Evaluation of Ultrasound-based Surveillance for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients at Risk: Results From a German Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background And Aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance in patients at risk is strongly recommended and usually performed by ultrasound (US) semiannually with or without alfa-fetoprotein (AFP) measurements. Quality parameters except for surveillance intervals have not been strictly defined. We aimed to evaluate surveillance success and risk factors for surveillance failure.

Transabdominal ultrasonography to reduce the burden of X-ray imaging in prophylactic pancreatic stent localization after ERCP-A prospective trial.

Background: Before performing endoscopy to remove prophylactic pancreatic stents placed in patients with high risk of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP), X-ray imaging is recommended to confirm the stents position in the pancreatic duct.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate the feasibility of prophylactic pancreatic stent detection by transabdominal ultrasonography, to reduce the burden of X-ray imaging, which is currently the golden standard.

Methods: All patients who received a pancreatic stent for PEP prophylaxis were included in the present prospective trial.