Endoscopic Treatment of the Zenker Diverticulum With Flexible Endoscopic Myotomy: A Single Tertiary Center Experience.

Introduction: The Zenker diverticulum (ZD) is the most common type of esophageal diverticula. Management of ZD has different options; however, there is a recent increase in treatment with flexible endoscopic myotomy (FEM). In our study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of FEM among patients with ZD.

Predictive value of C-reactive protein/albumin ratio in acute pancreatitis.

Background: Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) increases and albumin decreases in patients with inflammation and infection. However, their role in patients with acute pancreatitis is not clear. The present study was to investigate the predictive significance of the CRP/albumin ratio for the prognosis and mortality in acute pancreatitis patients.

Endoscopic Management of the Difficult Bile Duct Stones: A Single Tertiary Center Experience.

. Most common bile duct (CBD) stones can be removed with standard techniques using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), but in some cases additional methods are needed. In this study we aimed to investigate the management of patients with difficult stones and the factors that affect the outcome of patients that have undergone periodic endobiliary stenting.

Management of suspected common bile duct stone: diagnostic yield of current guidelines.

Background: The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) has recently published a guideline for suspected CBDS with the intention of reducing unnecessary ERCP and thereby complications. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic efficacy of the ASGE guideline.

Methods: Data of patients who underwent ERCP with suspected CBDS were analyzed retrospectively.

Large Balloon Dilation Treatment for Retrieval of Embedded Sharp-pointed Objects in the Esophagus: A New Technique.

Most ingested foreign bodies are best treated with endoscopically. If the sharp-pointed objects embedded in the esophageal wall, it may not be able to be removed by conventional endoscopic devices and surgery is required. Herein, we described a new technique for the extraction of both ends embedded sharp-pointed objects in the esophageal wall.

Double balloon enteroscopy: A 7-year experience at a tertiary care Centre.

Background: Double Balloon Enteroscopy (DBE) provides the opportunity not only to investigate but also apply endoscopic therapeutic interventions for small intestinal disturbances. The aim of this study is to assess the indications, diagnosis, therapeutic interventions, complications and safety in clinical practise of DBE procedures that have been performed in our clinic.

Material-methods: The data of patients who had undergone DBE procedure in our clinic between October 2007 and December 2014 were retrospectively investigated.

Is Gastric Xanthelasma an Alarming Endoscopic Marker for Advanced Atrophic Gastritis and Intestinal Metaplasia?

Background/aim: The clinical significance of gastric xanthelasmas is unknown. We conducted a case-control study in order to evaluate whether gastric xanthelasma is an indicator of advanced atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia.

Material And Method: The study was conducted among 1400 patients who underwent elective upper endoscopy.

Cirrhosis with ascites: Is the presence of hemorrhagic ascites an indicator of poor prognosis?

Background/aims: Hemorrhagic ascites in patients with cirrhosis is described as a RBC (Red Blood cell) > 50,000/mm³ and leads to increased morbidity and mortality. Positive red blood cells at a level of less than 50,000/mm³ (10,000-50,000) may be encountered in the ascites but it is not known whether this is clinically significant or not. This study aimed to examine the outcome of hemorrhagic ascites in patients with advanced cirrhosis.

The Prevalence of Barrett Esophagus Diagnosed in the Second Endoscopy: A Retrospective, Observational Study at a Tertiary Center.

At present, we do not know the exact prevalence of Barrett esophagus (BE) developing later in patients without BE in their first endoscopic screening. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of BE on the second endoscopic examination of patients who had no BE in their first endoscopic examination.The data of the patients older than 18 years who had undergone upper gastrointestinal system endoscopy more than once at the endoscopy unit of our clinic during the last 6 years were retrospectively analyzed.

The predictive value of noninvasive serum markers of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Background/aims: This study aims to show the predictive value of noninvasive serum markers on the hepatic fibrosis level.

Materials And Methods: This cross sectional study involves 120 patients with chronic hepatitis C. The noninvasive markers used were as follows: age-platelet index (AP index), cirrhosis discriminant score (CDS), aspartate aminotransferase (AST)-alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio (AAR), fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index, AST-platelet ratio index (APRI), Goteborg University Cirrhosis Index (GUCI), FibroQ, King's score, platelet count.

Can a Fully Covered Self-Expandable Metallic Stent be Used Temporarily for the Management of Duodenal Retroperitoneal Perforation During ERCP as a Part of Conservative Therapy?

Purpose: There are no reports comparing the results of conservative/nonsurgical management with the addition of fully covered self-expandable metallic stents (FCSEMS) with the conservative approach in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-related duodenal retroperitoneal (type II) perforations. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the addition of FCSEMS to conventional treatment provides further benefits in the course of type II perforations.

Methods: A total of 7471 ERCP with sphincterotomy performed between 2007 and 2014 were evaluated, and a total of 25 type II perforations (0.

Is ischemia modified albumin a disease activity marker for inflammatory bowel diseases?

Background And Aim: We aimed to identify ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and IBD subgroups, and to examine its relation with disease activity index.

Methods: Sixty-eight patients with IBD (35 ulcerative colitis [UC] and 33 crohn disease [CD]) and 65 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Rachmilewitz scoring system (endoscopic activity index [EAI]) was used to determine UC activity, and as for CD activity, CD activity index (CDAI) scoring was used.

Can Serum ST2 Levels Be Used as a Marker of Fibrosis in Chronic Hepatitis B Infection?

Interleukin 33 (IL-33) is a cytokine belonging to the IL-1 superfamily. Soluble ST2 (sST2) binds to IL-33 and by functioning as trap receptor inhibits signal sending to Th2 via transmembrane ST2. Because Th2-type cytokines play an important role in fibrosis, the aim of this study is to determine whether sST2 can be used as a marker of fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients or not.

The Detection of Cholangiocarcinoma in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis Patients: Single Center Experience.

Purpose: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease. Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is one of the feared complications of PSC. In our study, we aim to establish the success of brush cytology and CA 19-9 in putting the diagnosis of CCA.

Prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus and associated risk factors in Turkish women: the Trabzon GDM Study.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in Turkish pregnant women in the Trabzon Region and further to identify population-specific risk factors for GDM.

Material And Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional survey, universal screening for GDM was performed in 815 pregnant women. Screening was done with a 50-g oral glucose challenge test (GCT) with a 140 mg/dl cut-off point, then a diagnostic 100 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed according to Carpenter and Coustan (CC) criteria.

Clinical and histological features of idiosyncratic liver injury: Dilemma in diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis.

Aim: Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is becoming a worldwide problem with its still unexplained properties.

Methods: The data of patients who were diagnosed with DILI between January 2008 and December 2013 were assessed.

Results: Five patients had been diagnosed with intrinsic and 82 patients with idiosyncratic DILI.