Rafael Ching Companioni

Association between serum vitamin D levels and gastric cancer: A retrospective chart analysis.

AIM To determine whether there is an increased risk of gastric adenocarcinoma associated with vitamin D deficiency (VDd). METHODS A retrospective case control study was performed of all patients diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma between 2005 and 2015. After we excluded the patients without a documented vitamin D level, 49 patients were included in our study. RESULTS The average age of patients with gastric adenocarcinoma and documented vitamin D level was 64 years old (95%CI: 27-86) and average vitamin D level was 20.8 mg/dL (95%CI: 4-44). Compared to a matched control group, the prevalence of VDd/insufficiency in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma was significantly higher than normal vitamin D levels (83.7% vs 16.3%). Forty-one patients (83.7%) with adenocarcinoma showed VDd/insufficiency compared to 18 (37%) patients with normal vitamin D level without gastric cancer (OR: 8.8, 95%CI: 5-22, P value < 0.0001). The average age of males with gastric adenocarcinoma diagnosis was 60 years old vs 68 years old for females (P = 0.01). Stage II gastric adenocarcinoma was the most prevalent in our study (37%). CONCLUSION We reported a positive relationship between VDd and gastric adenocarcinoma, that is to say, patients with decreased VDd levels have an increased propensity for gastric adenocarcinoma.

Hepatic sarcoidosis: pathogenesis, clinical context, and treatment options

Abstract Sarcoidosis is typically characterized as a non-caseating granulomatous disease that has the ability to affect multiple different organ systems. Although extra-thoracic sarcoidosis can occur in the presence and also without lung involvement, isolated extra-pulmonary disease is rare. The liver is the third most commonly affected organ system after the lungs and lymph nodes. When discussing hepatic sarcoidosis it is important to keep in mind that many patients in this population may not present as one would typically expect since most of the patients are asymptomatic or have mild presentations. Therefore, the diagnosis can be difficult at times since no single laboratory or imaging study can definitively diagnose this systemic disease. In the rare case of some patients where there is difficulty in discerning between different pathologies, the use of image-guided tissue biopsy may be necessary to establish a diagnosis. At the current time, there are no clear guidelines for the management of hepatic sarcoidosis and are mostly dependent on a patient’s clinical status at time of presentation. The current body of research in regard to treatment suggests steroids to be the mainstay of therapy. However, there is a role for additional immunosuppressive therapy in cases where the initial treatment is refractory to steroids. In this manuscript, we discussed the pathogenesis of liver sarcoidosis and context of its presentation. In addition, the differential diagnosis and imaging evaluation in this population is discussed. Finally, treatment options are reviewed in setting of previous studies for liver sarcoidosis.

Video capsule endoscopy: is bowel preparation necessary?

There is no standardized protocol for bowel preparation prior to video capsule endoscopy, although one is strongly recommended. The purpose of our study was to see if there was a statistical significance between small bowel mucosal visualization rates for those who received bowel preparation and those who did not. We retrospectively analyzed all patients who had a video capsule endoscopy from August 2014 to January 2016 at a tertiary care center. All patients fasted prior to the procedure. Bowel preparation when used consisted of polyethylene glycol. A long fast consisted of 12 or more hours. The grading system used to assess the small bowel was adapted from a previously validated system from Esaki et al. Statistical analyses were performed using Fishers exact test or Welchs 2-sample t-test and statistical significance was present if the p value was ≤0.05. 76 patients were carried forward for analysis. Small bowel mucosal visualization rates were similar between those who received bowel preparation and those who did not (92.5% vs 88.9%, p=0.44). Small bowel mucosal visualization rates were significantly better in those patients who had a long fast compared with those who had a short fast (97.7% vs 81.3%, p=0.019). Our study demonstrates that the addition of bowel preparation prior to video capsule endoscopy does not significantly improve small bowel mucosal visualization rates and, in addition, there is a statistically significant relationship between increased fasting time and improved small bowel mucosal visualization. A prolonged fast without bowel preparation might be satisfactory for an adequate small bowel visualization but further randomized, prospective studies are necessary to confirm these findings.

Acute hepatitis E presenting with clinical feature of autoimmune hepatitis

A 32-year-old immigrant man presented with new onset jaundice. His past medical history was significant for type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. His initial laboratory finding and liver biopsy were suggestive of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). The plan was to start steroids pending negative results for viral serology, but it came back positive for hepatitis E virus. The patients liver function test and clinical condition improved significantly on conservative management over a period of 1 month. Therefore, we suggest testing for hepatitis E especially in immigrants or recent travelers to endemic areas who presents with clinical features suggestive of AIH.

