Cryoablation of Barrett's esophagus: a pilot study.

Background: Numerous ablative modalities have demonstrated varying degrees of efficacy in the eradication of Barrett's esophagus (BE). However, they are associated with either high cost, patient discomfort, complications, tedious application, residual underlying BE, or some combination of the above. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and the efficacy of a new cryogenic device by using liquid nitrogen sprayed through an open tipped cryogenic catheter placed through the accessory channel of an upper endoscope.

Colonoscopic screening of average-risk women for colorectal neoplasia.

Background: Veterans Affairs (VA) Cooperative Study 380 showed that some advanced colorectal neoplasias (i.e., adenomas at least 1 cm in diameter, villous adenomas, adenomas with high-grade dysplasia, or cancer) in men would be missed with the use of flexible sigmoidoscopy but detected by colonoscopy.