Durability of pneumatic dilation monotherapy in treatment-naive achalasia patients.

Background: Pneumatic dilation (PD) is often billed as a "short term" treatment for achalasia but anecdotally can last years. This study sought to explore how long a single pneumatic dilation may induce symptom remission in a treatment-naïve achalasia patient.

Methods: A single center, retrospective chart review of patients with an ICD-9 or - 10 code of achalasia between 2005 and 2017 was performed.

The Role of Acid Suppression in Barrett's Esophagus.

In recent years, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have come under great scrutiny due to possible adverse, long-term side effects. At the same time, Barrett's esophagus, a premalignant condition in the esophagus, continues to be a disease whose course is thought to be improved by the use of PPIs. We review the impact of proton pump therapy on the esophagus and on Barrett's mucosa.

Poor patient knowledge regarding family history of colon polyps: implications for the feasibility of stratified screening recommendations.

Background: In 2008, the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) modified its colorectal screening guidelines regarding patients with family histories of colorectal polyps, specifically highlighting the importance of obtaining detailed history that includes the number, type, and size of adenomas found in a patient's relative. This information is then used to guide screening recommendations for these patients.

Objective: To assess the proportion of patients undergoing screening colonscopy for a family history of polyps who have knowledge of their family members' colonoscopy findings.