INTRODUCTION Immune-mediated angiogenesis may play an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory lesions in Crohn's disease (CD). The study aimed to assess the influence of anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy on the angiogenesis in relation to microscopic and endoscopic healing in CD patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS Colonic tissue samples from 17 CD patients were taken during...

BACKGROUND & AIMS Few prospective data are available to support the clinical relevance of mucosal healing in patients with Crohn's disease. This study examined whether complete healing, determined by endoscopy, predicts a better outcome in Crohn's disease. METHODS One-hundred thirty-three newly diagnosed and treatment-naïve Crohn's disease patients were given either a combination of immunosup...

Achalasia is the most common primary motility disorder of the esophagus and presents as dysphagia to solids and liquids. It is characterized by impaired deglutitive relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter. High-resolution manometry allows for definitive diagnosis and classification of achalasia, with type II being the most responsive to therapy. Since no cure for achalasia exists, early di...

BACKGROUND Internal pancreatic fistula (IPF) is a well-recognized complication of pancreatic diseases. Although there have been many reports concerning IPF, the therapy for IPF still remains controversial. We herein report our experiences with endoscopic transpapillary pancreatic stent therapy for IPF and evaluate its validity. METHOD Six patients with IPF who presented at our department and ...

OBJECTIVE Serial monitoring data for faecal calprotectin and lactoferrin during Crohn's disease (CD) therapy are scarce. The aim of this research was to study the behaviour of faecal biomarkers during CD therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS Adult CD patients (n = 19) needing therapy enhancement were prospectively recruited. The simple endoscopic score for Crohn's disease (SES-CD) was administered be...

Acute variceal bleeding (AVB) is a life-threatening complication in patients with cirrhosis. Hemostatic therapy of AVB includes early administration of vasoactive drugs that should be combined with endoscopic therapy, preferably banding ligation. However, failure to control bleeding or early rebleed within 5 days still occurs in 15-20% of patients with AVB. In these cases, a second endoscopic t...

SUMMARY 13 Consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic Nd - Y AG laser therapy for palliation of advanced esophageal cardnoma were treated between Oct 1989, and July 1991 , in Khatam - al -Anbia Hospital. All patients had severe dysphagia and conventional methods such as surgery , Radiotherapy and chemotherapy failed to treat them. Undoubtedly without laser therapy these patients did not see...

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Clarification of the position of the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) regarding the interventional options available for treating patients with chronic pancreatitis. METHODS Systematic literature search to answer explicit key questions with levels of evidence serving to determine recommendation grades. The ESGE funded development of the Guideline. SU...

AIM To investigate endoscopic therapy efficacy for refractory benign biliary strictures (BBS) with multiple biliary stenting and clarify predictors. METHODS Ten consecutive patients with stones in the pancreatic head and BBS due to chronic pancreatitis who underwent endoscopic therapy were evaluated. Endoscopic insertion of a single stent failed in all patients. We used plastic stents (7F, 8....

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a new disease. It is caused by a T-helper type 2 cell response to food antigens in contact with the esophageal mucosa. Although no single feature defines EoE, a constellation of compatible demographic, clinical, endoscopic, and histologic findings establish the diagnosis. Children present with symptoms and endoscopic patterns characteristic of inflammation, whe...