Presenting features of childhood-onset inflammatory bowel disease in the central region of Saudi Arabia

To investigate the presenting features of childhood-onset inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] in the central region of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and to compare with those reported in the literature. This is a retrospective review of medical records of children below 18 years of age at onset of symptoms with confirmed diagnosis of IBD for age, gender, family history, presenting clinical and laboratory findings in the Divisions of Pediatric and Adult Gastroenterology, King Khalid University Hospital [which provides free health care] and the Department of Gastroenterology Al Mofarreh Poly Clinic, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between January 1993 and December 2010. Two hundred and eighteen children diagnosed with IBD with predominance of males in Crohn's disease [CD] [56%] and females in ulcerative colitis [UC] [59%]. There was no significant difference between UC and CD regarding age of onset of symptoms [p=0.347]; however, the difference in the age at presentation and age at final diagnosis were significant [p=0.027 and p=0.008]. There was a significant increase of IBD diagnosis from the period 1993-2001 to 2002-2010 [p<0.0001]. The family history was positive in 15.3%. The presenting clinical features and laboratory abnormalities are similar to those reported in other populations. Further studies are needed to establish the incidence and prevalence

role of ERCP in the management of gallstone-associated acute pancreatitis: a prospective study of 64 patients at Riyadh Central Hospital

In a prospective study, consecutive patients admitted to one of the surgical units at Riyadh Central Hospital with a diagnosis of acute biliary pancreatitis [ABP] underwent, after stabilization, urgent ERCP within 12 hours of admission. A total of 64 patients [35 males, 29 females] were treated over a four-year period [1986-1990]. Forty-eight patients were found to have common bile duct stones when endoscopic sphincterotomy [ES] and stone extraction was performed, including four patients with concomitant cholangitis. This was followed by a significant decrease in mean values of the biochemical parameters: serum amylase, SGOT, total bilirubin [P < 0.001] and alkaline phosphatase [P < 0.02], with a corresponding clinical improvement. Urgent ERCP+ ES was not associated with any serious complications. There was no hospital mortality in this series. Details of the endoscopic findings and treatment are summarized. Based on the present study and others cited, the role of ERCP in the diagnosis and management of ABP are discussed and recommendations suggested

Pattern of primary gastrointestinal tract malignancy among Saudi nationals: a retrospective study

The histopathological reports from the central laboratory of Riyadh Central Hospital for between 1404 to 1406 H [1984 to 1986] were reviewed retrospectively to determine the pattern of primary cancer of the gastrointestinal tract among Saudi nationals. During the study period, a total of 32,990 histopathological examinations were conducted. Neoplasms were identified in 4683 cases [14.2%]; 1772 [37.8%] were malignant and 2911 [62.2%] were benign. Gastrointestinal malignancy was the most frequent and accounted for 27.4% of all cases. The stomach [31%], liver [20%], and esophagus [19%] were the most commonly involved organs. The proportional frequencies of gastrointestinal malignancies differ from those seen in Western countries, although the age and sex distribution are similar. The possible etiological factors are discussed and the need for a cancer registry emphasized