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Endoscopic stenting is an area of endoscopy that has witnessed noteworthy advancements over the last decade, resulting in evolving clinical practices among gastroenterologists around the world. Indications for endoscopic stenting have progressively expanded, becoming a frequent part of the management algorithm for various benign and malignant conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, from esophagus to rectum. In addition to expanded indications, continuous technological enhancements and development of novel endoscopic stents have resulted in an increased success of these approaches and, in some cases, allowed new applications. This review aimed to summarize best practices in esophageal, gastroduodenal, and colonic stenting.

Introduction: Brush cytology is commonly used during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for the diagnostic evaluation of biliopancreatic strictures. However, since the overall sensitivity of brush cytology is poor, the exclusion of malignancy is difficult. Recognition of factors related to the patient, technique or lesion may help improve the diagnostic yield of brush cytology. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield of brush cytology in the assessment of biliopancreatic strictures and identify predictive factors associated with a positive diagnosis of malignancy. Methods: Retrospective study that evaluated all consecutive patients that underwent brush cytology for the investigation of biliopancreatic strictures in a tertiary center, between January 2012 and January 2018. Results: One hundred and sixty-five patients that underwent 182 procedures were included. A diagnosis of malignancy was confirmed in 110 patients (66.7%), of whom 62 had positive brush cytology (sensitivity 53.7%, specificity 98.5%, accuracy 69.8%). On the multivariate analysis, age ≥68 years (OR 4.83, 95% CI 1.04–22.37) and lesions suspicious of metastasis on cross-sectional imaging (OR 8.58, 95% CI 1.70–43.38) were independently associated with a positive result. Subanalysis of the patients presenting with these two factors (n = 26) revealed an increase in the diagnostic yield (sensitivity 80.8%). Conclusion: Age ≥68 years and lesions suspicious of metastasis on cross-sectional imaging are independent factors associated with a positive result. Patient selection taking these factors into account may increase the diagnostic yield of brush cytology.

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a complex disease that should be treated by experienced teams of gastroenterologists, radiologists, surgeons, and nutritionists in a multidisciplinary environment. Medical treatment includes lifestyle modification, nutrition, exocrine and endocrine pancreatic insufficiency correction, and pain management. Up to 60% of patients will ultimately require some type of endoscopic or surgical intervention for treatment. However, regardless of the modality, they are often ineffective unless smoking and alcohol cessation is achieved. Surgery retains a major role in the treatment of CP patients with intractable chronic pain or suspected pancreatic mass. For other complications like biliary or gastroduodenal obstruction, pseudocyst drainage can be performed endoscopically. The recommendations for CP were developed by Clube Português do Pâncreas (CPP), based on literature review to answer predefined topics, subsequently discussed and approved by all members of CPP. Recommendations are separated in two parts: “chronic pancreatitis etiology, natural history, and diagnosis,” and “chronic pancreatitis medical, endoscopic, and surgical treatment.” This abstract pertains to part II. A pancreatite crónica (PC) é uma doença complexa que deve ser tratada por equipas multidisciplinares experientes de gastrenterologistas, radiologistas, cirurgiões e nutricionistas. O tratamento médico inclui modificação do estilo de vida, nutrição, correção das insuficiências pancreáticas endócrina e exócrina e controle da dor. Até 60% dos doentes podem necessitar de algum tipo de terapêutica endoscópica ou cirúrgica. No entanto, independentemente da modalidade, elas serão ineficazes, se não se alcançar cessação tabágica e etílica. A cirurgia desempenha um papel importante no tratamento dos doentes com dor crónica intratável ou lesões pancreáticas suspeitas. Outras complicações como obstrução biliar, gastroduodenal, ou drenagem de pseudocistos podem ser tratadas endoscopicamente. As recomendações sobre PC foram desenvolvidas pelo Clube Português do Pâncreas (CPP), com base numa revisão da literatura para responder a questões predefinidas, posteriormente discutidos e aprovados por todos os membros do CPP. As recomendações encontram-se separadas em duas partes: “etiologia da pancreatite crónica, história natural e diagnóstico” e “tratamento médico, endoscópico e cirúrgico da pancreatite crónica.” Este resumo corresponde à parte II.

Background: Cholangiocarcinoma is the second most frequent primitive liver malignancy and is responsible for 3% of the malignant gastrointestinal neoplasms. The aims of this study were to determine the association of serum levels of CA 19-9 at diagnosis with other clinical data and serum liver function tests and to identify possible factors that influence the survival rates during follow-up. Methods: Retrospective observational study of 89 patients with a diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma followed at the Department of Gastroenterology during 5 years. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 20.0. Results: Patients were followed up for a median time of 127 days (IQR: 48-564), and the median age at diagnosis was 71.0 years (IQR: 62.0-77.5). The median survival rate was 14.0 months (IQR: 4.3-23.7), and the mortality rate was 79%. Patients with CA 19-9 levels ≥ 103 U/L had lower albumin levels and higher levels of alanine aminotransferase and γ-glutamyltransferase. CA 19-9 levels ≥ 103 U/L were associated with a higher probability of metastization ( p = 0.001) and lower rates of treatment with curative intent ( p = 0.024). In a multivariate analysis, CA 19-9 levels

∗ Corresponding author. E-mail address: rosacoelhoabrantes@hotmail.com (R. Coelho). Emergency Department, nine months after, with melenic stool and epigastric pain, the laboratory work-up revealed hemoglobin 6.5 g/dL with MCV of 72.3 fl. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed and revealed in the anterior and superior bulb wall, protruding into the duodenal lumen, a dark reddish polypoid lesion with 30 mm of maximum diameter that occluded half of the lumen (Fig. 1). Biopsies were taken as it was not actively bleeding at the time of endoscopy. Histological analysis showed a fibrin clot with hepatic phenotype cells in the peripheral area. These cells showed cytological atypia and were disaggregated (Fig. 2A). Immunohistochemical studies revealed positive tumor cells staining for Heppar-1 (Fig. 2B), HSP-70 (Fig. 2C) and glutamine synthetize (Fig. 2D). Immunostaining showed negative results for CDX-2 and glipican-3, confirming the diagnosis of locally advanced HCC. Abdominopelvic CT was performed and showed multiple liver masses located in the left hepatic lobe, with the confluent lesions measuring 19.9 cm of maximum diameter, some of them occupied the right lobe (Fig. 3A). It was also possible to recognize evidence of local invasion of the first part of the duodenum (Fig. 3B). Supportive treatment was given and the patient died of hepatic coma three weeks after the episode of gastrointestinal bleeding.