Step-clipping method can improve the detectability of the target lesion in colonic diverticular bleeding

Abstract

Background and study aims Despite the information regarding extravasation from contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT), the detectability of the target diverticulum by colonoscopy remains unsatisfactory in colonic diverticular bleeding (CDB). The lack of common signs recognizable on CT and endoscopic images makes it difficult to set a region of interest; however, this can be overcome with the “step-clipping” method, a strategic marking technique for revealing the target. We aimed to investigate the clinical performance of the step-clipping method in patients with CDB.

Patients and methods Eighty-seven patients diagnosed with CDB with extravasation using CECT who underwent colonoscopy between August 2007 and February 2020 were included. Patients were divided into two categories: the traditional group (those who underwent colonoscopy from August 2007 to May 2017, n = 54) and the step-clipping group (those who underwent colonoscopy from June 2017 to February 2020, n = 33).

Results The detection rate for the responsible diverticulum was significantly higher in the step-clipping group than in the traditional group (94 % vs 63 %; P = .0013). The step-clipping group had a shorter average search time during colonoscopy (9.6 vs 40.5 minutes; P < .0001) and lower re-bleeding rate after the initial colonoscopy (6 % vs 26 %; P = .02) than the traditional group, which facilitated earlier hospital discharge (5.4 vs 6.8 days; P = .027).

Conclusions Colonoscopy using the step-clipping method can improve the detectability of the target lesion within a shorter time, thus leading to lower re-bleeding rates and earlier hospital discharge.

Introduction

Colonoscopy is strongly recommended as the initial diagnostic procedure for acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (ALGIB) unless the patient cannot tolerate the bowel preparation and colonoscopic examination in accordance with the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) clinical guideline [1]. Moreover, compared with colonoscopy alone, colonoscopy combined with contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT), whose diagnostic value for vascular lesions is limited when used alone, provides an additional detectability of 15 % for vascular lesions [2] [3] [4] [5]. In particular, the presence of extravasation from a diverticulum on CECT is definitive evidence of colonic diverticular bleeding (CDB) and provides endoscopists with information regarding the region of interest (ROI) for colonoscopy. However, the specific procedure to use after identification of extravasation on CECT remains controversial. Even with CECT information, the detection rate for the target diverticulum by colonoscopy remains at 50 % to 68.3 % for patients with CDB [3] [4] [6]. This might be because the precise positional information provided by CT cannot be obtained with the endoscopic view when spontaneous cessation of bleeding occurs [7]. In other words, the lack of signs commonly recognized on CT and endoscopic images results in the inability of endoscopists to precisely set the ROI for the colonoscopy examination. Because of individual differences in the shape of the colon, only the cecum and rectum can be located with high confidence in the endoscopic view.

The “step-clipping” method overcomes these limitations by creating artificial signs in the colon using endoclips. These signs can be commonly recognized on CT and endoscopic images, thereby allowing for the formulation of a positional relationship between the clips and the target diverticulum responsible for bleeding [8].

The step-clipping method could be a preferable option in cases of CDB with extravasation on CECT. This study aimed to evaluate whether colonoscopy using the precise positional information provided by the step-clipping method can improve the detectability of the target diverticulum, reduce the endoscopic examination time, and result in favorable clinical outcomes.

Patients and methods

Patient population

In total, 693 consecutively hospitalized patients who were diagnosed with ALGIB and presented with hematochezia between August 1, 2007, and February 29, 2020 were included. Among the patients, 422 were diagnosed as having either definitive or presumptive CDB on the basis of colonoscopy findings as the reference standard [5] [9]. Definitive CDB was defined as identification of colonic diverticulum with stigmata of recent hemorrhage (SRH), including active bleeding, adherent clot, or non-bleeding visible vessel. Presumptive CDB was defined as colonic diverticula without evidence of SRH but without any other demonstrable cause of bleeding in the colon. All patients with CDB, except those with a contraindication to contrast enhancement agents, were subject to a CECT examination at admission. Although the study population included 34 cases of chronic kidney disease, none of these cases were considered a contraindication for the use of an enhancement agent for the CT examination. This study did not include patients with liver failure or hemodialysis. Three patients were subsequently eliminated because they were considered to have a contraindication to the step-clipping method (presence of extravasation in the cecum and active bleeding during colonoscopy) ([Fig. 1]). Therefore, the study population included 87 patients (57 men and 30 women; mean age, 75.1 years; range, 34–92 years) who underwent both CECT (with evidence of extravasation) and subsequent colonoscopy at Hiroshima City Asa Citizens Hospital between August 2007 and February 2020. Of these 87 patients, 54 who underwent colonoscopy from August 2007 to May 2017 were classified as the traditional group and 33 who underwent colonoscopy from June 2017 to February 2020 were classified as the step-clipping group.

