Use of rapid reading software to reduce capsule endoscopy reading times while maintaining accuracy.

BACKGROUNDS AND AIMS: A typical capsule endoscopy (CE) case generates tens of thousands of images, with abnormalities often confined to a just few frames. Omni Mode is a novel EndoCapsule software algorithm (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) that proposes to intelligently remove duplicate images while maintaining accuracy in lesion detection. METHODS: This prospective multicenter study took place across 9 European centers. Consecutive, unselected CE cases were read conventionally in normal mode, with every captured frame reviewed. Cases were subsequently anonymized and randomly allocated to another center where they were read using Omni Mode. Detected lesions and reading times were recorded, with findings compared between both viewing modes. The clinical significance of lesions was described according to the P classification (P0, P1, and P2). Where a discrepancy in lesion detection in either mode was found, expert blinded review at a consensus meeting was undertaken. RESULTS: The patient population undergoing CE had a mean age of 49.5 years (range, 18-91), with the investigation of anemia or GI bleeding accounting for 71.8% of cases. The average small-bowel transit time was 4 hours, 26 minutes. The mean reading time in normal mode was 42.5 minutes. The use of Omni Mode was significantly faster (P < .0001), with an average time saving of 24.6 minutes (95% confidence interval, 22.8-26.9). The 2127 lesions were identified and classified according to the P classification as P0 (1234), P1 (656), and P2 (237). Lesions were identified using both reading modes in 40% (n = 936), and 1186 lesions were identified by either normal or Omni Mode alone. Normal mode interpretation was associated with 647 lesions being missed, giving an accuracy of .70. Omni Mode interpretation led to 539 lesions being missed, with an accuracy of .75. There was no significant difference in clinical conclusions made between either reading mode. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that CE reading times can be reduced by an average of 40%, without any reduction in clinical accuracy.

International core curriculum for capsule endoscopy training courses.

Capsule endoscopy (CE) has become a first-line noninvasive tool for visualisation of the small bowel (SB) and is being increasingly used for investigation of the colon. The European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) guidelines have specified requirements for the clinical applications of CE. However, there are no standardized recommendations yet for CE training courses in Europe. The following suggestions in this curriculum are based on the experience of European CE training courses directors. It is suggested that 12 hours be dedicated for either a small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) or a colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) course with 4 hours for an introductory CCE course delivered in conjunction with SBCE courses. SBCE courses should include state-of-the-art lectures on indications, contraindications, complications, patient management and hardware and software use. Procedural issues require approximately 2 hours. For CCE courses 2.5 hours for theoretical lessons and 3.5 hours for procedural issued are considered appropriate. Hands-on training on reading and interpretation of CE cases using a personal computer (PC) for 1 or 2 delegates is recommended for both SBCE and CCE courses. A total of 6 hours hands-on session- time should be allocated. Cases in a SBCE course should cover SB bleeding, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), tumors and variants of normal and cases with various types of polyps covered in CCE courses. Standardization of the description of findings and generation of high-quality reports should be essential parts of the training. Courses should be followed by an assessment of trainees' skills in order to certify readers' competency.

Malignant gastroduodenal obstruction: retrospective comparison of endoscopic and surgical palliative therapy.

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic stenting (ES) is a minimally invasive alternative to surgical gastroenterostomy (GE) for palliation of malignant gastroduodenal obstructions. This consecutive, retrospective analysis compares the clinical outcome of all patients undergoing ES or GE in the same period. METHODS: ES was performed at the Endoscopy Department, University Hospital Mannheim or at the Interdisciplinary Endoscopy Department, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf. GE was performed at the Surgical Department, University Hospital Mannheim. All palliative ES or GE on patients with malignant gastroduodenal obstruction without earlier gastric resections between January 2001 and April 2007 were evaluated. Main outcome measurements were ability of solid food intake (gastric outlet obstruction score), persistence of nausea and vomiting (gut function score), length of hospital stay, morbidity, mortality and re-interventions. RESULTS: A total of 44 ES and 43 GE were performed. Nausea and vomiting--measured by means of the gut function score--persisted in significantly more patients in the GE group than in those who underwent stent placement (p = 0.0102). The gastric outlet obstruction score at discharge from the hospital revealed no significant difference in the ability of solid food intake between the groups. The hospital stay was significantly longer in the GE group (p = 0.0003). There was no significant difference in mortality and the rates of complications and re-interventions. CONCLUSION: In this study, ES is a generally equivalent--and in several points superior--alternative to GE for palliation of malignant gastroduodenal obstruction. ES seems to be the less invasive alternative for symptomatic patients. GE has good results in patients with longer survival and can be practiced within abdominal explorations.

