Jodie A. Barkin

Successful use of thalidomide for refractory esophageal Crohn's disease.

(It should be noted that in contrast with the positive value associated with healing, side eff ects are assigned a negative value.) Predictably, the decision tree shows that the added healing advantage of a given therapy must excel its expected side eff ects. For instance, a patient with vague epigastric pain and mild refl ux is scheduled to undergo fundoplication. Surgery is assumed to be curative in p 1 = 50 % as opposed to a p 2 = 20 % chance of spontaneous resolution. Postsurgical symptoms including dysphagia are expected in p 3 = 10 % of patients. Currently, the epigastric pain occurs 3 times per week; it is graded as being 3 on a scale of 0 – 10. In the future, dysphagia may occur 10 times per week with an expected severity of 5. Hence, Equation (2) yields:

Factitious Disorder as a Cause of Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Use of a Gastroenterologist's “ Secondary Survey ”

Factitious Disorder as a Cause of Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Use of a Gastroenterologists “ Secondary Survey ”

Endoscopic management of primary sclerosing cholangitis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) remains a rare but potentially devastating chronic, cholestatic liver disease. PSC causes obstruction of intra- and/or extra-hepatic bile ducts by inflammation and fibrosis, leading to biliary obstruction, cirrhosis and portal hypertension with all associated sequelae. The most dreaded consequence of PSC is cholangiocarcinoma, occurring in 10-20% of patients with PSC, and with population-based estimates of a 398-fold increased risk of cholangiocarcinoma in patients with PSC compared to the general population. We use the 4-D approach to endoscopic evaluation and management of PSC based on currently available evidence. After laboratory testing with liver chemistries and high-quality cross-sectional imaging with MRCP, the first D is Dominant stricture diagnosis and evaluation. Second, Dilation of strictures found during ERCP is performed using balloon dilation to as many segments as possible. Third, Dysplasia and cholangiocarcinoma diagnosis is performed by separated brushings for conventional cytology and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and consideration for direct cholangioscopy with SpyGlass™. Fourt and finally, Dosing of antibiotics is critical to prevent peri-procedural cholangitis. The aim of this review article is to explore endoscopic tools and techniques for the diagnosis and management of PSC and provide a practical approach for clinicians.Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) remains a rare but potentially devastating chronic, cholestatic liver disease. PSC causes obstruction of intra- and/or extra-hepatic bile ducts by inflammation and fibrosis, leading to biliary obstruction, cirrhosis and portal hypertension with all associated sequelae. The most dreaded consequence of PSC is cholangiocarcinoma, occurring in 10-20% of patients with PSC, and with population-based estimates of a 398-fold increased risk of cholangiocarcinoma in patients with PSC compared to the general population. We use the 4-D approach to endoscopic evaluation and management of PSC based on currently available evidence. After laboratory testing with liver chemistries and high-quality cross-sectional imaging with MRCP, the first D is Dominant stricture diagnosis and evaluation. Second, Dilation of strictures found during ERCP is performed using balloon dilation to as many segments as possible. Third, Dysplasia and cholangiocarcinoma diagnosis is performed by separated brushings for conventional cytology and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and consideration for direct cholangioscopy with SpyGlass™. Fourth and finally, Dosing of antibiotics is critical to prevent peri-procedural cholangitis. The aim of this review article is to explore endo-scopic tools and techniques for the diagnosis and management of PSC and provide a practical approach for clinicians.

Development of Advanced Imaging Criteria for the Endoscopic Identification of Inflammatory Polyps

OBJECTIVES:Inflammatory polyps (IPs) are frequently encountered at colonoscopy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients and are associated with an increased risk of colon cancer. The aim of this prospective endoscopic image review and analysis was to describe endoscopic features of IPs in IBD patients at surveillance colonoscopy and determine the ability to endoscopically discern IPs from other colon polyps using high-definition white light (WL), narrow band imaging with magnification (NBI), and chromoendoscopy (CE).METHODS:Digital images of IPs using WL, NBI, and CE were reviewed by four attending gastroenterologists using a two-round modified Delphi method. The ability to endoscopically discern IPs from other colon polyps was determined among groups of gastroenterology fellows and attendings. IPs were classified by gross appearance, contour, surface pattern, pit pattern, and appearance of surrounding mucosa in IPs, as well as accuracy of diagnosis.RESULTS:Features characteristic of IPs included a fibrinous cap, surface friability and ulceration, an appendage-like appearance, the halo sign with CE, and a clustering of a multiplicity of IPs. The overall diagnostic accuracy for IP identification was 63% for WL, 42% for NBI, and 64% for CE. High degrees of histologic inflammation significantly improved the accuracy of diagnosis of IP with WL and CE, whereas the use of NBI significantly impaired IP accuracy.CONCLUSIONS:The overall diagnostic accuracy when applying these criteria to clinical images was modest, with incremental benefit with addition of CE to WL. CE showed promise predicting IP histology in actively inflamed tissue. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01557387.

