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OBJECTIVES: The clinical value of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) of pancreatic lesions is uncertain in patients with normal parenchyma and chronic pancreatitis. The aim of this study was to analyze the diagnostic yield and influence of EUS-FNA on the clinical management of patients with pancreatic lesions, in the presence (CP) or absence (NP) of chronic pancreatitis. METHODS: A total of 207 consecutive patients with NP (n = 133) and CP (n = 74) were examined using linear array echo endoscopes for the procedure and 22-gauge needles. RESULTS: Adequate specimens were obtained from 200 lesions. A correct final diagnosis was established at histology (n = 108), bacteriology (n = 9), and clinical follow-up (n = 83). Cytology gave 17 false-negative EUS-FNA results (overall sensitivity: 85%). In patients with NP, 60 solid adenocarcinomas were detected, 32 other malignancies, and 38 benign lesions, with 11 false-negative results (sensitivity: 89%). In patients with CP, only seven of 13 malignancies (all solid adenocarcinomas) were identified using FNA (sensitivity: 54%). Overall, malignancy was identified in 116 patients, 32 of whom (27%) had lesions other than primary solid adenocarcinomas. Management was altered in 25 of these patients, which changed the surgical approach in 21%. EUS-FNA influenced the therapeutic approach in 44% of the total patient group. CONCLUSIONS: EUS-FNA was especially useful in patients with a focal pancreatic lesion with normal parenchyma. Its sensitivity in patients with CP was unacceptably low, and resection of the tumor using standard surgical techniques was still usually required to confirm the correct diagnosis. Diagnostic EUS-FNA influenced clinical management in nearly half of patients.

Background. Instrumental and procedural advances particularly in the therapeutic field have been achieved. Review. Endoscopes with larger working channel, additional jet-channel, or variable stiffness allow more sophisticated interventional procedures. Higher resolution in endoscopic image quality helps to identify early lesions that can be treated endoscopically at this stage. Polypectomy and mucosectomy are no longer limited by the size of the lesion. Piecemeal technique is established, and a retrieval net is available for collecting all pieces obviating repeated introductions of the endoscope. In addition to snare polypectomy and mucosectomy, laparoscopy-assisted polypectomy and full-thickness resection are discussed. Self-expandable metal stents are used to decompress malignant colonic obstruction allowing for either preoperative bowel preparation and elective surgery or for noninvasive palliation. Argon plasma coagulation is an inexpensive and effective method for the treatment of bleeding from radiation proctitis.

Background: A new mechanical puncture-echoendoscope was evaluated by comparing it with conventional linear and radial echoendoscopes. The new instrument has a 300° image field parallel to the axis of the echoendoscope, which could potentially improve accuracy and facilitate assessment of suspected pancreatic lesions before needle puncture. Methods: Twenty consecutive patients with suspected pancreatic lesions were evaluated endosonographically, including fine needle aspiration (FNA). The initial assessment was performed by random selection of either the new instrument or the standard linear echoendoscope. After completing the assessment including FNA, the procedure with FNA was repeated with the other puncture echoendoscope. The findings with these 2 instruments were compared to those with the conventional radial scanning echoendoscope. Results: FNA was performed in 17 patients with pancreatic head lesions. In 3 patients without a visible pancreatic mass lymph, nodes greater than 10 mm in diameter were aspirated. The ability to image the needle, number of punctures, and material obtained were comparable for both puncture echoendoscopes. There were no significant differences with regard to time required for FNA with both puncture echoendoscopes or in the assessment of surrounding structures with all 3 instruments. The results of cytopathologic evaluation of material obtained by FNA were similar in 15 cases. The new instrument could not be passed into the esophagus in 1 patient because of an esophageal stricture. Conclusions: The performance of the new mechanical puncture echoendoscope was satisfactory for assessment and FNA of pancreatic lesions. The additional use of the conventional radial scanning echoendoscope provided no advantage with regard to any parameter assessed.

