Lack of a discriminatory function for endoscopy skills on a computer-based simulator

BACKGROUND

Computer-based endoscopy simulators have been developed to enable trainees to learn and gain technical endoscopic skills before operating on patients. However, these simulators have not been validated as models of patient-based endoscopy. This study aimed to determine whether a computer-based simulator can accurately represent an actual esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy and to evaluate its ability to discriminate between varying levels of expertise in performing endoscopic procedures based on objective parameters.

METHODS

In a prospective, observational trial, five first-year gastroenterology fellows and six gastroenterology attendings from a single academic center completed six endoscopy cases on the Simbionix GI Mentor II endoscopy simulator. The cases were selected to represent common clinical scenarios. The performance parameters were collected by the simulator. The 13 performance parameters measured by the endoscopy simulator were compared between the two study groups. After the simulator cases, the participants completed a survey evaluating the realism of the simulator.

RESULTS

Novices and experts were able to complete the tasks in the simulated cases with no significant overall differences between the two groups. The computer-based simulator was able to discriminate levels of expertise only for parameters related to the time spent on the procedure (total time, time to reach the second duodenum, time to reach the cecum, and efficiency of screening). No statistically significant differences were found for the other nine performance parameters measured by the simulator. Based on the survey data, expert opinion concluded that the simulator does not offer a realistic simulation of human endoscopy.

CONCLUSIONS

The computer-based endoscopy simulator displays a lack of ability to discriminate between novices and experts in terms of endoscopic skills based on measured objective performance parameters. The findings of this study suggest that the computer-based simulator lacks fidelity and that upgrades are necessary to increase the simulator's ability to reproduce human endoscopy more accurately.

Role of esophagogastroduodenoscopy in the initial assessment of children with inflammatory bowel disease

INTRODUCTION

Diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and differentiation between Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) can be difficult in children. Several previous studies suggest that esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and biopsies are important in the initial investigation of children with suspected IBD. The aim of the present paper was to assess the importance of EGD in the initial diagnostic appraisal of children with suspected IBD.

METHODS

Children diagnosed with IBD over a 4-year period were identified from a dedicated IBD database. Retrospective chart review documented presenting signs and symptoms, endoscopic features in the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract and histological findings on mucosal biopsies.

RESULTS

Eighty-six children were diagnosed with IBD of whom 61 (70.9%) had CD, 13 (21.3%) UC, and the remainder, indeterminate colitis. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed in 76 (88.4%). Nine children were diagnosed with IBD solely on the basis of information obtained following EGD. None of these children had colitis and all had abnormal histological findings on review of mucosal biopsies from the upper gastrointestinal tract. Thirteen (23.6%) of 55 children with CD had granulomas noted within biopsies obtained during EGD and another 20 had significant inflammatory changes on histological examination of upper gastrointestinal tract biopsies. Crohn's disease was diagnosed in 25 of 38 children with pan-colitis. Thirteen children were correctly classified as having CD only following assessment of their upper gastrointestinal tract. This included the presence of upper gut granulomata in eight children.

CONCLUSION

The performance of EGD in these children with IBD provided additional diagnostic yield and guided the differentiation of disease type in many patients. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is an essential component in the initial diagnostic assessment of children with possible CD or UC.

The role of ERCP and pancreatoscopy in cystic and intraductal tumors

ERCP and pancreatoscopy may establish a diagnosis of IPMT and differentiate it from a pseudocyst or cystic neoplasm of the pancreas. These techniques may also assess risk of malignancy, extent of disease, allow tissue sampling, and provide therapeutic intervention.

Diagnosis and fine needle aspiration of pancreatic pseudocysts: the role of endoscopic ultrasound

Pseudocysts are localized collections of pancreatic fluid surrounded by nonepithelialized granulation tissue that occur following an insult to the pancreas. High image resolution and the ability sample in real-time by fine needle aspiration permit accurate distinction between various cystic lesions in the pancreas by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Other cyst characteristics and background pancreatic changes detectable at EUS assist in the diagnostic process. The use of Doppler flow ultrasound allows diagnosis of important pseudocyst complications such as pseudoaneurysms and varices. Endoscopic approaches to the drainage of symptomatic lesions previously relied on the use of cross-sectional imaging studies such as computed tomography scanning in combination with stent placement using a duodenoscope in the presence of an endoscopically visible cyst bulge. EUS facilitates this process allowing accurate imaging of the lesion prior to stent placement via the echoendoscope and overcomes many of the drawbacks and pitfalls of other endoscopic techniques.

[Esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy of pediatric patients]

In total 199 oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopies (OGD) were performed in 71 female and 71 male paediatric patients (three months-15 years, median 8 years 2 months). The endoscopy was performed in general anaesthesia in children less than five years old, and in an intravenous sedation in older patients. The indications for OGD were: recurrent abdominal pain and concomitant positive antibodies against Helicobacter pylori as a part of a scientific project, upper dyspepsia, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, failure to thrive, coeliac disease, suspicion of chronic inflammatory bowel disease and a percutaneous gastrostomy. Seventy-two OGD were carried out in general anaesthesia, 86 in intravenous sedation with midazolam and pethidine and 41 in intravenous midazolam sedation. Complications related to the sedation or to the endoscopy were not observed. Amnesia was reported in 94/95 children who were sedated intravenously with midazolam and pethidine or midazolam alone. Six endoscopies could not be carried out in intravenous sedation because of agitation. In the primary OGD endoscopy revealed a normal mucosa in 121/142 (85%), oesophagitis in four (3%), nodular mucosa in six (4%), gastritis in four (3%) and a duodenal ulcer in one (0.7%). Histology disclosed active or inactive chronic gastritis at the primary endoscopy in 35/69 (51%) of the children with recurrent abdominal pain and antibodies against H. pylori. In children with failure to thrive an avillous duodenal mucosa was seen in 3/32 (9%). A comparison between histological and stereomicroscopical evaluation of the duodenal biopsies revealed agreement in 41/47 (87%). We conclude that OGD is a safe and tolerable procedure in paediatric patients, in whom possible morphological changes are suspected. The indications for an OGD need further evaluation.