The five-year survival rate after endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasia.

Background: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a widely accepted procedure for superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasia (ESCN) because of a high complete resection rate. However, there were a few reports about the long-term outcomes of these patients due to short follow-up periods.

Aims: We aimed to evaluate the 5-year survival after ESD for superficial ESCN.

Usefulness of non-magnifying narrow-band imaging in screening of early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a prospective comparative study using propensity score matching.

Objectives: The usefulness of non-magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging (NBI; NM-NBI) in the screening of early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN) remains unclear. Here, we aimed to compare NM-NBI and chromoendoscopy with iodine staining (CE-Iodine) in terms of the diagnostic performance, and to evaluate the usefulness of NM-NBI in detecting early esophageal SCC.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 202 consecutive patients (male/female=180/22; median age, 67 years) with high-risk factors for esophageal SCC.

The usefulness of double-balloon enteroscopy in gastrointestinal stromal tumors of the small bowel with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.

Objective: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most frequently occurring mesenchymal tumors of the GI tract. Double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) and capsule endoscopy (CE) promise the detection and accurate diagnosis of small bowel diseases in patients with obscure GI bleeding (OGIB). The aim of the present study was to analyze the clinical characteristics of small bowel GISTs and the usefulness of DBE, CE and computed tomography (CT).

Prevalence of mid-gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with acute overt gastrointestinal bleeding: multi-center experience with 1,044 consecutive patients.

Background: Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) and double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) enable the detection of small intestinal lesions.

Aim: To examine causes of acute overt gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and the prevalence of mid-GI bleeding, defined as small intestinal bleeding from the ampulla of Vater to the terminal ileum, in a multi-center experience in Japan in the VCE/DBE era.

Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from consecutive patients with acute overt GI bleeding in ten participating hospitals.

Predictive factors of worsening of esophageal varices after balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration in patients with gastric varices.

Objectives: Although balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (B-RTO) is useful for management of gastric varices, worsening of esophageal varices (EV) is the most important complication of B-RTO. The predictive factors of worsening of EV have not been evaluated in detail. This study was designed to evaluate the role of endoscopic color Doppler ultrasonography (ECDUS) in the detection of possible risk factors for worsening of EV after B-RTO.

Evaluation of small bowel injury in patients with rheumatoid arthritis by capsule endoscopy: effects of anti-rheumatoid arthritis drugs.

Background And Aim: The medical treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), low-dose corticosteroids, and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). We evaluated the incidence of small bowel injury in RA patients who were taking anti-RA drugs with or without concomitant NSAIDs by capsule endoscopy.

Methods: A total of 28 RA patients who took low-dose corticosteroids and/or DMARDs for more than 1 year were enrolled.

Small bowel injury by low-dose enteric-coated aspirin and treatment with misoprostol: a pilot study.

Background & Aims: With capsule endoscopy, the ulcerogenic effect of low-dose enteric-coated aspirin on the small bowel and the therapeutic effect of misoprostol on intestinal injury were evaluated.

Methods: Eleven patients who developed gastric ulcers while undergoing low-dose enteric-coated aspirin therapy were enrolled. They continued aspirin therapy while taking proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) for 8 weeks to heal the gastric ulcers.

[Efficacy of double balloon enteroscopy for patients with intestinal lymphangiectasia, case report of primary intestinal lymphangiectasia].

A 31-year-old man has visited our hospital, complaining diarrhea and leg edema. Blood test showed hypoalbuminea, but we couldn't find the reason by several examinations. Therefore, we performed double balloon enteroscopy, and intestinal lymphangiectasia was diagnosed histologically by biopsy.

A prospective, single-blind trial comparing wireless capsule endoscopy and double-balloon enteroscopy in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.

Background: Wireless capsule endoscopy (CE) and double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) are new methods enabling diagnostic endoscopy of the entire small intestine. However, which of the two is superior is unclear. We therefore prospectively compared the clinical efficacy of CE and DBE.

Management of gastric fundal varices without gastro-renal shunt in 15 patients.

Aim: To examine the portal hemodynamics of gastric fundal varices (GV) without gastro-renal shunt (GRS), and to retrospectively investigate the effects of various kinds of treatment on eradication.

Methods: Ninety-four liver cirrhosis patients at high-risk of GV were treated in our hospital and enrolled in this study. We retrospectively examined their characteristics, liver function, and portal hemodynamics of GV.

Feasibility, safety, and efficacy of the Stretta procedure in Japanese patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease: first report from Asia.

Background: In recent years, various endoscopic treatments have become available to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in Western countries. The Stretta procedure, which uses radiofrequency energy, is one type of safe and effective endoluminal treatment for GERD. However, the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of the Stretta procedure in Japanese patients with GERD, who differ from Western peoples in their physiological characteristics, are not known.