Efficacy and safety of a novel multisegmented fully covered self-expanding metal stent for malignant esophageal obstruction: a prospective pilot study with historical control.

Background And Aims: Self-expanding metal stents (SEMSs) are effective for symptom palliation in patients with esophageal obstruction. However, their placement can lead to adverse events such as stent migration and restenosis. A novel fully covered SEMS (FCSEMS) with antimigration properties has been developed to address these issues.

Effect of Macrolide Exposure on Tailored Helicobacter pylori Eradication Therapy and Antibiotic Resistance Profiles: A Prospective Study Using the Drug Utilization Review System.

Background/aims: Determining antibiotic use history accurately is challenging due to its reliance on patient recall. By determining macrolide exposure using the Korean drug utilization review (DUR) system, we analyzed the impact of previous macrolide use on antibiotic resistance profiles and compared the eradication rate between tailored therapy based on macrolide exposure history and empirical therapy.

Methods: Patients with confirmed Helicobacter pylori (H.

Additional Diagnostic Yield of the Rapid Drink Challenge in Chicago Classification Version 4.0 Compared With Version 3.0.

Background/aims: Chicago classification version 4.0 enhances the diagnosis of esophageal motility disorders using position change and provocative tests such as multiple rapid swallows and a rapid drink challenge. This study investigates the diagnostic role of the rapid drink challenge based on Chicago classification 4.

Optimal Diagnostic and Treatment Response Threshold of the Eosinophilic Esophagitis Endoscopic Reference Score: A Single-Center Study of 102 Patients With Eosinophilic Esophagitis.

Background/aims: The proposed eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) endoscopic reference score serves to diagnose and evaluate treatment responses in EoE. Nevertheless, the validated reference score thresholds for diagnosis and treatment response in Asian patients are yet to be established. This study aims to establish these thresholds for the first time among Asian patients with EoE.

Role of endoscopy in eosinophilic esophagitis.

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic immune-mediated disease involving inflammation of the esophagus. Endoscopy is essential in the diagnosis and treatment of EoE and shows typical findings, including esophageal edema, rings, exudates, furrows, and stenosis. However, studies involving pediatric and adult patients with EoE suggest that even a normally appearing esophagus can be diagnosed as EoE by endoscopic biopsy.

Clinical course of asymptomatic duodenal subepithelial lesions.

Background/aims: There is limited knowledge regarding the management of duodenal subepithelial lesions (SELs) owing to a lack of understanding of their natural course. This study aimed to assess the natural course of asymptomatic duodenal SELs and provide management recommendations.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with duodenal SELs and followed up for a minimum of 6 months were retrospectively investigated.

Association of local steroid injection as a risk factor for electrocoagulation syndrome after esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Background: Postendoscopic submucosal dissection electrocoagulation syndrome (PEECS) is commonly observed after performing endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for esophageal neoplasia. However, data on the incidence and risk factors for PEECS in the esophagus are lacking due to an unclear definition of PEECS and varied clinical settings. Therefore, we aimed to determine the risk factors for PEECS in patients undergoing ESD for esophageal neoplasia.

Predicting Helicobacter pylori infection from endoscopic features.

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection, prevalent in more than half of the global population, is associated with various gastrointestinal diseases, including peptic ulcers and gastric cancer. The effectiveness of early diagnosis and treatment in preventing gastric cancer highlights the need for improved diagnostic methods. This study aimed to develop a simple scoring system based on endoscopic findings to predict H.

Clinical outcomes of argon plasma coagulation for the treatment of gastric low-grade dysplasia.

Background And Aims: Argon plasma coagulation (APC) could be considered a treatment modality for small gastric low-grade dysplasia (LGD) instead of endoscopic resection. Our study investigated the clinical outcomes of APC for treating gastric LGD and associated variables with local recurrence.

Methods: This study included 911 patients who underwent APC for gastric neoplasms at the tertiary hospital from July 2007 to March 2022 with a minimal follow-up of 12 months.

Dysphagia associated with esophageal wall thickening in patients with nonspecific high-resolution manometry findings: Understanding motility beyond the Chicago classification version 4.0.

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that 50% of patients with normal high-resolution manometry (HRM) findings or ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) may have abnormal functional luminal imaging probe (FLIP) results. However, the specific HRM findings associated with abnormal FLIP results are unknown. Herein, we investigated the relationship between nonspecific manometry findings and abnormal FLIP results.

Differential Diagnosis of Thickened Gastric Wall between Hypertrophic Gastritis and Borrmann Type 4 Advanced Gastric Cancer.

Background/aims: : Accurately diagnosing diffuse gastric wall thickening is challenging. Hypertrophic gastritis (HG), while benign, mimics the morphology of Borrmann type 4 advanced gastric cancer (AGC B-4). We compared the features of endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) between them.

Real-world Prescription Patterns and Patient Satisfaction Regarding Maintenance Therapy of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: An Observational, Cross-sectional, Multicenter Study.

Background/aims: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common chronic gastrointestinal disorder that typically requires long-term maintenance therapy. However, little is known about patient preferences and satisfaction and real-world prescription patterns regarding maintenance therapy for GERD.

