Characterizing Unique Clinical and Virological Profiles in Concurrent Chronic Hepatitis B and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Liver Disease: Insights from a Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background: The concurrent presence of chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB) infection and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) presents a unique clinical scenario with implications that are not yet fully understood. This study aims to characterize the distinct clinical and virological features of CHB in the context of MASLD and evaluate its impact on disease progression and outcomes. Methods: Utilizing a comprehensive health maintenance organization database, this study included 1186 patients with CHB from 2000-2020. Patients were categorized into two groups: CHB-MASLD (n = 188) and CHB alone (n = 998). CHB diagnosis was confirmed by serological markers, while MASLD was diagnosed based on imaging and cardiometabolic risk factors. Comparative analysis and multiple regression models were applied to assess variables related to viral parameters and clinical outcomes. Results: The CHB-MASLD group was older (mean age of 45.2 vs. 39.1, p < 0.001) with higher rates of obesity (46.8% vs. 23.8%, p < 0.001), diabetes (36.2% vs. 17.3%, p < 0.001), and dyslipidemia. Distinct viral profiles included higher HBeAg negativity (96.2%), a higher rate of HBeAg-negative infection (70.4% vs. 63.8%; p < 0.001), and increased HBeAg seroconversion under treatment. Cirrhosis was more prevalent in the CHB-MASLD group (9.6% vs. 4.4%, p = 0.007), while HCC rates were comparable. Multivariate analysis identified age, male gender, chronic active hepatitis, and diabetes as predictors of cirrhosis. Conclusions: CHB-MASLD patients were distinguished by a higher prevalence of metabolic features, along with a distinct viral profile marked by increased chronic HBeAg infection, higher rates of HBeAg seroconversion, and a potential association with worse disease outcomes.

The Yield of Colonoscopy in the Evaluation of Constipation: An Age-Based Analysis of Outcome.

Background: Chronic constipation, a prevalent gastrointestinal complaint, exhibits rising incidence and diverse clinical implications, especially among the aging population. This study aims to assess colonoscopy performance in chronic constipation across age groups, comprehensively evaluating diagnostic yield and comparing results with average-risk controls. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 50,578 colonoscopy procedures performed over 12 years, including 5478 constipated patients. An average-risk control group (n = 4100) was included. Data extracted from electronic medical records covered demographics, operational aspects, and colonoscopy findings. The primary outcome measures included the diagnosis rate of colorectal cancer (CRC), polyp detection rate (PDR), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) diagnoses in constipated patients versus controls, with age-based and multivariate analyses. Results: Constipated patients exhibiting lower rates of adequate bowel preparation (92.7% vs. 85.3%; p < 0.001) and a lower cecal intubation rate. No significant variances between CRC and PDR were observed between constipated and controls, except for a potential of a slightly elevated CRC risk in constipated patients older than 80 (2.50% vs. 0% in controls; p = 0.07). Multivariate analysis demonstrated, across all age groups, that constipation did not confer an increased risk for CRC or polyp detection. Younger constipated patients exhibited a higher rate of IBD diagnoses (1.7% vs. 0.1% in controls; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Constipation did not confer an increased risk for CRC or polyps, among any age groups, except for a potential signal of elevated CRC risk in patients older than 80; additionally, it was associated with higher rates of IBD in younger patients.

Comprehensive Assessment of Esophageal Disorders Associated with Hiatus Hernia: Insights from Big Data Analysis.

Hiatus hernia (HH) is a prevalent endoscopic finding in clinical practice, frequently co-occurring with esophageal disorders, yet the prevalence and degree of association remain uncertain. We aim to investigate HH's frequency and its suspected association with esophageal disorders. We reviewed endoscopic reports of over 75,000 consecutive patients who underwent gastroscopy over 12 years in two referral centers. HH was endoscopically diagnosed. We derived data on clinical presentation and a comprehensive assessment of benign and malignant esophageal pathologies. We performed multiple regression models to identify esophageal sequela associated with HH. The overall frequency of HH was (16.8%); the majority (89.5%) had small HHs (<3 cm). Female predominance was documented in HH patients, who were significantly older than controls (61.1±16.5 vs. 52.7±20.0; P < 0.001). The outcome analysis of esophageal pathology revealed an independent association between HH, regardless of its size, and erosive reflux esophagitis (25.7% vs. 6.2%; OR = 3.8; P < 0.001) and Barrett's esophagus (3.8% vs. 0.7%; OR = 4.7, P < 0.001). Furthermore, following rigorous age and sex matching, in conjunction with additional multivariable analyses, large HHs were associated with higher rates of benign esophageal strictures (3.6% vs. 0.3%; P < 0.001), Mallory Weiss syndrome (3.6% vs. 2.1%; P = 0.01), and incidents of food impactions (0.9% vs. 0.2%; P = 0.014). In contrast, a lower rate of achalasia was noted among this cohort (0.55% vs. 0%; P = 0.046). Besides reflux-related esophageal disorders, we outlined an association with multiple benign esophageal disorders, particularly in patients with large HHs.

