Interventional functional diagnostics in gastrointestinal endoscopy: Combining diagnostic and therapeutic tools in the endoscopy suite with the functional lumen imaging probe.

With technical progress of gastrointestinal functional testing, there has been a demand for more comprehensive examination of esophageal physiology and pathophysiology beyond high-resolution manometry. A new interventional technology based on impedance planimetry, the functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP), enables intraluminal measurement of distensibility and compliance of hollow organs. EndoFLIP uses balloon catheters to measure diameter and distension pressure to calculate cross-sectional area and distensibility in different organs (mostly esophagus, stomach, anorectal region) and can be used in wide variety of indications (diagnostics, pre- and post-treatment evaluation) and currently serves as a helpful adjunctive tool in ambiguous clinical cases. EsoFLIP is a therapeutic variation that uses a stiffer balloon catheter allowing for dilation. The trend to simplify the clinical process from diagnosis to treatment tends to a one-session procedure combining diagnostics and therapeutic interventions. In specified conditions like e.g. achalasia or gastroparesis, a combination of EndoFLIP and EsoFLIP procedures may therefore be useful. The aim of this narrative review is to introduce the clinical use of FLIP and its potential benefit in combined diagnostic-therapeutic procedures.

Periprocedural safety profile of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM)-a retrospective analysis of adverse events according to two different classifications.

BACKGROUND: Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is nowadays a standard method for treatment of achalasia; nevertheless, it remains an invasive intervention with corresponding risk of adverse events (AEs). The classification and grading of AEs are still a matter of discussion. The aim of our retrospective study was to assess the occurrence of all "undesirable" events and "true" adverse events in patients undergoing POEM and to compare the outcomes when either Clavien-Dindo classification (CDC) or American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) lexicon classification applied. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively managed database of all patients who had undergone POEM between December 2012 and August 2018. We assessed the pre-, peri-, and early-postoperative (up to patient's discharge) undesirable events (including those not fulfilling criteria for AEs) and "true" AEs according the definition in either of the classifications. RESULTS: A total of 231 patients have successfully undergone 244 POEM procedures (13 × re-POEM). Twenty-nine procedures (11.9%) passed uneventfully, while in 215 procedures (88.1%), a total of 440 undesirable events occurred. The CDC identified 27 AEs (17 minor, 10 major) occurring in 23/244 (9.4%) procedures. The ASGE lexicon identified identical 27 AEs (21 mild or moderate, 6 severe or fatal) resulting in the severity distribution of AEs being the only difference between the two classifications. Only the absence of previous treatment was found to be a risk factor [p = 0.047, OR with 95% CI: 4.55 (1.02; 20.25)] in the combined logistic regression model. CONCLUSION: Undesirable events are common in patients undergoing POEM but the incidence of true AEs is low according to both classifications. Severe adverse events are infrequent irrespective of the classification applied. CDC may be more appropriate than ASGE lexicon for classifying POEM-related AEs given a surgical nature of this procedure.

Prevalence of neurodegenerative/demyelinating disorders in patients with achalasia.

Introduction: Esophageal achalasia is a primary motility disorder. Although the exact pathogenesis is unknown, autoimmune, and neurodegenerative processes seem to be involved similarly to neurodegenerative and/or demyelinating disorders (NDDs). We hypothesized that the prevalence of NDD may be higher among patients with achalasia and vice versa as the background pathogenetic mechanisms are similar. Methods: This was a prospective, comparative questionnaire-based study. Patients with achalasia and patients with NDD were enrolled. Selected patients with achalasia were thoroughly examined by a neurologist and selected patients with NDD were examined by a gastroenterologist to confirm or rule out NDD or achalasia. We assessed the prevalence of both achalasia and NDD and compared them with their prevalence in general population. Results: A total of 150 patients with achalasia and 112 patients with NDD were enrolled. We observed an increased prevalence of NDD among patients with achalasia (6.0% (9/150); 95% CI (confidence interval): 3.1-11.2%) as compared to the estimated 2.0% prevalence in general population (p = 0.003). Although 32 out of 112 patients (28.6%) with NDD reported dysphagia, we did not observe significantly increased prevalence of achalasia in these patients (1.8% (2/112) vs 0.8% in general population, p = 0.226). Conclusion: The prevalence of NDD was significantly higher among patients with achalasia (6.0%) compared to general population (2.0%), suggesting an association of these disorders. Large-volume studies are necessary to confirm this finding.

