Management of biliary obstruction in patients with newly diagnosed alveolar echinococcosis: a Swiss retrospective cohort study.

Background And Study Aims: Alveolar echinococcosis, an orphan zoonosis affecting the liver, is of increasing concern worldwide. Most symptomatic cases present at an advanced and inoperable stage, sometimes with biliary obstruction prompting biliary tract interventions. These are, however, associated with a high risk of infectious complications.

Permanent Tunneled Drainage of Ascites in Palliative Patients: Timing Needs Evaluation.

Treatment of refractory ascites remains challenging. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of permanent tunneled peritoneal catheters (PTPC) in this condition. We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients in palliative situations in a tertiary referral center.

Clinical parameters associated with gastric portal hypertensive polyps.

Objectives: Portal hypertensive polyps (PHPs) are incompletely characterized lesions that can be found in the distal stomach of patients with portal hypertension. We aimed to delineate clinical factors associated with the appearance of these rare polyps.

Material And Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of a cohort with 513 cirrhotic patients comparing patients with and without PHP using descriptive analyses and multivariable logistic regression.

Adding a liquid test meal to a standardized lactulose hydrogen breath test significantly influences abdominal symptom generation and hydrogen values.

Objective: While single sugar tests are controversially discussed, combination tests with meals are gaining more attention. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of adding a test meal to lactulose hydrogen breath tests (LHBT) on hydrogen values and abdominal symptoms in patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs).

Methods: Data of 81 FGID patients between 2014-2018 were analyzed.

Efficient treatment of esophageal nutrition bezoars: dissolution outmatches removal-the Zurich approach.

Enteral feed bezoars are difficult to treat and can lead to serious adverse events. There is no standardized treatment approach and various strategies have been suggested. We herein describe three cases of successful dissolutions of feed bezoars consisting of Promote Fibre Plus with sodium bicarbonate 8.

Better response to low FODMAP diet in disorders of gut-brain interaction patients with pronounced hydrogen response to a nutrient challenge test.

Background And Aim: Previous studies have shown a reduction of gastrointestinal symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients following a low FODMAP diet (LFD). It remains unknown which disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) patients would benefit most from LFD. We aimed to analyze LFD response regarding a preceding nutrient challenge test (NCT).

Pyloric dilation with the esophageal functional lumen imaging probe in gastroparesis improves gastric emptying, pyloric distensibility, and symptoms.

Background And Aims: The role of decreased pyloric distensibility in gastroparesis as measured by the endolumenal functional luminal imaging probe (EndoFLIP) has been receiving increasing attention. In this study, we present clinical outcomes to pyloric dilation with the esophageal FLIP (EsoFLIP) in regard to gastric emptying, symptom evolution, and FLIP metrics.

Methods: Patients evaluated for gastroparesis (gastric emptying studies of t ≥180 minutes during C-octanoic acid breath test and/or gastric remnants during gastroscopy after a sufficient fasting period) were scheduled for EsoFLIP controlled pyloric dilation.

Solid Swallow Examination During High Resolution Manometry and EGJ-Distensibility Help Identify Esophageal Outflow Obstruction in Non-obstructive Dysphagia.

Single water swallow (SWS) high-resolution manometry (HRM) may miss relevant esophageal motility disorders. Solid test meal (STM) during HRM and lately the functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP) have been shown to be of diagnostic value in the assessment of motility disorders. We aimed to assess the diagnostic yield of STM and FLIP in non-obstructive dysphagia (NOD).

Protein-losing enteropathy as precursor of inflammatory bowel disease: a review of the literature.

We report the case of a 63-year-old female patient with liver cirrhosis who presented with symptoms of severe hypoalbuminaemia and diarrhoea. After ruling out other causes of hypoalbuminaemia and confirmation of an elevated faecal α-1 antitrypsin clearance, the diagnosis of protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) could be established. Since PLE is a syndrome caused by various diseases, classified into erosive and non-erosive gastrointestinal diseases or lymphatic obstruction, an extensive work-up was necessary, establishing the final diagnosis of Crohn's disease.

Short-term outcome after singular hydraulic EsoFLIP dilation in patients with achalasia: A feasibility study.

Background: Achalasia is a chronic esophageal motility disorder characterized by impaired relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, determined by an elevated integrated relaxation pressure (IRP > 15 mm Hg) and absent peristalsis. Goal of treatment is facilitation of flow across the EGJ but minimizing postinterventional reflux. A new advanced hydraulic dilation technology, the esophageal functional luminal imaging probe (EsoFLIP), allows dynamic monitoring of hollow organ dimensions while performing hydraulic dilation.