Instant evaluation of contrast enhanced endoscopic ultrasound helps to differentiate various solid pancreatic lesions in daily routine.

Background: Contrast enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasound (CEH-EUS) is a spreading technique; some studies have shown its value in the diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma using quantitative analysis.

Aim: To examine the value of CEH-EUS for differentiating various pancreatic lesions in everyday routine with qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Methods: Data of 55 patients with pancreatic lesions who underwent CEH-EUS were analysed retrospectively.

Contrast-enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasound is able to discriminate benign submucosal lesions from gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Background: Although endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has improved the diagnostic of potential malignancies, gastric lesions with suspicion of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) or benign lesions like lipoma or leiomyoma can often not be accurately differentiated by EUS, therefore, requiring tissue sampling with the risk of bleeding complications especially in GIST. As with the newest generation of EUS machines, contrast-enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasound (CEH-EUS) has become a new option to determine perfusion characteristics. The aim of this analysis was to evaluate whether CEH-EUS may help to discriminate various submucosal lesions.

Follow-up endoscopy in gastroenterology: when is it helpful?

Background: The indications for follow-up endoscopy have not been established in all diseases that can be diagnosed by endoscopy.

Methods: Selective review of the literature and a survey of national guidelines.

Results: In confirmed erosive or non-erosive reflux disease, follow-up endoscopy is indicated only in the presence of complications or Barrett's esophagus.

Hyperamylasaemia and/or hyperlipasaemia: incidence and underlying causes in hospitalized patients with non-pancreatic diseases.

Objective: There are no recommendations on how to proceed in patients with increased pancreatic enzyme activities but non-pancreatic diseases. The objective of this study was to investigate prospectively in a general medical hospital the incidence, causes and clinical impact of hyperamylasaemia and/or hyperlipasaemia in these patients.

Material And Methods: During a 4-month period in 2004, amylase and lipase activities were measured in all patients (n, 1765) admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine of the Municipal Clinic of Lüneburg, Germany.