Right-side diverticulitis.

Colonic diverticula develop at specific weak spots, where the vasa recta enter the colonic circular smooth muscle layer.1 They are usually seen in the left colon. Their most common complication is diverticulitis, with mild cases resolving even without antibiotic therapy.2 Right-side diverticulitis develops in only 1.5% of cases, primarily on the anterior aspect of the cecum, proximal to the ileocecal valve (80%).4 Given its low incidence, location, and the fact that it involves younger patients, a differential diagnosis is needed to rule out abdominal inflammatory conditions such as appendicitis or ileitis, as well as gynecological disorders. Diverticulitis is diagnosed using imaging modalities. Computed tomography (CT) is the modality of choice,5 and confirmation is required after clinical remission, primarily using colonoscopy. We studied a series of 3 cases of patients initially diagnosed with acute, uncomplicated right-side diverticulitis who were admitted to the Gastroenterology Department, Hospital de León, from January to December 2023. Our goal was to confirm a presumptive diagnosis of right-side diverticulitis using delayed endoscopy or barium enema to ascertain the presence of right-side diverticulosis and rule out other conditions manifesting with abdominal pain in the right iliac fossa. Cases 1 and 3 were admitted with an accurate diagnosis of right-side diverticulitis. Case 1 was confirmed by ambulatory colonoscopy, and case 3 was confirmed by barium enema because of a history of previous colonoscopy without findings. All three patients required surgical assessment to rule out appendicular involvement. The imaging technique of choice was CT, using the WSES scale for severity grading. Case 2 was diagnosed with right-side diverticulitis by means of ultrasonography, and its origin was later confirmed to be in the sigmoid colon. The remaining clinical, laboratory, and diagnostic characteristics are listed in Table 1.

Jejunal Dieulafoy's lesion as a cause of difficult-to-manage obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. Combined endoscopic treatment.

Dieulafoy's lesion (DL) is an uncommon vascular malformation-an aberrant, dilated submucosal arteriole (1-3 mm thick, 10 x nv). It runs near the mucosal surface and protrudes, and may potentially induce gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB). It usually originates in the stomach (upper lesser curvature), with endoscopy being the diagnostic, therapeutic modality of choice. Jejunal DL (JDL) is a rare cause of obscure GIB (OGIB) that is challenging for endoscopists and threatens patient lives. Other diagnostic techniques such as Tc99m-labeled red blood cell scintigraphy, well established in the classic armamentarium for OGIB diagnosis, cannot overcome endoscopic procedures. We report the case of a patient with OGIB secondary to an exceptionally located Dieulafoy's lesion who underwent combined endoscopic treatment.

Choledocholithiasis in a patient carrying an intragastric balloon. Removal or direct ERCP?

Endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) is a diagnostic, therapeutic technique for the management of pancreato-biliary conditions. Technical contraindications include the presence of intraluminal foreign bodies precluding endoscope passage. Intragastric balloon (IGB) is a bariatric procedure that provides sensations of early fullness and satiety from intragastric occupation, thus leading to weight loss. While, according to guidelines, choledocholithiasis and cholangitis do not represent an indication for IGB removal in contrast to moderate-severe pancreatitis, where need for an ERCP and the procedure's technical difficulty most commonly require it. We report the case of a female patient with an IGB where ERCP was indicated. CASE REPORT: A 47-year-old woman visited the emergency room for epigastric abdominal pain radiating to her back. She had jaundice without pyrexic symptoms. At the ER an ultrasonogram revealed cholelithiasis and a dilated common bile duct (11 mm in diameter), no cause being then identified. Lab tests rule out pancreatic involvement and associated infection. The patient had an IGB (Photo 1a) implanted 5 months before the present episode. She was admitted to the gastroenterology ward with choledocholithiasis as suspected diagnosis. The study was completed by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), which confirmed a dilated hepatocholedochal duct at 15.3 mm in diameter (Photo 1b), secondary to multiple choledochal stones. A direct ERCP procedure was initiated where the IGB precluded rectification and proper placement, which forced the use of a double-guidewire technique for cannulation (Photo 1c)5. Sphincterotomy and sphincteroplasty to 10 mm ensued, and 8 stones were removed using a balloon and then a basket catheter (Photo 1d). The patient was discharged at 24 hours after the procedure with no complications. DISCUSSION: No prior studies are available that describe the possibility of therapeutic ERCP for choledocholithiasis in IGB-carrying patients; in most cases IGB removal is taken for granted because of the procedure's technical difficulty. Our case report may well show a safe alternative to IGB removal by using less conventional cannulation techniques without higher complication rates. However, further cases are needed in order to draw significant conclusions regarding their widespread use.

Hematoma post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is one of the most frequently performed procedures in the treatment of biliary-pancreatic diseases. Hematoma after ERCP is an infrequent and highly serious complication. We present three cases with hepatic hematoma after a CPRE.

