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Introduction We aimed to report the impact of the pandemic lockdown period on the treatment and prognosis of superficial gastrointestinal neoplastic lesions. Methods A survey was completed by 11 centers from four continents regarding postponements during the early lockdown period of the pandemic, and the same period in 2019. Results In 2020, 55 % of the scheduled procedures were deferred, which was 11 times higher than in 2019; the main reasons were directly related to COVID-19. In countries that were highly affected, this proportion rose to 76 % vs. 26 % in those where there was less impact. Despite the absolute reduction, the relative distribution in 2019 vs. 2020 was similar, the only exception being duodenal lesions (affected by a 92 % reduction in mucosectomies). Although it is expected that the majority of postponements will not affect the stage (based on the results from biopsies and/or endoscopic appearance), 3 % of delayed procedures will probably require surgery. Conclusions The lockdown period caused by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic led to a substantial reduction in the number of endoscopic resections for neoplastic lesions. Nevertheless, based on clinical judgment, the planned median delay will not worsen the prognosis of the affected patients.

Background & Aims: Despite the significant advances made in the diagnosis and treatment of Barrett's esophagus (BE), there is still a need for standardized definitions, appropriate recognition of endoscopic landmarks, and consistent use of classification systems. Current controversies in basic definitions of BE and the relative lack of anatomic knowledge are significant barriers to uniform documentation. We aimed to provide consensus-driven recommendations for uniform reporting and global application. Methods: The World Endoscopy Organization Barrett's Esophagus Committee appointed leaders to develop an evidence-based Delphi study. A working group of 6 members identified and formulated 23 statements, and 30 internationally recognized experts from 18 countries participated in 3 rounds of voting. We defined consensus as agreement by ≥80% of experts for each statement and used the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) tool to assess the quality of evidence and the strength of recommendations. Results: After 3 rounds of voting, experts achieved consensus on 6 endoscopic landmarks (palisade vessels, gastroesophageal junction, squamocolumnar junction, lesion location, extraluminal compressions, and quadrant orientation), 13 definitions (BE, hiatus hernia, squamous islands, columnar islands, Barrett's endoscopic therapy, endoscopic resection, endoscopic ablation, systematic inspection, complete eradication of intestinal metaplasia, complete eradication of dysplasia, residual disease, recurrent disease, and failure of endoscopic therapy), and 4 classification systems (Prague, Los Angeles, Paris, and Barrett's International NBI Group). In round 1, 18 statements (78%) reached consensus, with 12 (67%) receiving strong agreement from more than half of the experts. In round 2, 4 of the remaining statements (80%) reached consensus, with 1 statement receiving strong agreement from 50% of the experts. In the third round, a consensus was reached on the remaining statement. Conclusions: We developed evidence-based, consensus-driven statements on endoscopic landmarks, definitions, and classifications of BE. These recommendations may facilitate global uniform reporting in BE.

Summary Background Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic allergic inflammatory condition causing recurrent dysphagia and may predispose patients to repeated hospitalizations. We assessed temporal trends and factors affecting readmissions in patients with EoE. Methods Patients with primary diagnosis of EoE and/or a complication (dysphagia, weight loss, and esophageal perforation) from EoE between 2010 and 2017 were identified from the National Readmissions Database using the International Classification of Diseases codes. The primary outcome was incidence of EoE related 30-day readmission. Independent risk factors for readmissions were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Secondary outcomes were temporal trends of readmissions and healthcare costs. Results Of the 2,676 (mean age 45 ± 17.8 years, 1,667 males) index adult admissions, 2,103 (79%) patients underwent an upper endoscopy during the admission. The mean length of stay (LOS) was 3 ± 3.7 days. The 30-day readmission rate was steady at 6.8% from 2010 to 2017 and majority of the readmissions occurred by day 10 of index discharge. Age > 70 years was associated with a higher trend in 30-day readmission (P Conclusion Readmissions due to EoE are more likely to occur in the first 10 days of discharge and at a lesser rate when upper endoscopies are performed at the index admission.

