Digestive System
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The caliber of the duodenoscope is 11.3mm  (shaft) with a 13.5mm distal end outer diameter.

This can help us  estimating the size of the biliary duct and the stones. We should use a balloon no bigger than  the size of the biliary duct at level of the trapped  stone, and ideally no  bigger than the duct diameter proximal to the ampullary segment.

In this case  biliary duct is approx the same size as the shaft , perhaps slightly less(10-11mm) therefore it is reasonable to start with the size balloon of 10mm (for 30-60 secs, although this is not well stablished) and keep inflating in ranges of 1mm per minute, until the waist of the balloon (see arrow)  disappears completely on fluoroscopic examination (see added picture  of a real balloon at the right to see how it should look at the end of the procedure) . Once balloon waist is gone, sphincter is considered to be adequately dilated .

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)

High Amplitude propagating contractions (HAPC)

• HAPC, Defined by high amplitude (variable threshold among studies) and presence of propagation; amplitude is higher in the prepped than unprepped colon
•  from 50-100, can reach up  to 200 mm Hg, they last 20 to 30 seconds, approximately 6 times a day, with a range of 2 to 24 daily.
• Occur spontaneously, in response to pharmacological agents or colonic distention
• Increase upon awakening, are much more common during the day, and increase after meals
• A majority originate in the proximal colon; most do not propagate beyond the midcolon and fewer than 5% reach the rectum
• Can transfer colonic contents over long distances, can be associated with internal anal sphincter relaxation, and can precede defecation

Low amplitude (Haustral Contractions)

• Slow, segmenting movements that further mix chyme.
• About every 30 minutes.
• (5 to 40 mm Hg) 3 seconds
• Occur in haustra: small pouches caused by the teniae coli (longitudinal smooth muscle ribbons that run along outside the entire length of the colon). Because they are shorter than the large intestine, the large intestine tucks between the teniae and form sacs
• Primarily occur in ascending and transverse colons.
• Produced by contractions of smooth muscle layer

Both the low- and high-amplitude contractions are promoted by physical exercise as well as by emotional stress.

It is known that HAPC reduce  over time in elderly patients, and also are notoriously reduced in frequency in those wih chronic constipation. Opposingly they are increased in diarrhoea type IBS.  Low amplitude are worse understood, and despite increasing with age, they do not usually change the transit time.

Source

Source 2

Anatomy and Physiology of the Pelvic Digestive Organs
Ursula Szmulowicz MD, in
Posterior Pelvic Floor Abnormalities
, 2011

Many chronic pancreatitis causing biliary stricture are asymptomatic or associate minimal changes in liver blood tests particularly ALP. In order to call cholestasis we have to see an increase in of usually >3 times ULN of alkaline phosphate (this is about >350-400 U/L)  As long as it does not cause significant cholestasis or cholangitis, there is no indication of biliary draining. IF they associate biliary stones , episodes of repeating infection or biliary pain (his pain seems more due to chronic pancreatitis) then it is justifed to drain the biliary tree.

Despite some increases in ALP, Conservative management with close monitoring is still adequate in this case, as well as recommend complete alcohol abstinence. If his bloods worsen or the bile dilation progresses during the next months, ERCP could be dicussed in a multidisciplinary meeting (risk of stenosis progression and cholestasis vs risk of ERCP adverse events)

GERD is a well known risk factor for adenocarcinoma of esophagus, but not for squamous cell carcinoma.

Risk factors for SCC are low socioeconomic status, consumption of tobacco, alcohol, hot beverages, and nitrosamines (e.g cured or smoked) . Additionally, micronutrient deficiencies have also been linked to the development of esophageal squamous cell cancer. These include vitamin C, vitamin E, and folate

Plummer-Vinson syndrome (PVS) is a rare condition characterized by the classic triad of dysphagia, iron-deficiency anemia, and esophageal webbing.  Approximately 10% of patient can develop SCC.

Remember Achalasia as other importart pathology in which there is an increased risk of esophageal cancer, particularly SCC

Synthetic liver function test include Albumin and clotting.
High bilirubin is part of the definition of liver impaired function

ALT is a marker of liver damage or insult, but does not relate to how well the liver is functioning.

This image  impedance pH study showing a proximal then distal increase in impedance with air clearing from the esophagus orally. Arrows indicate direction of air flow down and then up. This is supragastric Belching. (B) High-resolution manometry showing repetitive supragastic belching with upper esophageal sphincter opening then air propagating through the esophagus, contraction of diaphragm with aborad (away from the mouth) movement of lower esophageal sphincter.   The treatment for this is behavioural therapy and adding central neuromodulators in cases of linked psychological disorders

Calcium channel inhibitors and other antispasmodic therapy has been used for spastic disorders such as diffuse oesophageal spasm and nutcracker (hypercontractile) oesophagus.

POEM and Hellers myotomy are well known treatments for Achalasia.

EGJOO(Esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction )  can respond well to balloon dilation or botox (63-70%, although POEM is not commonly used it has been described very effective)

Kudo II (asteroid or stellate pits) which are star or cross-shaped.  This is very typical of hyperplastic polyps (non neoplastic)  or serrated lesions.

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