Jason Samarasena

Picture of Jason Samarasena
Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine, Divison of Gastroenterology
School of Medicine
Program Director-Advanced Endoscopy and EUS Fellowship Division of Gastroenterology
M.D., Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada, 2005
Phone: (714) 456-6745
Fax: (714) 456-7753
Email: jsamaras@uci.edu
University of California, Irvine
101 The City Drive S
Building 22C
Orange, CA 92868
Research Interests
Advanced Endoscopic Imaging, Imaging and Characterization of Pancreatic Cysts, Confocal Laser endomicroscopy, Bowel preparation before Colonoscopy, Endoscopic Mucosal Resection, Endoscopic Ultrasound
Academic Distinctions
2019 Super Doctors, Southern California Super Doctors
Publications
Original articles


1. Samarasena J, Winsor W, Lush R, Duggan P, Xie P, Borgaonkar M. Individuals homozygous for the H63D mutation have significantly elevated iron indices. Digestive Diseases and Sciences 2006, Apr;51(4):803-7

2. Samarasena J, Borgaonkar M. Development of hepatocellular carcinoma in a patient with Crohn’s Disease treated with azathioprine. Digestive Diseases and Sciences 2007, Oct;52 (10) 2748-2750

3. Jamal M, Samarasena J. Declining hospitalization rate of esophageal varices in the United States. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2008, Jun;6(6):689-95

4. Jamal M, Samarasena J. Decreasing in-hospital mortality for oesophageal variceal hemorrhage in the USA. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2008, Oct;20(10):947-55

5. Jamal MM, Yamini D, Singson Z, Samarasena J, Hashemzadeh M, Vega KJ. Decreasing hospitalization and in-hospital mortality related to cholangitis in the United States. J Clin Gastroenterol 2011;45 (10) p92-6

6. Samarasena J, Muthusamy VR. Case report: Dysphagia in an African American Male: A Unique Presentation of Sarcoidosis diagnosed using Endoscopic Ultrasound. Endoscopy 2012, Apr;44 Suppl 2 UCTN:E63-4

7. Iwashita T, Lee J, Nakai Y, Samarasena J, Park DH, Muthusamy R, Chang K. Successful management of perforation during cystogastrostomy with an esophageal fully covered metallic stent placement. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 2012, Jul;76(1):214-5

8. Nakai Y, Samarasena J, Iwashita T, Chang KJ. Autoimmune hepatitis diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound-guided liver biopsy using a new 1-gauge histology needle. Endoscopy 2012, Apr;44 Suppl 2 UCTN:E67-8

9. Samarasena J, Muthusamy R, Jamal MM. Split-dosed Miralax and Gatorade is an effective, safe and tolerable option for Bowel preparation in low risk patients: A randomized controlled study. Am J Gastroenterol 2012, Jul;107(7):1036-42

10. Samarasena JB, Nakai Y, Park DH, Iwashita T, Chang K. Endoscopic closure of an iatrogenic duodenal perforation: A novel technique using endoclips, endoloop and fibrin glue. Endoscopy 2012;44 Suppl 2 UCTN:424-425

11. Iwashita T, Nakai Y, Samarasena JB, Park do H, Zhang Z, Gu M, Lee JG, Chang KJ. High single-pass diagnostic yield of a new 25-gauge core biopsy needle for EUS-guided FNA biopsy in solid pancreatic lesions. Gastrointest Endosc. 2013 Jun;77(6):909-15

12. Zhang J, Samarasena JB, Milliken J, Lee JG. Large esophageal fistula closure using an over-the-scope clip: two unique cases. Ann Thorac Surg. 2013 Dec;96(6):2214-6

13. Samarasena J, Kaye S, Jalali F, Lee J, Chang K. Autoimmune pancreatitis diagnosed using endoscopic ultrasound and a novel 19-gauge histology needle. J Interv Gastroenterol. 2013 Oct;3(4):147-148

14. Dawwas MF, Huang JY, Rowe A, Yim DB, Samarasena JB, Chang KJ, Lee JG. EUS diagnosis and endoscopic management of iatrogenic biliary stent placement into the portal vein. Gastrointest Endosc. 2014 Aug;80(2):338

15. Nakai Y, Isayama H, Shinoura S, Iwashita T, Samarasena JB, Chang KJ, Koike K. Confocal laser endomicroscopy in gastrointestinal and pancreaticobiliary diseases. Dig Endosc. 2014 Jan;26 Suppl 1:86-94

16. Samarasena J, Nakai Y, Shinoura S, Lee J, Chang K. EUS guided through the needle forcep biopsy: A novel tissue acquisition technique. Gastrointest Endosc 2015 Jan;81(1):225-6

17. Nakai Y, Iwashita T, Park DH, Samarasena J, Lee J, Chang K. Diagnosis of pancreatic cysts: EUS-guided, through-the-needle confocal laser-induced endomicroscopy and cystoscopy trial: DETECT study. Gastrointest Endosc. 2015 May; 81 (5) 1204-14.

