Postinfantile giant-cell hepatitis associated with ulcerative colitis and autoimmune hepatitis.

Postinfantile giant cell hepatitis (PGCH) is rare. It is characterized by the presence of multinucleated giant cells in liver biopsy, and although it has been associated with several etiological agents, in many cases its etiology remains unclear. The case is presented herein of an adult woman with PGCH in the setting of ulcerative colitis and autoimmune hepatitis.

Elevation of serum liver enzymes after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has been accepted as an alternative to laparotomy, and has become the standard treatment of benign gallbladder diseases. However, it has been noticed that (following LC) the serum level of certain liver enzymes raises markedly in patients who had preoperatively normal liver enzyme values.

Methods: We measured serum values of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase, bilirubin, and international normalized ratio (INR) in 72 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 36 consecutive patients who underwent open cholecystectomy (OC).

Esomeprazole versus omeprazole for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection: results of a randomized controlled study.

Background: Esomeprazole has higher oral bioavailability and increased antimicrobial activity against Helicobacter pylori than omeprazole.

Goals: To compare 7 days esomeprazole with 7 days of omeprazole based triple therapies for the eradication of H. pylori, and to assess whether the administration of higher dose of esomeprazole leads to improved eradication rates.

Can somatostatin prevent post-ERCP pancreatitis? Results of a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Acute pancreatitis is the most common complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), occurring in 1-10% of patients. Several substances have been used, with negative results, in an attempt to prevent this complication.

Methods: We performed a double-blind randomized trial in 372 consecutive patients undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic ERCP to evaluate the role of somatostatin in preventing post-ERCP pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis due to pravastatin therapy.

Context: Few data exist about the incidence of drug-induced pancreatitis in the general population. Drugs are related to the etiology of pancreatitis in about 1.4-2% of cases.