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)', a rapidly developing optical cross-imaging, is becoming more and more clinically-oriented and tends to establish itself as a major medical imaging modality.

A 63-year-old man presented with melena and iron-deficiency anemia. He had a 3-year history of ulcerative colitis involving the rectum and sigmoid colon, for which he was on maintenance Azulfidine therapy. Rectosigmoidoscopy was performed and revealed inactive inflammatory bowel disease. On UGI endoscopy he was found to have a firm, rounded, protruding submucosal tumor, measuring 4 cm, in the fundus (Fig. lA). The tumor had a thick, short stalk and was mobile. No evidence for active gastrointestinal bleeding was observed. Endosonography was performed and revealed a well-circumscribed 3.7 X 3.4 cm submucosal tumor originating from the muscle layer compatible with leiomyoma (Fig. 2). No vascular structures were seen within or in the vicinity of the tumor. No enlarged or pathologic lymph nodes were noted. The tumor was diagnosed as a leiomyoma. Informed consent was obtained for endoscopic removal of the submucosal tumor. Epinephrine (1:20,000, approximately 2 cc) was injected at the base area of attachment as a prophylactic measure to reduce the risk of bleeding. A standard polypectomy snare was used to excise the tumor. After the snare was applied to the base of the tumor, the tumor was transected by applying several seconds of blended current while gradually tightening the snare. The stalk was kept under constant tension by lifting the tumor away from

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.

In the primary prevention of variceal hemorrhage, beta-blockers continue to be the first-line treatment. Newer nonselective beta-blockers with anti-alpha1-adrenergic activity, such as carvedilol, appear to have a better impact on reducing the hepatic venous pressure gradient than propranolol. The addition of isosorbide mononitrate appears to improve the effectiveness of beta-blockers in primary prophylaxis, but not that of somatostatin in the treatment of acute variceal hemorrhage. The use of vasoactive drugs alone in acute variceal bleeding has not proved to be more effective than endoscopic treatment. The advent of endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) has strengthened the role of endoscopy in the management of bleeding esophageal varices. EVL has improved the results, particularly in terms of lowering the treatment-related morbidity, compared with endoscopic variceal sclerotherapy (EVS). However, the variceal recurrence rate after initial eradication with EVL is relatively high. In contrast to synchronous combined therapy with EVL plus EVS, metachronous combination of EVL and low-dose EVS may improve the results of EVL alone. For bleeding fundic varices, obliteration using cyanoacrylate is currently the treatment of choice. Endosonography (EUS) is coming into more widespread use in the assessment of variceal eradication and in further attempts to improve the results of endoscopic injection therapy. According to two meta-analysis studies, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is not yet capable of replacing endoscopic treatment in the secondary prevention of variceal bleeding.

Background: Metastases to the pancreas are usually found incidentally. Tissue diagnosis is imperative because imaging alone is incapable of differentiating them from primary pancreatic tumors. This study tested whether it is possible to differentiate metastases from other focal pancreatic lesions by using EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) for cytodiagnosis. Methods: One hundred fourteen consecutive patients (mean age 61 years) with focal pancreatic masses, detected on CT, underwent EUS-FNA by using a linear-array echoendoscope and 22-gauge needles. Results: Adequate specimens were obtained from 112 lesions. Carcinomas were identified in 68 cases (60.7%), 56 (50%) of pancreatic origin and 12 (10.7%) from distant primary tumors. The metastases were all located in the head and body of the pancreas and measured 1.8 to 4.0 cm. The echo-texture was heterogeneous or hypoechoic in all cases and resembled that of primary tumors. Six of the 12 patients with metastatic disease had a prior diagnosis of cancer (breast, 3; renal cell, 2; salivary gland, 1), 4 of them with a recurrence and 2 with a second carcinoma metastasizing to the pancreas. Six patients without a prior diagnosis of cancer had metastases from renal cell, colonic, ovarian, and esophageal carcinomas; one metastasis was from an unknown primary and another was from a malignant lymphoma. These findings influenced the therapeutic strategy in 8 patients who underwent nonsurgical palliation. There were no complications. Conclusions: Pancreatic metastasis is an important cause of focal pancreatic lesions, but the EUS features are not diagnostic. Simultaneous EUS-FNA allows cytodiagnosis and can have a decisive influence on the selection of appropriate therapeutic strategies. (Gastrointest Endosc 2001;53:65-70.)

Study objectives: The ability to diagnose sarcoidosiscytologically has been reported previously, but the method is rarelyused. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is a sensitive technique fordetecting mediastinal lymph nodes, which in addition provides anopportunity to carry out guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology. We report herein on the use of EUS-FNA in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Patients and methods: Nineteen patientswith suspected sarcoidosis were investigated using EUS-FNA with alinear echoendoscope and a 22-gauge Hancke-Vilman needle. Measurements and results: In all 19 patients, EUS revealedenlarged mediastinal lymph nodes (mean size, 2.4 cm), locatedsubcarinally (n = 15), in the aortopulmonary window (n = 12), or inthe lower posterior mediastinum (n = 5). The nodes had an isoechoicor hypoechoic appearance, with atypical vessels in five cases. Theamount of aspirate obtained using EUS-FNA was adequate in all patients, and contained blood in excess of normal in some, indicating a highdegree of vascularity. Cytology demonstrated epithelioid cell granulomaformation, suggesting sarcoidosis. Mycobacterial cultures were negativein all of the patients except one, in whom the final diagnosis wastuberculosis. The specificity and sensitivity of EUS-FNA in thediagnosis of sarcoidosis were 94% and 100%, respectively. Conclusions: EUS of mediastinal lymph nodes in sarcoidosisreveals certain characteristic features. However, it is not capable of differentiating the lesions from tuberculosis or malignancy. EUS-FNA isa safe and sensitive method of aspirating material for cytology andmycobacterial cultures. We believe it will provide a useful alternativein the diagnosis of sarcoidosis.

New endoscopic modalities for the haemostasis of upper gastrointestinal bleeding include cyanoacrylate tissue glue injection for oesophageal and gastric varices, ligation using bands and loops for variceal and non-variceal bleeding, and clips for non-variceal bleeding. These new modalities aim to improve primary and secondary haemostasis rates and the safety of endoscopic treatment. Preliminary experience using these modalities has been encouraging, but prospective randomized trials using adequate patient numbers are still needed to validate their efficacy and safety. The choice of treatment will depend on the clinical context and the anatomy of the bleeding lesion. Cyanoacrylate injection, which achieves rapid haemostasis and obliteration of the treated varix, is ideally suited to acute variceal bleeding and the obliteration of large gastric varices. Bands and loops are used in conjunction with a transparent cap attachment for the elective treatment of oesophageal varices. The clip is most effective when a vessel from a non-variceal bleeding source can be identified.

OBJECTIVE: Mediastinal lymphadenopathy (ML) is a cause for concern, especially in patients with previous malignancy. The investigation of choice is thoracic CT with a variable sensitivity and specificity requiring tissue diagnosis. We used endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) for cytodiagnosis of ML in patients with and without previous malignancy. The cause, distribution of lesions, and incidence of second cancers were investigated. METHODS: Linear echoendoscopes and 22-gauge needles for cytology were used for EUS-FNA. A cytological diagnosis of malignancy was accepted, and histology or consistent follow-up of at least 9 months confirmed benign results. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-three patients underwent EUS-FNA between November 1997 and November 1999 (mean age, 60 yr; range, 13-82 yr; 105 men). Cytology was adequate in 150 patients. Final diagnosis was malignancy in 84 and benign in 66 patients (sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy: 92%, 100%, 95%, respectively). In 101 patients without previous cancer cytology identified 48 malignant (lung, 41; extrathoracic, 7) and 51 benign lesions (inflammation, 35; various, 9; sarcoidosis, 7) (sensitivity, specificity, accuracy: 88%, 100%, 94%). Fifty-two patients had prior malignancy, mostly in extrathoracic sites. Cytology revealed recurrences in 21 patients, second cancer in 9 and benign lesions in 21 patients (inflammatory, 11; sarcoidosis, 8; tuberculosis, 1; abscess, 1) (sensitivity, specificity, accuracy: 97%, 100%, 98%). CONCLUSIONS: In patients without previous cancer malignant ML originates from the lung >80%. In those with previous malignancy recurrence of extrathoracic sites is the major cause. Benign lesions and treatable second cancers occur in a significant frequency, emphasizing the need for tissue diagnosis. EUS-FNA is a safe and minimally invasive alternative for cytodiagnosis in the mediastinum.

