Introduction Pancreatic malignancies represent highly fatal diseases with poor prognosis and constantly increasing incidence despite modern diagnostic and therapeutic options. Both endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are regarded as mainstays in pancreatic cancer management. The present study aims to evaluate whether accuracy EUS with fine‐needle aspiration or biopsy (FNA or FNB) in pancreatic cancer diagnosis is influenced by prior biliary stenting or by technical or anatomical features (stent type, number of needle passes, common bile duct or Wirsung's diameter, topographical characteristics and diameter of the pancreatic tumor). Materials and methods This retrospective study includes 243 patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent ERCP and EUS with fine‐needle aspiration or biopsy (FNA or FNB). Results and discussion Out of the total number of patients, 68 were stented prior to EUS. We found that the EUS‐FNA diagnostic yield is not influenced either by the presence of biliary stent, nor by the type of stent (plastic or metallic). Moreover, the mean needle passes required were similar for both stented patients and not stented ones. Conclusions Ultimately, given our results, we can state that EUS‐FNA/FNB can be safely and accurately performed in the presence of biliary stents.

Background: Cholangiocarcinoma is the most common malignancy of the bile ducts causing intrahepatic, hilar, or distal bile duct obstruction. Most jaundiced patients are diagnosed with unresectable tumors in need for palliative bile duct drainage and chemotherapy. Endobiliary radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an adjuvant technique that may be applied prior to biliary stenting. The aim of our study was to assess the efficacy of endobiliary RFA prior to stent insertion in patients with unresectable distal cholangiocarcinomas. Methods: Twenty-five patients (eight treated with RFA and stenting and 17 treated with stenting alone) were included in a case-controlled study. We prospectively assessed the impact of RFA on the survival rate, the patient performance status, and the preservation of eligibility for chemotherapy based on the patient laboratory profile. Results: Patients treated with RFA prior to stenting proved to have a significantly longer survival interval (19 vs. 16 months, p = 0.04, 95% CI) and significantly better performance status. Moreover, the laboratory profiles of patients treated with RFA has been proven superior in terms of total bilirubin, liver enzymes, and kidney function, thus making patients likely eligible for palliative chemotherapy. Post-ERCP adverse events were scarce in both the study group and the control group. Conclusion: Given the isolated adverse events and the impact on the patient survival, performance, and laboratory profile, RFA can be considered safe and efficient in the management of patients with unresectable distal cholangiocarcinomas.

Introduction. Ultrasound-guided (US-guided) percutaneous drainage (PD) of abdominal collections represents the first-choice alternative to surgical intervention. The aim of our study was to assess the efficacy and safety of PD of visceral and non-visceral abdominal collections by reviewing our personal experience over a period of 5 years. Material and methods. The present study included 66 patients who underwent PD under ultrasound guidance. We analyzed clinical variables (collection size, catheter diameter, collection type, microbiological analysis, antibiotic regimens) along with the outcomes of the procedure. Results. Visceral collections were predominant, encompassing 38 hepatic abscesses and 1 splenic hematoma. Microbiological analysis showed that the majority (54%) were monomicrobial. The most encountered pathogens were Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. Technical success was achieved in all cases and clinical success was observed in 84.6% of the cases. No immediate procedural complications were detected. There were 6 patients who needed reinterventions, either by catheter replacement or by surgical treatment. The mortality rate was 4.5%, due to patients’ poor overall status and oncological comorbidities. Conclusions. Percutaneous drainage under ultrasound guidance is a safe and effective procedure in the management of abdominal collections.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a term that covers a multitude of techniques that are used in a manner that tries to reproduce human intelligence. AI is helpful in various medical specialties that use imaging for diagnostic purposes, and gastroenterology is no exception. In this field, AI has several applications, such as detecting and classifying polyps, detecting the malignancy in polyps, diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection, gastritis, inflammatory bowel disease, gastric cancer, esophageal neoplasia, and pancreatic and hepatic lesions. The aim of this mini-review is to analyze the currently available studies regarding AI in the field of gastroenterology and hepatology and to discuss its main applications as well as its main limitations.

Introduction. The impact of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) on the quality of life (QoL) of patients is significant and it has important social and professional consequences. Materials and methods. We aimed to describe the patients’ perspective regarding the impact of IBD on their overall QoL and to evaluate the differences between men and women. An observational cross-sectional study, that included 180 patients with IBD in clinical remission, was conducted. All the patients completed a number of 3 questionnaires in order to evaluate the general aspects of their QoL. A separate questionnaire was created regarding genderspecific issues in women with IBD encounter. Also, particular features such as the incidence of anemia and osteoporosis among IBD patients were documented. The data obtained were analyzed and compared between the two genderclassified groups. Results. According to the Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (SIBDQ), patients had a general perception of a good QoL, but the impact was higher in women. Fatigue and tiredness were severely perceived almost to the same degree regardless of their gender, whereas anxiety and unemployment were more present in men. No significant differences in women with IBD during the active disease and during disease remission were found. Conclusions. The overall quality of life of IBD patients is affected in many aspects, leading to the deterioration of their social and professional lives, for both men and women, but some aspects remain gender-specific and require a personalized standard of care.