Gastrointestinal bleeding is a potentially life-threatening abdominal emergency that remains a common cause of hospitalisation. Although 80–85% of cases of gastrointestinal bleeding resolve spontaneously, it can result in massive haemorrhage and death. The presentation of gastrointestinal bleeding can range from asymptomatic or mildly ill patients requiring only conservative treatments to severely ill patients requiring immediate intervention. Identifying the source of the bleeding can be difficult due to the wide range of potential causes, the length of the gastrointestinal tract and the intermittent nature of the bleeding. The diagnostic and therapeutic approach is fully dependent on the nature of the bleeding and the patient’s haemodynamic status. Radiologists should be aware of the appropriate uses of computed tomography angiography and other imaging modalities in patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding, as well as the semiotics of bleeding and diagnostic pitfalls in order to appropriately diagnose and manage these patients. The learning objective of this review is to illustrate the computed tomography angiography technique, including the potential role of dual-energy computed tomography angiography, also highlighting the tips and tricks to identify the most common and uncommon features of acute gastrointestinal bleeding and its obscure form.

Closure techniques in exposed endoscopic full-thickness resection: Overview and future perspectives in the endoscopic suturing era

Background and study aims Exposed endoscopic full-thickness resection (Eo-EFTR) without laparoscopic assistance is a minimally invasive natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) technique that has shown promising efficacy and safety in resection of gastric submucosal tumors (G-SMTs) arising from muscularis propria (MP). However, data on the efficacy and safety of gastric Eo-EFTR mostly come from relatively small retrospective studies and concern regarding its use still exists. The aim of our systematic review was to assess the efficacy and safety of gastric Eo-EFTR without laparoscopic assistance. Methods A detailed MEDLINE and EMBASE search was performed for papers published from January 1998 to November 2019 and reporting on gastric Eo-EFTR without laparoscopic assistance. The search strategy used the terms “endoscopic full thickness resection” and “gastric” or “stomach”. The primary outcomes were complete resection and surgical conversion rates. The secondary outcomes were overall major adverse events, delayed bleeding, delayed perforation, peritonitis, abdominal abscess and/or abdominal infection and successful Eo-EFTR. Results Fifteen Asian studies were included in our final review, providing data on 750 Eo-EFTR-treated G-SMTs. The per-lesion rate of complete resection and surgical conversion were 98.8 %\0.8 %, respectively. The per-lesion rate of major adverse events, delayed bleeding, delayed perforation and peritonitis, abdominal abscess and/or abdominal infection was 1.6 %\0.5 %\0.1 %\0.9 %, respectively. The per-lesion rate of successful Eo-EFTR (i. e. complete tumor resection and effective endoscopic defect closure) was 98.3 %. Conclusions Eo-EFTR without laparoscopic assistance appears to be highly effective and safe NOTES for removing deep G-SMTs, particularly those arising from MP layer.

Non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) is a common gastroenterological emergency associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Gastroenterologists and other involved clinicians are generally assisted by international guidelines in its management. However, NVUGIB due to peptic ulcer disease only is mainly addressed by current guidelines, with upper gastrointestinal endoscopy being recommended as the gold standard modality for both diagnosis and treatment. Conversely, the management of rare and extraordinary rare causes of NVUGIB is not covered by current guidelines. Given they are frequently life-threatening conditions, all the involved clinicians, that is emergency physicians, diagnostic and interventional radiologists, surgeons, in addition obviously to gastroenterologists, should be aware of and familiar with their management. Indeed, they typically require a prompt diagnosis and treatment, engaging a dedicated, patient-tailored, multidisciplinary team approach. The aim of our review was to extensively summarize the current evidence with regard to the management of rare and extraordinary rare causes of NVUGIB.

A 48-year-old liver transplant patient with acute graft rejection, sepsis, and malnutrition was referred to our unit for a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). The PEG procedure was uneventful, and a correct positioning of the bumper in the stomach was documented. Three days after the procedure, vomiting and abdominal distension occurred. A computed tomography (CT) scan with hydrosoluble contrast agent showed dislocation of the bumper into the transverse colon, with bowel opacification, due to the presence of a gastrocolic fistula. No leak of contrast into the peritoneal cavity was detected ([Fig. 1]). Endoscopy showed a transmural defect of 2 cm in diameter in the anterior wall of the gastric body ([Fig. 2]). To close the fistula, we first used forceps to scar the mucosal margins in order to promote cicatrization. We then approximated the opposite margins of the wall defect by placing three simple sutures using the OverStitch Endoscopic Suturing System (Apollo Endosurgery, Austin, Texas, USA) ([Video 1]). An intraprocedural contrast radiograph showed no colonic opacification. Video 1 Video showing endoscopic closure of the gastric aspect of the gastrocolic fistula using the OverStitch Endoscopic Suturing System. A same-session colonoscopy revealed, in the transverse colon, the bumper ([Fig. 3 a, b]), which was grasped and retrieved from the colon following sectioning of the extracorporeal PEG tube. The fistula was then closed with clips ([Fig. 3 c]). At the end of the procedure, contrast radiography found no leak of contrast from the colonic side of the fistula; the cutaneous side of the fistula healed by secondary intention. An endoscopic control after 10 days showed both gastric and colonic aspects of the fistula correctly repaired. Regular enteral feeding through nasogastric tube was resumed. A gastrocolic fistula is a rare complication of PEG and may require surgery [1]. Endoscopic management with clips has been described [2] [3], even if it may not be feasible in the event of a large fibrotic wall defect. In our case, we found that the OverStitch Endoscopic Suturing System is a feasible and effective treatment tool for a large gastrocolocutaneous fistula. Endoscopy_UCTN_Code_CPL_1AH_2AI