Organ preserving pancreatic resections are considered whenever malignant disease is ruled out. In tumors of low malignant potential such as cystadenomas and neuroendocrine tumors, the diagnosis is rarely established preoperatively. We studied the feasibility of cytodiagnosis using endosonography-guided fine-needle aspiration in determining the operative approach.A total of 78 patients (16 female, 62 male; mean age 61.4 yr, range 31-82 yr) with focal pancreatic lesions underwent EUS-FNA. Final diagnosis was confirmed by histology, cytology, or clinical follow up (9 months). Patients with tumors of low malignant potential were managed by customized pancreatic resections.Final diagnosis was malignant tumors in 36 patients, tumors of low malignant potential in nine (six, neuroendocrine, two, borderline mucinous cystadenomas, one, borderline adenocarcinoma), and benign in 31 (two inadequate smears). No complications occurred. With six false-negative and no false-positive results, the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 92%, 84%, 100%, 100%, and 86%, respectively. Five patients with low malignant tumors underwent duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection, three mid segment resection, and one pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy.EUS-FNA is useful in the preoperative cytodiagnosis of pancreatic tumors of low malignant potential. It extends the indication for organ-preserving pancreatic resections and avoids the unnecessary sacrifice of adjacent organs.

The role of endoscopy in bleeding varices is both diagnostic and therapeutic. While sclerotherapy of oesophageal varices remains an established modality, ligation has, in view of its higher safety margin, turned out to be superior in recent years. The excellent initial results of ligation are, however, tainted by a higher recurrence rate in the long term. Since the end-point of treatment is the achievement and maintenance of variceal eradication, the addition of low-dose sclerotherapy following initial eradication by ligation seems to be the optimal method to combine the best of both techniques. In the management of life-threatening bleeding from oesophageal varices and gastric varices, cyanoacrylate remains the only promising non-surgical option. Primary endoscopic prophylaxis is still under evaluation. It is only justified in high-risk patients with large varices bearing red colour signs and in the presence of an intolerance of or contra-indication to propranolol. When indicated, ligation seems to be preferable, and the addition of low-dose sclerotherapy after initial variceal eradication may maintain the benefits accrued in such high-risk patients. The present review examines the available evidence regarding the above issues in the recent literature.

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.

Study objective: Bronchoscopic methods fail to diagnose lung cancer in up to 30% of patients. We studied the role of transesophageal endosonography (EUS)-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA; EUS-FNA) in such patients. Design: Prospective study. The final diagnosis was confirmed by cytology, histology, or clinical follow-up. Setting: University hospital. Patients: Thirty-five patients (30 male and 5 female; mean age, 60.9 years; range, 34 to 88 years) with suspected lung cancer in whom bronchoscopic methods failed. Patients with a known diagnosis, recurrence of lung cancer, or mediastinal metastasis from an extrathoracic primary were excluded. Interventions: EUS and guided FNA of mediastinal lymph nodes. Results: The procedure was uneventful, and material was adequate in all. The final diagnosis by EUS-FNA was malignancy in 25 patients (11 adenocarcinoma, 10 small cell, 3 squamous cell, and 1 lymphoma) and benign disease in 9 patients (5 inflammatory, 2 sarcoidosis, and 2 anthracosis). Another patient with a benign result had signet-ring cell carcinoma diagnosed on pleural fluid cytology (probably false-negative in EUS-FNA). The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values were 96, 100, 97, 100, and 90%, respectively. There were no complications. Reviewing the EUS morphology, the nodes were predominantly located in levels 7 and 8 of American Thoracic Society mediastinal lymph node mapping (subcarinal and paraesophageal region). In seven patients, the punctured nodes were < 1 cm (four malignant and three benign), which are difficult to sample by other methods. The malignant nodes had a hypoechoic, homogenous echotexture. Conclusions: EUS-FNA is a safe, reliable, and accurate method to establish the diagnosis of suspected lung cancer when bronchoscopic methods fail, especially in the presence of small nodes. (CHEST 2000; 117:339‐345)