Endoscopic pyloromyotomy for the treatment of severe and refractory gastroparesis: a pilot, randomised, sham-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Endoscopic pyloromyotomy (G-POEM) is a minimally invasive treatment option with promising uncontrolled outcome results in patients with gastroparesis. DESIGN: In this prospective randomised trial, we compared G-POEM with a sham procedure in patients with severe gastroparesis. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with treatment success (defined as a decrease in the Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index (GCSI) by at least 50%) at 6 months. Patients randomised to the sham group with persistent symptoms were offered cross-over G-POEM. RESULTS: The enrolment was stopped after the interim analysis by the Data and Safety Monitoring Board prior to reaching the planned sample of 86 patients. A total of 41 patients (17 diabetic, 13 postsurgical, 11 idiopathic; 46% male) were randomised (21 G-POEM, 20-sham). Treatment success rate was 71% (95% CI 50 to 86) after G-POEM versus 22% (8-47) after sham (p=0.005). Treatment success in patients with diabetic, postsurgical and idiopathic gastroparesis was 89% (95% CI 56 to 98), 50% (18-82) and 67% (30-90) after G-POEM; the corresponding rates in the sham group were 17% (3-57), 29% (7-67) and 20% (3-67).Median gastric retention at 4 hours decreased from 22% (95% CI 17 to 31) to 12% (5-22) after G-POEM and did not change after sham: 26% (18-39) versus 24% (11-35). Twelve patients crossed over to G-POEM with 9 of them (75%) achieving treatment success. CONCLUSION: In severe gastroparesis, G-POEM is superior to a sham procedure for improving both symptoms and gastric emptying 6 months after the procedure. These results are not entirely conclusive in patients with idiopathic and postsurgical aetiologies. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03356067; ClinicalTrials.gov.

Near-focus narrow-band imaging classification of villous atrophy in suspected celiac disease: development and international validation.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: There are no agreed-on endoscopic signs for the diagnosis of villous atrophy (VA) in celiac disease (CD), necessitating biopsy sampling for diagnosis. Here we evaluated the role of near-focus narrow-band imaging (NF-NBI) for the assessment of villous architecture in suspected CD with the development and further validation of a novel NF-NBI classification. METHODS: Patients with a clinical indication for duodenal biopsy sampling were prospectively recruited. Six paired NF white-light endoscopy (NF-WLE) and NF-NBI images with matched duodenal biopsy sampling including the bulb were obtained from each patient. Histopathology grading used the Marsh-Oberhuber classification. A modified Delphi process was performed on 498 images and video recordings by 3 endoscopists to define NF-NBI classifiers, resulting in a 3-descriptor classification: villous shape, vascularity, and crypt phenotype. Thirteen blinded endoscopists (5 expert, 8 nonexpert) then undertook a short training module on the proposed classification and evaluated paired NF-WLE-NF-NBI images. RESULTS: One hundred consecutive patients were enrolled (97 completed the study; 66 women; mean age, 51.2 ± 17.3 years). Thirteen endoscopists evaluated 50 paired NF-WLE and NF-NBI images each (24 biopsy-proven VAs). Interobserver agreement among all validators for the diagnosis of villous morphology using the NF-NBI classification was substantial (κ = .71) and moderate (κ = .46) with NF-WLE. Substantial agreement was observed between all 3 NF-NBI classification descriptors and histology (weighted κ = 0.72-.75) compared with NF-WLE to histology (κ = .34). A higher degree of confidence using NF-NBI was observed when assessing the duodenal bulb. CONCLUSIONS: We developed and validated a novel NF-NBI classification to reliably diagnose VA in suspected CD. There was utility for expert and nonexpert endoscopists alike, using readily available equipment and requiring minimal training. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT04349904.).