Misdiagnosis of Acute Appendicitis in the Emergency Department: Prevalence, Associated Factors, and Outcomes According to the Patients' Disposition.

Background: Although abdominal pain is one of the most common complaints of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED), and acute appendicitis is a leading surgical differential diagnosis of patients presenting with abdominal pain, the diagnosis of acute appendicitis remains challenging. We examined the missed diagnosis rate of acute appendicitis in one ED and evaluated the association between disposition (discharge home or hospitalization in the wrong department) and complicated appendicitis. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of patients with acute appendicitis and periappendicular abscess from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2016. Results: The diagnosis of acute appendicitis was missed in 7.1% of patients (90/1,268) at their first ED encounter: 44 were discharged, and 47 were hospitalized with a wrong diagnosis (1 female patient was both discharged and then hospitalized with an incorrect diagnosis). Compared to the patients who were correctly diagnosed, patients with a missed diagnosis were older (median age 29 years vs 23 years, P=0.022), their time between ED first encounter and surgery was longer (median 29.5 hours vs 9.3 hours, P<0.001), and their rate of complicated appendicitis was higher (54.4% vs 27.5%, P<0.001). Missed females were more commonly hospitalized (26/39), while missed males were more commonly discharged from the ED (31/52) (P=0.019). No differences in the time between the first ED encounter and surgery (29.6 hours vs 29.6 hours, P=0.29) and the rate of complicated appendicitis (63.8% vs 43.2%, P=0.06) were noted between hospitalized patients with a wrong diagnosis and those discharged from the ED. Of the 25 patients with periappendicular abscesses, only 3 could be related to missed diagnoses during their first encounter in the ED. Conclusion: We found that 7.1% of patients were missed during their first encounter in the ED. Hospitalization in departments other than general surgery was not protective against delay in surgery or the development of complicated appendicitis. Periappendicular abscess was attributable to late referral rather than a missed diagnosis in most patients.

Screening and Colonoscopy Quality Measures: Ethnic Disparities and Impact on Patients' Outcome.

Background: Recent reports have confirmed the improving trends in colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and outcomes. Still, disparities in incidence and mortality in CRC continue to persist between major ethnic groups despite the provision of widespread screening and improved care. We aimed to outline, from an endoscopic point of view, ethnic disparities in major endoscopic measures concerned with CRC screening and detection and track their impact on patients' outcomes. Methods: We reviewed electronic reports of patients referred for colonoscopy procedures over 20 years. We compared demographic, clinical, and endoscopic findings between major ethnic population groups in Israel. In addition, trends of screening utilization, bowel preparation, and polyp detection rates were tracked, and the incidence of CRC diagnosis was followed. Results: A total of 51307 patients had undergone colonoscopies, of whom 16% were Arabs, and 84% were Jewish. The procedures performed for CRC screening throughout the study period were significantly lower in Arabs (5% vs. 13.1%; P < 0.0001). In parallel, for most of the follow-up period, the Arab patients had higher rates of inadequate bowel preparation (overall: 19.9% vs. 12%; P < 0.001) and a lower polyp detection rate (16.7% vs. 22.5%; P < 0.0001). Expectedly, the incidence of CRC has steadily decreased in the Jewish group, while an adverse pattern of increasing incidence was documented in the Arab patient during the follow-up period. Conclusion: Characterized by lower screening utilization and poor bowel preparation, the incidence of CRC development in Arab patients is increasing, while improving trends of CRC were observed in their Jewish counterparts.

Colonoscopy in the young: An indication-based analysis of outcome.

