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Background: The guidewire biliary cannulation (GWC) technique may increase the cannulation rate and decrease the risk for post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis. The aim of our multicenter prospective randomized controlled trial was to determine if the use of an atraumatic loop-tip guidewire reduces the rate of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) compared with the standard contrast-assisted cannulation (CC) technique. Methods: From June 2012 to December 2013, a total of 320 patients who had a naïve papilla and were referred for ERCP were randomly assigned to the GWC group (n = 160) or the CC group (n = 160). GWC or CC was randomly used. In cases of failed cannulation in both arms after crossover, biliary access was attempted with alternative techniques (e. g., dual-wire technique, pancreatic duct stenting, precut). Results: The biliary cannulation rates were 81 % in the GWC group and 73 % in the CC group (P = n. s.). Following crossover, cannulation was successful in 8 % and 11 % of patients in the GWC and CC groups, respectively. With use of an alternative technique, the cannulation rates were 98 % in the GWC group and 96 % in the CC group, respectively. The rates of PEP were 5 % in the GWC group and 12 % in the CC group (P = 0.027). The post-interventional complication rates did not differ between the two groups. Conclusion: GWC with the new wire guide is associated with a lower rate of PEP in comparison with the CC technique. Clinical trial reference number: NCT01771419

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Background and Aim: Celiac disease (CD) is a common condition but often it goes unrecognized because characteristic histopathological abnormalities must be found to confirm the diagnosis. A way is needed to select patients who need biopsy of the duodenal mucosa to detect CD. No data are currently available on the use of in vivo optical coherence tomography (OCT), during real-time endoscopic imaging, in the small intestine and, particularly, in the diagnosis of CD. The aim of the present study was to test the utility of OCT in patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) for histological diagnosis. Methods: Eighteen patients with suspected CD (positive for antigliadin, antiendomysial and antitransglutaminase antibodies) and 22 dyspeptic subjects (negative for these antibodies) who were also examined by EGD, were prospectively enrolled. OCT scans of descending duodenum were taken during diagnostic EGD, with biopsies of the same duodenal area. OCT images and histological specimens were evaluated blindly, analysis being done independently by a gastroenterologist and a pathologist. Three patterns of intestinal villous morphology were considered (1, no atrophy; 2, mild atrophy; 3, marked atrophy). Results: Concordance was total between OCT and histology for villi morphology in both patients and normal subjects. Conclusions: OCT appears to be a promising method for correctly identifying villous atrophy; it may help in selecting patients for intestinal biopsies, considering the limited usefulness of endoscopic criteria, and may also help the endoscopist to perform target biopsies in mucosal areas where the villi are damaged or absent, considering that CD often causes patchy mucosal lesions.

Introduction: Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is a validated technique allowing precise diagnosis and staging of pancreatic, biliary and ampullary disease. Developments in instruments and accessories have led to a more extensive use of this technology to perform operations. The use of EUS as an operative technique, alone or in conjunction with other endoscopic procedures, has already been described in the literature in several reports. However, despite the use of EUS, fluoroscopy has always been required to perform these operations. There are no data in the literature describing the feasibility, safety and efficacy of operative EUS in the treatment of common bile duct (CBD) obstruction, following a malignant or benign disease, performed completely under EUS guidance without fluoroscopic assistance. Methods: In this series we describe three cases of EUS treatment of CBD diseases performed without fluoroscopic assistance. Results: All the cases were treated by EUS without fluoroscopic assistance and no complications were encountered. Conclusion: Operative EUS without fluoroscopy appears to be a feasible technique. Its major advantages could be to shorten the examination time and to enable biliary or pancreatic operative endoscopy in patients in whom fluoroscopy could be dangerous, such as pregnant women. The endoscopist should have a good training both in EUS and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Prospective, larger studies are needed to confirm our preliminary data.

