Linear endoscopic ultrasound: Current uses and future perspectives in mediastinal examination.

This editorial elaborates on the current and future applications of linear endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) a substantial diagnostic and therapeutic modality for various anatomical regions. The scope of endosonographic assessment is broad and, among other factors, allows for the evaluation of the mediastinal anatomy and related pathologies, such as mediastinal lymphadenopathy and the staging of central malignant lung lesions. Moreover, EUS assessment has proven more accurate in detecting small lesions missed by standard imaging examinations, such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.

Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of the FDA-approved Intragastric Balloon Systems in a Clinical Setting.

Background And Aims: The gas-filled intragastric balloon (IGB) system (Obalon) and the fluid-filled IGB system (Orbera) are the current FDA-approved IGB systems to treat obesity; however, they have not been previously compared in clinical practice. The aims of this study were to compare their efficacy, tolerance, and safety in a clinical setting.

Materials And Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients treated with the gas-filled IGB or fluid-filled IGB between October 2015 and May 2020 at 2 academic centers.

Validation of choledocholithiasis predictors from the "2019 ASGE Guideline for the role of endoscopy in the evaluation and management of choledocholithiasis.".

Background And Aims: Identifying patients likely to have CDL is an important clinical dilemma because endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), carries a 5-7% risk of adverse events. The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic test performance of the 2010 and 2019 ASGE criteria used to help risk stratify patients with suspected CDL.

Methods: Consecutive patients evaluated for possible CDL from 2013 to 2019 were identified from surgical, endoscopic, and radiologic databases at a single academic center.

Advancements in Endoscopic Biliary Interventions by Gastroenterology.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an endoscopic technique in which a specialized side-viewing endoscope is guided into the duodenum, allowing for instruments to access the biliary and pancreatic ducts. ERCP was initially developed as a diagnostic tool as computed tomography was in its infancy during that time. ERCP has evolved since its inception in the 1960s to becoming not only a valuable diagnostic resource but now an effective therapeutic intervention in the treatment of various biliary disorders.

Postsurgical Presentation of Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome After Resection of Endometrioid Neuroendocrine Tumor.

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is a functional neuroendocrine tumor with inappropriate gastrin secretion and hyperchlorhydria causing severe peptic ulcer disease and chronic diarrhea. Although 70% of primary gastrinomas occur in the region of the duodenum, the diagnosis and localization of gastrinomas can be challenging because of small lesions that may arise functionally as lymph node metastases at initial presentation. We report a 76-year-old woman presenting with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome several months after surgical resection of endometrioid small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and endometrioid adenocarcinoma.

Appropriateness and Safety of Direct Access Endoscopy in Hospitalized Patients.

Background and objective Direct access endoscopy (DAE) allows hospitalists to refer patients for endoscopy without a gastroenterologist (GI) evaluation, potentially decreasing wait time and facilitating earlier discharge from the hospital. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of DAE for average-risk endoscopic procedures. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed by comparing patients who underwent a DAE with patients who underwent an endoscopy ordered by GI physicians at a tertiary care hospital.

Patient Engagement with Interactive Text Message System Improves Successful Colonoscopy Rates in an Outpatient Endoscopy Center.

Introduction: Text message-based interventions reduce colonoscopy no-show rates and improve bowel preparation scores. In this non-randomized study, we assessed whether an interactive text messaging system could improve colonoscopy outcomes.

Methods: Colonoscopy pre-procedural instructions were programmed into a dedicated software platform created for this study.