BACKGROUND: Data on colonoscopy's diagnostic yield in young adults with lower gastrointestinal symptoms are scarce. We evaluated this yield in young patients by performing an indication-based analysis of outcomes. METHODS: We reviewed diagnostic colonoscopies performed in young adults (age <50 years) over 10 years. We created two groups of young adults (18-39 years, n = 4941) and quadragenarians (40-49 years; n = 6605), included a control group of average-risk patients referred for screening colonoscopies during the same period (50-60 years, n = 1453). We evaluated clinical indications for colonoscopies among the young and performed an indication-based analysis of patients' outcomes. RESULTS: Chronic diarrhea and abdominal pain (42.4 and 36.2%), rectal bleeding (19.8 and 18.4%), and constipation were major indications for colonoscopy performance in quadragenarian and younger patients, respectively. Overall, diverticulosis (8.7 vs 1.3 and 3.9%; p1,2 < 0.000) and polyp detection rates (PDR) (19.6 vs 6.1 and 12.1; p1,2 < 0.000) were significantly higher in the control group, while inflammatory bowel disease (10.9 and 3.6% vs 0.1%; p1,2 < 0.000) was more prevalent in both young patients' groups. Indication-based analysis revealed that rectal bleeding was linked with increased PDR and significantly and independently associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) development (odds ratio = 10.160. p < 0.001 and 95% confidence interval = 6.201-16.647), even in the younger patients. In contrast, performing a colonoscopy for the evaluation of constipation was associated with the lowest yield. CONCLUSION: We outlined the expected diagnostic yields of colonoscopy performed in young patients for multiple indications, showing that rectal bleeding was consistently associated with CRC and polyp detection.

Facilitated ureteroscopy using DJ stent implantation in ureterolithiasis: A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of preoperative double J (DJ) stent insertion on outcomes of retrograde semi-rigid ureteroscopy (URS) in patients with upper small and medium sized ureteral stones. METHODS: Between April 2018 and September 2019, we retrospectively reviewed the medical register of Hillel Yaffe tertiary reference Centre (HYMC) for patients who had undergone retrograde semi-rigid URS for urolithiasis. Patients were separated into two groups depending on whether they accepted the DJ stent placement before URS (Group A) or not (Group B). Operating time, stone clearance rate, number of 'rescue' DJ stents, duration of 'rescue' stents, complication rate and requirement for repeat URS were compared between groups. RESULTS: 318 procedures undertaken in 290 patients were included (Group A, 83 procedures in 80 patiants; Group B, 235 procedures in 210 patients). By comparison with the non-stented group, patients in the preoperative DJ stented group had a higher stone clearance rate, lower complication rate, less need for postoperative 'rescue' DJ stent, lower duration of 'rescue' stent and lower re-operative URS requirement, including application of a flexible URS. CONCLUSION: Facilitated semi-rigid URS with upstream DJ stenting for small and medium size ureteral stones has favourable periprocedural outcomes compared with primary URS.

Human Neutrophil α-Defensins 1-3 Are Upregulated in the Microenvironment of Fibrotic Liver.

Background and Objectives: Neutrophil infiltration is an established signature of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Steatohepatitis (NASH). The most abundant neutrophilic peptide, alpha-defensin, is considered a new evolving risk factor in the inflammatory milieu, intimately involved in lipid mobilization. Our objective is to assess for potential association between alpha-defensin immunostains and NAFLD severity. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively investigated the liver biopsies of NAFLD/NASH patients, obtained at Hillel Yaffe Medical center between the years 2012 and 2016. Patients' characteristics were recorded, including relevant blood tests at the time of biopsy. Each biopsy was semi-quantitatively scored using NAFLD Activity Score (NAS) and NASH fibrosis stage. The biopsies were immunostained for alpha-defensin. The precipitation of alpha-defensin was correlated to NAS and fibrosis. Results: A total of 80 biopsies were evaluated: male ratio 53.2%, mean age 44.9 ± 13.2 years, 54 had fibrosis grades 0-2, and 26 were grade 3-4. Conventional metabolic risk factors were more frequent in the high-grade fibrosis group. Immunostaining for alpha-defensin disclosed higher intensity (a.u.) in grade 3-4 fibrosis relative to grades 0-2, 25% vs. 6.5%, p < 0.05, respectively. Moreover, alpha-defensin staining was nicely co-localized with fibrosis. Conclusions: In our group of NASH/NAFLD patients, higher metabolic risk profile was associated with higher fibrosis grade. Immunostaining for alpha-defensin showed patchy intense staining concordant with high fibrosis, nicely co-localized with histological fibrosis. Whether alpha-defensin is a profibrotic risk factor or merely risk marker for fibrosis must be clarified in future studies.