Objectives: Endoscopic resection (ER) of high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or intramucosal cancer (IMC) in Barrett's esophagus (BE) is an effective and safe alternative to surgical treatment. After ER as monotherapy, recurrent lesions may develop elsewhere in the residual BE during follow-up (FU). Stepwise radical endoscopic resection (SRER) allows for removal of the whole BE by subsequent ERs with histological correlation and has been shown effective and safe in small-sized single-center studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SRER for BE-HGD/IMC in 4 European tertiary referral centres that used a prospective SRER protocol in the past years.

Advances in cannulation techniques and instruments have helped in difficult bile duct cannulation and thus stone extraction. For small common bile duct (CBD) stones, endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation has been proposed as an alternative to endoscopic papillotomy (EPT). The technique must undergo further evaluation before recom- mending its routine use. For most patients with bile duct stones, EPT remains the method of choice. Out of 8204 patients treated in three surgical endoscopy centers (Chile, Germany, and India), 86% to 91% of all CBD stones could be extracted subsequently after EPT using a Dormia basket; 4% to 7% required mechanical lithotripsy (ML) before removal and 3% to 10% of the patients needed other sophisticated techniques, such as electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL), laser-induced shock-wave litho- tripsy (LISL), or extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL). The local expertise and availability of equipment determines the choice of method used. In general, EHL or LISL is used for impacted CBD stones including stones in Mirizzi syndrome refractory to ML. ESWL is best suited for intrahepatic stones. Permanent stenting can be offered to poor risk patients instead of extensive procedures to clear the bile duct. Using currently available nonsurgical techniques, fewer than 1% of all patients with bile duct stones still require surgical intervention.

Background and study aims We have designed and evaluated a prototype automated spring-loaded biopsy needle for endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-guided tissue sampling of indurated lesions in which sampling using conventional aspiration needles has failed. Patients and methods EUS-guided fine-needle biopsy using the new device was performed in four patients (two men, two women, mean age 65 years) with indurated pancreatic lesions that could not be penetrated with a conventional manually operated aspiration needle. The lesions were located in the head of the pancreas in two patients, in the genu in one, and in the body in one. Results The automatic biopsy needle allowed penetration of the pancreatic lesions in all cases. The biopsy route was transduodenal in two patients, and transgastric in the other two. The biopsies provided a core specimen for histological and cytological diagnosis in all cases. No complications occurred. Conclusion The spring-loaded biopsy needle allows tissue sampling of indurated pancreatic lesions that cannot be penetrated with conventional aspiration needles. Further studies are warranted to determine whether this device can improve the results of EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy.

