Fully covered self-expanding metal stents for benign colonic strictures.

Background And Study Aims: Uncovered self-expanding metal stents offer effective relief for colonic obstruction. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of fully covered self-expanding metal stents (FCSEMSs) in the treatment of benign colonic strictures.

Patients And Methods: All patients presenting with a symptomatic benign colonic stricture (occlusion or subocclusion) during a 6-year study period were treated with FCSEMSs.

Prospective multicenter evaluation of colon capsule examination indicated by colonoscopy failure or anesthesia contraindication.

Background And Study Aims: In France, in about 5% of cases colonoscopies are incomplete or temporarily contraindicated.We tested the diagnostic yield of colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) in these patients.

Patients And Methods: In a prospective study, in 17 French centers, inclusion criteria were colonoscopy failure or general disease that excluded colonoscopy with anesthesia.

Yield and impact of emergency capsule enteroscopy in severe obscure-overt gastrointestinal bleeding.

Background And Study Aims: Patients with obscure-overt gastrointestinal bleeding (OOGIB) are defined by overt hemorrhage and negative upper and lower endoscopy findings. At present, the place of emergency capsule enteroscopy in patients with severe OOGIB is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic yield and the impact of emergency capsule enteroscopy on further management in patients with severe OOGIB.

Can we shorten the small-bowel capsule reading time with the "Quick-view" image detection system?

Background: The mean small-bowel capsule reading time is about 60 min, and shortening this reading time is a major aim.

Aim: To evaluate the efficiency of the "Quick-view" detection algorithm.

Methods: Multicentre prospective comparative study.

Prospective, randomized comparison of two small-bowel capsule endoscopy systems in patients with obscure GI bleeding.

Background: Video capsule endoscopy is the first-intention examination in patients with obscure GI bleeding. The new MiroCam capsule, when using electric-field propagation for transmission, has been poorly evaluated in a clinical setting, in contrast with the PillCam SB2 capsule.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic concordance (κ value) between PillCam SB2 and MiroCam capsule examinations performed in the same patients.

Outcome of patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding after negative capsule endoscopy: results of a one-year follow-up study.

Background: Capsule endoscopy (CE) is an effective method for investigating the small bowel, especially in cases of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB), although the long-term outcome of patients with a negative CE is generally not known.

Patients And Methods: For 49 patients with OGIB and a negative CE, their referring physicians filled out a follow-up questionnaire to assess bleeding recurrence and any repeat investigations after negative video capsule endoscopy (VCE).

Results: A minimum follow-up duration of one year (median: 15.

Diagnostic accuracy of esophageal capsule endoscopy versus conventional upper digestive endoscopy for suspected esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background And Study Aim: A video capsule similar to that used in small-bowel capsule endoscopy is now available for esophageal exploration. The aim of our study was to compare the accuracy of upper endoscopy (esophageal gastroduodenoscopy [EGE]) with esophageal capsule endoscopy (ECE) in patients at risk of esophageal squamous cell cancer (SCC).

Patients And Methods: 68 patients at risk of SCC secondary to a history of head and neck neoplasia were included in this comparison of techniques for detecting SCC and dysplasia.

Endoscopic band ligation could decrease recurrent bleeding in Mallory-Weiss syndrome as compared to haemostasis by hemoclips plus epinephrine.

Background: Mallory-Weiss syndrome (MWS) with active bleeding at endoscopy may require endoscopic haemostasis the modalities of which are not well-defined.

Aim: To compare the efficacy of endoscopic band ligation vs. hemoclip plus epinephrine (adrenaline) in bleeding MWS.

Esophageal capsule endoscopy vs. EGD for the evaluation of portal hypertension: a French prospective multicenter comparative study.

Objectives: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is the standard method for the diagnosis of esophago-gastric varices. The aim of this prospective multicenter study was to evaluate the PillCam esophageal capsule endoscopy (ECE) for this indication.

Methods: Patients presenting with cirrhotic or noncirrhotic portal hypertension underwent ECEfollowed by EGD at the time of diagnosis.

Nonoperable patients with superficial esophageal cancer treated by photodynamic therapy after chemoradiotherapy have more severe complications than patients treated in primary intent.

Introduction: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a therapeutic option in patients with a superficial esophageal cancer. Recently, PDT was shown to be effective as a salvage therapy for a local recurrence after chemoradiotherapy (CRT).

Aim: To compare retrospectively the results and the complications rate of PDT between consecutive patients treated in primary intent for a superficial esophageal cancer versus patients treated by PDT for a local recurrence after CRT.

Capsule endoscopy and bowel preparation with oral sodium phosphate: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

Background: Capsule endoscopy (CE) is the first procedure to explore the small bowel in obscure GI bleeding (OGB).

