[Rectal giant inflammatory pseudopolyps : an unusual cause of rectal bleeding].

Giant inflammatory pseudopolyps are begnin lesions that have been described usually in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Rarely, they have been reported in patient without any colonic disease. We report the case of a 40-old woman, without previous colonic pathology, who presented with rectal giant inflammatory pseudopolyps revealed by rectal bleeding.

Levels and initial course of serum alanine aminotransferase can predict outcome of patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome.

Background & Aims: Patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome can present with acute, subacute, or chronic disease; the definitions and significance of these variants have been disputed. An increased level of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is an objective marker for acute liver injury. We analyzed the significance of changes in ALT levels in Budd-Chiari syndrome patients.

Prognostic indices for Budd-Chiari syndrome: valid for clinical studies but insufficient for individual management.

Objectives: Several prognostic indices (PIs) have been proposed for Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS). However, patient characteristics, causal factors, and treatment outcomes have changed since these indices have been elaborated. Validation in a recent patient population and comparison of predictive accuracy between these PIs are needed.

Spontaneous rupture of omental varices: an uncommon cause of hypovolemic shock in cirrhosis.

In cirrhotic patients, esophageal and esophagogastric varices are the most common sites of bleeding, often responsible for hypovolemic shock. Hepatocellular carcinoma, blunt abdominal trauma and postprocedural complications are classical causes of hemoperitoneum in hepatic cirrhosis. Rupture of omental varices is another and rarely reported cause of shock in cirrhosis.

Clinicopathological forms and prognostic index in Budd-Chiari syndrome.

Background: A recent study in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome showed the value of a prognostic index including age, Pugh score, ascites and serum creatinine. Surgical portosystemic shunt did not appear to improve survival.

Aims: To validate these findings in an independent sample; to evaluate a classification into three forms according to the presence of features of acute injury, chronic lesions, or both of them (types I, II or III, respectively); and to assess whether taking into account this classification would alter our previous conclusions.