A retrospective clinico-pathological analysis of neuroendocrine tumors of the gastrointestinal tract.

Aim: Gastrointestinal tract is the commonest site for neuroendocrine tumors. Appendix, ileum and rectum were considered to be common sites for these tumors. However, there has been change in pattern of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors over last few years. There is limited data available on epidemiology and patterns of these tumors in India. Methods: Analysis of 74 patients with gastrointestinal and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors over a period of 7 years at a single center in Mumbai, India was done. Clinical details, surgical outcome with follow up and treatment were reviewed. All these patients were analyzed with special emphasis on the site of the tumor. Results: The results showed a male preponderance (ratio of 2.5:1) with a mean age of 53.01 ± 15.13 years. Of the 74 tumors, the commonest site was found to be stomach 22 (30.2%), followed by pancreas 17 (23.3%) and duodenum 14 (18.9%). Only 3 (4.1%) patients presented with carcinoid syndrome. The disease was localized in 46 (62.2%), regional spread was seen in 14 (18.9%) and distant spread in 14 (18.9%). Majority of gastric and duodenal tumors had localized disease while pancreatic NETs led to most of the cases with distant disease. Conclusion: This analysis showed that gastrointestinal and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are not rare. Pattern of these tumors has definitely changed over last few years. Stomach was found to be commonest site for gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors followed by pancreas and duodenum.

Tissue polymerase chain reaction in diagnosis of intestinal tuberculosis and Crohn's disease.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1) To evaluate the utility of PCR in differentiating intestinal tuberculosis from Crohn's disease. 2) To compare histological features of tuberculosis and Crohn's disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 60 cases of diagnosed intestinal tuberculosis and 20 Crohn's disease were included in the study. Clinical data, radiological and endoscopic findings and response to treatment were taken into consideration. Endoscopic biopsies from affected areas were subjected to histopathological examination and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Acid fast staining on tissue and culture was done whenever possible. RESULTS: Clinical symptoms, radiological and endoscopic findings were almost similar between intestinal tuberculosis and Crohn's disease. PCR was positive in 21.6% cases of intestinal tuberculosis and 5% Crohn's disease. Nine out of 42 cases (21.4%) without granuloma were also positive by PCR. There was no statistical difference for PCR positivity between patients with intestinal tuberculosis with or without granuloma on histology and also between caseating and non-caseating granuloma. CONCLUSION: PCR assay showed high specificity (95%) for the diagnosis of intestinal tuberculosis hence may be valuable method to differentiate intestinal tuberculosis from Crohn's disease.

Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) syndrome.

Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) syndrome is an uncommon cause of chronic gastrointestinal bleeding and iron deficiency anaemia. We describe two cases of GAVE, one pernicious anaemia related and the other portal hypertension related. In both the cases, progressive mucosal changes, which lead to development of GAVE, were documented. Those changes were progression of multiple antral erythematous spots into linear configuration and lastly to watermelon stomach. One of the cases was treated with tranexamic acid with good response.

HLA genotyping in type-I autoimmune hepatitis in Western India.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze association of different HLA genotypes for predisposition to type-I autoimmune hepatitis in Western India. METHODS: This study was undertaken on patients of type-I autoimmune hepatitis (defined by international criteria by IAHG, 1999). HLA genotyping for class I and II was done in 20 patients of autoimmune hepatitis and 100 healthy controls. Statistics were done using Halden's modification of Woolfs formula. RESULT: Significant association of autoimmune hepatitis was found amongst class I antigens--HLA B27 [20 vs. 0 %] & HLA cw4 [40 vs. 15 %] and amongst class II antigens--DRBI*01XX [25 vs. 2%], DRB1*14XX [30 vs. 12%], DRB1*15XX [40 vs. 25%] and DRB1*07XX [20 vs. 9 %] at DRB1 locus. Stronger association was found with HLA B27, cw4 & HLA DRB1 *01XX. CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that predisposition to autoimmune hepatitis is different in Indian patients and not associated with HLA DRB1*03XX or *04XX, as seen in Western world.

HLA class II genotyping in chronic hepatitis B infection.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the role of HLA genotypes in persistence of chronic hepatitis B in Western India. METHODS: HLA genotyping for class II-DR was done in 26 subjects having chronic hepatitis B infection (HBsAg positive) and in 100 healthy controls. Statistics were done using Halden's modification of Woolf's formula. RESULT: Significant association of chronic hepatitis B infection was found for class II-DR antigens DRB1*15XX (57.6 vs. 25%) and DRB1*11XX (23 vs. 4%). DRB1*13XX (0 vs. 19%) was negatively associated with chronic hepatitis B infection. CONCLUSION: HLA phenotype, which varies with different regions, is one of the factors in persistence of hepatitis B infection. Our study supports negative association of DRB1*13XX to persistence of HBV. Also there may be role of DRB1*11XX and DRB1*15XX in persistence of HBV and development of chronic HBV hepatitis.

Hepatic sarcoidosis.

We describe six cases of hepatic sarcoidosis. Clinical presentation was with weight loss, hepatomegaly and abnormal liver function tests. In addition there was fever, itching, splenomegaly and abdominal lymphadenopathy in some. CT scan revealed mediastinal lymphadenopathy in all. Liver biopsy showed noncaseating epithelioid granulomas. Serum angiotensin converting enzyme was elevated in four cases. All patients had received anti-tuberculosis treatment with clinical diagnosis of hepatic tuberculosis. None of them improved, while some showed clinical deterioration. All patients responded to corticosteroids with disappearance of symptoms and normalization of liver function tests.