Clinical and endoscopic predictors of gastric precancerous conditions: a large population case control study.

BACKGROUND: Atrophic gastritis (AG) and gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) are well defined intermediate precancerous conditions (PCCs) in the gastric cancer cascade. The diagnosis of PCCs may be suspected based on endoscopic findings but is established by histology. Estimates of the global prevalence of PCCs vary widely but simple clinical or endoscopic predictors of their diagnosis are ill defined. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of gastric PCCs in our practice and to identify predictors for its diagnosis. METHODS: We analyzed electronic reports of patients referred for gastroscopy procedures over a 5-year period and included those for whom gastric biopsies were performed. We investigated demographic, clinical, and endoscopic findings to identify possible association with histologic detection of gastric PCCs and performed multivariate analysis to identify predictors of its diagnosis. RESULTS: A total of 4930 patients with full endoscopic and histologic data were included for the final analysis. Of these, 806 (16.3%) patients had a histologic diagnosis of gastric PCCs. Demographic and clinical variables including male sex (51.4% vs. 45.7%; P=0.003), age over 60 (69.8% vs. 45.2%; P<0.001), and anemia indication for gastroscopy (17.6% vs. 14.8%; P=0.04) were significantly associated with gastric PCCs diagnosis. Likewise, endoscopic findings of Barret's esophagus (2.6% vs. 1.3%; P=0.006), atrophic gastritis according to endoscopist's judgment (12.9% vs. 3.5%; P<0.01) and corpus predominant gastritis (22.5% vs. 14.7%; P=0.02) were significantly associated with gastric PCCs. In multivariate analysis, age>60 (please explain all acronyms HR 2.51, 95% CI 2.12-2.96), male sex (HR 1.235, 95% CI 1.05-1.44), corpus predominant (HR 1.284, 95% CI 1.04-1.57), and atrophic gastritis (HR 4, 95% CI 3.07-5.21) were independent predictors for PCCs diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Not uncommonly encountered in our practice, a judicious performance of gastric biopsies to detect gastric PCCs should be adopted especially in older, male patients with endoscopic findings of corpus predominant and/or gastric atrophy.

Pulmonary embolism risk in hospitalized patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A case-control study.

Abundant research has associated nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with atherosclerosis, but very few reports have evaluated the association between NAFLD and venous thromboembolism. We aimed to investigate the association between NAFLD and pulmonary embolism (PE) in hospitalized patients. In this retrospective case-control study, we included consecutive patients from 2 university-affiliated hospitals who were referred for CT pulmonary angiograms for a suspected PE. Patients with a history of excessive alcohol consumption, chronic liver diseases or cirrhosis were excluded. The imaging studies of the entire cohort were reviewed by 2 expert radiologists who confirmed the diagnosis of PE and examined the liver to detect and grade hepatic steatosis. Accordingly, patients were categorized into NAFLD patients and non-NAFLD controls. Patient demographics, medical history, hospitalization details as well as patients' outcomes were documented. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify predictors for developing PE and hazard ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals were estimated. A total of 377 patients (101 with NAFLD and 276 controls) were included. NAFLD patients had significantly higher BMI values (33.16 ±â€…6.78 vs 26.81 ±â€…5.6; P < .001) and prevalence of diabetes (41 (40%) vs 85 (30.8%); P = .03). The prevalence of PE was significantly higher in the NAFLD group (80 (79.2%) vs 147 (53.3%), P < .001). In a multivariate analysis, older age, recent surgery or trauma, active malignancy, smoking, and NAFLD (HR ratio = 4.339, P < .0001 and 95% CI = 2.196-8.572) were independently associated with PE development. Patients with NAFLD were associated with an increased risk of developing PE independent of other classical risk factors for PE.

In-hospital delay of surgery increases the rate of complicated appendicitis in patients presenting with short duration of symptoms: a retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: Current practice allows for surgery for acute appendicitis to be delayed up to 24 h in the belief that there will be no increase in complicated appendicitis rates. We evaluated the combined effect of Patient Time (between symptom onset and hospital admission) and Hospital Time (between hospital admission and surgery) on the surgical outcome. We hypothesized that in patients with a short Patient Time, increased Hospital Times will be associated with a higher rate of complicated appendicitis, even in patients operated within 24 h. METHODS: Retrospective evaluation of medical files of patients operated for acute appendicitis between 12/2006 and 12/2016. RESULTS: Of 2749 patients with acute appendicitis included in this analysis, 818 (29.8%) were admitted with symptom onset the same day as admission, 577 (21.0%) reported symptom onset had started the previous day but less than 24 h before admission, and 1354 (49.3%) had over 24 h of symptoms. In patients with symptom onset the same day, a gradual increase in the rate of complicated appendicitis was noted with increasing Hospital Times (≤ 6 h-6.3%; 6-12 h-9.9%; 12-18 h-14.7%; and 18-24 h-12.7%; p = 0.017). In all other patients no differences in the rate of complicated appendicitis were noted as long as the patients were operated within 24 h of admission. CONCLUSION: In patients with a short Patient Time, delaying operation is associated with an increased rate of complicated appendicitis and this group of patients should be prioritized for early surgery. CLINICAL TRIALS: Study registered as ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04689906 ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04689906?term=ashkenazi+itamar&draw=2&rank=2 ).

Predictors of Clinical Course and Outcomes of Acute Diverticulitis: The Role of Age and Ethnicity.

Background and Objectives: Acute diverticulitis (AD) is the leading and most burdensome complication of colonic diverticulosis. However, risk factors for its development and predictors of its course are still poorly defined. In this regard, the association of a young age with a complicated course and worse outcome are still controversial. Moreover, little research has addressed the effect of ethnicity on the course of AD. The current study aimed to evaluate the impact of these variables on AD's course and outcome in the diverse and unique ethnic landscape of Israel. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective review of the charts of patients with a radiologically confirmed diagnosis of AD. Patients' outcomes and disease course, including hospitalization duration, complications, and recurrent episodes, were documented and compared among different age and ethnic groups. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify predictors of complicated AD. Results: Overall, 637 patients with AD were included, the majority (95%) had distal colon AD, and almost one quarter of them were aged less than 50 years. The majority of patients in the young age (<50) group were males (69.7%). Nonetheless, the rate of recurrent episodes (35.3% vs. 37.3%, p = 0.19), hospitalization duration (5 ± 4.7 vs. 6 ± 3.2, p = 0.09) and complications rate (17.3% vs. 13.7%; p = 0.16) were similar for both age groups. In the ethnicity group analysis, Arab minority patients had a first episode of AD at a significantly younger age compared to their Jewish counterparts (51.8 vs. 59.4 years, p < 0.001). However, factors such as a complicated course (16% vs. 15%; p = 0.08) and relapsing episode rates (33% vs. 38%; p = 0.36) did not differ significantly between groups. None of the variables, including young age and ethnic group, were predictors of complicated AD course in the multivariate analysis. Conclusion: AD is increasingly encountered in young patients, especially in ethnic minority groups, but neither ethnicity nor young age was associated with worse outcomes.

Benign Hepatic Tumors: From Incidental Imaging Finding to Clinical Management.

Benign hepatic tumors (BHTs) are commonly detected as incidental finding mainly due to the frequent utilization of imaging modalities, including ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Rigorous clinical evaluation, with a particular focus on chronic liver disease (CLD) or risk factors for CLD, medication history, physical examination for signs of CLD, blood tests, and a review of past liver radiology constitute the initial steps in the evaluation of a new liver lesion. Further, contrast-enhanced imaging using US, CT and MRI, can be used depending on the clinical scenario and their availability. The contrast-enhanced MRI provides detailed tissue assessment while avoiding exposure to radiations, although it is scarcely available and expensive. While the liver tissue-specific protocols ensure precise diagnosis, a biopsy is recommended in selected or doubtful cases. Further, most BHTs, such as hemangiomas, are harmless and do not require special management or followup, the hepatic adenomas and large or atypical cases of focal nodular hyperplasia are clinically relevant and require management/follow-up. In such cases, it is favorable to have a multidisciplinary team approach, which includes hepatologist, radiologist, hepatobiliary surgeon, and pathologist. This review aims to elaborate the current understanding of BHTs, and provide a practical guidance for primary care and practitioners of family and internal medicine for the disease evaluation and management.

