Primary sclerosing cholangitis and the risk of colon neoplasia in patients with Crohn's colitis.

Background And Aim: Crohn's colitis (CC) is associated with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). However the risk of colon cancer or dysplasia in CC and PSC is unclear. Our aim was to study the risk of colon neoplasia in CC in patients with and without PSC.

IgG4 Levels in Bile for Distinguishing IgG4-Associated Cholangiopathy from Other Biliary Disorders: A Single Blinded Pilot Study.

Background/aims: Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-associated cholangiopathy (IAC) is an inflammatory disease and may mimic primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), or pancreatic cancer on cholangiography. We investigated whether IgG4 levels in bile aspirated during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) can distinguish IAC from PSC, CCA, and pancreatic cancer.

Methods: Bile was aspirated directly from the common bile duct during ERCP in patients with IAC prior to steroid therapy.

Comparison of outcomes for patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis associated with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

Background: The comparative outcomes of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) are unclear; the aim of our study was to make an objective comparison.

Methods: A total of 273 patients with PSC and inflammatory bowel disease (223 with UC and 50 with CD) were included. Clinical and demographic variables were obtained.

Bile proteomics for differentiation of malignant from benign biliary strictures: a pilot study.

Background: Determining the etiology of biliary strictures is challenging, and the sensitivities of the current tests to diagnose them are low. Protein biomarkers in bile, in combination with other tests, may improve sensitivity in diagnosing biliary strictures.

Objective: To analyse the differential abundance of proteins in benign and malignant biliary strictures through proteomic analysis of bile.

Endoscopic ultrasound in the diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma as the etiology of biliary strictures: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Aim: Extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) typically presents as biliary strictures. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-fine needle aspiration (FNA) may contribute to the diagnosis of CCA as the etiology of extrahepatic biliary strictures. Our aim was to study the uselfulness of EUS-FNA in diagnosing CCA as the etiology of biliary strictures.

Early precut sphincterotomy and the risk of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography related complications: An updated meta-analysis.

Aim: To study the cannulation and complication rates of early pre-cut sphincterotomy vs persistent attempts at cannulation by standard approach.

Methods: Systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library for relevant studies published up to February 2013. The main outcome measurements were cannulation rates and post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) complications.

Lipidomic profiling of bile in distinguishing benign from malignant biliary strictures: a single-blinded pilot study.

Objectives: Ascertaining the benign or malignant nature of biliary strictures may be challenging. Oxidized phospholipids (oxPLs) play an important role in tumor apoptosis and may be elevated in malignant biliary strictures. The objective of the study was to investigate whether oxPLs are enriched in the bile of malignant biliary strictures.

Factors predicting adverse short-term outcomes in patients with acute cholangitis undergoing ERCP: A single center experience.

Aim: To identify potential factors that can predict adverse short-term outcomes in patients with acute cholangitis undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).

Methods: Retrospective analysis of consecutive patients admitted to our center for acute cholangitis and underwent ERCP from 2001 to 2012. Involvement of two or more organ systems was termed as organ failure (OF).

Hepatobiliary disorders and complications of inflammatory bowel disease.

One of typical examples of liver-gut cross talk is the interaction and impact of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and hepatobiliary (HB) abnormalities on each other's disease course. There are several layers of association between IBD and HB diseases: (i) HB diseases and IBD share pathogenetic mechanisms; (ii) HB diseases parallel structural and pathophysiological changes seen with IBD; and (iii) hepatic toxicity is associated with medical therapy for IBD. Interdisciplinary approach, involving gastroenterologists, hepatologists and, in advanced cases, general, colorectal, and liver transplant surgeons, is advocated.

Clostridium difficile infection and inflammatory bowel disease: understanding the evolving relationship.

Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection (CDI) is the leading identifiable cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. While there is an alarming trend of increasing incidence and severity of CDI in the United States and Europe, superimposed CDI in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has drawn considerable attention in the gastrointestinal community.