Background and study aims. Optical coherence tomography permits high-resolution imaging of tissue microstructures by a probe inserted into the main pancreatic duct through a standard ERCP catheter. The aim of this study was to compare optical coherence tomography images of the main pancreatic duct with histology and identify the optical coherence tomography pattern of the normal and pathological structure of the main pancreatic duct. Patients and methods. Multiple sections of neoplastic and non-neoplastic segments of 10 consecutive surgical pancreatic specimens obtained from patients with pancreatic head adenocarcinoma were investigated by optical coherence tomography scanning within I h of resection. One hundred optical coherence tomography findings were then compared with the corresponding histopathological diagnoses. Results. Main pancreatic duct wall architecture appeared at optical coherence tomography investigation as a three-layer structure with a different back-scattered signal from each layer. Optical coherence tomography imaging was concordant with histology in 81.8% and 18.75% of sections with normal tissue and chronic inflammatory changes. The K statistic between the two procedures was equal to 0.059 for nonneoplastic main pancreatic duct wall appearance. In all neoplastic sections optical coherence tomography showed a subverted layer architecture with heterogeneous back-scattering of the signal and was concordant with histology. Conclusions. Optical coherence tomography provided images of main pancreatic duct wall structure that were concordant with histology in 100% of cases in presence of neoplastic ductal changes and did not have false-positive or negative results. Optical coherence tomography images were also concordant with histology in about 80% of cases with normal main pancreatic duct structure; however, the differential diagnosis between normal tissue and chronic pancreatitis or dysplastic changes appeared very difficult. (c) 2006 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. ZR 0 ZS 0 ZB 1 Z8 1

Endoscopic stenting has become a widely method for the management of various malignant and benign pancreatico-biliary disorders. Biliary and pancreatic stents are devices made of plastic or metal used primarily to establish patency of an obstructed bile or pancreatic duct and may also be used to treat biliary or pancreatic leaks, pancreatic fluid collections and to prevent post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis. In this review, relevant literature search and expert opinions have been used to evaluate the outcome of stenting in biliary and pancreatic benign and malignant diseases.

Background Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is an effective therapeutic technique well-standardized worldwide for the treatment of gastrointestinal neoplasm limited to the mucosal layer. To date, no study has compared technical and clinical differences based on the number of EMRs performed per year. This study aimed to compare EMR technical success, complications, and clinical outcome between low-volume centers (LVCs) and high-volume centers (HVCs). A total of nine endoscopic centers were included in the study. Methods This prospective study investigated consecutive patients with sessile polyps or flat colorectal lesions 1 cm or larger referred for EMR. Results A total of 427 lesions were resected in 384 patients at nine endoscopic centers. Males accounted for 60.4 % and females for 39.6 % of the patients. Most of the EMRs (84.8 %) were performed in HVCs and only 15.2 % in LVCs. All the lesions were resected in only one session. Argon plasma coagulation was performed on the margins of piecemeal resection in 15.7 % of the patients in HVCs only. Complete excision was achieved for 98.6 % of the lesions in HVCs and 98.8 % of the lesions in LVCs. The complication rate was 4.4 % in HVCs and 4.6 % in LVCs (p = 0.94). Delayed bleeding occurred in 2.5 % of the HVC cases and 3.1 % of the LVC cases. Perforation occurred in 1.9 % of the HVC cases and 1.5 % of the LVC cases (p = 1.00). Recurrences were experienced with 15 % of the lesions: 15.5 % in HVCs and 14 % in LVCs (p = 0.79). Conclusions The study showed that EMR can be performed also in LVC.

Introduction Obesity is a risk factor for gastroesophageal reflux and oesophageal adenocarcinoma. However, only a few studies have examined obesity and lifestyle risk factors in relation to Barrett's oesophagus. In this prospective study we assessed the presence of oesophagitis and Barrett's oesophagus in obese patients selected for laparoscopic gastric banding. Methods 1049 obese patients were referred for laparoscopic gastric banding (233 males; mean age 41.0 ± 10.7 years). oesophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed before surgery to check for upper gastrointestinal tract disorders, especially hiatal hernia, signs of inflammation and/or erosions and/or ulcers of the oesophageal mucosa, and Barrett's epithelium. Results Mean body mass index was 45.15 ± 6.46 kg/m 2 . Overall 86/1049 (8.2%) patients had endoscopic signs of oesophagitis: 84 grade A, 1 grade B and 1 grade C, according to the Los Angeles classification. Hiatal hernia was detected in 127 patients (12.1%), with a mean size of 2.1 ± 0.7 cm (range 1–4 cm); of these, 38 (29.9%) had oesophagitis (37 grade A and 1 grade B). No patients had any visible length of columnar epithelium. Conclusions We could not confirm a high prevalence of Barrett's oesophagus in this series of obese patients.

Background Celiac disease (CD) is a gluten-dependent enteropathy. The current standard for diagnosing CD involves obtaining 4 biopsy samples from the descending duodenum. It has been suggested that duodenal bulb biopsies may also be useful. Objective To assess the utility of bulbar biopsies for the diagnosis of CD in pediatric patients. Design Prospective study. Setting Single center. Patients Forty-seven consecutively enrolled pediatric patients with celiac serologies and a clinical suspicion of CD. Interventions All patients underwent EGD, and 4 biopsy samples were obtained from the duodenal bulb and 4 from the descending duodenum of each child. Main Outcome Measurements The pathologist blindly reported the Marsh histological grade for the diagnosis of CD of the bulb and descending duodenum. Results The diagnosis of CD was histologically confirmed in 89.4% (42/47) of the cases of biopsy samples obtained from the descending duodenum and in all 47 obtained from the bulb. In 35 patients (74.5%), histology was the same in the bulb and duodenum; in 11 (23.4%) cases, the grade of atrophy was higher in the bulb than in the descending duodenum, and 5 (10.6%) had bulb histology positive for CD but negative duodenal findings. One child (2.1%) had a higher histological grade in the duodenum than in the bulb. The diagnostic gain with bulbar biopsies was 10.6%. Limitations Small sample and absence of a comparison group (asymptomatic children with normal CD antibodies). Conclusions We suggest examining 4 biopsy samples from the duodenal bulb and 4 from the descending duodenum to improve diagnostic accuracy of CD.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an optical imaging modality introduced in 1991 that performs high-resolution, cross-sectional, subsurface tomographic imaging of the microstructure in materials and biologic systems by measuring backscattered or backreflected infrared light. OCT has been used for biomedical applications where many factors affect the feasibility and effectiveness of any imaging technique. The highly scattering and absorbing living tissues greatly limit the application of optical imaging modalities. In the last decade, OCT technology has evolved from an experimental laboratory tool to a new diagnostic imaging modality with a wide spectrum of clinical applications in medical practice, including the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and pancreaticobiliary ductal system.

Aims: To measure patients' satisfaction after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for biliary stones in a large number of unselected endoscopy units. Methods: A prospective study using a questionnaire (Group Health Association of America—9 [GHAA-9], modified) was administered 24 h and 30 days after the procedure. Patients undergoing endoscopy for biliary stones for the first time were enrolled in a large number of endoscopy units, regardless of their size and workload. Results: In all, 700 patients were enrolled in 15 units. A high proportion of patients expressed satisfaction (80%). Satisfaction was less extensive for pain control and the quality of information provided before the procedure. There were no differences in the replies to questionnaires at 24 h and 30 days. Conclusion: It is feasible to record patients' satisfaction and in this series most patients were very satisfied. Criticisms concerned pain control and explanations provided before the procedure.

Background Type 1 sphincter of Oddi dysfunction is a clinical entity characterised by biliary-type pain, elevated liver biochemical tests, and common bile duct dilation. Sphincter fibrosis is a common finding in this type of dysfunction and may require in some cases a differential diagnosis with a malignant intra-papillary disease. Optical coherence tomography permits high-resolution, real-time imaging of the sphincter of Oddi microstructure by a probe inserted into the common bile duct through an ERCP catheter. No data exist on the evaluation of sphincter of Oddi fibrosis by optical coherence tomography during ERCP in vivo. Objective To assess the feasibility of optical coherence tomography investigation of the sphincter of Oddi structure and assess its potential for diagnosing type 1 sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. Patients Ten consecutive patients, five with biliary-type 1 sphincter of Oddi dysfunction and five with pancreatic head/mid-body adenocarcinoma not involving the papillary region, who underwent both endoscopic ultrasound and therapeutic ERCP, were investigated by optical coherence tomography immediately before biliary sphincterotomy or stenting. Results In all sphincter of Oddi dysfunction patients optical coherence tomography recognised a hyper-reflective intermediate, fibro-muscular layer, significantly thicker than in patients with non-pathological sphincter of Oddi (p Conclusions Optical coherence tomography imaging recognised an increased thickness and reflectance of the fibro-muscular layer of the sphincter of Oddi, very likely determined by fibrosis, and was not time-consuming; it can be safely used during ERCP to confirm the diagnosis in difficult cases. Its use in clinical practice has one important limitation since it requires magnification in the post-procedure computer analysis to obtain images useful for diagnosis.