18. Nguyen DL, Lee JG, Parekh NK, Samarasena J, Bechtold ML, Chang K. The current and future role of endomicroscopy in the management of inflammatory bowel disease. Ann Gastroenterol 2015 28(3): 329-334.

19. Samarasena JB, Ahluwalia A, Tarnawski AS, Shinoura S, Choi KD, Lee JG, Chang KJ. Espression of nerve growth factor, its TrKA receptor and several neuropeptides in porcine esophagus. Implications for interactions between neural, vascular and epithelial components of the esophagus. J Physiol Pharmacol 2015 Jun; 66 (3): 415-20

20. Chin M, Chen CL, Chang K, Lee JG, Samarasena J. Alcohol ablation of peripheral nerve sheath tumor causing small bowel obstruction. ACG Case Rep J. 2015 Oct 9;3(1):31-2.

21. Tsujino T, Huang YL, Nakai Y, Samarasena J, Lee JG, Chang KJ. In-vivo identification of pancreatic cystic neoplasms with needle-based confocal laser endomicroscopy. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2015 Aug;29(4):601-10.

22. Samarasena J, Tarnawski A, Ahluwalia A, Shinoura S, Choi K, Lee, J, Chang K. EUS guided in-vivo imaging of the porcine esophageal enteric nervous system using needle-based confocal laser endomicroscopy. Gastrointest Endosc. 2015 Dec;82(6):1116-20

23. Chin M, Chen CL, Chang K, Lee JG, Samarasena J. Alcohol ablation of peripheral nerve sheath tumor causing small bowel obstruction. ACG Case Rep J. 2015 Oct 9;3(1):31-2.

24. Jalali F, Samarasena J, Lee JG. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided transgastric drainage of a complex multiloculated peritoneal fluid collection as rare complication of lupus peritonitis. Endoscopy. 2016;48 Suppl 1:E39.

25. Samarasena J, Tarnawski A, Ahluwalia A, Shinoura S, Choi K, Lee, J, Chang K. In-vivo imaging of the porcine gastric enteric nervous system using needle-based confocal laser endomicroscopy. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2016 Apr;31(4):802-7

26. Jalali F, Samarasena J, Lee JG. Bleeding Risk of Stent Removal After EUS-Guided Cystgastrostomy and Metal Stent Placement for Drainage of a Pancreatic Fluid Collection. ACG Case Rep J. 2016 Aug 31;3(4)

27. Chin MA, Chen CL, Chang KJ, Lee JG, Samarasena JB. Endoscopic alcohol ablation of solid tumors.Gastrointest Endosc. 2016 Jul 14.

28. Samarasena JB, Kwak NH, Chang KJ, Lee JG. The PEG-Pedi-PEG technique: a novel method for percutaneous endoscopic gastrojejunostomy tube placement (with video). Gastrointest Endosc. 2016 Jun 18

29. Kaye S, Kim KJ, Chaurasia N, Chang K, Samarasena J. Novel Treatment of Malignant Gastric Outlet Obstruction With a Stent-Within-Stent Approach Secured With Apollo OverStitch. ACG Case Rep J. 2016 Sep 28;3(4):e130

30. Samarasena JB, Huang JY, Chin M, Chang KJ, Lee JG. Altered anatomy ERCP with spiral overtube-assisted stent placement. Gastrointest Endosc. 2016 Oct;84(4):738

31. Nakai Y, Iwashita T, Shinoura S, Park DH, Samarasena JB, Lee JG, Chang KJ.
Role of serial EUS-guided FNA on pancreatic cystic neoplasms: a retrospective analysis of repeat carcinoembryonic antigen measurements. Gastrointest Endosc. 2016 Apr 6.

32. Samarasena JB, Ahluwalia A, Shinoura S, Choi KD, Lee JG, Chang KJ, Tarnawski AS. In vivo imaging of porcine gastric enteric nervous system using confocal laser endomicroscopy &molecular neuronal probe. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2016 Apr;31(4):802-7.

33. Huang JY, Samarasena JB, Tsujino T, Chang KJ . EUS-guided portal pressure gradient measurement with a novel 25-gauge needle device versus the standard transjugular approach: a comparison animal study.. Gastrointest Endosc. 2016 Mar 2

34. Chin M, Karnes W, Jamal MM, Lee JG, Lee R, Samarasena J, Bechtold ML, Nguyen DL.
Use of the Endocuff during routine colonoscopy examination improves adenoma detection: A meta-analysis.World J Gastroenterol. 2016 Nov 21;22(43):9642-9649

35. Samarasena J, Chen CL, Chin M, Chang K, Lee J. Successful closure of a cryotherapy-induced bleeding jejunal perforation with the over-the-scope clip system. Gastrointest Endosc. 2017 Feb;85(2):45

