Colon capsule endoscopy: detection of colonic polyps compared with conventional colonoscopy and visualization of extracolonic pathologies.

Background: Conventional colonoscopy (CC) is the gold standard for diagnostic examination of the colon. However, the overall acceptance of this procedure is low due to patient fears of complications or embarrassment. Colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) represents a minimally invasive, patient-friendly procedure that offers complete visualization of the entire intestine.

Perforation during esophageal dilatation: a 10-year experience.

Background & Aim: Esophageal stenosis can be caused by malignant, postsurgical, benign diseases etc. Endoscopic treatment options consist primarily of balloon dilatation and bougination. Both interventions carry a certain risk of further complications such as perforations.

QuickView video preview software of colon capsule endoscopy: reliability in presenting colorectal polyps as compared to normal mode reading.

OBJECTIVE. Colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) proved to be highly sensitive in detection of colorectal polyps (CP). Major limitation is the time-consuming video reading.

Capsule endoscopy in a network cooperation: assessment of the experience in 822 patients.

Introduction: Capsule endoscopy (CE) is firmly established as a standard procedure in the diagnostic algorithm of occult or obscure gastrointestinal bleeding and Crohn's disease. Despite its excellent diagnostic yield, missing expertise, reading time and financial expenditure limit an area-wide availability. A multicentric cooperation might compensate these disadvantages.

Cleaning of occluded biliary endoprostheses: is shockwave application an alternative to regular stent exchange?

Occlusion is the major limitation of plastic biliary endoprostheses (PBE), making regular stent exchange necessary. The aim of the in vitro analysis was to evaluate the cleansing effect of shockwave application (SWA) on occluded PBE. Thirty-five PBE removed from 24 patients were analyzed.

Does heparin coating reduce encrustation of biliary plastic endoprostheses? A prospective randomized trial.

Objective: Common bile duct stenting is widely performed for bridging benign and malignant obstructions. A major limitation is early stent occlusion making regular stent exchange necessary. Covalent binding of glycosaminoglycanes to polyethylene stents proved to reduce encrustation in urological implants.

Cleaning of occluded pancreatic duct endoprostheses: a new indication for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy?

Background: Pancreatic duct stenting is widely performed for bridging main pancreatic duct obstruction in patients with chronic pancreatitis. The major limitation is early stent occlusion, making regular stent exchange necessary.

Objective: To date, no measures are available to prevent stent occlusion.

Pancreatic endoprostheses in chronic pancreatitis: criteria to predict stent occlusion.

Background: Good clinical results of main pancreatic duct (MPD) stent placement in chronic pancreatitis (CP) are clouded by early stent occlusion. The aim of this study was to increase knowledge about stent occlusion and its effects on clinical symptoms, and to define criteria that enable the prediction of clogging.

Methods: A total of 100 pancreatic endoprostheses of 47 patients (32 men, 15 women; mean age, 53 years; standard deviation, 9 years) with CP were bench tested by simulating the pathophysiologically increased MPD pressure.

Interventional endoscopic therapy in chronic pancreatitis including temporary stenting: a definitive treatment?

Objective: In the past 15 years there have been tremendous advances in endoscopic management of chronic pancreatitis (CP). However, the value of endoscopic pancreatic stenting is still debatable.

Material And Methods: In 98 patients suffering from symptomatic CP (84 M, 14 F, 49+/-12, age range 23-83 years) endotherapy including temporary stenting of the pancreatic duct was performed.

Composition of clogging material in pancreatic endoprostheses.

Background: Endoscopic management of chronic pancreatitis (CP), especially pancreatic stent placement, has made tremendous advances. However, good clinical results are hampered by rapid occlusion. The objective of this study was to understand mechanisms and materials that cause stent occlusion.

Pancreatic duct stones in chronic pancreatitis: criteria for treatment intensity and success.

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate interventional endoscopic management of pancreatic duct stones in patients with chronic pancreatitis by describing therapeutic methods and defining factors that predict technical success.

Methods: Records were retrospectively analyzed for 125 patients with symptoms caused by chronic pancreatitis with pancreatic duct stones (single 43, multiple 82) treated by interventional endoscopy, including extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy.

Results: Technical success was achieved in 85% of patients (11 patients by mechanical lithotripsy, 114 by piezoelectric extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy).