Future expectations in digestive endoscopy: competition with other novel imaging techniques

Digestive endoscopy has been evolving from primary diagnostic to extensive therapeutic modalities in the management of gastrointestinal diseases. The present endoscopic imaging includes (A) standard endoscopy alone and /or with adjunct technologies such as point enhancement, e.g. confocal endomicroscopy and field enhancement technologies such as chromoendoscopy, NBI and FICE and (B) endoscopic ultrasound. Other novel imaging technologies including virtual colonoscopy or CT/MR colonography, CT or MRI enterography and capsule endoscopy have also been developed. This article reviews the diagnostic and therapeutic role of digestive endoscopy and future directions of digestive endoscopy are discussed. Digestive endoscopy is also compared with emerging novel imaging techniques in gastrointestinal diseases such as capsule endoscopy and CT colonography. The fact that digestive endoscopy has become a multidisciplinary specialty combining advances in all fields (radiology, bioengineering, surgery and gastroenterology) is highlighted.     

Evolving role of artificial intelligence in gastrointestinal endoscopy

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a combination of different technologies that enable machines to sense, comprehend, and learn with human-like levels of intelligence. AI technology will eventually enhance human capability, provide machines genuine autonomy, and reduce errors, and increase productivity and efficiency. AI seems promising, and the field is full of invention, novel applications; however, the limitation of machine learning suggests a cautious optimism as the right strategy. AI is also becoming incorporated into medicine to improve patient care by speeding up processes and achieving greater accuracy for optimal patient care. AI using deep learning technology has been used to identify, differentiate catalog images in several medical fields including gastrointestinal endoscopy. The gastrointestinal endoscopy field involves endoscopic diagnoses and prognostication of various digestive diseases using image analysis with the help of various gastrointestinal endoscopic device systems. AI-based endoscopic systems can reliably detect and provide crucial information on gastrointestinal pathology based on their training and validation. These systems can make gastroenterology practice easier, faster, more reliable, and reduce inter-observer variability in the coming years. However, the thought that these systems will replace human decision making replace gastrointestinal endoscopists does not seem plausible in the near future. In this review, we discuss AI and associated various technological terminologies, evolving role in gastrointestinal endoscopy, and future possibilities.     

Value of screening endoscopy in evaluation of esophageal,gastric and colon cancers

Esophageal,gastric,and colorectal cancers are deadly diseases that continue to plague our world today.The value of screening endoscopy in evaluating these types of cancers is a critical area of discussion due to a potential reduction in morbidity and mortality.This article describes how to identify a good screening test and explains what are important criteria in the field of screening endoscopy.Furthermore,the current status and progress of screening endoscopy for esophageal,gastric,and colorectal cancer will be evaluated and discussed.Mass screening programs have not been implemented for esophageal and gastric carcinomas in those with average or low risk populations.However,studies of high-risk populations have found value and a cost-benefit in conducting screening endoscopy.Colorectal cancer,on the other hand,has had mass screening programs in place for many years due to the clear evidence of improved outcomes.As the role of endoscopy as a screening tool has continued to develop,newer technology and techniques have emerged to improve its utility.Many new image enhancement techniques and computer processing programs have shown promise and may have a significant role in the future of endoscopic screening.These developments are paving the way for improving the diagnostic and therapeutic capability of endoscopy in the field of gastroenterology.     

Fluorescence endoscopy in gastroenterology

Fluorescence endoscopy is a new technique which allows a better endoscopic detection of nonvisible or difficult detectable malignant or premalignant lesions. Exogenously applied sensitizers accumulate selectively in malignant lesions and induce fluorescence after illumination with light of adequate wavelength. However, also endogenous fluorophores, different located in malignant or benign lesions, induce a different autofluorescence in these tissues. Meanwhile fluorescence endoscopy is a widely spread technique in urology using 5-aminolevulinic acid sensitization. In gastroenterology this technique seems promising in the detection of early cancers or dysplasia in patients with Barrett's esophagus or ulcerative colitis. This paper describes the current status and future development of fluorescence endoscopy in gastroenterology.     

