EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy is an efficient technique and could be a future alternative to percutaneous biliary drainage or palliative surgical drainage.

Circumferential EMR provides an effective endoscopic approach to the management of Barrett's esophagus-related high-grade dysplasia and mucosal cancer. Additional studies are necessary to evaluate the long-term results.

BackgroundMetastases to the pancreas are rare, and usually mistaken for primary pancreatic cancers. This study aimed to describe the histology results of solid pancreatic tumours obtained by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) for diagnosis of metastases to the pancreas.MethodsIn a retrospective review, patients with pancreatic solid tumours and history of previous extrapancreatic cancer underwent EUS-FNA from January/1997 to December/2010. Most patients were followed-up until death and some of them were still alive at the end of the study. The performance of EUS-FNA for diagnosis of pancreatic metastases was analyzed. Symptoms, time frame between primary tumour diagnosis and the finding of metastases, and survival after diagnosis were also analyzed.Results37 patients underwent EUS-FNA for probable pancreas metastases. Most cases (65%) presented with symptoms, especially upper abdominal pain (46%). Median time between detection of the first tumour and the finding of pancreatic metastases was 36 months. Metastases were confirmed in 32 (1.6%) cases, 30 of them by EUS-FNA, and 2 by surgery. Other 5 cases were non-metastatic. Most metastases were from lymphoma, colon, lung, and kidney. Twelve (32%) patients were submitted to surgery. Median survival after diagnosis of pancreatic metastases was 9 months, with no difference of survival between surgical and non-surgical cases. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy of EUS-FNA with histology analysis of the specimens for diagnosis of pancreatic metastases were, respectively, 93.8%, 60%, 93.8%, 60% and 89%.ConclusionEUS-FNA with histology of the specimens is a sensitive and accurate method for definitive diagnosis of metastatic disease in patients with a previous history of extrapancreatic malignancies.

-Background -Surgery is the traditional treatment for symptomatic pancreatic pseudocysts, but the morbidity is still too high. �inimally in�asi�e endoscopic approaches ha�e been encouraged. �inimally in�asi�e endoscopic approaches ha�e been encouraged. Aims -To e�aluate the efficacy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided endoscopic transmural drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts. Methods -From January, 2003 to August, 2006, 31 consecuti�e symptomatic patients submitted to 37 procedures at the same endoscopic unit were retrospecti�ely analysed. Chronic and acute pancreatitis were found in, respecti�ely, 17 (54.8%) and 10 (32.3%) cases. Bulging was present in 14 (37.8%) cases. Cystogastrostomy or cystoduodenostomy were created with an inter�entional linear echoendoscope under endosonographic and fluoroscopic control. By protocol, only a single plastic stent, without nasocystic drain, was used. Straight or double pigtail stents were used in, respecti�ely, 22 (59.5%) and 15 (40.5%) procedures. Results -Endoscopic ultrasound-guided transmural drainage was successful in 29 (93.5%) patients. Two cases needed surgery, both due to procedure-related complications. There was no mortality related to the procedure. Twenty-four patients were followed-up longer than 4 weeks. During a mean follow-up of 12.6 months, there were six (25%) symptomatic recurrences due to stent clogging or migration, with two secondary infections. �edian time for de�eloping complications and recurrence of the collections was 3 weeks. These cases were successfully managed with new stents. Complications were more frequent in patients treated with straight stents and in those with a recent episode of acute pancreatitis. Conclusions -Endoscopic transmural drainage pro�ides an effecti�e approach to the management of pancreatic pseudocysts. HEADINGS -Pancreatic pseudocyst. Drainage. Endosonography. Prostheses and implants.

AIM:To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) for pancreatic solid tumors larger or smaller than 3 cm, and cystic lesions. For cystic lesions, the values were, respectively, 72.2%, 99.3%, 97.5%, 91% and 92.2%. METHODS:CONCLUSION: EUS-FNA can be used to sample pancreatic tumors in most patients. Even though the negative predictive value is inadequate for large solid tumors, the results are rather good for small solid tumors, especially concerning the sensitivity, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy. Among all pancreatic lesions, EUS-FNA for cystic lesions can reveal the best negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy, both higher than 90%.

High power setting argon plasma coagulation combined with intensive acid suppression is an effective treatment for the total endoscopic ablation of Barrett's esophagus, at least in the short term. Long-term follow-up of treated patients in whom gastroesophageal reflux is surgically or medically alleviated seems mandatory before drawing definitive conclusions about this therapy.

Magnified virtual chromoendoscopy is as accurate as indigo carmine magnified chromoendoscopy in distinguishing between neoplastic from non-neoplastic small colorectal lesions.

Endoscopic transmural drainage is a minimally invasive, effective and safe approach in the management of pancreatic pseudocysts and abscesses.