Suryakanth R Gurudu

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Scottsdale, AZ, USA

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Publications (23)117.04 Total impact

  • Article: Polyp and Adenoma Detection Rates in the Proximal and Distal Colon.
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    ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES:Little is known about the correlation between the polyp detection rate (PDR) and the adenoma detection rate (ADR) in individual colonic segments. The adenoma-to-polyp detection rate quotient (APDRQ) has been utilized in retrospective study as a constant to estimate ADR from PDR. It has been previously stated that diminutive polyps in the rectum are more likely to be non-adenomatous, compared with more proximal segments, yet the APDRQ uses data from the entire colon. We sought to characterize and compare ADR and PDR in each colonic segment, estimate ADR using the conversion factor, APDRQ, and assess the correlation between estimated and actual ADR for each colonic segment.METHODS:As part of a quality improvement program, a retrospective chart review was conducted of all outpatient colonoscopies performed by 20 gastroenterologists between 1 October 2010 and 31 March 2011 at a single academic tertiary-care referral center. PDR, ADR, and the APDRQ were calculated for each gastroenterologist, using data from the entire colon and then for each colonic segment separately. Actual ADR was compared with estimated ADR based on the measured APDRQ.RESULTS:During 1,921 colonoscopies, 2,285 polyps were removed; 1,122 (49%) were adenomas. The mean (s.d.) PDR for the group was 49% (12.4%) (range, 16-64%). The mean (s.d.) ADR was 31% (7.4%) (range, 13-42%). PDR and ADR correlated well in segments proximal to the splenic flexure, but diverged in distal segments. ADR was significantly higher in the right colon (17.1%) than in the left (13.5%) (P=0.001). The correlation between estimated and actual ADR using the APDRQ was significantly higher in the right colon (r=0.95 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.87-0.98)) than in the left (r=0.59 (95% CI, 0.17-0.83)) (P<0.05).CONCLUSIONS:Although PDR and ADR correlate well in segments proximal to the splenic flexure, they do not correlate well in the left colon. Caution should be exercised when using PDR as a surrogate for ADR if data from the rectum and sigmoid are included.Am J Gastroenterol advance online publication, 9 April 2013; doi:10.1038/ajg.2013.68.
    The American Journal of Gastroenterology 04/2013; · 7.28 Impact Factor
  • Article: Impact of fentanyl in lieu of meperidine on endoscopy unit efficiency: a prospective comparative study in patients undergoing EGD.
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    ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Turnaround time is an important component of endoscopy unit efficiency. Any reduction in the total time from patient arrival in the endoscopy room to departure from the recovery area may translate into better endoscopy unit efficiency. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects on endoscopy unit efficiency of a change in narcotic choice for moderate sedation in patients undergoing EGD at an ambulatory surgery center. DESIGN: Prospective, comparative, quality-improvement project. SETTING: Endoscopy unit of a tertiary-care academic medical center. PATIENTS: We enrolled consecutive patients (n = 1963) who underwent outpatient EGD by 1 of 5 endoscopists between November 2008 and November 2010. INTERVENTION: Moderate sedation with midazolam plus fentanyl versus meperidine. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Sedation-dependent endoscopy unit efficiency and total procedure time (induction-to-intubation, intubation-to-extubation, and extubation-to-discharge). RESULTS: Fentanyl was associated with reduced total procedure time by 10.1 minutes resulting from both shorter induction-to-intubation time and extubation-to-discharge time (P < .001). The mean (± SD) sedation-dependent endoscopy unit efficiency was 3.2 (± 1.9) procedures per hour for the meperidine group and 3.9 (± 2.7) procedures per hour for the fentanyl group (P = .012); this would translate into possibly increasing the endoscopy suite efficiency by 22%. Based on dosage equivalency conversion, equal doses of fentanyl and meperidine were used. No sedation-related complications or need for reversal agents were recorded. LIMITATIONS: No randomization was performed. CONCLUSION: Compared with meperidine, fentanyl in combination with midazolam was associated with significantly shorter total procedure time. By improving the turnaround time, sedation-dependent endoscopy unit efficiency may be improved by 22%.
    Gastrointestinal endoscopy 03/2013; · 6.71 Impact Factor
  • Article: Measurement of polypectomy rate by using administrative claims data with validation against the adenoma detection rate.
