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Misty mesentery refers to a non-specific radiological finding characterized by increased attenuation within the mesenteric fat on computed tomography  imaging.  It mimics mistiness as localised fat stranding in the mesentery.  Many processes can lead to the appearance including infiltration by inflammatory cells, oedema, lymphatic accumulation, haemorrhage, tumour infiltration, and fibrosis.  Tipically reflects mesentery panniculitis  ( rare  benign condition characterized by chronic inflammation  of adipose tissue mainly of the small bowel mesentery) But can be the results of any inflammatory or neoplasic process. That is why it is needed to consider also vasculitis, lymphomas, inflammatory process or GI neoplasia.

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm account for around 5% of pancreatic neoplasm. They are almost exclusively found in females (f:m ratio 10:1) and usually appear in their 20s.  CT and EUS can show well-encapsulated mass with varying solid and cystic components, caused by hemorrhagic degeneration. Peripheral calcification may occur.  They appearance can vary from solid to purely cystic- therefore even a small cystic lesion in a young female without previous pancreatitis episodes must make us consider this diagnosis

These lesion have a potential for malignant degeneration (Around 15%) therefore surgical removal is recommended . Cytology can show cluster  or sheets of papillary cells, PAS + and Vimentin.

• CLINICAL CASE AND Image: Dr Hajar Adil
• Source: Endosonography, 5th Edition by Shyam Varadarajulu, MD, Paul Fockens, MD, PhD and Robert H. Hawes, MD.
• Learning point brought by Dr Sarto Paquin

based on the American Association for the study of liver diseases  guidelines

Check the guidelines

The lower cutoff for FIB 4   >1.3.  Less than 1.3 rules out advanced fibrosis, and >1.3 needs further investigations.

In elderly patients (>65 yo) this threlsholds has low especificity (many false positive patients who do not really have advanced fibrosis) therefore the cutoff proposed in those is 2 (Fib 4 <2 rules out significant fibrosis)

>2.67 is the upper threshold for advanced fibrosis. Patients scoring this have high chance of advance fibrosis and should be referred to liver clinic

Although Adenocarcinoma is the most rapidly growing esophageal cancer, still the most common type of esophageal cancer worldwide is esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The highest-risk area, called the “esophageal cancer belt,” includes portions of northern Iran, southern Russia, central Asian countries, and northern China, where SCC dominates all cases by 90%. These are very dense populated areas.

However, in Western countries like the United States, esophageal adenocarcinoma has become more common in recent decades, particularly in the lower part of the esophagus and the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ). This increase in adenocarcinoma is often linked to conditions like Barrett esophagus and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

In summary:

• Worldwide: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common.
• Western countries (US and Europe): Esophageal adenocarcinoma has surpassed SCC in incidence.

The protective effect on colon cancer has been suggested in <70 yo. A meta-analysis of five RCTs showed a 24% decrease in the risk for developing CRC (HR 0.76, CI 95% 0.60–0.96). Daily low-dose aspirin also showed a 40% reduction for the risk of CRC mortality (HR 0.60, CI 95% 0.42–0.86). However, the ASPREE trial studied low-dose aspirin among >70yo without cardiovascular disease. Secondary analyses demonstrated that aspirin use was associated with a higher risk for cancer-related mortality (HR 1.31, CI 95% 1.10–1.56) and colorectal cancer-related mortality.  This significance is uncertain and we should be cautious. Check preliminary results here. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1803955

The protective effect preventing HGD and adenocarcinoma in Barrett’s was seen in several studies such as Aspect trial (DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31388-)

Hb needs to be kept 7-8g/dl at least,  and a target of >9-10g/dl  if significant cardiovascular disease.  Andenaxet is recommended if life threatening or uncontrolled bleeding, like this case which is responding only partially to resucitation with fluids and continues to pass blood, so it could be prescribed.  If not available, 4-F PCC can be used instead.  Urgent sigmoidoscopy in general has no role and it would likely be useless without an adequate bowel preparation as we would expect to have very poor visibility due to stool and blood remains.

Unprepped colonoscopy or any form of sigmoidoscopy is NOT recommended in acute lower GI Bleeding unless very clear that the source is known to be anorectal or very distal colon (see American Guidelines) BSG guidelines also recommneds Colonoscopy as  inpatient with adequate bowel preparation, not urgently but  ideally after stabilising the patient.

If after resucitation and transfusion the patient remains unstable, then a joined plan with intensivist and surgical colleagues should be made (i.e, Interventional radiology, vs quick preparation with movicol, vs enema and salvage lower endoscopy, vs surgical approach)

According to the  2020 BSG  post-polypectomy surveillance guidelines   we recommend no surveillance if life expectancy is less than 10 y or patient older than 75 yo.  However this can be flexible depending on the patient situation. For example, if histology show incomplete resection margins or colonoscopy was suboptimally prepared then it could be reasonable to repeat the test in 1 year.

If this same case was in a fit and younger patient (e.g  65 yo patient ) then given that we removed 5  adenomas (premalignant) - this would be the cutoff to have another colonoscopy in 3 years

In fact, the majority of the guidelines suggest 3 year follow up if 5 or more small(<10mm)  adenomas are removed.  2020 AGA recommend 3 years followup if 5-10 adenomas, 5 years if 3-4 adenomas and up to 7-10 years if only 1-2 adenomas (or SSL).

For example, if a 65 yo patient had only 4 small adenomas with en bloc resection and good bowel cleaning,  no further surveillance and return to bowel screening according to the British guidelines but would need 5 year colonoscopy according to the AGA guidelines. 

It has always been agreed that High grade dysplasia should merit ablation, however clasically LGD would be offered endoscopic surveillance until progressed to HGD. This approach has changed over the last years to the point that Both ESGE and AGA suggest eradication with ablation to prevent progression to HGD/cancer. BSG recommends repeating endoscopy in 6 months and if confirmed again, offering eradication vs 6 -monthly surveillance.  The AGA 2024 guidelines favous ablation over surveillance.

All societies agree that he biopsies should be reviewed by an expert pathologist (ESGE suggest 2 experts) before embarking into eradication.  Remember that the incidence of progression (to HGD or adenoca) is estimated around   9.1%/year  with reported incidence of adenocarcinoma of 0.54% per year. The overall yearly incidence of Eosphageal adenocarcinoma is 0.3% (0.19 in short segment )