Update Gastroenterology 2006

Drug-induced mucosal damage is of immense importance in gastroenterology. It is imperative that clinicians understand how these lesions come about, what the sometimes devastating consequences are and what can be done to prevent or to treat such calamities. Drug-induced damage is bound to increase in the future as the population ages and polypharmacy becomes the rule instead of the exception. Hopes for improvement were shattered when the long term consequences of COX-2 inhibition became available. Is the COX-1/COX-2 concept truly obsolete? Several issues are discussed by European experts in the second part of the book. What the clinician should know about non acid, weakly acid or biliary reflux is discussed in depth. Novel developments of gastrointestinal neuropathies and motor disorders concentrate on IBS, pseudo-obstruction and faecal incontinence. Our surgical colleagues will certainly be interested in novel minimally invasive procedures. Finally all will learn from a critical analysis of novel diagnostic imaging modalities.