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    ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The adenoma detection rate (ADR) is a main quality indicator in colonoscopy but has many challenges for calculating. The polypectomy rate (PR) may be calculable from administrative claims data, but this has not been validated against the ADR. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a PR calculated from United States billing claims data is an accurate surrogate for the ADR. DESIGN: A PR was calculated by using billing claims data from Current Procedural Terminology codes. The ADR was calculated for each endoscopist by using an endoscopy report database to which the pathology report data had been added. The relationship between PR and ADR was evaluated with the Pearson correlation coefficient. The ADR was plotted against the PR by individual endoscopist, and a least-squares regression line was created. A t test was used to analyze the differences in lesion detection between endoscopists with a PR above and below the benchmark PR. SETTING: Tertiary-care, outpatient endoscopy center. PATIENTS: All ages undergoing colonoscopy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: PR and ADR. RESULTS: A total of 5382 colonoscopies were reviewed. A significant relationship between endoscopists' calculated PRs and ADRs was seen (r = 0.85; P < .001). Endoscopists needed a PR of 35% to achieve the recommended benchmark ADR of 20%. Endoscopists with PRs of 35% or greater had an ADR of 27% (6.2 standard deviation [SD]) as compared with 19% (1.9 SD) for those with PRs less than 35% (P = .0029). LIMITATIONS: Study population. CONCLUSION: Calculated PR from billing claims data is an accurate surrogate for ADR and may become an important quality measure for external and internal use.
    Gastrointestinal endoscopy 11/2012; · 6.71 Impact Factor
  • Article: Increased adenoma detection rate with system-wide implementation of a split-dose preparation for colonoscopy.
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    ABSTRACT: Recent studies using split-dose preparations (SDPs) suggest a significant improvement in the quality of preparation and patient compliance. However, the effects of SDP on other quality indicators of colonoscopy, such as cecal intubation and adenoma detection rates, have not been previously reported, to our knowledge. The primary objective of this study was to compare polyp detection rates (PDRs) and adenoma detection rates (ADRs) before and after the implementation of an SDP as the preferred bowel preparation. The secondary objectives were to compare the quality of the preparation and colonoscopy completion rates before and after implementation of the SDP. Retrospective study. Tertiary care medical center. Patients undergoing colonoscopy for screening and surveillance of colon polyps and cancer. System-wide implementation of SDP. A total of 3560 patients in the pre-SDP group and 1615 patients in the post-SDP group were included in the study. SDP use increased significantly from 9% to 74% after implementation. In comparison with the pre-SDP group, both PDRs (44.1%-49.5%; P < .001) and ADRs (26.7%-31.8%; P < .001) significantly improved in the post-SDP group. The colonoscopy completion rate significantly increased from 93.6% to 95.5% in the post-SDP group (P = .008). Bowel preparation quality also improved significantly (P < .001) in the post-SDP group. Retrospective design; not all endoscopists were the same in both periods. System-wide implementation of an SDP as the primary choice for colonoscopy significantly improved both PDRs and ADRs, overall quality of the preparation, and colonoscopy completion rates.
    Gastrointestinal endoscopy 06/2012; 76(3):603-8.e1. · 6.71 Impact Factor
  • Article: Comparison of single- versus double-balloon assisted-colonoscopy for colon examination after previous incomplete standard colonoscopy.
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    ABSTRACT: Colonoscopy fails to achieve cecal intubation in 5-10 % of cases. Many of these cases can be completed using balloon-assisted colonoscopy, either with the single-balloon colonoscopy (SBC) or the double-balloon colonoscopy (DBC) techniques. To compare the completion rates of SBC and DBC in patients with previous incomplete conventional colonoscopy. Between August 2009 and July 2011 either SBC or DBC was performed in 53 patients in whom previous conventional colonoscopy did not achieve cecal intubation. The medical records of these 53 patients were reviewed retrospectively for details regarding (1) indication for the initial colonoscopy, (2) patient characteristics, (3) data from the initial colonoscopy, and (4) details on both SBC and DBC. SBC was successful in intubating the cecum in 100 % (26/26) of patients and DBC was successful in 93 % (25/27) of patients. The median (range) time to reach the cecum was 17 (9-43) min in the SBC group and 20 (7-58) min in the DBC group (P = 0.37). The presence of polyps was an entirely new finding in 35 % (9/26) of patients in the SBC group and 30 % (8/27) of patients in DBC group. Therapeutics were performed in 73 % (19/26) of patients in SBC group and 67 % (18/27) of patients in DBC group. For patients with incomplete conventional colonoscopy, SBC and DBC offer high cecal intubation rates as well as detection of additional polyps and therapeutic capability. Either SBC or DBC can be considered after incomplete conventional colonoscopy.
