Recommendations for the Management of Incidental Pancreatic Findings in Adults by the Canadian Association of Radiologists Incidental Findings Working Group.

The Canadian Association of Radiologists Incidental Findings Working Group consists of both academic subspecialty and general radiologists and is tasked with adapting and expanding upon the American College of Radiology incidental findings white papers to more closely apply to Canadian practice patterns, particularly more comprehensively dealing with the role of ultrasound and pursuing more cost-effective approaches to the workup of incidental findings without compromising patient care. Presented here are the 2021 Canadian guidelines for the management of pancreatic incidental findings. Topics covered include anatomic variants, fatty atrophy, pancreatic calcifications, ductal ectasia, and management of incidental pancreatic cysts.

Prospective Study of the Quality of Colonoscopies Performed by Primary Care Physicians: The Alberta Primary Care Endoscopy (APC-Endo) Study.

Background: The quality of colonoscopies performed by primary care physicians (PCPs) is unknown.

Objective: To determine whether PCP colonoscopists achieve colonoscopy quality benchmarks, and patient satisfaction with having their colonoscopy performed by a primary care physician.

Design: Prospective multi-center, multi-physician observational study.

Argon plasma coagulation for the treatment of hemorrhagic radiation colitis.

Radiation colitis is a common consequence of pelvic radiation. Its complications may include anemia due to chronic bleeding requiring transfusions. Many of these patients are managed with rectal medications which are often inadequate for control.

The sensitivity and specificity of guaiac and immunochemical fecal occult blood tests for the detection of advanced colonic adenomas and cancer.

Purpose: Fecal immunochemical tests (FITs) have been developed to address analytical problems inherent in the older guaiac-based fecal occult blood tests (g-FOBTs). Our aim was to compare the performance characteristics of one g-FOBT (Hemoccult II) and two FITs (the Hemoccult ICT and MagStream HemSp) relative to colonoscopy for the detection of colorectal cancer and significant precursor lesions. We also examined whether a 1-day collection strategy would negatively impact test diagnostic performance.

Practices in peptic ulcer bleeding controversies among university- versus nonuniversity-affiliated gastroenterologists.

Background: Practices relating to acute peptic ulcer bleeding (APUB) outside of guideline recommendations are unknown.

Objective: To evaluate the practices of university-affiliated (UA) versus nonuniversity-affiliated (non-UA) gastroenterologists in controversial APUB issues.

Methods: Gastroenterologists in Canada were mailed an anonymous questionnaire (January 2008) regarding APUB management.

Increased risk of colorectal cancer in ulcerative colitis patients diagnosed after 40 years of age.

Background: The association between ulcerative colitis (UC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) is well established. Retrospective data show a 5.4% CRC incidence rate among patients with pancolitis and suggest that cancer surveillance should be provided to patients following eight to 10 years of extensive UC.

Synergistic activity of troxacitabine (Troxatyl) and gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer.

Background: Gemcitabine, a deoxycytidine nucleoside analog, is the current standard chemotherapy used as first-line treatment for patients with locally advanced or metastatic cancer of the pancreas, and extends life survival by 5.7 months. Advanced pancreatic cancer thus remains a highly unmet medical need and new therapeutic agents are required for this patient population.