Background The novel Coronavirus (SARS‐CoV‐2) has caused almost 2 million deaths worldwide. Both Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency have recently approved the first COVID‐19 vaccines, and a few more are going to be approved soon. Methods Several different approaches have been used to stimulate the immune system in mounting a humoral response. As more traditional approaches are under investigation (inactivated virus vaccines, protein subunit vaccines, recombinant virus vaccines), more recent and innovative strategies have been tried (non‐replicating viral vector vaccines, RNA based vaccines, DNA based vaccines). Results Since vaccinations campaigns started in December 2020 in both the US and Europe, gastroenterologists will be one of the main sources of information regarding SARS‐CoV 2 vaccination for patients in their practice, including vulnerable patients such as those with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), patients with chronic liver disease, and GI cancer patients. Conclusions Thus, we must ourselves be well educated and updated in order to provide unambiguous counseling to these categories of vulnerable patients. In this commentary, we aim to provide a comprehensive review of both approved COVID‐19 vaccines and the ones still under development, and explore potential risks, benefits and prioritization of vaccination.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on provision of endoscopy services globally as staff and real estate were repurposed. As we begin to recover from the pandemic, a cohesive international approach is needed, and guidance on how to resume endoscopy services safely to avoid unintended harm from diagnostic delays. The aim of these guidelines is to provide consensus recommendations that clinicians can use to facilitate the swift and safe resumption of endoscopy services. An evidence-based literature review was carried out on the various strategies used globally to manage endoscopy during the COVID-19 pandemic and control infection. A modified Delphi process involving international endoscopy experts was used to agree on the consensus statements. A threshold of 80% agreement was used to establish consensus for each statement. 27 of 30 statements achieved consensus after two rounds of voting by 34 experts. The statements were categorised as pre-endoscopy, during endoscopy and postendoscopy addressing relevant areas of practice, such as screening, personal protective equipment, appropriate environments for endoscopy and infection control precautions, particularly in areas of high disease prevalence. Recommendations for testing of patients and for healthcare workers, appropriate locations of donning and doffing areas and social distancing measures before endoscopy are unique and not dealt with by any other guidelines. This international consensus using a modified Delphi method to produce a series of best practice recommendations to aid the safe resumption of endoscopy services globally in the era of COVID-19. ispartof: GUT vol:69 issue:11 pages:1915-1924 ispartof: location:England status: published

7 páginas Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the etiologic agent causing the disease Corona Virus Disease 19 (COVID-19), resulting in a worldwide pandemic. Non-emergent endoscopy services have been disrupted as incidence and hospitalizations were rising. It is anticipated that the peak incidence may be leveling off in many parts of the world, but there is a concern for resurgence of the virus activity. Thus, it is important for endoscopy units to have plans in place during peak times of the epidemic and when resuming endoscopic services as the pandemic wanes. The global endoscopy community is faced with the challenge of providing care during this time. The WEO-COVID guidance task force has provided this resource document based on the current evidence and consensus opinion. These World Endoscopy Organization (WEO) recommendations are meant to guide endoscopists worldwide, should be interpreted in light of specific clinical conditions and resource availability and may not apply in all situations. This guidance document does not supersede the need to check for all local regulations and legislations.

COVID-19 is rapidly spreading worldwide and specific literature how to deal with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) patients is limited so far. Here, the World Endoscopy Organisation is providing practical advice for the management of IBD patients during the pandemic covering the diagnostic and therapeutic spectrum.

The World Endoscopy Organization (WEO) announces the winners of the 2022 WEO Awards

Looking forward to the upcoming conference organised by the World Endoscopy Organization, in partnership with the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society

Looking forward to the next global conference from the World Endoscopy Organization, in partnership with the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society

