Endoscopic Ultrasonography Miniature Probe Performance for Depth Diagnosis of Early Gastric Cancer with Suspected Submucosal Invasion.

Background/aims: The accurate assessment of the depth of invasion of early gastric cancer (EGC) is critical to determine the most appropriate treatment option. However, it is difficult to distinguish shallow submucosal (SM1) invasion from deeper submucosal (SM2) invasion. We investigated the diagnostic performance of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) using a miniature probe for EGC with suspected SM invasion.

Evaluation of the margins of differentiated early gastric cancer by using conventional endoscopy.

Aim: To evaluate the determination of the margin of differentiated-type early gastric cancers by using conventional endoscopy.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 364 differentiated early gastric cancers that were endoscopically resected as en-bloc specimens and diagnosed pathologically in detail between November 2007 and October 2008. All procedures were done with conventional endoscopes and all endoscopic samples, before and after indigo carmine dye, were re-evaluated using a digital filing system by one endoscopist.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for large laterally spreading tumors involving the ileocecal valve and terminal ileum.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection is a challenging technique that enables en-bloc resection for large colorectal tumors, as laterally spreading tumors, particularly difficult, if the ileocecal valve and terminal ileum is involved. Herein, we report on one of 4 cases. The procedures, using a bipolar needle knife (B-Knife) to reduce the perforation risk and carbon dioxide instead of conventional air insufflation for patient comfort, achieved curative resections without any complications.

Safety of carbon dioxide insufflation for upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopic treatment of patients under deep sedation.

Background: It is well known that carbon dioxide (CO(2)) is absorbed faster in the body than air and also that it is rapidly excreted through respiration. This study aimed to investigate the safety of CO(2) insufflation used for esophageal and gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) in patients under deep sedation.

Methods: Patients with either early gastric or esophageal cancers that could be resected by ESD were enrolled in this study from March 2007 to July 2008 and randomly assigned to undergo ESD procedures with CO(2) insufflation (CO(2) group) or air insufflation (air group).

Endoscopic submucosal dissection of recurrent or residual superficial esophageal cancer after chemoradiotherapy.

Background: Treatment of local recurrent or residual superficial esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC) with conventional EMR often results in a piecemeal resection that requires further intervention.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD).

Design: A case series.