{"title":"Esophageal ESD Training; Perspective of West vs. East.","authors":"Abdulrahman Qatomah, Hiroyuki Aihara","doi":"10.1007/s11894-024-00951-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11894-024-00951-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Esophageal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world and carries a poor prognosis. While esophagectomy poses considerable mortality and morbidity risks, endoscopic resection can provide a safer and less invasive alternative. RECENT FINDINGS: Endoscopic resection therapy has allowed a less invasive approach with comparable outcomes to esophagectomy. EMR is considered safe and requires less intensive training, yet it does not offer complete histopathological assessment due to the nature of piecemeal resection for larger lesions. Alternatively, ESD offers an R0 resection, therefore allowing precise histopathological evaluation. Training in ESD is essential; however, a uniform training model has not been agreed upon. The Japanese apprenticeship training model has proven effective, with promising training outcomes from the Eastern experience. In the West, a comprehensive training model through a combination of apprenticeship with progressive exposure, including ex-vivo and live animal hands-on training, could be the optimal approach. Different methods of ESD training are currently available, all of which aim to provide the experience needed to perform safe ESD. Despite the differences in training styles between the East and the West, a modified apprenticeship model could potentially result in more effective and better training outcomes. The currently available technologies provide the environment to enhance ESD training.</p>","PeriodicalId":10776,"journal":{"name":"Current Gastroenterology Reports","volume":"27 1","pages":"7"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142754844","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Samantha Elias, Neilanjan Nandi, Simona Fourie, Lorraine Grover, Kira L Newman
{"title":"Addressing Factors that Impact Sexual Well-Being and Intimacy in IBD Patients.","authors":"Samantha Elias, Neilanjan Nandi, Simona Fourie, Lorraine Grover, Kira L Newman","doi":"10.1007/s11894-024-00956-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11894-024-00956-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This review details the pathophysiologic mechanisms from medical, surgical to psychosocial factors that illustrate how and why sexual health and intimacy are impacted in IBD.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Recent clinical surveys of practicing gastroenterologists document that clinicians should routinely address sexual health when addressing patient reported outcomes but very few actually make direct inquiry or suggest management into this important aspect of human life. Example 'patter' are suggested to clinicians to demonstrate how to introduce the subject of sexual intimacy and well-being and engender patient trust on this sensitive topic. Once specific symptomatology are elicited, then a review follows on how referral to a cadre of available multidisciplinary specialists can help directly manage the patient's concerns. Specific emphasis on addressing the sexual health in ostomate and sexual and gender minority populations is focused upon as well. Overall, this in depth review highlights a practical clinical approach to understanding how to address sexual wellbeing and human intimacy in IBD patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":10776,"journal":{"name":"Current Gastroenterology Reports","volume":"27 1","pages":"10"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11711699/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142946270","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Current Landscape of Endoscopic Submucosal Training in the United States.","authors":"Mike T Wei, Shai Friedland, Joo Ha Hwang","doi":"10.1007/s11894-024-00950-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11894-024-00950-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been found to increase en bloc and R0 resection as well as decrease risk of recurrence. However, despite literature supporting the benefits of endoscopic submucosal dissection, adoption of ESD in the United States has been challenging, driven by factors including requirement for specialized training as well as limitations in training availability.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Many devices have been developed to improve ease and therefore adoption for the procedure, with advancements in stability, resection as well as closure of the mucosal defect following resection. While the Japanese model of training in ESD centers around the Master-Apprentice model, this is scarce in the United States. Most US endoscopists therefore must follow other paths to learn and become proficient at ESD. There has been a rapid expansion in literature on ESD, fellowship programs, opportunities for case observation, and significant evolution in ex vivo training models that can assist an endoscopist in receiving training in ESD. Currently, there are three main ways of learning to perform ESD in the United States: 1. Third space endoscopy fellowship; 2. Master-apprentice model; 3. Utilization of live courses and proctored procedures. ESD is the optimal method to ensure en bloc resection of large mucosal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract. While several barriers hinder adoption of ESD in the United States, there has been significant development both in procedural and training aspects. Further research and discussions are needed to determine criteria for credentialing and proficiency in ESD.</p>","PeriodicalId":10776,"journal":{"name":"Current Gastroenterology Reports","volume":"27 1","pages":"4"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142603516","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Synergistic Benefits of Dietary Strategies in the Management of IBD.","authors":"Gerald W Dryden, Sara M Dryden","doi":"10.1007/s11894-024-00949-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11894-024-00949-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients commonly inquire about the role of diet in the onset and management of their disease process. This review sought to assess the impact of the inflammatory bowel diseases on the nutritional state of patients and evaluate the evidence supporting nutritional interventions as therapy.