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Introduction: Bleeding esophageal varices is the most serious complication of the portal hypertension, and the greater cause of dead (25% of the patients). The survival after esophageal varices bleeding depends in wide part from the swiftness and effectiveness of hemostasis and from the degree of functional liver reserve. Aim of our manuscript is to report our experience about hemostasis bleeding esophageal varices with endoscopic rubber band ligation., Patients and Methods: From January 1999 to January 2008 we performed 302 esofagogastroduodenoscopy (EGDS) for esophageal varices bleeding (M: F ratio = 1.4:1, mean age 56.4 years, 62% of cases with HCV-related cirrhosis, 29% alcoholic cirrhosis and 9% cryptogenic cirrhosis; 20% suffered from chronic renal failure, 15% diabetes mellitus, 10% hepatocellular carcinoma on cirrhosis, 5% systemic encephalopathy and 1% AIDS). RESULTS; All patients were treated within 6 hours after the first reported episode of haematemesis and all received beta-blocker therapy after the episode. In the first phase of our experience were used rechargeable elastic ligator and then multibyte, even in combination with polidocanol sclerotherapy (8%) or injection of cyanoacrylate (5%). The best results were achieved with band ligation, in terms of primitive haemostasis, rebleeding, (3%), intraoperative mortality (1%) and 6 weeks mortality (1%)., Conclusion: To date, no single method applicable to all patients with bleeding esophageal varices, but endoscopic rubber band ligation is currently considered the first-line treatment of proper multidisciplinary approach to the patient, both during the acute event than prevention of rebleeding, because it is an effective, safe and repeatable, in experienced hands.

Aim: To evaluate the short-term clinical outcome of the patients with Zenker 's diverticulum undergone to endoscopic esophago-diverticulostomy according to Collard., Patients and Methods: A retrospective analysis evaluated 123 patients. The most common symptom was dysphagia, severe in 50 patients (40.6%) and moderate in 73 (59.4%), with a mean dysphagia score of 2.3 (range 0-4). Regurgitation was present in 70 cases (56.9%), with a mean score of 0.8 (range 0-2). The mean diameter of diverticula was 4.1 cm (range 2.5-10). The procedure was undertaken in 87 male and 36 female with a mean follow-up of 69.1 months (range 1-168)., Results: Good results were obtained in 82 patients (66.7%), and the improvement of symptoms in 24 (19.5%), data confirmed by pre versus postoperative dysphagia mean score (2.3 vs 0.4) and by regurgitation score (0.8 vs 0.2). The failures have been seen in 17 patients (13.8%). The mean time of the intervention was 18 minutes (range 15-40), while the mean length of postoperative hospital stay was 2.5 days (range 1-5), with a oral intake in first postoperative day (mean). Major complications were documented in 2 patients (1.6%), minor ones in 10 patients (6.1%), without mortality., Conclusion: Nowadays esophago-diverticulostomy according to Collard, based on our results and on the literature data, represent the most effective and safe technique for the patients with Zenker's diverticulum, with low rate of morbidity and mortality compared to the others surgical on endoscopic procedures.

The authors report the preliminary results of a prospective study in 30 patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. The aim was to assess the efficacy of an-original device designed to augment the lower oesophageal sphincter barrier using magnetic force. The device was placed laparoscopically around the oesophagogastric junction, at the level of the z line identified by intraoperative endoscopy. Transient dysphagia not requiring any treatment was recorded in 45% of patients. At 3 months postoperatively, the GORD-HRQL score was fond to be significantly decreased from 24.4 to 2.2 (p < 0.001) and the DeMeester score was normalised in 80% of patients. At one year follow-up, 100% of patients were off proton pump inhibitors, and 70% of them had a normal DeMeester score. All patients preserved the ability to belch.