Fig. 1 Patient enrollment flowchart. Patients with colonic diverticular bleeding with extravasation on contrast-enhanced computed tomography were divided into two categories: before (August 2007 to May 2017; traditional group) and after (June 2017 to February 2020; step-clipping group) the introduction of the step-clipping method.

This study conformed to the principles of the sixth revision of the Declaration of Helsinki (2008), and the study protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Hiroshima City Asa Citizens Hospital, which also granted permission to access the patients’ information on February 26, 2020 (IRB no. 01–6-17). Because of the retrospective design of this study, the requirement for patient consent was waived.

Step-clipping method

The step-clipping method ([Video 1]) is indicated when extravasation is detected on CECT and the site of active bleeding is not identified during the subsequent colonoscopy. After confirming extravasation on CECT, an initial colonoscopy was performed under hemodynamically stable conditions during the day on a weekday regardless of the time of admission, under CO₂ insufflation, and after antegrade bowel preparation using 2 L of polyethylene glycol (PEG). Fluoroscopy was not performed. Minimal search was conducted on initial colonoscopy to prevent changes in the colon environment. An explicit SRH observed during colonoscopy indicates direct hemostasis; thus, the step-clipping method was not necessary. Among those with SRH, direct hemostasis was only indicated if there was active bleeding, in consideration of the presence of residual fake clots in the colon. In cases without evidence of bleeding, the step-clipping method was begun by placing several clips along the longitudinal direction of the colon, 2 inches apart, so that the clip deployment range included the suspicious site ([Fig. 2a]). The range of deployment and number of clips were dependent on the certainty of the target location, which was determined on the basis of the presumed location of the hepatic flexure, splenic flexure, and junction of the sigmoid descending colon in the endoscopic view. Unenhanced CT was conducted 2 hours after placement, which provided sufficient time for complete CO₂ absorption or excretion. This step ensured that the colon was deflated, thereby allowing a precise comparison of CT images obtained before and after the procedure. The responsible diverticulum was meticulously tracked and identified on the unenhanced CT image ([Fig. 2b]) by referring to the initial CECT image obtained at admission ([Fig. 2c]). The target diverticulum was identified on the basis of the consistency of its shape and tracked on the basis of its circumference and distance from a major structure (e. g., the cecum, hepatic flexure, splenic flexure, sigmoid-descending junction) and neighboring symbolic structures (e. g., fecal-impacted diverticula, large diverticula) using 1-mm axial image slices; coronal or sagittal plane images were added as needed. Thereafter, using the unenhanced CT image, the positional relationship between each clip and the target lesion was evaluated. Based on this evaluation, a precise ROI could be set, even in the endoscopic view, during the planning stage ([Fig. 3a]). A secondary colonoscopy was performed to identify the target diverticulum ([Fig. 3b]). All colonoscopy examinations and CT image analyses were conducted or closely supervised by expert endoscopists who have performed more than 3000 colonoscopies.

Video 1 Strategic deployment of clips provides a positional relationship between each clip and the responsible diverticulum, which can be recognized by both computed tomography and endoscopy, and it can guide the examiner to the target lesion during subsequent colonoscopy.

Fig. 2 Computed tomography (CT) images of the step-clipping method a Scout image after clip placement. Twelve clips from the transverse colon to the sigmoid colon are deployed. b CT axial image after step-clipping. The responsible diverticulum (blue arrow) is observed opposite the ninth clip. c CT axial image before step-clipping, which serves as the reference for locating the responsible diverticulum (blue arrow) with extravasation.

Fig. 3 Endoscopic management after detailed comparison of computed tomography images. a The responsible diverticulum should be located opposite the ninth clip. The region of interest can be extremely limited (blue arrows) before the second colonoscopy examination. b The responsible diverticulum is endoscopically identified on the basis of evidence of non-bleeding visible vessel at the dome of the diverticulum.