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>The role of nutrition has evolved from one of deficient nutrient and calorie replacement alone into a proactive therapeutic for treating active inflammatory disease symptoms. The realization that initiating total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in place of oral take could improve disease symptoms provided the first indication that food intake played a causative role in the IBD. The evolution of TPN to enteral nutrition improved tolerance and reduced side effects but clouded the role of oral intake in the pathophysiology of IBD. Advanced understanding of the role of the microbiota in IBD combined with recognition of the influence of nutrients on microbial composition have ushered in a new era of food as therapy. The role of nutrition in IBD has evolved significantly over the past 30-40 years. From complete elimination of oral intake to the carefully curated menu intended to mold the intestinal microbiota to a non-inflammatory milieu has revolutionized the approach to dietary intervention. Additional studies are warranted to optimize dietary intervention strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":10776,"journal":{"name":"Current Gastroenterology Reports","volume":"27 1","pages":"8"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142863465","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Maham Hayat, Yasi Xiao, Mustafa A Arain, Dennis Yang
{"title":"Endoscopic Gallbladder Drainage EUS LAMS vs. ERCP Trans-papillary Drainage.","authors":"Maham Hayat, Yasi Xiao, Mustafa A Arain, Dennis Yang","doi":"10.1007/s11894-024-00948-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11894-024-00948-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>In this review, we discuss the role of endoscopic gallbladder drainage for acute cholecystitis in non-surgical candidates, describe technical aspects, clinical outcomes, and elaborate on considerations when determining which approach to adopt for a given patient.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Cholecystectomy remains the criterion standard for management of acute cholecystitis in patients who can safely undergo surgery. For non-surgical candidates, percutaneous cholecystostomy (PTC-GBD) has been the traditional strategy to drain and decompress the gallbladder. Advances in endoscopy have further expanded the nonsurgical interventions and approaches to cholecystitis. Both endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage (ET-GBD) and endoscopic ultrasound guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) have become acceptable alternatives to PTC-GBD, with growing literature supporting their efficacy, safety and improved patient quality of life when compared to a percutaneous approach. Choosing the appropriate endoscopic technique for gallbladder drainage should be tailored to each patient, keeping in view the specific clinical scenarios, endoscopist preference and following a multi-disciplinary approach.</p>","PeriodicalId":10776,"journal":{"name":"Current Gastroenterology Reports","volume":"27 1","pages":"5"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142643445","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Pharmacotherapy to Prevent Alcohol Relapse in Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease.","authors":"Wei Zhang, Soo Young Hwang, Jay Luther","doi":"10.1007/s11894-025-01026-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11894-025-01026-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Alcohol use disorder (AUD) drives alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), and relapsing after abstinence remains a significant challenge before and after transplantation. This review summarizes evidence for pharmacotherapies in relapse prevention and their integration into ALD care.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Naltrexone and acamprosate reduce the relapse in the general AUD population, though data in ALD are limited. Baclofen is the only drug tested in randomized trials in cirrhosis, with early benefit but mixed results in later studies. Gabapentin and topiramate are promising off-label options. Emerging agents include glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, psilocybin, and fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21) analogs, all showing early signals in reducing alcohol use. Despite guideline support, pharmacotherapy is underutilized in ALD due to lack of insight, stigma, provider inexperience, and fragmented care. Integrated programs across the disease spectrum demonstrate feasibility and may improve pharmacotherapy uptake. Pharmacotherapy is effective yet underused for relapse prevention in ALD. Integration with behavioral interventions and multidisciplinary care is essential to expand access, evaluate novel therapies, and improve patient outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":10776,"journal":{"name":"Current Gastroenterology Reports","volume":"27 1","pages":"74"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145548643","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dhiren Patel, Alexandra Wilder, Ashlesha Bagwe, Leonel Rodriguez
{"title":"Clinical Utility of Botulinum Toxin Injections in Children with Gastrointestinal Disorders.","authors":"Dhiren Patel, Alexandra Wilder, Ashlesha Bagwe, Leonel Rodriguez","doi":"10.1007/s11894-025-01023-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11894-025-01023-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>To review the clinical utility of botulinum toxin (BTX) injections in children with gastrointestinal (GI) disorders.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>BTX is a presynaptic acetylcholine inhibitor with medical indications ranging from the treatment of muscle spasticity to gastrointestinal disorders involving sphincter dysfunction. BTX injections to the upper esophageal sphincter are used to target cricopharyngeal achalasia and retrograde cricopharyngeal dysfunction as temporary measures to decrease sphincter tone and improve swallowing, potentially eliminating the need for surgery. Lower esophageal and pyloric BTX injections have shown benefit in achalasia and gastroparesis, particularly in children unable to undergo or refractory to definitive treatments. Anorectal indications represent the largest experience, especially in children with persistent obstructive defecation symptoms after surgery for Hirschsprung's disease. BTX injection is a minimally invasive, reversible, and generally well-tolerated intervention with mild, self-limited side effects. However, its limitations include transient effects, procedural variability, and primarily off-label use, with most pediatric experience derived from small series. Prospective studies are needed to further evaluate patient selection, standardization, dosage, and long-term efficacy in pediatric gastrointestinal disorders.