Combined alpha-methylacyl coenzyme A racemase/p53 analysis to identify dysplasia in inflammatory bowel disease.

Identification of dysplasia in inflammatory bowel disease represents a major challenge for both clinicians and pathologists. Clear diagnosis of dysplasia in inflammatory bowel disease is sometimes not possible with biopsies remaining "indefinite for dysplasia." Recent studies have identified molecular alterations in colitis-associated cancers, including increased protein levels of alpha-methylacyl coenzyme A racemase, p53, p16 and bcl-2. In order to analyze the potential diagnostic use of these parameters in biopsies from inflammatory bowel disease, a tissue microarray was manufactured from colons of 54 patients with inflammatory bowel disease composed of 622 samples with normal mucosa, 78 samples with inflammatory activity, 6 samples with low-grade dysplasia, 12 samples with high-grade dysplasia, and 66 samples with carcinoma. In addition, 69 colonoscopic biopsies from 36 patients with inflammatory bowel disease (28 low-grade dysplasia, 8 high-grade dysplasia, and 33 indefinite for dysplasia) were included in this study. Immunohistochemistry for alpha-methylacyl coenzyme A racemase, p53, p16 and bcl-2 was performed on both tissue microarray and biopsies. p53 and alpha-methylacyl coenzyme A racemase showed the most discriminating results, being positive in most cancers (77.3% and 80.3%) and dysplasias (94.4% and 94.4%) but only rarely in nonneoplastic epithelium (1.6% and 9.4%; P < .001). Through combining the best discriminators, p53 and alpha-methylacyl coenzyme A racemase, a stronger distinction between neoplastic tissues was possible. Of all neoplastic lesions, 75.8% showed a coexpression of alpha-methylacyl coenzyme A racemase and p53, whereas this was found in only 4 of 700 nonneoplastic samples (0.6%). alpha-methylacyl coenzyme A racemase/p53 coexpression was also found in 10 of 33 indefinite for dysplasia biopsies (30.3 %), suggesting a possible neoplastic transformation in these cases. Progression to dysplasia or carcinoma was observed in 3 of 10 p53/alpha-methylacyl coenzyme A racemase-positive, indefinite-for-dysplasia cases, including 1 of 7 cases without and 2 of 3 cases with p53 mutation. It is concluded that combined alpha-methylacyl coenzyme A racemase/p53 analysis may represent a helpful tool to confirm dysplasia in inflammatory bowel disease.

A standardized injection technique and regimen ensures success and safety of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate injection for the treatment of gastric fundal varices (with videos).

