Radiofrequency ablation for total Barrett's eradication: a description of the endoscopic technique, its clinical results and future prospects.

Stepwise circumferential and focal radiofrequency ablation using the HALO system is a novel and promising ablative modality for Barrett's esophagus. Primary circumferential ablation is performed using a balloon-based bipolar electrode, while secondary treatment of residual Barrett's epithelium is performed using an endoscope-mounted bipolar electrode on an articulated platform. It has been used as a single-modality treatment or in combination with other therapies.

Patient preference and acceptance with sodium phosphate tablet preparation for colonoscopy.

Background: Colonoscopy is considered the primary procedure for colorectal cancer screening and prevention. However patient acceptance of this procedure has been poor. A major deterrent for patients is the need for a large-volume (4-l) preprocedure colonic preparation (polyethylene glycol [PEG] solution) that can be associated with a bad taste.

Endoscopic ablation of Barrett's esophagus: a multicenter study with 2.5-year follow-up.

Background: For patients with Barrett's esophagus (BE), life-long surveillance endoscopy is recommended because of an elevated risk for developing dysplasia and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Various endoscopic therapies have been used to eradicate BE. Recently circumferential radiofrequency ablation has been used with encouraging short-term results.

Retention of the capsule endoscope: a single-center experience of 1000 capsule endoscopy procedures.

Background: Retention of the video capsule is the most significant complication associated with capsule endoscopy (CE). There are limited data on incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of capsule retention.

Objective: We aimed to determine the incidence of capsule retention and to investigate the causes and clinical outcomes of capsule retention.

A comparison of endoscopic treatment and surgery in early esophageal cancer: an analysis of surveillance epidemiology and end results data.

Objectives: Endoscopic therapy for early esophageal cancer is gaining gradual acceptance in the United States. However, little information is available regarding long-term outcome of endoscopic therapy compared to surgical treatment of early esophageal cancer. We aimed to analyze outcomes in terms of cancer-free survival in patients with early esophageal cancer managed with either endoscopic therapy or surgical resection.

A prospective pilot trial of ablation of Barrett's esophagus with low-grade dysplasia using stepwise circumferential and focal ablation (HALO system).

Background And Study Aims: Yearly surveillance endoscopy is carried out for Barrett's esophagus with low-grade dysplasia (LGD) so that progression to high-grade dysplasia and adenocarcinoma can be detected at the earliest stage. The aim of the study was to assess the long-term safety and effectiveness of circumferential ablation followed by focal ablation (HALO system) for eliminating Barrett's esophagus and LGD.

Patients And Methods: Patients with 2 - 6 cm of Barrett's esophagus with histology demonstrating LGD on their last two sequential endoscopies over the previous 2 years and confirmed by two pathologists were enrolled in this prospective, single-center trial.

A multicenter randomized comparison of the Endocapsule and the Pillcam SB.

Background: Video capsule endoscopy has been shown to be the single most effective endoscopic procedure for identifying the source of obscure GI bleeding (OGIB).

Objective: Our purpose was to report on the Food and Drug Administration pivotal trial in which the Endocapsule (EC) (Olympus America, Allentown, Pa) was compared with the Pillcam SB (PSB) (Given Imaging, Yoqneam, Israel) in patients with OGIB.

Design: A novel trial design was used in which the EC and the PSB were swallowed by the same patient 40 minutes apart, in randomized order.

Double-balloon enteroscopy and capsule endoscopy have comparable diagnostic yield in small-bowel disease: a meta-analysis.

Background & Aims: The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy (CE) with double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) in small-bowel (SB) disease using meta-analysis.

Methods: We performed a search of studies comparing CE with DBE in SB disease. Data on diagnostic yield of CE and DBE were extracted, pooled, and analyzed.

Circumferential ablation of Barrett's esophagus that contains high-grade dysplasia: a U.S. Multicenter Registry.

Background: The management strategies for Barrett's esophagus (BE) that contains high-grade dysplasia (HGD) include intensive endoscopic surveillance, photodynamic therapy, thermal ablation, EMR, and esophagectomy.

Objective: To assess the safety and effectiveness of endoscopic circumferential balloon-based ablation by using radiofrequency energy for treating BE HGD.

Design: Multicenter U.

Overtubes in gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Gastrointestinal endoscopy is an evolving field kindled by technologic advances, scientific discoveries, and the innovative minds of endoscopists. The development and subsequent applications of overtubes in gastrointestinal endoscopy mirror this larger evolution. In this article, we review the development, applications, and complications associated with overtubes in gastrointestinal endoscopy.

