Multicenter cohort study of patients with buried bumper syndrome treated endoscopically with a novel, dedicated device.

Background And Aims: Buried bumper syndrome (BBS) is a rare adverse event of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement in which the internal bumper migrates through the stomal tract to become embedded within the gastric wall. Excessive tension between the internal and external bumpers, causing ischemic necrosis of the gastric wall, is believed to be the main etiologic factor. Several techniques for endoscopic management of BBS have been described using off-label devices.

Patients with computed tomography-proven acute diverticulitis require follow-up to exclude colorectal cancer.

Background/aims: Traditionally, patients with acute diverticulitis undergo follow-up endoscopy to exclude colorectal cancer (CRC). However, its usefulness has been debated in this era of high-resolution computed tomography (CT) diagnosis. We assessed the frequency and outcome of endoscopic follow-up for patients with CT-proven acute diverticulitis, according to the confidence in the CT diagnosis.

Endoscopic surveillance for Barrett's oesophagus: the patients' perspective.

Objective: Barrett's oesophagus (BO) is associated with the development of oesophageal adenocarcinoma and endoscopic surveillance is commonly practised. In view of the clinical, psychological and economic implications of BO, we have studied patients' attitudes towards surveillance, their levels of anxiety and quality of life.

Methods: Patients with BO undergoing endoscopic surveillance were asked to complete a questionnaire,including seven questions on their experience of surveillance, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale,the Trust in Physician Scale (TIPS) and the Short Form-36 quality of life questionnaire.

Genetic influences in irritable bowel syndrome: a twin study.

Background: Aggregation of symptoms of abdominal pain or bowel disturbance has been described in the families of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This may be due to environmental factors, including learned responses to abdominal symptoms or a genetic contribution to the etiology of IBS.

Objectives: To determine the relative contribution of genetic factors to IBS by evaluating IBS symptoms in monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins.

Barrett's esophagus: environmental influences in the progression of dysplasia.

Barrett's esophagus (BE) is composed of multiple lineages including Paneth cells and endocrine cells in addition to gastric and intestinal cells. Although the origin of the BE stem cell is a matter of conjecture, the stem cells are clearly multipotent, and therefore the phenotype is restricted by genomic imprinting (termed restricted potency). Recent evidence suggests that the microenvironment may select various lineages.