The prognostic value, in active ulcerative colitis, of an increased intensity of colonic perivisceral fat signal on magnetic resonance imaging with ferumoxil.

Objective: In active ulcerative colitis (UC), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with ferumoxil, a superparamagnetic oral contrast agent, accurately evaluates, in our experience, the increased wall thickness and frequently shows a stronger perivisceral fat signal intensity (PFSI). The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical significance of these MRI findings in active UC.

Methods: Twenty-four consecutive patients affected by moderate pancolitis were enrolled.

Allergy and mucosal eosinophil infiltrate in ulcerative colitis.

Background: Data on allergy in ulcerative colitis (UC) have led to conflicting conclusions without proving any causal association. In this report we have investigated the presence of allergy and its possible relation with chronic colonic inflammation in patients with UC.

Methods: Fifty UC patients underwent clinical, endoscopic, and histologic evaluations.

Magnetic resonance imaging with ferumoxil, a negative superparamagnetic oral contrast agent, in the evaluation of ulcerative colitis.

Objective: The introduction of new oral contrast agents that enhance image quality has increased the importance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the management of ulcerative colitis. The aim of our study was to investigate the usefulness of a new negative superparamagnetic oral contrast (ferumoxil) alone or in association with gadolinium i.v.

Prognostic value of progressive decrease in serum cholesterol in predicting survival in Child-Pugh C viral cirrhosis.

Background: The identification of cirrhotic patients with low life expectancy is an open clinical problem. Hypocholesterolemia is frequently found in severe chronic hepatic insufficiency because the liver is the most active site of cholesterol metabolism, but poor information is available on its precise prognostic value. We evaluated the prognostic role of hypocholesterolemia in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis.