Comparing perspectives: frontal and oblique endoscopic ultrasound.

The oblique-view echoendoscope is currently the sole tool for ultrasound-guided endoscopic procedures (EUS) in most hospital centers, despite its limitations like a lack of forward vision, issues with needle angle, and restricted accessory device size due to channel angulation. However, our study revealed no significant differences between the oblique and frontal endoscopes, except for minor variations in specific regions. For routine diagnostic studies, interchangeability between the devices is feasible.

Mortality in patients with unresectable gastric cancer complicated with tumor bleeding.

Background: gastric cancer (GC) is a gastrointestinal (GI) neoplasia which often complicates with GI bleeding. It is uncertain if bleeding worsens mortality in this group of patients.

Aims: to compare 30- and 90-day mortality in patients with unresectable GC (uGC) and tumor bleeding versus patients with the same neoplasia without bleeding.

The role of gastrointestinal endoscopy in Kaposi sarcoma.

We are writing to make endoscopists aware of the paramount of a prompt diagnosis of gastrointestinal Kaposi sarcoma (GI-KS). Patients with GI involvement have a two to five times higher risk of death and will benefit from chemotherapy to improve their survival. However, current evidence found that one out of three patients might have a false negative result even with HHV-8 since other entities such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors, angiosarcoma, and lymphoma shared macroscopic and histopathological characteristics.

Efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation in patients with unresectable malignant biliary strictures.

Introduction: previous studies have shown that endoscopic radiofrequency ablation in unresectable biliary duct tumors prolongs survival.

Methods: this was an observational study of patients with an unresectable malignant stricture. The aim was to evaluate survival, stent patency and adverse events of radiofrequency compared with a matched control group.

Argon plasma coagulation and hyperbaric oxygen therapy in chronic radiation proctopathy, effectiveness and impact on tissue toxicity.

Background: chronic radiation proctopathy (CRP) is associated with recurrent rectal bleeding and transfusional requirements. Argon plasma coagulation (APC) and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HOT) have been shown to be effective in the control of CRP. No prospective comparisons have been reported between these treatments.

Loss of expression of DNA mismatch repair proteins in aberrant crypt foci identified in vivo by magnifying colonoscopy in subjects with hereditary nonpolyposic and sporadic colon rectal cancer.

Purpose: The aims of this study are to characterize the frequency, density, and distribution of aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and its histological features and to determine the frequency of loss of expression of DNA mismatch repair (MMR) proteins of subjects with hereditary nonpolyposic colorectal cancer (HNPCC) and sporadic colon rectal cancer (CRC).

Methods: Patients with HNPCC, first-degree relatives of subjects with HNPCC, sporadic CRC, and average risk subjects of sporadic CRC were included prospectively. Total colonoscopy with chromoendoscopy using methylene blue 0.

[Recent advances and practical clinical applications of endoscopic ultrasound].

The role of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is in a constant state of evolution. Newer and more sophisticated imaging methods contrast very favorably to EUS and questions arise as to the real utility and even the existence of this method. Recent work has aimed to establish the actual role of EUS in this context and to establish its rightful place in the endoscopist's armamentarium.

[Endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration biopsy: first experience in Mexico].

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) -guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is a recently described diagnostic method that has demonstrated its usefulness in certain clinical conditions.

Material And Methods: Descriptive and retrospective analysis of the initial experience with EUS-guided FNA at the Hospital General "Dr Manuel Gea González", during the period between March, 1998 and December, 1999. A Pentax FG 32UA linear echoendoscope was used for all cases, as well as two different types of needles.