Endoscopic spectrum and practical classification of small bowel gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) detected during double-balloon enteroscopy.

Information about the endoscopic characterization of small bowel gastrointestinal tumors (GISTs) is limited. The aim of this case study was to describe the endoscopic spectrum of small bowel GISTs and to present a practical classification. Observational, retrospective, consecutive case series of patients with small bowel GIST.

Systemic inflammatory response and thrombosis due to alterations in the gut microbiota in COVID-19.

We thank Dr. Cienfuegos and colleagues for their comments on our recent publication "COVID-19, Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 and the small bowel". Cienfuegos et al.

Endoscopic Mucosal Resection of Jejunal Polyps using Double-Balloon Enteroscopy.

Background: There are only two single case reports describing double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE)-assisted endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) of the jejunum. The aim of this case series was to evaluate the feasibility and utility of DBE-assisted EMR in patients with familial and non-familial jejunal polyps.

Patients And Methods: Observational, open-label, retrospective, single-arm case series in two hospitals.

Wireless capsule endoscopy of the small intestine: a review with future directions.

Purpose Of Review: Here, we review the clinical applications of small bowel capsule endoscopy. Moreover, we provide an outlook on the exceptional future developments of small bowel capsule endoscopy. We discuss clinical algorithms for diagnosis of small bowel diseases.

Learning curve of virtual chromoendoscopy for the prediction of hyperplastic and adenomatous colorectal lesions: a prospective 2-center study.

Background: Computed virtual chromoendoscopy (CVC) enables high-definition imaging of mucosal lesions with improved tissue contrast. Previous studies have shown that CVC yields an improved detection rate of colorectal lesions. However, the learning curve for interpretation of CVC images is unknown.

Review article on current applications and future concepts of capsule endoscopy.

Since the advent of capsule endoscopy (CE) more than one decade has passed. During this time, extensive efforts have been made to proof the relevance of CE for diagnosis of various disease entities within the esophagus, small bowel, and colon. To date, the most common indications for CE are obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, Crohn's disease, polyposis syndromes and evaluation of patients with complicated celiac disease.

Role of tight junction proteins in gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is associated with impaired epithelial barrier function that is regulated by cell-cell contacts. The aim of the study was to investigate the expression pattern of selected components involved in the formation of tight junctions in relation to GERD.

Methods: Eighty-four patients with GERD-related symptoms with endoscopic signs (erosive: n = 47) or without them (non-erosive: n = 37) as well as 26 patients lacking GERD-specific symptoms as controls were included.

Enteroscopy: Advances in diagnostic imaging.

Routine endoscopic imaging of the small bowel is performed with videoendoscopic white light technology. However, currently there are many new methods that improve our visual acuity when evaluating the small bowel mucosa. These methods are collectively called "advanced endoscopic imaging".

Assessment of desmosomal components (desmoglein 1-3, plakoglobin) in cardia mucosa in relation to gastroesophageal reflux disease and Helicobacter pylori infection.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is associated with impaired epithelial barrier function and abnormal expression of proteins forming cell-cell contacts by tight junctions and desmosomes in distal esophageal squamous mucosa. Although gastroesophageal reflux disease and Helicobacter pylori are both associated with chronic inflammation of the adjacent cardia mucosa, it is not known whether these lead to derangements of the desmosomal complexes. Here, we assessed the expression of 4 proteins (plakoglobin and desmoglein 1, 2, and 3) forming epithelial desmosomal complexes by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry in biopsies from 67 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease and 23 gastroesophageal reflux disease-negative controls.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is associated with up-regulation of desmosomal components in oesophageal mucosa.

Aims: Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is associated with impaired epithelial barrier function. This study was aimed at investigating the role of desmosomal proteins in relation to GERD.

Methods And Results: Ninety-five patients with GERD-related symptoms (erosive, n = 51; non-erosive, n = 44) and 27 patients lacking those symptoms were included.

Therapeutic double-balloon enteroscopy: a binational, three-center experience.

Background/aims: There are few reports focusing on therapeutic small bowel endoscopy. The aim of this study was to analyze the results of therapeutic small bowel endoscopy in a large cohort of patients.

Methods: A retrospective study of a prospectively collected database comprising all patients undergoing diagnostic and therapeutic small bowel endoscopy in three centers.

The submucosal cushion does not improve the histologic evaluation of adenomatous colon polyps resected by snare polypectomy.

Background & Aims: Although the "submucosal cushion" technique or injection-assisted polypectomy (IAP) is often used to resect colon polyps, little is known on the influence of this technique on histologic interpretation. We aimed to evaluate whether the use of a submucosal cushion improves the histologic and margin evaluation of colon polyps.

Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing polypectomy with and without IAP were included.

Feasibility of endoscopic closure of an iatrogenic colon perforation occurring during colonoscopy.

Background: Colon perforation is one of the most dreaded complications of colonoscopy. Traditionally, patients with a colon perforation have been treated surgically. Although there are several case reports documenting the usefulness of endoscopic closure of colon perforations, there are few current data evaluating the feasibility of endoscopic closure for an iatrogenic perforation on consecutive patients undergoing colonoscopy.