Prospective evaluation of ERCP performance in an Italian regional database study.

Background: Prospective studies about endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) in a community setting are rare.

Aim: To assess success and complication rates of routinely-performed ERCP in a regional setting, and the priority quality indicators for ERCP practice.

Methods: Prospective region wide observational study on consecutive patients undergoing ERCP during a 6-month period.

Continuous low-dose oral contraceptive in the treatment of colorectal endometriosis evaluated by rectal endoscopic ultrasonography.

Objective: Limited attention has been focused on the medical treatment of bowel endometriosis. This study evaluates the efficacy of administration of a continuous low-dose oral contraceptive in treating pain and other symptoms associated with colorectal endometriotic nodules, as evaluated by rectal endoscopic ultrasonography.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Does cytotechnician training influence the accuracy of EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration of pancreatic masses?

Background/aim: The presence of on-site cytopathologists improves the diagnostic yield of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) of pancreatic masses; however, on-site cytopathologists are not available to all endoscopic units. We hypothesized that experienced cytotechnicians can accurately assess whether an on-site pancreatic mass fine needle aspiration specimen is adequate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of formal cytotechnician training on the diagnostic accuracy of EUS-FNA of pancreatic masses.

Mucin expression pattern in pancreatic diseases: findings from EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsies.

Objectives: Alterations in mucin (MUC) glycosylation and expression have been described in cancer. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) can provide material for molecular biology analysis. This study assessed the feasibility of evaluating MUC expression from material obtained by EUS-FNA and studied the profile of MUC expression in benign and malignant pancreatic lesions.

Endoscopic rectal ultrasound and elastosonography are useful in flow chart for the diagnosis of deep pelvic endometriosis with rectal involvement.

Aim: Endometriosis is defined by the presence of endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterus. The disease causes pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, dyschezia and urinary symptoms. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and elastosonography for detecting rectosigmoid endometriosis and to compare the findings, in selected and symptomatic patients, with surgical specimens in order to select the best surgical strategy.

Pancreatic endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration: complication rate and clinical course in a single centre.

Background: Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Fine Needle Aspiration (EUS-FNA) is effective for obtaining biopsy specimens from pancreatic lesions.

Aim: To determine the frequency and severity of complications after EUS-FNA of solid and cystic pancreatic lesions in a single centre large series of patients.

Patients And Methods: From January 2005 to December 2008, information on all patients referred to our unit for pancreatic EUS was systematically entered in a computer database including clinical and morphologic data.

Endoscopic ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging for re-staging rectal cancer after radiotherapy.

Aim: To compare the sensitivity and specificity of two imaging techniques, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in patients with rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy. And we compared EUS and MRI data with histological findings from surgical specimens.

Methods: Thirty-nine consecutive patients (51.

Direct detection of Helicobacter pylori mutations associated with macrolide resistance in gastric biopsy material taken from human immunodeficiency virus-infected subjects.

One hundred forty gastric biopsies were tested by microbiological methods and by amplifying a sequence of 23S rRNA and identifying mutations associated to clarithromycin resistance. Seventy-six specimens were positive for Helicobacter pylori. Mutational analysis revealed alterations in 18 (39.