Introduction

Literature suggests that computer-aided polyp detection (CADe) systems increase adenoma detection rate (ADR) compared to traditional colonoscopy (TC). Multiple systems with comparable efficacy on benchmark datasets have been introduced, including the for research purposes freely available system EndoMind. Although intended for colorectal cancer screening, many studies have been performed in a hospital setting recruiting mostly non-screening patients. Additionally, more recent studies present conflicting data suggesting a less pronounced effect of CADe on ADR.

Aims & Methods

In this randomized clinical trial we aimed to analyze the impact of the CADe system EndoMind on ADR for screening colonoscopy in a multicenter fashion. Adult patients with an indication for colorectal cancer screening, post-polypectomy surveillance or with a positive fecal immunochemical test were eligible for participation in 5 outpatient treating centers in Germany. Exclusion criteria were inflammatory bowel disease, familial polyposis syndrome, previous radiation, or colorectal surgery. Participants were randomized prior to the intervention to the CADe or the TC group. In the first group, the EndoMind CADe system framed detected polyps with a blue box on the main examination monitor during the whole procedure. Colonoscopies were performed by examiners with over 10 years of experience. Primary outcome was ADR. Secondary outcomes included polyp detection rate and withdrawal time. ClinicalTrials.gov trial register number: NCT05006092.

Results

From November 2021 to November 2022, 928 subjects were randomized to the CADe (n = 457) and TC (n = 471) group. Baseline characteristics of patients and bowel preparation quality between both groups were similar. The rate of screening examinations was over 80% in both groups. The mean ADR was 36.8% and 33.8% for the CADe and TC group respectively (p=0.34). Polyp detection rate was 50.8% in the CADe group and 50.5% in the TC group (p=0.94). Mean withdrawal time in total and without time spent on resection was 7.5 min, 6.9 min vs 7.4 min, 6.9 min for the CADe and TC group respectively.

Conclusion

In our multicenter randomized clinical trial the usage of CADe did not improve ADR or polyp detection rate of expert endoscopists in an outpatient setting involving mainly colorectal cancer screening candidates. The evaluation of other systems in this setting is needed in order to estimate the value of CADe.

Introduction

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common clinical emergency, with 20%–30% of cases progressing to severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), which has a mortality rate of up to 40%. Gut microbiota dysbiosis is closely associated with AP severity, yet its underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

Aims & Methods

This study aimed to elucidate how microbiota dysbiosis exacerbates AP.AP was induced in Specific Pathogen-Free (SPF) and Germ-Free (GF) C57BL/6 male mice to investigate the effects of microbiota dysbiosis on neutrophil recruitment, neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation, pancreatic injury, and systemic inflammation. Single-cell sequencing of neutrophils from SPF and GF AP mice was conducted to assess microbiota-driven changes in neutrophil distribution, gene expression, and signaling pathways. Serum cfDNA levels were measured in 50 AP patients and 30 healthy controls. Key findings were validated in vivo and in vitro.

Results

Serum cfDNA (NETs) levels were significantly elevated in AP patients compared to healthy controls and decreased during recovery. GF-treated mice exhibited reduced pancreatic edema, inflammatory infiltration, and acinar cell necrosis, with lower pathology scores. Immunohistochemistry confirmed decreased MPO and F4/80-positive cells in pancreatic tissues, while ELISA showed reduced levels of amylase, lipase, IL-6, and TNF-α in GF-treated mice. Single-cell sequencing revealed a lower proportion of pancreatic neutrophils and an increase in acinar cells in GF-treated mice, whereas the NET formation pathway was activated in SPF-treated mice. The TLR2/MYD88/NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling cascade, which promotes NET formation, was also activated in SPF mice. Consistent with pathway analysis, CXCL1, CCL9, and CXCR2 expression was upregulated, while Reg3β expression was downregulated in SPF_AP mice. Dual immunofluorescence demonstrated reduced MPO/CitH3 (NETs) formation in GF-treated mice. Neutrophils from GF-treated mice released significantly less cfDNA upon PMA stimulation. Serum cfDNA levels were elevated in both AP-induced mice and AP patients.

Conclusion

Gut microbiota dysbiosis exacerbates AP severity by promoting neutrophil recruitment, activating the TLR2/NLRP3/MYD88/Caspase-1 signaling cascade, and enhancing NET formation, leading to aggravated pancreatic injury and systemic inflammation. These findings highlight microbiota modulation as a potential therapeutic strategy to prevent AP progression.

Disclosure

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

Introduction

Therapeutic management of acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP) includes endoscopic sphincterotomy and cholecystectomy. However, the optimal feeding strategy prior to cholecystectomy—early oral intake or exclusive enteral nutrition—remains debated, particularly given the risk of recurrent biliary events (BEs) before surgery, especially when surgery is delayed.

Aims & Methods

The primary objective was to evaluate the likehood of BEs (biliary colic/migration, stone impaction, cholangitis, recurrent acute pancreatitis, and acute cholecystitis) prior to cholecystectomy, comparing feeding methods: oral vs. exclusive enteral nutrition. The secondary objective was to evaluate cholecystectomy rates during the initial hospitalization and the reasons for non-performance. Data were collected during hospitalization, at 3 months, and at 6 months if surgery had not been performed by month 3. BEs and feeding modalities at those times were documented. Analyses included Cox models and Chi-square tests.

Results

From October 2022 to December 2023, 1,172 patients with ABP were prospectively enrolled by 60 French hospitals, with 1,167 included in the final analysis. Sixty patients (5%) were lost to follow-up, and 34 deaths (3%) were reported. Severe ABP was observed in 27.2% (n=317) of patients. After 48–72 hours, oral feeding was resumed in 62% (n=724), enteral feeding in 16% (n=192), and fasting/parenteral feeding in 21% (n=249). During follow-up, 236 BEs occurred in 172 patients, meaning 15.5% experienced at least one event, with a median onset time of 26 days (range: 9–57 days). Specifically, 6% had at least one episode of biliary colic/migration, 2.1% experienced stone impaction, 2.3% developed cholangitis, 6.1% had recurrent AP (9% of which were severe), and 1.6% developed acute cholecystitis.
Univariate analysis identified several factors associated with a higher risk of BE recurrence (p < 0.10): age ≥52 years (p=0.093), obesity (BMI ≥30, p=0.032), ASA score >2 (p=0.097), total bilirubin ≥60 µmol/L (p=0.010), CRP >150 mg/L, diagnostic delay ≥21 days (p=0.009), and prior sphincterotomy (p=0.136). No difference in BE incidence was observed between severe and non-severe ABP (p=0.497) when analyzing the first 172 BEs.
Over the full follow-up period, despite the 87 BEs analyzed and potential biases, there remained no significant association between nutrition type (oral vs. exclusive enteral nutrition ) and the likelihood of BE occurrence (p=0.447).
In patients with non-severe ABP, cholecystectomy was performed during the initial hospitalization in only 33% of cases. The main reasons for non-performance were structural (e.g., lack of availability or surgeon refusal), accounting for 45% of cases.

Conclusion

BEs are frequent and clinically relevant: 15.5% of patients experienced at least one before surgery, with 6% developing recurrent ABP (9% of which were severe). Cholecystectomy remains underutilized; only one-third of patients with non-severe ABP underwent it during their initial stay, often due to modifiable reasons. Neither ABP severity nor nutritional type-oral vs enteral nutrition (despite potential biases, missing data, and ongoing analysis)-appeared to be associated with the occurrence of BEs prior to surgery. Early cholecystectomy, when possible, remains the only reliable strategy for preventing BEs.

Disclosure

This study received a research grant from Fresenius Kabi.