Temporary placement of fully covered self-expandable metal stents for the treatment of benign biliary strictures.

Background: Endoscopic treatment of benign biliary strictures (BBS) can be challenging.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of fully covered self-expandable metal stents (FCSEMS) in BBS.

Methods: Ninety-two consecutive patients with BBS (chronic pancreatitis (n = 42), anastomotic after liver transplantation (n = 36), and post biliary surgical procedure (n = 14)) were included.

Long-term follow-up of patients undergoing capsule and double-balloon enteroscopy for identification and treatment of small-bowel vascular lesions: a prospective, multicenter study.

Background And Study Aims: Few data are available concerning the long-term outcome of patients treated endoscopically for bleeding small-bowel vascular lesions (SBVL). The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of rebleeding after endoscopic therapy for SBVLs detected by video capsule enteroscopy (VCE). The secondary aim was to assess risk factors for rebleeding.

Comparison of a standard fully covered stent with a super-thick silicone-covered stent for the treatment of refractory esophageal benign strictures: A prospective multicenter study.

Background: Some esophageal strictures resist endoscopic treatments. There is a need for new treatments, such as specifically designed stents.

Objective: Our study sought to compare the results achieved with a standard, fully covered metallic stent (FCMS) and those achieved using a stent designed specifically for benign strictures (BS-FCMS).

Fully covered self-expanding metal stents for benign colonic strictures.

Background And Study Aims: Uncovered self-expanding metal stents offer effective relief for colonic obstruction. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of fully covered self-expanding metal stents (FCSEMSs) in the treatment of benign colonic strictures.

Patients And Methods: All patients presenting with a symptomatic benign colonic stricture (occlusion or subocclusion) during a 6-year study period were treated with FCSEMSs.

Prospective, randomized comparison of two small-bowel capsule endoscopy systems in patients with obscure GI bleeding.

Background: Video capsule endoscopy is the first-intention examination in patients with obscure GI bleeding. The new MiroCam capsule, when using electric-field propagation for transmission, has been poorly evaluated in a clinical setting, in contrast with the PillCam SB2 capsule.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic concordance (κ value) between PillCam SB2 and MiroCam capsule examinations performed in the same patients.