During 2004 and 2005 we selected ten motivated and well informed patients affected by hepatic cirrhosis and medium-large esophageal varices; we performed endoscopic band ligation to prevent the first bleeding episode in these patients because not eligible for non selective beta-blockers full dose therapy. After over 3 years' follow-up we have no found fatal or not varices related complications. Five patients died from hepatic failure. Recent literature highlights endoscopic band ligation usefulness because of favourable cost-effectiveness ratio and good quality of life in well selected patients treated by a skilled endoscopic team.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of digital cineradiography associated with the water siphon test (WST) in the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux and to compare the results with oesophageal motility study, pH monitoring and endoscopy associated with biopsy and histology., Materials and Methods: One hundred and sixty consecutive patients underwent digital cineradiography with WST, motility study, pH monitoring and endoscopy with biopsy. The presence of gastroesophageal reflux, oesophagitis, Barrett's oesophagus and intestinal metaplasia was evaluated., Results: WST vs. pH monitoring showed sensitivity of 71%, specificity of 31%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 53% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 50%; when middle-proximal refluxes only were considered, sensitivity decreased to 45% and specificity increased to 55%. Furthermore, the association between reflux and oesophagitis demonstrated by the chi-square (chi(2)) test proved to be statistically significant both for WST and pH monitoring, whereas the association between reflux and Barrett's oesophagus was not significant for either WST or for pH monitoring. With regard to intestinal metaplasia, WST (middle-proximal refluxes) showed higher sensitivity (64% vs. 58%) and specificity (63% vs. 51%) than pH monitoring, whereas the statistical association between reflux and metaplasia proved to be significant for WST but not for pH monitoring., Conclusions: WST is a simple, inexpensive and reliable test that might be useful in the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A positive WST might be an additional indication for endoscopy with biopsy.

Aim: In course of liver cirrhosis, esophageal varices develop with an incidence of 8-15% a year, and they constitute a sign of seriousness of portal hypertension. The risk of bleeding is estimated around 10-15% a year. The varices hemorrhage causes a high rate of mortality (around 30-35% for every hemorrhagic event). It follows that it is necessary to plan prophylactic strategies for all the cirrhotic patients, who are at risk of bleeding, or have already bled. Medical treatment with beta-blockers is indicated in the prophylaxis of the first bleeding, while endoscopic treatment represents now the most effective methodology either in acute bleeding, or in the prophylaxis of hemorrhage relapses. The available endoscopic methodologies are the sclerosis or band ligation of esophageal varices. However, unanimous consent about the greater effectiveness of a methodology compared to the other one doesn't exist. As far as the varices eradication is concerned, the authors have done a research to verify if the combined techniques, proposed in various studies appeared in literature, can have some advantages, in comparison with the single methodologies., Methods: Thirty-seven patients have been treated: 27 only with sclerosis and 10 with combined methodology (band-ligation followed by sclerosis of the small residual varices)., Results: The group treated with the combined therapy have shown a reduction in relapses and in the main side effects and a better patients' compliance., Conclusions: The combination of the two methodologies can have some advantages as for security, easiness of execution, reduction in complications, in varices relapse and, therefore, in the hemorrhagic relapses.

Purpose: Prognosis and treatment of esophagus and cardia cancer (ECC) depend on the precision with which the disease is staged according to the American Joint Committee of Cancer (AJCC) criteria. Imaging modalities normally used in clinical staging are esophagography, esophagoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography- CT fusion (CT-PET). The combination of these methods is crucial in determining not only the right diagnosis but also the stage and follow-up after multimodal treatment. The purpose of our investigation was to define the role of each imaging modality in determining the most appropriate treatment options in patients with ECC., Materials and Methods: Fifty-six patients with ECC diagnosed by X-ray of the upper digestive tract, endoscopy and biopsy were staged using EUS, chest and abdomen CT scan, and CT-PET. Thirty-four patients in stage II and 18 patients in stage III underwent surgery after neoadjuvant chemotherapy; four patients in stage IV were treated with the positioning of an endoprosthesis after chemoradiotherapy. In the 52 patients who had surgery, follow-up included digestive tract X-ray, endoscopy and CT of the chest and abdomen every 6-8 months for the first 3 years. CT-PET was only performed in patients with a clinical suspicion of recurrence and/or CT findings suspicious of persistent disease (12 cases)., Results: In all 56 patients, endoscopy, EUS, CT and CT-PET in combination were crucial in determining the site of disease, locoregional extent and depth of esophageal wall penetration (T), and any involvement of the mediastinal lymph nodes (N1), extrathoracic lymph nodes (M1) or hepatic metastases. In the locoregional staging of ECC before chemotherapy, we were able to differentiate T2-T3 from T4 in 40 patients; T4 disease was found in 12 potentially resectable cases. We were able to distinguish N0 from N1 in 12 patients. In four cases, the presence of small lymph node and/or liver metastases prompted positioning of an endoprosthesis. The specificity of CT in detecting small lymph nodes in the mediastinum was less than 50% while for CT-PET, it was more than 80%; EUS revealed sensitivity higher than 90% but a low specificity in seven cases. Only CT-PET revealed metastatic subdiaphragmatic lymph nodes (diameter <15 mm) in three cases. Presurgical restaging of the 18 patients (stage III) who had chemotherapy was based on endoscopy, EUS, CT of the chest and abdomen and CT-PET (only in suspected cases) and was compatible with surgery. Anastomotic recurrence was diagnosed in 16 patients by endoscopy with associated biopsy; any intramediastinal spread from anastomotic recurrences was evaluated by chest CT, and CT-PET in suspected cases., Conclusions: X-ray of the upper digestive tract and chest and abdomen CT scan are useful in preliminary evaluation of ECC. Endoscopy is particularly indicated for evaluating tumour morphology, taking biopsies for a histological diagnosis and the early diagnosis of anastomotic recurrences. EUS is indicated mainly for evaluating T stage before and after chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy. CT-PET is extremely useful in identifying small mediastinal metastatic lymph nodes (N1) or extrathoracic lymph nodes (M1) and hepatic metastases (

