Performance of a new histology needle for EUS-guided fine needle biopsy: A retrospective multicenter study.

Objective: Procurement of tissue core biopsy may overcome some of the limitations of EUS-FNA. We aimed at assessing the safety, core procurement yield and diagnostic accuracy of two novel available histology needles.

Methods: Data from consecutive patients with solid lesions who underwent EUS-FNB using the 25G-22G SharkCore™ needles were retrieved from 4 tertiary-care centers database.

Efficacy and safety of SIC-8000 (Eleview®) for submucosal injection for endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection in an in vivo porcine model.

Background: Submucosal injection is generally required for both endoscopic-mucosal resection (EMR) and submucosal dissection (ESD). SIC-8000 (Eleview™) is a new FDA 510(k) cleared and CE marked liquid composition for submucosal injection, containing a biocompatible polymer as a cushioning agent.

Aims: The aim of this randomized study was to compare Eleview with saline solution when performing upper- and lower-GI EMR/ESD in a porcine model.

EUS elastography (strain ratio) and fractal-based quantitative analysis for the diagnosis of solid pancreatic lesions.

Background And Aims: EUS elastography is useful in characterizing solid pancreatic lesions (SPLs), and fractal analysis-based technology has been used to evaluate geometric complexity in oncology. The aim of this study was to evaluate EUS elastography (strain ratio) and fractal analysis for the characterization of SPLs.

Methods: Consecutive patients with SPLs were prospectively enrolled between December 2015 and February 2017.

EUS-guided gallbladder drainage using a lumen-apposing self-expandable metal stent in patients with coagulopathy or anticoagulation therapy: a case series.

We report our experience in endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage performed emergently in 4 prohibitive surgical risk patients with concurrent coagulopathy or on anticoagulant therapy using an electrocautery enhanced lumen apposing self expanding metal stent (LA-SEMS).

Why attempt en bloc resection of non-pedunculated colorectal adenomas? A systematic review of the prevalence of superficial submucosal invasive cancer after endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Objective: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) aims to achieve en bloc resection of non-pedunculated colorectal adenomas which might be indicated in cases with superficial submucosal invasive cancers (SMIC), but the procedure is time consuming and complex. The prevalence of such cancers is not known but may determine the clinical necessity for ESD as opposed to the commonly used piecemeal mucosal resection (endoscopic mucosal resection) of colorectal adenomas. The main aim was to assess the prevalence of SMIC SM1 (ie, invasion ≤1000 µm or less than one-third of the submucosa) on colorectal lesions removed by ESD.

GERD after per-oral endoscopic myotomy as compared with Heller's myotomy with fundoplication: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Background And Aims: Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) represents a less invasive alternative to conventional laparoscopic Heller's myotomy (LHM) for patients with achalasia. It cannot be excluded, however, that the lack of fundoplication after POEM may result in a higher incidence of reflux disease, as compared with LHM. The aim of our study was to conduct a systematic review of prospective studies reporting the incidence of reflux disease developed after POEM and LHM.

Long-term performance of colorectal cancerscreening programmes based on the faecal immunochemical test.

Background: The long-term performance of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programmes based on a 2-year faecal immunochemical test (FIT) is still unclear.

Methods: In a sample of 50 to 69-year-olds repeatedly screened with the FIT (OC-Hemodia latex agglutination test; cut-off: 20 µg haemoglobin/g faeces), we examined: (1) the FIT positivity rate, the CRC and advanced adenoma detection rate and the FIT's positive predictive value (PPV) for advanced neoplasia, at each round of screening and (2) the cumulative CRC and advanced adenoma detection rate after five rounds of FIT.

Results: Over 12 years (2002-2014), 123 347 individuals were administered the FIT up to six times, and 781 CRCs and 4713 advanced adenomas were diagnosed.

BASIC (BLI Adenoma Serrated International Classification) classification for colorectal polyp characterization with blue light imaging.

Background And Study Aim: Advanced endoscopic imaging has revolutionized the characterization of lesions during colonoscopy. The aim of this study was to create a new classification for differentiating subcentimetric hyperplastic and adenomatous polyps, and deeply invasive malignant lesions using blue-light imaging (BLI) with high definition, with and without optical magnification, as well as to assess its interobserver concordance.

Methods: A video library consisting of 48 videos/still images (with/without optical magnification) from 24 histologically verified polyps/cancer with BLI was prospectively created.

International development and validation of a classification system for the identification of Barrett's neoplasia using acetic acid chromoendoscopy: the Portsmouth acetic acid classification (PREDICT).

Background: Barrett's oesophagus is an established risk factor for developing oesophageal adenocarcinoma. However, Barrett's neoplasia can be subtle and difficult to identify. Acetic acid chromoendoscopy (AAC) is a simple technique that has been demonstrated to highlight neoplastic areas but lesion recognition with AAC remains a challenge, thereby hampering its widespread use.

Diagnosis and Endoscopic Management of Barrett's Esophagus: an Italian Experts' Opinion based document.

Background: Barrett's esophagus (BE) is recognized as a risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma. An expert panel was organized in Italy with the aim of drafting a series of statements on BE to guide diagnosis and management of patients with BE.

Methods: The working Group Coordinators worked on a literature search to identify key topics regarding critical steps of the endoscopic approach to BE.

Performance of a new needle for endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy in patients with pancreatic solid lesions: A retrospective multicenter study.

Background And Objectives: Procurement of tissue core biopsy samples may overcome some of the limitations of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration. We aimed at assessing the safety, histological sample procurement yield, and diagnostic accuracy of a newly available histology needle.

Materials And Methods: Data from consecutive patients with pancreatic solid lesions who underwent EUS-fine needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) using the 22-gauge Acquire™ needle were retrospectively retrieved from four tertiary care centers database.

Endocuff-assisted colonoscopy is associated with a lower adenoma miss rate: a multicenter randomized tandem study.

 The Endocuff (ARC Medical Design, Leeds, UK) is a device that, when mounted on the tip of an endoscope, may assist with inspection of a greater surface of the colonic mucosa by pulling backwards, flattening, and stretching the colonic folds as the endoscope is gradually withdrawn. We aimed to compare the adenoma miss rates of Endocuff-assisted colonoscopy with those of conventional colonoscopy.  The included patients underwent same-day, back-to-back, (Endocuff-assisted colonoscopy as the index procedure followed by conventional colonoscopy or vice versa, randomly assigned 1:1) colonoscopies, performed by six endoscopists with documented adenoma detection rates > 35 %, in four tertiary endoscopy facilities.

Peroral endoscopic myotomy versus surgical myotomy for primary achalasia: single-center, retrospective analysis of 74 patients.

Achalasia is a neurodegenerative motility disorder of the esophagus; dysphagia, weight loss, chest pain, and regurgitation are its main symptoms. Surgical myotomy (HM) is considered the gold standard treatment. However, peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) seems to be a safe and effective alternative option.