12 páginas Although esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is the most commonly used procedure in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, the method of esophageal, gastric and duodenal mucosa photodocumentation varies considerably worldwide. One probable explanation is that for generations, EGD has primarily been taught by GI faculty and instructors based on their perceptions and experience, which has resulted in EGD being a non-standardized procedure. Currently, the procedure is facing a challenging scenario as endoscopy societies are implementing procedure-associated quality indicators aiming for best practice among practitioners and evidence-based care for patients. Contrary to colonoscopy where cecum landmarks photodocumentation is considered proof of completeness, there are currently no reliable performance measures to gauge the completeness of an upper endoscopy nor guidance for complete photodocumentation. This World Endoscopy Organization (WEO) position statement aims to provide practical guidance to practitioners to carry out complete EGD photodocumentation. Hence, an international group of experts from the WEO Upper GI Cancer Committee formulated the following document using the body of evidence established through literature reviews, expert opinions, and other scientific sources. The group acknowledged that although the procedure should be feasible in any facility, what is needed to achieve a global shift on the concept of completeness is a common written statement of agreement on its potential impact and added value. This best practice statement offers endoscopists principles and practical guidance in order to carry out complete photodocumentation from the hypopharynx to the second duodenal portion.

AIM To characterize esophageal endoluminal landmarks to permit radial and longitudinal esophageal orientation and accurate lesion location. METHODS Distance from the incisors and radial orientation were estimated for the main left bronchus and the left atrium landmarks in 207 consecutive patients using white light examination. A sub-study was also performed using white light followed by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in 25 consecutive patients to confirm the findings. The scope orientation throughout the exam was maintained at the natural axis, where the left esophageal quadrant corresponds to the area between 6 and 9 o’clock. When an anatomical landmark was identified, it was recorded with a photograph and its quadrant orientation and distance from the incisors were determined. The reference points to obtain the distances and radial orientation were as follows: the midpoint of the left main bronchus and the most intense pulsatile zone of the left atrium. With the video processor system set to moderate insufflation, measurements were obtained at the end of the patients’ air expiration. RESULTS The left main bronchus and left atrium esophageal landmarks were identified using white light in 99% and 100% of subjects at a mean distance of 25.8 cm (SD 2.3), and 31.4 cm (SD 2.4) from the incisors, respectively. The left main bronchus landmark was found to be a tubular, concave, non-pulsatile, esophageal external compression, occupying approximately 1/4 of the circumference. The left atrium landmark was identified as a round, convex, pulsatile, esophageal external compression, occupying approximately 1/4 of the circumference. Both landmarks were identified using white light on the anterior esophageal quadrant. In the sub-study, the left main bronchus was identified in 24 (92%) patients at 25.4 cm (SD 2.1) and 26.7 cm (SD 1.9) from the incisors, by white light and EUS, respectively. The left atrium was recognized in all patients at 30.5 cm (SD 1.9), and 31.6 cm (SD 2.3) from the incisors, by both white light and EUS, respectively. EUS confirmed that the landmarks corresponded to these two structures, respectively, and that they were located on the anterior esophageal wall. The Bland-Altman plot demonstrated high agreement between the white light and EUS measurements. CONCLUSION This study provides an endoscopic characterization of esophageal landmarks corresponding to the left main bronchus and left atrium, to permit radial and longitudinal orientation and accurate lesion location.

Background The electrosurgical knives required to perform endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) have recently passed the 510(k) premarketing evaluation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and are now available for purchase in the United States. Challenges to ESD being more widely performed in the United States include the lack of intensive hands-on training programs and a low incidence of appropriate, highly dysplastic gastric lesions on which an ESD-trained endoscopist can begin performing this procedure in patients. Furthermore, there are no guidelines regarding the safety of continuing antiplatelet therapy in patients undergoing ESD. Objective To report on the first gastric ESD performed in the United States by using recently approved electrosurgical knives on a patient who was maintained on aspirin therapy. Design Case report. Setting Large academic medical center. Patient One patient with a 2-cm high-grade dysplasia (HGD) lesion in the posterior antrum who had indwelling coronary stents and was maintained on aspirin therapy throughout the periprocedural period. Interventions High-definition white-light and narrow-band imaging endoscopy, endosonography, and ESD by using recently approved electrosurgical knives. Main Outcome Measurements Complete resection of the HGD gastric lesion. Results En bloc complete resection of the HGD gastric lesion was achieved without any immediate or delayed bleeding or perforation. No residual or recurrent dysplasia was found on 1- or 3-month follow-up endoscopies. Limitations Generalizations cannot be made from this single case. Conclusions After receiving intensive hands-on training in both ex vivo and in vivo animal models, gastric ESD was successfully performed by 2 U.S. endoscopists by using recently approved electrosurgical knives in a patient maintained on aspirin therapy without any complications.

