As Executive Director of the H.H. Chao Comprehensive Digestive Disease Center, University of California, Irvine, Dr. Chang brings the wealth of hix experience and knowledge to the topic of interventional endoscopic ultrasound. His issue is divided into two sections, the first dealing with the best practices of interventional EUS.? Articles in this section address FNA of solid pancreatic tumors, pancreatic cysts, diagnosis of SMT's, lung cancer staging, pancreatic drainage, and celiac neurolysis. The second section addresses emerging technologies for intervention EUS. These articles discuss pancreatic cyst ablation, vascular access and therapy, anti-tumor agents, fiducial markers and brachytherapy, image enhancement, tumor ablation, and anastomosis.

As the National Quality Advisor and Chair of the AGAI Clinical Practice and Quality Management Committee, Dr. Allen, along with Dr. DeLegge, have created a very insightful list of topics to educate gastroenterologists about how to adapt to health care reform. The issue addresses the impact in both private practices and academic medical centers. Specific issues discussed include Gastroenterologists and Accountable Care Organizations; Health Information Technology and the Gastroenterologist; Transitioning from Fellowship to Practice 2012; Going Big in Private Practice; Clinical Service Line Management; The Impact of Health Reform on GI Reimbursement; The Impact of Health Care Reform on Innovation and New Technology; Industry and Gastroenterology: A New World; and Demonstrating Value: Registries and Beyond.

An important review on esophageal neoplasms for the general surgeon! Topics will include epidemiology and prevalence of esophageal cancer, molecular basis of esophageal cancer development and progression, diagnosis and management of Barrett's esophagus, evaluation and staging of patients with esophageal cancer, medical evaluation of patients preparing for an esophagectomy, management of stage 1 esophageal cancer, management of T2 esophageal cancer, management of advanced stage operable esophageal cancer, management of GE junction tumors, traditional esophagectomy surgical techniques, minimally invasive esophagectomy techniques, esophageal reconstruction with alternative conduits, complications of esophagectomy, quality of life after an esophagectomy, palliation of inoperable esophageal cancer and more!

The Guest Editors have focused on methods of diagnosing and evaluating IBD to help guide optimal treatment to maximize clinical outcomes and minimize risks. Authors have provided state-of-the-art updates with practical information/guidelines/algorithms and cutting-edge data for incorporation into practice. The first set of articles deals with endoscopy: its role in diagnosis and monitoring IBD; the growing importance of chromoendoscopy in IBD surveillance exams; assessment of post-operative recurrence; and finally the emerging role of capsule endoscopy. The second section focuses on specific scenarios that IBD physicians encounter frequently: health maintenance in IBD focusing on proper vaccinations; the growing problem of Clostridium difficile in IBD; assessment of pouch problems; optimal evaluation of perianal disease; the state of the art in using thiopurines including use of allopurinol to optimize metabolites and optimizing the use of infliximab by measuring levels and antibodies to infliximab; factors to consider in choosing monotherapy versus combination therapy and communication of risk/benefit to patients; and finally disability assessment in IBD. The third and final section highlights noninvasive methods to evaluate IBD: clinical predictors of aggressive or disabling disease; the evolving role of specific antibodies in diagnosing, subtyping and most recently prognosticating in IBD; stool markers (calproctectin and lactoferrin) for evaluating and monitoring IBD; the growing role of imaging modalities with emphasis on MR enterography and CT enterography; and finally, the genetics of IBD and the potential role of genetic testing in the diagnosis/prognosis and tailoring of therapy.

Dr. Van Dam is an internationally recognized leader in gastroenterology and has been a leader in advances in intervedntional endoscopy. He brings this expertise to the topic of management of benign and malignant pancreatic disease and has selected top experts in the field to provide state-of-the-art clinical information to gastroenterologists. The modern management treatise of each article addresses current diagnostics as well as medical management. Seven articles are devoted to pancreatic cancer and span medical management, surgial mangament, radiologic imaging, endoscopic diagnosis, palliation, and screening. Other important topics addressed are pancreatic transplantation, pancreatic cystic neoplasms, acute and chronic pancreatitis, and autoimmune pancreatitis.

New research has shown that neuroendocrine tumors are more common than previously thought. Progress in our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of these not-so-rare cancers has resulted in renewed interest in developinginnovative therapeutic options. In particular, novel molecular targeted agents have been shown to have significant anti-tumor activity, and integration of these therapies has led to critical advances in management.

In this volume, an outstanding group of the world s leaders in the field have assembled to convey their knowledge of the epidemiology, biology, and management of allthemajor types of neuroendocrine tumors. The book takes a multi-modality approach to understanding disease processes and therapeutics, including chapters on medical and surgical treatment as well as a chapter devoted to imaging. Throughout, the authors emphasize recent advances in our understanding of molecular biology and the subsequent emerging therapeutic options.

