Association of interleukin-1beta gene polymorphisms with precancerous gastric lesions in African Americans and Caucasians.

Objective: Interleukin-1beta plays an important role in inflammation and gastric physiology. Polymorphisms of the IL1B gene have been associated with gastric atrophy and increased cancer risk, especially in Helicobacter pylori-infected subjects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between IL1B and IL1 receptor antagonist gene polymorphisms and the risk of multifocal atrophic gastritis in African Americans and Caucasians.

Gallstone disease. Pathophysiology, epidemiology, natural history, and treatment options.

In 1991, only symptomatic gallstones should be treated. The treatment of choice for all gallstones continues to be surgical removal. Except for stones in the common bile duct, which are amenable to removal by endoscopic papillotomy, nonsurgical treatment of gallstones should be investigated further before it can have widespread applicability.

Gallstone lithotripsy (GSL): results of the Technomed Sonolith 3000 multicenter trials.

Gallstone lithotripsy (GSL) with the Technomed Sonolith 3000 extracorporeal lithotripter was studied in a multisite, international cooperative trial involving the United States, France, and Italy. All participating sites worked under a common protocol to investigate the safety and efficacy of GSL for symptomatic gallstone patients. These collective results are from a mix of 25 academic and community hospital sites using fixed and transportable/mobile versions of the lithotripter.

Hepatic hemangioma with normal angiograms. Three case reports.

Three cases of symptomatic cavernous hemangioma of the liver are reported. All three patients have normal angiograms. A review of the literature shows that the diagnosis of hemangioma may be made noninvasively with a high degree of accuracy.