BACKGROUND: N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate has been successfully used for the treatment of bleeding from gastric fundal varices (FV). However, significant rebleeding rates and serious complications including embolism have been reported. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to analyze the safety and efficacy of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate for FV bleeding by using a standardized injection technique and regimen. DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: Two tertiary referral centers. PATIENTS: A total of 131 patients (91 men/40 women) with FV underwent obliteration with N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate by a standardized technique and regimen. INTERVENTIONS: (1) Dilution of 0.5 mL of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate with 0.8 mL of Lipiodol, (2) limiting the volume of mixture to 1.0 mL per injection to minimize the risk of embolism, (3) repeating intravariceal injections of 1.0 mL each until hemostasis was achieved, (4) obliteration of all tributaries of the FV, (5) repeat endoscopy 4 days after the initial treatment to confirm complete obliteration of all visible varices and repeat N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate injection if necessary to accomplish complete obliteration. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Immediate hemostasis rate, early rebleeding rate, bleeding-related mortality rate, procedure-related complications, long-term cumulative rebleeding-free rate, and cumulative survival rate. RESULTS: Initial hemostasis and variceal obliteration were achieved in all patients. The mean number of sessions was 1 (range 1-3). The mean total volume of glue mixture used was 4.0 mL (range 1-13 mL). There was no occurrence of early FV rebleeding, procedure-related complications, or bleeding-related death. The cumulative rebleeding-free rate at 1, 3, and 5 years was 94.5%, 89.3%, and 82.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Obliteration of bleeding FV with N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate is safe and effective with use of a standardized injection technique and regimen.

Chromoendoscopy and narrow-band imaging compared with high-resolution magnification endoscopy in Barrett's esophagus.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare magnified still images obtained with high-resolution white light endoscopy, indigo carmine chromoendoscopy, acetic acid chromoendoscopy, and narrow-band imaging to determine the best technique for use in Barrett's esophagus. METHODS: We obtained magnified images from 22 areas with the 4 aforementioned techniques. Seven endoscopists with no specific expertise in Barrett's esophagus or advanced imaging techniques and 5 international experts in this field evaluated these 22 areas for overall image quality, mucosal image quality, and vascular image quality. In addition, the regularity of mucosal and vascular patterns and the presence of abnormal blood vessels were evaluated, and this was correlated with histology. RESULTS: The interobserver agreement for the 3 features of mucosal morphology with white light images ranged from kappa = 0.51 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.46-0.55) to kappa = 0.53 (95% CI: 0.50-0.57) for all observers, from kappa = 0.43 (95% CI: 0.33-0.54) to kappa = 0.53 (95% CI: 0.41-0.64) for experts, and from kappa = 0.51 (95% CI: 0.15-0.33) to kappa = 0.64 (95% CI: 0.58-0.70) for nonexperts. The interobserver agreement in these groups did not improve by adding one of the enhancement techniques. The yield for identifying early neoplasia with white light images was 86% for all observers, 90% for experts, and 84% for nonexperts. The addition of enhancement techniques did not improve the yield neoplasia. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of indigo carmine chromoendoscopy, acetic acid chromoendoscopy, or narrow-band imaging to white light images did not improve interobserver agreement or yield identifying early neoplasia in Barrett's esophagus.

Evaluation of a resistance-based model for the quantification of pulmonary arterial hypertension using MR flow measurements.

PURPOSE: To establish an estimate for the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) derived from noninvasive data acquired with magnetic resonance (MR) velocity-encoded sequences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In seven sedated pigs synchronous catheter-based invasive pressure measurements (IPM) and noninvasive MR were acquired in the main pulmonary artery (MPA) at different severities of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) that were caused by infusion of thromboxane A2 (TxA2). The invasively measured mPAP was correlated with the noninvasive MR velocity data and linear combination equations (LCE) were computed. RESULTS: Intravenously applied TxA2 induced a dose dependent level of severity of PAH with an mPAP of up to 54 mmHg without systemic effects. The acceleration time (AT) measured with MR demonstrated the best correlation with the mPAP (r(2) = 0.75). The LCE with the highest correlation (R = 0.945, alpha < 0.01) between IPM and MR revealed a mean difference of 0, a SD of s = 4.66 and a maximal difference of 12.2 mmHg using the Bland-Altman analysis. CONCLUSION: Applying the identified LCE allowed the estimation of the mPAP in an acute and resistance-based model of PAH with high accuracy using noninvasive MR velocity-encoded sequences.

