Endoscopy 2002; 34(6): 451-456
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-32006
Original Article

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Scientific Publications in Endoscopic Ultrasonography: A 20-Year Global Survey of the Literature

P.  Fusaroli 1 , R.  Vallar 1 , T.  Togliani 1 , E.  Khodadadian 1 , G.  Caletti 1
  • 1Dept. of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

31 July 2001

22 January 2002

Publication Date:
04 June 2002 (online)

Background and Study Aims: Endoscopic ultrasound imaging of mediastinum, gastrointestinal tract and pancreas, and endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of suspicious lesions, have now been available for several years. Although many papers have been published on endoscopic ultrasonography, a comprehensive overview of the subject matter presented has not yet been carried out. An extensive survey of the literature on endoscopic ultrasonography since its inception in the 1980 s was conducted in this study; key points are summarized.
Methods: A computer-based PubMed search system was used to retrieve all available abstracts pertaining to endoscopic ultrasound from 1980 to the present. Data were collected concerning the impact factor, the various EUS instruments and fine-needle aspiration biopsy techniques used, and the subject matter, as well as the journals publishing the abstracts.
Results: A total of 1259 articles were published in 65 journals: 440 (35 %) Western European studies, 404 (32 %) American studies, and 321 (26 %) Japanese studies were retrieved. The total and average impact factor per paper was highest for American papers, followed by European papers and Japanese papers. Forty-seven percent of the papers were published in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and Endoscopy. The most frequently discussed topics concerned the staging of various malignancies, including esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, and colorectal cancer. The average sample size per paper was in the range 25 - 50. The various types of study included retrospective inquiries (25 %), reviews (24 %), prospective studies (17 %), and case reports (15 %).
Conclusions: Over the course of the past 20 years, there has been a progressive increase in the number of publications pertaining to endoscopic ultrasonography. Large-scale prospective studies are now needed to validate earlier reports. In addition, the diagnostic and therapeutic role of endoscopic ultrasound needs to be more widely publicized among physicians in all health-care fields, so that appropriate patients may be referred.

References

  • 1 Garfield E. Journal impact factor: a brief review.  Can Med Assoc J. 1999;  161 979-980
  • 2 Sorrentino D, de Biase F, Trevisi A. et al . Scientific publications in gastroenterology and hepatology in Western Europe, USA, and Japan in the years 1992 - 1996: a global survey.  Digestion. 2000;  61 77-83
  • 3 Chak A. Endoscopic ultrasonography.  Endoscopy. 2000;  32 146-152
  • 4 Caletti G, Fusaroli P. Endoscopic ultrasonography.  Endoscopy. 1999;  31 95-102
  • 5 DiMagno E P, Regan P T, Wilson D A. et al . Ultrasonic endoscope.  Lancet. 1980;  i 629-631
  • 6 Vickers J, Alderson D. Oesophageal cancer staging using endoscopic ultrasonography.  Br J Surg. 1998;  85 994-998
  • 7 Ashley R S, Davies G, Howell S. et al . Endoscopic ultrasound guided biopsy of sub-carinal lymph nodes.  Clin Radiol. 2000;  55 832-836
  • 8 Grimm H, Binmoeller K F, Soehendra N. Endosonography-guided drainage of pancreatic pseudocyst.  Gastrointest Endosc. 1992;  38 170-171
  • 9 Vilmann P, Jacobsen G K, Henriksen F W. et al . Endoscopic ultrasonography with fine needle aspiration biopsy in pancreatic disease.  Gastrointest Endosc. 1992;  38 172-173
  • 10 Allescher H D, Rösch T, Willkomm G. et al . Performance, patient acceptance, appropriateness of indications and potential influence on outcomes of EUS: a prospective study in 397 consecutive patients.  Gastrointest Endosc. 1999;  50 737-745
  • 11 Kim L S, Koch J. Do we practice what we preach? Clinical decision making and utilization of endoscopic ultrasound for staging esophageal cancer.  Am J Gastroenterol. 1999;  94 1847-1851
  • 12 Rösch T, Lightdale C J, Botet J F. et al . Localization of pancreatic endocrine tumors by endoscopic ultrasonography.  N Engl J Med. 1992;  326 1721-1726

G. Caletti, M.D.

Dipartimento di Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia · Policlinico S. Orsola

Via Massarenti 9 · 40138 Bologna · Italy

Fax: + 39-051-6364358

Email: caletti@med.unibo.it