Non-invasive aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index correlates well with invasive hepatic venous pressure gradient in cirrhosis.

Background: Hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) is the best recommended tool to measure portal pressure, but is invasive. HVPG helps in prognosticating cirrhosis and predict its complications. Aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI) is a simple non-invasive marker of hepatic fibrosis.

All ileo-cecal ulcers are not Crohn's: Changing perspectives of symptomatic ileocecal ulcers.

Aim: To investigated clinical, endoscopic and histopathological parameters of the patients presenting with ileocecal ulcers on colonoscopy.

Methods: Consecutive symptomatic patients undergoing colonoscopy, and diagnosed to have ulcerations in the ileocecal (I/C) region, were enrolled. Biopsy was obtained and their clinical presentation and outcome were recorded.

Dysphagia aortica: Emerging role of endoscopic ultrasound (with videos).

Dysphagia can occur due to extrinsic compression on esophagus. Dysphagia due to intrathoracic vascular causes is rare. Most reported cases of vascular etiology are due to dysphagia lusoria.

Adrenal insufficiency predicts early mortality in patients with cirrhosis.

Background: Adrenal insufficiency (AI), also known as hepato-adrenal syndrome, is a well-known entity in cirrhotic patients. However, factors associated with AI and its effect on survival are still not clear. We determined the prevalence of AI in patients with cirrhosis who had no hemodynamic instability or any acute deterioration, and studied its influence on short-term survival.

Hepatitis B Virus Infection can Cause Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Less Advanced Liver Cirrhosis: A Comparative Study of 142 Patients from North India.

Background And Aims: The clinical profile of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may differ depending on the etiology of HCC. There is no study from India comparing the clinical profile of patients of HCC due to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection with other etiologies.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients clinically diagnosed as HCC between Nov 2000 and Dec 2012 admitted under a single unit of Department of Gastroenterology at our hospital.

Multipurpose use of the 'bear claw' (over-the-scope-clip system) to treat endoluminal gastrointestinal disorders.

Background And Aim: The 'bear-claw' or over-the-scope-clip system (OTSC; Ovesco Endoscopy, Tübingen, Germany) is a new clipping device developed for closure of large luminal gastrointestinal (GI) defects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients treated with the OTSC.

Methods: The present study was an observational, open-label, retrospective, single-arm case series conducted at two hospitals with tertiary care endoscopy.

Low eosinophil count predicts in-hospital mortality in cirrhosis with systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

Background: Absolute eosinophil count (AEC) and procalcitonin (PCT) level may have a prognostic value in critically ill patients. However, their role in cirrhotic patients has never been studied. We evaluated the role of AEC and PCT, obtained at admission, in predicting in-hospital mortality in cirrhotic patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).