Paediatric gastrointestinal endoscopy in the Asian-Pacific region: Recent advances in diagnostic and therapeutic techniques

There has been a rapid expansion in the knowledge of paediatric gastroenterology over the recent decade,with a fast-growing repertoire of diagnostic techniques and management strategies for a wide spectrum of childhood gastrointestinal(GI)diseases.Paediatric GI endoscopy is a core competency every paediatric gastroenterologist should possess,and represents one of the most common procedures performed in children for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.Yet there remains a dearth of literature...     

Clinical gastroenterology--luxury or standard of service in gastroenterology?

Gastroenterology is one of the important specialities in internal medicine. The reform of the training curriculum for internal medicine and the reimbursement for inpatient and outpatient services in gastroenterology threatens the existence of internal medicine and gastroenterology in Germany, too. The capacity for training in internal medicine and gastroenterology is reduced by a decrease in the number of hospital beds in academic and community training centres. The concentration on gastrointestinal endoscopy in outpatient gastroenterology will be a result of an increasing demand for gastrointestinal endoscopy services and the decreasing number of gastroenterology clinics, respectively. Therefore, clinical gastroenterology as a core service in gastroenterology will be steadily eliminated. This development will diminish clinical gastroenterology to gastrointestinal endoscopy by eliminating the clinical services for chronic gastroenterological conditions such as, e.g., IBD, chronic hepatitis, reflux disease, IBS and functional dyspepsia. In this way gastroenterology looses its central role in health care services in specialised internal medicine. In 2003 the American Gastroenterological Association position paper: "Training the Gastroenterologist of the Future: the Gastroenterology Core Curriculum" was published. It has emphasised the role of clinical gastroenterology in medical training and medical services, too. Clinical gastroenterology consists of an array of several disciplines, e.g., GI physiology, GI research, infectious diseases, hepatology, oncology and gastrointestinal endoscopy, which all contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency in health care service. Financial incentives and better prospects of leading positions for young gastroenterologists in clinical gastroenterology have to be accomplished in order to nourish clinical gastroenterology in Germany. The German Association of Gastroenterology should negotiate with the responsible authorities for the addition of clinical gastroenterological services to the reimbursement by the EBM2000plus. The section of Gastroenterology of the German Association of Internists will provide sustained support to the achievement of this goal.     

Fifty years of digestive endoscopy: Successes,setbacks, solutions and the future

Flexible endoscopes became generally available 50 years ago and created a revolution in the practice of gastroenterology. They improved diagnosis enormously, enabled quicker, less invasive, and more cost-effective surgical treatment, while endoscopic screening has prevented many cancer deaths. The new technology stimulated research leading to a better understanding of gastrointestinal pathology, identifying new diseases and clarifying the etiology of others. Better-controlled clinical trials accelerated the use of newer and more effective drugs. National and international endoscopy societies supported nursing input, encouraged research, stimulated specialist journals, and devised guidelines that encouraged audit and quality assurance. Advances in instrument design and the manufacture of new accessories enhanced endoscopic technique, diagnostic ability, patient comfort, and safety. The risk of cross-infection inherent in the use of complex labile equipment that cannot be autoclaved remains a challenge. Endoscopy societies working closely with industry have established rigid protocols for high-level disinfection that minimize the risks, but strict adherence to guidelines and continued vigilance is essential, especially with the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant commensals that can give rise to opportunistic infection. Government health departments have a responsibility to encourage and support research in this area by endoscopists, instrument manufacturers, and the pharmaceutical industry. Current trends suggest that in the future, artificial intelligence will greatly improve endoscopic diagnosis, and that therapeutic endoscopy will expand, encouraging endoscopists to subspecialize.     

Gastroenterologists and interventional radiologists: Friends or foes? A multidisciplinary approach for solving gastrointestinal problems