Background Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is accepted as a minimally invasive treatment for early gastric cancer; however, it is not widely used in the colorectum because of its technical difficulty. Objective To determine the feasibility of using ESD for treating large superficial colorectal tumors and to evaluate the clinical outcome. Design and Setting Case series conducted at the National Cancer Center Hospital in Tokyo. Patients A total of 198 consecutive patients were treated for 200 lesions. Interventions Procedures were performed, before July 2004, by using a monopolar needle knife or an insulation-tipped knife (IT knife). After July 2004, the procedures were performed by using a bipolar needle knife or an IT knife. After injection of glycerol and sodium hyaluronate acid into the submucosal (sm) layer, a circumferential incision was made and sm dissection was performed endoscopically. Main Outcome Measurements The en bloc resection rate was 84% and the curative resection rate was 83%. Results Among the 200 ESDs, 51 involved tubular adenomas, 99 intramucosal cancers, 22 minute sm cancers, and 28 sm deep cancers. The median operation time was 90 minutes, and the mean size of resected specimens was 38 mm (range, 20-150 mm). Perforations occurred in 10 cases (5%) and postoperative bleeding in 4 cases (2%), but only 1 perforation case needed emergency surgery, because endoscopic clipping was ineffective. Limitations No long-term outcome data yet. Conclusions ESD is a feasible technique for treating large superficial colorectal tumors, because it provides a higher en bloc resection rate and is less invasive than surgical resection.

Professor Takashi Sugimura (National Cancer Center, Tokyo) opened the symposium with a welcome address and a review of previous symposia (1,2). The Foundation for Promotion of Cancer Research has held this International Symposium annually since 1987, as one of the activities of the first 10-year strategy for its cancer control program, and has continued through the second and third terms of the strategy. From the first to the 18th symposium, the total number of invited speakers was 578: 307 from Japan, 183 from the USA, 17 from the UK, 14 from France and 57 from 17 other nations. For this year’s symposium, the Foundation invited 10 speakers from abroad and 24 from Japan (Fig. 1). Professor Sugimura stated his personal interest in this year’s topic and emphasized that the content of the program was divided into three main topics: infectious route, cancer mechanism and prevention. Next, the international chairman Professor Martin Blaser (New York University) after welcoming all attendees summarized the microbes implicated in the causation of human cancers. During his talk, Professor Blazer reported that cancers could be due to the loss of indigenous microbes, and summarized the mechanisms by which their loss could enhance disease risk: direct effects on host cell physiology, loss of suppression of other endogenous organisms and ease of colonization by acquired organisms.

Background Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is accepted as a minimally invasive treatment for early gastric cancer, but it is not widely used to treat the colorectum because of its degree of technical difficulty. Thus, a noninvasive tool that facilitates the direct visualization of the submucosal layer is needed. Methods Traction-assisted dissection was performed on 4 superficial lesions. The system consisted of a metallic clip attached by a nylon line to a sinker 6 × 4 × 4 mm in size and weighing 1 g. After partially dissecting the submucosa, the clip was attached to the edge of the exfoliated mucosa and the weight of the sinker pulled down the partly resected lesion. Observations In all 4 cases, the sinker allowed direct visualization of the cutting line, and en bloc resection was successfully accomplished. Conclusions These preliminary results suggest that sinker-assisted ESD is effective for the complete removal of selected superficial early colorectal cancer.

Magnifying chromoendoscopy is an exciting new tool and offers detailed analysis of the morphological architecture of mucosal crypt orifices. In this review, we principally show the efficacy of magnifying chromoendoscopy for the differential diagnosis of colorectal lesions such as prediction between non-neoplastic lesions and neoplastic ones, and distinction between endoscopically treatable early invasive cancers and untreatable cancers based on a review of the literature and our experience at two National Cancer Centers in Japan. Overall diagnostic accuracy by conventional view, chromoendoscopy and chromoendoscopy with magnification ranged from 68% to 83%, 82% to 92%, and 80% to 96%, respectively, and diagnostic accuracy of accessing the stage of early colorectal cancer using magnifying colonoscopy was over 85%. Although the reliability depends on the skill in magnifying observation, widespread applications of the magnification technique could influence the indications for biopsy sampling during colonoscopy and the indication for mucosectomy. Moreover, the new detailed images seen with magnifying chromoendoscopy are the beginning of a new period in which new optical developments, such as narrow band imaging system, endocytoscopy system, and laser-scanning confocal microscopy, will allow a unique look at glandular and cellular structures.

