Crohn's disease activity: quantitative contrast-enhanced ultrasound assessment.

Objectives: To determine whether quantitative parameters from contrast-enhanced ultrasound examination (CE-US) of the bowel wall correlate with endoscopic inflammatory activity in Crohn's disease and to assess its utility in the follow-up of patients on treatment.

Methods: This was a prospective study of 30 patients with Crohn's disease requiring colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy. The Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI), serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and Crohn's disease endoscopic index of severity (CDEIS) were calculated.

Autoimmune hepatitis during infliximab therapy for Crohn's disease: a case report.

We present the case of a 60-year-old Caucasian male with Crohn's disease treated with infliximab. Within 14 weeks of treatment induction, an asymptomatic acute hepatitis was detected. Elevated autoantibodies and liver biopsy findings supported the diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis.

Predicting patient tolerance of endoscopy with conscious sedation.

Objective: To evaluate the adequacy of benzodiazepine/opiate sedation for endoscopic procedures and to identify patient and procedure characteristics that may predict poor procedural tolerance.

Materials And Methods: A total of 2155 patients who underwent sedated gastroscopy, colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy between January and December 2007, participated in the prospective evaluation of procedural tolerance and the procedures were evaluated using three questionnaires completed by the patient, endoscopist and assisting nurse. Perception of procedural tolerance was scored using a 100-point visual analog scale (VAS), 0: very good to 100: very poorly.

Evaluation of a new formulation CLOtest.

Background And Aims: The CLOtest and other rapid urease detection kits are widely used in the endoscopic diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori. A new formulation CLOtest has been developed with the goal of obtaining a positive result more rapidly. The aims of this study were to validate the sensitivity and specificity of the new test and compare the time taken for a positive result to be visible in both the new and standard CLOtest.