Background: Self-expanding metal stents (SEMSs) are used to treat malignant stenosis of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, as a safe, feasible, and minimally invasive option for reestablishing luminal patency. However, the literature offers scant prospective data on the clinical outcome of these patients. Aim: To assess the technical success, complications, and clinical outcomes of patients with a SEMS placed for malignant upper and lower GI obstruction. Patients and Methods: A cohort of 110 patients with clinical symptoms related to malignant stenosis of the upper and lower GI tract were prospectively enrolled and SEMSs were placed endoscopically in 9 endoscopy centers. The patients were followed up and survival, oral intake, stool canalization, and late complications were recorded on days 30, 90, and 180. Results: Overall, 110 patients, 38 (34.5%) with upper and 72 (65.5%) with lower GI obstruction were examined. The procedure was successful in 102 (92.7%). There were 5 early complications ( 96h) occurred in 6 patients (6.3%). Median survival after stenting was 90 days (ql 30; q3 120). Placing the SEMS enabled 79.4%, 90.9%, and 100% of the patients to resume an oral diet at 30, 90, and 180 days, respectively. All patients had stool canalization until death. Conclusions: Endoscopic stenting is an effective and safe procedure for malignant luminal obstruction of the GI tract, with good clinical outcomes in patients whose survival is unfortunately short.

Background More than 200,000 new cases of kidney cancer are diagnosed annually. The reported incidence of inferior vena cava (IVC) involvement in patients with renal-cell carcinoma (RCC) ranges from 4% to 10%. Standard imaging modalities are unable to distinguish the inner structure of a thrombus and whether the vessel wall is invaded. Objective To assess the utility of EUS for investigating IVC thrombosis because of RCC, particularly the thrombus characteristics and the involvement of the IVC, and the right and left renal veins. Design, Setting, and Patients EUS was used to investigate 3 patients with RCC and IVC involvement. The endosonographer was blinded to the results of other imaging techniques. Interventions A diagnostic EUS was performed with the patient under deep sedation (propofol) in 2 patients, and the third patient was given midazolam and fentanyl intravenously. Main Outcome Measurement EUS identified a possible neoplastic invasion of the renal veins and/or IVC, distinguishing between the neoplastic hypoechoic and non-neoplastic hyperechoic thrombus in the IVC lumen and indicated the solidity of the inner structure of the clot. Results EUS is useful in the vascular staging of RCC with suspected neoplastic involvement and thrombosis of either the renal veins, the IVC, hepatic veins, or the right atrium. EUS helped establish the consistency of the IVC thrombus and provided useful information to the surgeon for planning the use of a temporary, intraoperative caval filter. Limitations The limitation of this study was the small number of patients. More cases are needed before stating that EUS could be useful in the staging of the neoplastic thrombi because of RCC. Conclusions Diagnostic EUS can help in the detection and the staging of IVC thrombosis because of RCC. Further data are needed to evaluate its real impact on surgical management.