While endoscopy used to have more therapeutic abilities than radiology, interventional radiology is now racing to lead the minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic techniques in medicine as well as surgery. Expecting the new epidemic of hepatocellular carcinoma, radiologists and gastroenterologists are on the run competing in many procedures that are needed. While some radiologists worry about non-radiologists who “intervene” in radiology, many gastroenterologists defend their specialty. Both gastroenterologists and radiologists are invited to collaborate in diagnosing and treating many diseases.Treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeds should be multidisciplinary involving a team of gastroenterologists, radiologists and surgeons. The role of the interventional radiologist and surgeon arises only after the failure of the endoscopic treatment. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is the preferred treatment for variceal bleeding after failed endoscopy. As the entire field of gastroenterology continues towards less invasive, safer and more effective means of diagnosing and treating diseases, digestive endoscopy will continue to expand the ways in which this unique and minimally invasive technology can be applied to the benefit of patients. In line with this trend, there will be a decline in simple diagnostic standard endoscopies.Development of new techniques, such as CT colonography and capsule endoscopy will actually increase the demand for digestive endoscopy. The trend of future digestive endoscopy will continue to move from diagnostic to therapeutic modalities.Future gastroenterologists will be trained and expected to become micro-surgeons of the gastrointestinal tract working in multispecialty teams along with their colleagues: surgeons and radiologists.     

PREFACE

The present paper discusses where endoscopic diagnosis and treatment will be in 10 years. The demand for gastroenterologist services is growing, driven partly by the aging population and the popularity of screening colonoscopy. Hopefully, along with better genetic and fecal markers, it will allow colonoscopy to be used much more efficiently in patients who really need it. Innovations in reduction of pressure on patients by decreasing the diameter of the electron endoscope, particularly the transnasal endoscope, are continued, in parallel with the development and research of capsule endoscopy as a tentative measure. There will be issues regarding will perform the screening test, and how the medical expenses should be established. In contrast, highly precise imaging techniques are progressing. The most important theme of endoscopic medicine is the further prevalence of and development of therapeutic endoscopy in such situation as gastroesophageal reflux disease, obesity, hemostasis, luminal stenosis, endoscopic submucosal dissection for early gastrointestinal cancer, stenting, endoscopic shincterotomy and natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery for pancreatic biliary or other diseases. In addition, the field of gastroenterology and gastrointestinal endoscopy will need to evolve into one of the digestive health sciences, a new multidisciplinary specialty. It will be required to have a department of digestive diseases integrating all specialists in this field.     

In-training gastrointestinal endoscopy competency assessment tools: Types of tools,validation and impact

The ability to perform endoscopy procedures safely, effectively and efficiently is a core element of gastroenterology practice. Training programs strive to ensure learners demonstrate sufficient competence to deliver high quality endoscopic care independently at completion of training. In-training assessments are an essential component of gastrointestinal endoscopy education, required to support training and optimize learner's capabilities. There are several approaches to in-training endoscopy assessment from direct observation of procedural skills to monitoring of surrogate measures of endoscopy skills such as procedural volume and quality metrics. This review outlines the current state of evidence as it pertains to in-training assessment of competency in performing gastrointestinal endoscopy as part of an overall endoscopy quality and skills training program.     

Is light-induced fluorescence better than the endoscopist's eye?

While recognizing advanced tumours with endoscopy does not generally pose a challenge, cure rates are relatively low, depending on the size and stage of the tumour. Screening tests for cancer are advantageous for diagnosing cancers before the date after which a cure is no longer an option. Many gastrointestinal cancers are diagnosed after the date on which a cure is possible. The present article discusses some of the limitations of conventional white light endoscopy in screening and presents some of the fluorescent-based diagnostics that are being investigated as complements to white light endoscopy. Autofluorescence and fluorescence due to exogenous photosensitizers or precursors are two sources of fluorescence that are being studied. Preliminary results of current investigations are presented, and future research directions are described.     

Impact of mobile health and medical applications on clinical practice in gastroenterology

Mobile health apps(MHAs) and medical apps(MAs) are becoming increasingly popular as digital interventions in a wide range of health-related applications in almost all sectors of healthcare. The surge in demand for digital medical solutions has been accelerated by the need for new diagnostic and therapeutic methods in the current coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. This also applies to clinical practice in gastroenterology, which has, in many respects, undergone a recent digital transformation with numerous consequences that will impact patients and health care professionals in the near future. MHAs and MAs are considered to have great potential, especially for chronic diseases, as they can support the selfmanagement of patients in many ways. Despite the great potential associated with the application of MHAs and MAs in gastroenterology and health care in general, there are numerous challenges to be met in the future, including both the ethical and legal aspects of applying this technology. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the current status of MHA and MA use in the field of gastroenterology, describe the future perspectives in this field and point out some of the challenges that need to be addressed.     

