Endoscopic ultrasound elastography for malignant pancreatic masses and associated lymph nodes: Critical evaluation of strain ratio cutoff value.

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) can detect small lesions throughout the digestive tract; however, it remains challenging to accurately identify malignancies with this approach. EUS elastography measures tissue hardness, by which malignant and nonmalignant pancreatic masses (PMs) and lymph nodes (LNs) can be differentiated. However, there is currently little information regarding the strain ratio (SR) cutoff in Hispanic populations.

Results of liver and spleen endoscopic ultrasonographic elastography predict portal hypertension secondary to chronic liver disease.

Assessment of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-elastography of the liver and spleen may identify patients with portal hypertension secondary to chronic liver disease. We aimed to evaluate use of EUS-elastography of the liver and spleen in identification of portal hypertension in patients with chronic liver disease. This was a single-center, diagnostic cohort study.

Confocal laser endomicroscopy detects colonic inflammation in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: a prospective study.

 Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is considered to be a functional disease, but recent data indicate measurable organic alterations. We aimed to determine the presence of colorectal mucosa microinflammation in vivo via probe-confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) and histological evaluation in IBS patients.  This was a prospective, controlled, nonrandomized single-blind diagnostic trial performed in a tertiary institution.

Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided deployment of embolization coils and cyanoacrylate injection in gastric varices versus coiling alone: a randomized trial.

Background: Gastric variceal bleeding is a life-threating condition with challenging management. We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-guided coil embolization and cyanoacrylate injection versus EUS-guided coil embolization alone in the management of gastric varices.

Methods: A single-center, parallel-randomized controlled trial involving 60 participants with gastric varices (GOV II and IGV I) who were randomly allocated to EUS-guided coil embolization and cyanoacrylate injection (n = 30) or EUS-guided coil embolization alone (n = 30).

Detection of minimal mucosal esophageal lesions in non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease using optical enhancement plus optical magnification.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield of endoscopy using optical enhancement (OE system) with optical magnification to predict reflux in non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) patients. A prospective, non-randomized, single-blind study was performed from September 2015 to January 2016. Participants suffered from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and were assigned to the NERD group or the non-reflux disease control group based on endoscopic findings and a 24-hour pH-impedance-monitoring test.

Safety, Feasibility, and Efficacy of Pancolonic Retroflexed Viewing Using a Short-turn Radius Colonoscope.

Goals: The goal of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of routine segmental retroflexed withdrawal viewing (RV) of the colon with the RetroView colonoscope.

Materials And Methods: This was a prospective, single-center, 2-stage diagnostic trial. After cecal intubation, mucosal evaluation by forward viewing (FV) and RV was performed by segment (right, transverse, left, and sigmoid colon, and rectum).

Endoscopic-ultrasound-guided coil and cyanoacrylate embolization for gastric varices and the roles of endoscopic Doppler and endosonographic varicealography in vascular targeting.

Objective: To report the results of endoscopic ultrasound-guided injection of coils with cyanoacrylate (CYA) using a less-expensive coil with an emphasis on the roles of Doppler and endosonographic varicealography (EV) in identifying the feeder vessel in gastric varix treatment.

Methods: An observational, descriptive study with prospectively collected data. Patients with gastric varices (GV) were included and were treated by endoscopic ultrasound-guided injection of CYA and a less-expensive coil.

Clinical impact of confocal laser endomicroscopy in the management of gastrointestinal lesions with an uncertain diagnosis.

Aim: To evaluate the clinical impact of confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) in the diagnosis and management of patients with an uncertain diagnosis.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed. Patients who underwent CLE between November 2013 and October 2015 and exhibited a poor correlation between endoscopic and histological findings were included.