A rare cause of duodenal obstruction: Bouveret syndrome.

Gallstone ileus is a relatively rare pathology, most commonly obstructing the terminal ileum. Bouveret syndrome, leading to gastric outlet obstruction and seen with an incidence of less than 1%, is a syndrome met particularly in elderly patients and develops as the result of cholecysto-enteric fistula. In this report, it was aimed to present a 95-year-old case diagnosed with Bouveret syndrome.

Significance of red blood cell distribution width and C-reactive protein/albumin levels in predicting prognosis of acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is one of the major pathologies among gastrointestinal system diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the red cell distribution width (RDW) value and the C-reactive protein (CRP)/ albumin ratio in patients with AP. METHODS: In this retrospective study, AP cases were enrolled and divided into 2 groups according to the Ranson criteria as moderate or severe pancreatitis. The RDW and CRP/albumin values, length of hospitalization and stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), and the complications experienced were compared between these 2 groups. RESULTS: A total of 264 patients were included in the study. Moderate pancreatitis was detected in 204 patients (77.2%) while severe pancreatitis was seen in 60 patients (22.8%) (p=0.081). There was no statistically significant difference in the RDW value between the groups (p=0.193). The CRP/albumin values were significantly higher in the severe pancreatitis group compared with the moderate group (p<0.001). The severe AP group also had a longer period of hospital care, both overall and in the ICU (p=0.001, p=0.047). CONCLUSION: RDW was not a specific marker for predicting prognosis in AP, but the CRP/albumin ratio is an easy-to-apply, inexpensive, and reliable marker.

Therapeutic plasma exchange for hypertriglyceridemia induced acut pancreatitis: the 33 cases experience from a tertiary reference center in Turkey.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is the third most common cause of acute pancreatitis. In patients with severe HTG (TG level>1000 mg/dL), it may be beneficial to immediately lower the levels of triglyceride (TG) and chylomicrons. In this study, we present one of the largest case series on the use of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) for hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Overall, 33 patients who were admitted to our clinic for HTG-AP and underwent TPE between January 2007 and July 2017 were included in the study. Clinical data and outcomes and the reduction of triglyceride levels were examined retrospectively. RESULTS: The TG level decreased by 54.4%, and the total cholesterol level decreased by 52.1% after one TPE session. The TG decrease after the second TPE session was found to be 79.4%. There were 20 (60.6%) patients with mild acute pancreatitis, 10 (30.3%) patients with moderetaly severe acute pancreatitis, and 3 (9.1%) patients with severe acute pancreatitis based on the categorization according to the revised Atlanta criteria. Regarding local complications, the acute peripancreatic fluid collection was observed in 13 (39.4%) patients, acute necrotic collection was observed in 1 (3%) patient, walled-off necrosis was observed in 1 (3%) patient, and pancreatic pseudocyst was not observed in any patient. Mortality was not determined in patients with mild and moderately severe acute pancreatitis, and its rate was 33.3% in patients with severe acute pancreatitis. The overall mortality rate was 3%. No significant complications related to TPE were noted. CONCLUSION: TPE is a safe and helpful therapeutic treatment method for patients with HTG-AP and may be considered particularly in patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

Rare cause of duodenal obstruction: Bouveret syndrome.

Gallstone ileus is a relatively rare pathology, most commonly obstructing the terminal ileum. Bouveret syndrome is a syndrome found particularly in elderly patients, which develops as the result of a cholecystoenteric fistula. It leads to the gastric outlet obstruction and has an incidence of less than 1%. In this report, we presented a 95-year-old patient diagnosed with Bouveret syndrome.

