• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.527-533
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• 2018

There have been many advances in endoscopic imaging technologies. Magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging is an innovative optical technology that enables the precise discrimination of structural changes on the mucosal surface. Several studies have demonstrated its usefulness and superiority for tumor detection and differential diagnosis in the stomach as compared with conventional endoscopy. Furthermore, magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging has the potential to predict the invasion depth and tumor margins during gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection. Classifications of the findings of magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging based on microvascular and pit patterns have been proposed and have shown excellent correlations with invasion depth confirmed by microscopy. In terms of tumor margin prediction, magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging offers superior delineation of gastric tumor margins compared with traditional chromoendoscopy with indigo carmine. The limitations of narrow-band imaging, such as the need for considerable training, long procedure time, and lack of studies about its usefulness in undifferentiated cancer, should be resolved to confirm its value as a complementary method to endoscopic submucosal dissection. However, the role of magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging is expected to increase steadily with the increasing use of endoscopic submucosal dissection for the treatment of gastric tumors.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.79-87
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• 2023

Purpose: Gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy is an important tool for diagnosing and treating GI diseases in children. This study aimed to analyze the current GI endoscopy practice patterns among South Korean pediatric endoscopists. Methods: Twelve members of the Korean Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition developed a questionnaire. The questionnaire was emailed to pediatric gastroenterologists attending general and tertiary hospitals in South Korea. Results: The response rate was 86.7% (52/60), and 49 of the respondents (94.2%) were currently performing endoscopy. All respondents were performing esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and 43 (87.8%) were performing colonoscopy. Relatively rare procedures for children, such as double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) (4.1%), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) (2.0%), and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) (2.0%), were only performed by pediatric gastroenterologists at very few centers, but were performed by adult endoscopists in most of the centers; of all the respondents, 83.7% (41/49) performed emergency endoscopy. In most centers, the majority of the endoscopies were performed under sedation, with midazolam (100.0%) and ketamine (67.3%) as the most frequently used sedatives. Conclusion: While most pediatric GI endoscopists perform common GI endoscopic procedures, rare procedures, such as DBE, ERCP, and EUS, are only performed by pediatric gastroenterologists at very few centers, and by adult GI endoscopists at most of the centers. For such rare procedures, close communication and cooperation with adult GI endoscopists are required.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.89-95
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• 2024

Background/Aims: In stereomicroscopic sample isolation processing, the cutoff value (≥4 mm) of stereomicroscopically visible white cores indicates high diagnostic sensitivity. We aimed to evaluate endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA) using a simplified stereomicroscopic on-site evaluation of upper gastrointestinal subepithelial lesions (SELs). Methods: In this multicenter prospective trial, we performed EUS-TA using a 22-gauge Franseen needle in 34 participants with SELs derived from the upper gastrointestinal muscularis propria, requiring pathological diagnosis. The presence of stereomicroscopically visible white core (SVWC) in each specimen was assessed using stereomicroscopic on-site evaluation. The primary outcome was EUS-TA's diagnostic sensitivity with stereomicroscopic on-site evaluation based on the SVWC cutoff value (≥4 mm) for malignant upper gastrointestinal SELs. Results: The total number of punctures was 68; 61 specimens (89.7%) contained stereomicroscopically visible white cores ≥4 mm in size. The final diagnoses were gastrointestinal stromal tumor, leiomyoma, and schwannoma in 76.5%, 14.7%, and 8.8% of the cases, respectively. The sensitivity of EUS-TA with stereomicroscopic on-site evaluation based on the SVWC cutoff value for malignant SELs was 100%. The per-lesion accuracy of histological diagnosis reached the highest level (100%) at the second puncture. Conclusions: Stereomicroscopic on-site evaluation showed high diagnostic sensitivity and could be a new method for diagnosing upper gastrointestinal SELs using EUS-TA.

• 전기의세계
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.21-23
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• 2002

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.203-208
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• 2024

Background/Aims: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is the most common GI condition requiring hospitalization. The present study aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of using the PillSense system (EnteraSense Ltd.), a novel diagnostic tool designed for the rapid in vivo detection of UGIB, in human volunteers. Methods: In the present study, 10 volunteers swallowed a PillSense capsule, followed by 2 servings of an autologous blood preparation. Participants were monitored for capsule passage, overall tolerability of the procedure, and adverse events. Results: The procedure was completed per the protocol established in the present study in 9/10 cases. In 9 of the subjects, after capsule ingestion, the device indicated the absence of blood with sensor output values of 1. After the ingestion of the first blood mixture, the sensor outputs of all devices increased to a range from 2.8 to 4, indicating that each sensor capsule detected blood. The sensor output remained within that range after the ingestion of the second mixture; however, in one case, the baseline capsule signal was positive, because of a preexisting condition. The passage of the capsule was verified in all patients, and no adverse events were reported. Conclusions: The first trial of the PillSense system in human subjects demonstrated the feasibility, safety, and tolerability of utilizing this product as a novel, noninvasive, and easy-to-use triage tool for the diagnosis of patients suspected of having UGIB.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.342-349
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• 2024

