BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: In ultrasonic probe studies for early-stage esophageal cancer the original soft-balloon method utilizing a condom had succeeded in obtaining a clear and reproducible picture by keeping deaerated water in a condom; however, the condom, which covered the endoscope lens, eliminated the usual endoscopic sight. Therefore, the authors endeavored to develop a modified method which enables both normal endoscopic observation and ultrasonic probe study with only a single insertion of the endoscope. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients with superficial esophageal cancer were included in this pilot study. As modifications of the soft-balloon technique, two novel methods of 'wrapping' and 'invagination' were developed. RESULTS: These modifications are considered to have solved the above-mentioned problem and enable one to acquire both normal endoscopic photos and ultrasonic probe images during the same insertion of the endoscope. CONCLUSION: In a pilot study novel modifications improved the method of ultrasonic probe study for superficial esophageal cancer.
BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: In ultrasonic probe studies for early-stage esophageal cancer the original soft-balloon method utilizing a condom had succeeded in obtaining a clear and reproducible picture by keeping deaerated water in a condom; however, the condom, which covered the endoscope lens, eliminated the usual endoscopic sight. Therefore, the authors endeavored to develop a modified method which enables both normal endoscopic observation and ultrasonic probe study with only a single insertion of the endoscope. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients with superficial esophageal cancer were included in this pilot study. As modifications of the soft-balloon technique, two novel methods of 'wrapping' and 'invagination' were developed. RESULTS: These modifications are considered to have solved the above-mentioned problem and enable one to acquire both normal endoscopic photos and ultrasonic probe images during the same insertion of the endoscope. CONCLUSION: In a pilot study novel modifications improved the method of ultrasonic probe study for superficial esophageal cancer.
Authors: Jung Im Jung; Gwang Ha Kim; Hoseok I; Do Youn Park; Tae Kyun Kim; Young Hwa Cho; Yong Wan Sung; Mun Ki Choi; Bong Eun Lee; Geun Am Song Journal: World J Gastroenterol Date: 2014-05-28 Impact factor: 5.742