Early ultrasound in acute appendicitis avoids CT in most patients but delays surgery and increases complicated appendicitis if nondiagnostic - A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: We determined whether increasing early imaging (in the emergency department) was associated with earlier surgery and a decrease in complicated appendicitis. METHODS: Retrospective study; 3013 operations between 12/2006-12/2016. RESULTS: Early imaging increased from 13.1% to 74.1%, mostly due to increasing use of ultrasound. Negative appendectomies decreased from 10.7% to 5.1% (p < 0.001). Ultrasound was diagnostic in 80.5%. The false positive rate of ultrasound was 4%. Median time to surgery following positive ultrasound was 7.4 h (IQR 5.8-9.4), shorter compared to no early imaging (13.3 h, IQR 7.2-20.0; p < 0.001). However, median time to surgery following inconclusive and negative ultrasound was 11.5 h (IQR 8.7-16.1) and 17.0 h (IQR 10.3-26.7) respectively. The incidence of complicated appendicitis was 40% and 37.7%, higher than 21.5% in patients with positive US (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Early imaging resulted in earlier surgery but did not reduce the incidence of complicated appendicitis. Ultrasound averted the need for CT in the majority of patients. When ultrasound was negative or inconclusive, time to surgery was delayed and the rate of complicated appendicitis higher.

Colorectal Cancer and Polyps in Diverticulosis Patients: A 10-Year Retrospective Study in 13680 Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Shared by certain epidemiological and etiological characteristics, diverticulosis and colorectal cancer (CRC) as well as colonic polyps has long been linked. This association was studied in several heterogeneous studies but has reported inconsistent results. Clarifying the association is clinically relevant for endoscopist awareness and potential modification of screening and surveillance intervals for diverticulosis patients. METHODS: In this retrospective single-center study, patients diagnosed with diverticulosis on colonoscopy over a 10-year period were included. Each diverticulosis patient was matched with 1 control by age, gender, setting (inpatient/outpatient), and procedure's indication. CRC and polyp detection rates were recorded and compared between the groups before and after adjustment for bowel preparation quality and exam completion. CRC location was recorded and compared between groups. RESULTS: A cohort of 13680 patients (6840 patients with diverticulosis and 6840 matched controls) was included. Diverticulosis was located mainly to the sigmoid and left colon (94.4%). The CRC diagnosis rate was lower in the diverticulosis group (2% vs. 4.5%, odds ratio = 0.472, P < 0.001, and 95%CI = 0.382-0.584). Moreover, location of CRC was unrelated to diverticulosis location, as more CRCs in the diverticulosis group were located proximal to the splenic flexure as compared to the control group (42.5% vs 29.5%, respectively; P = 0.007). Diverticulosis, however, was associated with an increased polyp detection rate compared to controls (30.5% vs. 25.5%; odds ratio = 1.2, P < 0.001, and 95%CI = 1.11-1.299). CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that diverticulosis was not associated with an increased risk for CRC. A possible increased polyp detection rate, however, warrants further evaluation in large prospective studies.

The impact of abdominal fat on abdominal aorta calcification measured on non-enhanced CT.

Cardiovascular (CV) morbidity, atherosclerosis, and obesity are all targets of clinical concern and vast research, as is the association between them. Aim of this study is to assess the impact of adipose tissue (including visceral and subcutaneous fat) on abdominal aorta calcification measured on non-enhanced computed tomography (CT). We retrospectively included 492 patients who underwent non-enhanced CT scans during workup for clinically suspected renal colic. All scans were reviewed for abdominal aorta calcification, liver attenuation, and thickness of visceral and subcutaneous fat. Multivariate general linear regression models were used to assess the association between abdominal aorta calcium score and adiposity measures. In the model that included only adiposity measures; visceral fat thickness had statistically significant direct association with abdominal aorta calcium score (B = 67.1, P <.001), whereas subcutaneous pelvic fat thickness had a significant inverse association with abdominal aorta calcium score (B = -22.34, P <.001). Only the association of subcutaneous pelvic fat thickness with abdominal aorta calcium score remained statistically significant when controlling for age, sex, smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia (B = -21.23, P <.001). In this model, the association of visceral fat remained statistically significant in females (B = 84.28, P = .001) but not in males (B = 0.47, P = .973). Visceral fat thickness and subcutaneous pelvic fat thickness were found to have opposing associations with abdominal aorta calcium score. This suggests that while visceral fat may have a lipotoxic effect on aortic atherosclerotic processes, subcutaneous pelvic fat may have a protective role in these processes.