Background: Endoscopic treatment of giant colorectal polyps remains controversial because of concerns regarding coexistent malignancy, incomplete resection, and safety. Methods: We reviewed the clinical course after removal of 176 benign-appearing large (>3 cm) colorectal polyps, which were removed by endoscopic snare resection in 170 patients. These were termed "giant" polyps. Sessile polyps (n = 129) were removed piecemeal and pedunculated polyps (n = 47) transected at the stalk. Results: Bleeding was the only complication in 24% of polypectomy procedures (procedural in 58, immediate in 3, delayed in 6 patients). Except for one conservatively treated delayed bleed, all bleeds were treated endoscopically. Histology of resected polyps showed coexistent malignancy in 12%. Eight patients had malignant polyps that met "unfavorable" criteria and underwent surgery. Following complete endoscopic resection, 16 patients were lost to follow-up and 124 patients had follow-up of at least 6 months (117 benign and 7 "favorable" malignant polyps). Nineteen patients with benign polyps developed recurrences (18 benign, 1 malignant); one patient with a favorable malignant polyp had a malignant recurrence and underwent surgery. Conclusion: Endoscopic resection of benign-appearing giant colorectal polyps is feasible and safe. Complete excision is possible in patients with benign and favorable malignant polyps, but recurrence rates are high. Close surveillance to detect and treat recurrence is required. (Gastrointest Endosc 1996;43:183-8.)

Background and Study Aims : Guide wire-assisted papillotomy is a well-established technique in conventional biliary endoscopy, but has not been previously employed in Billroth II patients, due to the lack of an appropriate papillotome that can accommodate a guide wire. We therefore designed a Billroth II papillotome that can be inserted over a guide wire. Patients and Methods : Over a 12-month period, 24 patients (18 males, six females, median age 72 years), who had previously undergone a Billroth II gastrectomy and who were referred to our department for therapeutic biliary endoscopic procedures, were included in this study. Results : The papilla could be reached in 22 patients, but the procedure failed in two due to an excessively long afferent loop. Cannulation of the bile duct with the standard Billroth II papillotome was possible in 11 patients ; the remaining 11 patients, in whom free cannulation failed, underwent cannulation over the guide wire. Diagnostic endoscopic retrograde cholangiography revealed bile duct stones in 17 patients, and malignant-appearing common bile duct stenoses in five patients. Papillotomy was successfully performed using the guide wire Billroth II papillotome in all patients, without complications. Conclusion : The Billroth II papillotome is effective and safe in patients in whom free cannulation has failed using the standard Billroth II papillotome.

Die Erwartungen der Offentlichkeit zu Erhalt und Ausbau einer hochstehenden medizinischen Versorgung mussen von der Arzteschaft ernst genommen werden: Bei beschrankten Ressourcen wird der Qualitatssicherung in der Medizin (QS) eine besonders hohe Bedeutung zukommen. Ahnlich wie Offentlichkeitsarbeit zielt QS auf Information der angesprochenen Kunden. Als Teil einer abgestimmten Offentlichkeitsarbeit kann QS das Vertrauen bei Versicherten und Patienten schaffen, das z. B. die Chirurgie die Erwartungen an ihre Qualitat erfullen wird. Die Bedeutung der erfolgreichen Verfahren zur QS in der Chirurgie fur Erhalt und Ausbau des hohen chirurgischen Versorgungsniveaus mus daher gezielt der Offentlichkeit vermittelt und erlautert werden.

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.

The resection of a choledochal cyst was performed in two patients (22 and 31 years old, both type Todani IVa). Reconstruction of the biliary-intestinal drainage was performed by interposition of a 15 cm jejunal segment between the liver hilum and duodenum. In both patients, hepatico-jejunostomy could be endoscopically evaluated 5-6 months after the operation, showing patent anastomoses without any signs of reflux or cholangitis.

longer enteroscope. Gastrointest Endosc 1991;38:55-8. 3. Lewis BS, Waye JD. Chronic gastrointestinal bleeding of obscure origin: role of small bowel enteroscopy. Gastroenterology 1988;94:1117-20. 4. Gostout CJ, Schroeder KW, Burton DD. Small bowel enteroscopy: an early experience in GI bleeding of unknown origin. Gastrointest Endosc 1991;37:5-8. 5. Swinson CM, Levi AJ. Is coeliac disease underdiagnosed? BMJ 1980;281:1258-60. 6. Mann JG, Brown WR, Kern F Jr. The subtle and variable clinical expressions of gluten-induced enteropathy (adult celiac disease, non-tropical sprue). Am J Med 1970;48:357-66. 7. Ahlquist DA. Fecal blood testing: demystifying the occult. In: Levin B, ed. Proceedings from the National Gastrointestinal Oncology Meeting. GI cancer: current approaches to diagnosis