Over the last few years the use of endoscopically placed endoprostheses for benign and malignant digestive diseases has considerably developed. The endoscopic placement of prostheses is usually well tolerated by patients; it does not require anaesthesia and it is a relatively low-risk procedure. New self-expandable metallic prostheses allow to treat even very tight stenoses; they do not usually require dilatation, therefore reducing the risks involved in dilatation procedure. This study presents a review of experience with prostheses placement in digestive diseases. Indications, limits and complications will be discussed according to data reported in the international literature.

Retrospective research carried out by 29 General Practitioners in their databases, in order to evaluate the prevalence of gastro-esophageal reflux disease in its different clinical outbreaks and the incidence of new diagnosis in the last quinquennium, the diagnostic approach through instrumental examinations (endoscopy) or empirical tests (PPI test), and the therapeutical aspects, in particular concerning the usage of PPI. The prevalence has been of 3.82%, while the data concerning the incidence have pointed out a progressive increase of the diagnosis in the last quinquennium, specially for the atypical outbreaks. Moreover, it has been noted a likely excessive use of endoscopy, in the follow up as well, while less used is the IPP test. Gastroesophageal reflux disease is the most important item in the expenditure for the usage of IPP.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation between hiatal hernia and gastro-oesophageal reflux and related histological abnormalities in patients without endoscopic oesophagitis. A consecutive series of 78 patients with a history of gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms and hiatal hernia, as defined by videofluorography combined with a water siphon test, underwent oesophagogastroduodenoscopy and multiple biopsies. Hiatal hernia was confirmed endoscopically in 99% of cases. The water siphon test was positive for reflux in 72% of cases. At endoscopy 42% of patients had oesophagitis and/or Barrett's oesophagus and 58% had no lesions. In the group without endoscopic lesions, at histology oesophagitis-related alterations were found in 98% and intestinal metaplasia in 27%. In conclusion, this study shows that symptomatic gastro-oesophageal reflux patients with radiologically defined hiatal hernia should undergo endoscopy with multiple biopsies above the squamocolumnar junction, even when endoscopy is normal. This is in order to detect histological gastro-oesophageal-reflux-related alterations, above all, when a positive water siphon test is also present, owing to its known correlation with intestinal metaplasia.

Esophagoscopy in pediatric surgery represents about 70% of examinations of upper digestive tract. The authors present their experience with pediatric surgical endoscopy. They show the importance of this procedure in pediatric population, which provides clear diagnostic answers and represents a good alternative to traditional surgical procedures.

Introduction: Properly oriented endoscopic biopsies allow an effective assessment of some diagnostic features in non neoplastic gastrointestinal diseases., Materials and Methods: We used cellulose acetate millipore filters (Endofilter, Bio-Optica, Milan, Italy) in order to improve the orientation of biopsies during processing. Forty biopsies were placed on filter after endoscopic sampling whereas no orientation attempt was done for other 40 filter-free biopsies (20 from esophagus and 20 from gastric antrum in each group). Both groups were compared in terms of orientation and assessability of the following morphological features: thickness of basal layer in the esophageal squamous epithelium, length of esophageal papillae, interstitial space dilatations in the esophageal squamous epithelium and gland atrophy in the gastric antrum. Both orientation and assessability of individual morphological features were graded with a score ranging from 1 (good) to 3 (poor). The impact of this procedure on costs was analysed, both in terms of material and technical workload., Results: All 20 esophageal and 20 antral biopsies on filter showed acceptable (score 1 or 2) orientation. In contrast, 14/20 filter-free esophageal and 13/20 antral biopsies showed poor (score 3) orientation (p = 0.0001 for both groups). Basal layer thickness was assessable (score 1 or 2) in 20/20 esophageal biopsies on filter vs 14/20 filter-free ones (p = 0.0001) and length of papillae in 15/20 biopsies on filter vs 4/20 filter-free ones (p = 0.0002). Interstitial space dilatation assessability was not affected by orientation procedures. Gland atrophy in the antrum was assessable (score 1 or 2) in 20/20 gastric biopsies on filter vs 8/20 filter-free ones (p = 0.0001). The use of endofilters permitted the process of numerous (up to 8 for each block) samples from different biopsy sites together and produced a significant reduction in costs (18.35 in the case of 8 biopsies from 4 different biopsy sites)., Conclusions: The use of millipore filters allows orientation of biopsy samples, improves the assessment of several diagnostic features in esophageal and gastric pathology and yields a significant reduction in costs when biopsies from different sites are processed together.