</p>","PeriodicalId":10776,"journal":{"name":"Current Gastroenterology Reports","volume":"27 1","pages":"73"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145511809","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Pancreatic Cystic Lesions in the Older Patient: A Review of Clinical Guidelines and Management.","authors":"Sagar Shah, V Raman Muthusamy","doi":"10.1007/s11894-025-01004-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11894-025-01004-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>The purpose of this review is to summarize key features of the epidemiology of pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs), highlight the most common PCLs encountered in clinical practice, review relevant guideline recommendations, and briefly introduce innovative new diagnostic and therapeutic technologies in the field, particularly as they relate to the care of elderly patients.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>While CT and MRI are mainstays of diagnostic studies for PCLs, endoscopic ultrasound with fine-needle aspiration and cyst fluid analysis can considerably improve the accuracy of presurgical diagnosis. Surgical interventions remain associated with considerable morbidity. While surveillance of certain lesions is appropriate, surveillance is associated with considerable monetary costs and can cause undue anxiety for patients. There remains uncertainty regarding the optimal management strategy of PCLs given the lack of high-quality evidence to guide recommendations. Management decisions for PCLs, be it for surveillance, surgical resection, or invasive diagnostics, should be highly personalized and based on the unique risk-benefit analysis for a given lesion. Especially in elderly populations, physicians should have informed conversations with patients regarding the likelihood of a given PCL meaningfully affecting quality-of-life or life-expectancy.</p>","PeriodicalId":10776,"journal":{"name":"Current Gastroenterology Reports","volume":"27 1","pages":"72"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12616755/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145488164","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Anal Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions: A Primer for Gastroenterologists.","authors":"Brennan Gioe, Shilpa Jain, Waqar Qureshi","doi":"10.1007/s11894-025-01011-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11894-025-01011-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>The purpose of this review is to provide gastroenterologists a basic understanding of what anal squamous intraepithelial lesions (ASILs) are, how they develop, who are the high-risk populations, who and how to screen, and management of these lesions.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is the most common cause of squamous cell carcinoma of the anus. Anal intraepithelial neoplasia is a precursor to the development of anal squamous cell carcinoma, and screening can lead to early detection and cure. Despite the availability of HPV vaccination for primary prevention, the mortality from squamous cell carcinoma of the anus continues to rise. ASILs are precursor lesions to anal cancer, and with proper detection and treatment, the risk of anal cancer progression can be lessened. We discuss the screening and surveillance of these lesions, and their further management when high-grade dysplasia or cancer develops.</p>","PeriodicalId":10776,"journal":{"name":"Current Gastroenterology Reports","volume":"27 1","pages":"71"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-11-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145430351","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Update on the Management of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Children and Adolescents.","authors":"Silvana Bonilla, Nicola L Jones","doi":"10.1007/s11894-025-01021-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11894-025-01021-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This review provides an update on the management of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in children and adolescents, incorporating newly available data and highlighting how it differs from adults. It explores emerging diagnostic tools and evolving therapeutic approaches to improve eradication rates.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Pediatric data confirm that antimicrobial resistance rates are rising, mirroring trends in the adult population. Novel molecular methods to assess H. pylori antimicrobial susceptibility demonstrate good correlation with culture and are less dependent on transport conditions, timing, and laboratory expertise. These assays, already studied in adults, show promise in pediatric populations, particularly in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding, and may eventually extend to stool-based applications. Recent large studies in both high- and low-incidence populations confirm that H. pylori eradication reduces gastric cancer risk in adults, while emerging pediatric studies report on the prevalence and natural history of premalignant lesions. New therapeutic strategies include antibiotic and acid suppression dose optimization, and incorporation of new agents such as potassium-competitive acid blockers. Advances in molecular diagnostics and acid-suppressive therapies have the potential to significantly improve H. pylori eradication in children. While guideline endorsement is pending, these innovations may reduce reliance on repeated empiric therapies and increase the likelihood of successful, tailored treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":10776,"journal":{"name":"Current Gastroenterology Reports","volume":"27 1","pages":"70"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-10-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145375421","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}