An evaluation of risk factors for inadequate cytology in EUS-guided FNA of pancreatic tumors and lymph nodes.

Background: The factors associated with maximizing the cytological adequacy of EUS-guided FNA (EUS-FNA) in pancreatic tumor evaluation are not well-known.

Objective: To examine associations of physician and procedural factors with the endpoint: the presence of an adequate cytological specimen found by using EUS-FNA in patients with pancreatic tumors and lymph nodes.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Variation in Barrett's esophageal wall thickness: is it associated with histology or segment length?

Goals: To measure esophageal wall thickness (EWT) with endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in patients with and without Barrett's esophagus (BE).

Background: Segment length and histology are used to evaluate BE. The development of varying depths of ablation therapy has renewed interest in using EUS for BE.

Endoscopic spray cryotherapy for esophageal cancer: safety and efficacy.

Background: Few options exist for patients with localized esophageal cancer ineligible for conventional therapies. Endoscopic spray cryotherapy with low-pressure liquid nitrogen has demonstrated efficacy in this setting in early studies.

Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of cryotherapy in esophageal carcinoma.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors among patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms: real association or just a coincidence?

Context: Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) are being recognized with increased frequency and are the most common indication of pancreatic surgery at specialized centers. Many IPMN patients are found to have non-IPMN related pancreatic tumors like pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNTs).

Objective: To study the prevalence of PNTs among patients with IPMN.

Magnetic resonance imaging compatibility of endoclips.

Background: Endoscopic clipping devices are now available for treatment of GI hemorrhage and microperforations. All commercially available endoclips are labeled as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) incompatible. No data are available about the actual magnetic field strength at which endoclips are first deflected nor the clinical relevance of the magnetic fields on endoclips used in GI endoscopy.

Economic analysis of combined endoscopic and endobronchial ultrasound in the evaluation of patients with suspected non-small cell lung cancer.

Lung cancer remains the most common cause of cancer-related death in the United States. This study evaluated the costs of alternative diagnostic evaluations for patients with suspected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Researchers used a cost-minimization model to compare various diagnostic approaches in the evaluation of patients with NSCLC.

Branch duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas in solid organ transplant recipients.

Objectives: In immunosuppressed patients with branch duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN-Br) associated with solid organ transplantation, the risk of major pancreatic surgery has to be weighed against the risk of progression to malignancy. Recent studies show that IPMN-Br without consensus indications for resection (CIR) can be followed conservatively. We analyzed the course of IPMN-Br in patients with and without solid organ transplant.

Quality in EUS: an assessment of baseline compliance and performance improvement by using the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy-American College of Gastroenterology quality indicators.

Background: An American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy-American College of Gastroenterology (ASGE-ACG) task force recently developed quality indicators for the preprocedure, intraprocedure, and postprocedure phases of each endoscopic procedure. Benchmark rates and clinical significance of compliance have not been determined.

Objectives: To establish baseline compliance rates to the preprocedure and intraprocedure quality indicators in our EUS cases, identify indicators with the lowest compliance rates, and establish change in compliance rates with a targeted performance improvement plan.

Staging and restaging of advanced esophageal cancer.

Purpose Of Review: Esophageal cancer staging continues to evolve, especially for advanced cases. Computer tomography (CT) scan of the thorax and abdomen to detect metastatic disease, and endoscopic ultrasound with fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) remain the preferred methods. Several recent studies have evaluated alternative methods for locoregional and distant disease detection and staging.