S2257 Cirrhosis, Varices, and Barrett’s Esophagus: WATS3D-only Surveillance and Band Ligation in the Management of Nondysplastic Barrett’s Esophagus Progressing to High Grade Dysplasia With Underlying Esophageal Varices

Introduction: Wide-area transepithelial sampling with 3-dimensional computer-assisted analysis (WATS3D) is an emerging technique used to collect esophageal samples via transepithelial brushing. WATS3D can be a safe and useful tool in Barrett’s esophagus (BE) management in patients with underlying small esophageal varices (EV) where traditional 4 quadrant cold forceps biopsies (CFB) would be contraindicated due to the risk of adverse events such as bleeding. We describe the utility of WATS3D-only surveillance combined with band ligation in the management and eradication of BE which progressed to high grade dysplasia (HGD) in a patient with underlying cirrhosis and EV. Case Description/Methods: We present a 66-year-old male with a history of nondysplastic (ND) BE (C0-M1), small Grade 1 EV and cirrhosis who presented for BE surveillance. Due to underlying EV and associated risk of bleeding, CFB was not performed and sampling with WATS3D-only was undertaken. WATS3D was first performed with surveillance esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) in 2015 and demonstrated ND BE. On further EGD surveillance, BE histology remained ND until early 2021 where WATS3D revealed low grade dysplasia (LGD). Repeat EGD with WATS3D brushing was performed 4 months later, which demonstrated progression to HGD. Interval surveillance EGD with WATS3D brushing was, again, performed 4 months later and demonstrated LGD with rare foci of HGD. Of note, in both instances band ligation of the dysplastic segments was done. EGD with WATS3D 3 months later revealed endoscopic clearance of BE post-banding and pathology report revealed, ND, non-goblet cell metaplasia. The final interval surveillance EGD with WATS3D, 3 months later, showed complete eradication of BE with no evidence of intestinal metaplasia. Table 1 provides a thorough chronological description from first EGD to complete resolution of BE, 8 years later. Discussion: WATS3D has been increasingly shown to be an effective BE surveillance and screening tool. However, given the lack of data regarding appropriate surveillance windows for WATS3D-only BE surveillance, we performed sampling at shorter intervals than what would otherwise be recommended, to confirm the lack of dysplasia. This case presents a unique approach to WATS3D-only surveillance combined with band ligation therapy of dysplasia in the management of BE in a cirrhotic patient with underlying EV. Additionally, this case is unique in clearly documenting progression of a short segment of ND BE to HGD with WATS3D sampling alone. Table 1. - Summary of findings and intervention from first EGD to complete resolution of BE (8 year window) Date Variceal Grade Prague Score Number of BE Islands Sampling done by WATS3D Pathology Findings Banding therapy (# of bands) 04/09/14 2 C0-M1 3 No N/A 0 07/29/15 2 C0-M1 Scattered No N/A 0 12/2315 1 C0-M1 Scattered Yes No dysplasia 0 06/15/16 1 C0-M1 Scattered Yes No dysplasia 0 02/08/17 2 C0-M1 Scattered No N/A 4 01/22/18 1 C0-M1 1 No N/A 0 01/30/19 2 C0-M1 2 No N/A 0 01/29/20 1 C0-M1 2 No N/A 0 02/01/21 1 C0-M1 2 Yes Low-grade dysplasia 0 06/01/21 1 C0-M1 2 Yes High-grade dysplasia 3 10/25/21 1 C0-M1 2 Yes Low-grade with rare foci of high-grade dysplasia 2 01/25/22 1 N/A 3 Yes Non-goblet cell metaplasia, no dysplasia 0 04/25/22 1 N/A 0 Yes Squamocolumnar, no dysplasia or metaplasia 0