Epitope-specific immunotherapy targeting CD4-positive T cells in coeliac disease: two randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 1 studies.

Background: A gluten-free diet is the only means to manage coeliac disease, a permanent immune intolerance to gluten. We developed a therapeutic vaccine, Nexvax2, designed to treat coeliac disease. Nexvax2 is an adjuvant-free mix of three peptides that include immunodominant epitopes for gluten-specific CD4-positive T cells.

A multicenter, prospective study of a new fully covered expandable metal biliary stent for the palliative treatment of malignant bile duct obstruction.

Background and Study Aims. Endoscopic placement of self-expanding metal stents (SEMSs) is indicated for palliation of inoperable malignant biliary obstruction. A fully covered biliary SEMS (WallFlex Biliary RX Boston Scientific, Natick, USA) was assessed for palliation of extrahepatic malignant biliary obstruction.

Evidence-based imaging of pancreatic malignancies.

A high-quality pancreatic protocol computed tomography (CT) is the primary imaging modality for diagnosing and staging pancreatic malignancy. The main limitation of CT is the lack of sensitivity for early pancreatic lesions. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) provides an excellent complement to CT for both diagnosis and staging of pancreatic cancer, and allows easy access for needle aspiration and tissue diagnosis.

Impact of experience with a retrograde-viewing device on adenoma detection rates and withdrawal times during colonoscopy: the Third Eye Retroscope study group.

Background: Colonoscopy has been adopted as the preferred method to screen for colorectal neoplasia in the United States. However, lesions can be missed because of numerous factors, including location on the proximal aspect of folds or flexures, where they may be difficult to detect with the forward-viewing colonoscope. The Third Eye Retroscope (TER) is a disposable device that is passed through the instrument channel of a standard colonoscope to provide a retrograde view that complements the forward view of the colonoscope during withdrawal.

Surgical gastrostomy for pancreatobiliary and duodenal access following Roux en Y gastric bypass.

Background: Pancreatobiliary access following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) is challenging. We reviewed 32 cases of surgical gastrostomy for complex transgastric upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Methods: Retrospective review of prospectively collected database of patients with history of RYGBP that had surgical gastrostomy for pancreatobiliary and duodenal access at a single institution from 2004-2008.

Approach to acute, recurrent, and chronic pancreatitis.

Pancreatitis can manifest as a one-time episode, recurring attacks, or chronic pain. It is caused by numerous factors ranging from alcohol consumption to gallstones to subtle obstructive causes and occult autoimmune disorders. As a result, determining the etiology and effectively treating the causes and consequences of pancreatitis can be challenging.

[Inverted colonic diverticula: an uncommon endoscopic finding].

Background: The appearance of inverted colonic diverticula (ICD) is similar to that of elevated polypoid lesions. The aim of this study was to describe the endoscopic characteristics of ICD with a view to avoiding misdiagnosis, and to report the frequency of these lesions.

Material And Method: Using an endoscopic database, we retrospectively analyzed all patients who underwent colonoscopy at our institution between July 2001 and July 2004.

Management of ascending cholangitis.

Acute ascending cholangitis is a potential life-threatening emergency characterized by infection and obstruction of the biliary tree. This article reviews the pathogenesis and clinical approach to patients with ascending cholangitis and examines the literature on this topic.

Technology insight: applications of MRI for the evaluation of benign disease of the pancreas.

This article reviews the role of MRI in the evaluation of benign pancreatic disease. Although MRI and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) are most often used to evaluate the liver and bile duct, technical advances such as the use of secretin stimulation also allow for high-quality imaging of the pancreas and pancreatic ductal system. Secretin-stimulated MRCP (S-MRCP) can aid the diagnosis of acute and chronic pancreatitis, and delineate ductal pathology such as benign strictures and duct leaks.

Endoscopic approach to acute pancreatitis.

This review focuses on the use of endoscopic techniques in the diagnosis and management of pancreatic disorders. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has been used primarily to evaluate and treat disorders of the biliary tree. Recently, endoscopic techniques have been adapted for pancreatic sphincterotomy, stenting, stricture dilation, treatment of duct leaks, drainage of fluid collections, and stone extraction via the major and minor papillae.

Microsatellite analysis of sporadic flat and depressed lesions of the colon.

Prior studies of molecular and genetic derangements in flat and depressed lesions of the colon have revealed lower frequencies in a number of markers commonly present in exophytic lesions. These and other differences suggest that flat lesions are driven by alternative pathways. We reviewed a database of patients who had undergone endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for flat and depressed lesions at the University of Chicago from January 2001 to April 2003.

Treatment of benign esophageal tumors by endoscopic techniques.

Gastrointestinal endoscopy has changed in recent years from a largely diagnostic to a highly therapeutic procedure. Technical advances in endoscopic ultrasound as well as new devices designed for endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) have opened the field to many therapeutic possibilities. Endoscopic resection is technically challenging, and while our colleagues in the Far East have been using such techniques for over a decade, EMR in the West is still in its infancy.

Immunomodulators and "on demand" therapy with infliximab in Crohn's disease: clinical experience with 400 infusions.

Objectives: Infliximab has been proven effective for treatment of active Crohn's and fistulizing Crohn's disease. We reviewed our experience with infliximab in patients with Crohn's disease to determine if its combination with immunomodulators leads to better response and longer periods of disease quiescence.

Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of 122 patients with Crohn's disease who received infliximab infusions.

Contamination of single-use biopsy forceps: a prospective in vitro analysis.

Background: It has been suggested that single-use biopsy forceps prevent interpatient transmission of infection during endoscopy. Passage of sterile forceps through the accessory channel of the endoscope may lead to contamination, however, if the endoscope has been inadequately processed. The potential for contamination of single-use biopsy forceps at various stages of endoscope reprocessing was prospectively evaluated.