Randomized Controlled Trial of Self-directed Versus In-Classroom Education of Narrow Band Imaging in Diagnosing Colorectal Polyps Using the NICE Criteria.

Background: The optimal method for teaching NBI International Colorectal Endoscopic (NICE) criteria to medical trainees is unknown.

Methods: Trainees (medical students, residents, and gastroenterology fellows) were randomized to 2 groups (in-classroom vs. self-directed training).

Esophageal Cancer.

Esophageal cancer carries a poor prognosis among gastrointestinal malignancies. Although esophageal squamous cell carcinoma predominates worldwide, Western nations have seen a marked rise in the incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma that parallels the obesity epidemic. Efforts directed toward early detection have been difficult, given that dysplasia and early cancer are generally asymptomatic.

Development and Validation of a Classification System to Identify High-Grade Dysplasia and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma in Barrett's Esophagus Using Narrow-Band Imaging.

Background & Aims: Although several classification systems have been proposed for characterization of Barrett's esophagus (BE) surface patterns based on narrow-band imaging (NBI), none have been widely accepted. The Barrett's International NBI Group (BING) aimed to develop and validate an NBI classification system for identification of dysplasia and cancer in patients with BE.

Methods: The BING working group, composed of NBI experts from the United States, Europe, and Japan, met to develop a validated, consensus-driven NBI classification system for identifying dysplasia and cancer in BE.

In-class didactic versus self-directed teaching of the probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) criteria for Barrett's esophagus.

Background And Aims: Optimal teaching methods for disease recognition using probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) have not been developed. Our aim was to compare in-class didactic teaching vs. self-directed teaching of Barrett's neoplasia diagnosis using pCLE.

Limitations of endoscopic ablation in Barrett's esophagus.

In the last 5-10 years, endoscopic ablative therapies have been gaining ground as treatment for Barrett's esophagus associated with high-grade dysplasia and early cancer, and they are becoming the most preferred technique over surgery as the standard of care. These therapies are associated with a lower rate of complications and mortality than surgery; studies have found them to be safe, effective and tolerable. Endoscopic ablative therapies are not, however, without their drawbacks.

Association between length of Barrett's esophagus and risk of high-grade dysplasia or adenocarcinoma in patients without dysplasia.

Background & Aims: It is not clear whether length of Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a risk factor for high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) in patients with nondysplastic BE. We studied the risk of progression to HGD or EAC in patients with nondysplastic BE, based on segment length.

Methods: We analyzed data from a large cohort of patients participating in the BE Study-a multicenter outcomes project comprising 5 US tertiary care referral centers.