Cytomegalovirus triggering autoimmune hepatitis: case report and literature review -

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is considered to play a role in triggering autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). It is difficult to diagnose autoimmune hepatitis because its presentation can be acute, severe, asymptomatic or chronic. Diagnosis requires multiple findings and exclusions of similar diseases. When excluding, viral etiologies are part of the differential, which in this case is CMV. If a trigger is required to set off a sequence of events leading to autoimmune hepatitis in these predisposed individuals, viruses are among the most likely candidates. In this study, a case of a 54 year-old female who presents with new onset of jaundice, associated with abdominal distension, lower extremity edema and 10 pound weight gain is reported. The autoimmune workup of the patient was significant for an elevated antibodies to nuclei (ANA) titer, anti-smooth muscle ab titer and a significant increase in immunoglobulins, specifically IgG. Interestingly, CMV Ab IgM was positive as well as CMV Ab IgG. A liver biopsy was performed which showed heavy infiltration with lymphoplasmacytic inflammatory cells, interface hepatitis, bridging necrosis and fibrosis. These pathologic and laboratory findings led us to a definitive diagnosis of AIH Type 1. In the setting of positive CMV IgG and IgM ab titers, we suggest that the trigger for AIH in this case was a preceding CMV infection. Patient improved with combination of azathioprine and corticosteroid therapy despite intermittent flares of the patient’s AIH.

Simple measures to prevent a massive upper gastrointestinal bleed

Nasogastric (NG) tube is frequently used in clinical practice for a variety of indications; however, NG tubes are not without risks, and there are a multitude of gastrointestinal complications that are associated with their use. Simple precautions can help prevent these NG tube‐related injuries.

ID: 28: ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME RELATED KAPOSI SARCOMA A RARE INTRUDER AFFECTING THE STOMACH

Introduction Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a vascular tumor that is commonly associated with human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8). The epidemic type of KS is associated with the most common tumor arising in HIV infected people, which is considered by CDC guidelines an AIDS defining illness. Lesions on the skin are the most common initial presentation in patients unlike the involvement of visceral sites. We present a unique case of KS affecting the stomach, initially presenting as abdominal pain and diarrhea. Case Patient is a 34 year old female with past medical history of AIDS/HIV with a CD4 count of 143 cells/μL, VL 46 copies/mL on HAART therapy diagnosed with visceral and cutaneous manifestations presents to the ED with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and diffuse abdominal pain for three days. The symptoms have progressively gotten worse. Patient denies any history of fevers, recent travel, sick contacts or recent antibiotic use. On examination, the patient had stable vitals and evidence of dark brown, papular skin lesions of various sizes over face, torso and upper extremity. Abdominal examination revealed tenderness in the epigastric area. Laboratory studies and initial abdominal cat-scan with contrast were unremarkable. All infectious workup was negative. However, EGD revealed esophageal nodule in the mid-distal esophagus (figure 1A), non-obstructive lower esophageal (LE) stricture (figure 1B), and a gastric ulcer raised with heaped margins (figure C). Biopsy of the gastric ulcer reveals KS with necrosis. Throughout hospital course, patient received 12 rounds of Doxirubicin for treatment, continued with HAART therapy. Patient is tolerating chemotherapy well, cutaneous lesions are improving and signs and symptoms of diarrhea and abdominal pain have alleviated. Discussion Cutaneous manifestation is usually the initial presentation of KS and visceral involvement is typically a later manifestation of disease. What is interesting in this case is the involvement of both cutaneous and visceral sites. It can be observed in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, but rarely seen in the stomach. GI lesions may be asymptomatic or may cause weight loss, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and obstruction, which is seen in our case. EGD revealed distal LE stricture and gastric ulcer biopsy showing KS with necrosis. For AIDS patients who have KS, HAART therapy should be initiated to induce regression. For systemic treatment chemotherapy with Doxirubicin should be considered when there is symptomatic visceral or mucosal involvement and extensive cutaneous KS. We suggest the KS be included in the differential in AIDS patients with diarrhea and non-specific GI symptoms. Moreover, EGD should be considered for symptomatic patients because untreated GI KS includes hemorrhage and perforation. Abstract ID: 28 Figure 1

Pegaspargase Induced Hypertriglyceridemia Resulting in Severe Fatal Pancreatitis

Pegaspargase is used to treat acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Pegaspargase definitely has its benefits in treating ALL; however we cannot lose sight of one of its very rare but potentially deadly complications, acute pancreatitis. Clinicians should monitor triglycerides while the patient is on treatment with Pegaspargase and suspect acute pancreatitis if the patient develops abdominal pain. If pancreatitis occurs, therapy should be stopped immediately and not reinstituted. For patients with hypertriglyceridemia without pancreatitis, discontinuation of therapy should be considered.