Metal versus plastic stents for malignant biliary obstruction: an update meta-analysis.

Background And Objective: The data on comparisons of stent patency, re-intervention rate and patient survival between metal and plastic stents in palliation of malignant biliary obstruction have never been pooled. We carry out a meta-analysis to summarise current evidence for clinical efficacy of metal and plastic stents in the treatment of malignant biliary obstruction.

Methods: A comprehensive search of several databases was conducted.

Use of artificial neural network to predict esophageal varices in patients with HBV related cirrhosis.

Background: Prediction of esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients by noninvasive methods is still unsatisfactory.

Objectives: To evaluate the accuracy of an artificial neural network (ANN) in predicting varices in patients with HBV related cirrhosis.

Patients And Methods: An ANN was constructed with data taken from 197 patients with HBV related cirrhosis.

Endoscopic sphincterotomy plus endoprostheses in the treatment of large or multiple common bile duct stones.

Background And Aim: Little information is available on the outcomes of endoscopic sphincterotomy plus biliary stent placement without stone extraction as primary therapy at initial endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the treatment of large or multiple common bile duct (CBD) stones. The aim of the present study was to study the effect of biliary stents and sphincterotomy as primary therapy for patients with choledocholithiasis.

Methods: Patients with large (≥20 mm) or multiple (≥3) CBD stones were retrospectively studied.

Prediction of large esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients using classification and regression tree analysis.

Objectives: Recent guidelines recommend that all cirrhotic patients should undergo endoscopic screening for esophageal varices. That identifying cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices by noninvasive predictors would allow for the restriction of the performance of endoscopy to patients with a high risk of having varices. This study aimed to develop a decision model based on classification and regression tree analysis for the prediction of large esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients.

Predictors of esophageal varices in patients with HBV-related cirrhosis: a retrospective study.

Background: All patients with liver cirrhosis are recommended to undergo an evaluation of esophageal varices (EV) to assess their risk of bleeding. Predicting the presence of EV through non-invasive means may reduce a large number of unnecessary endoscopies. This study was designed to develop a predictive model for varices in patients with Hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis.

[Study on the value of Helieobacter pylori (H. pylori) stool antigen immunocard STAT in the diagnosis of H. pylori infection: a meta-analysis].

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) stool antigen (HpSA) test and ImmunoCard STAT HpSA in the primary diagnosis of H. pylori infection.