Esophageal Motility Patterns After Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy in Patients With Achalasia.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Several studies have reported partial recovery of peristalsis in patients with achalasia after myotomy. The aim of our study is to analyze esophageal motility patterns after peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) and to assess the potential predictors and clinical impact of peristaltic recovery. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of consecutive patients with achalasia undergoing POEM at a tertiary center. High-resolution manometry (HRM) studies prior to and after POEM were reviewed and the Chicago classification was applied. RESULTS: A total of 237 patients were analyzed. The initial HRM diagnoses were achalasia type I, 42 (17.7%); type II, 173 (73.0%); and type III, 22 (9.3%). Before POEM, peristaltic fragments were present in 23 (9.7%) patients. After POEM the Chicago classification diagnoses were: 112 absent contractility, 42 type I achalasia, 15 type II, 11 type III, 26 ineffective esophageal motility, 18 esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction, 10 fragmented peristalsis, and 3 distal esophageal spasm. Altogether 68 patients (28.7%) had signs of contractile activity, but the contractions newly appeared in 47 patients (47/214, 22.0%). Type II achalasia showed a trend for appearance of contractions (P = 0.097). Logistic regression analysis did not identify any predictors of peristaltic recovery. The post-POEM Eckardt score did not differ between patients with and without contractions nor did the parameters of timed barium esophagogram. CONCLUSIONS: More than 20% of achalasia patients have signs of partial recovery of esophageal peristalsis after POEM. It occurs predominantly in type II achalasia but the clinical relevance seems to be negligible.

Stenting to prevent esophageal stricture after circumferential endoscopic submucosal dissection: an experimental study.

Background and study aims Circular ESD (CESD) is a treatment option for patients with extensive early esophageal cancer. Its major drawback is the development of a stricture. Stenting may represent an attractive prevention strategy. We designed an experimental study to assess the effect of stents covered with acellular biomatrix (AB) and a drug-eluting stent. Materials and methods Thirty-five 35 pigs underwent CESD and were randomized into six groups: G1 (control), G2 (SEMS), G3 (SEMS + AB), G4 (SEMS + AB + steroid-eluting layer), G5 (biodegradable stent [BD]), G6 (BD + AB). SEMS were placed alongside the post-CESD defect, fixed and removed after 21 days. The main outcomes were stricture development, severity, and histopathology. Results Pigs with BD stents (G5, 6) experienced severe inflammation and hypergranulation without biodegradation, therefore, these groups were closed prematurely. Significant strictures developed in 29 of 30 pigs (96.7 %). The most severe stricture developed in G2 and G4 (narrowest diameter (mm) 8.5 ±â€Š3, 3 (G2) and 8.6 ±â€Š2.1 (G4) vs. 17 ±â€Š7.3 (G1) and 13.5 ±â€Š8.3 (G3); P  < 0.01. Signs of re-epithelization were present in 67 % and 71 % in G1 and G2 and in 100 % in G3 and G4. The most robust re-epithelization layer was present in G4. The inflammation was the most severe in G1 (mean score 2.3) and least severe in G4 (0.4). Conclusions Stenting did not effectively prevent development of post-CESD esophageal stricture. SEMS with AB resulted in improved re-epithelization and decreased stricture severity. Steroid-eluting SEMS suppressed inflammation. BD stents seem inappropriate for this indication.

Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy vs Biopsies in the Assessment of Persistent or Recurrent Intestinal Metaplasia/Neoplasia after Endoscopic Treatment of Barrett's Esophagus related Neoplasia.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Patients after endoscopic treatment of Barrett's esophagus (BE) related neoplasia (BORN) should enter endoscopic surveillance with biopsies to detect persistent or recurrent neoplasia or intestinal metaplasia (IM). Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) serves as a virtual biopsy and could replace standard biopsies. However, the role of pCLE in patients after endoscopic treatment of BORN has not been systematically assessed. The aim of this study was to compare pCLE with biopsies in detecting persistent/recurrent IM/neoplasia. METHODS: A single center, prospective and pathologist-blinded study was performed. Patients after endoscopic treatment of BORN (endoscopic resection or dissection, radiofrequency ablation) underwent surveillance endoscopy with pCLE followed by biopsies. RESULTS: A total of 56 patients were enrolled: initial diagnoses were low-grade dysplasia (LGD) in 24 patients (43%), high-grade dysplasia (HGD) in 12 patients (21%) and early adenocarcinoma (EAC) in 20 patients (36%). Only one patient (2%) experienced recurrent neoplasia (LGD), which was diagnosed by pCLE only. Twenty patients (35.7%) experienced persistent/recurrent IM, diagnosed by both pCLE and biopsies in 17 patients (17/30, 85%) and by pCLE only in 3 pts (3/30, 15%). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values to diagnose recurrent/persistent IM did not differ significantly between pCLE and biopsies; diagnostic accuracy was 100% (95%CI 93.6-100) for pCLE and 94.6 (95%CI 85.1-98.9%) for biopsies, p=0.25. In patients with IM detected by both tested methods, pCLE detected significantly more goblet cells (median 43 per patient) than biopsies (median 12 per patient), p=0.01. CONCLUSION: pCLE is at least as effective as standard biopsies in the detection of persistent/recurrent IM after endoscopic treatment of BORN.

