Anchoring fins of fully covered self-expandable metal stents affect pull-out force and stent migration.

Background And Aims: Stent migration and subsequent adverse events are frequently observed in the use of fully covered self-expandable metal stents (FCSEMSs) for distal biliary stenosis. In this study, we identified predictors for stent migration based on biomechanical stent characteristics and associated these findings with clinical outcomes.

Methods: The migration resistance of FCSEMSs was quantified by measuring the pull-out force.

Final safety and efficacy results from a 106 real-world patients registry with an ascites-mobilizing pump.

Background And Aims: Patients with cirrhotic refractory ascites ineligible for transjugular intrahepatic shunt (TIPSS) have limited treatment options apart from repeated large volume paracentesis. The alfapump® is an implantable device mobilizing ascites from the peritoneal cavity to the bladder, from where it can be excreted. The aim of this observational cohort study was to prospectively investigate safety and efficacy of the device in a real-world cohort with cirrhotic refractory ascites and contraindications for TIPSS.

Detecting drug resistance in pancreatic cancer organoids guides optimized chemotherapy treatment.

Drug combination therapies for cancer treatment show high efficacy but often induce severe side effects, resulting in dose or cycle number reduction. We investigated the impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (neoCTx) adaptions on treatment outcome in 59 patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Resections with tumor-free margins were significantly more frequent when full-dose neoCTx was applied.

Macroscopic, histologic, and clinical assessment of acute graft-versus-host disease of the upper gastrointestinal tract within 6 weeks after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Acute graft-versus-host-disease (aGVHD) is the main cause of morbidity and nonrelapse mortality (NRM) following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT). Nausea, vomiting, and anorexia after alloHCT can be early signs of aGVHD of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) but may also reflect lasting mucosal damage or side effects of drugs. If upper GIT aGVHD is suspected, upper endoscopic evaluation and histological examination are crucial.

Utility of fiducial markers for target positioning in proton radiotherapy of oesophageal carcinoma.

Background And Purpose: Oesophageal mobility relative to bony anatomy is a major source of geometrical uncertainty in proton radiotherapy of oesophageal carcinoma. To mitigate this uncertainty we investigated the use of implanted fiducial markers for direct target verification in terms of safety, visibility, and stability.

Materials And Methods: A total of 19 helical gold markers were endoscopically implanted in ten patients.