European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Guideline Development Policy.

Numerous scientific publications explore the field of gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy (a Pubmed search currently yields > 73000 results). Therefore, guidelines have become an indispensable tool for incorporating up-to-date knowledge into daily clinical care. Since the 1990 s, the issuing of guidelines has been a central task of the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE).

Management of precancerous conditions and lesions in the stomach (MAPS): guideline from the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE), European Helicobacter Study Group (EHSG), European Society of Pathology (ESP), and the Sociedade Portuguesa de Endoscopia Digestiva (SPED).

Atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, and epithelial dysplasia of the stomach are common and are associated with an increased risk for gastric cancer. In the absence of guidelines, there is wide disparity in the management of patients with these premalignant conditions. The European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE), the European Helicobacter Study Group (EHSG), the European Society of Pathology (ESP) and the Sociedade Portuguesa de Endoscopia Digestiva (SPED) have therefore combined efforts to develop evidence-based guidelines on the management of patients with precancerous conditions and lesions of the stomach (termed MAPS).

Management of precancerous conditions and lesions in the stomach (MAPS): guideline from the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE), European Helicobacter Study Group (EHSG), European Society of Pathology (ESP), and the Sociedade Portuguesa de Endoscopia Digestiva (SPED).

Atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, and epithelial dysplasia of the stomach are common and are associated with an increased risk for gastric cancer. In the absence of guidelines, there is wide disparity in the management of patients with these premalignant conditions. The European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the European Helicobacter Study Group, the European Society of Pathology, and the Sociedade Portuguesa de Endoscopia Digestiva have therefore combined efforts to develop evidence-based guidelines on the management of patients with precancerous conditions and lesions of the stomach.

Recurrences after surgical resection of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas: a single-center study of recurrence predictive factors.

Objective: The detection of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) has increased over the last decade, but still, management remains controversial. The main problems are their potential for malignancy and risk of recurrence. The purpose of this study was to determine the predictive factors of recurrence after surgical resection.

Forward-viewing versus oblique-viewing echoendoscopes in transluminal drainage of pancreatic fluid collections: a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial.

Background: EUS-guided drainage of pancreatic fluid collections (PFCs) is commonly performed with oblique-viewing echoendoscopes. However, accessing the PFC under an oblique angle can make drainage difficult. These difficulties might be overcome by using a forward-viewing echoendoscope.

Experimental endoscopic submucosal dissection training in a porcine model: learning experience of skilled Western endoscopists.

Background: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) demands a new level of endoscopic skill in Europe. A 2-day workshop was set up for trainees to carry out five ESD each in order to obtain the skill level required to perform ESD in the stomach or rectum. This study describes: (i) the workshop setup; (ii) the participant's performance; and (iii) the training effect on post-workshop clinical ESD performance.

Treatment of malignant gastroduodenal obstruction with a nitinol self-expanding metal stent: an international prospective multicentre registry.

Background: Duodenal stenting has become a broadly accepted first line of treatment for patients with advanced malignant gastroduodenal obstruction as these patients are difficult to treat and are poor surgical candidates.

Aims: To document duodenal stent performance for palliative management of malignant gastroduodenal obstruction.

Methods: Multicentre, single arm, prospective registry documenting peroral endoscopic duodenal stenting procedures in 202 patients.

Unsedated small caliber esophagogastroduodenoscopy: can we trust this technique?

Small caliber endoscopes are one of the best examples of fantastic technological advancements in gastrointestinal endoscopy. First designed for pediatric patients in the 1970s, current small caliber videoendoscopes were used for unsedated transnasal gastrointestinal endoscopy after 1994. Nowadays, unsedated endoscopy can be successfully done using small caliber endoscopes via transoral or transnasal route in nearly 90% of cases.

Single-operator cholangioscopy in patients requiring evaluation of bile duct disease or therapy of biliary stones (with videos).

Background: The feasibility of single-operator cholangioscopy (SOC) for biliary diagnostic and therapeutic procedures was previously reported.

Objective: To confirm the utility of SOC in more widespread clinical use.

Design: Prospective clinical cohort study.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection in a European setting. A multi-institutional report of a technique in development.

Background And Study Aims: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a technique for "en bloc" resection of superficial tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. In France, experience with this technique is still limited. We wanted to assess the development of ESD in France, with special attention to short term outcomes.

Cost effectiveness and projected national impact of colorectal cancer screening in France.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in France. Only scanty data on cost-effectiveness of CRC screening in Europe are available, generating uncertainty over its efficiency. Although immunochemical fecal tests (FIT) and guaiac-based fecal occult blood tests (g-FOBT) have been shown to be cost-effective in France, cost-effectiveness of endoscopic screening has not yet been addressed.