Celiac disease in adults.

Celiac disease is a lifelong autoimmune disorder that occurs in genetically predisposed people when consuming gluten. Its prevalence is around 1% of the population with about twice higher proportion of women. Celiac disease is one of the most common causes of malabsorption, however, its manifestations can be quite diverse - from completely asymptomatic to fully developed malabsorption syndrome. Extraintestinal manifestations are a common finding in adults. The gold standard of diagnosis is the serological detection of specific antibodies (the serum tissue transglutaminase IgA antibodies) in combination with a typical histological finding from a duodenal biopsy. Causal treatment is a lifelong gluten-free diet. Strict adherence to gluten-free diet will reduce the risk of serious complications (intestinal T-cell lymphoma). In the following case report we present a case of a 58-year-old patient, who have been diagnosed with celiac disease at this age based on non-classical symptoms. Specifically, these were multiple pathological fractures from metabolic bone disease due to malabsorption of calcium and vitamin D and subsequent secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy versus biopsies in the diagnostics of oesophageal and gastric lesions: A prospective, pathologist-blinded study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) provides real-time microscopic visualisation. Our aim was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of pCLE with standard biopsies in patients with visible oesophageal or gastric lesions. METHODS: This was a single-centre, prospective, pathologist-blinded study. Patients underwent high-resolution endoscopy, and lesions were examined by pCLE followed by standard biopsies. A definitive diagnosis was determined from resection specimen. Main outcomes were overall diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values. RESULTS: We examined 74 lesions in 67 patients. Definitive diagnoses revealed 34 malignant and 40 non-malignant lesions. pCLE diagnosis was correct in 89.2% (66/74), while diagnosis based on biopsy was correct in 85% (57/67; p = 0.6). The overall diagnostic accuracy of biopsies was 85% (76-94%) and that of pCLE was 89% (79-96%). pCLE correctly diagnosed malignant lesions, comprising oesophageal adenocarcinoma, oesophageal squamous-cell cancer or gastric adenocarcinoma, in 88.2% (30/34) of cases, while biopsy was correctly diagnosed in 75.9% (22/29; p = 0.3). Sensitivity and specificity to diagnose a malignant lesion were 75.9% (95% confidence interval (CI) 56-89%) and 100% (95% CI 90-100%) for biopsies and 88.2% (95% CI 72-97%) and 92% (95% CI 79-98%) for pCLE. No differences between biopsies and pCLE were found with regard to sensitivity, specificity to diagnose dysplastic and benign lesions (p > 0.2). CONCLUSION: pCLE provides satisfactory diagnostic accuracy comparable with standard biopsies in patients with oesophageal or gastric lesions. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT0292049).

First genotype-phenotype study reveals HLA-DQß1 insertion heterogeneity in high-resolution manometry achalasia subtypes.

Background: Achalasia is a primary oesophageal motility disorder. Although aetiology remains mainly unknown, a genetic risk variant, rs28688207 in HLA-DQB1, showed strong achalasia association suggesting involvement of immune-mediated processes in the pathogenesis. High-resolution manometry recognises three types of achalasia. The aim of our study was to perform the first genotype-phenotype analysis investigating the frequency of rs28688207 across the high-resolution manometry subtypes. Methods: This was a cross-sectional retrospective study. Achalasia patients from tertiary centres in the Czech Republic (n = 163), Germany (n = 114), Greece (n = 70) and controls were enrolled. All subjects were genotyped for the rs28688207 insertion. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used for the genotype-phenotype analysis. Results: A total of 347 achalasia patients (type I - 89, II - 210, III - 48) were included. The overall frequency of the rs28688207 was 10.3%. The distribution of the insertion was significantly different across the high-resolution manometry subtypes (p = 0.038), being most prevalent in type I (14.6%), followed by type II (9.5%) and III (6.3%). Conclusion: The frequency of the HLA-DQB1 insertion differs among high-resolution manometry achalasia subtypes. The insertion is most prevalent in type I, suggesting that immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by the insertion may play a more prominent role in the pathogenesis of this subtype.

