the LACC-attempted group was 35 mm (range, 20-72 mm), and LACC success rate was 95% (58/61). Median procedure time of LACC was 14 min. In the LACC group, incidence of PECS was only 2%, and no delayed bleeding or perforation occurred. Propensity score matching created 51 matched pairs. Adjusted comparisons between the LACC and control groups showed a lower incidence of PECS (0% vs 12%, respectively; P = 0.03) and shorter hospitalization (5 vs 6 days, respectively; P < 0.001) in the LACC group., Conclusion: This study suggests that LACC can effectively reduce the incidence of PECS, although further large-scale studies are warranted., (© 2018 Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society.)

Background and Aim: Colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) remains challenging because of technical difficulties, long procedure time, and high risk of adverse events. To facilitate colorectal ESD, we developed traction-assisted colorectal ESD using a clip and thread (TAC-ESD) and conducted a randomized controlled trial to evaluate its efficacy., Methods: Patients with superficial colorectal neoplasms (SCN) ≥20 mm were enrolled and randomly assigned to the conventional-ESD group or to the TAC-ESD group. SCN ≤50 mm were treated by two intermediates, and SCN >50 mm were treated by two experts. Primary endpoint was procedure time. Secondary endpoints were TAC-ESD success rate (sustained application of the clip and thread until the end of the procedure), self-completion rate by the intermediates, and adverse events., Results: Altogether, 42 SCN were analyzed in each ESD group (conventional and TAC). Procedure time (median [range]) for the TAC-ESD group was significantly shorter than that for the conventional-ESD group (40 [11-86] min vs 70 [30-180] min, respectively; P < 0.0001). Success rate of TAC-ESD was 95% (40/42). The intermediates' self-completion rate was significantly higher for the TAC-ESD group than for the conventional-ESD group (100% [39/39] vs 90% [36/40], respectively; P = 0.04). Adverse events included one intraoperative perforation in the conventional-ESD group and one delayed perforation in the TAC-ESD group., Conclusion: Traction-assisted colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection reduced the procedure time and increased the self-completion rate by the intermediates (UMIN000018612)., (© 2018 Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society.)

Transoral endoscopy with narrow band imaging (NBI) is useful for early detection of head and neck (HN) cancer. However, the lateral and anterior walls of the oropharynx, postcricoid area, and posterior wall of the hypopharynx are difficult to observe using transoral endoscopy. Advanced cancers in these regions may be missed even when NBI is used. This report highlights a method of transoral endoscopic examination of the HN region. For observation of the oral cavity and oropharynx, it is important to observe these regions without using a mouthpiece. Wide opening of the mouth facilitates observation of the oral cavity and oropharynx. Moreover, visibility of the oropharynx, including the anterior wall, is dramatically improved, when the patient positions the tongue forward and says 'aaah.' This technique also facilitates observation of the dorsum of the tongue, which is difficult to observe from a tangential view when using a mouthpiece. To observe the hypopharynx, the Valsalva maneuver is very useful. Patient cooperation is important when observing the HN region thoroughly to gain clear endoscopic views. Narcotic drugs, such as pethidine hydrochloride, are ideal for conscious sedation and reduce the gag reflex while still allowing patient cooperation. From the oral cavity to the hypopharynx, including the lateral and anterior walls of the oropharynx, postcricoid area, and posterior wall of the hypopharynx, most of the HN region can be observed during routine examination using transoral endoscopy without any special devices., (© 2018 Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society.)

Background and Aim: Standard surveillance methods for pharyngeal cancer have not been established. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to investigate the best sedation method for pharyngeal observation using transoral endoscopy., Methods: In total, 120 patients who underwent surveillance or diagnostic examinations for esophageal cancer were enrolled and divided equally into three groups (no sedation, midazolam, or pethidine hydrochloride). In the midazolam group, midazolam was given i.v. maintaining a Ramsay score of 3. In the pethidine group, pethidine hydrochloride (35 mg) given i.v. Seven sites in five pharyngeal regions were observed on insertion of the endoscope, and graded (0 = poor, 1 = good). After examination, the five pharyngeal regions were scored using a seven-point scale. Primary endpoint was the total score from the five pharyngeal regions. Secondary endpoints were the proportion of the perfect score using the seven-point scale, discomfort score, and adverse events., Results: Mean total scores for the no sedation group, the midazolam group and the pethidine group were 5.7, 5.5, and 6.8, respectively (P < 0.0001). Proportion of patients with a perfect score for the no sedation group, the midazolam group and the pethidine group were 53%, 35%, and 89%, respectively (P < 0.0001). The pethidine group had better results than the other two groups. Discomfort score and adverse events were low in the pethidine group., Conclusion: Pethidine hydrochloride is a feasible and safe sedation method, and was superior to no sedation and midazolam regarding pharyngeal observation of esophageal cancer patients., (© 2016 Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society.)