Background: Intrapapillary capillary loops (IPCLs) represent an endoscopically visible feature of early squamous cell neoplasia (ESCN) which correlate with invasion depth-an important factor in the success of curative endoscopic therapy. IPCLs visualised on magnification endoscopy with Narrow Band Imaging (ME-NBI) can be used to train convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to detect the presence and classify staging of ESCN lesions. Methods: A total of 7046 sequential high-definition ME-NBI images from 17 patients (10 ESCN, 7 normal) were used to train a CNN. IPCL patterns were classified by three expert endoscopists according to the Japanese Endoscopic Society classification. Normal IPCLs were defined as type A, abnormal as B1-3. Matched histology was obtained for all imaged areas. Results: This CNN differentiates abnormal from normal IPCL patterns with 93.7% accuracy (86.2% to 98.3%) and sensitivity and specificity for classifying abnormal IPCL patterns of 89.3% (78.1% to 100%) and 98% (92% to 99.7%), respectively. Our CNN operates in real time with diagnostic prediction times between 26.17 ms and 37.48 ms. Conclusion: Our novel and proof-of-concept application of computer-aided endoscopic diagnosis shows that a CNN can accurately classify IPCL patterns as normal or abnormal. This system could be used as an in vivo, real-time clinical decision support tool for endoscopists assessing and directing local therapy of ESCN.

Background and Aims The Seattle protocol for endoscopic Barrett's esophagus surveillance samples a small proportion of the mucosal surface area-risking a potentially high miss rate of early neoplastic lesions. We assess if the new iScan Optical Enhancement system (OE, Pentax) improves the detection of early BE associated neoplasia compared with high definition white light endoscopy (HD-WLE) in both expert and trainee endoscopists to target sampling of suspicious areas. Such a system may both improve early neoplasia detection and reduce the need for random biopsies. Methods 41 patients undergoing endoscopic BE surveillance from Jan 2016-Nov 2017 were recruited from 3 international referral centers. Matched still images in both HD-WLE (n=130) and iScan OE (n=132) were obtained from endoscopic examinations. Two experts, unblinded to the videos and histology, delineated known neoplasia, forming a consensus criterion standard. 7 expert and 7 trainee endoscopists marked one position per image where they would expect a target biopsy to identify dysplastic tissue. The same expert panel then reviewed magnification images and using a previously validated classification system attempted to classify mucosa as dysplastic or non-dysplastic based on the mucosal and vascular patterns observed on magnification endoscopy. Diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, NPV, and PPV were calculated. Improvements in dysplasia detection in HD-WLE vs OE and interobserver agreement (IA) were assessed by multilevel logistic regression analysis and Krippendorff's alpha, respectively. Improvements in diagnostic performance were expressed as an odds ratio between the odds of an improvement in OE, compared with the odds of an improvement in WLE Results

Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is the only known precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), whose incidence has increased sharply in the last 4 decades. The annual conversion rate of BE to cancer is significant, but small. The identification of patients at a higher risk of cancer therefore poses a clinical conundrum. Currently, endoscopic surveillance is recommended in BE patients, with the aim of diagnosing either dysplasia or cancer at early stages, both of which are curable with minimally invasive endoscopic techniques. There is a large variation in clinical practice for endoscopic surveillance, and dysplasia as a marker of increased risk is affected by sampling error and high interobserver variability. Screening programs have not yet been formally accepted, mainly due to the economic burden that would be generated by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Screening programs have not yet been formally accepted, mainly due to the economic burden that would be generated by widespread indication to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. In fact, it is currently difficult to formulate an accurate algorithm to confidently target the population at risk, based on the known clinical risk factors for BE and EAC. This review will focus on the clinical and molecular factors that are involved in the development of BE and its conversion to cancer and on how increased knowledge in these areas can improve the clinical management of the disease.

Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (AUGIB) is one of the most common medical emergencies in the UK. Despite advancement in technology the management of AUGIB remains a challenge. The clinical community recognise the need for improvement in the treatment of these patients. AUGIB has a significant impact on resources. Endoscopic therapy is the gold standard treatment. The mortality in AUGIB is rarely related to the presenting bleed but significantly associated with concurrent comorbidities. The cost of blood transfusion in the management of patients with AUGIB is significant and misuse of blood products has been documented nationally. Risk stratification tools such as Glasgow-Blatchford Score, Rockall Score and the AIMS65 score have allowed clinicians to triage patients appropriately in order to deliver endoscopic therapy within a suitable time frame. Endoscopic therapeutic modalities such as epinephrine injection, heat thermocoagulation and mechanical clips have had a positive impact on patient’s management. However, in order to continue to improve patient’s outcomes, further developments are needed.