Instruments

The CT device used a 64-slice diagnostic imaging technique with the Somatom Definition Flash system (Siemens Healthineers, Erlangen, Germany). The colonoscope was a PCF-Q260AZI endoscope (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) with a transparent hood and elastic touch (TOP Corp.) on the tip of the scope. The HX-610-090 endoclip (Olympus) was used.

Study measures

We compared the demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients in the traditional and step-clipping groups ([Table 1]). These included age, sex, body mass index, smoking habits, comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular disease, stroke, chronic kidney disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), medications used (including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antiplatelet agents, and anticoagulant), and bleeding severity, which included a decrease in hematocrit ≥ 20 % at admission and the need for red blood cell (RBC) transfusions during hospitalization. Blood transfusions were performed for patients with a hemoglobin level ≤ 8 g/dL or the presence of symptoms indicating inadequate oxygen delivery, consistent with the AABB guidelines [10]. The features, distribution, and density of the diverticula and the location of the responsible diverticulum of the study population were compared between the groups ([Table 2]).

Table 1 Baseline clinical characteristics of the traditional and ‘step-clipping’ groups.

	Traditional group n = 54	Step-clipping group n = 33	P value
Demographics
Age ≥ 75 years	32 (59)	18 (55)	.61
Male sex	35 (65)	22 (67)	.86
BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2	10 (19)	9 (27)	.42
Smoking	29 (54)	16 (48)	.64
Comorbidity
Hypertension	37 (69)	16 (48)	.06
Diabetes mellitus	15 (28)	7 (21)	.49
Hyperlipidemia	20 (37)	8 (24)	.22
Cardiovascular disease[1]	26 (48)	14 (42)	.60
Stroke[2]	15 (28)	6 (18)	.31
Chronic kidney disease[3]	24 (44)	10 (30)	.19
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease	3 (6)	1 (3)	.59
Medication used
NSAID	12 (22)	8 (24)	.83
Antiplatelet agent	23 (43)	11 (33)	.39
Anticoagulant	15 (28)	7 (21)	.49
Bleeding severity
Decrease in hematocrit level ≥ 20 %	7 (13)	2 (6)	.31
Red blood cell transfusion needed	28 (52)	15 (45)	.56

Data are expressed as the number and (%) of patients.

BMI, body mass index; NSAID, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

¹ Cardiovascular diseases include chronic heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and arteriosclerotic disease.

² Stroke includes cerebral infarction, transient ischemic attack, and cerebral hemorrhage.

³ Sustained renal malfunction was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/1.73 m².

Table 2 Baseline characteristics of the colonic diverticula of the traditional and “step-clipping” groups.

	Traditional group n = 54	Step-clipping group n = 33	P value
Distribution of diverticula
Right side of the colon	40 (74)	27 (82)	.40
Left side of the colon	35 (65)	29 (88)	.02
Location of extravasation on CECT
Ascending colon	30 (56)	16 (49)	.39
Transverse colon	6 (11)	3 (9)
Descending colon	5 (9)	4 (12)
Sigmoid colon	13 (24)	10 (30)
Density of diverticula (per 2 inches) ≥ 10	24 (44)	17 (52)	.52

Data are expressed as the number and (%) of patients.

CECT, contrast-enhanced computed tomography.

The endoscopic management and clinical course of the two groups were also compared ([Table 3]). The major outcomes of the study were the endoscopic detection rate and total search time for the responsible diverticulum. The total examination time during colonoscopy was also assessed, which comprised duration of scope insertion, time searching for the target lesion, and treatment during the endoscopy examination. The clinical course consisted of the re-bleeding rate, RBD transfusion rate after the initial colonoscopy, and duration between the initial colonoscopy and discharge. Re-bleeding was defined as significant fresh blood excretion after initial colonoscopy with any of the following: hemorrhagic shock, the need for transfusion, or identification of blood pooling on further colonoscopy.

Table 3 Endoscopic management and clinical course of the traditional and “step-clipping” groups.

