Image-enhanced endoscopy is specific for the diagnosis of non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Objectives: We assessed the performance characteristics of image-enhanced endoscopy with i-Scan or narrow band imaging (NBI) in patients with non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) compared to controls without heartburn.

Material And Methods: Image-enhanced endoscopic findings of vascularity at the squamocolumnar junction, distal esophageal micro-erosions, and non-round pit pattern at the squamocolumnar junction were assessed in cases (heartburn not responsive to PPIs, positive results on validated GERD questionnaire, no esophageal erosions, esophageal biopsies with histologic evidence of GERD (basal cell hyperplasia, elongation of papillae and dilation of intercellular spaces all required)) and in controls (no GERD symptoms or esophageal erosions).

Results: Twenty cases and 60 controls were compared.

Confocal laser endomicroscopy features of sessile serrated adenomas/polyps.

Background And Aims: Sessile serrated adenomas/polyps (SSA/Ps) are difficult to differentiate from non-neoplastic tissue on white-light endoscopy. Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) provides subcellular imaging and real-time "optical biopsy". The aim of this study was to prospectively describe CLE features of SSA/Ps.

Diagnosis of sessile serrated adenomas/polyps with image-enhanced endoscopy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Study Aims: Distinguishing sessile serrated adenomas/polyps (SSA/Ps) from non-neoplastic tissue may be challenging when white-light endoscopy (WLE) is used. Image-enhanced endoscopy (IEE) has shown accuracy in differentiating adenomas from hyperplastic polyps. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the utility of IEE in diagnosis of SSA/Ps.

Digital chromoendoscopy utilization in clinical practice: A survey of gastroenterologists in Connecticut.

Aim: To use a survey to characterize and identify potential barriers to the use of digital chromoendoscopy (DC) by practicing gastroenterologists.

Methods: An anonymous, internet-based survey was sent to gastroenterologists in Connecticut who were members of one of three national gastrointestinal organizations. The survey collected demographic information, frequency of DC use, types of procedures that the respondent performs, setting of practice (academic vs community), years out of training, amount of training in DC, desire to have DC training and perceived barriers to DC use.

Yield of repeat forward-view examination of the right side of the colon in screening and surveillance colonoscopy.

Background And Aims: Colonoscopy is less protective for cancers of the right side of the colon than for distal colon cancers. Repeat examination of the right side of the colon has been suggested to increase adenoma detection and potentially provide greater protection against the development of cancers of the right side of the colon. Our prospective study assessed the yield of a second forward-view examination of the right side of the colon done immediately after the initial examination.

An uncommon source of upper gastrointestinal bleeding: epiphrenic esophageal diverticulum.

Esophageal diverticula are rare findings that have an estimated incidence of 1 per 500 000 people per year, even though acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a relatively common medical emergency with an incidence of up to 150 per 100 000 people per year and a mortality rate of 7-14%. An 83-year-old man presented with hematemesis and melena. Urgent upper endoscopy revealed an esophageal diverticulum, within which was an adherent clot.

Quantitative analysis of high-resolution microendoscopic images for diagnosis of neoplasia in patients with Barrett's esophagus.

Background And Aims: Previous studies show that microendoscopic images can be interpreted visually to identify the presence of neoplasia in patients with Barrett's esophagus (BE), but this approach is subjective and requires clinical expertise. This study describes an approach for quantitative image analysis of microendoscopic images to identify neoplastic lesions in patients with BE.

Methods: Images were acquired from 230 sites from 58 patients by using a fiberoptic high-resolution microendoscope during standard endoscopic procedures.

In vivo classification of colorectal neoplasia using high-resolution microendoscopy: Improvement with experience.

Background And Aims: High-resolution microendoscopy (HRME) is a novel, low-cost "optical biopsy" technology that allows for subcellular imaging. The study aim was to evaluate the learning curve of HRME for the differentiation of neoplastic from non-neoplastic colorectal polyps.

Methods: In a prospective cohort fashion, a total of 162 polyps from 97 patients at a single tertiary care center were imaged by HRME and classified in real time as neoplastic (adenomatous, cancer) or non-neoplastic (normal, hyperplastic, inflammatory).

In vivo diagnostic accuracy of high-resolution microendoscopy in differentiating neoplastic from non-neoplastic colorectal polyps: a prospective study.

Objectives: High-resolution microendoscopy (HRME) is a low-cost, "optical biopsy" technology that allows for subcellular imaging. The purpose of this study was to determine the in vivo diagnostic accuracy of the HRME for the differentiation of neoplastic from non-neoplastic colorectal polyps and compare it to that of high-definition white-light endoscopy (WLE) with histopathology as the gold standard.

Methods: Three endoscopists prospectively detected a total of 171 polyps from 94 patients that were then imaged by HRME and classified in real-time as neoplastic (adenomatous, cancer) or non-neoplastic (normal, hyperplastic, inflammatory).

Clinical factors that predict noncirrhotic portal hypertension in HIV-infected patients: a proposed diagnostic algorithm.

Noncirrhotic portal hypertension (NCPH) is a rare but important clinical entity in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) populations. The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical factors associated with the condition in an effort to formulate a diagnostic algorithm for easy and early diagnosis. We performed a multicenter, retrospective case-control study of 34 patients with NCPH and 68 control HIV patients.