Pharmacobezoar: An Unusual Cause of Large Bowel Obstruction.

Large bowel obstruction (LBO) is an abdominal emergency with high morbidity and mortality rates if left untreated. LBO is four to five times less frequent than small bowel obstruction (SBO) and the causes of LBO and SBO differ substantially. Colonic malignancy remains the most common cause of LBO (> 60%).

Lack of Association Between the Clinical Outcome of Infection and Current Steroids Use.

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the outcome of infection (CDI) in patients on systemic steroids for various indications to patients not on steroids in term of disease severity, and associated morbidity and mortality.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed records of all patients with CDI at our hospital from January 2011 to December 2016. Patients were evaluated for baseline characteristics, comorbidities, medications, disease severity, disease-related length of stay (LOS) from the diagnosis of CDI to discharge, need for surgical intervention, and disease-related mortality.

Symptomatic Diverticular Disease in Patients With Severely Reduced Kidney Function: Higher Rates of Complications and Transfusion Requirement.

Background: The prevalence of diverticulosis is increasing with 5-10% of patients developing diverticulitis and 5-15% developing symptomatic bleeding. Diverticulitis can result in abscess, perforation, fistula, or obstruction. Bleeding has combined morbidity and mortality rates of 10-20%.