ObjectiveSuboptimal adenoma detection rate (ADR) at colonoscopy is associated with increased risk of interval colorectal cancer. It is uncertain how ADR might be improved. We compared the effect of leadership training versus feedback only on colonoscopy quality in a countrywide randomised trial.Design40 colonoscopy screening centres with suboptimal performance in the Polish screening programme (centre leader ADR ≤25% during preintervention phase January to December 2011) were randomised to either a Train-Colonoscopy-Leaders (TCLs) programme (assessment, hands-on training, post-training feedback) or feedback only (individual quality measures). Colonoscopies performed June to December 2012 (early postintervention) and January to December 2013 (late postintervention) were used to calculate changes in quality measures. Primary outcome was change in leaders’ ADR. Mixed effect models using ORs and 95% CIs were computed.ResultsThe study included 24 582 colonoscopies performed by 38 leaders and 56 617 colonoscopies performed by 138 endoscopists at the participating centres. The absolute difference between the TCL and feedback groups in mean ADR improvement of leaders was 7.1% and 4.2% in early and late postintervention phases, respectively. The TCL group had larger improvement in ADR in early (OR 1.61; 95% CI 1.29 to 2.01; p<0.001) and late (OR 1.35; 95% CI 1.10 to 1.66; p=0.004) postintervention phases. In the late postintervention phase, the absolute difference between the TCL and feedback groups in mean ADR improvement of entire centres was 3.9% (OR 1.25; 95% CI 1.04 to 1.50; p=0.017).ConclusionsTeaching centre leaders in colonoscopy training improved important quality measures in screening colonoscopy.Trial registration numberNCT01667198.

No abstract

APC used in combination with piecemeal polypectomy of large colorectal adenomas is an effective and safe method of therapy, provided patient selection is careful and follow-up close.

EUS is more accurate than HCT in the T-staging of gastric carcinoma. Both methods are comparable for N-staging, when this is done according to the older, fourth edition of the TNM classification. If the fifth edition is used, EUS is less accurate than HCT.

There was no significant reduction in moderate or severe pain in a comparison of water exchange with CO2 insufflation. The secondary outcome of no pain was significantly more frequent in the water exchange group. Clinical trials registry number: NCT01633333.

Neoplasms may be missed by CE, especially in the proximal SB. In overt obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, complementary endoscopic and/or radiologic diagnostic tests are indicated.

Because most esophageal cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage, a majority of patients require palliative dysphagia treatment. Dysphagia severity and the need for repeated re-canalization procedures signifi cantly affect patients ' quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to establish whether combining argon plasma coagulation (APC) of the neoplastic esophageal tissue with another re-canalization method results in a longer dysphagia-free period compared with APC alone. METHODS:We conducted a randomized trial in 93 patients with malignant dysphagia. Patients were followed until death. We compared three regimens of esophageal re-canalization; APC combined with high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy, APC combined with photodynamic therapy (PDT), and APC alone. The primary outcome measure was the dysphagia-free period following randomization. Secondary measures were survival, QoL, treatment-associated complications, and treatment tolerance. A per-protocol analysis was carried out. RESULTS:The time to fi rst dysphagia recurrence was signifi cantly different between each combination treatment group and the control group (overall test: P = 0.006; HDR vs. control, log-rank P = 0.002, PDT vs. control, log-rank P = 0.036), but not different between the combination groups (HDR vs. PDT, log-rank P = 0.36). The median time to fi rst dysphagia recurrence was 88, 59, and 35 days in the HDR, PDT, and control groups, respectively. There was no difference in overall survival between the study groups ( P = 0.27). No deaths, perforations, hemorrhages, or fi stula formations were attributed to treatment. The only major complication was fever, occurring in three PDT patients. Minor complications were observed signifi cantly more often in the combination treatment groups and included pain in both groups, transient dysphagia worsening, and skin sensitivity in the PDT group. The QoL 30 days after treatment in the HDR group was signifi cantly better than in the other groups.CONCLUSIONS: In patients with inoperable esophageal cancer, palliative combination treatment of dysphagia with APC and HDR or PDT was signifi cantly more effi cient than APC alone, and was safe and well tolerated. APC combined with HDR resulted in fewer complications and better QoL than APC with PDT or APC alone (CONSORT 1b).SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL is linked to the online version of the paper at

Background This study evaluated the impact of power setting and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) dose on efficacy and safety of argon plasma coagulation (APC) of Barrett’s esophagus (BE) with low-grade dysplasia (LGD). Methods 71 patients were randomized to APC with power set at 90 W or 60 W followed by 120 mg or 40 mg omeprazole. The primary outcome was the rate of complete (endoscopic and histologic) ablation of BE at 6 weeks. Secondary outcomes included safety and long-term efficacy. Results Complete ablation rate in the 90 W/120 mg, 90 W/40 mg, and 60 W/120 mg groups was 78 % (18/23; 95 % confidence interval [CI] 61–95), 60 % (15/25; 95 %CI 41–79), 74 % (17/23; 95 %CI 56–92), respectively, at 6 weeks and 70 % (16/23; 95 %CI 51–88), 52 % (13/25; 95 %CI 32–72), and 65 % (15/23; 95 %CI 46–85) at 2 years post-treatment (differences not significant). Additional APC was required in 28 patients (23 residual and 5 recurrent BE). At median follow-up of 108 months, 66/71 patients (93 %; 95 %CI 87–99) maintained complete ablation. No high-grade dysplasia or adenocarcinoma developed. Overall, adverse events (97 % mild) did not differ significantly between groups. Chest pain/discomfort was more frequent in patients receiving 90 W vs. 60 W power (P < 0.001). One patient had esophageal perforation and two developed stenosis. Conclusions APC power setting and PPI dose did not impact efficacy and safety of BE ablation. Complete ablation of BE with LGD was durable in > 90 % of patients, without any evidence of neoplasia progression in the long term.