    Digestive Diseases and Sciences 05/2012; 57(10):2680-6. · 2.12 Impact Factor
  • Article: Correlation of two capsule endoscopy scoring systems with fecal calprotectin: does it really matter?
    Suryakanth R Gurudu, Jonathan A Leighton
    Digestive Diseases and Sciences 02/2012; 57(4):827-9. · 2.12 Impact Factor
  • Article: Comparison of the yield and miss rate of narrow band imaging and white light endoscopy in patients undergoing screening or surveillance colonoscopy: a meta-analysis.
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    ABSTRACT: Colonoscopy has an appreciable miss rate for adenomas and colorectal cancer. The goal of advanced endoscopic imaging is to improve lesion detection. Compared with standard definition, high-definition (HD) colonoscopes have the advantage of increased field of visualization and higher resolution; narrow band imaging (NBI) utilizes narrow band filters for enhanced visualization of surface architecture and capillary pattern. The objective of this study was to compare the yield and miss rates of HD-NBI and HD-WLE (white light endoscopy) for the detection of colon polyps using meta-analysis. A recursive literature search of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the yield of HD-NBI and HD-WLE for detection of colon polyps in patients undergoing screening/surveillance colonoscopy. Authors were contacted for missing data. In RCT with tandem colonoscopy (RCT-t), findings from the first-pass examinations were used in the yield analysis and from the tandem pass for the miss rate analysis. Data on the yield of polyps were extracted, pooled, and analyzed using RevMan 4.2.9 software. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the pooled data for the yield and miss rates of NBI and WLE were calculated. A fixed effect model (FEM) was used for analyses without, and a random effect model (REM) for analyses with heterogeneity. The yield analysis revealed no significant difference between HD-NBI and HD-WLE for the detection of adenomas (six studies; n=2,284; OR: 1.01; CI: 0.74-1.37; REM); patients with polyps (six studies; n=2,275; OR: 1.15; CI: 0.8-1.64; REM); patients with adenomas (four studies; n=2,177; OR: 1.0; CI: 0.83-1.20; FEM); detection of adenomas <10 mm (five studies; n=1,618; OR: 1.32; CI: 0.92-1.88; FEM); flat adenomas (five studies; n=1,675; OR: 1.26; CI: 0.62-2.57; REM); and flat adenomas per patient (five studies; n=2,200; OR: 1.63; CI: 0.71-3.74; REM). The miss rate analysis revealed no difference in polyp miss rate (three studies; n=524; OR: 1.17; CI: 0.8-1.71; FEM) or adenoma miss rate (three studies; n=524; OR: 0.65; CI: 0.4-1.06; FEM) between the two techniques. Compared with HD-WLE, HD-NBI does not increase the yield of colon polyps, adenomas, or flat adenomas, nor does it decrease the miss rate of colon polyps or adenomas in patients undergoing screening/surveillance colonoscopy.
    The American Journal of Gastroenterology 12/2011; 107(3):363-70; quiz 371. · 7.28 Impact Factor
  • Article: Performance of the patency capsule compared with nonenteroclysis radiologic examinations in patients with known or suspected intestinal strictures.
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    ABSTRACT: The patency capsule (PC) is used before capsule endoscopy (CE) in patients with known or suspected small-bowel (SB) strictures or obstruction (SBO) to avoid CE retention. False-positive PC examination results can occur in patients with delayed transit without obstruction, precluding the use of CE. Radiological tests are another option to evaluate the presence of SBO before CE. Comparison of the PC and radiological examinations to detect clinically significant SB strictures. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of the PC, and radiological tests for detecting significant strictures. Forty-two patients underwent a PC study and radiological examinations. Both of the examinations showed similar sensitivity (57% vs 71%; P = 1.00) and specificity (86% vs 97%; P = .22). The receiver-operating characteristic curves evaluating combined sensitivity and specificity were also similar in both the PC and radiological examinations (0.71 vs 0.84, respectively; P = .46). Pooling results from both the PC and radiological tests had the highest sensitivity and NPV (100%, 100%). False-positive results occurred in 5 PC examinations and 1 radiological examination. The PC examination had 3 false-negative results (9%), whereas radiological tests had 2 (6%). Retrospective study. The NPV for the PC and radiological tests were not significantly different, suggesting that if findings on either test are negative before CE, the patient will most likely pass the capsule without incident. Radiological tests can be used to minimize PC study false-positive results by confirming or excluding the presence of a significant stricture suspected by the PC and to localize the PC if passage is delayed.