Long-term follow-up after biliary stent placement for postcholecystectomy bile duct strictures: a multicenter study.

Background And Study Aims: Endoscopic stenting is a recognized treatment of postcholecystectomy biliary strictures. Large multicenter reports of its long-term efficacy are lacking. Our aim was to analyze the long-term outcomes after stenting in this patient population, based on a large experience from several centers in France.

A new partially covered nitinol stent for palliative treatment of malignant bile duct obstruction: a multicenter single-arm prospective study.

Background And Study Aims: Covered self-expanding metal stents (SEMSs) have proven effective for managing malignant bile duct strictures and may reduce risk of tumor ingrowth. A new nitinol partially covered biliary SEMS was prospectively evaluated.

Patients And Methods: 70 patients with inoperable extrahepatic biliary obstructions were enrolled in a prospective multicenter trial, and followed up to 6 months or death, whichever came first.

Accuracy of computed tomographic colonography in a nationwide multicentre trial, and its relation to radiologist expertise.

Objective: Reports on the accuracy of computed tomographic colonography (CTC) mainly involve series from expert institutions. The aims of this study were to assess CTC accuracy in a nationwide population and to relate it to radiologist performance in their initial training.

Design: Nationwide multicentre trial.

Temporary placement of partially covered self-expandable metal stents for anastomotic biliary strictures after liver transplantation: a prospective, multicenter study.

Background: Management of anastomotic biliary strictures after liver transplantation deserves optimization.

Objective: To evaluate placement and removal of partially covered self-expandable metal stents (PCSEMSs) in this setting.

Design: Prospective, multicenter, uncontrolled study.

A national survey of endoscopic mucosal resection for superficial gastrointestinal neoplasia.

Background And Study Aim: Studies on endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) are mostly based on data from centers with high expertise. We report the average EMR results in a national survey of consecutive patients in France.

Methods: A 1-year survey was carried out to record immediate outcome data of all EMRs performed, regardless of lesion size or gastrointestinal location.

Current practice with endoscopic submucosal dissection in Europe: position statement from a panel of experts.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is the gold standard technique for performing en bloc resection of large superficial tumors in the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. Experience in Europe, however, is still limited and ESD is only performed in a few selected centers, with low volumes of cases, no description of training programs, and few published reports. In 2008, a panel of experts gathered in Rotterdam to discuss indications, training, and the wider use of ESD.

Contrast-enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasound in solid lesions of the pancreas: results of a pilot study.

Background And Study Aims: Distinguishing pancreatic adenocarcinoma from other pancreatic masses remains challenging with current imaging techniques. This prospective study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of a new procedure, imaging the microcirculation pattern of the pancreas by contrast-enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasound (CEH-EUS) with a new Olympus prototype echo endoscope.

Patients And Methods: 35 patients presenting with solid pancreatic lesions were prospectively enrolled.

Outcome of patients receiving chemotherapy for advanced biliary tract or gallbladder carcinoma.

Purpose: Patients with cholangiocarcinoma or gallbladder cancer have poor overall prognosis and their management is often complex. Currently, there is no standard chemotherapy for this disease, but several single agents and combinations have shown promising activity, most notably gemcitabine-based combinations.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all cases of biliary tract cancer treated at two academic centers in Lyon, France: 127 cases were identified, 67 underwent primary surgery, 13 of which were deemed unresectable upon surgery and were treated medically; 60 patients received medical treatment only.

Diagnostic accuracy of esophageal capsule endoscopy versus conventional upper digestive endoscopy for suspected esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background And Study Aim: A video capsule similar to that used in small-bowel capsule endoscopy is now available for esophageal exploration. The aim of our study was to compare the accuracy of upper endoscopy (esophageal gastroduodenoscopy [EGE]) with esophageal capsule endoscopy (ECE) in patients at risk of esophageal squamous cell cancer (SCC).

Patients And Methods: 68 patients at risk of SCC secondary to a history of head and neck neoplasia were included in this comparison of techniques for detecting SCC and dysplasia.

Treatment of arteriovenous malformation of the pancreas: a case report.

Pancreatic arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a rare disease, generally asymptomatic, but sometimes complicated by gastrointestinal bleeding or pancreatitis. We report a case of a 55-year-old man presenting with a large pancreatic AVM. The diagnosis was obtained on a computed tomography scan.

Biopsy specimens obtained with small-caliber endoscopes have comparable diagnostic performances than those obtained with conventional endoscopes: a prospective study on 1335 specimens.

Background And Study Aims: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) can be routinely performed via a nasal route in adults by using small-caliber endoscopes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the adequacy of biopsy specimens obtained with small forceps for histologic diagnosis.

Patients And Methods: From January to April 2007, we prospectively compared all biopsy specimens obtained, during conventional EGD (8.