A novel formula for estimating the vertical dimension of occlusion using panoramic radiography.

Background: This study aimed to develop a new formula to easily estimate the vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) by using the distance between the mental foramen on a panoramic radiograph.

Subjects And Methods: A total of 508 dentulous subjects were selected from outpatient dental clinics at the College of Dental Medicine, Al-Azhar University. The vertical dimension of the occlusion was measured using a single calibrated calliper.

Long-Term Follow-Up of Colonoscopy Quality Monitoring.

Introduction: High-quality colonoscopy is paramount for colorectal cancer prevention. Since 2009, endoscopists at our institution have received quarterly report cards summarizing individual colonoscopy quality indicators. We have previously shown that implementing this intervention was associated with short-term improvement in adenoma detection rate (ADR).

Use of a Cirrhosis Admission Order Set Improves Adherence to Quality Metrics and May Decrease Hospital Length of Stay.

Introduction: Quality metrics for inpatient cirrhosis management have been created to improve processes of care. We aimed to improve adherence to quality metrics by creating a novel clinical decision support (CDS) tool in the electronic health record (EHR).

Methods: We developed and piloted an alert system in the EHR that directs providers to a cirrhosis order set for patients who have a known diagnosis of cirrhosis or are likely to have cirrhosis.

Improvement of Coronary Calcium Scores After Bariatric Surgery in People with Severe Obesity.

Background: Obesity is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is a direct measure of coronary atherosclerosis. The study investigated the effect of bariatric surgery on CAC scores in people with severe obesity subjected to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).

Not FIT for Use: Fecal Immunochemical Testing in the Inpatient and Emergency Settings.

Background: Fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) is widely used for colorectal cancer screening, its only indication. Its effect on clinical decision-making beyond screening is unknown. We studied the use of FIT in emergency and inpatient settings and its impact on patient care.

Survey Finds Gender Disparities Impact Both Women Mentors and Mentees in Gastroenterology.

Introduction: Gastroenterologists at all levels of practice benefit from formal mentoring. Much of the current literature on mentoring in gastroenterology is based on expert opinion rather than data. In this study, we aimed to identify gender-related barriers to successful mentoring relationships from the mentor and mentee perspectives.

An Unusual Cause of Obstructive Jaundice and Acute Pancreatitis: Visceral Artery Pseudoaneurysm.

Visceral artery pseudoaneurysm (VAPA) is an uncommon vascular disorder with a tendency to present with nonspecific signs and abdominal symptoms. This case describes a patient with severe atherosclerosis who developed multiple VAPAs including a hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm bleeding into a large hematoma, which resulted in obstructive jaundice and acute pancreatitis. Prompt diagnosis of VAPA is important due to the high risk of vessel wall perforation with associated increased mortality rate.

Virtual Gastroenterology Fellowship Recruitment During COVID-19 and Its Implications for the Future.

Background And Aims: Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, medical education organizations endorsed a virtual recruitment format, representing a stark change from traditional in-person interviews. We aimed to identify the attitudes and perceptions of Gastroenterology Fellowship Program Directors (PDs) and applicants regarding the virtual interview experience and the role of virtual interviews (VI) in the future.

Methods: We designed separate surveys targeting PDs and applicants using the Qualtrics software.

Colonic Myeloid Sarcoma as a Rare Presentation of Relapsed Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Myeloid sarcoma (MS), an extramedullary tumor of immature granulocytic cells, affects the gastrointestinal tract in approximately 10% of cases. MS involvement of the colon and rectum is considered to be extremely rare. We present a 36-year-old woman with acute myeloid leukemia and allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplant 2 years before who was admitted with abdominal pain and nonmucous, nonbloody diarrhea.

Improvement of Osteoporosis Screening among Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients at Gastroenterology Fellows' Clinics.

Introduction: Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have an increased risk of osteoporosis compared to the general population. We aimed to improve the osteoporosis screening rate in the IBD patient population of the gastroenterology (GI) fellows' continuity clinics.

Methods: Baseline preintervention data were collected on patients seen from July through September of 2018.

Treatment of Noncirrhotic Portal Hypertension Secondary to Portal Vein Thrombosis With Endovascular Mesocaval Shunt Creation.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation can be very beneficial to decrease high portal pressure and its consequent dreadful complications, such as variceal hemorrhage. However, some anatomical limitations such as portal vein thrombosis can make TIPS technically impossible to perform. Here, we describe a case of a 72-year-old female patient who previously had a Roux-En-Y choledochojejunostomy, which was complicated by portal vein thrombosis.

Educational Intervention Improves Proton Pump Inhibitor Stewardship in Outpatient Gastroenterology Clinics.

Background: Improper chronic proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use has risen significantly in the last few decades. In our gastroenterology trainees' clinics, we aimed to optimize PPI usage.

Methods: We collected baseline data on patients' PPI use for 8 weeks.

Improving Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates in Patients Referred to a Gastroenterology Clinic.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. Colonoscopy and fecal immunochemistry testing (FIT) are the primary recommended CRC screening modalities. The purpose of this study is to improve rates of CRC screening in Veterans and County hospital patients referred to gastroenterology fellow's clinics.

Should We Measure Adenoma Detection Rate for Gastroenterology Fellows in Training?

Background: Adenoma detection rate (ADR) is a proven quality metric for colonoscopy. The value of ADR for the evaluation of gastroenterology fellows is not well established. The aim of this study is to calculate and evaluate the utility of ADR as a measure of competency for gastroenterology fellows.

Colonoscopy quality assessment.

Colonoscopy is the cornerstone of colorectal cancer screening programs. There is significant variability in the quality of colonoscopy between endoscopists. Colonoscopy quality assessment tracks various metrics to improve the effectiveness of colonoscopy, aiming at reducing the incidence and mortality from colorectal cancer.

Quality measures for colonoscopy: a critical evaluation.

In a recent article in The New York Times, "The $2.7 Trillion Medical Bill,"(1) colonoscopy was singled out for its cost. In their response, the leading gastroenterology professional societies highlighted colonoscopy's effectiveness and cost-effectiveness for the prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC).

Association between body mass index and quality of split bowel preparation.

Background & Aims: Little is known about the association between obesity and bowel preparation. We investigated whether body mass index (BMI) is an independent risk factor for inadequate bowel preparation in patients who receive split preparation regimens.

Methods: We performed a retrospective study of data from 2163 consecutive patients (mean age, 60.

[Cirrhosis and renal failure: the influence of creatinine value on prognosis].

Renal failure in cirrhosis has multiple etiologies and numerous aggravating factors with evidence of worsening of prognosis. Our study was performed on 130 cirrhotic patients hospitalized in HDF between January 1st, 1994, and December 31st, 1999. We have evaluated the causes of renal failure and the relation of different aggravating factors with the onset of renal failure.

Metformin-induced cholestatic hepatitis.

Objective: To report a case of metformin-induced cholestatic hepatitis.

Methods: We present a detailed case report, including laboratory and biopsy findings. In addition, similar cases from the literature are reviewed.