Gastroenterology training in a resource-limited setting: Zambia,Southern Africa

AIM: To evaluate need for and efficacy of a structured gastroenterology didactic session in expanding awareness and understanding of digestive disorders. METHODS: A four-day symposium was developed with didactic sessions (days 1, 2) and practical endoscopy (days 3, 4). Didactic sessions included case presentations highlighting pathophysiology and management. One nurse and four practicing gastroenterologists from the United Kingdom led lectures and supervised work-shops with audience participation. Practical endoscopy focused on diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and their application to diagnosis and treatment of ailments of the gastrointestinal tract. Preand post-workshop questionnaires were distributed to participants during didactic sessions. A pre-workshop questionnaire gauged expectations and identified objectives to be met at thesymposium. Post-workshop questionnaires were administered to assess efficacy of each session. Participants graded sessions from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent) on quality of case presentations, knowledge, clarity and mode of presentation. We assessed if time allotted to each topic was sufficient, value of sessions, impact on practice and interest in future symposiums. RESULTS: There were 46 attendees on day 1: 41% undergraduates, 41% residents, 11% consultants and 4% unspecified. Day 2 (a Saturday) had 24 participants: 17% undergraduates, 71% residents, 9% consultants, 4% unspecified. Primary pre-workshop symposium expectation was to gain knowledge in: general gastroenterology (55.5%), practical endoscopy (13.8%), pediatric gastroenterology (5%), epidemiology of gastrointestinal disorders specific to Zambia (6%), and interaction with international speakers (6%). The post-symposium questionnaire was answered by 19 participants, of whom 95% felt specific aims were met; all would attend future conferences and recommend to others. CONCLUSION: The beneficial effect of a structured symposium in developing countries warrants further attention as a mechanism to improve disease awareness in ar     

县域医院消化专科规范化建设指南(2021)

我国消化系统疾病负担沉重,特别是消化道肿瘤呈严峻高发态势。县域医院在消化系统疾病诊治和消化道癌防治中发挥着承上启下的重要作用。为推动县域医院消化专科同质化、标准化建设,提升消化系统疾病和消化内镜诊疗能力,助力县域医疗卫生健康事业高质量发展,特组织领域专家制定本指南。本指南主要包括县域医院消化专科医疗服务能力、人员配置、门诊和病房建设、消化内镜中心建设、质量管理等内容,为县域医院消化专科规范化建设、运行和管理提供指导和依据。     

Sedation for pediatric endoscopy

Sedation is a fundamental component of pediatric gastrointestinal procedures. Although anesthesiologist-administered sedation is becoming more common, to date, no ideal regimen has been identified for endoscopy in children. The 2 main types of pediatric sedation remain general anesthesia, which requires the presence of an anesthesiologist, and procedural sedation, which may be administered by the gastroenterologist. In choosing between the 2 for a child's procedure, it is critical to maintain patient safety, while maximizing procedural efficiency and minimizing costs. In this chapter, we discuss levels of sedation for endoscopy, as well as various regimens that can be used to achieve them. We also review risks and considerations that may be specific to performing gastrointestinal procedures in children. Finally, we examine potential future directions for sedation, which may fundamentally change the practice of procedural gastroenterology and ultimately patient outcomes.     

Sustainability in gastroenterology and digestive endoscopy: Position Paper from the Italian Association of Hospital Gastroenterologists and Digestive Endoscopists (AIGO)

Climate crisis is dramatically changing life on earth. Environmental sustainability and waste management are rapidly gaining centrality in quality improvement strategies of healthcare, especially in procedure-dominant fields such as gastroenterology and digestive endoscopy. Therefore, healthcare interventions and endoscopic procedures must be evaluated through the ‘triple bottom line’ of financial, social, and environmental impact. The purpose of the paper is to provide information on the carbon footprint of gastroenterology and digestive endoscopy and outline a set of measures that the sector can take to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases while improving patient outcomes. Scientific societies, hospital executives, single endoscopic units can structure health policies and investment to build a “green endoscopy”. The AIGO study group reinforces the role of gastrointestinal endoscopy professionals as advocates of sustainability in digestive endoscopy. The “green endoscopy” can shape a more sustainable health service and lead to an equitable, climate-smart, and healthier future.     