Prevention of esophageal strictures after circumferential endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection or widespread endoscopic resection allow the radical removal of circumferential or near-circumferential neoplastic esophageal lesions. The advantage of these endoscopic methods is mini-invasivity and low risk of major adverse events compared to traditional esophagectomy. The major drawback of these extensive resections is the development of stricture - the risk is 70-80% if more than 75% of the circumference is removed and almost 100% if the whole circumference is removed. Thus, an effective method to prevent post-ER/ESD esophageal stricture would be of major benefit, because treatment of strictures requires multiple sessions of endoscopic dilatation and may carry a risk of perforation. Moreover, not all strictures are easy to treat and some patients may develop refractory strictures. There are several techniques and methods, which have been tested in both experimental and/or clinical studies but no one has received general acceptance based on results of high-quality evidence. The studies are usually small with a limited number of patients, there is a lack of randomized controlled trials and some techniques have been described only in experimental studies. Thus, prevention of post-ESD strictures remains an unresolved issue. On the other hand, because of the high risk of stricture and partially proven effectiveness of some preventive techniques, a preventive strategy should be considered in patients undergoing extensive ER/ESD in the esophagus. There is, however, no evidence about the superiority or inferiority of a particular preventive strategy compared to other techniques, moreover, there is paucity of data assessing the effectiveness of the combination of different preventive methods. The best preventive strategies known so far include 1) oral or local administration of corticosteroids; and 2) preventive stenting. Other strategies (preventive sessions of endoscopic dilatation or tissue engineering methods) have unproven efficacy or are too demanding for practical use. Nevertheless, the use of (any) preventive strategy after extensive ER/ESD of the esophagus probably reduces the risk of stricture and the number of endoscopic dilatations, therefore, it should be considered in these patients. However, there is a need for high quality evidence as well as for new ideas and approaches to resolve this important clinical problem.

Radiofrequency ablation for Barrett's esophagus-related neoplasia.

Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a premalignant condition associated with increased risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma. In the past, BE patients with high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (IEN) or early adenocarcinoma (EAC) were indicated for esophagectomy. With the recent advance in endoscopy, endoscopic techniques have surpassed esophagectomy in the treatment of Barrett's esophagus-related neoplasia and minimized the treatment-related morbidity. Patients with IEN are candidates for endoscopic treatment - endoscopic mucosal resection (ER) of visible lesions and/or ablation therapy of flat Barrett's mucosa. ER combined with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is now considered as a gold standard for treatment of patients with early Barrett's cancer. RFA is currently the most effective method of ablation used in the treatment of low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia/high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia without visible lesions and for ablation of residual Barrett's mucosa following ER/ESD of EAC or HGIN aiming to achieve complete eradication of Barrett's surface and thus, decreasing the risk of recurrent dysplasia or cancer. The rates of complete remission of neoplasia and metaplasia after completion of endoscopic treatment are 81-92.6% and 75-88.2%, respectively. The aim of this article is to review the principles, techniques, indications, efficacy and safety of this ablative method and surveillance of patients after successful treatment with RFA.

Role of confocal laser endomicroscopy in patients with early esophageal neoplasia.

Probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) enables real-time histopathological assessment during endoscopic procedures to evaluate epithelial and subepithelial structures with a 1000x magnification. It may be used in various localizations not only in the digestive tract, but its role in clinical practice is still a matter of discussion. The main advantages of pCLE compared to standard biopsies may be: 1) real-time diagnosis; 2) which may be done by the endoscopist; and 3) a larger evaluated area compared to standard biopsies. In theory, pCLE has the potential to eliminate the need for biopsy. However, pCLE cannot replace standard biopsies at this time, among others, standard forceps biopsies are presently more cost-effective. pCLE may be used to enhance the diagnostic arsenal and improve mucosal visualization and evaluation in patients with Barrett's esophagus (BE), with visible esophageal lesions and in patients undergoing surveillance endoscopy after endoscopic treatment of BE related neoplasia. pCLE requires sufficient training and use of validated classifications systems. At present, the majority of endoscopic centers do not use pCLE routinely and no guidelines recommend its routine use for patients with different esophageal diseases, although pCLE is (in selected indications) reimbursed in some countries. This article describes the principle and performance of pCLE and reviews its use in patients with BE and early esophageal neoplasia.

