Prompt endoscopic diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage: its value for specific diagnosis and management.

From July 1, 1973 to June 30, 1976 789 patients admitted as upper gastrointestinal bleeders had endoscopies performed within 24 hours after preliminary resuscitation and preparation. More than one lesion was found in approximately 45% of the patients. Erosive hemorrhagic gastritis was the most common lesion, being present in 27.

Congestive heart failure as cause of fulminant hepatic failure.

In this patient with long-standing cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure the syndrome of fulminant hepatic failure developed on two occasions; he recovered both times. There was no evidence of viral or toxic hepatitis as a cause of his liver failure. We conclude that in this case, aggravation of long-standing congestive heart failure may have led to severe hepatocellular necrosis with signs of encephalopathy not commonly observed.

Immunoglobulins in submassive hepatic necrosis.

The presence of submassive hepatic necrosis in acute liver injury of viral or toxic etiology in liver biopsy specimens is of great diagnostic and prognostic significance. Liver biopsy, however, cannot be performed in some of these patients due to an abnormal coagulation profile. Hence, other noninvasive methods for diagnosis of submassive hepatic necrosis would be helpful.

The asymptomatic HB6-Ag carrier: auto- and heterologous perils.

The asympatomatic carrier--usually discovered on offering to be a blood donor--presents a complex health problem which to date has received only "guarded" attention. These carriers may be dangerous, because they can transmit the HBs-Ag not only by parenteral but also by "nonparenteral" means, due to its presence in urine, feces, saliva, tears, semen, vaginal discharge, menstrual flow, breast milk, joint, ascitic and cerebrospinal fluids. The transmission by sexual contact is well established.