Introduction and practical approach to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency for the practicing clinician

In exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), the quantity and/or activity of pancreatic digestive enzymes are below the levels required for normal digestion, leading to maldigestion and malabsorption. Diagnosis of EPI is often challenging because the characteristic signs and symptoms overlap with those of other gastrointestinal conditions. Additionally, there is no single convenient, or specific diagnostic test for EPI. The aim of this review is to provide a framework for differential diagnosis of EPI vs other malabsorptive conditions.

Cannabis-Induced Acute Pancreatitis: A Systematic Review

Objectives Cannabis is the most frequently consumed illicit drug in the world, with higher prevalence under the age of 35 years. Cannabis was first reported as a possible cause of acute pancreatitis (AP) in 2004. The aim of this systematic review is to examine cannabis use as an etiology of AP. Methods A search using PubMed/Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane was performed without language or year limitations to May 1, 2016. Search terms were “Cannabis” and “Acute Pancreatitis” with all permutations. The search yielded 239 results. Acute pancreatitis was defined by meeting 2 of 3 Revised Atlanta Classification criteria. Cannabis-induced AP was defined by preceding use of cannabis and exclusion of common causes of AP when reported. Sixteen papers met inclusion criteria dating from 2004 to 2016. Results There were 26 cases of cannabis-induced AP (23/26 men; 24/26 under the age of 35 y). Acute pancreatitis correlated with increased cannabis use in 18 patients. Recurrent AP related temporally to cannabis use was reported in 15 of 26. There are 13 reports of no further AP episodes after cannabis cessation. Conclusions Cannabis is a possible risk factor for AP and recurrent AP, occurring primarily in young patients under the age of 35 years. Toxicology screens should be considered in all patients with idiopathic AP.

Video Capsule Endoscopy: Technology, Reading, and Troubleshooting

Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) has completed the endoscopic visualization of the entire luminal gastrointestinal tract. VCE can be performed in inpatients and outpatients, requires appropriate bowel preparation before the study, and can be administered via oral swallowing or endoscopic device placement into the small bowel based on outlined patient-dependent factors. Current commercially available VCE systems were reviewed and compared for individual features and attributes. This article focuses on preparation for VCE, currently available VCE technology, how to read a VCE study, and risks and contraindications to VCE.

Ustekinumab for successful treatment of refractory esophageal crohn's disease

Esophageal involvement in Crohn’s disease is rare. We present a case of refractory esophageal Crohn’s disease that responded to ustekinumab, which has shown promise in the treatment of refractory, typically intestinal Crohn’s disease. There are no prior reports on the successful use of ustekinumab in esophageal Crohn’s disease, but should be considered as a possible management strategy in patients with this condition.

Randomised controlled trial of long-term maintenance corticosteroid therapy in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis

We read with great interest the article by Masamune et al 1 regarding the role of long-term maintenance corticosteroids in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP).1 AIP is a steroid responsive disorder, which has two distinct entities with overlapping features, classified as type I and type II AIP. While type I AIP is a part of a spectrum of IgG4-related disease with extrapancreatic manifestations, type II is a pancreas-specific disease. The diagnostic criteria, treatment approach and prognosis are different between the …

Pancreatic Cysts: Controversies, Advances, Diagnoses, and Therapies

Abstract Pancreatic cysts are commonly found on cross-sectional imaging. The question arises in determining which lesions are premalignant or malignant and may require further testing, intervention, or follow-up. In pancreatic cysts without obvious malignancy on imaging, we approach them using the Four “S” Criteria. These are (1) symptoms that may be originating from the pancreatic cyst; (2) size of the cyst 2 cm or larger and/or main pancreatic duct greater than 5 mm; (3) survival of the patient, based on comorbidity index to determine surgical fitness; and then endoscopic ultrasound with fine needle aspiration (FNA) recommended to determine (4) solid component presence in the cyst, namely, nodule or thick walls, as well as to perform FNA to obtain cyst content. Current cyst fluid analysis options include use of cytology to determine presence of malignancy and carcinoembryonic antigen and fluid genetics to identify potentially premalignant lesions. The aims of this article are to explore current management guidelines for pancreatic cysts, present a comprehensive approach to pancreatic cysts, and explain the advantages and disadvantages of each option for evaluation of pancreatic cysts including endoscopic ultrasound with FNA with cyst fluid analysis using an evidence-based approach.