Introduction

Inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] has a high incidence and prevalence in young individuals, affecting people in their reproductive years. The diagnosis of IBD raises many questions; these include concerns about sexuality, disease heritability, and the impact of medications and disease activity on fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and lactation. Uncertainty about the health of the offspring may influence patients’ choices in family planning. Therefore, the management of patients who wish to conceive or who are pregnant requires specialised counselling and appropriate management. This involves a multidisciplinary approach and close involvement of the prospective parents under a shared decision-making model. These updated consensus guidelines address these issues and aim to optimise and harmonise pre-conceptional, pregnancy, and post-pregnancy IBD management and counselling.

Abstract

Objectives

To provide a consensus statement and recommendations on MR imaging in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).

Methods

The European Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology (ESGAR) convened a multinational European panel of experts selected based on a literature review and their leadership in the field. A modified Delphi process was adopted to draft a list of statements. For each statement, the panelists indicated the level of agreement using a 5-point Likert scale, where 1 means “no agreement,” 2 means “poor agreement,” 3 means “slight agreement,” 4 means “fair agreement,” and 5 means “complete agreement.” The median score for each statement was collected. The level of evidence was reported according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. Descriptive statistics were used to rate agreement levels and the consensus’ internal reliability.

Results

The 12 voting committee members were from Italy (n = 4, 33.4%), Austria (n = 2, 16.7%), Sweden (n = 1, 8.3%), France (n = 1, 8.3%), the United States (n = 1, 8.3%), Switzerland (n = 1, 8.3%), and Belgium (n = 2, 16.7%). The final questionnaire consisted of 55 statements. The agreement reached by the expert panel was complete for 23 statements (41.8%), fair for 16 (29.1%), slight for 15 (27.2%), and poor for 1 (1.9%). Statements that received complete agreement were used to structure a reporting template.

Conclusions

This statement paper recommends how and when to perform MRI in PSC patients. A structured reporting template has been created to improve quality care and communication among radiologists and clinicians.

Key Points

Question A standard MR protocol and the most common imaging features to be reported are fundamental for the correct evaluation of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) patients.

Findings Twelve expert radiologists reported which are the most important imaging features and how and when to perform MR in PSC patients.

Clinical relevance The identified statements reported in this paper and the structured reporting template are useful for radiologists and clinicians to help correctly manage PSC patients.

Abstract

Pelvic exenteration (PE) is a radical surgical approach designed for the curative treatment of advanced pelvic malignancies, requiring en-bloc resection of multiple pelvic organs. While the procedure is radical, it has shown promise in enhancing long-term survival and is now comparable in surgical mortality to elective resections for primary pelvic cancers. Imaging plays a crucial role in preoperative planning, with MRI, CT, and PET/CT being pivotal in assessing the extent of cancer and formulating a surgical roadmap. This paper presents clinical practice guidelines for imaging in the context of PE, developed jointly by ESGAR, SAR, ESUR, and the PelvEx Collaborative. These guidelines aim to standardise imaging protocols and reporting to improve the preoperative assessment and facilitate decision-making in the multidisciplinary treatment of pelvic cancers. Our recommendations underscore the importance of a multidisciplinary approach and the need for clear and precise imaging reports to optimise patient care.

Clinical relevance statement

Our recommendations underscore the importance of a multidisciplinary approach and the need for clear and precise imaging reports to optimise patient care.

Key Points

• MRI is mandatory for local staging in pelvic exenteration.

• Structured reporting (using the template provided in this guide) is recommended.

• Multidisciplinary review of imaging is critical for surgical planning.

Abstract

Objectives

Videofluoroscopic swallowing studies (VFSS) remain the gold standard for the instrumental assessment of oropharyngeal swallowing disorders alongside flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), requiring a high standard of quality and correct implementation. The current best practice position statements aim to guide the clinical practice of VFSS in individuals experiencing swallowing disorders.

Materials and methods

An international expert consensus panel with expertise in oropharyngeal dysphagia, comprised of radiologists, speech-language therapists, otolaryngologists, and other professionals in the field, convened by the European Society of Swallowing Disorders (ESSD) and the European Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology (ESGAR), developed best practice position statements. They were established using an online Delphi methodology involving an online panel discussion and item preparation and three consecutive rounds. Consensus was reached when ≥ 80% of the participants agreed on a specific recommendation.

Results

Eighteen best practice position statements were formulated, thereby establishing standard recommendations on the technical performance of VFSS. They cover VFSS planning, correct implementation, documentation, radiation protection, equipment and maintenance, and education and training.

Conclusion

These position statements summarise the panel’s deliberations and recommendations in performing VFSS, representing the agreed consensus of experts from ESSD and ESGAR. They provide a structured framework for optimising and standardising the performance of VFSS in patients with swallowing disorders.

Key Points

Question Significant regional and national differences in clinical practice when performing VFSS highlight the need for interdisciplinary recommendations to optimise patient care.

Findings Eighteen statements were developed by representatives of the ESSD and the ESGAR.

Clinical relevance These best practice position statements on the technical performance of VFSS may serve as a basis for standardising the procedure and ensuring high-quality service.

Abstract

Objectives

Diagnostic imaging of peritoneal metastases in ovarian and colorectal cancer remains pivotal in selecting the most appropriate treatment and balancing clinical benefit with treatment-related morbidity and mortality. To address the challenges related to diagnostic imaging and detecting and reporting peritoneal metastatic spread, a joint guideline was created by the European Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology (ESGAR), European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR), Peritoneal Surface Oncology Group International (PSOGI), and European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM).

Methods

A targeted literature search was performed and consensus recommendations were proposed using Delphi questionnaires and a five-point Likert scale.

Results

A total of three Delphi rounds were performed. Consensus was reached on the position of diagnostic imaging for assessment of operability, treatment response monitoring, and follow-up of peritoneal metastases, optimal imaging modality and their technical imaging requirements depending on the indication and how to optimise communication of imaging results by the report and multidisciplinary board discussion. The complete list of recommendations is provided.

Conclusion

These expert consensus statements aim to guide appropriate indications, acquisition, interpretation, and reporting of imaging for operability assessment, treatment response monitoring, and follow-up of peritoneal metastases in ovarian and colorectal cancer patients.

Key Points

Question Staging peritoneal metastases (PM) helps to guide clinical decision-making for colorectal and ovarian cancer patients. How can we optimise the use of imaging techniques to assess PM?

Findings Imaging plays a crucial role in the detection, operability assessment, treatment response monitoring, and follow-up of peritoneal metastases in colorectal and ovarian cancer patients.

Clinical relevance These expert consensus statements aim to guide appropriate indication, acquisition, interpretation, and reporting of imaging for operability assessment, treatment response monitoring, and follow-up of peritoneal metastases in ovarian and colorectal cancer patients.

Summary

Liver diseases in pregnancy comprise both gestational liver disorders and acute and chronic hepatic disorders occurring coincidentally in pregnancy. Whether related to pregnancy or pre-existing, liver diseases in pregnancy are associated with a significant risk of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Thus, the European Association for the Study of Liver Disease invited a panel of experts to develop clinical practice guidelines aimed at providing recommendations, based on the best available evidence, for the management of liver disease in pregnancy for hepatologists, gastroenterologists, obstetric physicians, general physicians, obstetricians, specialists in training and other healthcare professionals who provide care for this patient population.

Keywords

Liver disease, Pregnancy, Pre-existing liver disease, Gestational liver disease, Medications in pregnancy, Pre-pregnancy counselling, Delivery, Contraception, Guideline

ABSTRACT