Clinical usefulness of psoas muscle thickness for the diagnosis of sarcopenia in patients with liver cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The most widely used method for diagnosing sarcopenia is the skeletal muscle index (SMI). Several studies have suggested that psoas muscle thickness per height (PMTH) is also effective for detecting sarcopenia and predicting prognosis in patients with cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the optimal cutoff values of PMTH for detecting sarcopenia in cirrhotic patients. METHODS: All cirrhotic patients who underwent abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan including L3 and umbilical levels for measuring SMI and transverse psoas muscle thickness, respectively, were included. Two definitions of sarcopenia were used: (1) sex-specific cutoffs of SMI (≤52.4 cm2 /m2 in men and ≤38.5 cm2 /m2 in women) for SMI-sarcopenia and (2) cutoff of PMTH (<16.8 mm/m) for PMTH-sarcopenia. RESULTS: Six hundred fifty-three patients were included. The average age was 53.6 ± 10.2 years, and 499 patients (76.4%) were men. PMTH correlated well with SMI in both men and women (P<0.001). Two hundred forty-one (36.9%) patients met the criteria for SMI-sarcopenia. The best PMTH cutoff values for predicting SMI-sarcopenia were 17.3 mm/m in men and 10.4 mm/m in women, and these were defined as sex-specific cutoffs of PMTH (SsPMTH). The previously published cutoff of PMTH was defined as sex-nonspecific cutoff of PMTH (SnPMTH). Two hundred thirty (35.2%) patients were diagnosed with SsPMTH-sarcopenia, and 280 (44.4%) patients were diagnosed with SnPMTH-sarcopenia. On a multivariate Cox regression analysis, SsPMTH-sarcopenia (hazard ratio [HR], 1.944; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.144-3.304; P=0.014) was significantly associated with mortality, while SnPMTH-sarcopenia was not (HR, 1.446; 95% CI, 0.861-2.431; P=0.164). CONCLUSION: PMTH was well correlated with SMI in cirrhotic patients. SsPMTH-sarcopenia was an independent predictor of mortality in these patients and more accurately predicted mortality compared to SnPMTH-sarcopenia.

Hepcidin as a predictor of disease severity in acute pancreatitis: a single center prospective study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Predicting the severity of acute pancreatitis is limited to clinical, laboratory and radiological risk factors. Hepcidin levels increase in acute inflammation. We aimed to assess the relationship between hepcidin and C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cells (WBC) and multi-detector computerized tomography (MDCT) in predicting the severity of pancreatitis. METHODOLOGY: We undertook a prospective review of 59 consecutive patients with acute pancreatitis admitted to our clinic. Biochemical values were measured from blood samples taken within 2 hours of admission and from between 2 and 72 hours related to the time of symptom onset. RESULTS: In predicting severe acute pancreatitis, hepcidin was superior to CRP and WBC (Area Under the Curve (AUC)=0.79, p=0.003; AUC=0.69, p=NS; AUC=0.53, p=NS, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, hepcidin was found to be superior to CRP in predicting the severity of pancreatitis.

Intrahepatic localization of pancreatic pseudocyst: a case report.

The location of a pseudocyst in the liver is an exceptional event. We report here a case developing right and left intrahepatic pseudocyst following acute biliary pancreatitis. Ultrasound and computed tomography scan revealed a 13-cm right and two 4-cm left intrahepatic collections. Percutaneous puncture permitted us to detect a high level of amylase in the collection, confirming the diagnosis of intrahepatic pseudocyst. Percutaneous drainage resulted in 3000 mL of fluid discharge. The mechanism involved in this patient was rupture of the pancreatic pseudocyst in the retroperitoneal cavity and erosion reaching the right hepatic parenchyma retroperitoneally posterior to the hepatoduodenal ligament and the left hepatic parenchyma via the hepatogastric ligament. Besides, endoscopic sphincterotomy was performed with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for cholangitis. After performing endoscopic sphincterotomy, the cysts in the left lobe resolved dramatically. Intrahepatic pseudocyst should be kept in mind when an intrahepatic collection is found in a patients with chronic or recent episode of acute pancreatitis. Computed tomography and high level of amylase in the collection plays an important role for diagnosing this complication. In case of abdominal pain and large intrahepatic pseudocyst, percutaneous drainage can be performed.