Biliary stent clogging solved by nanotechnology? In vitro study of inorganic-organic sol-gel coatings for teflon stents.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The major drawback of plastic stents for biliary drainage is the occlusion by sludge. Sludge is accrued because the stent surface allows for the adherence of proteins, glycoproteins, or bacteria and the bile flow is insufficient to clean the surface. In this study, experience from nanotechnology to achieve a clean surface by improved soil-release characteristics is used to optimize biliary stent surface. The aim of this study was to examine sludge accumulation in relation to surface characteristics designed by nanotechnology. METHODS: A variety of inorganic-organic sol-gel-coated stents were incubated in sterilized human bile and enzyme-active Escherichia coli for 35 days. Materials were Teflon (DuPont, Wilmington, DE) coated with hydrophobic Clearcoat (NTC, Tholey, Germany), Teflon with sol-gel coating synthesized of organic epoxides of 190 g/mol or 500 g/mol, and propylaminosilane without or with fluorsilanes for increased hydrophobicity. Scanning electron microscopy and semiquantitative analysis, blinded to the type of coating, were used to determine the amount of sludge accumulated on the surface. RESULTS: Sludge deposition was reduced on the designed surfaces as compared with uncoated Teflon and Clearcoat. The performance of high molecular (500 g/mol) was superior to that of low molecular (190 g/mol) epoxide ligand. However, increasing hydrophobicity by adding fluoraminosilanes resulted in increased adherence of sludge. Less than a micrometer-thin sol-gel coating is inexpensive because very little coating material is required. This is the first published data comparing systematically modified surfaces of biliary stents using nanotechnology. CONCLUSIONS: Optimized soil release by sol-gel nanocoating of plastic stents may prevent biliary plastic stents from clogging.

One-step, simultaneous double-wire technique facilitates pancreatic pseudocyst and abscess drainage (with videos).

BACKGROUND: EUS-guided pancreatic pseudocyst and abscess drainage ideally requires the insertion of both a transmural stent and nasocystic catheter to ensure continuous irrigation and effective drainage. Sequential stent and nasocystic catheter insertion may be time consuming because of the difficulty in recannulating the pseudocyst after the initial stent placement. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to describe a novel one-step simultaneous double-wire technique that facilitates effective pancreatic pseudocyst and abscess drainage. DESIGN: To solve the problem of recannulating the pseudocyst cavity after the initial transmural stent placement, we developed a prototype 3-layer puncture kit that allows the simultaneous insertion of 2 guidewires at the initial puncture in one step. This puncture kit consists of a 22-gauge needle used for FNA, a 6F inner polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon) catheter, and an outer 8.5F Teflon catheter. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Eight consecutive patients were treated. INTERVENTIONS: With use of a therapeutic linear echoendoscope and the assembled kit with the needle protruding out distally, the pseudocyst cavity was punctured by using electrocautery. The needle and the inner catheter were then withdrawn, leaving the outer catheter within the cavity. The size of this outer catheter permitted the simultaneous insertion of two 0.035-inch guidewires. Sequential insertion of a transmural stent and nasocystic catheter was then performed without a need for recannulation of the pseudocyst or abscess cavity. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Successful endoscopic drainage. RESULTS: All patients were successfully treated without complications. Mean procedural time was 32.5 minutes (range 25-45 minutes). CONCLUSIONS: With this novel technique, establishing an irrigation system for the treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts and abscesses becomes easier, faster, and safer.

Use of modified multiband ligator facilitates circumferential EMR in Barrett's esophagus (with video).

