Outcomes of symptom screening and universal COVID-19 reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction testing before endoscopy in a community-based ambulatory surgery center.

Background And Aims: Elective endoscopy resumed in our outpatient ambulatory center after instituting the preprocedure policy of a confirmed negative coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) status performed 72 hours before a scheduled procedure as mandated by the state of Illinois. In addition, all patients were required to contemporaneously complete the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) COVID-19 risk screening questionnaire published April 28, 2020 as outlined in the ASGE guidance document for reopening GI endoscopy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of our study is to report the outcomes of 1000 patients who successfully completed the clinical aspects of the ASGE COVID-19 risk screening questionnaire and whose RT-PCR tests were valid for interpretation.

Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction and Total Villous Atrophy of the Terminal Ileum: An Unusual Presentation of Untreated Celiac Disease.

Intestinal pseudo-obstruction (IPO) is a rare complication of celiac disease (CD) and has often resulted in laparotomy for diagnosis. We report an adult case of CD presenting as IPO with severe protein calorie malnutrition (PCM) and negative endomysial as well as tissue transglutaminase antibodies. This is the first case report of CD presenting with combined IPO, severe PCM, negative first-line celiac serologies, and terminal ileal atrophy that was diagnosed without laparotomy.

Resolution of pancreatico-pleural fistula with endoscopic ultrasound-guided therapy.

Pancreatico-pleural fistula is an uncommon cause of recurrent pleural effusion. Delayed diagnosis may occur if fluid amylase level is not obtained early in the clinical course. As most cases of pancreatico-pleural effusion are due to chronic pancreatitis, endoscopic therapy may be effective if pancreatic fluid secretion can be diverted to a more physiologic pathway.

Risk factors for death or stroke after carotid endarterectomy: observations from the Ontario Carotid Endarterectomy Registry.

Background And Purpose: Carotid endarterectomy is an effective method for preventing strokes if patients do not suffer adverse perioperative outcomes. The purpose of this study was to identify preoperative patient risk factors for adverse outcomes (death or nonfatal stroke) after carotid endarterectomy through the use of a large population-based registry from Ontario, Canada.

Methods: Medical records of all 6038 patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy in Ontario between January 1, 1994, and December 31, 1997, were abstracted from 34 hospitals.