    Gastrointestinal endoscopy 08/2011; 74(4):834-9. · 6.71 Impact Factor
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    Article: Adenoma detection rate is not influenced by the timing of colonoscopy when performed in half-day blocks.
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    ABSTRACT: Afternoon colonoscopies have recently been reported to be associated with lower adenoma detection rate (ADR), which was attributed to physician fatigue resulting from the same endoscopist performing procedures throughout the day. The aim of our study was to assess ADR in morning compared with afternoon colonoscopy performed in half-day blocks with different physicians. We evaluated the primary hypothesis that morning and afternoon ADRs would not differ significantly when performed in half-day blocks by different endoscopists. Data on all colonoscopies performed between January 2009 and December 2009 were obtained from our endoscopy database. All patients who underwent colonoscopies in 2009 for screening, surveillance, and family history of colon cancer/polyps were included in the study. Morning colonoscopies were defined as those that were performed from 0800 to 1200 hours. Afternoon colonoscopies were defined as those that were performed from 1300 to 1700 hours. Colonoscopies in each block were performed either by different endoscopists working in half-day (morning or afternoon) block schedules or by the same endoscopist working a full-day schedule. A total of 4,665 patients were included in the study. For endoscopists working the full-day, the afternoon ADR was significantly lower than the morning ADR (21 vs. 26.1%; odds ratio (OR)=0.75; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.59, 0.96; P=0.02). Conversely, in the half-day group, there was no significant difference in ADR between afternoon and morning (27.6 vs. 26.6%; OR=1.05; 95% CI 0.88, 1.26; P=0.56). Performing colonoscopies in half-day blocks by different endoscopists increases the detection of adenomas in afternoon procedures, probably by reducing physician fatigue.
    The American Journal of Gastroenterology 04/2011; 106(8):1466-71. · 7.28 Impact Factor
  • Article: Morning-only polyethylene glycol preparation for afternoon colonoscopy is superior to traditional evening-before preparation.
    Suryakanth R Gurudu
    Evidence-based medicine 03/2011; 16(3):87-8.
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    Article: Quality of bowel cleansing for afternoon colonoscopy is influenced by time of administration.
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    ABSTRACT: Afternoon colonoscopies have higher failure rates, due primarily to poor bowel cleansing. Hypothesizing that the time of administration influences the quality of bowel cleansing, we compared the quality of bowel cleansing for afternoon colonoscopies in patients completing the preparation on the same day vs. the day before colonoscopy. Data on afternoon colonoscopies performed between July 2008 and April 2009 were obtained from our endoscopy database. Bowel-preparation options were 4L polyethylene glycol (PEG) or 2L PEG plus four bisacodyl tablets. Patients could take the preparation on the same day as the procedure or the day prior, or consume half the day prior and half the same day. Bowel-cleansing quality was reported as excellent, good, fair-adequate, inadequate, or poor. Multivariate logistic regression analysis evaluated the association between quality of bowel cleansing and time of preparation administration. Bowel cleansing was reported as poor or inadequate in 7% of patients, adequate in 63%, and good or excellent in 30%. Afternoon colonoscopies using the same-day 4L PEG preparation were 3.14 times more likely to have fair-adequate cleansing and 7.03 times more likely to have good or excellent cleansing when compared with the other options. Same-day 4L PEG preparation for afternoon colonoscopy confers better-quality cleansing than prior-day preparation.
    The American Journal of Gastroenterology 11/2010; 105(11):2318-22. · 7.28 Impact Factor
  • Article: Response to doherty, moss, and cheifetz.
