Hypertransaminasemia in the course of infection with SARS-CoV-2: Incidence and pathogenetic hypothesis.

In patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the respiratory symptoms, such as fever, cough and dyspnea, are the most frequent clinical manifestations. These patients may also present with less well-defined symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and/or abdominal discomfort both at the time of diagnosis and during the clinical course. In a few cases, these symptoms may also present before the appearance of respiratory symptoms.

A randomized trial comparing 4.8 vs. 2.4 g/day of oral mesalazine for maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis.

Background: Mesalazine is used as maintenance therapy in ulcerative colitis but the optimal dosage is still controversial.

Aim: To compare the remission-maintenance efficacy and tolerability of two daily doses of oral mesalazine (4.8 g and 2.

Development and validation of an endoscopic classification of diverticular disease of the colon: the DICA classification.

Background: A validated endoscopic classification of diverticular disease (DD) of the colon is lacking at present. Our aim was to develop a simple endoscopic score of DD: the Diverticular Inflammation and Complication Assessment (DICA) score.

Methods: The DICA score for DD resulted in the sum of the scores for the extension of diverticulosis, the number of diverticula per region, the presence and type of inflammation, and the presence and type of complications: DICA 1 (≤ 3), DICA 2 (4-7) and DICA 3 (>7).

Role of endoscopic sphincterotomy of the minor papilla in pancreas divisum.

Background: Pancreas divisum (PD) is a common anatomical variant of the pancreatic duct system. Only a little percentage of patients with this altered anatomy develop symptoms: acute recurrent pancreatitis (ARP), chronic pancreatitis (CP) and pancreatic-type pain alone. These have been supposed to arise from an obstruction to outflow of the pancreatic dorsal duct due to a stenosis of the minor papilla.

Efficacy and safety of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) performed in patients with Periampullary duodenal diverticula (PAD).

Background And Aim: Periampullary diverticula (PAD) are found in 9-32% of patients who undergo endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). PAD are acquired lesions which are rare in patients <40 years, but increasing with age. Several endoscopic studies have revealed an association between PAD and common bile duct (CBD) stones.

Quality of life in ulcerative colitis patients treated medically versus patients undergoing surgery.

Objectives: Approximately one third of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) require surgery.

Aim: Aim of this study was to assess the quality of life (QoL) of UC patients who have undergone surgery with ileorectal anastomosis (IRA) or ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) compared to UC patients not operated.

Patients And Methods: Fifty consecutive UC patients for each group observed between 1988-2010 were included.

Gastric Dieulafoy's lesion successfully treated by "adjuvant" arterial embolization and endoscopic clipping.

While it is well recognized that peptic ulcer disease is the most common cause of nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding, other lesions cause of haemorrhage, even if rare, may potentially life-threatening. These include arteriovenous malformations such as Dieulafoy's lesion, defined as caliber-persistent submucosal vessel. The endoscopy with its hemostatic techniques is usually the treatment of choice for such patients.

Schwannoma of the rectum: A case report and literature review.

Schwannoma is a tumor originating from the Schwann cells. Gastrointestinal schwannomas are uncommon stromal tumors of the intestinal tract and, in particular, rectal schwannomas are extremely rare. In fact, it is well established that schwannomas appear more frequently in the stomach and in the small intestine, while location in the colon or in the rectum is uncommon.

Endoscopic papillary balloon dilation for difficult common bile duct stones: Our experience.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) performed for common bile duct (CBD) stones.

Methods: From a computer database, we retrospectively analyzed the data relating to EBD performed in patients at the gastrointestinal unit of the Sandro Pertini Hospital of Rome (small center with low case volume) who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for CBD from January 1, 2010 to February 29, 2012. All patients had a proven diagnosis of CBD stones studied with echography, RMN-cholangiography and, when necessary, with computed tomography of the abdomen (for example, in cases with pace-makers).

Comparison of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography between elderly and younger patients for common bile duct stones.

Background: Choledocholithiasis is increasing in elderly subjects. The introduction of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with biliary sphincterotomy has almost replaced surgery in the treatment of this condition. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the rates of successful clearance of common bile duct stones and the endoscopic techniques used in a population aged 75 years or older compared with those in a younger age group.

Self-expandable metal stent placement for treatment of severe sphincterotomy bleeding.