A prospective study of the utility of abdominal radiographs after capsule endoscopy for the diagnosis of capsule retention.

Background: Capsule retention is a rare but serious complication of capsule endoscopy (CE). The utility of routine abdominal radiographs after CE for the diagnosis of capsule retention is not established.

Objective: To establish the utility of abdominal radiographs in the diagnosis of capsule retention in patients undergoing CE.

Performance comparison of two biotic indices measuring the ecological status of water bodies in the Southern Baltic and Gulf of Lions.

Two biotic indices, ATZI Marine Biotic Index (AMBI) and Benthic Quality Index (BQI) have been recently introduced within the EC Water Framework Directive to assess the quality of marine habitats: both are based on sensitivity/tolerance classification and quantitative information on the composition of soft-bottom macrofauna. Their performance, especially with regard to sampling effort was assessed based on two data sets collected in Southern Baltic and one from the Gulf of Lions Mediterranean. AMBI was not affected by sampling effort but BQI was.

Patient characteristics, clinical, endoscopic, and histologic findings in adult eosinophilic esophagitis: a case series and systematic review of the medical literature.

The objective of our study is to describe patient characteristics, clinical, endoscopic, and pathologic features and management of adult eosinophilic esophagitis (EE). A retrospective review of adults with EE (20 or more eosinophils per high-power field) diagnosed between 1997 and 2006, and a systematic review of the medical literature was performed. Forty-two patients (31 male; 11 female) had EE.

Helix 8 Leu in the CB1 cannabinoid receptor contributes to selective signal transduction mechanisms.

The intracellular C-terminal helix 8 (H8) of the CB(1) cannabinoid receptor deviates from the highly conserved NPXXY(X)(5,6)F G-protein-coupled receptor motif, possessing a Leu instead of a Phe. We compared the signal transduction capabilities of CB(1) with those of an L7.60F mutation and an L7.

A national study of cardiopulmonary unplanned events after GI endoscopy.

Background: Cardiopulmonary unplanned events (CUE) related to conscious sedation constitute a major proportion of GI endoscopy-associated complications.

Objectives: Our purpose was to study the incidence of CUE during GI endoscopy and to determine factors that may predict CUE.

Design: Retrospective CORI (Clinical Outcomes Research Initiative) database review.

Comparison of morning versus afternoon cecal intubation rates.

Background: Many factors impacting cecal intubation rates have been examined in detail; however, little information exists regarding the effect of the timing of the procedure. We sought to examine any difference in cecal intubation rates between morning and afternoon colonoscopies and identify factors contributing to a discrepancy.

Methods: Retrospective, single-center study comparing cecal intubation rates for colonoscopies performed in the morning (begun prior to 12 noon) and colonoscopies performed in the afternoon (begun after 12 noon) over an approximately 12 month period.

The natural history of peanut and tree nut allergy.

Peanut and tree nut allergies were once thought to be permanent. Recent studies have shown that about 20% and 10%, respectively, of young patients may outgrow peanut and tree nut allergies. For the majority of patients, however, the natural history is not favorable.

Mutation studies of Ser7.39 and Ser2.60 in the human CB1 cannabinoid receptor: evidence for a serine-induced bend in CB1 transmembrane helix 7.

Ligands of structurally diverse natures are able to bind at the CB(1) cannabinoid receptor, suggesting the existence of multiple binding sites on the receptor. Modeling studies have implicated Ser2.60(173) and Ser7.

Esophageal overtube facilitation of transesophageal echocardiography in patients with previously difficult esophageal intubation.

Background: In upper endoscopy, overtubes protect the hypopharynx and esophagus in patients requiring multiple esophageal intubations. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is frequently used in general cardiology practice to provide high-resolution, real-time images of cardiac structures that are often not visualized by transthoracic imaging alone. Patients with a history of esophageal disorders or difficult esophageal intubations may have increased risk for complications from the echoprobe.

Balloon-based, circumferential, endoscopic radiofrequency ablation of Barrett's esophagus: 1-year follow-up of 100 patients.

Objective: To assess the dose-response, safety, and efficacy of circumferential endoscopic ablation of Barrett's esophagus (BE) by using an endoscopic balloon-based ablation device (HALO360 System).

Design: This study was conducted in 2 serial phases (dosimetry phase and effectiveness phase) to evaluate a balloon-based ablation device that delivers a pre-set amount of energy density (J/cm2) to BE tissue. The dosimetry phase evaluated the dose-response and the safety of delivering 6 to 12 J/cm2.