Objective: To evaluate the role of bowel preparation with oral sodium phosphate (NaP) in this indication.

Design: A prospective multicenter, controlled, randomized, blind study.

Bleeding gastric vascular ectasia treated by argon plasma coagulation: a comparison between patients with and without cirrhosis.

Background: Gastric vascular ectasia (GVE) is an uncommon etiology of GI bleeding. GVE can affect not only patients with cirrhosis but also patients with a variety of chronic diseases.

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare clinical and endoscopic patient characteristics and responses to treatment by argon plasma coagulation (APC) of bleeding GVE between patients with cirrhosis and noncirrhotic patients.

Colonic gas explosion during therapeutic colonoscopy with electrocautery.

Therapeutic colonoscopy with electrocautery is widely used around the world. Adequate colonic cleansing is considered a crucial factor for the safety of this procedure. Colonic gas explosion, although rare, is one of the most frightening iatrogenic complications during colonoscopy with electrocautery.

Multidetector CT in patients with esophageal stent as a palliative treatment for stenosing esophageal cancer: a feasibility study.

Objective: The self-expanding metallic stent (SEMS) is widely used in the palliative treatment of stenosing esophageal cancer. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) allows volumetric investigation including virtual endoscopy. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of MDCT follow-up of esophageal SEMS and to describe the imaging patterns encountered as well as correlating them with fibroscopic evaluation.

Double stenting of oesophagus and airways in palliative treatment of patients with oesophageal cancer is efficient but associated with a high morbidity.

Background: Double stenting of oesophagus and airways may be required in palliative treatment of patients with locally advanced oesophageal cancer.

Aim: To assess feasibility, efficacy and complications occurring in patients with locally advanced oesophageal cancer receiving both oesophagus and airways stenting.

Methods: In one single centre between 1997 and 2005, among 180 patients with locally advanced oesophageal cancer treated by the palliative placement of a self-expanding metal stent, patients requiring double stenting of oesophagus and airways were identified.

Value of wireless capsule endoscopy in patients with indeterminate colitis (inflammatory bowel disease type unclassified).

Background: Wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) can identify small bowel mucosal lesions not seen with other imaging modalities. This technique can therefore play an important diagnostic role in the evaluation of patients with inflammatory bowel disease type unclassified (IBDU). We report on a multicentric study whose objective was to evaluate the value of WCE to increase diagnostic accuracy in categorizing IBDU.

Undernutrition is predictive of early mortality after palliative self-expanding metal stent insertion in patients with inoperable or recurrent esophageal cancer.

Background: Self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) are a first-line therapeutic procedure in the palliative treatment of dysphagia in patients with esophageal cancer. However, the impact of SEMS insertion on patient nutritional status has never been assessed.

Objective: To evaluate the nutritional status of patients after insertion of a SEMS and the impact of a preexisting undernutrition status on survival.

Predictive factors of survival in patients treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy for squamous cell esophageal carcinoma.

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the predictive factors of survival in patients with locally advanced squamous cell esophageal carcinoma (LASCOC) treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) regimen based on the 5FU/CDDP combination.

Methods: All patients with LASCOC treated with a definitive CRT using the 5FU/CDDP combination between 1994 and 2000 were retrospectively included. Clinical complete response (CCR) to CRT was assessed by esophageal endoscopy and CT-scan 2 mo after CRT completion.

Prior chemoradiotherapy is associated with a higher life-threatening complication rate after palliative insertion of metal stents in patients with oesophageal cancer.

Background: Self-expanding metal stents are used routinely to palliate dysphagia due to oesophageal cancer.

Study Aim: To compare the frequency of life-threatening complications after self-expanding metal stent insertion, depending on whether patients received prior chemoradiotherapy or no treatment.

Patients And Methods: During 7 years, 116 consecutive patients were treated at a single centre in a palliative intent by insertion of self-expanding metal stent for dysphagia due to an oesophageal cancer.

Wireless capsule endoscopy versus ileocolonoscopy for the diagnosis of postoperative recurrence of Crohn's disease: a prospective study.

Background And Aims: Following ileocolonic resection for Crohn's disease (CD), early endoscopic recurrence predicts recurrence of symptoms. The aim of the study was to compare ileocolonoscopy and wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) for the detection of postoperative recurrence in CD.

Methods: WCE and ileocolonoscopy were performed within six months following surgery in 32 prospectively enrolled patients.

Palliative esophageal stent placement using endoscopic guidance without fluoroscopy.

Aims: Fluoroscopy is not available in every endoscopic unit. This situation leads to delays in treatment or to transfer of patients to other centres for stent insertion. We assessed safety and effectiveness of expandable esophageal metal stent placement under endoscopic control without fluoroscopy using a thin gastroscope.