One of the most frequent complications of endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) is bleeding. When post-ES bleeding does not respond to the use of typical endoscopic therapy, the only alternative is angiography or surgery. A 82-year-old female was admitted for jaundice.

[Use of argon plasma coagulation in digestive endoscopy: a concise review].

Argon plasma coagulation (APC) is a non-contact thermal method of hemostasis that has generated much attention in recent years. This endoscopic procedure is used primarily to control bleeding from lesions in the gastrointestinal tract, and also sometimes to debulk tumours in the case of patients for whom surgery is not recommended. APC involves the use of a jet of ionized argon gas (plasma) that is directed through a probe passed through the endoscope.

Simultaneous primary gastric and duodenal MALT lymphoma presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding.

The gastrointestinal tract, particularly the stomach, is the most common site of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (MALToma). Many studies describe primary MALT lymphoma arising from the gastric mucosa, especially in association with Helicobacter pylori infection. On the contrary, primary MALT duodenal lymphoma is a very rare neoplasm.

Hematemesis from esophageal varices associated with esophageal perforation: sclerotherapy and endoscopic clipping.

A 46-year-old man was referred to our Unit for hematemesis. The medical history of the patient revealed an HCV-related cirrhosis, a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and recent and persistent episodes of emesis. An urgent gastroscopy disclosed evidence of active bleeding from varices of the lower third of the esophagus and a concomitant laceration of the esophageal wall due to the emesis.

[Endoscopic therapy with balloon dilatation in patients with colonic post anastomotic strictures. Personal experience].

Background And Aim: Colorectal post anastomotic benign strictures are not uncommon. The purpose of this study was to investigate the results of endoscopic balloon dilatation of anastomotic strictures.

Materials And Methods: The study was on a retrospective survey.

Microscopic colitis: a concise review.

Microscopic colitis is an increasingly common cause of chronic watery diarrhoea, and often a causes of abdominal pain of unknown origins. The increase of interest for this clinical entity is due to a misdiagnosis of any symptoms that have been frequently attributed to diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, often for many years before diagnosis. Presumably, most estimates of incidence and prevalence understate the true frequency of microscopic colitis for this reason.

Bouveret's syndrome: description of a case.

Bouveret's syndrome is a rare condition usually caused by a single large stone impacted in the duodenum. This is a cause of gastric outlet. Even if endoscopy is the mainstay of diagnosis, the radiographic examinations are also important too.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in critically ill patients performed at bed in Intensive Care Unit: report of our experience.

Background And Aim: Patients with severe brain injures and severe neurological diseases frequently require prolonged nutritional support during their hospitalization as well as during their rehabilitation period. Since 1980, the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) has become the method of choice for long term feeding. The aim of the present study was to present our experience concerning the placement of PEG in critically ill patients, recovered in Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

[Diagnosis and treatment of bleeding peptic ulcer: our experience].

Background: Bleeding peptic ulcer (PU) is the commonest cause of an acute upper gastrointestinal bleed. Aim of this study was to present our data regard the management of acute bleeding from PU during urgent endoscopy (examination performed in 2-6 h by the call).

Materials And Methods: This study is based on an observational retrospective protocol.

[Distal hyperplastic polyps as a marker for advanced neoplasm of the proximal colon. Our experience].

Background And Aim: While, several studies indicate that there is an association between proximal and distal colorectal adenomas, no agreement seems to be between the presence of distal hyperplastic polyps and proximal neoplasia. The aim of this study was to investigate, retrospectively, the possible correlation between the distal hyperplastic polyps and proximal colorectal neoplasia.

Materials And Methods: In our GI Unit, from 1st February 2006 to 24 November 2006, we performed 142 polypectomy.

[Foreign bodies in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Personal experience].

Objective: Foreign bodies ingestion is a potentially serious problem. The majority of ingested foreign bodies pass spontaneously, but serious complications, such as bowel perforation and obstruction, can occur. In the present work, we report our experience in the management of ingested foreign bodies.

[Use of expandable metal stents for gastroduodenal outlet obstruction].

Gastroduodenal obstruction is a preterminal event in patients with advanced malignancies of the stomach, pancreas and duodenum. Surgical gastrojejunostomy has been considered the traditional palliative treatment. The use of metallic stents is intended not to be curative but to provide nonsurgical palliation for the symptoms of obstruction.