The presence of gastric metaplasia in the distal esophagus is better known as Barrett's Esophagus (BE). It is an acquired condition caused by gastro-esophageal reflux disease and is associated with a high risk of adenocarcinoma development in the distal esophagus and cardia. The definition of BE has changed over the years as only the specialized metaplasia, with the characteristic "goblet cells", has been shown to carry a risk of cancer development. BE is currently defined as the presence of intestinal metaplasia in the distal esophagus. The prevalence of intestinal metaplasia of the distal esophagus in patients undergoing endoscopy with multiple biopsies for dyspeptic symptoms, varies from 9-21% at the level of the cardia and from 1.2-8% at 3 cm above the esophago-gastric junction, with a decreasing caudo-cranial frequency. Among the BE population (intestinal metaplasia 3 or more cm long) there is a prevalence of male sex and white race, with an average age between the 5(th) and 7(th) decade. The risk of BE mucosa advancing to esophageal adenocarcinoma is not well established: incidence rates from 1/52 years-patient to 1/441 years-patient and a calculated risk from 30 to 125 times higher than in the normal population were reported. These discrepancies are probably related to: 1) temporal differences of the studies, 2) retrospective versus prospective type of the studies, 3) length of follow-up, 4) number of individuals surveilled, 5) regional variations. A literature analysis confirmed that the differences are mostly related to the number of patients studied (the larger the population the lower the incidence), are generally inversely proportional to the follow-up length (the shorter the follow-up the higher the incidence) and depend on the type of the studies (the incidence is higher in the retrospective studies than in the prospective one's). Surveillance program: esophageal adenocarcinoma is a lethal tumor with a 20% 5-year survival rate. The guidelines of The American College of Gastroenterology advice a two-year surveillance rate for BE patients without dysplasia. The difficulty with BE surveillance programs-- even if worthwhile on a single patient basis-- is that they are very expensive and at the present none of the endoscopic surveillance prospective studies has shown a positive impact in the survival rate. From our knowledge it doesn't seem wise to abandon a precautionary surveillance strategy, but further studies are needed to better understand the risk population: at the moment our advice is to monitor male patients in good general conditions with a BE segment longer than 3 cm.

In an attempt to reduce mortality from oesophageal adenocarcinoma, it has been recommended to enroll patients with Barrett's oesophagus in endoscopic surveillance programs in order to detect malignant degeneration at an early and possibly curable stage. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of endoscopic biopsy surveillance on the outcome of Barrett's adenocarcinoma. From November 1992 to December 2000, 328 patients with histologically proven oesophageal adenocarcinoma were referred to our department. One hundred of these patients had Barrett's adenocarcinoma. In 12 (12%) patients, cancer was discovered during endoscopic surveillance for Barrett's metaplasia. The prevalence of gastro-oesophatgeal reflux disease in the Barrett's group was 38.8% versus 8.1% (P < 0.01) of non-Barrett's patients. In the surveyed group, there were 9 (75%) early stage tumours (Tis-1N0), versus 10 (11.4%, P < 0.01) in the non-surveyed patients. Three out of five surveyed patients operated on for high grade dysplasia proved to have invasive carcinoma in the oesophagectomy specimen. All surveyed patients were alive after a median follow-up period of 50 months; the median survival in the non-surveyed group was 24 +/- 3 months (P < 0.01). Endoscopic surveillance of Barrett's oesophagus allows early detection of malignant degeneration and better long-term survival than in non-surveyed patients.

From June 1987 to April 2000, 167 (74%) of 223 patients suspected of swallowing foreign bodies were treated. Hundred-sixty-three were successfully treated endoscopically. The surgery rate was 2.4%. There was failure to remove a tablespoon, a tooth-brush, a dental prostheses with metallic hook, a knitting-needle. The sharp and pointed foreign bodies were 35 (20.9%). Endoscopic removal of sharp and pointed foreign bodies in the upper gastrointestinal tract can be very difficult to manage. The Authors report iatrogenic perforation of esophagus-gastric-fundus in a patient with hiatus hernia who ingested a big knitting-needle in order to suicide. They think that it is absolutely necessary to use special endoscopic equipment during the taking out of foreign-body procedure, especially when pointed and sharp-edge shaped bodies are involved and when there is high risk of iatrogenic lesions.

