Endoscopic assessment of minor papilla morphology: Predictors of successful cannulation and procedural pancreatitis risk in minor papilla endotherapy.

Background: We evaluated for predictors of successful cannulation and post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP) in minor papilla endotherapy (MPE), emphasizing endoscopic minor papilla morphology.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 232 MPEs in 65 patients, assessing minor papilla morphology based on three features: bulge as "prominent" or "subtle," mucosal appearance as "papilla-like" resembling the main papilla or "SMT-like" akin to a gastrointestinal submucosal tumor, and orifice visibility as "clear" or "unclear." Cannulation success was evaluated in 65 enrolled patients, with PEP risk assessed in all 232 MPEs.

Pharyngeal Residues Following Swallowing of Pureed Diets Thickened with a Gelling Agent or a Xanthan Gum-Based Thickener in Elderly Patients with Dysphagia.

The ideal texture of pureed diets to prevent aspiration pneumonia remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a pureed diet with either a gelling agent or a xanthan gum-based thickener to prevent pharyngeal residues in patients with dysphagia. We retrospectively analyzed a randomized, crossover trial of pureed rice with either a gelling agent or a xanthan gum-based thickener in patients with dysphagia.

Comparison of propofol-based sedation and midazolam sedation in pediatric bidirectional endoscopy conducted by pediatric gastroenterologists.

Objectives: The effectiveness and safety of propofol-based sedation and midazolam sedation in pediatric bidirectional endoscopy were compared.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the cases of pediatric patients (≤15 years old) who had undergone bidirectional endoscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and colonoscopy by pediatric gastroenterologists. Demographic data, indications, sedatives/dosages, clinical outcomes, endoscopic findings, adverse events, and total patient time requirements (total time in which patients stay in our hospital) were compared in the two sedation groups.

Serum Leucine-Rich α2 Glycoprotein Could Be a Useful Biomarker to Differentiate Patients with Normal Colonic Mucosa from Those with Inflammatory Bowel Disease or Other Forms of Colitis.

(1) Serum leucine-rich α2 glycoprotein (LRG) has been reported as a useful biomarker for monitoring disease activity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We investigated whether serum LRG can differentiate patients with normal colonic mucosa from those with IBD or other forms of colitis. (2) Patients with diarrhea, abdominal pain, or bloody stools were consecutively enrolled at their initial visit to our hospital.

A 2-week intensive gastrointestinal endoscopy training program for pediatricians.

Background: In Japan there are limited opportunities for pediatricians to learn gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy. This study investigated whether a short-term intensive training for 2 weeks in an adult GI setting enabled pediatricians to acquire basic technical competence for pediatric GI endoscopic procedures.

Methods: This was a retrospective case series of pediatricians who underwent 2 weeks of intensive endoscopy training at an adult endoscopy unit in a community hospital.

Cap-assisted colonoscopy can increase the rate of sessile serrated lesion detection at the left lateral decubitus position: A retrospective case-control study.

We investigated the effectiveness of cap-assisted colonoscopy conducted with the patient in the left lateral decubitus position at both the colonoscope's insertion and withdrawal timepoints compared to the effectiveness of colonoscopy without a cap conducted in the supine position at withdrawal. This was a case-control study, based on historical comparisons of patients over 2 time periods. The first group of patients underwent colonoscopies with a transparent cap and the patient was in the left lateral decubitus position at both the insertion and withdrawal timepoints from April to June 2019.

Rising Trends of Endoscopic Barrett's Esophagus and Gastric Fundic Gland Polyps in Young Japanese Adults.

Background/aims: This study examined changes in the esophageal-gastric junction and gastric mucosa in young Japanese adults undergoing endoscopy in the last 15 years.

Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective study of young Japanese adults (aged 19-30 years) who underwent esophagogastrod uodenoscopy between 2006 and 2020. The indications were upper gastrointestinal symptoms and anemia.

Serum Leucine-Rich α2 Glycoprotein: A Biomarker for Predicting the Presence of Ulcerative Colitis but Not Ulcerative Proctitis.

The serum level of leucine-rich α2 glycoprotein (LRG) is a biomarker for active ulcerative colitis (UC). We examined the serum level of LRG as a biomarker for predicting the presence of UC. Patients with persistent diarrhea and/or bloody stool with no history of UC were consecutively enrolled at their initial visit.

Managing bleeding risk after cold snare polypectomy in patients receiving direct-acting oral anticoagulants.

Background And Aims: The best strategy to manage direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for patients undergoing cold snare polypectomy remains unclear. This study compared the effect of continuing versus stopping DOACs only on the day of the procedure on bleeding after cold snare polypectomy.

Methods: This prospective, observational, single-center cohort study enrolled consecutive patients receiving antithrombotic agents and undergoing cold snare polypectomy of colorectal polyps ≤10 mm in diameter.

Linked colour imaging versus white-light colonoscopy for the detection of flat colorectal lesions: A randomized controlled trial.

Aim: Linked colour imaging is an image-enhanced endoscopy system that emphasizes the red portion of the mucosa's colour. Our aim was to compare the effectiveness of linked colour imaging with white-light colonoscopy for the detection of flat-type colorectal polyps.

Method: This was a single-centre, randomized controlled trial.

Effectiveness of Water Jelly Ingestion for Both Rehabilitation and Prevention of Aspiration Pneumonia in Elderly Patients With Moderate to Severe Dysphagia.

Background And Aims: We evaluated the effectiveness of water jelly ingestion for both rehabilitation and the prevention of aspiration pneumonia in a retrospective analysis of elderly patients with moderate to severe dysphagia.

Patients And Methods: Study 1: consecutive patients with borderline ingestion in an endoscopic swallowing evaluation were enrolled (n=36, 18 men and 18 women: mean age 82±9 y) and categorized into a group with water jelly (50 to 100 mL) ingestion training 3×/day or an untrained control group. Their food intake levels were then compared using a Food Intake Level Scale.

Risk of Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Procedure-Related Bleeding in Patients With or Without Continued Antithrombotic Therapy.

Background: Prospective studies on bleeding risk during/after gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures are rare.

Aim: We investigated the risk of endoscopic procedure-related bleeding in patients with biopsy and/or cold snare polypectomy (CSP) in relation to antithrombotic therapy.

Methods: This prospective, observational single-center cohort study (NCT02594813) enrolled consecutive patients who underwent diagnostic esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) or colonoscopy.