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Objective Recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula (RTEF) is a serious complication after primary repair of esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF). Treatment of RTEF involved an open surgery by thoracotomy. Technically it is a challenge with a high morbidity and mortality. Congenital tracheoesophageal fistula (CTEF) traditionally involved an open surgery by thoracotomy or cervicotomy. Many endoscopic techniques have been developed since the past decades: thoracoscopic or bronchoscopic approach for the treatment of RTEF and CTEF; nevertheless, optimal treatment is not still determined because of few numbers of patients, short-term follow-up, and different procedures. We report our experience and evaluated the efficacy in the chemocauterization of CTEF and RTEF, with the use of 50 % trichloroacetic acid (TCA) as a technique minimally invasive. Materials and methods From 2010 to 2014, fourteen patients with TEF (twelve RTEF and two CTEF) were selected for endoscopic management in two centers. Twelve patients had RTEF after primary repair of EA/TEF by thoracotomy approach, and two patients had CTEF in the upper pouch, diagnosed after EA/TEF (Type B) long gap, treated by thoracotomy and thoracoscopy, respectively. In all cases the diagnosis was confirmed by esophagram, bronchoscopy, and clinical evaluation. Under general anesthesia, a rigid pediatric bronchoscope with a 0° rod lens telescope and tele-monitoring was used to localize the TEF. Cotton soaked with 50 % TCA was applied on the TEF during 30 s, and the procedure was repeated 3 times. The endoscopic treatment was performed monthly until TEF closure was achieved. Results RTEF and CTEF were closed in all patients. The mean number of procedure in each patient was 1.8. Closure of TEF was confirmed by esophagram, bronchoscopy, and clinical evaluation. There were a bacterial pneumonia and bronchospasm as postoperative complications. Median follow-up was 41 months (8–72). All of these TEF remain completely obliterated, and all patients are asymptomatic. Conclusion Endoscopic management of congenital and recurrent TEF with the use of 50 % TCA is as a minimally invasive, effective, simple and safe technique in these patients and avoids the morbidity of open surgery.

ObjectiveAssess the predictive value of cognitive processing speed (CPS), using the Symbol Digit Modali- ties Test (SDMT) score, on disability progression in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS).Design/MethodsSPMS patients from the Phase 3 EXPAND study (core part [CP] and core+extension part [CP+EP]) were categorised into quartiles of baseline SDMT score (worst-WQ [Q1], intermediate [Q2-Q3], and best-BQ [Q4] quartile). The predictive value of baseline SDMT quartiles for time-to-wheelchair (T2W; i.e., Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] score ≥7) sustained until end of follow-up, or 6-month confirmed disability progression (6mCDP) by EDSS, were assessed at the end of the CP (up to 37-months) and CP+EP (up to 5-years) by Cox regression (adjusted for treatment, age, gender, baseline EDSS, baseline SDMT quartile, and treatment-by-baseline SDMT quartile interaction).ResultsAnalyses included 1628/1651 patients (98.6%) randomised in EXPAND (baseline SDMT: WQ, n=435; intermediate, n=808; BQ, n=385). Risk of T2W (WQ vs BQ) was higher in the CP (HRWQ/BQ=1.31, 95% CI:0.72–2.38; p=0.37) and increased with long-term follow-up (HRWQ/BQ=1.81; 1.17–2.78; p=0.01). Baseline SDMT was not predictive of 6mCDP. The predictive value of on-study SDMT score change will be presented.ConclusionsThe results support the predictive value of CPS for long-term physical disability progression in SPMS. Funding: Novartis Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland.