Safety of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in patients 80 years of age and older.

Introduction: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is used in the diagnosis and therapy of biliary tract diseases. The ERCP is an invasive procedure that does not increase complications in the elderly. Few studies have assessed the safety of ERCP in the elderly.

The use of radial endosonography findings in the prediction of cholangiocarcinoma in cases with distal bile duct obstructions.

Background/aims: We retrospectively collected the data of radial endosonographic (EUS) imaging findings of the patients with the distal bile duct obstructions due to different benign and malignant conditions. We aimed to assess and analyze the EUS findings in the distal bile duct obstruction which can predict or detect the existence of cholangiocarcinoma originating from the distal bile duct wall.

Methodology: We gathered the data of 192 cases with distal biliary stricture due to various causes which all were diagnosed.

Endosonography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography show similar efficacy in selecting patients for ERCP in mild-moderate acute biliary pancreatitis.

Background/aims: We aimed to compare the value of endoscopic ultrasonography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in identifying the patients with mild-moderate acute biliary pancreatitis who require endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

Material And Methods: The study was prospectively conducted in a tertiary hospital between June 2006 and October 2009. Ninety-five patients without urgent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography requirement and with mild-moderate acute biliary pancreatitis were included in the study.

The efficacy of endoscopic ultrasonography in local staging of rectal tumors.

Background/aims: The purpose of this study was to research the efficacy and reliability of endoscopic rectal ultrasonography in local staging (T and N stages) of rectal tumors.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study was carried out by the Department of Gastroenterology, İzmir Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, which is tertiary level. Thirty-one patients with adenocarcinoma were included in the study.

Does presence of common bile duct stones in patients with acute biliary pancreatitis affect the severity of illness or laboratory findings?

Background/aims: To determine the effect of stone within the common bile duct, on the severity of acute biliary pancreatitis.

Material And Methods: This is a prospective and cross sectional study which was conducted at a tertiary care hospital including 103 patients. Serum biochemical values and white blood cell counts at the first 12th and 72nd hours of presentation were evaluated.

Comparison of Helicobacter pylori antibody detection in stool with other diagnostic tests for infection.

For detection of Helicobacter pylori, bacterial culture and histopathological examination are invasive in nature, whereas the fast urease test and urea breath test are non-invasive and indirect methods of detection. Stool antibody tests and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect genomic DNA are serological methods, which are preferred to invasive examinations. Our aim was to assess diagnostic specifity and sensitivity of stool antibody tests, with histopathological examination as the golden standard and to compare results with fast urease test findings.

Combined use of endosonography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in the same session.

Background/aims: The diagnostic value of endoscopic ultrasound in common bile duct stones is high. In this investigation, we evaluated the feasibility of endoscopic ultrasound preceding endoscopic retrograde cholangiography in the same session and the potential benefits in increasing the therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiography ratio in the treatment of choledocholithiasis.

Methods: One hundred and sixty-five consecutive patients who presented with elevated ALP and bilirubin levels and were referred for endoscopic retrograde cholangiography of biliary stones diagnosed with magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography were evaluated.

Role of radial endosonography in the diagnosis of acute cholangitis.

Background And Study Aim: We aimed to assess radial endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) features of the bile duct wall as well as biliary luminal liquid characteristics in cases with acute cholangitis.

Patients And Methods: This prospective study was performed during the period from January 2009 to February 2010 in a tertiary referral center. Twenty-eight patients with acute cholangitis and 60 patients without acute cholangitis but with cholestasis due to gallstone disease were enrolled in the study.

Endoscopic sphincterotomy alone in the management of low-grade biliary leaks due to cholecystectomy.

Aim: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is important in the diagnosis and management of postoperative bile leaks. Endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) alone, ES with stent or nasobiliary drain (NBD) placement and stent or NBD without ES are the methods of choice. In the present study, we aimed to show the efficacy of ES alone in the management of low-grade (LGL) cystic duct stump (CDS) leaks due to cholecystectomy.

The relationship between chronic HCV infection and the level of plasma adiponectin.

Background/aims: Metabolic products (TNFalpha, adiponectin, resistin, etc.), which are effective in insulin sensitivity and in the regulation of inflammation, play an important role in the development of metabolic disorders and fatty liver disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of HCV infection alone on plasma adiponectin levels and insulin sensitivity when metabolic factors are minimized and to determine whether chronic HCV infection causes hepatosteatosis through its effect on these factors.

Jejunogastric intussusception, a rare complication of gastric surgery: report of two cases.

Jejunogastric intussusception is a rare complication of gastric surgery. It usually presents with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and hematemesis. A history of gastric surgery can help in making an accurate diagnosis.

Safety of biopsy in liver hemangiomas.

Hemangiomas are the most common tumors of the liver. Almost all cases are easily detected by ultrasonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and erythrocyte-tagged technetium-99m scintigraphy. In case of inconclusive radiologic features and a history of malignancy or underlying liver disease, liver biopsy is indicated.

A succesfully managed inflammatory pseudotumour of liver without surgery: report of a case.

The inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) of the liver is an extremely rare focal lesion of the parenchyma with unknown aetiology. It has the appearance of a malignant tumor but has a benign histology and clinical course. Herein, we report a case of IPT in a 55 year-old woman.

Adenocarcinoma of the ileocecal valve: report of a case.

Tumors of the ileocecal valve are rarely mentioned, and are mostly defined radiologically. In this manuscript, we report a case of ileocecal valve adenocarcinoma diagnosed endoscopically. The case is a male patient, 78-years-old, with abdominal pain and weight loss in whom a mass was palpated in the lower right quadrant.

Transanal endoscopic repair of rectal perforation with hemoclips.

A 74-year-old male patient had a full-thickness laceration of the mid-rectum during transurethral urologic surgery. The perforation site was 8-cm above the dentate line and 15 x 6 mm in size. Transanal direct access to the injury site was difficult and endoscopic repair with hemoclips was performed without any further intervention.

Etiological role of brucellosis in autoimmune hepatitis.

To show that brucellosis may trigger autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), in addition to nonspecific liver involvement and toxic hepatitis, due to a class effect of tetracycline family used for treatment. We present a female patient admitted to our hospital due to partially improved fatigue and elevated liver enzymes following doxycycline and streptomycin usage for brucellosis. Brucellosis is endemic in our country, Turkey.

Comparison of cefotaxime and ofloxacin in treatment of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

Background/aims: Gold-standard treatment of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis currently involves 3rd generation cephalosporins. To evaluate the efficacy of ofloxacin in this infection, we compared a combined therapy with intravenous and oral ofloxacin to intravenous cefotaxime.

Methods: Thirty cirrhotic patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis were assigned to receive either intravenous (1 g/12 h) cefotaxime for 7 days (n=17) or intravenous (200 mg/12 h) ofloxacin for 2 days followed by oral (200 mg/12 h) ofloxacin for 5 days (n=13).

Is prolapse gastropathy a cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding?

Background/aims: Prolapse gastropathy is a clinical syndrome involving the invagination of a part of the gastric mucosa into the lower esophagus resulting in well demarcated hemorrhagic mucosa and sometimes bleeding. The importance of this syndrome is that it has been reported as a cause of hematemesis. As this syndrome is considered to be seen in patients with retching and vomiting and to be one of the causes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, this study was undertaken to evaluate its frequency and importance in our patients.

Colonoscopy without sedation.

Background/aims: In Turkey, colonoscopy is a procedure generally performed with intravenous sedation and analgesia. Most of the complications of colonoscopy are related to sedation. The aims of this study were to determine the percentage of patients who could successfully undergo nonsedated colonoscopy without sedation and to assess patient tolerance and acceptance.