Orocecal transit time and bacterial overgrowth in patients with Crohn's disease.

Bacterial overgrowth is frequent in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and can contribute to symptoms. Motility abnormalities can predispose to bacterial overgrowth. The hydrogen (H2) and methane (CH4) breath test is a sensitive and simple tool for the diagnosis of bacterial overgrowth and for the evaluation of orocecal transit time (OCTT).

Primary systemic amyloidosis with giant hepatomegaly and a swiftly progressive course.

Although the involvement of the liver is common in systemic amyloidosis (AL), clinical features of hepatic dysfunction and liver chemistry abnormalities are often mild or absent. A mild increase in the serum alkaline phosphatase value is the most common finding. Hypertransaminasemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and portal hypertension with ascites and gastroesophageal varices occur late in the course of the disease and predict a short survival.