Methods: This observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study involved patients from 18 referral hospitals in Korea.

On-demand Versus Continuous Maintenance Treatment With a Proton Pump Inhibitor for Mild Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Prospective Randomized Multicenter Study.

Background/aims: It remains unclear which maintenance treatment modality is most appropriate for mild gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). We aimed to compare on-demand treatment with continuous treatment using a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) in the maintenance treatment for patients with non-erosive GERD or mild erosive esophagitis.

Methods: Patients whose GERD symptoms improved after 4 weeks of standard dose PPI treatment were prospectively enrolled at 25 hospitals.

Technical Feasibility of Quantitative Measurement of Various Degrees of Small Bowel Motility Using Cine Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Objective: Cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged as a noninvasive method to quantitatively assess bowel motility. However, its accuracy in measuring various degrees of small bowel motility has not been extensively evaluated. We aimed to draw a quantitative small bowel motility score from cine MRI and evaluate its performance in a population with varying degrees of small bowel motility.

Clinical Practice Guidelines for Oropharyngeal Dysphagia.

Objective: Dysphagia is a common clinical condition characterized by difficulty in swallowing. It is sub-classified into oropharyngeal dysphagia, which refers to problems in the mouth and pharynx, and esophageal dysphagia, which refers to problems in the esophageal body and esophagogastric junction. Dysphagia can have a significant negative impact one's physical health and quality of life as its severity increases.

Risk factors associated with recurrence of gastric hyperplastic polyps: a single-center, long-term, retrospective cohort study.

Background: The likelihood of recurrence of gastric hyperplastic polyps (GHPs) following endoscopic resection and the need for long-term follow-up remain unknown. We, therefore, aimed to investigate the factors associated with the recurrence and cumulative incidence of GHPs over a 10-year period.

Methods: Between May 1995 and December 2020, 1,018 GHPs > 1 cm were endoscopically resected from 869 patients.

Comparison of Diagnosis of Esophageal Motility Disorders by Chicago Classification Versions 3.0 and 4.0.

Background/aims: We aim to investigate the diagnostic accuracy and differences between Chicago classification version 3.0 (CC v3.0) and 4.

Adult-onset megacolon with focal hypoganglionosis: A detailed phenotyping and prospective cohort study.

Background: In this prospective cohort study, we evaluated features of "adult-onset megacolon with focal hypoganglionosis."

Methods: We assessed the radiologic, endoscopic, and histopathologic phenotyping and treatment outcomes of 29 patients between 2017 and 2020. Data from community controls, consisting of 19,948 adults undergoing health screenings, were analyzed to identify risk factors.

Hypercontractile Esophagus: Clinical and Manometric Features From a Multicenter Korean Cohort.

Background/aims: Hypercontractile esophagus (HE) is a heterogeneous disorder with variable clinical presentations and a natural course, leading to management challenges. This study aims to investigate the characteristics of HE and evaluate its treatment outcomes.

Methods: Four Korean referral centers recruited subjects with at least 1 hypercontractile swallow (distal contraction integral > 8000 mmHg·s·cm) in this retrospective observational study.

Incidence, Morbidity, and Mortality of Achalasia: A Nationwide, Population-Based Cohort Study in South Korea.

Background/aims: Although an association between achalasia and esophageal cancer has been reported, whether achalasia confers a substantial increase in mortality is unknown. Moreover, the causes of death related to achalasia have not been investigated. We performed this nationwide, population-based cohort study on achalasia because no such study has been performed since the introduction of high-resolution manometry in 2008.

Comparison of endoscopic submucosal dissection and surgery for early gastric cancer that is not indicated for endoscopic resection in elderly patients.

Background: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is sometimes performed for early gastric cancer (EGC) which is not indicated for endoscopic resection (ER) in elderly patients considering old age and comorbidities. We aimed to compare outcomes between ESD and surgery in elderly patients with EGC that is not indicated for ER.

Methods: Elderly patients aged ≥ 75 years who underwent either ESD or surgery for EGC which was not indicated for ER between 2005 and 2015 were retrospectively investigated.

Clinical outcomes of Dieulafoy's lesion compared with peptic ulcer in upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Background And Aim: Although Dieulafoy's lesion (DL) is an important cause of nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, few studies have investigated the clinico-epidemiological outcomes due to its rarity. Here, we investigated clinical features of upper GI bleeding caused by peptic ulcer (PU) or DL and compared endoscopic treatment outcomes.

Methods: Patients with upper GI bleeding resulting from PU or DL who visited emergency room between January 2013 and December 2017 were eligible.

Conventional endoscopic mucosal resection versus modified endoscopic mucosal resection for duodenal neuroendocrine tumor.

Background And Aims: As the incidence of duodenal neuroendocrine tumors (DNET) is steadily increasing, the role of endoscopic treatment for appropriate lesions is becoming more significant. We aimed to compare the outcomes according to lesion size and endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) techniques for DNET treatment.

Patients And Methods: Patients who underwent endoscopic treatment for DNET between June 2000 and December 2019 were included.