Impact of an information video before colonoscopy on patient satisfaction and anxiety.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Anxiety is a common problem in patients undergoing invasive medical procedures. Colonoscopy is a demanding procedure and requires a patient's good cooperation for successful results. We aimed to examine the effects of adding an information video to our usual preprocedural information. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 227 patients were assessed in this study (120 male, 107 female). The patients were divided into two groups as video (n=124) or verbal (n=103). When the patients in the polyclinic with indications for colonoscopy were selected, a text about the procedure and related complications was given to them. A colonoscopy appointment was scheduled for the patients 3-4 weeks following the procedure. On the appointment day, the patients selected randomly in groups of 10 as either verbal or video sections were taken into the communication room 1-5 hours before the procedure. The patients' anxiety was measured afterwards using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaire. In addition, patients answered individual questions. After the colonoscopy, the patients were asked if they would undergo colonoscopy again for health reasons and whether the procedure was similar to, better, or worse than they had expected (following the information sessions). RESULTS: It was noted in univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses that low State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State levels (p≤0.001 and p=0.016, respectively) and communication by video (p<0.001, p=0.007, respectively) had a significant impact on communication success. CONCLUSIONS: An information video shown to patients preparing for colonoscopy had an impact on the success of the procedure and on anxiety.

Simple non-invasive markers as a predictor of fibrosis and viral response in chronic hepatitis C patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Chronic hepatitis C has a high prevalence and leads to development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver fibrosis staging is one of the main factors that influence the decision to indicate therapy for chronic hepatitis C carriers. Several simple laboratory tests, scores and indices have been proposed for the non-invasive prediction of hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C. The purpose of this study was to evaluate non-invasive liver fibrosis tests as a predictive factor of fibrosis and non-sustained viral response (relapse/non-responder) in chronic hepatitis C naive patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective case-control study with utilization of non-invasive liver fibrosis test, platelet count, aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio, age-platelet index and aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index, as a predictor of non-sustained viral response in chronic hepatitis C naive patients between July 2008 and August 2010 in Izmir Atatürk Training and Research Hospital. RESULTS: We observed non-invasive liver fibrosis test to be highly effective in predicting non-sustained viral response patients, especially with age-platelet index (Accuracy=73%, OR=6.93, 95% CI, 2.41-19.8). A strong relationship was shown with multivariate analysis between non-sustained viral response and some non-invasive liver fibrosis tests such as viral load (OR=4.51, 95% CI, 1.16 -17.6, p=0.03) and age-platelet index (OR=11.8, 95% CI, 2.25-62.15, p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: If non-invasive tests could be standardized according to age, gender, race, and body mass index and individualized according to the fibrosis, then a nearly full correlation of non-invasive liver fibrosis test with histologic results could be obtained, stage of fibrosis could be predicted initially, sustained viral response/non-sustained viral response could be estimated, and the need for a repeat biopsy could be eliminated.

Comparison of multidetector CT and endoscopic ultrasonography in malignant pancreatic mass lesions.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has been shown to be superior to conventional CT in detecting and staging pancreatic cancer. We conducted a prospective trial to compare EUS and MDCT, in discriminating benign/malignant, in determining local and vascular invasion of a suspected pancreatic cancer and deciding its resectability. METHODOLOGY: The study was performed at the Gastroenterology Department of Izmir Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, from June 2009 to June 2010, all patients with suspected pancreatic and periampullary tumors referred to our department were enrolled. A total of 56 patients were evaluated at the beginning. Five patients having distal CBD tumor (n=2), gallbladder tumor (n=1) and papillary tumor (n=2) were excluded from the study. Analysis was done for the remaining 51 patients. RESULTS: For the diagnosis of resectability/unresectability, EUS alone demonstrated a definite role in 4 (9%) of the 43 patients in confirming surgical and pathologic results and MDCT alone demonstrated a definite role in 6 (14%) of the 43 patients in confirming their results. An accurate diagnostic decision regarding resectability/unresectability was accomplished in 27 (63%) patients with EUS and MDCT. CONCLUSIONS: While MDCT is clinically quite effective, in terms of a correct resectability/unresectability decision, EUS should also be used.