Gentamicin submucosal lavage during peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM): a retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is an evolving therapeutic modality for achalasia. According to the original Inoue's technique, a submucosal lavage with gentamicin has been practiced due to the fear of infection. This single-tertiary center study was intended to assess the clinical significance of the topical antibiotic lavage during POEM. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was conducted. The outcomes of patients who received the gentamicin lavage (group A) during POEM were compared to those who did not (group B). The main outcome variables were infectious adverse events, post-POEM fever, and markers of systemic inflammatory response. One day before and after POEM, all patients received systemic antibiotic prophylaxis with ceftriaxone. RESULTS: Of 124 consecutive patients having undergone POEM, 60 patients received a lavage with 80 mg of gentamicin into the submucosal tunnel before starting the myotomy, while 64 patients did not. The overall treatment success at 3 months did not differ between the two groups (group A 94.7 vs. 97.5% group B). We did not experience any significant infectious adverse events in either group. CRP and WBC levels were lower in patients with lavage versus those without [CRP: median 52.7 (IQR 34.9) vs. 69.5 (54.1); p = 0.01; WBCs: median 10.9 (IQR 3.3) vs. 12.6 (3.9); p < 0.01]. Post-procedural fever was present in 10% of patients in either group. CONCLUSIONS: During POEM, the submucosal lavage with gentamicin prior to the myotomy does not play a role in the prevention of clinically significant infectious adverse events, although the systemic inflammatory response may be decreased.

Erratum to: Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM): mid-term efficacy and safety.

The Given Names and Family Names were all inadvertently inverted. The correct order is: Jan Martinek, Hana Svecova, Zuzana Vackova, Radek Dolezel, Ondrej Ngo, Jana Krajciova, Eva Kieslichova, Radim Janousek, Alexander Pazdro, Tomas Harustiak, Lucie Zdrhova, Pavla Loudova, Petr Stirand, Julius Spicak. The original article was corrected.

Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM): mid-term efficacy and safety.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is becoming a standard treatment for achalasia. Long-term efficacy and the rate of post-POEM reflux should be further investigated. The main aim of this study was to analyze safety and mid-term (12 and 24 months) clinical outcomes of POEM. METHODS: Data on single tertiary center procedures were collected prospectively. The primary outcome was treatment success defined as an Eckardt score < 3 at 12 and 24 months. A total of 155 consecutive patients with achalasia underwent POEM; 133 patients were included into the analysis (22 patients will be analyzed separately as part of a multicenter randomized clinical trial). RESULTS: POEM was successfully completed in 132 (99.2%) patients, and the mean length of the procedure was 69.8 min (range 31-136). One patient underwent a drainage for pleural effusion; no other serious adverse events occurred. Treatment success at 3, 12, and 24 months was observed in 95.5% (CI 89.6-98.1), 93.4% (86.5-96.8), and 84.0% (71.4-91.4) of patients, respectively. A total of 11 patients (8.3%) reported initial treatment failure (n = 5) or later recurrence (n = 6). The majority of relapses occurred in patients with achalasia type I (16.7 vs. 1.1% achalasia type II vs. 0% achalasia type III; p<0.05). At 12 months, post-POEM reflux symptoms were present in 29.7% of patients. At 3 months, mild reflux esophagitis was diagnosed in 37.6% of patients, and pathological gastroesophageal reflux was detected in 41.5% of patients. A total of 37.8% of patients had been treated with a proton pump inhibitor. CONCLUSION: POEM resulted in greater than 90% treatment success at 12 months which tends to decrease to 84% after 2 years. More than one-third of the patients had mild reflux symptoms and/or mild esophagitis.

Serogroup and Clonal Characterization of Czech Invasive Neisseria meningitidis Strains Isolated from 1971 to 2015.

BACKGROUND: This study presents antigenic and genetic characteristics of Neisseria meningitidis strains recovered from invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in the Czech Republic in 1971-2015. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 1970 isolates from IMD, referred to the National Reference Laboratory for Meningococcal Infections in 1971-2015, were studied. All isolates were identified and characterized by conventional biochemical and serological tests. Most isolates (82.5%) were characterized by multilocus sequence typing method. RESULTS: In the study period 1971-2015, the leading serogroup was B (52.4%), most often assigned to clonal complexes cc32, cc41/44, cc18, and cc269. A significant percentage of strains were of serogroup C (41.4%), with high clonal homogeneity due to hyperinvasive complex cc11, which played an important role in IMD in the Czech Republic in the mid-1990s. Serogroup Y isolates, mostly assigned to cc23, and isolates of clonally homogeneous serogroup W have also been recovered more often over the last years. CONCLUSION: The incidence of IMD and distribution of serogroups and clonal complexes of N. meningitidis in the Czech Republic varied over time, as can be seen from the long-term monitoring, including molecular surveillance data. Data from the conventional and molecular IMD surveillance are helpful in refining the antimeningococcal vaccination strategy in the Czech Republic.