Through-the-scope esophageal stent for the relief of malignant dysphagia: Results of a multicentric study (with video).

Background And Aim: In presence of malignant dysphagia, in patients unfit for surgery, the placement of a self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) represents a safe and effective palliative treatment. Esophageal stents (ES) present an over-the-wire mechanism where the stent is deployed under X-ray control. Recently a through-the-scope (TTS) ES was launched.

The impact of colorectal screening program on the detection of right-sided colorectal cancer. A 5-year cohort study in the Mantua District.

Background: High rates of advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) are still diagnosed in the right side of the colon. This study aimed to investigate whether screening programs increase CRC detection and whether tumor location is associated with survival outcome.

Methods: Patients affected by CRC, aged from 50 to 69 years and operated on from 2005 to 2009 were reviewed.

Can we improve the detection rate and interobserver agreement in capsule endoscopy?

Background: Data about strategies for improving the diagnostic ability of capsule endoscopy readers are lacking.

Aim: (1) To evaluate the detection rate and the interobserver agreement among readers with different experience; (2) to verify the impact of a specific training (hands-on training plus expert tutorial) on these parameters.

Methods: 17 readers reviewed 12 videos twice; between the two readings they underwent the training.

Small bowel capsule endoscopy in clinical practice: a multicenter 7-year survey.

Background And Aim: Data about small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) come from studies involving small and highly selected populations. The study aim was to describe extent of use, indications, results, complications, and practical issues of SBCE in clinical practice in a Northern Italian Region (Lombardia).

Materials And Methods: Twenty-three out of 29 invited centers fulfilled a specific questionnaire.

Splenic rupture after colonoscopy. A case report and review of the literature.

Rupture of the spleen after colonoscopy is a rare but dangerous complication; up to now only a few cases have been reported in the literature. This complication is more frequent in patients who have previously undergone abdominal surgery and after operative colonoscopies. This case report describes a 64-year-old man who complained of abdominal pain and dyspnoea some hours after a colonoscopy.

Effects of chronic therapy with non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs on gastric permeability of sucrose: a study on 71 patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Aim: To evaluate the gastric permeability after both acute and chronic use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and to assess the clinical usefulness of sucrose test in detecting and following NSAIDs- induced gastric damage mainly in asymptomatic patients and the efficacy of a single pantoprazole dose in chronic users.

Methods: Seventy-one consecutive patients on chronic therapy with NSAIDs were enrolled in the study and divided into groups A and B (group A receiving 40 mg pantoprazole daily, group B only receiving NSAIDs). Sucrose test was performed at baseline and after 2, 4 and 12 wk, respectively.

Lactoferrin: mechanism of action, clinical significance and therapeutic relevance.

Lactoferrin is an iron binding protein involved in a large spectrum of biological actions including antimicrobial actions. Lactoferrin plays a central role in ferrokinetics: it binds free iron with great affinity limiting the amount of ions available for microorganism's metabolism. Its role in the host defence mechanisms consists in bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects; moreover it inhibits the proliferation of other microbes such as fungi and viruses.

Hypercalcemia due to ectopic secretion of parathyroid related protein from pancreatic carcinoma: a case report.

This case is a report of a male, 52 year old, heavy smoker, with a history of about 10 years of alcohol abuse (he quitted in 1993), gastric resection for ulcer (Billroth II 1970), hypoparathyroidism and macroamylasemia, died for undiagnosed pancreatic carcinoma revealed at necroscopy. The only clinical evidence of carcinoma were pulmonary metastasis and paraneoplastic syndrome characterized from hyponatriemia due to inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone and elevation of seric calcium caused by parathyroid hormone related protein. In patients without endocrine abnormalities, such unusual paraneoplastic syndrome could cause hypercalcemia, but in our patient, the increased calcemia did not reach abnormal levels due to the previous hypoparathyroidism.