This issue reviews and updates a variety of topics in pancreatic imaging.? Pearls on the Multiphasic CT of the pancreas are offered, along with the key MRI techniques for pancreatic imaging. Emerging CT, MR and US techniques for pancreatic evaluation (such as dual energy, DCMRI, spectroscopy, and US contrast) are elucidated.? Ultrasound for pancreatic imaging is given a thorough review.? An update on staging and resectability of pancreatic adenocarcinoma is discussed.? Acute and chronic pancreatitis are reviewed, as well as cystic pancreatic lesions, congenital pancreatic anomalies, uncommon solid pancreatic neoplasms, and other pancreatic pathology. Post-operative imaging of the pancreas is discussed, and finally, an update on endoscopic techniques for the pancreas is provided.

This issue of Surgical Oncology Clinics of North America, Guest Edited by Neal Wilkinson, MD, is devoted to the Management of Gastric Cancer.? Articles in this issue will focus on Epidemiology; Genetics and Prophylactic Surgery; Endoscopic Diagnosis & Staging; Gastric Stromal Tumors (GIST); Management of Early Stage Gastric Cancer; Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR); Tailored Lymphadenectomy; Laparoscopic Resection Gastric Cancer - Western Experience; Gastric Cancer - Eastern Experience; Update of Gastric Cancer Clinical Trials; Preoperative and Postoperative Chemotherapy for Gastric Cancer; and Phase I and II Clinical Trials.

This issue will provide gastroenterologists with the most current information on clinical matters in hepatology and serves as an update to the last issue. Articles address the spectrum of matters involving the liver, including Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B, alcoholic Hepatitis, hemochromatosis, varices, liver transplantation, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, liver failure, and hepatic fibrosis.

Colorectal Cancer Screening provides a complete overview of colorectal cancer screening, from epidemiology and molecular abnormalities, to the latest screening techniques such as stool DNA and FIT, Computerized Tomography (CT) Colonography, High Definition Colonoscopes and Narrow Band Imaging. As the text is devoted entirely to CRC screening, it features many facts, principles, guidelines and figures related to screening in an easy access format. This volume provides a complete guide to colorectal cancer screening which will be informative to the subspecialist as well as the primary care practitioner. It represents the only text that provides this up to date information about a subject that is continually changing. For the primary practitioner, information on the guidelines for screening as well as increasing patient participation is presentedd. For the subspecialist, information regarding the latest imaging techniques as well as flat adenomas and chromoendoscopy are covered. The section on the molecular changes in CRC will appeal to both groups. The text includes up to date information about colorectal screening that encompasses the entire spectrum of the topic and features photographs of polyps as well as diagrams of the morphology of polyps as well as photographs of CT colonography images. Algorithms are presented for all the suggested guidelines. Chapters are devoted to patient participation in screening and risk factors as well as new imaging technology. This useful volume explains the rationale behind screening for CRC. In addition, it covers the different screening options as well as the performance characteristics, when available in the literature, for each test. This volume will be used by the sub specialists who perform screening tests as well as primary care practitioners who refer patients to be screened for colorectal cancer.

Surgical Management of Benign Esophageal Disorders: The "Chicago Approach" covers all stages of the diagnosis and treatment of the most common benign esophageal disorders in a concise and easy-to-read format.Indications, patient preparation, operative techniques, and strategies for avoiding and managing complications are included and based both on evidence-based data and the experience of the most famous esophageal surgeons in the United States and abroad. Each chapter includes a summary of the current management strategy for the disease process, and a review of current state of the art techniques provided by world leaders on esophageal disease, surgeons and gastroenterologists alike. A special emphasis is given to emerging procedures in laparoscopy, thoracoscopy, and endoscopy. Surgical Management of Benign Esophageal Disorders: The "Chicago Approach" is illustrated throughout with line diagrams that depict fundamental anatomic or technical principles and is a valuable resource for surgeons and gastroenterologists in residence and training.

This group of international experts on gastrointestinal bleeding have written state-of-the art reviews on the overall approach to gastrointestinal bleeding. Endoscopists will find in this issue coverage of the endoscopic, surgical and pharmacologic therapies as well as competency and sedation issues. Other articles focus on the epidemiology, pathology, and the prevalence and incidence of H. Pylori in upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

This book aims to provide an up-to-date review of the literature in each of the major areas relating to the management of older colorectal cancers patients, and makes recommendations for best practice and future research. The authors come from a broad geographic spread including the UK, mainland Europe and North America to ensure a worldwide relevance.