BACKGROUND: Various techniques are available for EMR in the upper- and lower-GI tract. For early cancers of the esophagus, the "suck and cut" technique, which uses a transparent cap or variceal band ligator, is the most commonly practiced method. To facilitate multiple or circumferential EMR, a modified multiband variceal ligator (MBL) is introduced, which allows sequential banding and snare resection without the need to withdraw the endoscope. OBJECTIVE: To study the feasibility of modified MBL device in facilitating circumferential EMR of Barrett's esophagus (BE) that contains high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN) and/or intramucosal cancer (IMC). DESIGN: To enable band delivery with a snare inserted in the therapeutic endoscope, the threading channel of the cranking device is enlarged from 2 to 3.2 mm. The 6-shooter MBL was used. PATIENTS: Ten consecutive patients (all men; median age, 62 years; range 43-82 years) with BE were treated. IMC and HGIN were found in 8 and 2 patients, respectively. INTERVENTIONS: EMR was performed with pure coagulating current when using a 1.5 x 2.5-cm mini hexagonal polypectomy snare. No submucosal saline solution injection was performed before resection. RESULTS: In 5 of 10 patients with circumferential BE of 2 to 9 cm in length (median, 4 cm), complete circumferential EMR was performed in 1 session by using 3 to 18 bands (median, 6). Four patients with 3- to 10-cm (median, 4 cm) long segment BE required 2 to 5 sessions (median, 3) with a total of 5 to 42 bands (median, 12). Another patient with multifocal HGIN and/or IMC in 24 of a total of 49 specimens was finally recommended for surgery because of technical difficulties caused by mural thickening after 4 sessions. No serious procedure-related complications were observed, except for 2 minor bleedings, which were controlled endoscopically. Seven patients developed strictures after circumferential EMR. All patients except 1 were successfully managed by weekly bougienage after a median of 5 sessions (range 3-11). Deep-wall tears developed in 1 patient during the fourth bougienage session, for which limited distal esophageal resection was performed with an uneventful outcome. CONCLUSIONS: The novel technique of MBL-EMR described here facilitated and simplified circumferential removal of BE that contained HGIN and/or IMC. However, the method is associated with a very high stricture rate if circumferential EMR is performed in a single session. Complete removal of BE should be achieved by repeated partial EMR. Long-term follow-up is needed to observe for late recurrence and to determine the clinical impact of this method.

Endoscopic resection of benign tumors of the duodenal papilla without and with intraductal growth.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic papillectomy of benign papillary tumor is still not widely practiced. Intraductal growth has been considered a contraindication for endoscopic therapy. This prospective study evaluates endoscopic papillectomy for treatment of benign papillary tumors without and with intraductal growth. METHODS: Monofilament snare and monopolar electrocoagulation were used for papillectomy. A 7F stent was placed in the pancreatic duct. Patients with distal intraductal growth underwent sphincterotomy and endoscopic resection after exclusion of more proximal growth. RESULTS: Between February 1985 and April 2004, 106 patients (109 lesions), 68 women, 38 men, median age 68 years (range 29-88 years) were included. Median tumor size was 2 cm (range 0.5-6 cm) with one session (range 1-8) required for removal. Nine patients had invasive carcinoma (8%). Surgery for incomplete removal or recurrence was performed in 12% of 75 patients without and 37% of 31 patients with intraductal growth (p < 0.01), respectively. Fifteen patients had recurrence (15%); but, only 4 required surgery. Endoscopic resection was curative (median follow-up, 43 months) in 83% without and 46% with intraductal growth (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic papillectomy is safe and effective, and may be feasible in cases of intraductal growth. Surveillance and, if required, re-treatment are mandatory because of the risk of recurrence.

Capsule endoscopy versus standard tests in influencing management of obscure digestive bleeding: results from a German multicenter trial.

BACKGROUND: Capsule endoscopy (CE) is a new modality for obscure digestive bleeding (OBD), but little is known about its influence on management and outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-six patients (male/female 26/30; mean age 63 yr) with ODB, and negative upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy were included in this multicenter study. The diagnostic yield of CE was compared to three other tests (OT: push enteroscopy, enteroclysis, angiography), and patients were followed up for at least 6 months. Parameters were analyzed that led to major management changes such as surgical or endoscopic intervention or specific medical therapy, as well as their correlation to further bleeding. RESULTS: CE had a diagnostic yield higher than OT (68% vs 38%). Major management changes and an improvement in bleeding activity were observed in 21 and 44 patients, respectively. The number and type of positive findings on CE were associated with significant management changes (p < 0.05). The number of positive findings detected by CE as well as by OT correlated with further bleeding episodes (p < 0.05). However, clinical parameters (lowest hemoglobin (Hb) value, number of blood transfusions) were also significantly associated with outcome. Diagnoses of specific diseases (tumor, Crohn, NSAID ulcer) by CE led to a favorable outcome in 64% of cases, whereas negative CE cases were associated with no further bleeding in 80%. CONCLUSION: CE helps with management decisions and can replace other more complex and risky standard tests. Nevertheless, clinical parameters are equally important for predicting further bleeding and should also be used to decide on further management.

