Recent developments in small bowel endoscopy: the “black box” is now open!

Over the last few years, capsule endoscopy has been established as a fundamental device in the practicing gastroenterologist’s toolbox. Its utilization in diagnostic algorithms for suspected small bowel bleeding, Crohn’s disease, and small bowel tumors has been approved by several guidelines. The advent of double-balloon enteroscopy has significantly increased the therapeutic possibilities and release of multiple devices (single-balloon enteroscopy and spiral enteroscopy) aimed at improving the performance of small bowel enteroscopy. Recently, some important innovations have appeared in the small bowel endoscopy scene, providing further improvement to its evolution. Artificial intelligence in capsule endoscopy should increase diagnostic accuracy and reading efficiency, and the introduction of motorized spiral enteroscopy into clinical practice could also improve the therapeutic yield. This review focuses on the most recent studies on artificial-intelligence-assisted capsule endoscopy and motorized spiral enteroscopy

Current uses and outcomes of lumen-apposing metal stents

The lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS) is one of the revolutionary devices recently developed for gastrointestinal endoscopy. This device has a saddle-shaped design and large lumen. It was originally designed for drainage of transmural pancreatic fluid collection and in the last few years it has been used extensively for that indication. More recently, other in- and off-label indications have been proposed. Several types of LAMS are available, with or without an electrocauteryenhanced delivery system. In the current review we discuss the state of the art with regard to LAMS and their indications, usage, and outcomes

Screening for Barrett\u2019s oesophagus with oesophageal capsule endoscopy in first-degree relatives of patients affected by Barrett\u2019s oesophagus: Results of a pilot study

Background and Aims. Barrett's oesophagus (BE) is one of the complications of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Oesophageal capsule endoscopy (ECE) has been proposed as a non-invasive investigation of oesophageal pathology. The aims were to evaluate the diagnostic yield of ECE in first-degree relatives of patients with BE and reflux symptoms and to assess prospectively the prevalence of BE in these conditions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Inclusion criteria were familial history of at least one first-degree relative with BE and typical reflux syndrome. Patients underwent ECE followed by oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). The ECE findings were compared with those during EGD. RESULTS: Between February and October 2009, 18 patients were enrolled. Oesophagitis and endoscopically suspected oesophageal metaplasia (ESEM) were present, at ECE, in 7 and 11 patients, respectively. Intestinal metaplasia was histologically confirmed in eight patients. Sensitivity and specificity of ECE were, respectively, 86% and 91%, for oesophagitis, and 100% and 70% for ESEM; positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 86% and 91%, respectively, for oesophagitis and 73% and 100%, respectively, for ESEM. Prevalence of BE was 44%. CONCLUSION: ECE showed an optimal NPV for BE detection. Pending confirmation of these results, ECE could be proposed as a screening test in symptomatic relatives of patients with BE

Long-term efficacy of vacuum-assisted therapy (Endo-SPONGE(®)) in large anastomotic leakages following anterior rectal resection

CONCLUSIONS: Our study substantially confirms previous conclusions and reaffirms that Endo-SPONGE® treatment for colorectal anastomotic leakages, performed in suitable patients, represents a successful and safe approach. The reduction in wound closure time, mild-to-moderate discomfort and possibly shorter hospitalization suggest that Endo-SPONGE® treatment can be a prominent therapeutic regimen with adequate patient acceptance.BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to test the long-term efficacy of Endo-SPONGE® therapy in a group of patients treated in our center with vacuum-assisted therapy because of anastomotic leakages after colorectal surgery. METHODS: Eleven patients [male: 6; mean age: 71 (range: 44-82) years] who had anastomotic leakage treated with Endo-SPONGE® placement were included in the study. Patient records were examined retrospectively. All patients with documented anastomotic leakage on abdominal computed tomography following an anterior resection of the rectum for rectal cancer underwent sigmoidoscopy to determine the extent of the anastomotic defect and the size of the presacral abscess. RESULTS: Ten of the 11 patients (90.9%) showed closure of the anastomotic leakage after a mean of 16 sponge changes. During follow up [mean: 29 (range: 6-64) months], we observed two cases of anastomotic stricture. Treatment failure was observed in one patient who presented an increased size of dehiscence after 23 sessions of endoscopic treatment, despite an initial good response

New Generation Express View: An Artificial Intelligence Software Effectively Reduces Capsule Endoscopy Reading Times

BACKGROUND: Reading capsule endoscopy (CE) is time-consuming. The Express View (EV) (IntroMedic, Seoul, Korea) software was designed to shorten CE video reading. Our primary aim was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of EV in detecting significant small-bowel (SB) lesions. We also compared the reading times with EV mode and standard reading (SR). METHODS: 126 patients with suspected SB bleeding and/or suspected neoplasia were prospectively enrolled and underwent SB CE (MiroCam®1200, IntroMedic, Seoul, Korea). CE evaluation was performed in standard and EV mode. In case of discrepancies between SR and EV readings, a consensus was reached after reviewing the video segments and the findings were re-classified. RESULTS: The completion rate of SB CE in our cohort was 86.5% and no retention occurred. The per-patient analysis of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy of EV compared to SR were 86%, 86%, 90%, 81%, and 86%, respectively, before consensus. After consensus, they increased to 97%, 100%, 100%, 96%, and 98%, respectively. The median reading time with SR and EV was 71 min (range 26–340) and 13 min (range 3–85), respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The new-generation EV shows high diagnostic accuracy and significantly reduces CE reading times

Higher adenoma recurrence rate after left- versus right-sided colectomy for colon cancer.

BACKGROUND: Patients with history of colonic resection for cancer have an increased risk of the development of metachronous malignant and premalignant lesions. Scanty data are reported on detection rates of premalignant lesions during colonoscopy surveillance in this setting. OBJECTIVE: To assess the risk of metachronous precancerous lesions developing in patients with previous colonic surgery for cancer according to the resection type. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Two academic centers in Italy. PATIENTS: A total of 441 patients; 256 with previous left-sided colectomy (LCR) (LCR group) and 185 with previous right-sided colectomy (RCR) (RCR group). INTERVENTIONS: Second surveillance colonoscopy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Polyp and adenoma detection rates. RESULTS: At least 1 adenoma was diagnosed in 76 of 256 patients (30% adenoma detection rate) and in 35 of 185 patients (19% adenoma detection rate) in the LCR and RCR groups, respectively (P = .014), yielding an odds ratio of 1.83 (95% confidence interval, 1.16-2.89). Corresponding figures for the polyp detection rate were 39% and 25%, respectively (P = .002; odds ratio 1.97; 95% confidence interval, 1.30-3.00). LIMITATIONS: Retrospective study with colonoscopy baseline information missing. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who have undergone LCR are at higher risk of the development of adenomas than those who have undergone RCR. If this result is confirmed by large prospective studies, surveillance programs could be targeted according to the type of colonic resection, with longer intervals for patients with previous RCR compared with LCR