[Clinicobiological and morphological profiles of primary sclerosing cholangitis in Tunisia].

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic cholestatic disease strongly associated, in the western series, to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and particularly to chronic ulcerative colitis. North African data are rare. aim : To study the epidemiological, clinicobiological and morphological profile of PSC in Tunisia.

[Steatosis in chronic hepatitis C: prevalence and predictive factors].

Background: Patients with hepatitis C virus seem to often have hepatic steatosis.

Aim: To assess the prevalence and the predictive factors of steatosis during chronic hepatitis C.

Methods: We studied 50 HCV RNA positive subjects, who had liver biopsy performed.

[Survival in patients with gastric lymphoma].

Background: Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma is a histological type of marginal zone non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Its clinical features and prognosis have seldom been reported because of its indolent clinical course.

Aim: To establish prognostic factors that should be considered for the staging and management of this disease.

[Clinicopathologic characteristics of low grade primary gastric non-Hodgkin's lymphomas: experience from a single center].

Aim: To report the clinicopathological data and the treatment outcomes in patients with primary gastric low grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Methods: We carried out a retrospective analysis of 16 consecutive patients (median age 46 and range 28-75 years) who presented to our department with histopathological diagnosis of primary gastric low grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. We analyzed clinical manifestations, endoscopic features, pathological features,Helicobacter pylori infection and treatment.

Retained common bile duct stones after endoscopic sphincterotomy: temporary and longterm treatment with biliary stenting.

Background: Endoscopic extraction of biliary tract stones is safe and effective. When the procedure is not successful, the use of a biliary stent can be a solution.

Aim: To prospectively analyse the usefulness of a stenting in management of biliary obstruction due to choledocolithiasis.

Colorectal neoplasia in elderly versus young patients in Tunisia: analysis of colonoscopic findings.

Background: Colorectal cancer occurs more frequently in older patients. Since the older population is increasing, a better understanding of the characteristics of colorectal neoplasm according to the age would be useful.

Aim: To determine the differences of clinical characteristics of colorectal neoplasm including polyps between the elderly and young patients.

Variceal band ligation in the prevention of variceal bleeding: a multicenter trial.

Background/aim: Variceal bleeding is a life-threatening complication of portal hypertension with a high probability of recurrence. Treatment to prevent first bleeding or rebleeding is mandatory. The study has been aimed at investigating the effectiveness of endoscopic band ligation in preventing upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with portal hypertension and to establish the clinical outcome of patients.

[Autoimmune hepatitis in Tunisia. Retrospective multicenter study of 83 cases].

Background: Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the liver of unknown etiology. Its epidemiological and anatomoclinical characteristics and its outcome were unknown in Tunisia.

Aim: To analyse epidemiological, anatomoclinical, immunological and histological aspects of AIH and to determine factors predicting relapse after treatment and death of this disease in Tunisia.

Plummer-Vinson syndrome.

Background: Plummer - Vinson syndrome is one of the names given to the constellation of dysphagia, iron- deficiency anemia, and esophageal webbing. It is a rare affection which affects mainly white women.

Aim: The purpose of this study is to precise epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical and therapeutic features of the affection.

[Biliary stent occlusion].

Background: Endoscopic stent insertion is as a method of choice for palliative treatment of malignant biliary strictures. Two types of biliary stent were actually used plastic and metallic self-expandable. Occlusion of the stent can be observed in both.

Helicobacter pylori and gastric cancer.

Background: Patients infected with Helicobacter pylori, a stomach colonizing bacteria, have an increased risk of developing gastric malignancies, in particular gastric carcinomas.

Aim: This review was aimed to analyze the relationship between gastric carcinoma and Helicobacter pylori infection and to rule out the possibility of preventive measures.

Methods: To identify articles for this review, a PubMed search was conducted using the following key words: gastric cancer, Helicobacter pylori.

Ciclosporin for severe refractory colitis.

Background: Intravenous ciclosporin is a promising alternative, rapidly effective, for patients with severe steroid-refractory colitis previously facing only surgical options, however its use is controversial because of the frequency of adverse effects and the doubt about the long-term response.

Aim: This review will provide information on clinical pharmacology, clinical indications for use, methods of dose adjustment, monitoring of metabolites for efficacy and for potential side effects and the adverse event profile of ciclosporin in severe refractory colitis.

Methods: Literature review.

Management of the hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: The hepatocellular carcinoma, is detected sooner due to the progress of the hepatic ultrasound scan allowing an accessibility to curative treatment. This cancer treatment still remains difficult in Tunisia.

Aim: To show the difficulties in the management of the hepatocellular carcinoma in Tunisia.

[Psoas abscess as the initial manifestation of Crohn's disease. Report of 3 cases].

Background: Psoas abcess complicating Crohn's disease is a rare condition. Diagnosis remains difficult, especially when it is the first sign of Crohn's disease.

Aim: We report here 3 patients presenting with psoas abcess as the initial manifestation of the disease, among 118 patients with Crohn's disease seen between 1990 and 2006.

Retrobulbar optic neuritis associated with infliximab in a patient with Crohn's disease.

Background And Aim: : Infliximab is a chimeric human-murine monoclonal antibody with a high affinity and specificity for tumor necrosis factor α, which is nowadays widely used in Crohn's disease. An exacerbation of demyelinating disease as an adverse effect of this treatment is rare. The aim of this study was to discuss the relationship between infliximab and optic neuritis.

Virological response of Tunisians patients treated by peginterferon plus ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C: a preliminary study.

Background: Peginterferon plus ribavirin is actually the most effective therapy for chronic hepatitis C.

Aim: This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of peginterferon and ribavirin combination therapy in Tunisian patients with chronic hepatitis C and to identify predictors of response to treatment.

Methods: Fifty patients with chronic HCV infection recruited from the gastroenterology department of Habib Thameur hospital between January 2003 and March 2006 were prospectively included.

[Digestive epilepsy: think about, before surgery!].

Background: Digestive epilepsy is a vegetative comitial at the origin of abdominal pain that can dress a variety of clinical pictures returning its diagnosis difficult. Gastroenterologists and abdominal surgeons poorly recognize this entity.

Case Report: To determine clinical characteristics of digestive epilepsy and its therapeutic modalities.