Background Most post-colonoscopy interval colorectal cancers are proximal; serrated polyps are often precursors to these cancers and are considered difficult to detect. We assessed the safety, feasibility, and economic effect of chromocolonoscopy on detection of proximal serrated neoplasia. Methods We did an open-label, multicentre, randomised, controlled non-inferiority trial including patients from Bowel Screening Wales centres. Participants who tested positive for faecal occult blood and who were eligible for and considered fit to have colonoscopy (patients with known cases of polyposis syndromes, Lynch syndrome, and chronic inflammatory disease were excluded) were randomly assigned (1:1; with the use of minimisation, stratified by centre with an 80:20 random element) to either standard white light colonoscopy (standard group) or chromocolonoscopy (indigo carmine dye [0•2%]; chromocolonoscopy group) using a secure, internet-based, computerised, randomisation system that used centralised, dynamic allocation. Participants were followed up for 1 year and data from index colonoscopies and associated clearance procedures were analysed. All proximal polyps were reviewed by an expert pathologist panel. The main outcome on which power was based was time taken to perform the colonoscopy procedure, defined as from the time when the scope was inserted to withdrawal from the anus, assessed in the per-protocol population. The non-inferiority margin was 15 min. This trial is complete and is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01972451.

Retroperitoneal fibrosis is a rare condition characterized by chronic inflammation and marked fibrosis of the retroperitoneal tissue, often leading to entrapment of abdominal organs. We report a 69-year-old white man who presented with a 5-week history of gradual onset of progressive abdominal distension. He had no history or risk factors for an underlying liver condition. Ascites and a retroperitoneal mass encasing the major abdominal vessels were revealed on imaging. Biopsies of the mass confirmed the presence of retroperitoneal fibrosis, and the ascitic fluid was milky, consistent with chylous ascites. We discuss this rare presentation and the challenges of treatment for chylous ascites caused by RPF, including the role for supportive treatment.

Background and study aims  Video-colonoscopy, despite being the gold-standard for diagnosis of colorectal lesions, has limitations including patient discomfort and risk of complications. This study assessed training characteristics and acceptability in operators of a new robotic colonoscope (RC). Materials and methods  Participants (n = 9) with varying degrees of skill and background knowledge in colonoscopy performed colonoscopies with a RC on a simulation-based training model. Quantitative procedure-related and qualitative operator-related parameters were recorded. Results  Polyp detection rate was highest in the novice group (91.67 %) followed by experts (86.11 %), then equally, trainees and video gamers (79.17 %). Four participants repeated the procedure at a follow-up session. Each participant improved cecal intubation time and had the same or higher polyp detection rate. The potential role for RC was identified for an out-of-hospital environment and as a novel diagnostic tool. Conclusions  Results from this pilot suggest that operators at all skill levels found the RC acceptable and potentially useful as a diagnostic tool. Acquisition of skills with RC seems to improve rapidly to a clinically relevant level with simulation-based training

Giant lipomas of the stomach are very rare, accounting for less than 3% of all benign tumors of the stomach. A clear-cut endoscopic differentiation between gastric lipomas and other submucosal neoplasms is not feasible, because routine endoscopic gastric biopsies do not reach the submucosal layer. Gastric submucosal lipomas can cause gastric ulceration as in the case presented below and in rare instances this may in turn promote gastric cancer. Therefore, complete pretreatment diagnostic evaluation is needed. We present a 52-year-old man with a 6-month history of epigastric discomfort, early satiety, decreased appetite, and dyspepsia. His weight was noted to be stable and he was iron deficient (hemoglobin 11.5 g/dl and ferritin of 5 g/dl). His past history included a gastric ulcer found on endoscopy 5 years ago for which he was on omeprazole 40 mg once a day, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes. Clinical examination revealed central obesity with divarification of recti muscles. He underwent a colonoscopy that was normal, and an oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy that revealed a smooth extrinsic indentation of the anterior aspect of the distal stomach at around 50 cm. Biopsies of this were normal. A computed tomography scan was obtained () that demonstrated a 14 by 15-cm fatty tumor arising from the distal stomach with a couple of 5-mm nodes adjacent to tumor and no distant metastasis representing either a lipoma, liposarcoma or gastrointestinal stromal tumours. He subsequently underwent a subtotal gastrectomy. Macroscopically, the antrum was distorted by a huge submucosal intramural tumor mass. The antral mucosa was stretched over its surface and bore a central 15-mm ulcer surrounded by a raised border (). Microscopic examination confirmed an ulcerated benign submucosal lipoma. Our patient was symptomatic with a large gastric lipoma that necessitated surgical excision. Following surgery his postoperative recovery was uneventful, and he was asymptomatic when reviewed 4 weeks later. This case demonstrates a rare case of gastric lipoma causing gastric epithelial ulceration leading to iron deficiency.

Purpose Team management strategies for complex colorectal polyps are recommended by professional guidelines. Multi-disciplinary meetings are used across the UK with limited information regarding their impact. The aim of this multi-centre observational study was to assess procedures and outcomes of patients managed using these approaches. Method This was a retrospective, observational study of patients managed by six UK sites. Information was collected regarding procedures and outcomes including length of stay, adverse events, readmissions and cancers. Results Two thousand one hundred ninety-two complex polyps in 2109 patients were analysed with increasing referrals annually. Most presented symptomatically and the mean polyp size was 32.1 mm. Primary interventions included endoscopic therapy (75.6%), conservative management (8.3%), colonic resection (8.1%), trans-anal surgery (6.8%) or combined procedures (1.1%). The number of primary colonic resections decreased over the study period without a reciprocal increase in secondary procedures or recurrence. Secondary procedures were required in 7.8%. The median length of stay for endoscopic procedures was 0 days with 77.5% completed as day cases. Median length of stay was 5 days for colonic resections. Overall adverse event and 30-day readmission rates were 9.0% and 3.3% respectively. Malignancy was identified in 8.8%. Benign polyp recurrence occurred in 13.1% with a median follow up of 30.4 months. Screening detected lesions were more likely to undergo bowel resection. Colonic resection was associated with longer stays, higher adverse events and more cancers on final histology. Conclusion Multi-disciplinary team management of complex polyps is safe and effective. Standardisation of organisation and quality monitoring is needed to continue positive effects on outcomes and services.