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David E Fleischer

Publications and source records attributed to David E Fleischer.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Small bowel: preliminary comparison of capsule endoscopy with barium study and CT.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively compare capsule endoscopic (CE) findings with findings at barium studies or computed tomography (CT) in patients without evidence of small-bowel stricture at barium examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-two patients underwent CE, and the majority (43 of 52) did so for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. Forty-two (81%) of 52 patients underwent 36 small-bowel follow-through examinations; four, enteroclysis; and 19, contrast material-enhanced CT of the abdomen and pelvis within 6 months of CE (either before or after CE). Imaging results were retrospectively reviewed and compared with CE, standard endoscopic, and surgical results. Findings of any examinations between CE and imaging that were discrepant were retrospectively reviewed by a radiologist not blinded to CE results. Proportion of positive findings at CE was compared with proportion of positive findings at barium studies and CT in the same patients. Statistical significance was calculated with McNemar chi2 statistic. RESULTS: Barium examination findings were positive in one (3%) of 40 patients; CE findings were positive in 22 (55%) (P <.001). CT demonstrated small-bowel findings in four (21%) of 19 patients, but CE demonstrated findings in 12 (63%) of 19 patients (P =.02). The most common CE finding, angioectasia (n = 11), was not detected at any imaging study. More ulcers (n = 8) were detected with CE than with barium study (one of eight) and CT (three of six). At CE, three of five surgically confirmed masses (carcinoid, intussusception, lymphangioma) were identified, but two jejunal tumors were not detected in a patient with poor bowel preparation. At barium study, no masses (zero of five) were detected; at CT, one of four masses was detected. CONCLUSION: In patients without a small-bowel stricture at barium study, more small-bowel disease was found at CE when findings were retrospectively compared with barium examination and CT findings.

Adult↗

Nonsurgical approaches to esophageal malignancy.

Esophageal cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer death worldwide. Patients generally present with progressive dysphagia, malnutrition, and weight loss. The diagnosis commonly involves radiologic studies and conventional esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Advances in endoscopic evaluation have allowed early detection of premalignant and malignant lesions. These techniques include chromoscopy, which can be performed in conjunction with high-resolution/magnification endoscopy, and fluorescent endoscopy. Such techniques as endoscopic ultrasound with dedicated echoendoscopes or high-frequency probes, positron emission tomography, optical coherence tomography, endoscopic magnetic resonance imaging, and tactile sensing may complement conventional imaging by CT to enhance staging accuracy. Because the majority of patients present with incurable disease at the time of diagnosis, nonsurgical approaches to their management have evolved. These include endoscopic mucosal resection, stenting, tumor ablation, and palliative chemoradiotherapy. The ablative techniques include argon plasma coagulator therapy, laser, and photodynamic therapy. For patients with early malignancies of the esophagus who are not surgical candidates, such techniques may be used with curative intent.

Esophageal Neoplasms↗

High-resolution chromoendoscopy for classifying colonic polyps: a multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Chromoendoscopy may reliably separate adenomatous from nonadenomatous polyps. The aim of this multicenter trial was to determine the accuracy of high-resolution chromoendoscopy for the determination of colonic polyp histology. METHODS: This multicenter trial included 4 academic centers and a primary care practice. In 299 patients referred for routine colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, 520 polyps 10 mm in size were sprayed with indigo carmine dye. Using a high-resolution endoscope, the endoscopist predicted the histology of each polyp based on its surface characteristics. Hyperplastic polyps had a "pitted" surface pattern of orderly arranged "dots" that resembled surrounding normal mucosa. Adenomatous polyps had at least one surface "groove" or "sulcus." Each polyp was subsequently resected for histopathologic evaluation. RESULTS: The resected polyps were comprised by 193 adenomas (37%), 225 hyperplastic polyps (43%), and 102 "other" types (20%). Forty polyps (7.7%) could not be classified by high resolution chromoendoscopy with indigo carmine dye. For the remaining polyps, the sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value of indigo carmine dye staining for adenomatous polyps were, respectively, 82%, 82%, and 88%. The results were consistent among the academic centers and the primary care practice. CONCLUSIONS: High-resolution chromoendoscopy with indigo carmine dye demonstrates morphologic detail of diminutive colorectal polyps that can reliably be used to separate adenomatous from nonadenomatous polyps.

Adenoma↗

Recurrent bleeding from peptic ulcer associated with adherent clot: a randomized study comparing endoscopic treatment with medical therapy.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic therapy reduces the recurrence of bleeding from actively bleeding peptic ulcers and those with visible vessels. However, the use of endoscopic therapy for ulcers with adherent clots remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine whether removal of clot from an ulcer and endoscopic therapy reduces the frequency of recurrent bleeding. METHODS: Patients with acute upper GI bleeding from peptic ulcers with adherent clots and no active bleeding were enrolled in a multicenter study. At each center patients were stratified for age, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and ulcer location, and were randomized to endoscopic or medical management. Endoscopic therapy consisted of injection of the base of the adherent clot with a solution of epinephrine and mechanical removal of the clot. The base of the ulcer and any stigmata of bleeding were then coagulated until cavitation and adequate coagulation were obtained. Patients in both groups received standard medical therapy for peptic ulcer. Patients were evaluated for recurrence of bleeding for 1 month. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients were enrolled. Rates of recurrent bleeding were 34.3% (12/35) in the medical treatment arm versus 4.8% (1/21) in the endoscopic treatment arm (p < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with GI bleeding caused by gastric or duodenal ulcers with an adherent clot found on endoscopy, endoscopic therapy with injection of the base of the clot, clot removal, and heat probe coagulation significantly reduces the rate of recurrent bleeding compared with medical therapy alone.

Blood Coagulation↗

The importance of abdominal pressure during colonoscopy: techniques to assist the physician and to minimize injury to the patient and assistant.

This article outlines techniques that can be used to assist the physician's ability during colonoscopy to achieve cecal intubation in both standard situations and in specific conditions such as the obese patient. When applied properly, abdominal pressure can help shorten the length of the procedure, minimize the angle of turns in the colon, and minimize discomfort to the patient. A Mayo physician survey unanimously concluded that abdominal pressure is beneficial during colonoscopy. This article addresses the ergonomics of applying pressure and suggests techniques that minimize risk of injury to both the patient and the assistant. In addition, questions that new assistants may ask are addressed.

Abdomen↗

Imaging of small bowel disease: comparison of capsule endoscopy, standard endoscopy, barium examination, and CT.

Capsule endoscopy is a revolutionary new diagnostic tool for the detection of small bowel disease. As the name implies, capsule endoscopy makes use of a swallowable video capsule; as such, it is the only technique that allows noninvasive endoscopic examination of the entire small bowel without sedation. Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding is the most common indication for capsule endoscopy, which commonly depicts arteriovenous malformations, small bowel tumors, and ulcers missed at standard endoscopy and imaging examinations. However, capsule endoscopy is not optimal for the localization of small bowel lesions. In addition, lesions can be missed due to poor bowel preparation, rapid or delayed small bowel transit, or orientation of the camera away from a lesion. Computed tomography and barium examinations are useful for detecting these missed lesions and for localizing lesions detected at capsule endoscopy. Other limitations of capsule endoscopy are the inability to treat lesions and its limited use in patients with small bowel strictures or obstruction. Nevertheless, this new technique is easy to perform, is well tolerated by patients, and, for the first time, allows noninvasive endoscopic evaluation of the entire small bowel.

Barium Sulfate↗