Portal hypertension secondary to cirrhosis of the liver is the main factor leading to the formation of portosystemic collaterals. The sites of such collateral circulation are well known. We describe a case of haemoptysis from dorsal tongue base varices, which are not recognised as portosystemic anastomosis, in a cirrhotic patient with portal hypertension.

The authors report on their experience over a period of three years with the endoscopic treatment of benign oesophageal stenosis utilising the endoscopic balloon dilatation (EBD) technique or Savary-Gilliard cylindrical-conical dilators. They evaluate the results of the therapy with clinical and endoscopic follow-up at six-monthly intervals. The treatment proved effective, with total remission of dysphagia symptoms in approximately 95% of patients and with a low risk of complications.

The authors report a case of Zenker's diverticulum in a patient 72 years old who underwent surgery. The pharyngoesophageal function was investigated before and after cricopharyngeal myotomy and diverticulopexy, with oesophageal manometry. Preoperative manometry showed an incomplete relaxation of the upper oesophageal sphincter and increased of pharyngeal pressure. This diverticulum has a pulsion pathogenesis and in this case is not associated with gastroesophageal reflux. It is important to check whether an associated oesophageal pathology exist once Zenker's diverticulum has been diagnosed: X-ray examination of oesophagus and stomach are capable of identifying the presence of diverticulum as well as other pathological association. In the case showed the clinical manifestation are represented by: cervical dysphagia, sensation of foreign body while eating due to the accumulation of ingested food in the diverticulum, and noisy deglutition. The surgical treatment in this case consist of diverticulopexy with cricopharyngeal myotomy. This case is treated with diverticulopexy for two reason: because is not very big and to reduce post-operative period. In conclusion the authors shows the importance of this surgery for not very large sized pouches, and emphasise the importance of manometric and radiographic control in pre and post-operative period. This kind of surgery reduce post-operative complication and the period to stay in bed.

The Authors report a clinical case of a patient endoscopically treated for recurrent oesophageal obstruction by a foreign body. A review of the recent medical literature confirms that immediate endoscopic treatment is the best approach in the oesophageal retention of foreign bodies.

The Authors report their experience on 76 patients managed for oesophageal achalasia from 1973-1997. 65 patients have been surgically treated with Heller miotomy (19 cases) or miotomy with antireflux procedures (46 cases); 11 patients underwent an endoscopic pneumatic dilation. 54 patients, 43 surgically and 11 endoscopically treated, have been followed for a mean length of time of 6 years and 6 months. Complete cure or significant improvement of symptoms have been noted in 86% and 72.7% of patients treated respectively with surgery or pneumatic dilatation. The results have been evaluated according to the recent data from the literature and diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of primitive achalasia are discussed.

Background: Endoscopic insertion of a stent is an important option in the palliative management of esophageal obstruction and esophagorespiratory fistula. Plastic stents have been available for over 20 years. A new class of self-expanding metal stents for palliation of esophageal and cardial cancer is now available., Methods: Between September 1992 and October 1997, 92 patients underwent implantation of self-expanding metal stents for palliation of dysphagia due to inoperable esophageal or cardial cancer (65 patients) or for locally recurrent carcinoma after surgery (12 patients), laser-therapy (11 patients) or radiotherapy (4 patients)., Results: Successful stent implantation was achieved in 89/92 patients (96.7%). After stent implantation the dysphagia score improved from 3.0, on average, to 0.5, on average. Early complications were observed in 4.5% and peroperative mortality was 2.1%. Late complications were observed in 25.6%, with a mortality rate of 1.1%. The mean survival time was 6.9 months., Conclusions: Self-expanding metal stents are a new effective alternative for palliation of dysphagia due to esophageal and cardial cancers.

During a twenty-six year period from 1973 to 1999 a total of 78 patients with severe esophago-gastric lesions after caustic ingestion were referred to and managed at our unit. Hydrochloric acid was the most frequently involved caustic agent and the lesions were located in the esophagus (52.6%), in the stomach (19.2%) and in both the esophagus and stomach (28.2%). Thirty-seven patients were managed by endoscopic dilation of esophageal stricture that gave permanent relief of dysphagia in 13 cases only. Twelve patients are still managed with endoscopic dilation and in another 12 we performed bypass surgery. Two perforations developed and spontaneously sealed after T.P.N. for 6-8 weeks. No death occurred. Fifty-three patients were operated on in emergency or during survey period or for stenotic lesions. Surgical procedures were: in esophageal strictures a substernal esophago or pharyngocologastroplasty without esophagectomy; in esophago-gastric strictures, after an esophago-gastrectomy, an esophago or pharyngocolojejunoplasty in one or two steps; in total gastric stenosis without esophageal involvement a total gastrectomy followed by a Roux-en-Y esophago-jejunal anastomosis and in antropyloric strictures a Billroth I or II partial gastrectomy. The morbidity rate was 32% with a 5.6% mortality rate.

