Safety and efficacy of liquid nitrogen spray cryotherapy in Barrett's neoplasia - a comprehensive review and meta-analysis

Department

Internal Medicine

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Endoscopy International Open

Abstract

Background and study aims: Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a precursor condition to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), resulting in transformation of the squamous epithelium of distal esophagus to columnar-lined epithelium with intestinal metaplasia (IM). Liquid nitrogen spray cryotherapy (LNSC) is a non-contact method of BE eradication and has been used both as primary and salvage therapy. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the safety and efficacy of LNSC.

Methods: We searched multiple databases from inception through December 2021 to identify studies on use of LNSC for Barrett's neoplasia. Pooled estimates were calculated using random-effects model and results were expressed in terms of pooled proportions with relevant 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) of complete eradication (CE) of dysplasia(D), high grade dysplasia (HGD) and IM.

Results: Fourteen studies with 707 patients were included in our final analysis. Overall pooled rates of CE-D, CE-HGD and CE-IM were 80.8 % (CI 77.4-83.8; I 2 62), 90.3 % (CI 85.2-93.7; I 2 33) and 55.8 % (CI 51.7-59.8; I 2 73) with follow up ranging from 4.25 months to 69.7 months. In patients with follow up beyond 24 months, the rates of CE-D and CE-IM were 83.6 % (CI 77.6-88.2; I 2 60) and 54.7 % (CI 47.6-61.6; I 2 81). Among LNSC naïve patients with prior history of endoscopic resection, the rates were 79.9 % (CI 73.3-85.2; I 2 50) and 67.1 % (CI 59.5-73.8; I 2 0). Pooled rate of therapeutic failures, defined as lack of response to LNSC therapy, was 23.6 % (CI 19.4-28.3; I 2 73). Post LNSC strictures and perforation pooled rates were 4 % and 0.8 %, respectively, which are similar to those previously reported for RFA.

Conclusions: Our analysis suggests that liquid nitrogen spray cryotherapy is an acceptable treatment for BE in both ablation naïve and experienced patients.

First Page

E1462

Last Page

E1473

DOI

10.1055/a-1906-4967

Volume

10

Issue

11

Publication Date

11-15-2022

PubMed ID

36397870

Share

COinS