Virtual colonoscopy continues to show promise as a colorectal cancer screening test and is technically evolving rapidly. It has particular advantages with regard to acceptability by both radiologists and patients. Important steps to achieve implementation include clear delineation of all of the technical components necessary to produce consistent high performance and development of clear-cut recommendations for interpretation and management of polyps of various sizes and the range of extracolonic findings identified. Development of an effective methodology to perform the test without bowel preparation or demonstration of cost-effectiveness for identification and treatment of one or more significant extracolonic diseases would be major breakthroughs, provided they are still accompanied by effective detection of significant colon neoplasms. Issues regarding general effectiveness and cost-effectiveness must be resolved before virtual colonoscopy is endorsed for widespread colorectal cancer screening or utilized for that purpose. [Rev Gastroenterol Disord. 2002;2(3):97–105] © 2002 MedReviews, LLC

Chronic hepatitis B virus infection is common and may cause significant disease morbidity, including chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatitis B surface antigen–positive patients should have a detailed serologic evaluation including determination of the level of replication. Patients with high levels of virus replication and those with co-infection should be considered for treatment. Interferon was the first approved therapy for chronic hepatitis B and remains one of the most effective options. Newer agents, such as lamivudine and adefovir dipivoxil, offer excellent antiviral activity and ease of administration, although drug resistance is common with lamivudine. [Rev Gastroenterol Disord. 2002;2(3):106–115] © 2002 MedReviews, LLC

Valdecoxib is a selective COX-2 inhibitor that is similar in anti-inflammatory activity to the other selective COX-2 inhibitors (eg, celecoxib and rofecoxib). Valdecoxib is at least equally as effective as ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac in the treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, but is safer in terms of gastrointestinal toxicity. Valdecoxib is also indicated for treatment of dysmenorrhea and useful in other pain conditions. There have been no head-to-head comparisons of valdecoxib and celecoxib or rofecoxib in the treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or various pain conditions. [Rev Gastroenterol Disord. 2002;2(3):116–125] © 2002 MedReviews, LLC

Rev Gastroenterol Disord. 2002;2(3):126–141 © 2002 MedReviews, LLC

Rev Gastroenterol Disord. 2002;2(3):142–145 © 2002 MedReviews, LLC