From 1990 to 1997, 12 patients with Zenker's diverticulum underwent TA 30-stapler diverticulectomy and cricopharyngeal myotomy. All patients were operated on under local anaesthesia. No death was observed. In two cases subcutaneous infection was drained with recovery. No post-operative fistulas were observed with radiologic control. At 6 months follow-up all patients were well. Advantages of both stapler diverticulectomy and local anesthesia are outlined.

Background: Leiomyoma is the most common type of benign esophageal tumor, whereas extramucosal cysts of the esophagus are congenital anomalies frequently asymptomatic in the adult and in most cases detected incidentally on chest X-ray. Conventional imaging tests do not lead to a precise diagnosis. Endoscopic ultrasonography is very accurate in visualizing these lesions and in differentiating cystic from solid submucosal esophageal masses; in addition, the test can establish the exact location of the mass in relation to the esophageal wall and mediastinum., Methods: Fifteen patients with esophageal leiomyoma and 27 patients with extramucosal esophageal cyst were operated on in our Institution. Dysphagia was the most common symptom in patients affected by leiomyoma and esophageal duplication cyst, whereas chest pain was more frequent in patients with bronchogenic cyst., Results: Complete surgical excision of the mass was performed in all patients with esophageal leiomyoma and in 26 patients with mediastinal cyst, while a right upper pulmonary lobectomy was performed in the patient with an intrapulmonary cyst., Conclusions: Endoscopic ultrasonography plays an important role in the differential diagnosis of leiomyoma and mediastinal cyst. Surgery is mandatory in all patients especially after the advent of the mini-invasive procedures. Observation alone must be reserved for patients who refuse or are not suitable for thoracic surgery.

Introduction: A prospective comparative study with pathology was performed at the National Cancer Institute, Milan, to assess the clinical value of Computed Tomography (CT) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) for nodal staging in lung cancer., Material and Methods: In three years, 71 patients with histological diagnosis of non-small-cell lung cancer were operated on. They underwent CT and EUS examinations to identify mediastinal lymphadenopathies after major nodal involvement had been excluded by chest X-ray. Diagnostic staging was completed in two weeks prior to treatment. Patients received complete tumor removal and radical lymphadenectomy (55 patients), invasive staging with node resection and sampling (11 patients), or mediastinoscopy (5 patients). Blinded interpretation of CT alone, EUS alone, and CT and EUS together were performed, with systematic correlation of imaging findings and pathological results., Results: The frequency of mediastinal involvement was 42.2%. A total of 329 nodal stations were dissected or sampled and 755 lymph nodes were examined at histology. On a per-station basis, CT had greater sensitivity (74%) than EUS (56%), but EUS was more specific (83.4% vs 92.7%). The accuracy rates of the two techniques were similar (CT 81%, EUS 83%). A site by site analysis showed highest sensitivity (100%) in the lower right paratracheal nodes for CT, and in the superior left paratracheal and subcarinal nodes for EUS. When the EUS and CT images were studied together by specialists on a per-station basis, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy increased to 85%., Conclusions: Endoscopic ultrasound should be part of the routine preoperative diagnostic approach to non-small-cell lung cancer, because of its high specificity. Results can be improved when EUS and CT are combined, which suggests that these imaging modalities should be used together in selected patients for the noninvasive staging of non-small-cell lung cancer to identify local lymphatic spread.

Gastric leiomyoblastoma is a rare benign neoplasm, arising from the smooth muscle cell, that may become malignant. The most important symptoms are epigastric pain, sideropenic anaemia and upper GI bleeding, but frequently the diagnostic iter is difficult and definitive diagnosis is made only with histology after laparotomy. A personal case is reported and Literature data are reviewed; stress being laid on the uncertain biological evolution that influence mostly the choice of therapy.

Primary motor disorders of LES causing dysphagia consist in cardial achalasia and intermedius motor disorder (IMD), the last one different from achalasia because of normal motor pattern of the esophageal body. In this paper diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are examined according to an experience of 94 surgically treated cases (22 rioperations for surgical failures). Cardial dilatation as treatment of choice is recognized only for IMD in which a normal peristaltic behaviour of the esophagus can avoid the high danger of GER. Surgical procedure, now laparoscopically performed, consisting in Heller's myotomy + Dor partial fundoplication is to be preferred in cases of true achalasia.

