Carvedilol versus endoscopic band ligation for secondary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding-long-term follow-up of a randomised control trial.

Background And Aims: Carvedilol reduces rates of variceal bleeding and rebleeding by lowering portal pressure. However, an associated pleiotropic survival benefit has been proposed. We aimed to assess long-term survival in a cohort of patients previously randomised to receive either carvedilol or endoscopic band ligation (EBL) following oesophageal variceal bleeding (OVB).

IBD in pregnancy: recent advances, practical management.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) poses complex issues in pregnancy, but with high-quality care excellent pregnancy outcomes are achievable. In this article, we review the current evidence and recommendations for pregnant women with IBD and aim to provide guidance for clinicians involved in their care. Many women with IBD have poor knowledge about pregnancy-related issues and a substantial minority remains voluntarily childless.

Standards for the provision of antenatal care for patients with inflammatory bowel disease: guidance endorsed by the British Society of Gastroenterology and the British Maternal and Fetal Medicine Society.

Background: Pregnant women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Comprehensive guidelines on medical management have been published; yet, there is limited guidance on service set-up and minimum standards of care for pregnant women with IBD.

Aim: To develop a position statement on service set-up and minimum standards of care in the UK.

Impact of the coronavirus infectious disease (COVID-19) pandemic on the provision of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) antenatal care and outcomes of pregnancies in women with IBD.

Background: The impact of COVID-19 on pregnant inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients is currently unknown. Reconfiguration of services during the pandemic may negatively affect medical and obstetric care. We aimed to examine the impacts on IBD antenatal care and pregnancy outcomes.

Relationship Between Shoulder Impingement Syndrome and Thoracic Posture.

Background: Shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS) is the most common form of shoulder pain and a persistent musculoskeletal problem. Conservative and invasive treatments, aimed at the shoulder joint, have had limited success. Research suggests shoulder function is related to thoracic posture, but it is unknown whether thoracic posture is associated with SIS.

Mediastinal node staging by positron emission tomography-computed tomography and selective endoscopic ultrasound with fine needle aspiration for patients with upper gastrointestinal cancer: Results from a regional centre.

Aim: To investigate the impact of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) and positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) in the nodal staging of upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancer in a tertiary referral centre.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of prospectively recorded data held on all patients with a diagnosis of upper GI cancer made between January 2009 and December 2015. Only those patients who had both a PET-CT and EUS with FNA sampling of a mediastinal node distant from the primary tumour were included.

The role of endoscopic ultrasound in the management of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms: a systematic update.

The widespread use of cross-sectional imaging has led to an increased frequency of incidentally detected pancreatic cysts. Neoplastic cysts such as mucinous lesions and solid pseudo-papillary neoplasms have malignant potential and therefore the early detection of these lesions presents an opportunity for prevention or early detection and management of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Serous neoplastic lesions and non-neoplastic pancreatic cysts such as pseudocysts or walled off pancreatic necrosis and are not associated with malignant potential.

Multicentre randomised controlled study comparing carvedilol with variceal band ligation in the prevention of variceal rebleeding.

Background & Aims: Rebleeding after an initial oesophageal variceal haemorrhage remains a significant problem despite therapy with band ligation, non-selective β-blockers or a combination of these. Carvedilol is a vasodilating non-selective β-blocker with alpha-1 receptor and calcium channel antagonism. A recent study has suggested it is effective in the prevention of a first variceal bleed.

Investigation and management of pancreatic tumours.

Pancreatic cancer is the 10th most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK and the fifth most common cause of cancer death. It remains one of the most aggressive cancers with over 95% of patients affected dying of their disease. Often presenting at an advanced stage of disease progression, there is currently no simple screening test available.

A prospective evaluation of the predictive value of faecal calprotectin in quiescent Crohn's disease.

Background: Faecal calprotectin (FC) is a non-invasive marker of gastrointestinal inflammation.

Aim: To determine whether higher FC levels in individuals with quiescent Crohn's disease are associated with clinical relapse over the ensuing 12 months.

Methods: A single centre prospective study was undertaken in Crohn's disease patients in clinical remission.

Utility of faecal calprotectin analysis in adult inflammatory bowel disease.

The inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are chronic relapsing, remitting disorders. Diagnosis, along with assessment of disease activity and prognosis present challenges to managing clinicians. Faecal biomarkers, such as faecal calprotectin, are a non-invasive method which can be used to aid these decisions.