Background: Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is a recognized treatment for early gastric cancer (EGC). One-piece resection is considered to be a gold standard of EMR, as it provides accurate histological assessment and reduces the risk of local recurrence. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a new technique developed to obtain one-piece resection even for large and ulcerative lesions. The present study aims to identify the technical feasibility, operation time and complications from a large consecutive series. Methods: We reviewed all patients with EGC who underwent ESD using the IT knife at National Cancer Center Hospital in the period between January 2000 and December 2003. Results: During the study period of 4 years we identified a total of 1033 EGC lesions in 945 consecutive patients who underwent ESD using the IT knife. We found a one-piece resection rate (OPRR) of 98% (1008/1033). Our OPRR with tumor-free margins was 93% (957/1033). On subgroup analysis it was found to be 86% (271/314) among large lesions (≥ 21 mm) and 89% (216/243) among ulcerative lesions. The overall non-evaluable resection rate was 1.8% (19/1033). The median operation time was 60 min (range; 10–540 min). Evidence of immediate bleeding was found in 7%. Delayed bleeding after ESD was seen in 6% and perforation in 4% of the cases. All cases with complications except one were successfully treated by endoscopic treatment. Conclusion: The present study shows the technical feasibility of ESD, which provides one-piece resections even in large and ulcerative EGC.

Background Large multicenter gastric cancer endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) studies conducted at major Japanese institutions have reported en bloc resection, en bloc tumor-free margin resection, and curative resection rates of 92.7% to 96.1%, 82.6% to 94.5%, and 73.6% to 85.4%, respectively, with delayed bleeding and perforation rates of 0.6% to 6.0% and 3.6% to 4.7%, respectively. Although ESD is currently an alternative treatment in some countries, particularly in Asia, it remains uncertain whether ESD therapeutic outcomes in Western endoscopy settings can be comparable to those achieved in Japan. Objective To evaluate the ESD therapeutic outcomes for differentiated early gastric cancer (EGC) in a Western endoscopy setting. Design/Setting Consecutive case series performed by an expertly trained Western endoscopist. Patients Fifty-three patients with 54 lesions. Interventions ESD for early gastric cancers (T1) satisfying expanded inclusion criteria. Main Outcome Measurements En bloc resection, en bloc tumor-free margin resection, and curative resection rates were 98%, 93%, and 83%, respectively. The delayed bleeding rate was 7%, and the perforation rate was 4%. Results The mean patient age was 67 years, and the mean tumor size was 19.8 mm, with 54% of the lesions located in the lesser curvature. The median procedure time was 61 minutes, with ESD procedures 60 minutes or longer associated with submucosal fibrosis ( P P = .03). In every ESD procedure, both circumferential incision and submucosal dissection were performed by using a single knife. Two of the 4 delayed bleeding cases required surgery, and all perforations were successfully managed by using endoscopic clips. Limitation Long-term outcome data are currently unavailable. Conclusion ESD for differentiated EGC resulted in favorable therapeutic outcomes in a Western endoscopy setting comparable to those achieved at major Japanese institutions.

Despite extensive worldwide use of standard esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) examinations, gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common forms of cancer and ranks as the most common malignant tumor in East Asia, Eastern Europe and parts of Latin America. Current limitations of using non systematic examination during standard EGD could be at least partially responsible for the low incidence of early GC diagnosis in countries with a high prevalence of the disease. Originally proposed by Emura et al., systematic alphanumeric-coded endoscopy (SACE) is a novel method that facilitates complete examination of the upper GI tract based on sequential systematic overlapping photo-documentation using an endoluminal alphanumeric-coded nomenclature comprised of eight regions and 28 areas covering the entire surface upper GI surface. For precise localization or normal or abnormal areas, SACE incorporates a simple coordinate system based on the identification of certain natural axes, walls, curvatures and anatomical endoluminal landmarks. Efectiveness of SACE was recently demonstrated in a screening study that diagnosed early GC at a frequency of 0.30% (2/650) in healthy, average-risk volunteer subjects. Such a novel approach, if uniformly implemented worldwide, could significantly change the way we practice upper endoscopy in our lifetimes.

