Safety, tolerability and efficacy of a novel self-use biodegradable device for management of obesity.

Objective: Obesity is a major public health issue with significant impact on quality of life, morbidity and mortality rates. It is estimated that if the current trends continue, 18% of men and 21% of women worldwide will be obese by 2025. All the current therapies are not optimal due to limited efficacy or safety; thus, there is a need for additional devices for the treatment of obesity.

G-EYE colonoscopy is superior to standard colonoscopy for increasing adenoma detection rate: an international randomized controlled trial (with videos).

Background And Aims: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is largely preventable with routine screening and surveillance colonoscopy; however, interval cancers arising from precancerous lesions missed by standard colonoscopy still occur. An increased adenoma detection rate (ADR) has been found to be inversely associated with interval cancers. The G-EYE device includes a reusable balloon integrated at the distal tip of a standard colonoscope, which flattens haustral folds, centralizes the colonoscope's optics, and reduces bowel slippage.

Functional chest pain responds to biofeedback treatment but functional heartburn does not: what is the difference?

Background: Patients with functional esophageal disorders represent a challenging treatment group. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of biofeedback in the treatment of patients with functional esophageal disorders.

Methods: In this prospective study, patients with typical/atypical symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease underwent upper endoscopy and 24-h pH monitoring.

Comparison of capsule endoscopy with ileocolonoscopy for detecting small-bowel lesions in patients with seronegative spondyloarthropathies.

Background And Study Aims: Patients with spondyloarthropathies are often found to have signs of small-bowel inflammation when examined by ileocolonoscopy. Because capsule endoscopy has been found to be superior to other endoscopic and radiological modalities in the detection of small-bowel inflammation, we aimed to compare the diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy with that of ileocolonoscopy in the detection of small-bowel lesions in patients with spondyloarthropathies.

Patients And Methods: Twenty patients with documented seronegative peripheral arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or sacroiliitis, who had not taken nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the preceding 2 months, participated in the study.

Levels of muscle enzymes in the serum after esophageal pneumatic dilation in patients with achalasia.

The success rate of pneumatic dilation of the esophagus in patients with achalasia is variable. We aim to assess whether levels of muscle enzymes in the serum are useful for predicting the efficacy of this procedure. Consecutive adults with symptomatic achalasia treated with pneumatic dilation were included.

Gallbladder contraction in familial dysautonomia.

The impaired function of the autonomic nervous system in patients with familial dysautonomia (FD) is frequently associated with gastrointestinal dysfunction. This study sought to determine whether gallbladder contraction is also affected in these patients. Nine consecutive patients with FD were assessed by real-time ultrasonography for gallbladder volume and calculated percentage of gallbladder contraction before and 45-60 min after a 50 g fatty meal, and compared with nine healthy control patients, matched for age and gender.

Buerger's disease presenting as acute small bowel ischemia.

The case of a young man with an unusual presentation of thromboangiitis obliterans with ischemia of the small bowel, 2 years before peripheral vascular disease of the extremities was clinically expressed, is reported.

Ergotamine-induced solitary rectal ulcer.

A rare case of ergotamine-induced solitary rectal ulcer is described in a 41 year old woman who used high doses of ergotamine tartrate-containing suppositories for severe migraine headaches. Complete recovery of the ulcer was noticed after cessation of treatment with the suppositories. The relevant literature is discussed.

Effectiveness and absorption of rectal hydrocortisone acetate foam in nonspecific proctocolitis.

A 3-week open trial of rectal hydrocortisone acetate foam (Colifoam, Stafford Miller, UK) was conducted in 19 patients with active, nonspecific distal proctocolitis. Complete or near complete remission was observed in nine patients (47.4%).

Common bile duct obstruction caused by hydatid daughter cysts--management by endoscopic retrograde sphincterotomy.

Four patients with cholestatic jaundice due to ruptured hydatid liver cyst into the biliary tract underwent endoscopic retrograde sphincterotomy with clearance of the bile ducts. Prompt relief of jaundice followed the produced and no complications occurred. After the procedure all patients received medical treatment (Mebendazole) for 3-4 months and were well at a mean follow-up of 8 months.