Endoscopic management of biliary obstruction is feasible in most patients and has emerged as standard treatment. Aside from the removal of bile duct stones, placement of a biliary stent is the most commonly employed modality of management. In experienced hands, this is successful in over 90% of patients. Lower procedure-related complications and the relative non-invasive nature of endoscopic treatment has relegated surgical management to a subsidiary role. Hospitalization time rarely exceeds 1-2 days. In most patients with advanced malignant disease and short life expectancy, stenting affords effective palliation. For the majority of patients endoscopic management is preferable to the percutaneous transhepatic approach due to lower overall mortality and morbidity. Stent occlusion necessitating replacement remains a problem, but improvements in this area can be expected. New plastic stent designs are undergoing investigation. Expandable metallic stents are promising but controlled comparative trials with conventional plastic prostheses are needed. Use of expandable stents should be judicious since these cannot be removed. In the future we can look forward to advances in peroral cholangioscopic technology which may permit targeted treatment of intraductal biliary malignancies.

Prospective controlled data of lymph node evaluation by endoscopic ultrasound in esophageal, gastric and pancreatic cancer is presented. Lymph node pattern, changes of boundaries and echogenicity were considered. Preoperative findings of endoscopic ultrasound were classified according to TNM staging. Only those cases with subsequent histologic examination of the resected specimen were entered into the study. Sensitivity of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) was 90% for esophageal and 87% for gastric cancer. The specificity was 72% and 88%, respectively. In spite of the overall satisfactory results of EUS in evaluation of lymph nodes, further improvement in detection and differentiation of benign and malignant nodes is required.

Die Eignung des Laserlichtes fur die Photoablation von atheromatosem Gewebematerial konnte vor knapp 10 Jahren durch in vitro Experimente demonstriert werden [1]. Weltweit nahmen zahlreiche Arbeitsgruppen diese innovative Idee zum Anlas, sich auf die Suche nach einer neuen Methode zu begeben, die in der Lage sein sollte, arteriosklerotisches Gewebematerial mit Laserlicht abzutragen.

We report on a new method of stent exchange using a threaded device that enables removal of the clogged stent while simultaneously maintaining the original pathway without withdrawing the endoscope. With this method stent replacement has become more reliable, safer, simpler and quicker. This technique is also suitable for removal of stents dislodged inside the duct.

Endoscopic placement of a naso-vesicular catheter was successful in 90% (45/50) of patients with cholecystolithiasis. The first 7 patients were treated by MTBE dissolution alone. Dissolution was discontinued after a maximum of 14 days, as only two patients were rendered stone free. In one patient, 3 tiny pigment stones were sucked out through the catheter, and in another inoperable patient a pigtail endoprosthesis was finally inserted into the gallbladder. In the remaining 36 patients, combined ESWL and MTBE dissolution therapy was carried out. Treatment was broken off by one patient after one week, and interrupted in another due to catheter dislodgement. After an average of 10 days with 1-9 ESWL sessions (average: 3) complete stone clearance was achieved in 60% (20/34) of patients. Fourteen of the patients who completed treatment, and the one with catheter dislodgement still have sludge in the gallbladder, which is being treated with oral bile acids. The procedure-related complication rate was 10% (3 pancreatitis, 1 cystic duct perforation and 1 guidewire impaction). The mortality rate was zero. There was no evident complication due to either ESWL or MTBE dissolution.

We present a case report of a patient with two large pancreatic abscesses and an associated colonic fistula originating from acute gallstone pancreatitis, which we treated endoscopically. The common bile duct stones were extracted after a papillotomy. The abscess in the pancreatic head was drained into the duodenum and the one in the pancreatic tail irrigated through a nasopancreatic catheter using normal saline mixed with gentamycin. The colonic fistula was finally obliterated using a two-component fibrin glue.