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Background and Study Aims: We prospectively studied the outcome of endoscopic sphincterotomy in symptomatic patients with elevated liver enzyme levels but no clear evidence of biliary pathology on transabdominal ultrasound and diagnostic endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC). Methods: 29 consecutive patients with biliary-type pain (two or more out of eight criteria), elevated liver enzyme levels and no evidence of gallstones or significant common bile duct dilatation were evaluated. Elevated bilirubin levels (up to 7.2 mg/dl) were found in 18 patients. The majority of patients (n = 21) had a gallbladder in situ. The findings from bile duct exploration following sphincterotomy were recorded, and pain (as measured by visual analogue scale) as well as laboratory findings was assessed. Results: Wire-guided sphincterotomy was successful in all patients while uncomplicated pancreatitis occurred in one instance. In 16 patients (55 %) there was macroscopic evidence of small stones (n = 2), sludge (n = 12) or both (n = 2) following bile duct exploration. In addition, microscopy showed bile crystals in all four patients who had no macroscopic findings. All four patients with elevation of pancreatic enzymes prior to treatment, and four of those eight patients with previous cholecystectomy, showed evidence of biliary pathology. The initial median pain intensity was 8 (range 1-10); 26 patients became pain-free within 3 months following endoscopic sphincterotomy. While 26 of 28 patients (93 %) remained asymptomatic over a median follow-up period of 19 months (range 12-26), one died of an unrelated malignancy 6 months after therapy. Conclusions: Endoscopic sphincterotomy may be acceptable in patients with typical clinical presentation suggesting a papillary or biliary origin of pain without further diagnostic work-up. Contrary to expectations, diagnostic ERC was insensitive in detection of the biliary etiology of symptoms in this selected group of patients.

Background and Study Aims: Endoscopic palliative treatment of malignant esophageal stenosis using conventional plastic stents has been reported to be associated with a considerable risk of perforation. Stenoses with a distance of less than 2 cm from the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) have generally been excluded from treatment. Using self-expandable metal stents, procedure-related complications are rare. However, the rates of late complications necessitating retreatment appear to be as high as those of plastic stents. This study describes our stent placement technique and our results using a modified Tygon plastic stent. Patients and Methods: Over a two-year period, 71 consecutive patients with incurable malignant esophageal stenosis were prospectively studied. Tygon plastic stents of diameter 9-14 mm were individually tailored according to length and location of the stenosis. Prior to stenting, stepwise bougienage was performed, if necessary over several sessions. After endoscopic placement of a guide wire, the stent was inserted over a bougie without fluoroscopic monitoring. Results: A total of 71 patients (54 men and 17 women, median age 69, range 34-93), were treated with Tygon plastic stents (14 mm: 19 patients; 12 mm: 50 patients; 9 mm: 2 patients). Median length of the strictures and of the stents were 7 (range 2-18) and 10 (range 6-25) cm, respectively. Four patients had an associated esophago-respiratory fistula. After a median of 2 (range 1-5) bougienage sessions, stent insertion was technically successful in all patients. Forty-one stents were placed across the cardia, 13 were positioned 0.5-1 cm below the UES. Three patients had to undergo retreatment within 24 hours because of pain or stent migration and the stents were repositioned or exchanged. No procedure-related perforation, hemorrhage or respiratory problems were observed. During a median follow-up of 63 (range 2-388) days, 82% of the patients died. Improvement or stabilization of dysphagia allowing for oral nutrition could be achieved in 89%. Dislocation occurred in eight patients, bolus obstruction in five patients and tumor overgrowth in four patients. Three of the four fistulas could be covered by the stent. In one patient with a fistula located at the level of the UES, a stent was placed but migrated after 5 days. Overall, 27 patients (38%) required reinterventions, mainly for dysphagia or nutritional problems. Conclusions: In our experience, Tygon plastic stents with a diameter of 9-14 mm can be safely placed after stepwise, less extensive bougienage. Effective palliation is possible even for lesions located close to the UES. Perforation can be avoided. Reintervention rates seem to be comparable to those seen with self-expanding metal stents.

