Comparing the diagnostic adequacy of 25-Gauge fork-tip franseen reverse-bevel-type needles in EUS-guided tissue acquisition: A prospective randomized study with a retrospective control.

Background And Objectives: EUS-guided fine-needle biopsy (FNB) is an established technique for the acquisition of tissue to diagnose lesions of the gastrointestinal tract and surrounding organs. Recently, newer-generation FNB needles have been introduced, including a second-generation reverse-bevel and the third-generation fork-tip and Franseen needles. We aimed to determine if there was any difference between these needles in terms of cytopathological diagnostic yield, sample cellularity, or sample bloodiness.

Structured oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx assessment during routine esophagogastroduodenoscopy improves detection of pre- and early cancerous lesions: a multicenter, comparative study.

A structured assessment of the oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx (OHL) may improve the diagnostic yield for the detection of precancerous and early cancerous lesions (PECLs) during routine esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Thus, we aimed to compare routine EGDs ± structured OHL assessment (SOHLA), including photo documentation with regard to the detection of PECLs. Consecutive patients with elective EGD were arbitrarily allocated to endoscopy lists with or without SOHLA.

Is a Fundamental Design Change for Gastrointestinal Endoscopes Required?

Since the first fiberoptic instruments, gastrointestinal endoscopy has shaped the field of gastroenterology and is now a key diagnostic and therapeutic tool. Compared with the initial fiberoptic endoscopes state-of-the-art optical chips (or charge-coupled device technology) allowed a quantum leap in image quality. Despite these advances, gastrointestinal endoscopy is far from being perfect.

Endoscopic ampullectomy for non-invasive ampullary lesions: a single-center 10-year retrospective cohort study.

Background: Lesions involving the ampulla of Vater have traditionally been managed by surgical resection, albeit with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Endoscopic ampullectomy is increasingly recognized as an efficacious and safer treatment option. This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of endoscopic ampullectomy for non-invasive ampullary lesions in a single tertiary referral center.

Splenic Injury Following Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Splenic injury following endoscopy is a rare but potentially fatal complication. While this has been found to occur more frequently after colonoscopy, splenic injury following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) remains highly uncommon since its first reported case in 1989. Indeed, there have been only 19 such cases reported in the English, German, and Spanish literature collectively over the past 27 years.

The scratch test for identifying the lower liver edge is at least as accurate as percussion and is significantly more effective for young trainees-a randomised comparative trial.

Background: Clinical examination of the liver requires experience to achieve accuracy. The scratch test is a simple technique to identify the lower liver edge and enhance liver palpation, and may be easier for trainees.

Aim: We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of the scratch test compared to percussion at different levels of medical training.

Achalasia: a 13-year, single-centre experience comparing endoscopic balloon dilatation and laparoscopic Heller myotomy.

Background: Idiopathic achalasia is a non-curable, primary motility disorder of the oesophagus. Most established long-term palliative treatment options are laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) and endoscopic balloon dilatation (BD).

Aim: We aimed to compare the outcome of both therapies and the risk of serious complications, defined as perforation or death, in a single-centre series.

Autoimmune pancreatitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis in a 16-year-old boy with inflammatory bowel disease.

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a rare systemic fibroinflammatory disorder. The disease usually occurs in elderly men and offers an excellent response to steroid treatment. AIP in childhood is exceedingly rare.

Allopurinol might improve response to azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine by correcting an unfavorable metabolite ratio.

Background And Aim: Allopurinol potentiates azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) by increasing 6-thioguanine nucleotide (6-TGN) metabolite concentrations. The outcome might also be improved by adding allopurinol in individuals who preferentially produce 6-methylmercaptopurine nucleotides (6-MMPN), rather than 6-TGN. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of allopurinol on concentrations of 6-MMPN and 6-TGN in individuals with a high ratio of these metabolites (>20), which is indicative of a poor thiopurine response.