Background and AimAcute gastrointestinal bleeding carries poor outcomes unless prompt endoscopic hemostasis is achieved. Mortality in these patients remains significant. Hemospray is a novel intervention that creates a mechanical barrier over bleeding sites. We report the largest dataset of patient outcomes after treatment with Hemospray from an international multicenter registry.Patients and MethodsProspective data (Jan 2016–May 2018) from 12 centers across Europe were collected. Immediate hemostasis was defined as endoscopic cessation of bleeding within 5 min after application of Hemospray. Rebleeding was defined as subsequent drop in hemoglobin, hematemesis, persistent melena with hemodynamic compromise post‐therapy.ResultsThree hundred and fourteen cases were recruited worldwide (231 males, 83 females). Median pretreatment Blatchford score was 11 (IQR: 8–14) and median complete Rockall score (RS) was 7 (IQR: 6–8) for all patients. Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) was the most common pathology (167/314 = 53%) and Forrest Ib the most common bleed type in PUD (100/167 = 60%). 281 patients (89.5%) achieved immediate hemostasis after successful endoscopic therapy with Hemospray. Rebleeding occurred in 29 (10.3%) of the 281 patients who achieved immediate hemostasis. Seven‐day and 30‐day all‐cause mortality were 11.5% (36/314) and 20.1% (63/314), respectively (lower than the predicted rates as per the RS). Similar hemostasis rates were noted in the Hemospray monotherapy (92.4%), combination therapy (88.7%) and rescue therapy (85.5%) groups.ConclusionsThese data show high rates of immediate hemostasis overall and in all subgroups. Rebleeding and mortality rates were in keeping/lower than predicted rates.

Introduction Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a leading cause of morbidity and associated with a 2-17% mortality in the United Kingdom (UK) and USA [1]. Peptic ulcers account for 50% of UGIB’s. Endoscopic intervention in a timely manner can improve outcomes. Hemospray (Cook Medical, North Carolina, USA) is an endoscopic haemostatic powder for GI bleeding. This multicentre registry was created to collect data prospectively on the immediate Endoscopic haemostasis of GI bleeding in patients with peptic ulcer disease when Hemospray is applied as endoscopic monotherapy, dual therapy or rescue therapy. Methods Data were collected prospectively (January 2016 – March 2019) from 14 centres in the (UK, France, Germany and the USA). The application of Hemospray was decided upon at the endoscopist’s discretion. Results 202 patients with UGIB secondary to peptic ulcers were recruited. Immediate haemostasis was achieved in 178/202 (88%) of patients, 26/154 (17%) had a re-bleed, 21/175 (12%) died within 7 days, 38/175 (22%) died within 30 days (all-cause mortality). Hemospray combination therapy with other endoscopic modalities had an associated lower 30-day mortality (16%, P <0.05) relative to Hemospray monotherapy or rescue therapy. There were high immediate haemostasis rates across all PUD Forrest classifications. Conclusions This is the largest case series of outcomes of peptic ulcer bleeds treated with Hemospray. There were high immediate haemostasis rates with Hemospray in oesophageal and peptic ulcer bleeds.

IntroductionTraining and quality assurance in oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD) is important to ensure competent practice. A national evidence-based review was undertaken to update and develop standards and recommendations for OGD training and certification.MethodsUnder the oversight of the Joint Advisory Group (JAG), a modified Delphi process was conducted with stakeholder representation from British Society of Gastroenterology, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, trainees and trainers. Recommendations on OGD training and certification were formulated following literature review and appraised using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation. These were subjected to electronic voting to achieve consensus. Accepted statements were incorporated into the updated certification pathway.ResultsIn total, 32 recommendation statements were generated for the following domains: definition of competence (4 statements), acquisition of competence (12 statements), assessment of competence (10 statements) and post-certification support (6 statements). The consensus process led to following certification criteria: (1) performing ≥250 hands-on procedures; (2) attending a JAG-accredited basic skills course; (3) attainment of relevant minimal performance standards defined by British Society of Gastroenterology/Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland, (4) achieving physically unassisted D2 intubation and J-manoeuvre in ≥95% of recent procedures, (5) satisfactory performance in formative and summative direct observation of procedural skills assessments.ConclusionThe JAG standards for diagnostic OGD have been updated following evidence-based consensus. These standards are intended to support training, improve competency assessment to uphold standards of practice and provide support to the newly-independent practitioner.

AIMTo assess clinical outcomes for submucosal (T1b) oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) patients managed with either surgery or endoscopic eradication therapy.METHODSPatients found to have T1b OAC following endoscopic resection between January 2008 to February 2016 at University College London Hospital were retrospectively analysed. Patients were split into low-risk and high-risk groups according to established histopathological criteria and were then further categorised according to whether they underwent surgical resection or conservative management. Study outcomes include the presence of lymph-node metastases, disease-specific mortality and overall survival.RESULTSA total of 60 patients were included; 22 patients were surgically managed (1 low-risk and 21 high-risk patients) whilst 38 patients were treated conservatively (12 low-risk and 26 high-risk). Overall, lymph node metastases (LNM) were detected in 10 patients (17%); six of these patients had undergone conservative management and LNM were detected at a median of 4 mo after endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). All LNM occurred in patients with high-risk lesions and this represented 21% of the total high-risk lesions. Importantly, there was no statistically significant difference in tumor-related deaths between those treated surgically or conservatively (P = 0.636) and disease-specific survival time was also comparable between the two treatment strategies (P = 0.376).CONCLUSIONT1b tumours without histopathological high-risk markers of LNM can be treated endoscopically with good out-comes. In selected patients, endoscopic therapy may be appropriate for high-risk lesions.