BACKGROUND Optical coherence tomography (OCT) permits high-resolution imaging of tissue microstructures using AND STUDY a probe that can be inserted into the main pancreatic duct (MPD) through a standard endoscopic AIMS: retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) catheter. This prospective study was designed to assess the diagnostic capacity of OCT to differentiate between nonneoplastic and neoplastic lesions in patients with MPD segmental strictures. PATIENTS Twelve consecutive patients with documented MPD segmental stricture were investigated by AND METHODS: endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), with fine-needle aspiration cytology if necessary, and ERCP, followed by brush cytology and OCT scanning. RESULTS: OCT recognized a differentiated three-layer architecture in all cases with normal MPD or chronic pancreatitis, while in all the neoplastic lesions the layer architecture appeared totally subverted, with heterogeneous backscattering of the signal. The accuracy of OCT for detection of neoplastic tissue was 100% compared with 66.7% for brush cytology. In one case, neither OCT scanning nor brush cytology was possible because of the severity of the stricture. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study showed that OCT is feasible during ERCP, in cases of MPD segmental stricture, and was superior to brush cytology in distinguishing nonneoplastic from neoplastic lesions.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) permits high-resolution, real-time, infrared-generated imaging of tissue microstructures by a probe inserted through the endoscope operative channel. Resolution is approximately 10 microm and the penetration depth of the near-focus probe is about 1 mm. The probe can be inserted into the main pancreatic duct (MPD) through a standard endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography catheter.To assess the ability of OCT to identify the structure of the MPD, to distinguish normal and malignant MPD epithelium, and to assess intra- and interobserver reproducibility of OCT images. Multiple sections of neoplastic and non-neoplastic segments of 10 consecutive surgical pancreatic specimens were obtained from patients with pancreatic head adenocarcinoma who had undergone Whipple resection, and repeated OCT radial and longitudinal scanning was done within 1 h of resection and before pathological examination. We compared 249 good-quality images with 100 histopathological sections.OCT recognized a definite, different pattern in 82.9% of tumor-free and in 97.6% of tumor-involved specimens; sensitivity and specificity for discrimination between adenocarcinoma and normal tissue were 78.6% and 88.9%, respectively. Inflammatory and dysplastic changes of the MPD showed an OCT pattern similar to that of the normal tissue in 53.3% of images. Overall, intraobserver reproducibility ranged from 85.1% to 100% and interobserver reproducibility ranged from 69.9% to 100% and from 89.7% to 100% for tumor-free and tumor-involved segments, respectively.OCT identified the neoplastic and non-neoplastic MPD layer structure and appeared to be a reproducible technique. In non-neoplastic conditions, OCT appeared unable to differentiate between normal and abnormal tissues in about half of the cases.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an optical imaging technique that uses infrared light reflectance and produces high resolution microstructural cross sectional images of tissues in vivo.1–3 The OCT probe can be inserted inside a standard transparent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) catheter. To date, only the epithelium of the main pancreatic duct (MPD) has been examined by OCT in humans in three studies: one post mortem4 and two ex vivo.5,6 The aim of the present prospective pilot study was to assess the feasibility of intraductal OCT in vivo during an ERCP procedure, its ability to identify changes in MPD wall structure in vivo, and its ability to differentiate non-neoplastic from neoplastic tissue in the presence of MPD strictures. Fifteen consecutive patients with documented or suspected MPD strictures …

Background. Optical coherence tomography has been proposed to obtain high-resolution imaging of tissue structure of GI tract. Up till now, the optical coherence tomography appearance of the common bile duct, main pancreatic duct and sphincter of Oddi wall structure has not yet been defined. Aims. To compare, in a prospective study, optical coherence tomography images of pancreato-biliary ductal system with histology and identify the optical coherence tomography pattern of the normal wall structure of the ducts. Methods. Multiple sections of non-neoplastic segments of five consecutive ex vivo human pancreatic specimens were investigated by optical coherence tomography scanning within 1 h of resection. Sixty optical coherence tomography images were compared with the corresponding histological findings. Results. Optical coherence tomography appearance of normal common bile duct, main pancreatic duct and sphincter of Oddi is characterized by a differentiated three-layer architecture with a regular surface and a homogeneous back-scattered signal, corresponding to the single layer of epithelial cells, the connective-muscular layer and the muscular or acinar structure, respectively. Optical coherence tomography and histology findings were concordant in all cases. Conclusions. Optical coherence tomography was able to provide in real-time images of wall structure of the normal common bile duct, main pancreatic duct and sphincter of Oddi that are similar to those obtained by histology. These results suggest that optical coherence tomography could enable high-resolution images to be obtained from the pancreato-biliary system during an ERCP procedure. (c) 2006 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Z8 0 ZR 0 ZS 0 ZB 6

