Endoscopy has revolutionized clinical gastroenterology. In 1961 Basil Hirschowitz published the first flexible endoscopic examination of the stomach and duodenal bulb. We moved from flexible fiberendoscopes to current video-endoscopic equip ment. Current video-endoscopes incorporate a black and white or color 'chip' at the tip of the instrument which transforms the visual image into electronic signals. The size of the pincet is constantly getting smaller, heading for 5 /Lm, further increasing the resolution. The signals are reassembled into high-quality color images in a video monitor. Endoscopes are now used to examine the entire gastrointestinal tract from esophagus to rectum, including the biliary and pancreatic ductal system. Targeted endoscopic biopsy offers rapid and precise diagnosis. Endoscopic ultrasonography is of unsurpassed accuracy in staging gastrointestinal tumors, in assessing pancreatic and biliary disease, and disorders of the rectum and anal canal. Moreover, targeted cytological sampling is possible of abnormalities of the intestinal wall or peri intestinal lymph node. Yet despite these glamorous achievements changes are to be expected in the overall emphasis of diagnostic endoscopy. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography may very well compete for a substantial fraction of diagnostic ERCP. Virtual colonoscopy or computed tomographic colography may well compete with (and take over?) screening/surveillance colonoscopy.

Inhalt
Section I Endoscopy of the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract.- 1. Diagnostic esophago-gastroduodenoscopy.- 2. Diagnostic and therapeutic management of gastrointestinal bleeding.- 3. Management of variceal bleeding.- 4. Protocol: sclerosing with cyanoacrylate (Histoacryl).- 5. Late radiation injury of the gastrointestinal tract.- 6. Therapeutic endoscopy: dilatation of proximal strictures and introduction of stents.- 7. Protocol for introducing a Tygon tube.- 8. Positioning of feeding tubes.- 9. Management of foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract.- 10. Percutaneous endoscopie gastrotomy.- 11. Treatment of Zenker's diverticulum.- 12. Enteroscopy.- 13. Small-intestinal biopsies.- Section II Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.- 14. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.- 15. Endoscopic sphincterotomy and stone extraction.- 16. Endoscopic stenting of the biliary tract and pancreatic duct.- Section III Hepatobiliary investigation.- 17. Liver biopsy.- 18. Protocol liver biopsy.- 19. Laparoscopy.- 20. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy.- 21. Percutaneous cholangiography and drainage.- Section IV Endoscopy of the lower part of the gastrointestinal tract.- 22. Proctology.- 23. Colon cleansing.- 24. Colonoscopy: general guidelines.- 25. Colonoscopic polypectomy.- 26. Colonoscopy: diverticular disease.- 27. Colonoscopy in ileocolitis.- 28. Inherited forms of colorectal cancer: guidelines for management.- 29. Protocol: adenomatous polyps of the colon and rectum.- Section V Endoscopy in childhood.- 30. Endoscopy in children.- Section VI Endosonography.- 31. Endosonography of the upper gastrointestinal tract: a review of current possibilities and clinical implications.- Section VII Endoscopes.- 32. Disinfection of gastrointestinal endoscopes.- SectionVIII AIDS.- 33. AIDS.- Section IX Intervention therapy with laser, APC and electrosurgery.- 34. Basic principles of electrosurgery in flexible endoscopy.- 35. Laser coagulation.- 36. Argon plasma coagulation in endoscopy.- Section X Shock wave therapy.- 37. Extracorporeal Shockwave lithotripsy.- Section XI Endoscopy unit.- 38. Guidelines for designing an endoscopy unit (report of the Dutch Society of Hepatogastroenterology).