Aggressive endoscopic therapy for pancreatic necrosis and pancreatic abscess: a new safe and effective treatment algorithm (videos).

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic necrosis and pancreatic abscess are severe complications of acute pancreatitis. Surgery is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in these critically ill patients. Endoscopic therapy has the potential to offer a safer and more effective alternative treatment modality. However, its role needs to be further investigated. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of the outcome of consecutive patients with pancreatic necrosis and pancreatic abscess, all unfit to undergo surgery, who underwent a new aggressive endoscopic approach. The treatment includes (1) synchronous EUS-guided multiple transmural and/or transpapillary drainage procedures followed by balloon dilation of the cystogastrostoma or cystoduodenostoma, (2) daily endoscopic necrosectomy and saline solution lavage, and (3) sealing of pancreatic fistula by N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate. RESULTS: Pancreatic necrosis and pancreatic abscesses were successfully drained in 13 patients, thus avoiding emergency surgery as an initial treatment. Surgery was completely avoided in 9 patients over a median follow-up of 8.3 months (range 3-81 months). Surgery was combined with endoscopic therapy in one patient because of abscess extension into the right paracolic gutter, which was not manageable by endoscopic drainage. Because of the "disconnected-duct syndrome," two patients later developed recurrent pseudocysts and underwent elective surgery. Complications included minor bleeding after balloon dilation and necrosectomy in 4 cases, which were self limiting or controlled endoscopically. CONCLUSIONS: This aggressive endoscopic approach shows promising results. It expands the potential for endoscopic treatment in patients with pancreatic necrosis and/or pancreatic abscess.

Endoscopic sealing of pancreatic fistula by using N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of pancreatic fistula can be difficult. A novel endoscopic approach to sealing pancreatic fistulas by using N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate is described. METHODS: Twelve patients with pancreatic fistulas underwent endoscopic injection of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate into the fistulous tract, in addition to endoscopic drainage. RESULTS: Fistulas were closed successfully in 8 of 12 patients. A single treatment session was successful in 7 patients; a second session was required in one patient. In two patients, closure was temporary, and, in one patient, the treatment failed. One patient died 24 hours after treatment. He developed a pulmonary thromboembolism from a left popliteal vein thrombosis and died from complications of surgical thromboembolectomy. At autopsy, a pulmonary embolus was found, but there was no evidence of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate in the lungs. No procedure-related complication occurred over a median follow-up of 20.7 months (range 9-51 months). CONCLUSIONS: In this preliminary study, occlusion of pancreatic fistulas by using N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate glue was safe and effective, and obviated the need for surgery in a substantial proportion of patients. Further studies of the use of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate for closure of pancreatic fistula are warranted.

Endoscopy: current state and future trends in tumor diagnosis.