Miniature gastrointestinal endoscopy: Now and the future

Since its original application,gastrointestinal(GI)endoscopy has undergone many innovative transformations aimed at expanding the scope,safety,accuracy,acceptability and cost-effectiveness of this area of clinical practice.One method of achieving this has been to reduce the caliber of endoscopic devices.We propose the collective term“Miniature GI Endoscopy”.In this Opinion Review,the innovations in this field are explored and discussed.The progress and clinical use of the three main areas of miniature GI endoscopy(ultrathin endoscopy,wireless endoscopy and scanning fiber endoscopy)are described.The opportunities presented by these technologies are set out in a clinical context,as are their current limitations.Many of the positive aspects of miniature endoscopy are clear,in that smaller devices provide access to potentially all of the alimentary canal,while conferring high patient acceptability.This must be balanced with the costs of new technologies and recognition of device specific challenges.Perspectives on future application are also considered and the efforts being made to bring new innovations to a clinical platform are outlined.Current devices demonstrate that miniature GI endoscopy has a valuable place in investigation of symptoms,therapeutic intervention and screening.Newer technologies give promise that the potential for enhancing the investigation and management of GI complaints is significant.     

Introduction to small-bowel bleeding

Small-bowel bleeding is a clinical entity regularly observed in the practice of gastroenterology that can pose difficult diagnostic and management problems. This form of bleeding accounts for approximately 5% of all cases of clinically evident gastrointestinal bleeding. The types of lesions that cause bleeding in the small bowel are similar to those found in other areas of the digestive tract, angioectasia being the commonest cause. Routine endoscopy of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract is important in these patients, particularly to search for rare lesions or more common lesions with an unusual or atypical appearance. Diagnosing small-bowel bleeding has always been challenging, but the development of capsule endoscopy, computed tomography enterography, and device-assisted enteroscopy have significantly improved our ability to diagnose and treat patients suffering from this disorder. Clinical decision making about the use of these new technologies is complex and evolving; further research is expected to shed light on their role, in particular to investigate whether these modalities improve patients' clinical outcomes.     

Part I: How to ergonomically design a modern endoscopic suite

The endoscopy suite is the central hub of activity where most gastroenterologists spend a majority of their time in clinical practice. With the evolution of more complex diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, an ergonomically designed and dedicated gastrointestinal endoscopic unit is not only desirable but a necessity. Such a unit will ensure optimal workflow efficiency and throughput, as well as both patient and physician safety. It is important to plan meticulously upfront by seeking input from all stakeholders including engineers, physicians, nurses, technicians and architects. This will ensure a highly desirable work environment including procedural areas and the scope cleaning/sterilization section while optimizing patient and instrument flow. The procedure room should be ergonomically designed to allow for adjustability and optimize utilization of space for endoscopists, technicians, nurses, anesthesiologists, and trainees as well as the equipment required to perform the endoscopic procedures. This article provides practical tips on how to plan and develop an endoscopy suite, taking into consideration ergonomic and regulatory aspects, and is based on real life experience with designing a modern gastroenterology procedural suite.     

Artificial intelligence and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: Current status and future perspective

With recent breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, computer‐aided diagnosis (CAD) for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is gaining increasing attention. Main research focuses in this field include automated identification of dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus and detection of early gastric cancers. By helping endoscopists avoid missing and mischaracterizing neoplastic change in both the esophagus and the stomach, these technologies potentially contribute to solving current limitations of gastroscopy. Currently, optical diagnosis of early‐stage dysplasia related to Barrett's esophagus can be precisely achieved only by endoscopists proficient in advanced endoscopic imaging, and the false‐negative rate for detecting gastric cancer is approximately 10%. Ideally, these novel technologies should work during real‐time gastroscopy to provide on‐site decision support for endoscopists regardless of their skill; however, previous studies of these topics remain ex vivo and experimental in design. Therefore, the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of CAD for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in clinical practice remain unknown, although a considerable number of pilot studies have been conducted by both engineers and medical doctors with excellent results. This review summarizes current publications relating to CAD for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy from the perspective of endoscopists and aims to indicate what is required for future research and implementation in clinical practice.