    The American Journal of Gastroenterology 09/2010; 105(9):2111-2. · 7.28 Impact Factor
  • Article: Sessile serrated adenomas: demographic, endoscopic and pathological characteristics.
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    ABSTRACT: To study the demographic and endoscopic characteristics of patients with sessile serrated adenoma (SSA) in a single center. Patients with SSA were identified by review of the pathology database of Mayo Clinic Arizona from 2005 to 2007. A retrospective chart review was performed to extract data on demographics, polyp characteristics, presence of synchronous adenomatous polyps or cancer, polypectomy methods, and related complications. One hundred and seventy-one (2.9%) of all patients undergoing colonoscopy had a total of 226 SSAs. The mean (SE) size of the SSAs was 8.1 (0.4) mm; 42% of SSAs were < or = 5 mm, and 69% were < or = 9 mm. Fifty-one per cent of SSAs were located in the cecum or ascending colon. Approximately half of the patients had synchronous polyps of other histological types, including hyperplastic and adenomatous polyps. Synchronous adenocarcinoma was present in seven (4%) cases. Ninety-seven percent of polyps were removed by colonoscopy. Among patients with colon polyps, 2.9% were found to have SSAs. Most of the SSAs were located in the right side and were safely managed by colonoscopy.
    World Journal of Gastroenterology 07/2010; 16(27):3402-5. · 2.47 Impact Factor
  • Article: Gluten-free diet and steroid treatment are effective therapy for most patients with collagenous sprue.
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    ABSTRACT: Collagenous sprue (CS) is characterized by the presence of a distinctive band of subepithelial collagen deposition in the small bowel. We evaluated the clinical characteristics, treatments, and outcomes of patients with CS. Thirty patients with CS were identified at the 3 Mayo Clinic sites between 1993 and 2009. Clinical data from medical records were reviewed. The study cohort was 70% female (age range, 53-91 years). Most patients had severe diarrhea and weight loss. Hospitalization to treat dehydration was necessary in 16 (53%) patients. Associated immune-mediated diseases were noted in 70% of the patients; celiac disease was the most frequent. Other associated diseases were microscopic colitis, hypothyroidism, and autoimmune enteropathy. The median thickness of the layer of subepithelial collagen deposition in the small bowel was 29 mum (20-56.5 mum). Subepithelial collagen deposition in the colon or stomach was noted in 8 patients. A clinical response was observed in 24 (80%) patients after treatment with a combination of a gluten-free diet and immunosuppressive drugs. Histologic improvement was confirmed in 9 patients, with complete remission in 5. Two patients died (1 of complications of CS and 1 of another illness). Most patients with CS are treated effectively with a combination of gluten-free diet and steroids. CS is often associated with collagen deposition or chronic inflammation in other segments of the gastrointestinal tract as well as other immune-mediated disorders.
    Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology: the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association 04/2010; 8(4):344-349.e3. · 5.64 Impact Factor
  • Article: Capsule endoscopy has a significantly higher diagnostic yield in patients with suspected and established small-bowel Crohn's disease: a meta-analysis.
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    ABSTRACT: Capsule endoscopy (CE) has demonstrated superior performance compared with other modalities in its ability to detect early small-bowel (SB) Crohn's disease (CD), especially when ileoscopy is negative or unsuccessful. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield of CE compared with other modalities in patients with suspected and established CD using a meta-analysis. A thorough literature search for prospective studies comparing the diagnostic yield of CE with other modalities in patients with CD was undertaken. Other modalities included push enteroscopy (PE), colonoscopy with ileoscopy (C+IL), SB radiography (SBR), computed tomography enterography (CTE), and magnetic resonance enterography (MRE). Data on diagnostic yield among various modalities were extracted, pooled, and analyzed. Data on patients with suspected and established CD were analyzed separately. Weighted incremental yield (IYW) (diagnostic yield of CE-diagnostic yield of comparative modality) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of CE over comparative modalities were calculated. A total of 12 trials (n=428) compared the yield of CE with SBR in patients with CD. Eight trials (n=236) compared CE with C+IL, four trials (n=119) compared CE with CTE, two trials (n=102) compared CE with PE, and four trials (n=123) compared CE with MRE. For the suspected CD subgroup, several comparisons met statistical significance. Yields in this subgroup were CE vs. SBR: 52 vs. 16% (IYw=32%, P<0.0001, 95% CI=16-48%), CE vs. CTE: 68 vs. 21% (IYw=47%, P<0.00001, 95% CI=31-63%), and CE vs. C+IL: 47 vs. 25% (IYw=22%, P=0.009, 95% CI=5-39%). Statistically significant yields for CE vs. an alternate diagnostic modality in established CD patients were seen in CE vs. PE: 66 vs. 9% (IYw=57%, P<0.00001, 95% CI=43-71%), CE vs. SBR: 71 vs. 36% (IYw=38%, P<0.00001, 95% CI=22-54%), and in CE vs. CTE: 71 vs. 39% (IYw=32%, P=or<0.0001, 95% CI=16-47%). Our meta-analysis demonstrates that CE is superior to SBR, CTE, and C+IL in the evaluation of suspected CD patients. CE is also a more effective diagnostic tool in established CD patients compared with SBR, CTE, and PE.
