Impact of endoprosthesis type on inflammatory response in patients undergoing endoscopic drainage of pancreatic fluid collections.

Objective: To study the impact of endoprosthesis type on inflammatory response in patients undergoing endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided drainage of pancreatic fluid collections (PFC).

Methods: Patients undergoing EUS-guided PFC drainage and treated using lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) or plastic endoprostheses constituted the study cohort. The primary outcome was the presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) after index intervention.

Outcomes of a Structured, Stepwise Approach to Endoscopic Necrosectomy.

Background And Aim: Despite the increasing number of procedures being performed, there is no consensus on the optimal approach to performing direct endoscopic necrosectomy (DEN), which is a labor-intensive, nonstandardized intervention. We prospectively validated the usefulness of a predefined, structured, stepwise approach to DEN with the objective of improving procedural efficiency and resource use.

Materials And Methods: A prospective study of patients with necrotizing pancreatitis who after endoscopic transluminal drainage did not have clinical improvement and required DEN.

Endoscopic ultrasound as a diagnostic and predictive tool in idiopathic acute pancreatitis.

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is useful in the diagnostic workup of idiopathic acute pancreatitis but its role as a predictor of recurrence has not been thoroughly assessed. Our aim was to study the performance of EUS in idiopathic acute pancreatitis, its impact on the natural history of the disease, and the factors related to recurrence.

Methods: Patients with idiopathic acute pancreatitis referred to our endoscopy unit were enrolled and followed, with assessment of the performance of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), cholecystectomy, and the incidence of recurrence.

Case series on multimodal endoscopic therapy for gastric antral vascular ectasia, a tertiary center experience.

Aim: To study and describe patients who underwent treatment for gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) with different endoscopic treatment modalities.

Methods: We reviewed patients with GAVE who underwent treatment at University of Alabama at Birmingham between March 1, 2012 and December 31, 2016. Included patients had an endoscopic diagnosis of GAVE with associated upper gastrointestinal bleeding or iron deficiency anemia.

Beyond Abdominal Pain: Pain Beliefs, Pain Affect, and Distress as Determinants of Quality of Life in Patients With Chronic Pancreatitis.

Goals: To assess the relationship between pain, psychological processes, and quality of life (QOL) in chronic pancreatitis (CP).

Background: CP is a progressive inflammatory disorder of the pancreas characteristically resulting in abdominal pain and impairing QOL. Pain due to CP is poorly understood and frequently difficult to treat.

Prevalence of normal liver tests in patients with choledocholithiasis undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

Background/aims: Abnormal liver chemistry tests are a hallmark of common bile duct (CBD) stones. There is little information, however, on the prevalence of and predictors for normal liver chemistry tests in such patients.

Methods: Over an 11-year period, all patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) at our Center were prospectively identified.

Frequency of complications during EUS-guided drainage of pancreatic fluid collections in 148 consecutive patients.

Background And Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the frequency of complications during endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided drainage of pancreatic fluid collections (PFC), identify contributing factors, and report on management outcomes.

Methods: All patients who underwent EUS-guided PFC drainage over 7 years were enrolled. Indications, demographics, technical details, complications, surgical interventions, and final outcomes were prospectively recorded.

Presentation, response to lansoprazole therapy, and outcome of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome-like gastric acid hypersecretors.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical characteristics, response to treatment and outcome of Zollinger?Ellison syndrome (ZES)-like gastric acid hypersecretors.

Methods: Over a 20-year period, patients with gastric acid hypersecretion in the absence of ZES were enrolled in an open label prospective trial evaluating the efficacy of lansoprazole. Following baseline evaluations, patients were treated with escalating doses of lansoprazole based on the results of gastric acid analysis.

Cost minimization analysis comparing diagnostic strategies in unexplained pancreatitis.

Objectives: Both endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) are commonly performed in the evaluation of idiopathic pancreatitis. However, comparative trials of these modalities are lacking, and thus the ideal endoscopic diagnostic strategy to evaluate idiopathic pancreatitis remains unknown.

Methods: A decision analysis model of patients with 2 attacks of idiopathic pancreatitis with gallbladder in situ was constructed using TreeAge software.