Background and study aim Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is a less invasive alternative treatment strategy to surgery for intramucosal esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). This study described our initial experience with the newly introduced Duette Multiband Mucosectomy Kit (Cook Ireland Ltd, Limerick, Ireland) for the treatment of extensive early esophageal SCC. Patients and methods Five patients with extensive early esophageal SCC, covering at least half of the circumference of the esophageal wall and measuring a mean of 2.8 cm longitudinally, underwent EMR after EUS staging. Results EMR was successfully completed in one session in five patients. Post-EMR stricture occurred in four patients but was successfully treated with bougienage. One patient did not return for follow-up after bougienage and died from ischemic heart disease 3 months later. For the remaining four patients, there was no recurrence over a mean follow up of 14.7 months. Conclusion This new device obviates the need for repeated insertion of the endoscope during the process of ligation and resection and thus facilitates EMR of extensive SCC.

Background and study aims Endoscopic mucosal resection of early esophageal cancer has increasingly proved to be an effective treatment modality, especially if the tumor has not invaded the muscularis mucosae. Different techniques have been introduced, using an overtube, double-channel endoscope, or suction cap. We have not found that these devices are required for snare resection in the esophagus. Patients and methods Over a period of two years (1994-1996), seven patients (five men and two women, age range 59-88) with early esophageal cancer defined by endosonography (3 cm or less in size, limited to the submucosal layer) were treated using a simplified technique of endoscopic snare resection using a monopolar diathermic polypectomy snare made of monofilament steel wire. The snare was positioned around the lesion, and then closed while pressing the snare against the mucosa and applying suction to draw the lesion into the snare. Pure coagulation current was used for resection. If necessary, a piecemeal technique was used to achieve complete removal. Results Complete removal was achieved in one session in all seven cases. No complications were observed. Two patients underwent radical surgery with no tumor remnant or metastatic lymph node in the resected specimen. All patients have remained free of recurrence during a median follow-up period of seven months (range 3-22 months). Two patients died of cardiovascular disease four and eight months after endoscopic mucosal resection. Conclusion Small early esophageal cancer can be safely removed with a simplified method of endoscopic snare resection using a standard monofilament polypectomy snare.

Over a 34-month period (1989-1991), 791 patients were diagnosed at endoscopic retrograde cholangiography to have bile duct stones. All patients underwent sphincterotomy and attempted extraction by Dormia basket. This was successful in 683 patients (86%). The remaining 108 patients with "difficult stones" (mean age 72 years) underwent mechanical, electrohydraulic or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy according to the following algorithm: (1) Mechanical lithotripsy for stones which could not be extracted after entrapment in the Dormia basket (n = 33); (2) peroral cholangioscopic electrohydraulic lithotripsy for stones which could not be engaged in the Dormia basket (n = 65); or (3) extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for intrahepatic stones (n = 10). Stone fragmentation and clearance was successful in all patients treated by mechanical lithotripsy, was unsuccessful in one patient submitted to electrohydraulic lithotripsy due to inability to insert the cholangioscope into the bile duct and failed in 3 patients treated by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. Overall, 95% of difficult bile duct stones refractory to conventional endoscopic basket extraction were removed using the above lithotripsy techniques. There were no serious procedure-related complications.

We conducted an uncontrolled study to evaluate an improved metallic clip (Olympus hemoclip) for the endoscopic treatment of nonvariceal gastrointestinal bleeding. A total of 88 patients (mean age 63 +/- 14, 60 males) with bleeding from a wide range of sources were treated. Seventy-eight patients had active bleeding (spurting in 50, oozing in 28) and 10 patients had a nonbleeding visible vessel. Initial hemostasis was achieved in all patients with active bleeding. A total of 255 clips were placed (average of 2.9 clips per patient, range of 1-10 clips). Spurting arterial bleeders required more clips on average than oozing bleeders (3.2 versus 2.7); active bleeders required more clips than cases with nonbleeding visible vessels (3.0 versus 2.2). Mean follow-up was 397 +/- 148 days. Recurrent bleeding was observed in 5 patients, all of whom had active bleeding on initial presentation. Re-bleeding was successfully treated with hemoclips in 4 patients and one patient underwent surgery. Clips appeared to be retained well; early clip dislodgement resulted in rebleeding in only 1 patient. No complications resulted from this treatment. Clips did not impair healing of peptic ulcers. We conclude that endoscopic hemoclip placement is a highly effective and safe method for treating nonvariceal gastrointestinal bleeding and deserves comparative studies with other methods of endoscopic hemostasis.