Background Capillary patterns (CP) observed by magnifying Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) are useful for differentiating non-adenomatous from adenomatous colorectal polyps. However, there are few studies concerning the effectiveness of magnifying NBI for determining the depth of invasion in early colorectal neoplasms. We aimed to determine whether CP type IIIA/IIIB identified by magnifying NBI is effective for estimating the depth of invasion in early colorectal neoplasms. Methods A series of 127 consecutive patients with 130 colorectal lesions were evaluated from October 2005 to October 2007 at the National Cancer Center Hospital East, Chiba, Japan. Lesions were classified as CP type IIIA or type IIIB according to the NBI CP classification. Lesions were histopathologically evaluated. Inter and intraobserver variabilities were assessed by three colonoscopists experienced in NBI. Results There were 15 adenomas, 66 intramucosal cancers (pM) and 49 submucosal cancers (pSM): 16 pSM superficial (pSM1) and 33 pSM deep cancers (pSM2-3). Among lesions diagnosed as CP IIIA 86 out of 91 (94.5%) were adenomas, pM-ca, or pSM1; among lesions diagnosed as CP IIIB 28 out of 39 (72%) were pSM2-3. Sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of the CP type III for differentiating pM-ca or pSM1 ( Conclusion Identification of CP type IIIA/IIIB by magnifying NBI is useful for estimating the depth of invasion of early colorectal neoplasms.

Background The presence of meshed capillary (MC) vessels is highly sensitive (96%) and specific (92%) for diagnosing colorectal neoplasia on colonoscopy by using narrow-band imaging (NBI) with optical magnification, which is not available in North America. However, the efficacy of NBI to identify an MC pattern without optical magnification has not been determined. Objective To determine the diagnostic capabilities of NBI colonoscopy without optical magnification in differentiating neoplastic from non-neoplastic colorectal polyps by using the MC pattern. Design Retrospective comparison of prospectively collected colorectal polyp data. Setting Large, academic medical center. Patients This study involved 126 consecutive colorectal polyps (median size 3 mm) that were found in 52 patients (33 men) with a median age of 59.5 years. Intervention All lesions identified by white-light colonoscopy were prospectively diagnosed in real-time by using the MC pattern as determined on high-definition NBI, with 1.5× zoom but without true optical magnification, and then endoscopically excised. Surgical pathology was used as the criterion standard. Main outcome measurements Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of identifying neoplastic polyps were calculated. Results NBI without optical magnification was found to have a sensitivity of 93%, specificity of 88%, positive predictive value of 90%, negative predictive value of 91%, and diagnostic accuracy of 91% when all polyp sizes were considered. For lesions ≤5 mm, sensitivity was 87%, specificity was 93%, positive predictive value was 89%, negative predictive value was 91%, and diagnostic accuracy was 90%. Limitations Single-center, single-endoscopist experience. Conclusion Use of the MC pattern on NBI colonoscopy without optical magnification effectively distinguishes neoplastic from non-neoplastic colorectal polyps. NBI colonoscopy without optical magnification for neoplastic polyp diagnosis appears to be comparable with NBI with optical magnification when the MC pattern is used. A large, prospective trial is needed for further validation.

Background Endoscopic resection (ER) is indicated for patients with early gastric cancer who have a negligible risk of lymph node metastasis (LNM). Histological examination of the resected specimen may indicate a possible risk of LNM or a positive resection margin. These patients are considered to have undergone non-curative ER. The aim of this study was to determine the appropriate treatment strategy for such patients. Methods A total of 298 patients who had non-curative ER were classified into those with a positive lateral margin only (group 1; 72 patients) and those with a possible risk of LNM (group 2; 226 patients). Results Surgery was performed within 6 months of non-curative ER in 19 patients in group 1 and 144 in group 2. In group 1, nine patients were found to have local residual tumours, all limited to the mucosal layer without LNM. In Group 2, 13 patients had residual disease, including four local tumours without LNM, two local tumours with LNM and seven cases of LNM alone. The rate of LNM after surgery was 6·3 per cent in group 2. Conclusion Surgery remains the standard treatment after non-curative ER in patients with a possible risk of LNM.