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the short- and long-term efficacy of self-expanding metal stents (SEMSs) in patients with colorectal obstruction and incurable cancer and the related factors that affect outcomes. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of SEMS placement for incurable colorectal obstruction in a 3-year period. SETTING: Five tertiary care endoscopic centers. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTION: Consecutive patients (N = 201) undergoing stenting for incurable malignant obstruction. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Clinical and technical success of stenting, complications rate, and factors affecting outcomes. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 184 of 201 patients (91.5%) and clinical success occurred in 165 of 184 patients (89.7%; 82.1% of 201 patients). Technical and clinical failures were more frequent in extrinsic and long colorectal stenoses. Overall, 165 patients had normal bowel movements during follow-up (mean [SD], 115.5 [100.3] days; range, 1-500 days), 15 developed complications, 127 had a functioning SEMS at the time of death, and 23 were alive at completion of the study. Twenty-four (11.9%) major complications occurred: 11 migrations, 12 perforations, and 1 reobstruction. Migration of SEMSs was associated with stent diameter less than 25 mm. Bevacizumab therapy increased the risk of perforation by 19.6-fold. Karnofsky performance status of 50 or less was associated with shorter survival and a 3.7-fold higher risk of death within 6 months after the stent was placed. CONCLUSIONS: The use of SEMSs is safe and effective for palliation of incurable malignant colonic obstruction; approximately 75% of patients with SEMSs are able to avoid colostomy.

ilatation (with Savary); now the patient is in remission. Two patients (3–4 ears old) have no more symptoms, the EGD is normal, but they are still on ietary treatment. The last two patients are still on medical treatment. Conclusions. In patients with eosinophilic oesophagitis the pH-metry is ormal, the anti-acid therapy is useless and the oesophageal biopsy shows high number of eosinophils (>20/HPF). The differential diagnosis is with astro-oesophageal reflux, allergies, eosinophilic gastroenteritis, parasites nfections, gastrointestinal disorders (coeliac and Crohn disease). The surical approach is necessary only in few cases when there are also other athologies. GER is present in 10% of patients with EE.

Background: Gallstone disease is characterized by an impaired gallbladder (GB) emptying and a reduced GB turnover of bile, being the latter assessed by a mathematical analysis of UltraSonographic (US) data (1). In these patients administration of ursodeoxycholic (UDCA) acid seems to be associated to a reduced risk of bifiary pain and complications. The effect of UDCA on GB function is still matter of debate. Aim: To assess by means of statistical analysis of the US motility data, and GB bile flow with computer fluid dynamics the effect of UDCA therapy. Patients and Methods: in 3 GS patients, postprandial US assessment of GB volumes, for a study period of 90 minutes, with a time sampling of 1 minute, has been performed before and after 30 days of UDCA therapy (lOmg/Kg/die). The measured time series were successively analyzed with statistical tools and Fourier analysis. Results: The average volume of the gallbladder of patients is increased upon UDCA treatment (10.6%, 21.1%, 23.9%, respectively). The increase is statistically significant for the three patients. Indeed, a hypothesis test (a T-test) on the means of two distributions led to the conclusions that, with 95% significance, the null hypothesis of equal mean volumes pre and posttreatment must be rejected for the three patients. On the other hand, the organ motility is only slightly affected by UDCA administration, so that the characteristic GB-dimension oscillations remain essentially unaltered. In particular, the time series analysis shows that the volume oscillations have the same amplitude before and after UDCA treatment, and a Fourier analysis shows that also the characteristic frequencies (pre and post treatment) are basically unchanged. A simple geometrical reasoning proves that UDCA treatment improves the intra-GB bile turnover. Conclusions: Short-time treatment with UDCA induces an improvement of postprandial GB bile exchanges in GS patients. Application of standard statistical tests and time series analysis in the frequency domain to US GB motility data could provide additional insights into the assessment of intra-GB bile stasis, a key-event in the pathogenes is of GS disease. 1) M.Cicala et al. U l t rasound Med Blot 2001 Nov;27(11):1445-50.