36. Huang JY, Samarasena JB, Tsujino T, Lee J, Hu KQ, McLaren CE, Chen WP, Chang KJ. EUS-guided portal pressure gradient measurement with a simple novel device: a human pilot study.Gastrointest Endosc. 2017 May;85(5):996-1001

37. Lumen-apposing metal stents for benign gastrointestinal tract strictures: An international multicenter experience J Santos-Fernandez, C Paiji, M Shakhatreh, I Becerro-Gonzalez, R Sanchez-Ocana, P Yeaton, J Samarasena, M Perez-Miranda. World J Gastrointest Endosc. 2017 Dec 16;9(12):571-578

38. O Basar, O Yuksel, D Yang, J Samarasena, D Forcione, CJ DiMaio, MS Wagh, K Chang, B Casey, C Fernandez-Del Castillo, MB Pitman, WR Brugge. Feasibility and safety of microforceps biopsy in the diagnosis of pancreatic cysts. Gastrointest Endosc. 2018 Mar 3

39. Samarasena JB, Chang KJ. Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Portal Pressure Measurement and Interventions. Clin Endosc. 2018 May; 51(3):222-228

40. Samarasena J, Chang KJ Endo-hepatology: A new paradigm. Endosc Ultrasound. 2018 Jul-Aug;7(4):219-222

41. Tsujino T, Samarasena JB, Chang KJ. EUS anatomy of the liver segments. Endosc Ultrasound. 2018 Jul-Aug;7(4):246-251

42. Samarasena JB, Yu AR, Chang KJ EUS-guided portal pressure measurement (with videos). Endosc Ultrasound. 2018 Jul-Aug;7(4):257-262
Book Chapters / Reviews

1. Samarasena J,Hu KQ. Hepatobiliary Manifestations of GI and Nutritional Disorders. Clinics in Liver Disease 2011 Feb; Vol 15: 1

2. Samarasena J, Nguyen N, Lee J. Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in patients with Roux-en-Y Anatomy. Journal of Interventional Gastroenterology 2012, Apr;2(2):78-83

3. Chang KJ, Samarasena JB, Iwashita T, Nakai Y, Lee JG. Endo-Hepatology: a new paradigm. Gastrointest Endosc Clin N Am 2012, Apr;22(2):379-85

4. Samarasena J, Nakai Y, Chang K. EUS-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration of Pancreatic Cystic Lesions – A practical Approach to Diagnosis and Management. Gastrointest Endosc Clin N Am 2012, Apr;22(2):169-85

5. Samarasena J, Huang J, Dawwas M, Chang K. EUS and ERCP: A case based approach - Endoscopic Ultrasound Guided Celiac Plexus and Ganglia Interventions. Springer 2015 ISBN 978-1-4939-2319-9

6. Samarasena J, Huang J, Dawwas M, Chang K. EUS and ERCP: A case based approach - Endoscopic Ultrasound Guided Alcohol Ablation of pancreatic cysts. Springer 2015 ISBN 978-1-4939-2319-9

7. Samarasena J, Huang J, Dawwas M, Chang K. EUS and ERCP: A case based approach - Endoscopic Ultrasound Guided Radiofrequency ablation. Springer 2015 ISBN 978-1-4939-2319-9

8. Samarasena J, Huang J, Dawwas M, Chang K. EUS and ERCP: A case based approach - Endoscopic Ultrasound Guided Fiducial Marker Placement. Springer 2015 ISBN 978-1-4939-2319-9

9. Samarasena J, Huang J, Dawwas M, Chang K. EUS and ERCP: A case based approach - Endoscopic Ultrasound Guided Anti-tumor Agents. Springer 2015 ISBN 978-1-4939-2319-9

10. Samarasena J, Chang K. Recent Advances and Novel Treatments of Pancreatic Masses. Pancreatic Masses: Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment. In Press Springer 2015.


11. Samarasena J, Chang K, Topazian M. Endoscopic Ultrasound and Fine-needle Aspiration for pancreatic and biliary disorders. Clinical Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 3rd Edition. Elsevier 2017 ISBN-13: 978-0323415095

12. Samarasena J, Lee D, Chang K. Endoscopic Anti-reflux Procedures. Chassin's Operative Strategy in General Surgery: An expositive Atlas. 2018
Grants
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH GRANT #IRG – 98-279-10 2/2016 – 2/2017 Importin a is a novel biomarker of Barrett’s esophagus (BE)-related dysplasia & cancer and promotes growth of BE-derived cancer cells by inducing aberrant VEGF expression Role: Principal Investigator
UC Irvine Exceptional Patient Experience Improvement Grant 3/2016 – 3/2017 The Patient-Centric iPad Initiative in CDDC Role: Principal Investigator
Professional Societies
American Gastroenterological Association
American College of Gastroenterology
American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
President - Orange County Gastroenterology Society
American College of Physicians
Graduate Programs
Gastroenterology (IM)
Internal Medicine
Research Centers
H. H. Chao Comprehensive Digestive Disease Center, Orange, CA
Last updated
01/13/2020