During colonoscopy, estimation of the depth of invasion in early colorectal lesions is crucial for an adequate therapeutic management and for such task, magnifying chromoendoscopy (MCE) has been proposed as the best in vivo method. However, validation in large-scale studies is lacking. The aim of this prospective study was to clarify the effectiveness of MCE in the diagnosis of the depth of invasion of early colorectal neoplasms in a large series.A total of 4,215 neoplastic lesions were evaluated using MCE from October 1998 to September 2005 at the National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. Lesions were prospectively classified according to the clinical classification of the pit pattern: invasive pattern or non-invasive pattern. All lesions were histopathologically evaluated.There were 3,371 adenomas, 612 intramucosal cancers (m-ca), 232 submucosal cancers (sm-ca): 52 sm superficial (sm1) and 180 sm deep cancers (sm 2-3). Among lesions diagnosed as invasive pattern, 154 out of 178 (86.5%) were sm2-3, while among lesions diagnosed as non-invasive pattern, 4,011 out of 4,037 (99.4%) were adenomas, m-ca, or sm1. Sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of the invasive pattern to differentiate m-ca or sm1 (1000 microm) from sm2-3 (or = 1000 microm) were 85.6%, 99.4%, and 98.8%, respectively.The determination of invasive or non-invasive pattern by MCE is a highly effective in vivo method to predict the depth of invasion of colorectal neoplasms.

Background Although microvascular vessels on the surface of colorectal polyps are observed by narrow-band imaging (NBI) with magnification, its clinical usefulness is still uncertain. Objective Our purpose was to evaluate the usefulness of meshed capillary (MC) vessels observed by NBI magnification for differentiating between nonneoplastic and neoplastic colorectal lesions. Design Prospective polyp study. Setting National Cancer Center Hospital East, Chiba, Japan. Patients A total of 702 consecutive patients who underwent total colonoscopy between September and December 2004 were prospectively evaluated. Patients with polyps >10 mm and those with polyps previously evaluated by histologic examination or colonoscopy were excluded. Intervention Lesions were classified into 2 groups: polyps with invisible or faintly visible MC vessels as nonneoplastic and polyps with clearly visible MC vessels as neoplastic. Lesions judged as nonneoplastic were subjected to biopsy and those as neoplastic were removed endoscopically. Histologic analysis was performed in all lesions. Main Outcome Measurement Visible or invisible surface MC vessels, prediction of histologic diagnosis. Results Of 92 eligible patients enrolled in this study, 150 lesions, including 39 (26%) hyperplastic polyps and 111 (74%) adenomatous polyps, were detected. Observation of MC vessels detected 107 of 111 neoplastic polyps and 36 of 39 nonneoplastic polyps. The overall diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were 95.3%, 96.4%, and 92.3%, respectively. Limitations MC vessel judgment performed by a single colonoscopist with extensive experience in magnifying NBI. Conclusion Observation of surface MC vessels by magnifying NBI is a useful and simple method for differentiating colorectal nonneoplastic and neoplastic polyps.

Background and Aim: The accuracy of conventional colonoscopy to differentiate neoplastic and non-neoplastic polyps is limited, justifying a biopsy for histologic analysis. Magnifying chromocolonoscopy has emerged as the best tool available for differentiating adenomatous and hyperplastic polyps during colonoscopy; however, magnifying endoscopes are rarely used in endoscopy units. This study aimed to further validate the effectiveness of magnifying chromocolonoscopy in the diagnosis of neoplastic colorectal polyps in a screening center. Method: Five hundred average-risk subjects were randomly divided into two groups: a magnifying chromocolonoscopy group and a conventional chromocolonoscopy group, each of 250 subjects. Lesions were analyzed according to Kudo's classification of pit pattern (types I–V) and additionally subdivided into non-neoplastic (types I–II) and neoplastic (types III–V). Lesions judged as neoplastic were resected and those judged as non-neoplastic were left in situ. Only lesions ≤10 mm were included in the study. Resected lesions were analyzed with histopathological examination. Results: The overall accuracy of magnifying chromocolonoscopy for differentiating neoplastic lesions (95%, 135 of 142), was significantly higher than that of conventional chromocolonoscopy (84%, 102 of 122; P

