Endoscopic resolution and recurrence of gastric antral vascular ectasia after serial treatment with argon plasma coagulation.

Aim: To evaluate long-term endoscopic resolution and recurrence rate of gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) after argon plasma coagulation (APC) treatment.

Methods: This was an IRB-approved retrospective single center study that included patients endoscopically treated for GAVE between 1/1/2008 to 12/31/2014. The primary and secondary end points of the study were rate of endoscopic resolution of GAVE after APC treatment and recurrence rate of GAVE after endoscopic resolution, respectively.

Prospective randomized controlled trial of an injectable esophageal prosthesis versus a sham procedure for endoscopic treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Background: This study aimed to assess whether endoscopic implantation of an injectable esophageal prosthesis, the Gatekeeper Reflux Repair System (GK), is a safe and effective therapy for controlling gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Methods: A prospective, randomized, sham-controlled, single-blinded, international multicenter study planned final enrollment of 204 patients in three groups: up to 60 lead-in, 96 GK, and 48 sham patients. The sham patients were allowed to cross over to the GK treatment arm or exit the study at 6 months.

EUS-guided FNA diagnostic yield of malignancy in solid pancreatic masses: a benchmark for quality performance measurement.

Background: The diagnostic yield of EUS-guided FNA (EUS-FNA) of solid pancreatic masses is a potential benchmark for EUS-FNA quality, because the majority of EUS-FNA of solid pancreatic masses should be diagnostic for malignancy.

Objectives: To determine the cytologic diagnostic rate of malignancy in EUS-FNA of solid pancreatic masses and to determine if variability exists among endoscopists and centers.

Design: Multicenter retrospective study.

An instrument to predict endoscopy tolerance: a prospective randomized study.

Our purpose in this study was to determine if the use of an instrument developed by our group to direct sedation choice improves patient satisfaction with endoscopy sedation compared to standard sedation practice. After 200 enrollments, data were available for 194 patients who completed the study. There were nine cases of dissatisfaction: five (5%) in the control group and four (4%) in the intervention group (P = 0.

Development of an instrument to assess and predict satisfaction and poor tolerance among patients undergoing endoscopic procedures.

We aimed to test the reliability of a developed questionnaire that measures and predict aversive endoscopic experience. Two questionnaires (pre- and postprocedure) were given to patients presenting for routine endoscopy. The first questionnaire elicited demographics, prior endoscopic experience, history of drug or alcohol use, patient expectations, and levels of anxiety and nervousness before procedure.

Oral allopurinol does not prevent the frequency or the severity of post-ERCP pancreatitis.

Background: Pancreatitis is the most common major complication of ERCP. Efforts have been made to identify pharmacologic agents capable of reducing its incidence and severity. The aim of this trial was to determine whether prophylactic allopurinol, an inhibitor of oxygen-derived free radical production, would reduce the frequency and severity of post-ERCP pancreatitis.

Endoscopic approach to gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Unrevealing CT scans and ambiguous surveillance endoscopies fuel rising frustration for patient and physician. Several recent developments have added considerably to our understanding of submucosal masses and the stromal cell tumors often lurking within them.

The yield and the predictors of esophageal pathology when upper endoscopy is used for the initial evaluation of dysphagia.

Background: The utility of EGD when used as an initial test for the evaluation of dysphagia is unclear. The objective was to determine the yield and the predictive factors of significant pathology when EGD is performed as the initial test to evaluate dysphagia.

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of a computerized database.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors: new progress, new questions.

Purpose Of Review: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are uncommon but important mesenchymal tumors of the GI tract. They are occasionally encountered on routine endoscopy examinations, when identification may present a diagnostic dilemma. The malignant form, fortunately rare, is typically aggressive and resistant to treatment.

Acute pancreatitis after EUS-guided FNA of solid pancreatic masses: a pooled analysis from EUS centers in the United States.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and the severity of pancreatitis after EUS-guided FNA of solid pancreatic masses. A survey of centers that offer training in EUS in the United States was conducted.

Methods: A list of centers in which training in EUS is offered was obtained from the Web site of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

Interobserver agreement among endosonographers for the diagnosis of neoplastic versus non-neoplastic pancreatic cystic lesions.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of agreement among endosonographers for EUS diagnosis of neoplastic versus non-neoplastic pancreatic cystic lesions and the specific type of cystic lesion.

Methods: Videotapes of EUS procedures from 31 consecutive cases of a range of histopathologically proven lesions, including mucinous cystic neoplasm, serous cystadenoma, neuroendocrine tumor, intraductal papillary mucinous tumor, and pseudocyst, were used to make a study videotape, which was reviewed by 8 experienced endosonographers. The reviewers, blinded to clinical and surgical histopathology results, reviewed each case for the presence or absence of the following features: abnormality of pancreatic duct and parenchyma, margins, solid component, debris, and septations.

Hereditary pancreatitis: clinical presentation, ERCP findings, and outcome of endoscopic therapy.

Background: Hereditary pancreatitis (HP) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by the onset of recurrent attacks of acute pancreatitis in childhood and frequent progression to chronic pancreatitis. There are limited data on the role of diagnostic and therapeutic ERCP in patients with HP. The aims of this study were to describe the clinical presentation and findings on pancreatography and to evaluate the role of endoscopic and surgical intervention in patients with HP.