Trends in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in children within the United States, 2000-2009.

We investigated the volume of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies (ERCPs) performed in hospitalized children in the United States using a nationwide healthcare administrative database for the years 2000 to 2009. A total of 22,153 cases of ERCP were identified: 6372 diagnostic and 17,314 therapeutic (1533 cases were recorded as undergoing both types during a single hospitalization). The number of ERCPs increased from 5337 to 6733 per year; diagnostic ERCPs decreased 43% and therapeutic increased 69% (significant decreasing trends for diagnostic and increasing for therapeutic ERCPs, P<0.

Cor triatriatum sinistrum presenting as cardioembolic stroke: an unusual cause of adolescent hemiparesis.

Cor triatriatum sinistrum is a rare congenital cardiac malformation, in which the left atrium (LA) is divided into two distinct chambers by a fibromuscular membrane. Classically, the proximal (upper or superior) chamber of the LA receives pulmonary venous connections, whereas the distal (lower or inferior) chamber contains LA appendage and true atrial septum containing fossa ovalis. The distal chamber is in continuity with the atrioventricular valve, while the two chambers communicate through a defect in the membrane.

Clostridium difficile infection in children: a comprehensive review.

Objective: To provide a comprehensive review of the literature relating to Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection (CDI) in the pediatric population.

Methods: Two investigators conducted independent searches of PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus until March 31st, 2013.

Clinical approach to severe Clostridium difficile infection: update for the hospital practitioner.

The rising incidence of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection or CDI is now a problem of pandemic proportions. The NAP1 hypervirulent strain of C.

Nursing practice of checking gastric residual volumes based on old dogmas: opportunity to improve patient care while decreasing health care costs.

It is a common practice to check gastric residual volumes (GRV) in tube-fed patients in order to reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonia. However, there is a paucity of scientific evidence to support this practice which consumes significant amounts of health care resources. We conducted a survey of the nursing practice of GRV checks in our hospital as part of a systems improvement project using a standardized questionnaire in a single hospital setting.

A double-masked, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of temporary endoscopic mucosal gastric electrical stimulation for gastroparesis.

Background: Endoscopically placed, temporary gastric electrical stimulation (tGES) may relieve symptoms of gastroparesis (Gp) and predict permanent gastric electrical stimulation (GES) outcomes.

Objective: To measure effects of 72 hours of temporary GES on Gp symptoms.

Design, Setting, And Patients: From 2005 to 2006, we conducted a hospital-based, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of two consecutive, 4-day sessions (session 1 and session 2), enrolling 58 patients (11 males, 47 females; mean age 46 years) with GP symptom histories of three etiologies (idiopathic, 38; diabetes mellitus, 13; postsurgical, 7).

Thrombosis of a bileaflet prosthetic mitral valve: a real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography perspective.

Rheumatic mitral valve disease being common in India, valve replacement and hence thrombosis of prosthetic heart valves (PHV) are not uncommon. The diagnosis is commonly established by increased gradients across PHV during transthoracic echo and restricted leaflet movement during transesophageal echo or fluoroscopy. We demonstrated both the leaflets of a thrombosed PHV,of which one was stuck in closed position by real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography.

Laboratory markers as predictors of mortality in patients with Clostridium difficile infection.

Previous studies have identified laboratory markers for severe Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). The most consistent of these markers is the presence of marked leukocytosis. We examined the validity of these markers as predictors of mortality in patients with CDI.

Does PPI therapy predispose to Clostridium difficile infection?

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has emerged as a problem of epidemic proportions. Previous exposure to broad-spectrum antibiotics remains the most important predisposing factor for the disease. However, PPIs are increasingly being overprescribed and recent research has, therefore, focused on the association between PPI therapy and CDI.

Probiotics for preventive health.

Gut flora and probiotics have potential to affect health and disease far beyond the gut. There is increasing evidence that probiotics have beneficial effects in preventing a wide range of conditions and improving health. Randomized, double-blind studies have provided evidence of the effectiveness of probiotics for preventing various diarrheal illnesses as well as allergic disorders.

Prevalence of abdominal and pelvic surgeries in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: comparison between Caucasian and African Americans.

Background: Although controversial, studies suggest that irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is associated with an increased risk of abdominal and pelvic surgeries. However, the role of race in this interaction has not been defined. We studied the prevalence of appendectomy, cholecystectomy, and hysterectomy among African American patients with IBS among the population at large and compared it with the Caucasians residing in same area.

Prokinetic therapy reduces aspiration pneumonia in tube-fed patients with severe developmental disabilities.

To evaluate the clinical benefit of prokinetic therapy in aspiration pneumonia in patients with developmental disabilities, we conducted a retrospective study; records of 22 tube-fed patients were reviewed from December 1990 to October 1998 for a mean of 22.7 months before and 38.9 months during Cisapride therapy.

Gastric electrical stimulation is safe and effective: a long-term study in patients with drug-refractory gastroparesis in three regional centers.

Background: Drug-refractory gastroparesis has previously been without acceptable alternative therapies. Although gastric electrical stimulation has been used for over a decade, no long-term multicenter data exist.

Methods: We studied 214 consecutive drug-refractory patients with the symptoms of gastroparesis (146 idiopathic, 45 diabetic, 23 after surgery) who consented to participate in a variety of clinical research and clinical protocols at three centers from January 1992 through January 2005, resulting in 156 patients implanted with a gastric electrical stimulation device and the other 58 patients serving as controls.

Assessing thrombosis risk in patients with idiopathic, diabetic, and postsurgical gastroparesis.

Patients with severe gastrointestinal motility disorders are often found to have intravenous access clots or deep venous thrombosis. It has previously been reported that many patients who have intravenous access thrombosis have concomitant thrombotic risk factors. In this study, the goal was to determine the underlying prevalence of hypercoagulable risk in a series of patients with documented gastroparesis.

Looking to the future: electrical stimulation for obesity.

Among all classes of therapies for morbid obesity-behavioral, drugs, devices, and surgery-devices for electrical stimulation are a relatively new approach. This article reviews the history of electrical therapies for the gastrointestinal tract with an emphasis on the development of stimulation for obesity. Based on similar animal work, electrical stimulation of the gastrointestinal tract has been applied to treat morbid obesity much in the way it has been used to treat nausea and vomiting.

Gastrointestinal complications of bariatric surgery: diagnosis and therapy.

Severe or morbid obesity, with body mass indexes exceeding 35 to 40, are often refractory to all therapies other than surgery. The increasing number of patients undergoing bariatric surgery will result in increasing numbers of patients with gastrointestinal complications. The types of complications vary with type of surgery, whether restrictive, malabsorptive, or both, depending on what anatomical and physiologic changes occur postoperatively.

Prevalence, sociodemography, and quality of life of older versus younger patients with irritable bowel syndrome: a population-based study.

We studied the prevalence as well as the sociodemographic characteristics and QOL of older adults (> 50 years) with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) among the population at large and compared it to their younger counterparts'. We hypothesized that IBS is less prevalent among older persons and they suffer poorer QOL compared to younger IBS patients. A total of 1000 adults from nine sites, including a medical center, churches, and a blood bank in our metropolitan area (670 African Americans, 320 Caucasians, and 10 others), completed self-administered questionnaires providing sociodemographic information and details regarding bowel habits and associated symptoms for diagnosing the IBS based on Rome II criteria.