Introduction to ECCO’20 Imaging Workshops
Marietta Iacucci, EduCom Member and Christian Maaser, EduCom Member
2nd ECCO-ESGAR Basic Imaging Workshop
 Marietta Iacucci © ECCO |
 Christian Maaser © ECCO |
In 2020 the Educational Programme at the ECCO Congress will again include two combined workshops devoted to IBD imaging. The first will be centered on basic endoscopy, ultrasound and MRI while the second will focus on advancements in intestinal ultrasound. Both workshops will be possible thanks to the extensive cooperation of gastroenterologists with experience in intestinal imaging from ECCO and our partner societies (ESGAR).
The 2nd ECCO-ESGAR Basic Imaging Workshop will educate attendees in how to make a precise diagnosis and how to better direct the therapeutic management of IBD patients using the latest imaging technologies. It is designed for gastroenterologists, endoscopists, surgeons, paediatricians, pathologists and other interdisciplinary medical experts interested in diagnostic imaging and endoscopy of Inflammatory Bowel Disease(s) (IBD). The course has been successful and highly requested in the past few years, and we have decided to run the course twice on the same day this year to enable more participants to attend.
Endoscopy
The major aim of the endoscopy section of the workshop is to increase competence and knowledge with regard to endoscopic diagnosis, lesion management and interventional endoscopy management of complications in IBD patients in order to improve patient outcomes. This year we have introduced a session on advanced therapeutic endoscopy in the management of complications in IBD as endoscopic intervention is becoming an integral part of the multidisciplinary approach to patients with complex IBD.
Endoscopy plays a key role in assessing the extent and grade of inflammation and mucosal healing as well as in the early detection of neoplastic colonic lesions and the management of complications such as stricture fistulas, colitis-associated neoplasia, postsurgical acute or chronic leaks, and obstructions, which are essential for minimally invasive management of patients with IBD. New advancements in endoscopic techniques, which offer higher definition with optical and digital enhancement, now enable visualisation of the mucosa in finer detail and accurate characterisation of dysplasia.
By means of didactic lectures and interactive video clinical case-based sessions, the workshop will provide participants with cutting-edge information on, and skills in, the use of new and classic endoscopic scoring systems for the assessment of inflammation and mucosal healing. It will provide guidance on how surveillance colonoscopy should be performed for endoscopic detection and characterisation of colonic lesions and on their endoscopic treatment. Participants will also learn when and how to manage complications in IBD, with special regard to advanced endoscopic devices and therapeutic techniques.
The workshop will offer an introduction on how to apply different endoscopic optical platforms (iSCAN OE, NBI, BLI) and on their distinctive characterisation of IBD inflammation and lesions. Speakers will advise on settings, sequences and the interpretation of electronic and magnification enhancements now widely integrated into endoscopic equipment. New classifications and guidelines will be presented. The endoscopic therapeutic modalities include balloon dilation, stricturotomy, stent placement, fistulotomy, fistula injection and clipping, sinusotomy, endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection.
The endoscopy portion of the workshop will be highly interactive and make extensive use of high-quality videos and images in the context of brief cases to increase the diagnostic confidence of participants in real-life clinical practice. The faculty has been carefully chosen to be the best in the field. The whole programme is made even more colourful by the many videos displaying the use of various new advanced diagnostic and therapeutic technologies in real-life clinical cases, with interactive discussion. There will be ample opportunity to interact with international leading experts in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Intestinal Ultrasound and MRI
The portion of the workshop on basic intestinal ultrasound and entero-MRI will present the main features, advantages and limitations of these techniques, with the purpose of introducing gastroenterologists to the diagnostic potential of intestinal ultrasonography and providing them with the basics needed in order to read MRI. Ultimately, the purpose is to show the best way of using these tools for initial diagnosis, detecting treatment response and for the assessment of complications. This portion of the workshop is therefore aimed at IBD specialists with an interest in bowel ultrasound and radiological imaging and will include practical skills sessions and interactive discussions regarding images of IBD cases.
After two introductory lectures on intestinal ultrasound and entero-MRI, attendees will be divided into small groups that will rotate among six different hands-on workstations. Here, with the help of the expert tutors, including one radiologist and one gastroenterologist, participants will be guided through the cases. They will have the opportunity to see and discuss MRI on workstations and to see and perform sonographic evaluation using a hands-on intestinal ultrasound simulator. Furthermore, it will be possible to share experiences and interactively discuss specific clinical situations with expert colleagues and tutors, covering a range of common imaging applications in IBD practice, e.g. early assessment and management of suspected IBD, assessment of Crohn’s Disease activity, detection of extramural complications of IBD such as fistulas and abscesses, evaluation of postoperative recurrence and management of perianal Crohn's Disease.
7th ECCO-ESGAR Ultrasound Workshop Advanced
In addition to the 2nd ECCO-ESGAR Basic Imaging Workshop there will again be an Advanced Intestinal Ultrasound Workshop aimed at participants with practical experience in intestinal ultrasound who want to deepen their knowledge and learn the latest developments in the field of intestinal ultrasound in IBD. Each oral presentation is followed by ultrasound video case presentations that are interactively discussed with the participants. Some of the topics that will be covered are assessing and grading inflammation in IBD, assessing and grading fibrosis in IBD, and Tips and Tricks on how to optimize your image. This advanced workshop also serves as third pillar of the Intestinal Bowel Ultrasound (IBUS) training curriculum.
Considering the growing significance of imaging, we are sure that 2nd ECCO-ESGAR Basic Imaging Workshop as well as the 7th ECCO-ESGAR Ultrasound Workshop Advanced will appeal to many ECCO Colleagues with an interest in endoscopy, bowel ultrasound and radiological imaging in IBD. Please note that spaces are limited, so please register in time to experience these interactive workshops and share your knowledge with international experts.
We look forward to seeing you in Vienna in 2020.
Marietta Iacucci and Christian Maaser
On behalf of the Educational Committee