High prevalence of incidental endoscopic findings at routine endoscopy after atrial fibrillation ablation: Do we need a screening endoscopy for the upper gastrointestinal tract in the general population?

Introduction: High-power short-duration ablation (HPSD) is an effective therapy for atrial fibrillation with thermal esophageal injury as a rare but relevant side effect.

Aim And Methods: In this retrospective single-center analysis we evaluated the incidence and relevance of ablation-induced findings and the prevalence of ablation-independent incidental gastrointestinal findings. For 15 months all patients undergoing ablation were screened by postablation esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

Endoscopic trans-anal tube placement is a safe and helpful tool for colonic decompression: final results of a standardized single-centre retrospective assessment of 125 patients.

Objectives: Endoscopic trans-anal colonic decompression (ECD) may be requested in the case of massive colon distension, but evidence regarding success and safety issues remains scarce. The aim of this analysis is to examine the technical success, complications and clinical outcome in a large series of patients undergoing an ECD in various clinical scenarios. A standardized evaluation system was used to identify the pre-interventional risk parameters that might be helpful to guide clinical decision making.

Diagnostics and Early Diagnosis of Esophageal Cancer.

In the esophagus two different kinds of primary neoplasias may arise: squamocellular carcinomas (SCC) and esophageal adenocarcinomas (EAC). Although both types of carcinoma are rare diseases, especially the incidence of EAC rose in the last years. The management of esophageal cancer is challenging.

Intraductal biliopancreatic imaging: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) technology review.

This technology review expresses the current view of the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) on the available techniques for intraductal biliopancreatic imaging. The three cholangioscopy techniques are described: the "dual-operator" and " single-operator" mother-baby approaches using dedicated instruments, and the "direct" technique using currently available ultrathin gastroscopes. The mother-baby method is standardized and reproducible, while direct cholangioscopy is technically demanding and its safety requires further evaluation.

Efficacy and safety of direct transnasal cholangioscopy with standard ultraslim endoscopes: results of a large cohort study.

Background: Direct cholangioscopy (DC) with ultraslim endoscopes and free-hand cannulation of the common bile duct (CBD) is a promising technique for evaluating and treating cholangiopathy. However, its safety and success rates are as yet unclear.

Objective: To evaluate the overall success rates and adverse events with the procedure.

Prospective randomized comparison of short-access mother-baby cholangioscopy versus direct cholangioscopy with ultraslim gastroscopes.

Background: Mother-baby technologies, the criterion standard for cholangioscopy, have several limitations. A novel, short-access, mother-baby (SAMBA) system may improve this technique. Direct cholangioscopy (DC) was recently developed as an alternative to mother-baby cholangioscopy.