Gastrointestinal endoscopy has been significantly improved during the last decade. Tumors of less than 5 mm in diameter can now be detected by using high-resolution videoendoscopes. Additional in vivo staining allows better delineation and more precise identification of the lateral spreading of lesions. Today the missing of cancers in early stage is mainly due to lack of screening programs rather than technical limitations. Endoscopic mucosal resection of superficial lesions is primarily a diagnostic procedure to determine the need for surgery. However, it may be curative when histology proves a complete resection. Swallowable endoscopy capsules provide access to the entire small bowel. The capsule takes 2 images/second and transmits them to a recorder. After passage of the small bowel the 50,000 recorded images are reviewed on a computer. The capsule should not be used in patients with suspected intestinal stenosis. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is an established procedure for the T- and N-staging of gastrointestinal tumors. With an accuracy rate of around 90%, this method is helpful for the therapeutic decision e.g. indication for operation. EUS cannot distinguish benign from malignant changes, particularly in focal pancreatic lesions. However, this drawback can be reduced with EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology of the primary lesion or an accessible lymph node. At 7.5-20 MHz the gastrointestinal wall is visualized in 5 and more layers allowing for detailed staging of T1 tumors. 3D-EUS resolution is described to be better than 100 microns. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) with a resolution of 10-20 microns demonstrates tissue micro-architecture. Structures only seen in histology before are visualized real-time in vivo during endoscopy. However, the infiltration depth is only 1 mm and the method is still in the clinical experimental stage. Confocal microscopy has been recently adapted for endoscopy. Images from the first clinical evaluations already show single cells and nuclei. Cellular characteristics become visible and endoscopy is on the way towards optical biopsy.

Circumferential EMR and complete removal of Barrett's epithelium: a new approach to management of Barrett's esophagus containing high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia and intramucosal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: There is no study of circumferential EMR in patients with Barrett's esophagus containing early stage malignant lesions. This study investigated the effectiveness and safety of circumferential EMR by using a simple snare technique without cap. METHOD: Patients with Barrett's esophagus containing multifocal high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia or intramucosal cancer, and patients with endoscopically nonidentifiable early stage malignant mucosal changes incidentally detected in random biopsy specimens were included in the study. A 30 x 50-mm polypectomy snare made of monofilament 0.4-mm steel wire was used without any additional device or submucosal injection. RESULTS: Twelve patients (10 men, 2 women; median age 63.5 years, range 43-88 years) underwent circumferential EMR; 5 had multifocal lesions, and 7 had no visible lesions. Segments of Barrett's epithelium were circumferential (median length 5 cm) and completely removed. The median number of EMR sessions was 2.5. The median number of snare resections per EMR session was 5. The medial total area of mucosa in resected specimens per session was 3.8 cm(2). Two patients developed strictures that were successfully treated by bougienage. Minor bleeding occurred during 4 of 31 EMR sessions. During a median follow-up of 9 months, no recurrence of Barrett's esophagus or malignancy was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Circumferential EMR with a simple snare technique is feasible, safe, and effective for complete removal of Barrett's epithelium with early stage malignant changes.

Advances in interventional gastrointestinal endoscopy in colon and rectum.

BACKGROUND: Instrumental and procedural advances particularly in the therapeutic field have been achieved. REVIEW: Endoscopes with larger working channel, additional jet-channel, or variable stiffness allow more sophisticated interventional procedures. Higher resolution in endoscopic image quality helps to identify early lesions that can be treated endoscopically at this stage. Polypectomy and mucosectomy are no longer limited by the size of the lesion. Piecemeal technique is established, and a retrieval net is available for collecting all pieces obviating repeated introductions of the endoscope. In addition to snare polypectomy and mucosectomy, laparoscopy-assisted polypectomy and full-thickness resection are discussed. Self-expandable metal stents are used to decompress malignant colonic obstruction allowing for either preoperative bowel preparation and elective surgery or for noninvasive palliation. Argon plasma coagulation is an inexpensive and effective method for the treatment of bleeding from radiation proctitis.

Endoscopic treatment of biliary leakage with n-butyl-2 cyanoacrylate.

BACKGROUND: Biliary leakage is a problematic complication of hepatobiliary surgery. A novel alternative method is described that can obviate the need for reoperation for refractory biliary fistula. METHODS: Nine patients with large biliary leaks unresponsive to endoscopic drainage underwent N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate glue occlusion at ERCP. RESULTS: In 7 patients, occlusion was successful with prompt control of the fistula in a single session, averting reoperation. In 1 patient there was a partial response and in another the treatment was unsuccessful. No procedure-related complication occurred over a median follow-up of 35 months (range: 1.6-160 months). CONCLUSION: N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate glue occlusion is a safe and effective endoscopic method for control of refractory bile leaks that eliminates the need for surgical reintervention.