	Traditional group n = 54	Step-clipping group n = 33	P value
Duration between initial colonoscopy and admission, hours Mean [SD]	16.9 [18.4]	28.3 [20.7]	.0045
Detection of the responsible diverticulum, n (%)	34 (63)	31 (94)	.0013
Total examination time during colonoscopy, minutes
Mean [SD]	64.7 [40.3]	38.4 [17.9]	.0006
Median (range)	55 (23–250)	35 (16–85)
Total search time during colonoscopy, minutes
Mean [SD]	40.5 [38.9]	9.6 [14.5]	< .0001
Median (range)	30 (3–235)	4 (1–58)
Treatment, n (%)
Endoscopic band ligation	27 (50)	29 (85)	.0003
Clipping	7 (13)	2 (6)	.31
Conservative treatment	20 (37)	2 (6)	.0013
Clinical outcome
Re-bleeding after initial colonoscopy, n (%)	14 (26)	2 (6)	.020
Blood transfusion needed after initial colonoscopy, n (%)	14 (26)	2 (6)	.020
Duration between initial colonoscopy and discharge, days Mean [SD]	6.8 [2.9]	5.4 [2.2]	.027

SD, standard deviation.

Statistical analysis

All statistical analyses were performed using JMP version 9 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, North Carolina, United States). An unpaired t-test was used to compare the quantitative data between the groups, and a chi-square test was used to compare the categorical data. Yate’s correction and Fisher’s exact test were used when required. A two-sided P < .05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences in demographics, comorbidities, medications used, or bleeding severity between the two groups. Fifteen patients with hemodynamic instability at admission were administered intravenous fluid resuscitation or RBC transfusion and achieved hemodynamic stability. More cases of left-side colonic diverticula were observed in the step-clipping group than in the traditional group; however, there was no difference in the location of the responsible lesion between the groups.

The traditional group comprised patients who did not undergo the step-clipping method. Therefore, the timing of the initial colonoscopy and bowel preparation (PEG administration or glycerin enema) were dependent on the decision of the chief physician. In the traditional group, 17 patients underwent colonoscopy within 24 hours of admission under bowel preparation with glycerin enema; SRH was successfully identified and endoscopically treated in nine patients, and the other eight patients in whom SRH was not identified underwent further colonoscopy at the earliest timing with PEG preparation. Bowel preparation was conducted until the rectal effluent became clear of stool to ensure unobstructed observation of the colonic diverticula. The average duration between the initial colonoscopy and admission was shorter in the traditional group than that in the step-clipping group (16.9 vs 28.3 hours; P = .0045).

The rate of detection of the responsible diverticulum for the step-clipping group was significantly higher than that for the traditional group (94 % vs 63 %; P = .0013). Furthermore, the average search time during colonoscopy was shorter for the step-clipping group than that for the traditional group (9.6 vs 40.5 minutes; P < .0001). The median number of deployed clips was eight (range, 3–12) in the step-clipping group. SRH was identified during colonoscopy in 34 patients in the traditional group: active bleeding in 22 patients (41 %), adherent clots in 8 patients (15 %), and non-bleeding visible vessels in 4 patients (7 %). SRH was identified in 31 patients in the step-clipping group: adherent clots in 11 patients (33 %) and non-bleeding visible vessels in 20 patients (61 %). All patients with SRH identified during colonoscopy initially underwent endoscopic treatment. Clipping was the first choice before November 2000, and endoscopic band ligation (EBL) was the first choice after November 2011; however, when EBL failed, clipping was attempted. Although more cases required endoscopic treatment in the step-clipping group, the average total examination time during colonoscopy in the step-clipping group was shorter than that in the traditional group (38.4 vs 64.7 minutes; P = .0006). A favorable clinical course was achieved by the step-clipping group, with its lower re-bleeding rate and lesser need for RBC transfusions after the initial colonoscopy than the traditional group (6 % vs 26 %; P = .02), which facilitated earlier discharge (5.4 vs 6.8 days; P = .027). Two patients in the step-clipping group experienced recurrent brisk bleeding after the initial colonoscopy. The one case was refractory to endoscopic treatment (EBL and clipping) and proceeded to transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE). The other case was attributable to failure during repeat colonoscopies and subsequent angiography, thus requiring surgical resection. Both cases required RBC transfusion for hemodynamic resuscitation. No adverse events related to the endoscopic examination occurred.

Discussion

There is a high rate of spontaneous hemostasis with CDB (70 %–90 %) [11]. However, 20 % to 30 % and 30 % to 40 % of patients with CDB experienced re-bleeding at 1 year and at 2 years, respectively, when only conservative treatment was provided [12] [13] [14]. Identification of the responsible lesion by colonoscopy was a preventive factor for re-bleeding and reportedly reduced approximately 80 % of re-bleeding cases during a median observation period of 17.5 months [15]. Moreover, a lower re-bleeding rate may be attributed to the emergence of promising endoscopic treatment, particularly ligation therapy. Ligation therapy contributes to the high primary success rate for hemostasis (100 %) and the low re-bleeding rate with early timing (9 %) [16] [17] [18]. However, it is indicated only when the target diverticulum is identified. Higher detectability rates and steady endoscopic treatment could result in a favorable clinical course. The step-clipping group had an extremely high rate of target detection, and most targets were subjected to the ligation method, which resulted in significantly lower re-bleeding rates and fewer blood transfusions, thereby facilitating earlier discharge than that in the traditional group.