Background Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is accepted as one of the treatments for en bloc resection of large superficial colorectal lesions. This procedure is performed by using air insufflation, is time consuming, and is associated with severe abdominal discomfort. The safety and efficacy of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) insufflation during colonoscopy already has been assessed in some trials. Objective To assess the safety and efficacy of CO 2 insufflation instead of air insufflation during colorectal ESD with the patient under conscious sedation. Design A case-control series with a historical control. Patients A total of 35 consecutive patients were enrolled in this study. Another 35 consecutive patients who previously received colorectal ESDs by using air insufflation were included as a historical control. Interventions Arterial partial pressure of CO 2 (pCO 2 ) was measured before and after each procedure with the total dose of midazolam used as an index of abdominal discomfort. Main Outcome Measurements and Results The mean (standard deviation [SD]) operation time was 90 ± 57 minutes in the CO 2 group and 100 ± 80 minutes in the control group (not significant). In the CO 2 group, the mean (SD) dose of midazolam was significantly lower than that of the control group; 5.6 ± 4.9 mg and 9.7 ± 5.9 mg, respectively ( P = .005). Blood analysis revealed a slight pCO 2 elevation in the CO 2 group; however, only 2 patients complained of mild abdominal discomfort. Limitations Abdominal discomfort and pCO 2 were not evaluated in the control group. Conclusions This study strongly suggests that CO 2 insufflation is safe and effective during lengthy colonic endoscopic procedures, eg, ESD, with the patient under conscious sedation.

We report a case of phlebosclerotic colitis with deep circumferential ulceration in which the characteristic findings were observed radiologically and endoscopically. Previously, the patient was diagnosed with colitis of unknown etiology in 1999 when a colonoscopy showed small erosions, ulcers, and dark purple mucosa in the right colon. As a result of parenteral nutrition treatment, his symptoms and ulcerations disappeared; however, the dark purple mucosa remained unchanged for three years on the annual endoscopic follow-up. Recurrent colitis associated with circumferential ulceration was diagnosed in 2002. The patient was treated again with only parenteral nutrition and his symptoms improved after a few days; the ulceration completely disappeared within seven months. This case emphasizes the benefit of nonsurgical treatment for phlebosclerotic colitis even in cases of deep circumferential ulceration.

EMR traditionally is performed by using normal saline solution (NS) as the submucosal fluid cushion. It is thought, however, that NS does not maintain the proper mucosal elevation for EMR of large, flat lesions. We investigated the efficacy of glycerol as the submucosal injection solution.A total of 110 colorectal laterally spreading tumors (LST) were treated by EMR with glycerol. For comparison, 113 LSTs treated by using NS were studied. The en bloc resection, complete resection, and associated complications rates were evaluated retrospectively.The en bloc resection rate in the glycerol group was 63.6% (70/110) compared with 48.9% (55/113) in the NS group (p0.05). The complete resection rate in the glycerol group was 45.5% (50/110) compared with 24.6% (28/113) in the NS group (p0.01). The associated complications rate was similar in both groups.It technically was easier and as safe to perform EMR of colorectal LSTs when using glycerol as the submucosal injection solution.

CASE REPORTA 64-year-old man with a positive fecal occult blood testunderwent colonoscopy, at which a protruded Is + IIa(LST-granular type) lesion, 40 3 40 mm in size, withunevensurfacetexturewasdetectedinthelowerrectum.Itwas slightly elevated and had a reddish surface. Chro-moendoscopy with a high-magnification colonoscope(CF240ZI; Olympus Optical Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) andindigo carmine (0.2%) dye demonstrated the surfacecharacter and margin of the lesion (Fig. 1). Staining withcrystal violet (0.05%) revealed a Kudo type IV pit pattern