Background: No studies have compared balloon-assisted endoscope-guided endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (BAE-ERCP) and endoscopic ultrasonography-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) for emergent treatment of acute cholangitis (AC) in patients with upper gastrointestinal surgically altered anatomy (SAA). Methods: This study retrospectively evaluated consecutive patients who underwent emergent BAE-ERCP or EUS-BD for AC with SAA between January 2020 and March 2024. Technical success, clinical success, procedure time, and adverse events (AEs) were compared between the two groups. Results: This study included 23 patients in the BAE-ERCP group and 14 patients in the EUS-BD group. Technical success and clinical success rates did not significantly differ between the two groups (88% vs. 100%, P = 0.51 and 95% vs. 93%, P = 0.66). Similarly, the rate of AEs was comparable between the two groups (4% vs. 14%, P = 0.54). The median procedure time was significantly shorter in the EUS-BD group than in the BAE-ERCP group (32.5 [interquartile range; IQR, 28.8–52.5] minutes vs. 70.0 [IQR, 60.0–90.0] minutes, P < 0.01). In cases with grade 2 or 3 cholangitis, the rates of technical success, clinical success, and AEs did not significantly differ between the two groups. However, the median procedure time was significantly shorter in the EUS-BD group than in the BAE-ERCP group (32.5 [IQR, 28.8–52.5] minutes vs. 70 [IQR, 56.3–90.0] minutes, P < 0.01). Conclusion While both BAE-ERCP and EUS-BD can be performed safely and effectively in patients with AC and SAA, the procedure time is significantly shorter with EUS-BD than with BAE-ERCP.

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) has been recognized as an effective treatment for patients at high risk for surgery. An antimigration metal stent with tapered thin delivery system has recently been developed. The aims of this study were to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and longterm outcomes of EUS-GBD using the new metal stent. Methods: Between April 2017 and March 2020, 21 patients with acute cholecystitis unsuitable for cholecystectomy underwent EUS-GBD using the metal stent. The stent was 6 mm in diameter and 6 cm in length, with a large flare at both ends for antimigration, and mounted in a 7.5 Fr delivery catheter, which requires no dilation devices. We retrospectively evaluated clinical and technical success, adverse events, and stent patency. Results: The technical and clinical success rates of EUS-GBD using the metal stent were 95.2% and 100%, respectively. For 75% of the patients, metal stents could be placed without dilatation of the needle tract. These patients had significantly shorter procedure time (23.6 ± 9.8 min) than patients requiring needle tract dilatation (38.4 ± 17.1 min; P = 0.036). The median follow-up periods were 336 days (interquartile range [IQR] 152–919 days) and 1,135 days (IQR 1,009–1,675 days) for all and alive patients, respectively. No adverse events or recurrence of cholecystitis due to stent occlusion that occurred in any patient at follow-up was observed. Conclusion In conclusion, EUS-GBD using the newly designed metal stent showed excellent safety and longterm outcomes, and may be suitable as an alternative treatment in patients who are unsuitable for cholecystectomy.

Background: No studies have compared balloon-assisted endoscope-guided endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (BAE-ERCP) and endoscopic ultrasonography-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) for emergent treatment of acute cholangitis (AC) in patients with upper gastrointestinal surgically altered anatomy (SAA). Methods: This study retrospectively evaluated consecutive patients who underwent emergent BAE-ERCP or EUS-BD for AC with SAA between January 2020 and March 2024. Technical success, clinical success, procedure time, and adverse events (AEs) were compared between the two groups. Results: This study included 23 patients in the BAE-ERCP group and 14 patients in the EUS-BD group. Technical success and clinical success rates did not significantly differ between the two groups (88% vs. 100%, P = 0.51 and 95% vs. 93%, P = 0.66). Similarly, the rate of AEs was comparable between the two groups (4% vs. 14%, P = 0.54). The median procedure time was significantly shorter in the EUS-BD group than in the BAE-ERCP group (32.5 [interquartile range; IQR, 28.8–52.5] minutes vs. 70.0 [IQR, 60.0–90.0] minutes, P < 0.01). In cases with grade 2 or 3 cholangitis, the rates of technical success, clinical success, and AEs did not significantly differ between the two groups. However, the median procedure time was significantly shorter in the EUS-BD group than in the BAE-ERCP group (32.5 [IQR, 28.8–52.5] minutes vs. 70 [IQR, 56.3–90.0] minutes, P < 0.01). Conclusion While both BAE-ERCP and EUS-BD can be performed safely and effectively in patients with AC and SAA, the procedure time is significantly shorter with EUS-BD than with BAE-ERCP.

