The high rate of spontaneous migration of small size common bile duct stones may allow a significant reduction in unnecessary ERCP and related complications: results of a retrospective, multicenter study.

Introduction: Common bile duct stones (CBDS) can spontaneously migrate through the duodenal papilla. In this case, ERCP could be unnecessary and a significant rate of complications could be avoided. In this study, we aim at retrospectively evaluating the rate of spontaneous stone passage in patients with an imaging diagnosis of CBDS and at analysing the factors associated to spontaneous stone migration.

A multicenter survey on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography during the COVID-19 pandemic in northern and central Italy.

COVID-19 has dramatically impacted endoscopy practice because upper endoscopy procedures can be aerosol-generating. Most elective procedures have been rescheduled. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is frequently performed in emergency or urgent settings in which rescheduling is not possible.

Tolerability of Bowel Preparation and Colonoscopy in IBD Patients: Results From a Prospective, Single-Center, Case-Control Study.

Background: Endoscopy plays a fundamental role in the management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of bowel preparation and colonoscopy in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) patients compared to subjects participating in a colorectal cancer population screening program.

Methods: Consecutive enrolment of CD and UC patients and screening subjects (SS) undergoing colonoscopy.

Infection Control Practices and Outcomes of Endoscopy Units in the Lombardy Region of Italy: A Survey From the Italian Society of Digestive Endoscopy During COVID-19 Spread.

Goals: The present survey from the Italian Society of Digestive Endoscopy (SIED-Società Italiana di Endoscopia Digestiva) was aimed at reporting infection control practice and outcomes at Digestive Endoscopy Units in a high-incidence area.

Background: Lombardy was the Italian region with the highest coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) prevalence, at the end of March 2020 accounting for 20% of all worldwide deaths. Joint Gastro-Intestinal societies released recommendations for Endoscopy Units to reduce the risk of the contagion.

Clinical Characteristics of COVID-19 Patients With Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Northern Italy: A Single-Center Cohort Study.

Introduction: The most typical presentation of COVID-19 is an acute respiratory syndrome whose most common symptoms include fever, cough, and dyspnea. However, gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea and nausea/vomiting, are increasingly reported in patients affected by COVID-19. This study aimed to describe the prevalence and time of onset of gastrointestinal symptoms in patients affected by COVID-19 and to find potential associations between gastrointestinal symptoms and clinical outcomes.

Inflammatory bowel disease in a colorectal cancer screening population: Diagnosis and follow-up.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is usually diagnosed in subjects with gastrointestinal symptoms, but may also be asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally.

Aims: to determine the prevalence of IBD in asymptomatic adults.

Methods: we identified subjects who underwent colonoscopy between 1 September 2013 and 31 August 2019 in a regional colorectal cancer screening program with endoscopic findings suggestive of IBD, and retrieved their clinical, histological and therapeutic information.

Efficacy of a novel self-assembling peptide hemostatic gel as rescue therapy for refractory acute gastrointestinal bleeding.

Background: Acute gastrointestinal bleeding (AGIB) results in significant morbidity and mortality. Topical hemostatic products have been developed for endoscopic use to help in the management of difficult bleeding. Our aim was to demonstrate the ease of use, safety, and efficacy of PuraStat, a novel hemostat, to control AGIB.

Intra-procedural and delayed bleeding after resection of large colorectal lesions: The SCALP study.

Background And Aim: The safety of endoscopic resection of large colorectal lesions (LCLs) (≥20 mm) is clinically relevant. The aim of the present study was to assess the rate of post-resection adverse events (AEs) in a real-life setting.

Patients And Methods: In a prospective, multicentre, observational study, data from consecutive resections of LCLs over a 6-month period were collected in 24 centres.

Efficacy of withdrawal time monitoring in adenoma detection with or without the aid of a full-spectrum scope.

 Withdrawal time (WT) monitoring and full-spectrum endoscopy (FUSE) have been suggested to increase adenoma detection rate (ADR) due to more accurate evaluation of the hidden areas of the colon. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of WT monitoring and FUSE on ADR.  This was a prospective observational study involving consecutive outpatients, aged 18 to 85 years, undergoing colonoscopy with unselected indications.

Complications and early mortality in percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement in lombardy: A multicenter prospective cohort study.

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is the most common endoscopic procedure used to provide nutritional support.