Perforation of the esophagus was retrospectively analysed in six patients. The age span was 30 years to 81 years, and the male to female ratio was 2 to 1. Each case was studied with regard to presentation, etiology, treatment and complications. The diagnosis was made at postmortem examination only in 1 patient. The perforation was iatrogenic in 1 of the patients and spontaneous in 5. Management was nonoperative in 3 cases and primary repair with drainage was performed in 2 patients. Overall mortality rate for the series was 33%. This series accumulated from a review of the literature emphasizes the importance of the influence of different methods of treatment and time lapsed between occurrence and therapy.

Endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) and esophageal variceal sclerotherapy (EVS) are both used in the treatment of esophageal varices. Sclerotherapy is widely used with success, however it is associated with multiple local and systemic complications. To overwhelm the complications of sclerosis, Stiegmann in 1986 proposed the elastic band variceal ligation which demonstrated to be efficient as sclerotherapy though with minor side effects. Therefore, the Authors decided to apply a therapeutical protocol with EVL for the primary prevention of variceal esophageal bleeding. Preliminary results are herein reported.

Benign esophageal stenosis is the most frequent type of stenosis of the digestive tract. Surgical treatment is still affected by a high percentage of morbidity and mortality. This is not acceptable for a condition which is not neoplastic in nature. The introduction of modern endoscopic instruments has significantly simplified the technique also reducing the complications, therefore oesophageal dilatation has a fundamental role. The main indications to endoscopic treatment are represented by postoperative stenosis, and those caused by caustics, peptic acid, actinic lesions and achalasia. During the past 15 years, the Authors performed 205 endoscopic dilatation including 26 cases affected by esophageal achalasia. In the experience of the Authors, olivarian metallic probes were gradually abandoned in favour of Celestin & Savary polimetric dilators while pneumatic dilators were preferred only in achalasic cases. Endoscopic therapy was resolutive in 24 patients affected by achalasia (92.3%). In 158 patients, mechanic dilatation was employed (88.2%) and among them, 4 cases (2.19%) of esophageal perforation were observed. Overall, mortality rate was zero. As far as the average number of dilatation employed, the highest number was registered among caustic lesions (5), followed by peptic (4), and post-operative stenosis (1). The results obtained confirm the validity and efficacy of the endoscopic treatment for benign esophageal stenosis also considering the good compliance of the patients and the fact that no general anaesthesia is required.

The Authors describe a rare case of esophageal stenosis complicated by gastroesophageal reflux due to Trichosporon beigelii in the absence of a pathologic predisposition or immunodeficiency. The diagnosis was drawn by embedding membrane fragments obtained endoscopically in Sabouraud and blood-Agar cultures. The patient was treated with antimicotics, immunostimulants, inhibitors of the gastric protonic pump, prokinetics and later underwent endoscopic dilatation combined with Savary-Guillard and pneumatic dilatators of growing diameter, until complete "restitutio ad integrum" of the esophageal lumen.

Even if the incidence of esophageal carcinoma is low (25% in comparison to rectal cancer) the total mortality of this disease is very high (superior to rectal cancer itself according to Am.Ca.SO. data). That's because of the high number of non resectable patients when they are first seen by the physician for dysphagia. The aim of the treatment in such cases is to permit a sufficiently good intake to the patient avoiding non-acceptable gastrostomy. The authors report their experience using esophageal prosthesis (27 cases). Mortality rate was 3.7% distal migration 7.4%. They report 3 cases of "minor" complication (11.1%). The mean survival was 5.3 months, the quality of life was satisfactory in all treated cases.

Staging of esophageal cancer is fundamental for treatment and prognosis of this tumour. At present, barium swallow and computed tomography (CT) are the most utilized diagnostic modalities. In recent years Endoscopic Ultrasonography (EUS) has been employed for this purpose. We retrospectively compared the results of EUS and CT staging of 33 selected patients with postsurgical stage. EUS allowed a correct diagnosis of parietal invasion in 82% of cases vs 67% obtained by CT. At the same time, EUS diagnosed correctly 85% of metastatic lymph nodes vs 64% reached by CT. We believe that EUS, in combination with CT, is an appropriate modality for the staging of esophageal cancer.

Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) was performed in 15 patients with esophageal and cardial carcinoma with the aim to evaluate intramural or extraesophageal invasion and regional lymph node metastases. In 10 patients the Authors correctly evaluated the tumoral depth invasion. In 5 patients mediastinal lymph node metastases were observed. It is concluded that EUS is a useful diagnostic method in the staging of esophageal carcinoma.