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) has been recognized as an effective treatment for patients at high risk for surgery. An antimigration metal stent with tapered thin delivery system has recently been developed. The aims of this study were to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and longterm outcomes of EUS-GBD using the new metal stent. Methods: Between April 2017 and March 2020, 21 patients with acute cholecystitis unsuitable for cholecystectomy underwent EUS-GBD using the metal stent. The stent was 6 mm in diameter and 6 cm in length, with a large flare at both ends for antimigration, and mounted in a 7.5 Fr delivery catheter, which requires no dilation devices. We retrospectively evaluated clinical and technical success, adverse events, and stent patency. Results: The technical and clinical success rates of EUS-GBD using the metal stent were 95.2% and 100%, respectively. For 75% of the patients, metal stents could be placed without dilatation of the needle tract. These patients had significantly shorter procedure time (23.6 ± 9.8 min) than patients requiring needle tract dilatation (38.4 ± 17.1 min; P = 0.036). The median follow-up periods were 336 days (interquartile range [IQR] 152–919 days) and 1,135 days (IQR 1,009–1,675 days) for all and alive patients, respectively. No adverse events or recurrence of cholecystitis due to stent occlusion that occurred in any patient at follow-up was observed. Conclusion In conclusion, EUS-GBD using the newly designed metal stent showed excellent safety and longterm outcomes, and may be suitable as an alternative treatment in patients who are unsuitable for cholecystectomy.

An 82-year-old male patient who had a history of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and Debranching Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR) (right axillary artery-left axillary artery-left common carotid artery) was admitted to our hospital due to sudden chest pain. The diagnosis revealed acute coronary syndrome: 2-vessel lesions, including the left main trunk (LMT) (right coronary artery (RCA) #2 75%, #3 90%, LMT #5 50%, and left anterior descending (LAD) branch #7 75%). Plain Old Balloon Angioplasty (POBA) was performed on the responsible lesion, RCA (#2-3). Off-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (OPCAB) was initially planned for the remaining lesion. However, cardiogenic shock occurred, and an emergency OPCAB (SVG-LAD, SVG-#4PD) was performed via partial sternotomy (inverted L-shaped incision on the left side), using intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP). The patient underwent revascularization using great saphenous vein grafts due to the potential for postoperative pleuroperitoneal communication in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis, as well as the risk of impaired internal thoracic artery (ITA) flow caused by debranching in future involving internal shunts for dialysis. It is important to consider not only the graft but also the thoracotomy, taking into account the perspectives of early weaning and the prevention of perioperative complications.

Background: No studies have compared balloon-assisted endoscope-guided endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (BAE-ERCP) and endoscopic ultrasonography-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) for emergent treatment of acute cholangitis (AC) in patients with upper gastrointestinal surgically altered anatomy (SAA). Methods: This study retrospectively evaluated consecutive patients who underwent emergent BAE-ERCP or EUS-BD for AC with SAA between January 2020 and March 2024. Technical success, clinical success, procedure time, and adverse events (AEs) were compared between the two groups. Results: This study included 23 patients in the BAE-ERCP group and 14 patients in the EUS-BD group. Technical success and clinical success rates did not significantly differ between the two groups (88% vs. 100%, P = 0.51 and 95% vs. 93%, P = 0.66). Similarly, the rate of AEs was comparable between the two groups (4% vs. 14%, P = 0.54). The median procedure time was significantly shorter in the EUS-BD group than in the BAE-ERCP group (32.5 [interquartile range; IQR, 28.8–52.5] minutes vs. 70.0 [IQR, 60.0–90.0] minutes, P < 0.01). In cases with grade 2 or 3 cholangitis, the rates of technical success, clinical success, and AEs did not significantly differ between the two groups. However, the median procedure time was significantly shorter in the EUS-BD group than in the BAE-ERCP group (32.5 [IQR, 28.8–52.5] minutes vs. 70 [IQR, 56.3–90.0] minutes, P < 0.01). Conclusion While both BAE-ERCP and EUS-BD can be performed safely and effectively in patients with AC and SAA, the procedure time is significantly shorter with EUS-BD than with BAE-ERCP.

