Infections of the Biliary Tract
Infection of the biliary tract, or cholangitis, is a potentially life-threatening condition. Bile duct stones are the most common cause of biliary obstruction predisposing to cholangitis. The key components in…
GASTOINESTINAL SURGERY
Pre-ERCP Imaging of the Bile Duct and Gallbladder
Advances in biliary imaging have improved making accurate diagnoses of the presence and causes of biliary obstruction. Abdominal ultrasound is a useful screening tool because it is highly specific for…
Endoscopic Advances in Biliary Disease
Jacques Van Dam, MD, PhD, Editor This time, something a little bit different. More often than not, Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Clinics of North America focuses on a particular instrument or procedure….
The Best Endoscopic Methods in Biliary Disease
Charles J. Lightdale, MD, Consulting Editor The biliary tract is subject to a multiplicity of ills spanning an incidence of common to rare. Imaging of the biliary system with ultrasound,…
Red-Flag Technologies in Gastric Neoplasia
Given its morbidity and mortality, the early detection and diagnosis of gastric cancer is an area of intense research focus. This article reviews the emerging use of enhanced endoscopic imaging…
Endomicroscopy and Endocytoscopy in IBD
Two types of endomicroscopy systems exist. One is integrated into a standard, high-resolution endoscope and one is probe-based, capable of passage through the working channel of a standard endoscope. Endocytoscopy…
Optical Molecular Imaging in the Gastrointestinal Tract
Recent developments in optical molecular imaging allow for real-time identification of morphologic and biochemical changes in tissue associated with gastrointestinal neoplasia. This review summarizes widefield and high-resolution imaging modalities in…
Surveillance in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Patients with long-standing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. Performing periodic dysplasia screening and surveillance may diminish this risk. To date, chromoendoscopy is the…
Colonic Polyps
Colorectal cancer represents a major cause of mortality in Western countries, and population-based colonoscopy screening is supported by official guidelines. A significant determinant of the cost of colonoscopy screening/surveillance is…
The New View of Colon Cancer Screening
Many different techniques for colon cancer screening are available. The fecal immunochemical test is best for fecal-based screening, although the DNA investigation may be more specific when further developed. Computed…