[Relationship of demographic and dietary hygiene factors with the pathology found in outpatient colonoscopies performed in a Castilla y León Health Service center]. / Relación de los factores demográficos e higiénico-dietéticos con la patología hallada en las colonoscopias ambulatorias realizadas en un centro del Servicio Castellano y Leonés de Salud.

Introduction: Background: colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequent tumors in terms of incidence and mortality. Several elements, both inherited and environmental, have been related with its pathogenesis. Aims: to analyze the influence of age, gender and nutritional factors on the diagnosis of colonic polyps and CRC. Methods: a prospective, descriptive study over outpatients from the Health Area of León who took a colonoscopy between 09/09/2012 and 06/30/2013. Patients were asked to fill a semiquantitative food frecuency questionnaire with data such a sociodemographic, toxic and dietetic facts. Differences in diagnosis according to sociodemographic and hygiene-dietetic data were analyzed with a multivariate analysis by forward stepwise logistic regression. Results: data were collected from 1390 patients. Mean age was 57.88 (15.17) years and 47.8 % were male. CRC was diagnosed in 5 % of colonoscopies, and polyps in 20.4 %, with 9.4 % of them being HRA. Risk of polyps and HRA was higher in males (26.9 % vs 14.5 %) and (12.6 % vs 6.3 %), respectively (p < 0.001). Mean age was significantly higher in patients who presented polyps (56.51 (15.45) vs 63.22 (12.69) years; p < 0.001). Among the group who reported intake of smoked and salted food, the risk of polyps doubled (2.9 % vs 6.7 %, p = 0.002). In relation to alcohol intake we found that subjects with daily alcohol consumption showed a higher incidence of polyps whe compared to occasional drinkers and teetotallers (32 % vs 20 % vs 18.6 %, p = 0.002) Conclusions: age correlated with higher risk of polyps, HRA and CRC. Moreover, male gender also was associated with a high risk of polyps and HRA. Alcohol and red and processed meat intake increased polyp risk.

Introducción: Introducción: el cáncer colorrectal (CCR) es un tumor muy frecuente en términos de incidencia y mortalidad. Su patogenia se ha relacionado con diversos factores ambientales y hereditarios. Objetivos: analizar la asociación de edad, sexo y factores dietéticos con el diagnóstico de adenomas y CCR. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo prospectivo con los pacientes del Área Sanitaria de León que se sometieron a una colonoscopia ambulatoria entre 09/09/2012 y 30/06/2013. Mediante un formulario autoadministrado se recogieron datos sociodemográficos, tóxicos y dietéticos usando un cuestionario alimentario de frecuencia semicuantitativo. Se analizaron las diferencias en el diagnóstico según los datos sociodemográficos e higiénico-dietéticos, con análisis multivariante mediante regresión logística por pasos hacia delante. Resultados: se recogieron datos de 1390 pacientes cuya edad media fue de 57 (15) años; de ellos, el 47,8 % eran varones. Se diagnosticaron CCR en el 5 % de los pacientes y pólipos en el 20,4 % (9,4 % de adenomas de alto riesgo (AAR)). El hallazgo de pólipos y AAR fue más frecuente en los varones (26,9 % vs. 14,5 % y 12,6 % vs. 6,3 %, respectivamente (p < 0,001)). La edad media fue significativamente superior en los pacientes que presentaban pólipos (56.51 (15.45) vs. 63.22 (12.69) años; p < 0,001). En la población que refirió un consumo diario de carnes procesadas se duplicaba la proporción de pólipos detectados (2,9 % vs. 6,7 %; p = 0,02). Aquellos pacientes que consumían alcohol diariamente tenían mayor incidencia de pólipos frente al consumo ocasional y los abstemios (32 % vs. 20 % vs. 18,6 %; p = 0,002). Conclusiones: la edad se relacionaba con un mayor riesgo de pólipos, AAR y CCR. Los varones también tenían más riesgo de pólipos y AAR. El consumo de alcohol, carnes rojas y procesadas incrementaba el riesgo de pólipos.

Gastrointestinal lymphoma, a rare endoscopic lesion.

We present the case of a 77-year-old male patient with iron deficiency anemia. His personal medical history is: dyslipidemia, high-grade diffuse centrofollicular lymphoma localized in the tonsil in 1984 and metastatic prostate cancer treated with hormone therapy.

A huge rectal ulcer due to argon plasma coagulation in a patient with radiation proctitis.

Radiation proctitis (RP) is a complication of radiotherapy in patients with pelvic cancer. A 64-year-old male underwent brachytherapy 2 years previously due to prostate cancer. Subsequently, he developed RP which was treated with argon plasma coagulation (APC). He was subsequently hospitalized due to rectal bleeding and underwent a colonoscopy. A large deep ulcer was seen in the anterior rectum wall, in the same place where APC was performed 3 months earlier. A perforated rectal ulcer was seen via pelvic MRI. However, it was contained by the mesorrectum. Rectal ulcers after APC are uncommon, but they can develop as a result of thermal damage to an ischemic mucosa due to radiotherapy. The treatment of choice of large ulcers is surgery, with a temporary colostomy in order to aid re-epithelialization.