Chronic, severe reflux esophagitis can be complicated with an esophageal ulcer (EU), whose histomorphological characteristics change sensibly. Between 1983 and 1989, 18 EU were endoscopically identified in 13 (6%) out of 217 patients with chronic gastroesophageal reflux (GER). 2 groups were defined: EU and esophagitis, without columnar-lined esophagus and EU with localized columnar metaplasia or Barrett's esophagus. In the first, 4 Wolf's ulcers (WU) were present; in the second, there were 8 Barrett's ulcers (BU), 2 Savary's ulcers (SU) and 4 ulcers with intermediary characteristics (IU). The 24 h esophageal Ph monitoring demonstrated the reflux pathogenesis in all the patients (57%: alkaline reflux). The histomorphological findings of the EU could support the hypotesis that their variety is related to the different stage of the reflux disease. The EU, started as a peptic lesion on a stratified squamous mucosa (WU), due to an acid, alkaline or mixed reflux, would macroscopically turn into a BU, through intermediary entities (SU, IU), with a progressive extension of columnar metaplasia to the adjacent epithelium and walls. It's not possible to exclude the primitive development of the BU in a Barrett's mucosa, because of an alkaline reflux or because of a low mucosa's resistance (specialized columnar epithelium) to a prolonged acid exposure.

Granular cell tumor is a rare tumor, described for the first time by Abrikossoff in 1926. Occurrence in the esophagus is rare (1.6% of digestive localizations). This paper reports a case of granular cell tumour associated with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

From January 1987 to December 1993, 171 patients affected by portal hypertension with bleeding complications underwent endoscopic variceal sclerotherapy. Results show that this technique is particularly effective for the hemostasis, therefore in high generic or specific risk patients is becoming a good alternative to traditional surgery.

Thirty-two consecutive patients with esophageal carcinoma (squamous cell carcinoma: 23, adenocarcinoma: 9) were pre-operatively examined by endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in order to evaluate the accuracy of this diagnostic procedure in loco-regional staging. Six patients were not operated on, due to a poor general conditions or widespread tumor disease and were not included in this study. Results of EUS staging from the remaining patients were compared with intra-operative exploration and histopathological evaluation of resection specimens. Seven stenosing tumors were not traversable by echoendoscope. In such cases the lesion was visualized only in part by scanning the top of the stenosis. The overall EUS accuracy in T staging was 80.7% (75% in T2 stage, 90.9% in T3, 71.4% in T4). Three tumors were overstaged; two not traversable stenosing tumors were understaged. The overall accuracy in N staging was 73% (sensitivity 77.7%, specificity 62.5%). For celiac nodes EUS sensitivity was only 57.1%. Authors conclude that the presence of a not traversable stenosis is still a limit for EUS in diagnosing infiltration of adjacent structures as well as in detecting lymph node metastases.

The Authors report their personal experience with regard to extraction of foreign bodies with a rigid oesophagoscope carried out in the last 16 years. All the patients studied live in Northern Italy, in Brianza Est, in area of about 100,000 inhabitants. One hundred and sixty-two cases were treated from 1977 to 1992. In order to better evaluate pathological evolution, we divided this period into two parts: 1977-1984 and 1985-1992. The data revealed are as follows: 1) Women always prevailed over men (73% in the first period and 67% in the second); 2) Foreign body extraction increased by 57% in the second period; 3) Patients most frequently treated were between the ages of sixty and eighty; 4) Foreign bodies most frequently extracted were bones (at all ages), coins (in the children) and large meat bolus (in older subjects). The Authors affirm that they were able to extract all foreign bodies employing the rigid oesophagoscope. Occasional difficulties which emerged during extraction were overcome successfully thanks to the vast experience of the medical staff. As a matter of fact, their experiences leads them to reject abandoning the rigid oesophagoscope for the flexible optical fibres also because even those ENT Departments with vast experience in the use of fibres are not always able to remove all kind of foreign bodies.

The natural history of liver cirrhosis shows one third of patients bleeding from esophageal varices. The first episode of bleeding has a 40% mortality rate and 70% of survivors will have another haemorrhage within a year. To overcome this dramatic sequence the following types of prophylactic treatment have been attempted: portocaval shunt, B-blockers, endoscopic sclerotherapy. Medical Literature shows no proven benefits from these procedures. Endoscopic sclerotherapy seems to have the best results. Thus, to be more successful we suggest a better selection of patients to undergo prophylactic sclerotherapy, also improving the prognostic criteria which could predict the bleeding. Esophagoscopy makes it possible to examine some of the predictive signs of impending haemorrhage. However, both the endoscopic and clinical criteria (Child) give a better evaluation of the risk of bleeding.