    The American Journal of Gastroenterology 12/2009; 105(6):1240-8; quiz 1249. · 7.28 Impact Factor
  • Article: Assessment and validation of the new capsule endoscopy Crohn's disease activity index (CECDAI): what difference does it make?
    Suryakanth R Gurudu, Jonathan A Leighton
    Inflammatory Bowel Diseases 04/2009; 15(10):1607-8. · 4.86 Impact Factor
  • Article: Retention of the capsule endoscope: a single-center experience of 1000 capsule endoscopy procedures.
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    ABSTRACT: Retention of the video capsule is the most significant complication associated with capsule endoscopy (CE). There are limited data on incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of capsule retention. We aimed to determine the incidence of capsule retention and to investigate the causes and clinical outcomes of capsule retention. Single tertiary referral medical center. All patients who underwent CE for suspected small bowel disease from June 2002 to March 2006. Retrospective case series. Capsule retention occurred in 1.4% of our patients (14/1000). Eleven patients failed to pass the capsule because of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) enteropathy (diaphragm disease). One patient had capsule retention from an obstructing carcinoid tumor. Metastatic ovarian cancer with invasion of the ileum was the cause of retention in another patient. One patient who did not have surgical removal of the capsule because of loss of follow-up had retention caused by a small-bowel tumor suspicious for carcinoid tumor on CT enterography. All patients remained "asymptomatic" from the retained capsules. Thirteen patients underwent elective partial small-bowel resection and capsule removal. No deaths were associated with these surgeries. Eleven patients recovered promptly, whereas 2 patients had mild postoperative ileus. Retrospective study. Retention of the capsule endoscope appears to be infrequent. The most common cause is diaphragm disease resulting from NSAIDs in this study population. In most cases, capsule retention is asymptomatic, and it usually leads to surgical removal, which appears safe and also identifies and treats the underlying small-bowel condition.
    Gastrointestinal endoscopy 08/2008; 68(1):174-80. · 6.71 Impact Factor
  • Article: Using CT enterography to monitor Crohn's disease activity: a preliminary study.
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    ABSTRACT: The purpose of our study was to determine whether imaging changes of Crohn's disease at sequential CT enterography examinations correlate with disease progression or regression. Forty CT enterography examinations in 20 patients (12 women, eight men; mean age, 55.5 years) with known Crohn's disease were retrospectively evaluated by a radiologist who was blinded to the clinical history. One radiologist determined whether imaging findings of Crohn's disease were present and, if so, whether the findings progressed, regressed, or remained stable between examinations. CT enterography findings were then compared with disease progression or regression based on symptoms and clinical follow-up. Direct comparison of CT enterography and endoscopy was also performed when available. Disease progression or regression by CT enterography correlated with symptoms in 16 of 20 (80%) patients. Specifically, CT enterography and symptoms agreed in 12 patients with clinical disease progression, two patients with clinical regression, and two with clinically stable disease. In four of 20 (20%) patients, symptoms progressed although CT enterography findings were negative (n = 2) or improved (n = 2). No treatment change was initiated; and at follow-up, three of four patients were improved and the remaining patient was stable symptomatically. Sixteen ileoscopies were attempted in 12 patients; however, four examinations did not reach the ileum. In the remaining examinations, endoscopy correlated with CT enterography in all cases (12/12, 100%) and with symptoms in nine of 12 (75%) cases. The weighted kappa statistic, which measures the chance-adjusted agreement between CT enterography and symptoms, was 0.57 (95% CI, 0.20-0.94). This preliminary study indicates that imaging changes between CT enterography examinations have excellent potential for reliably monitoring Crohn's disease progression or regression.
