Gastroenterology News & Articles

1 Esophageal atresia: metaplasia, Barrett Diseases of the Esophagus, May 17, 2013
Schneider A et al. - Barrett's esophagus is characterized by the replacement of squamous epithelium by columnar epithelium that is intestinal metaplasia-positive or -negative in the distal esophagus. The risk of developing esophageal carcinoma is still a controversial issue as only a few clinical cases have been reported in young adults with esophageal atresia. As late complications of esophageal atresia, particularly esophagitis and Barrett's esophagus, are increasingly ...

2 Multimodality imaging evaluation of esophageal cancer: staging, therapy assessment, and complications Abdominal Imaging , May 20, 2013
Godoy MCB et al. - esophageal cancer is among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Endoscopic esophageal ultrasound is the optimal modality to evaluate the local extent of the primary tumor and diagnose locoregional nodal metastasis. Computed tomography is more useful in detecting distant nodal and systemic metastasis. Positron emission tomography/CT is increasingly being used in patient management and improves the accuracy of staging, particularly in the ...

3 Do endoscopic features suggesting eosinophilic esophagitis represent histological eosinophilia Digestive Endoscopy, May 1, 2013
Hori K et al. - esophageal linear furrows, corrugated rings, and/or white exudates are often seen in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE); however, whether these are specific to EoE remains unclear. Endoscopic surveillance of these features was conducted to determine whether these represent esophageal eosinophilia, which is essential for the diagnosis of EoE. An endoscopic feature suggesting EoE does not always represent esophageal eosinophilia and is non-specific for EoE, ...

4 Yield of Chest Radiography After Removal of Esophageal Foreign Bodies Pediatrics, May 6, 2013
Fisher J et al. – The aim of this study was to determine the benefit of routine postoperative chest radiography after removal of esophageal foreign bodies in children. The authors conclude that intraoperative findings during rigid esophagoscopy suggestive of an injury are predictive of esophageal perforation. Routine chest radiography is not warranted in children who do not meet this criterion. In patients with a concern for injury, they suggest that chest radiography should be deferred in ...

5 Refractory strictures post-esophageal atresia repair: what are the alternatives? Diseases of the Esophagus, May 17, 2013
Levesque D et al. - esophageal strictures remain the most frequent complication after esophageal atresia (EA) repair despite refinements in operative techniques. With an incidence of anastomotic stricture between 8% and 49%, EA is the most frequent cause of benign esophageal stricture in children. The present article explores the variety of non-surgical alternative treatments for anastomotic strictures after EA repair, focusing on triamcinolone acetonide, mitomycin C and esophageal ...

6 Dietary fiber and the risk of precancerous lesions and cancer of the esophagus: a systematic review and meta-analysis Nutrition Reviews, April 30, 2013
Coleman HG et al. - The aim of this systematic review was to quantify the association between dietary fiber and the risk of esophageal cancer by investigating histological subtypes of esophageal cancer and the stage at which fiber may influence the carcinogenic pathway. Dietary fiber is associated with protective effects against esophageal carcinogenesis, most notably esophageal adenocarcinoma. Potential methods of action include modification of gastroesophageal reflux and/or weight ...

7 Obesity and outcomes in patients treated with chemoradiotherapy for esophageal carcinoma Diseases of the Esophagus, April 30, 2013
Wang J et al. - Body mass index (BMI) is a risk factor for comorbid illnesses and cancer development. It was hypothesized that obesity status affects disease outcomes and treatment-related toxicities in esophageal cancer patients treated with chemoradiotherapy (CRT). In esophageal cancer patients treated with CRT, obesity is not predictive of poorer disease outcomes or operative morbidities; instead, data suggest it may be associated with decreased risk of acute ...

8 Total laparoscopic esophageal bypass using a colonic conduit for corrosive-induced esophageal stricture Surgical Endoscopy, May 6, 2013
Javed A et al. - The authors herein describe the surgical technique and results of laparoscopic esophageal bypass using a colonic conduit. Laparoscopic colonic bypass is an achievable, safe, and effective procedure for the management of corrosive strictures of the esophagus.

9 Embedded Cervical Esophagogastrostomy: A Simple and Convenient Method Using a Circular Stapler After Esophagectomy for Esophageal Carcinomas Annals of Surgical Oncology, May 7, 2013
Wu S et al. – The authors explored a new method of end–to–side anastomosis using a circular stapler that embeds the anastomosis and the remaining esophageal tissue into the gastric cavity to reduce the occurrence of anastomotic leakage and to prevent gastroesophageal reflux. Embedded cervical esophagogastrostomy with circular stapler is a simple and convenient method, with low incidence of anastomotic leakage and a good antireflux effect. Methods In 127 patients with esophageal ...

10 Induction Chemotherapy or Chemoradiotherapy Followed by Radical Esophagectomy for T4 Esophageal Cancer: Results of a Prospective Cohort Study World Journal of Surgery, May 7, 2013
Shimoji H et al. - We hypothesized that the survival rate of patients undergoing R0 esophagectomy after induction chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy for unresectable T4 esophageal cancer (URT4) would be similar to that of patients undergoing esophagectomy for immediately resectable esophageal cancer with no unfavorable prognostic factors (RNU). Satisfactory survival rates can be achieved if R0 resection is performed after induction treatment in patients with T4 esophageal cancer, although ...