Digestive
Disease Week
May 17-22, 2008
Exhibit dates:
May 18-21, 2008
San Diego Convention Center
San Diego
Endoscopy is on the move. The specialty that created easier, faster and lower risk alternatives to surgical procedures is now challenging surgery itself.
“We have long seen and practiced endoscopy as a complement to surgery,” said Kenneth Binmoeller, MD, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, in a state-of-the-art lecture during ASGE’s Topic Forum on New Technology. more
Doctors address issues in post-liver transplantation
In Monday afternoon’s AASLD Topic Forum on liver transplantation, several topics pertinent to improving post-transplant outcomes were addressed. more
Chronic hepatitis C: A breath test to determine fibrosis
The ability to identify liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus with a novel breath test was presented during the third and final AASLD Presidential Plenary session Tuesday.
Gadi Lalazar, MD, of Jerusalem’s Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, showed how the methacin breath test (MBT) may be an alternate to the current gold standard of doing liver biopsies at least in some patients with liver fibrosis. more
With the inevitable roll out of CT colonography (CTC), many questions are top of mind for gastroenterologists today. Addressing those questions and presenting practical information were speakers during Monday’s AGA session on Integrating CT Colonography into GI Practice. more
Concept of patient-centered care gains momentum
The Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) is a concept that is gaining momentum in medical and patient advocacy sectors. An AGA symposium Monday, “Is the Gastroenterology Patient Centered Medical Home the Next Practice Paradigm?” advised gastroenterologists how to work within the concept.
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Researcher seeks blood test for pancreatic cancer
Teri Brentnall, MD, has dedicated herself to the study of pancreatic cancer, from investigating the molecular events and early detection of pancreatic cancer to the surveillance and management of patients who inherit pancreatic cancer. more
As new quality initiatives continue to come down the pike, health-care organizations have been mandated to collect data for public reporting. Such mandates have left institutions with the need to evaluate their ability to appropriately measure and assess quality, while they also must dedicate the time and expense necessary to store and maintain vast amounts of data. more 
Grace H. Elta, MD, FASGE, made significant headway during her presidential tenure, advancing ASGE’s ability to communicate with members and expanding its educational offerings, along with a list of other improvements.
One of the most pressing issues on Dr. Elta’s plate was the revamping of the ASGE Web site, a project that began under the leadership of Past-President Gary W. Falk, MD, MS, FASGE, and the previous chair of the Web Committee, Yang Chen, MD, FASGE.
“We launched an entirely new version last June — a much more functional site with an entirely new look. We are still in phase one of the new launch, with further improvements planned,” said Dr. Elta, professor of medicine and associate chief for clinical programs at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. more
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