This issue covers topics critical to a primary care physician such as: Gastroesophageal Reflux, Peptic Ulcer Disease, Selected Disorders of Absorption, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Screening for Cancerous and Pre-cancerous Conditions of the Colon, Approach to the Jaundiced Patient, Primary Care of Chronic Liver Disease, Primary Care of the Hepatic Transplant Patient, Gastrointestinal Aspects of Obesity Management, Chronic Pancreatitis and Chronic Exocrine Insufficiency, and Acute Infectious Diarrhea.

Dr. Baron has assembled experts in the use of expandable metal stents to provide comprehensive coverage of this topic. Articles are devoted to the use of expandable metal stents in biliary disease, esophageal disease, malignant esophageal disease, malignant biliary obstruction, as well as plastic stents and pancreatic stents. A foundation article on the principles of stents and tissue sampling is also included.

The clinical implications of obesity have pervaded several specialties since treatments include medical and surgical intervention. In this issue, Dr. Thompson has created an issue that addresses topics of concern to endoscopists: important concerns in the endoscopic unit, presurgical evaluation, postoperative care, sedation, and endoscopic management of common complications. Further, special articles are included on endoscopic revisions to failed gastric bypass as well as reimbursement and regulatory issues.

The guest editors of this issue have assembled expert authors to discuss issues in gastroenterology unique to female patients. After reading the articles in this issue, readers should be able to determine whether gender influences diagnosis and treatment of functional disorders, evaluate problems in the pregnant patient, explain immune diseases of the GI, and discuss unique genetic aspects of Lynch Syndrome and IBD.

This issue of Emergency Medicine Clinics, guest edited by Drs. Angela Mills and Anthony Dean, will include articles on the following topics: Approach to acute abdominal pain;Evaluation of abdominal pain in older adults; Evaluation of abdominal pain in the pediatric population; Imaging and laboratory testing in acute abdominal pain;Esophageal and gastric emergencies; and Anorectal emergencies and foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract.

The New England Journal of Medicine lauds Dr. W. Grant Thompson as "a gifted teacher and clinician with a talent for clear exposition". In the spirit of the highly acclaimed Gut Reactions, Dr. Thompson shares his expertise on how to cope with two widespread and debilitating diseases - colitis and Crohn's disease. These two chronic, nonfatal yet devastating ailments typically strike the young and may develop into a lifetime burden. Most patients are traumatized by their diagnosis and become frustrated and depressed by the recurring nature of these illnesses. As a result, caring and open communication between patient and doctor is essential. Perhaps more so than a physician in any other specialty, a gastroenterologist must be in tune with the mind and body of his patient. Dr. Thompson, an international expert and chief of a hospital gastroenterology unit, epitomizes this valuable quality and bestows the fruit of his knowledge and compassion on the reader. In addition to highlighting the significant similarities and differences of these two syndromes and stressing the importance of a correct diagnosis, Dr. Thompson broaches more sensitive topics that seem to be ignored by the medical profession. He explores the unique psychosocial and sexual concerns, as well as the effects of pregnancy on those women who suffer from these conditions. His gift for writing and warm, caring style make the daily struggles of these illnesses seem easier to bear. One of the worst consequences of these stubborn ailments is the accompanying reduction in the quality of life. Dr. Thompson addresses common worries about body image due to illness or surgery, loss of sexual drive or ability to perform, pain andsuffering, possible effects of medication, and concern over the ominous relationship between ulcerative colitis and cancer. In accessible and supportive prose, Dr. Thompson examines the pros and cons of all possible treatments including drug therapy, nutrition, and surgery. He outlines latest theories, attempting to pinpoint the still mysterious causes of these disorders. Take control of your disease under the authoritative guidance of Dr. Thompson and his dedicated, sensible approach. You will gain a new perspective on your "angry gut" and find the courage to thrive.

Dr. Waxman has assembled global experts to provide comprehensive coverage of Barrett's Esophagus, including diagnosis, management, treatment, and beyond. Articles are devoted to photodynamic therapy, minimally invasive surgery, advanced imaging, endoscopic mucosal resection, cryotherapy, and radiofrequency ablation. The clinical information in these articles will give readers a true picture of the advances in this disease state as well as what the clinical picture will look like in the near future.

This comprehensive update on irritable bowel syndrome addresses both the state of art diagnosis and treatment as well as emerging therapies and future directions. Worldwide authority, Dr. Eammon Quigley, contributes an article on Therapies Aimed at the Gut Microflora and Inflammation. Other highlights include articles devoted to genetics, biomarkers, and symptom-based diagnostic criteria.

This volume aims to connect current ideas and concepts about GI disorders with the search for novel therapeutics. Towards this goal, authors provide a timely state-of-the-art overview of the GI tract in health and disease, current treatment approaches and ongoing developments in drug discovery, and their potential for the better treatment of patients with GI disorders.