Background/Aims: Nonagenarians will purportedly account for 10% of the United States population by 2050. However, no studies have assessed the outcomes of nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) in this age group. Methods: The National Inpatient Sample database between 2016 and 2020 was used to compare the clinical outcomes of NVUGIB in nonagenarians and octogenarians and evaluate predictors of mortality and the use of esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Results: Nonagenarians had higher in-hospital mortality than that of octogenarians (4% vs. 3%, p<0.001). EGD utilization (30% vs. 48%, p<0.001) and blood transfusion (27% vs. 40%, p<0.001) was significantly lower in nonagenarians. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that nonagenarians with NVUGIB had higher odds of mortality (odds ratio [OR], 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-1.7) and lower odds of EGD utilization (OR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.83-0.89) than those of octogenarians. Conclusions: Nonagenarians admitted with NVUGIB have a higher mortality risk than that of octogenarians. EGD is used significantly in managing NVUGIB among nonagenarians; however, its utilization is comparatively lower than in octogenarians. More studies are needed to assess predictors of poor outcomes and the indications of EGD in this growing population.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.513-526
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• 2018

White light imaging (WLI) may not reveal early upper gastrointestinal cancers. Linked color imaging (LCI) produces bright images in the distant view and is performed for the same screening indications as WLI. LCI and blue laser imaging (BLI) provide excellent visibility of gastric cancers in high color contrast with respect to the surrounding tissue. The characteristic purple and green color of metaplasias on LCI and BLI, respectively, serve to increase the contrast while visualizing gastric cancers regardless of a history of Helicobacter pylori eradication. LCI facilitates color-based recognition of early gastric cancers of all morphological types, including flat lesions or those in an H. pylori-negative normal background mucosa as well as the diagnosis of inflamed mucosae including erosions. LCI reveals changes in mucosal color before the appearance of morphological changes in various gastric lesions. BLI is superior to LCI in the detection of early esophageal cancers and abnormal findings of microstructure and microvasculature in close-up views of upper gastrointestinal cancers. Excellent images can also be obtained with transnasal endoscopy. Using a combination of these modalities allows one to obtain images useful for establishing a diagnosis. It is important to observe esophageal cancers (brown) using BLI and gastric cancers (orange) surrounded by intestinal metaplasia (purple) and duodenal cancers (orange) by LCI.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.350-363
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• 2024

Background/Aims: To overcome the technical limitations of classic endoscopic resection for gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), various methods have been developed. In this study, we examined the role and feasibility of clip-and-cut procedures (clip-and-cut endoscopic full-thickness resection [cc-EFTR]) for gastric GISTs. Methods: Medical records of 83 patients diagnosed with GISTs after endoscopic resection between 2005 and 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Moreover, clinical characteristics and outcomes were analyzed. Results: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and cc-EFTR were performed in 51 and 32 patients, respectively. The GISTs were detected in the upper third of the stomach for ESD (52.9%) and cc-EFTR (90.6%). Within the cc-EFTR group, a majority of GISTs were located in the deep muscularis propria or serosal layer, accounting for 96.9%, as opposed to those in the ESD group (45.1%). The R0 resection rates were 51.0% and 84.4% in the ESD and cc-EFTR groups, respectively. Seven (8.4%) patients required surgical treatment (six patients underwent ESD and one underwent cc-EFTR,) due to residual tumor (n=5) and post-procedure adverse events (n=2). Patients undergoing R0 or R1 resection did not experience recurrence during a median 14-month follow-up period, except for one patient in the ESD group. Conclusions: cc-EFTR displayed a high R0 resection rate; therefore, it is a safe and effective therapeutic option for small gastric GISTs.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.620-627
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• 2024

Background/Aims: Few multicenter studies have investigated the efficacy of hemostatic powders in gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. We aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes of hemostatic powder therapy and the independent factors affecting rebleeding rates. Methods: We retrospectively recruited patients who underwent a new hemostatic adhesive powder (UI-EWD; Next-Biomedical) treatment for upper and lower GI bleeding between January 1, 2020 and March 1, 2023. We collected patients' medical records and bleeding lesions. The primary outcomes were clinical and technical success rates, and the secondary outcomes were early and delayed bleeding rates refractory bleeding rate, mortality rate, and factors affecting early rebleeding rates. Results: This study enrolled 135 patients (age: 67.7±13.6 years, male: 74.1%) from five hospitals. Indications for UI-EWD were peptic ulcers (51.1%), post-procedure-related bleeding (23.0%), and tumor bleeding (19.3%). The clinical and technical success rates were both 97%. The early, delayed, and refractory rebleeding rates were 19.3%, 11.1%, and 12.8%, respectively. Initially elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels (p=0.014) and Forrest classification IA or IB compared with IIA or IIB (p=0.036) were factors affecting early rebleeding. Conclusions: UI-EWD showed high clinical and technical success rates; however, rebleeding after UI-EWD therapy in patients with initially high BUN levels and active bleeding, according to the Forrest classification, should be considered.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.148-154
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• 2001

Purpose: Ingested foreign bodies present a common clinical problem. It is well known that most of them pass uninterrupted through the gastrointestinal tract. We evaluated the role of endoscopy and Foley catheter for removal of foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract. Methods: We investigated retrospectively 60 cases with foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract. They had been treated at Wonju Christian Hospital, Yonsei University of Korea, from January, 1996 through December, 1999. Results: The age of the patients ranged from 7 months to 13 years. Patients under 5 years were 57 cases (97%) and there was no significant difference in sex (M : F=1.07 : 1). 45 cases of the patients had no symptom. The most common foreign bodies were coins (43 cases). The most common location was esophagus (31 cases). The number of foreign body removal using flexible endoscopy and Foley catheter was 22 (36.7%) and 18 (30.0%) cases, respectively. In 18 cases (30.0%), foreign bodies passed spontaneously. Only 1 case (1.7%), curtain pin impaction at ileocecal region, required surgery. Conclusion: Early foreign body removal from esophagus and stomach is recommended to lessen the morbidity and complication. Fluoroscopic foley catheter technique and flexible endoscopy for removal of esophageal foreign bodies in children is safe and effective.