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.

Epidemiology of Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration, Structure and Biology of the Intervertebral Disc in Health and Disease, Nutrition of the Intervertebral Disc, The Endplate and Its Relevance with Intervertebral Disc Degeneration, Genetic Risk Factors in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration, Biomechanics of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration, Diagnostic Tools and Imaging Methods in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration, An Overview of the Management of Degenerative Disc Disease, Adjacent Level Disc Disease - Is it Really a Fusion Disease? Prosthetic Total Disc Replacement, Stem Cell Regeneration of the Intervertebral Disc, Gene Therapy for Intervertebral Disc Degeneration, Tissue Engineering for Intervertebral Disc Degeneration, Emerging Technologies for Molecular Therapy for Intervertebral Disc Degeneration, Intervertebral Disc Transplantation

In consultation with Consulting Editor, Dr. Charles Lightdale, Dr. Kenneth Chang has assembled top authors to provide a current update on the management of GERD. Clinical review articles provide updates on the these important topics: Mechanism and Pathophysiology of GERD; Personalized Approach in the work-up and management of GERD; Proton Pump Inhibitors; Radiofrequency Treatment for GERD; Trans-oral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF); Innovations in Endoscopic Therapy for GERD; Laparoscopic Hernia Repair and Fundoplication, Failed Nissen; Laparoscopic Sphincter Augmentation (LINX); Refractory GERD and Functional Heartburn; and Extra-esophageal GERD and LPR. Readers will come away with the latest techniques and clinical applications to improve patient outcomes.