Identification of extravasation on CECT provides 24 % to 48 % additional detectability of the target diverticulum during the colonoscopic examination compared with cases without observable extravasation [3] [4] [6]; however, extravasation-positive rates are not high for patients with CDB (range, 25 % to 36 %) [3] [4] [5]. Compared with the diagnosis rates of the target lesion of 92 % to 98 % for acute nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding [19], the detectability rates of 50 % to 68.3 % for CBD, even with the help of extravasation identification, remain unsatisfactory. We successfully improved the detectability of SRH from 63 % to 94 % using the step-clipping method in patients with CBD with extravasation identified on CECT.

The ACG guideline strongly recommends performing urgent colonoscopy within 24 hours of admission to achieve a higher rate of SRH detection in cases of ALGIB [1]. Because of the multiple procedures involved in the step-clipping method and the fact that its conduct was limited to weekdays, the timing of initial colonoscopy resulted in delay with the step-clipping method compared with the traditional method. Nonetheless, higher identification rates for SRH were achieved using the step-clipping method than with the traditional method.

Because of the low detection rate for the target diverticulum using endoscopy, the examination can be extended to 45 to 140 minutes, thus leading to troublesome examinations [20] [21] [22]. The detectability of the target diverticulum during colonoscopy depends on the skill of the endoscopist and an element of chance. However, the step-clipping method serves as a navigation map in the colon [23], thus lessening reliance on the skill of the endoscopist. Because the step-clipping technique is based on analysis of CT images, the method allows endoscopists the time needed to examine the colon without the stress associated with prolonged endoscopic examination. CT-based preplanning eliminates redundant searching for the target lesion during the second colonoscopy. In our study, the step-clipping group required a search time of only 1 to 58 minutes (median, 4 minutes), resulting in a detectability rate of 94 %, whereas the traditional group required a search time of 3 to 235 minutes (median, 30 minutes), resulting in a detectability rate of 63 %. The step-clipping method requires insertion of the colonoscope twice, which is troublesome; however, the total examination time for colonoscopy is significantly shorter than that using the traditional method (median, 9.6 vs 40.5 minutes).

In the step-clipping group, most SRH cases found by colonoscopy were non-bleeding visible vessels. Because 55 % of the population is subjected to elective colonoscopy, it is rare to encounter active bleeding. A non-bleeding vessel is tiny and difficult to detect; however, a limited ROI and endoscopic management such as image enhancement endoscopy or underwater observation could improve the detectability of such a lesion [24] [25] [26].

We acknowledge that this study has some limitations. First, the step-clipping method requires additional costs (approximately € 230) and radiation exposure (approximately 5 mGy) for secondary colonoscopy and unenhanced CT compared with the traditional approach combining CECT and colonoscopy. Although this may seem to be inconvenient, consistent detection and treatment of target lesions might reduce rates of re-bleeding and readmission, thus lowering costs and radiation exposure in the long term. Second, the step-clipping method can only be applied when extravasation is identified on CECT. Therefore, the clinical impact on reduction in mortality from the disease, which has been reported to be up to 3.9 % [27] [28], remains obscure. Moreover, extensive discussion about the performance of subsequent endoscopic treatment is needed to determine whether the step-clipping method reduces the need for TAE and surgery. Third, the step-clipping method includes multiple procedures. Not all patients with CDB who have extravasation on CECT may be candidates for the method. It would be expedient to apply the step-clipping strategy to patients when the initial colonoscopy missed the responsible lesion after extensive search. Fourth, this study involved a limited population at a single center. Multiple large-scale cohorts and long-term studies are necessary to verify the clinical impact of the step-clipping method.

Conclusion

Colonoscopy involving precise positional information using the step-clipping method can improve the detectability of target lesions within a short time, thus leading to lower re-bleeding rates and facilitating earlier discharge.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Publication History

Received: 02 October 2020

Accepted: 22 October 2020

Article published online:
19 February 2021