Background and Study Aims: Endoscopic removal of large colorectal polyps has not been widely accepted. The aims of this study were to evaluate our longterm experiences justifying endoscopic resection technique as the treatment of choice. Patients and Methods: During a period of 12 years, 288 patients with a total of 302 polyps larger than 3 cm in diameter were treated endoscopically. 224 polyps were sessile and 78 pedunculated. Sessile polyps were removed using the piecemeal technique. Surgery was recommended in patients with unfavorable histology. Patients with favorable histology were followed up at 3-6 month intervals in the first year and then every 1 - 2 years. Results: A total of 184 patients with sessile polyps were followed up for at least 6 months. Recurrence rate of 166 benign polyps was 17% (29/166). Only two patients had malignant recurrence. 8 of 18 patients with malignant polyps underwent surgery while 10 were unfit for surgery. 8 of these patients remained free of recurrence. Conclusions: Previous concerns about endoscopic removal of large colorectal polyps are no longer justified. The results of this study showed that endoscopic resection of large colorectal polyps is safe and effective. In patients with high operative risk, endoscopic removal may be adequate.

Background and study aims Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a novel technique for performing high-resolution, cross-sectional tomographic imaging in human tissue, which allows resolution of up to 10 microm. The short depth of penetration allows assessment of the superficial 2 mm of the gastrointestinal tract, an area that is difficult to appraise even with high-frequency ultrasound. This is the first report on in vivo OCT of the human biliary system. The aim was to assess the feasibility of the technique. Patients and methods Four cases of intraductal OCT are presented. The probe was inserted through the working channel of a duodenoscope. Results The connective tissue layer and the underlying retroperitoneal tissue, with less backscattering, could be clearly demonstrated. The images showed a layer architecture which was similar to that found histologically. Conclusions OCT of the biliary system is feasible in patients with biliary pathology. Interpretable images were obtained, and clinical use needs further assessment. As current OCT probes and processors do not yet provide optimal resolution, further generations of equipment with improved image quality are required.

Endosonography and endosonography-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) are now established diagnostic techniques, which are performed electively in endoscopy suites. We report here the bedside use of EUS-FNA in three critically ill patients in an intensive-care unit, with a significant impact on the outcome. A mediastinal abscess after percutaneous dilational tracheotomy was aspirated in one patient, leading to appropriate antibiotic therapy and complete recovery. A paratracheal hematoma compressing the right main bronchus was aspirated in a patient with polytrauma, relieving the pressure effects. The third patient, who had end-stage dilated cardiomyopathy and was being evaluated for cardiac transplantation, was found to have an apical lung lesion suspicious for bronchogenic carcinoma. EUS was performed to exclude mediastinal metastasis and allow simultaneous resection at the time of transplantation. Although a metastasis was excluded by EUS-FNA, the patient died while awaiting surgery. We conclude that bedside EUS-FNA is a feasible procedure, and in experienced hands it can offer an alternative in life-threatening situations.

Problems in emergency endoscopy for upper gastrointestinal bleeding may arise due to blood and food debris preventing proper endoscopic vision and orientation. We present here a new big channel endoscope with a 6 mm suction and drainage channel that achieved complete evacuation of stomach contents in 122 of 123 patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding, in whom complete gastric cleaning and identification of the bleeding source had proved impossible using standard endoscopes. Gastric emptying using the big-channel endoscope was possible within five minutes in all successful cases. Optimal conditions for therapeutic procedures were therefore provided. The size of the instrumentation channel may open up new indications also for non-emergency endoscopic diagnosis and treatment.