Forty-eight-hour pH monitoring increases sensitivity in detecting abnormal esophageal acid exposure.

Ambulatory 24-hour esophageal pH measurement is the standard for detecting abnormal esophageal acid exposure (AEAE), but it has a false negative rate of 15% to 30%. Wireless 48-hour pH monitoring (Bravo; Medtronic, Shoreview, MN) may allow more accurate detection of AEAE versus 24-hour pH monitoring. Forty-eight-hour wireless data were reviewed from 209 patients at three different tertiary care referral centers between 2003 and 2005.

Successful rescue therapy with plasmapheresis and intravenous immunoglobulin for acute humoral renal transplant rejection.

Plasmapheresis (PP) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) remove donor-specific antibodies, a cause of acute humoral rejection (AHR). We describe the use of PP and IVIg as rescue therapy for AHR. The records of 143 renal transplants performed between October 1, 2000 and April 1, 2002 were reviewed.

Gastric bezoar complicating laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, and review of literature.

Gastric bezoars may be formed in the normal stomach as a result of foreign body consecrations of various objects with inability to pass through the pylorus. Classically, most bezoars occur as a complication of gastric surgery which creates a low acid environment, decreased peristalsis, and abnormal pyloric function. Bariatric surgery has been associated with a low incidence of bezoar formation.