A Modified "Rendezvous" Technique for EUS-guided Recanalization of a Rectal Anastomotic Stricture without Fluoroscopy and Stenting.

Various endoscopic techniques have been described for the treatment of post-operative colonic strictures. Our aim is to report a solely EUS-guided recanalization procedure for a complete rectal stricture, without the use of fluoroscopy or stenting. A 66-year-old male was submitted to low anterior resection and protective ileostomy for rectal adenocarcinoma, complicated with complete anastomotic stricture 6 months later.

Results of a prospective multicenter neuroendocrine tumor registry reporting on clinicopathologic characteristics of Greek patients.

Background: The rare incidence of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) has contributed to a paucity of large epidemiologic studies of patients with this condition. We investigated the occurrence and clinicopathologic features of NENs in Greece.

Methods: Between October 2010 and November 2012 we collected data on 246 newly diagnosed patients from a broad-based multi-institutional registry that comprises eight academic and hospital sites in Greece.

Predictors of sustained virological response in Greek and Egyptian patients with hepatitis C genotype 4: does ethnicity matter?

Hepatitis C virus genotype 4 (HCV-4) is spreading beyond Africa and the Middle East but data regarding treatment with pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin of European populations infected with HCV-4 remains limited. Interestingly, European (vs. Egyptian) origin has been associated with lower sustained virological response rates.

Pancreatic duct guidewire placement for biliary cannulation in a single-session therapeutic ERCP.

Aim: To investigate the technical success and clinical complication rate of a cannulated pancreatic duct with guidewire for biliary access.

Methods: During a five-year study period, a total of 2843 patients were included in this retrospective analysis. Initial biliary cannulation method consisted of single-guidewire technique (SGT) for up to 5 attempts, followed by double-guidewire technique (DGT) when repeated unintentional pancreatic duct cannulation had taken place.

Pegylated interferon alfa-2b pen device and ribavirin treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis C: an evaluation of patient satisfaction.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the satisfaction of patients with chronic hepatitis C who used the pegylated interferon α-2b pen device.

Methods: Patients from multiple centers in Greece were recruited to participate in this noninterventional, observational study. Patients received pen device training for at least 6 weeks before treatment and used questionnaires to provide feedback (rating scale: 1-4, negative; 5-7, positive) on training, medication preparation and injection, and appreciation of the device.