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) has been recognized as an effective treatment for patients at high risk for surgery. An antimigration metal stent with tapered thin delivery system has recently been developed. The aims of this study were to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and longterm outcomes of EUS-GBD using the new metal stent. Methods: Between April 2017 and March 2020, 21 patients with acute cholecystitis unsuitable for cholecystectomy underwent EUS-GBD using the metal stent. The stent was 6 mm in diameter and 6 cm in length, with a large flare at both ends for antimigration, and mounted in a 7.5 Fr delivery catheter, which requires no dilation devices. We retrospectively evaluated clinical and technical success, adverse events, and stent patency. Results: The technical and clinical success rates of EUS-GBD using the metal stent were 95.2% and 100%, respectively. For 75% of the patients, metal stents could be placed without dilatation of the needle tract. These patients had significantly shorter procedure time (23.6 ± 9.8 min) than patients requiring needle tract dilatation (38.4 ± 17.1 min; P = 0.036). The median follow-up periods were 336 days (interquartile range [IQR] 152–919 days) and 1,135 days (IQR 1,009–1,675 days) for all and alive patients, respectively. No adverse events or recurrence of cholecystitis due to stent occlusion that occurred in any patient at follow-up was observed. Conclusion In conclusion, EUS-GBD using the newly designed metal stent showed excellent safety and longterm outcomes, and may be suitable as an alternative treatment in patients who are unsuitable for cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Long screen time hours may be associated with behavioral problems in children. To better understand the relationship between children's behavioral problems and screen time, it the associated risk factors must be subdivided based on the purpose underlying screen use. This study examined the relationship between screen time based on intended usage and behavioral problems in Japan. METHODS: This study included 3,332 children aged between 7-17 years from the Hokkaido Study on Environment and Children's Health. From October 2020 to October 2021, the children and their parents answered questionnaires on the children's screen use duration (never used, <30 min, ≥30 min & <1 hour, ≥1 h & <2 h, ≥2 h) based on seven intended usage categories: watching television/video, video gaming, reading books/comics, sending/receiving e-mail/messages, browsing/posting on social networking services, studying for classes/homework, drawing/editing pictures/photos/videos, along with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between screen time, purpose of children's screen use, and behavioral problems across the 13 SDQ total scores. RESULTS: The mean ± standard deviation age of the participants was 12.4 ± 2.4-years-old, 487 (14.6%) children were determined to have behavioral problems, and the duration of screen time increased with their age. The children's primary purposes for screen use were watching television/video, video gaming, sending/receiving e-mail/messages, and browsing/posting on social networking services. Children who reported playing video games for ≥2 hours on weekdays had higher odds of problematic total difficulties scores than never user (Odds Ratio: 2.10, 95% confidence interval: 1.45-3.06). CONCLUSION Long video gaming screen time is associated with behavioral issues, hyperactivity/inattention, and prosocial behaviors in children. Conversely, watching television and videos for 30 min-1 h per day, using e-mail or messaging, and using social networking services were significantly association with reduced odds ratio for peer relationship problems as compared to children who never engaged in these activities. Longitudinal follow-up is needed to further examine screen time and problem behaviors.
Humans ; Screen Time ; Child ; Japan/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Adolescent ; Problem Behavior/psychology* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Child Behavior ; Television/statistics & numerical data* ; Video Games/statistics & numerical data*

Background/Aims: Rosemont classification (RC) with en-doscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is important for diagnosing chronic pancreatitis (CP) but is based only on subjective judgement. EUS shear wave measurement (EUS-SWM) is a precise modality based on objective judgment, but its usefulness has not been extensively studied yet. This study evaluated the utility of EUS-SWM for diagnosing CP and esti-mating CP severity by determining the presence of endocrine dysfunction along with diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods: Between June 2018 and December 2018, 52 patients who underwent EUS and EUS-SWM were classified into two groups according to RC: non-CP (indeterminate CP and normal) and CP (consistent and suggestive of CP). The EUSSWM value by shear wave velocity was evaluated with a me-dian value. The EUS-SWM value was compared with RC and the number of EUS features. The diagnostic accuracy and cutoff value of EUS-SWM for CP and DM and its sensitivity and specificity were calculated. Results: The EUS-SWM value significantly positively correlated with the RC and the number of EUS features. The EUS-SWM values that were consistent and suggestive of CP were significantly higher than that of normal. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve for the diagnostic accuracy of EUS-SWM for CP was 0.97. The cutoff value of 2.19 had 100% sensitivity and 94% specificity. For endocrine dysfunction in CP, the AUROC was 0.75. The cutoff value of 2.78 had 70% sensitiv-ity and 56% specificity. Conclusions EUS-SWM provides an objective assessment and can be an alternative diagnostic tool for diagnosing CP. EUS-SWM may also be useful for pre-dicting the presence of endocrine dysfunction.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) has been used to diagnose gastrointestinal submucosal tumors (SMTs). Although rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) has been reported to improve the diagnostic accuracy of EUS-FNA for pancreatic lesions, on-site cytopathologists are not routinely available. Given this background, the usefulness of ROSE by endosonographers themselves for pancreatic tumors has also been reported. However, ROSE by endosonographers for diagnosis of SMT has not been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of EUS-FNA with ROSE by endosonographers for SMT, focusing on diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), compared with that of EUS-FNA alone. METHODS: Twenty-two consecutive patients who underwent EUS-FNA with ROSE by endosonographers for SMT followed by surgical resection were identified. Ten historical control subjects who underwent EUS-FNA without ROSE were used for comparison. RESULTS: The overall diagnostic accuracy for SMT was significantly higher in cases with than without ROSE (100% vs. 80%, p=0.03). The number of needle passes by FNA with ROSE by endosonographers tended to be fewer, although accuracy was increased (3.3±1.3 vs. 5.9±3.8, p=0.06). CONCLUSIONS: ROSE by endosonographers during EUS-FNA for SMT is useful for definitive diagnosis, particularly for GIST.
Biopsy, Fine-Needle* ; Diagnosis* ; Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors* ; Humans ; Needles