Assessment of pre-gastroscopy fasting period using ultrasonography.

Discomfort is frequent in patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy who are routinely recommended to abstain at least for 6 h from liquid or solid food prior to the procedure. We investigated the minimal period of time required for the stomach to clear fluids in order to define a safe minimal pre-endoscopy fasting period. Gastric emptying was sonographically assessed in 54 patients by measurement of the antrum surface area prior to, immediately after, and 30, 60, and 90 min after ingestion of 300 ml water and water containing 75 g glucose or apple juice.

Endoscopic visualization of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-induced small bowel angioedema as a cause of relapsing abdominal pain using double-balloon enteroscopy.

A 40-year-old woman presented with 3 episodes of abdominal pain. Abdominal ultrasound demonstrated edema of the small bowel. Double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) showed diffuse swelling of the small intestine, petechial bleeding in the jejunum, and focal inflammation of the ileum.

Chromoendoscopy is a valuable tool for screening of high-risk patients with head and neck cancer for early detection of esophageal cancer.

Background: The incidence of esophageal cancer is markedly increased in patients with head and neck cancer, and the presence of esophageal cancer is associated with reduced survival rates.

Aims: We investigated whether the results of screening for esophageal cancer in patients with head and neck cancer using chromoendoscopy would change the treatment of such patients.

Patients: 87 patients with head and neck cancer and known alcohol or nicotine abuse were screened for esophageal cancer.