    American Journal of Roentgenology 07/2008; 190(6):1512-6. · 2.78 Impact Factor
  • Article: Treatment of gastric antral vascular ectasia (watermelon stomach) with endoscopic band ligation.
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    ABSTRACT: Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is characterized by mucosal and submucosal vascular ectasia causing recurrent GI hemorrhage. Treatment of GAVE with endoscopic thermal therapy (ETT) requires multiple sessions for destruction of vascular ectasia and control of bleeding. Endoscopic band ligation (EBL) has become the standard treatment of varices because it effectively obliterates the submucosal plexus of esophageal varices with an acceptably low rate of complications. Additionally, EBL has been used for control of bleeding from other GI vascular lesions. In patients with GAVE and recurrent GI hemorrhage, EBL may offer an alternative to ETT for treatment of large areas of diseased mucosa and submucosa. Our purpose was to compare EBL (n = 9) with ETT (n = 13) for the treatment of bleeding from GAVE. Observational comparative study. Patients with gastric antral vascular ectasia with occult or overt bleeding. Mayo Clinic Arizona, a multispecialty academic medical center. EBL or ETT with argon plasma coagulation or electrocautery. MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASUREMENTS: Number of treatments to cessation of bleeding and posttreatment hemoglobin, hospitalization, and transfusion requirement. There were no significant differences in the demographics, clinical presentation, associated portal hypertension, or mean hemoglobin values or the mean number of transfusions or hospitalizations between the 2 groups before treatment. Four patients in the EBL group had failed prior ETT. Compared with ETT, in exploratory statistical testing EBL had a significantly higher rate of bleeding cessation (67% vs 23%, P = .04), fewer treatment sessions required for cessation of bleeding (1.9 vs 4.7, P = .05), a greater increase in hemoglobin values (2.8 g/dL vs 0.9 g/dL, P = .05), a greater decrease in transfusion requirements (-12.7 vs -5.2, P = .02), and a greater decrease in hospital admissions (-2.6 vs -0.5, P = .02) during the follow-up period. Analysis of covariance showed significantly superior efficacy of EBL for cessation of bleeding, postprocedure transfusion, and hospitalization. One patient in the EBL group had postprocedure emesis and 1 in the ETT group had immediate post procedure bleeding. All patients in the EBL group had complete mucosal healing with minimal residual GAVE at follow-up endoscopy failed post-EBL. Our initial experience suggests that EBL is superior to ETT for the management of GAVE. EBL required fewer treatment sessions for control of bleeding, had higher rates for cessation of bleeding, had a reduction in hospitalizations and transfusion requirements, and allowed for a significant increase in hemoglobin values.
    Gastrointestinal endoscopy 07/2008; 68(2):231-6. · 6.71 Impact Factor
  • Article: New frontiers in small-bowel imaging: the expanding technology of capsule endoscopy and its impact in clinical gastroenterology.
    Suryakanth R Gurudu, Hugo E Vargas, Jonathan A Leighton
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    ABSTRACT: Capsule endoscopy (CE) is now recognized as a significant technologic advancement in gastrointestinal endoscopy that provides noninvasive, high-resolution imaging of the small bowel and esophagus. There is also growing evidence that it may be useful in the colon. Since the introduction of CE to clinical practice, its diagnostic utility has become well established for evaluation of patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. It seems also to be useful in evaluating small-bowel Crohn's disease, compared with other imaging modalities. With respect to esophageal diseases, CE shows promise in the screening of esophageal varices and possibly Barrett's esophagus. A colon capsule endoscope has also been developed, and its potential use in screening for colorectal neoplasia is currently being studied. The technology and software of CE is also rapidly expanding to allow the physician to read and evaluate the capsule videos in a more efficient manner. The Given Imaging system has progressed significantly over the past several years. In addition to Given Imaging, Olympus now offers a small-bowel capsule endoscope system. This new Olympus capsule technology and how it compares with the Given Imaging System is reviewed, in addition to the various clinical uses of CE.
    Reviews in gastroenterological disorders 02/2008; 8(1):1-14. · 1.28 Impact Factor