A retrospective, multicenter analysis of incidents associated with Axios™ lumen-apposing stents.

INTRODUCTION: there is controversy with regard to the risks associated with lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMSs), with significant variations between available reports. OBJECTIVES: to describe the types and proportions of complications that arise during the permanence time and removal of Axios™ LAMS. Furthermore, the relationship between patency time, therapeutic target and the presence of complications was also described. METHODS: a retrospective, multicenter case series study was performed of all patients with an implanted LAMS to access extra-luminal structures during 2017. Only technically successful cases were recorded. RESULTS: a total of 179 patients from seven sites (range, 4-68 cases/site) were included in the study, with a mean age of 64.3 years (SD: 15.8; range: 24.6-98.8 years) and 122 (68.2%) were male. Most common indications included encapsulated necrosis (58, 32.4%), pseudocysts (31, 17.3%) and gallbladder drains (26, 14.5%). Complications during LAMS stay were reported in 19 patients (10.9%); stent lumen or gastroduodenal obstruction (8, 4.5%) and bleeding (7, 3.9%) were the most common. LAMS were not removed in 86 (48%) patients due to the following reasons: a permanent stent was used (46, 53.5%), loss to follow-up (18, 20.9%), patient demise (16, 18.6%) and stent migration (6, 7%). Five (5.4%) complications were reported during stent removal, which were three bleeds and two perforations. No association was found between stent duration and complications (p = 0.67). CONCLUSION: complications secondary to LAMS insertion are uncommon but may be serious. This study found no association between complications and stent duration.

Autochthonous acute hepatitis E: an increasingly frequent diagnosis. Clinical-epidemiological analysis of our experience.

BACKGROUND: In Europe, acute hepatitis caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV) traditionally was an infection found in people who had travelled to endemic zones, mainly Asia and Africa. However, a growing number of sporadic autochthonous cases are now being diagnosed in the Western world. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the cases of acute HEV hepatitis diagnosed in our setting, with the identification of the clinical-epidemiological characteristics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included the cases of acute HEV hepatitis diagnosed (positive anti-HEV IgM and/or HEV RNA present in serum) between January 2008 and December 2014. Different clinical, epidemiological and evolutive parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 23 patients were identified, all originating from Spain. Fourteen cases (60.87%) presented jaundice and marked cytolysis at the time of diagnosis (aspartate aminotransferase [AST] 1,106.91 U/l and alanine aminotransferase [ALT] 1,407.04 U/l). Twenty-two cases were regarded as autochthonous, and one patient had travelled to China three months before. The mean time to resolution was 11.2 weeks. Some autoimmune markers were positive in 43.5% of the patients. Two subjects were diagnosed with previous chronic liver disease and were classified as "acute-on-chronic liver failure" (ACLF), one died and the other underwent liver transplantation. CONCLUSION: Acute HEV hepatitis in our setting is an autochthonous condition that is probably underdiagnosed, manifesting with jaundice and cytolysis. Autoimmune marker positivity is an epiphenomenon, which in some cases complicates the diagnosis.

[A comparison of medical versus surgical treatment in Barrett's esophagus acid control]. / Estudio comparativo del tratamiento médico frente al quirúrgico en el control ácido del esófago de Barrett.

INTRODUCTION: Barrett's oesophagus (BE) is an oesophageal injury caused by gastroesophageal acid reflux. One of the main aims of treatment in BE is to achieve adequate acid reflux control. OBJECTIVE: To assess acid reflux control in patients with BE based on the therapy employed: medical or surgical. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed in patients with an endoscopic and histological diagnosis of BE. Medical therapy with proton pump inhibitors (PPI) was compared with surgical treatment (Nissen fundoplication). Epidemiological data and the results of pH monitoring (pH time <4, prolonged reflux >5min, DeMeester score) were evaluated in each group. Treatment failure was defined as a pH lower than 4 for more than 5% of the recording time. RESULTS: A total of 128 patients with BE were included (75 PPI-treated and 53 surgically-treated patients). Patients included in the two comparison groups were homogeneous in terms of demographic characteristics. DeMeester scores, fraction of time pH<4 and the number of prolonged refluxes were significantly lower in patients with fundoplication versus those receiving PPIs (P<.001). Treatment failure occurred in 29% of patients and was significantly higher in those receiving medical therapy (40% vs 13%; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment results were significantly worse with medical treatment than with anti-reflux surgery and should be optimized to improve acid reflux control in BE. Additional evidence is needed to fully elucidate the utility of PPI in this disease.