Suspected stenosis in Caroli syndrome: when cholangioscopy can be the game changer.

Video 1Cholangioscopy performed during ERCP.

Transarterial chemoembolization for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: a review.

According to the current European Association for the Study of Liver guidelines, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the recommended first-line therapy for patients with intermediate-stage (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer-B class) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The efficacy of this therapy is supported by robust evidence; however, there is still a lack of standardization in treatment methodology, and TACE protocols are widely variable. Moreover, TACE can be associated with a number of contraindications.

Overlap of GERD and gastrointestinal functional disorders.

The functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are common conditions with an overall prevalence burden estimated at approximately one-third of the population. These represent a heterogeneous group of conditions which may include both abnormal symptom perception and functional causes and seems to share similar trigger factors as food, lifestyle and psychological factor. GERD develops when the reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus leads to troublesome symptoms, with or without mucosal involvement.

Functional Heartburn Overlaps With Irritable Bowel Syndrome More Often than GERD.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in patients with typical reflux symptoms as distinguished into gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypersensitive esophagus (HE), and functional heartburn (FH) by means of endoscopy and multichannel intraluminal impedance (MII)-pH monitoring. The secondary aim was to detect pathophysiological and clinical differences between different sub-groups of patients with heartburn.

Methods: Patients underwent a structured interview based on questionnaires for GERD, IBS, anxiety, and depression.