Aim: To prospectively evaluate the mortality and complication incidences after PEG insertion or replacement.

Methods: All patients who underwent PEG insertion or replacement were included.

Comparison of asymmetric (low morning-dose) and standard split-dose regimen of PEG plus bisacodyl for bowel preparation: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Reducing the morning dose of PEG solution may be a reliable strategy to improve the patient compliance of split-dose regimens without affecting efficacy of bowel cleansing.

Aims: to compare the efficacy for bowel cleansing of an asymmetric split-dose regimen (25% of the dose on the day of colonoscopy and 75% on the day before) with the standard split-dose regimen.

Methods: Outpatients were enrolled in a randomized, single-blind, non-inferiority clinical trial.

Diagnostic yield and miss rate of EndoRings in an organized colorectal cancer screening program: the SMART (Study Methodology for ADR-Related Technology) trial.

Background And Aims: The EndoRings add-on has been claimed to improve adenoma detection at colonoscopy, but available data are inconsistent. When testing a new technology, parallel and crossover methodologies measure different outcomes, leaving uncertainty about their correspondence. The aims of this study were to compare the diagnostic yield and miss rate of the EndoRings for colorectal neoplasia.

Endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation in patients with large biliary stones and periampullary diverticula: Results of a multicentric series.

Introduction: Stone extraction represents the most frequent indication for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation (EPLBD) is a recent introduced approach consisting of an endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation following limited endoscopic sphyncterotomy (ES), which has been proven to be safe and effective for extraction of large common bile duct (CBD) stones. Peri-ampullary diverticula (PAD) are described in 10-20% of patients undergoing ERCP.

Granulocyte-Monocyte Apheresis in Steroid-Dependent, Azathioprine-Intolerant/Resistant Moderate Ulcerative Colitis: A Prospective Multicenter Study.

Background: Granulocyte-monocyte apheresis has been proposed for the treatment of ulcerative colitis, although it is limited by costs and variability of results.

Aim: To assess effectiveness of granulocyte-monocyte apheresis in patients with steroid-dependent, azathioprine-intolerant/resistant moderate ulcerative colitis.

Methods: Consecutive patients fulfilling inclusion criteria were prospectively enrolled, treated by apheresis, and followed up for 12 months.

Aspecific ileitis: Crohn's disease or not Crohn's disease? A prospective study.

Purpose: It is not clear whether aspecific ileitis may represent an early manifestation or a milder variant of Crohn's disease or not. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of aspecific ileitis.

Methods: Subjects with at least one of the following signs at retrograde ileoscopy: erythema, nodularity, aftae, erosions, and ulcers were considered.

Early and delayed complications of polypectomy in a community setting: The SPoC prospective multicentre trial.

Background: Colonoscopic polypectomy is effective in reducing the incidence of and mortality from colorectal cancer, but is not complication-free.

Aims: To evaluate the incidence of early and delayed polypectomy complications and factors associated with their occurrence in a community setting.

Methods: Web-database collection of patients' and polyp's features in consecutive colonic polypectomies during a 3-month period in 18 endoscopy centres.

The morphological and immunohistochemical spectrum of gastric biopsies of patients with absorptive hypercalciuria.

Objective: Idiopathic hypercalciuria is characterised by renal stone formation and vertebral osteoporosis. The syndrome displays high clinical variability with patients almost equally distributed between fasting or renal type (prevalent calcium loss) and absorptive type (prevalent increase of intestinal absorption). Absorptive hypercalciuria (AH) is characterised by hypersensitivity of calcium-sensing receptors of antral G cells with normal fasting gastrinaemia and meal hypergastrinaemia.

The use of methotrexate for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease in clinical practice.

Background: Methotrexate is considered a treatment for Crohn's disease, whilst few data in ulcerative colitis are available.

Aim: To evaluate frequency, indications, efficacy and safety of methotrexate in inflammatory bowel disease patients.

Methods: 5420 case histories were reviewed.

Kallikrein-kinin system activation in Crohn's disease: differences in intestinal and systemic markers.

Objectives: Observations in experimental models and in human ulcerative colitis suggest that activation of the kallikrein-kinin system plays a role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. The aim of this study was to assess activation of the plasma and tissue kallikrein-kinin system in Crohn's disease.

Methods: We studied plasma inflammatory and contact system parameters in 36 patients with Crohn's disease and in 36 control subjects with noninflammatory GI diseases.