Four-dimensional Computed Tomography (4DCT) for Preoperative Localization of Parathyroid Adenomas.

BACKGROUND: Four-dimensional parathyroid computed tomography (4DCT) is a relatively new parathyroid imaging technique that provides functional and highly detailed anatomic information about parathyroid tumors. OBJECTIVES: To assess the accuracy of 4DCT for the preoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas (PTAs) in patients with biochemically confirmed primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and a history of failed surgery or unsuccessful localization using 99mTc-sestamibi scanning and ultrasonography. METHODS: Between January 2013 and January 2015, 55 patients with PHPT underwent 4DCT at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center, Hadera, Israel. An initial unenhanced scan was followed by an IV contrast injection of nonionic contrast material (120 ml of at 4 ml/s). Scanning was repeated 25, 60, and 90 seconds after the initiation of IV contrast administration. An experienced radiologist blinded to the earlier imaging results reviewed the 4DCT for the presence and location (quadrant) of the suspected PTAs. At the time of the study, 28 patients had undergone surgical exploration following 4DCT and we compared their scans with the surgical findings. RESULTS: 4DCT accurately localized 96% (27/28) of abnormal glands, all of which were hypervascular and showed characteristic rapid enhancement on 4DCT that could be distinguished from Level II lymph nodes. Surgery found hypovascular cystic PTA in one patient who produced a negative 4DCT scan. All patients had solitary PTAs. The scan at 90 seconds provided no additional information and was abandoned during the study. CONCLUSIONS: 4DCT accurately localized hypervascular parathyroid lesions and distinguished them from other tissues. A three-phase scanning protocol may suffice.

Association between nephrolithiasis and fatty liver detected on non-enhanced CT for clinically suspected renal colic.

PURPOSE: To estimate a direct association between nephrolithiasis and hepatosteatosis in patients referred to CT due to clinical suspicion of renal colic. METHODS: A 508 non-contrast CT scans were examined for calculi in the kidneys or urinary tract, including measurements of liver attenuation, spleen attenuation, thickness of visceral and subcutaneous fat. Logistic regression examined the association of nephrolithiasis and hepatosteatosis findings. RESULTS: Nephrolithiasis was found in 421 (83.9%) and hepatosteatosis in 80 (15.7%) cases. Univariate analysis showed a statistically significant association between nephrolithiasis and hepatosteatosis OR=3.24 (95% CI 1.36-7.68), p=0.008. CONCLUSIONS: A significant association was determined between nephrolithiasis and hepatosteatosis.

Impact of Increased Visceral Fat Measured by CT on Colon Adenocarcinoma Stage.

PURPOSE: Obesity is considered a risk factor for colon cancer. Worse outcome observed in colon cancer patients with obesity may have several mechanisms. However, the influence of obesity on colon cancer stage is yet to be clarified. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between obesity and stage on presentation. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of patients' files in one university affiliated medical center. Included in this study were non-metastatic patients who underwent colectomy for adenocarcinoma of the colon in whom both the preoperative abdominal computed tomography and the postoperative pathology report were available for evaluation. Abdominal computed tomography measurement of retroperitoneal fat thickness was used as an indicator of obesity. Data was analyzed according to quartiles of fat thickness. RESULTS: Of 83 patients, 38 were males and 45 were females. Median age was 71 years (range 43-90 years). Increased retroperitoneal fat thickness was not associated with advanced T and N stages on presentation. Rather, patients in the first quartile presented with the worst T and N stages. The proportion of patients with T3 and T4 tumors was 95, 76.2, 66.7, and 66.7% in quartiles 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively (p = 0.0327), while the proportion of patients with positive lymph node metastasis was 60, 23.8, 23.8, and 42.9% in quartiles 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively (p = 0.0319). CONCLUSIONS: The data presented here does not support the association of obesity with worse stage at presentation of colon cancer, and other possible mechanisms for worse outcome should be sought.