Diagnostic performance of the current risk-stratified approach with computed tomography for suspected choledocholithiasis and its options when negative finding.

Background: Several studies evaluated the current guideline of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) and reported only suboptimal accuracy. This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of the ASGE guideline based on computed tomography (CT) and role of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in patients with suspected choledocholithiasis but negative CT finding.

Methods: Patients with suspected choledocholithiasis undergoing ERCP between January 2016 and January 2017 were retrospectively analyzed.

Timing and Clinical Features of Spontaneous Decrease in Size of Small Pancreatic Cystic Lesions without High-Risk Stigmata.

Background/aims: The natural history of spontaneous decrease in the size of pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) without high-risk stigmata is under investigation. This study aimed to investigate the timing of spontaneous decrease in the size of PCLs without high-risk stigmata and to identify the characteristics associated with their complete resolution.

Methods: From 2000 to 2016, patients with spontaneous decreases in PCL size on computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) who had at least 1 year of follow-up were evaluated retrospectively.

Same-session endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-based tissue sampling in suspected malignant biliary obstruction: A multicenter experience.

Background And Aim: Few studies compared endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-based tissue sampling in terms of diagnostic accuracy in suspected malignant biliary obstruction. We evaluated and compared the diagnostic performance of EUS-FNA and ERCP-based tissue sampling.

Methods: This multicenter study included 263 patients with suspected malignant biliary obstruction who underwent same-session EUS and ERCP between 2012 and 2016.

Comparison between groove carcinoma and groove pancreatitis.

Background/objectives: The pancreatoduodenal groove (anatomical groove) is a potential space bordered by the head of the pancreas, duodenum, and common bile duct. Discerning between groove carcinoma (GC) and groove pancreatitis (GP) is often difficult, but clinically important. We retrospectively analyzed and compared the findings of computed tomography (CT), laboratory tests, and endoscopic ultrasound-fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) for GC and GP.

The usefulness of contrast-enhanced harmonic EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration for evaluation of hepatic lesions (with video).

Background And Aims: Small hepatic masses often do not have distinct margins on B-mode EUS images. Contrast-enhanced harmonic EUS (CEH-EUS) is widely used for evaluating ambiguous pancreatic lesions. However, its role in detecting hepatic lesions and the use of EUS-guided FNA are not well evaluated.

Relapse rate and predictors of relapse in a large single center cohort of type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis: long-term follow-up results after steroid therapy with short-duration maintenance treatment.

Background: Type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP), as a pancreatic manifestation of IgG4-related disease, shows a favorable prognosis in the short term. However, disease relapse is common in long-term follow-up, despite a successful initial treatment response. This study aimed to identify the predictors of relapse and long-term outcomes in patients with type 1 AIP.

Randomized clinical trial comparing fixed-time split dosing and split dosing of oral Picosulfate regimen for bowel preparation.

Aim: To compare the efficacy of fixed-time split dose and split dose of an oral sodium picosulfate for bowel preparation.

Methods: This is study was prospective, randomized controlled study performed at a single Institution (2013-058). A total of 204 subjects were assigned to receive one of two sodium picosulfate regimens (.

[A Case of Cecal Endometriosis Presenting as Subepithelial Tumor].

Endometriosis is a benign gynecologic disease, characterized by the presence and growth of functional endometrial-like tissue outside uterus. This ectopic endometrial tissue is most commonly found in the peritoneum, ovaries and uterosacral ligaments, but extremely rarely there is involvement of the appendix or cecum. Here we report a case of cecal endometriosis presenting as a subepithelial tumor diagnosed by surgical excision.

Mucosal Incision and Forceps Biopsy for Reliable Tissue Sampling of Gastric Subepithelial Tumors.

Background/aims: The diagnostic efficacy of current tissue sampling techniques for gastric subepithelial tumors (SETs) is limited. Better tissue sampling techniques are needed to improve pathological diagnosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new technique, mucosal incision and forceps biopsy, for reliable tissue sampling of gastric SETs.

[A case of spontaneous bleeding of multiple lumbar arteries in a patient with liver cirrhosis].

Esophageal and gastric varix, portal hypertensive gastropathy, Mallory-Weiss tear and gastric ulcer are common causes of bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis. However, spontaneous arterial bleeding without a history of trauma is a rare cause of bleeding which can be fatal. We report a case of a 55-year-old woman with alcoholic liver cirrhosis who developed spontaneous bleeding of multiple right lumbar arteries and died in spite of repetitive transfusion and embolization.