A case of oesophageal ulcer developed after taking homeopathic pill in a young woman.

Oesophageal ulcers occur mainly as a result of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, pill-induced oesophageal ulcers are a fairly common event. The lesion is mainly due to entrapment of the pill and/or its chemical composition thereof. This case report describes an oesophageal mucosa ulcer occurred in a healthy 35-year old woman who had no previous history of oesophageal disorders and received homeopathic medication. The present case reveals that pill entrapment can occur even in the oesophagus of healthy young individuals and that oesophageal mucosal ulcer can be triggered by substances generally thought devoid of any potentially mucosal aggressive effect.

Is colonoscopy sufficient for colorectal cancer surveillance in all HNPCC patients?

A 34-year-old male with hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer with a mutation in hMSH2 line is reported. Despite regular colonoscopic follow-up, he developed cecal cancer involving the extraluminal area. Due to sub-occlusive symptoms, the patient was submitted to further colonoscopy, however with no clear evidence of neoplasia. Thin slice multiplanar reconstruction computed tomography CT scan performed thereafter revealed a transmural mass 2.5 cm in size localized near the cecal valve. Discussion is made on the reliability of colonoscopic examinations as well as the need for further investigations in the follow-up of patients at very high risk of right-sided colon cancer, such as male hMSH2 carrier affected by hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer.

Is proliferative colonic disease presentation changing?

AIM: To compare the site, age and gender of cases of colorectal cancer (CRC) and polyps in a single referral center in Rome, Italy, during two periods. METHODS: CRC data were collected from surgery/pathology registers, and polyp data from colonoscopy reports. Patients who met the criteria for familial adenomatous polyposis, hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease were excluded from the study. Overlap of patients between the two groups (cancers and polyps) was carefully avoided. The χ² statistical test and a regression analysis were performed. RESULTS: Data from a total of 768 patients (352 and 416 patients, respectively, in periods A and B) who underwent surgery for cancer were collected. During the same time periods, a total of 1693 polyps were analyzed from 978 patients with complete colonoscopies (428 polyps from 273 patients during period A and 1265 polyps from 705 patients during period B). A proximal shift in cancer occurred during the latter years for both sexes, but particularly in males. Proximal cancer increased > 3-fold in period B compared to period A in males [odds ratio (OR) 3.31, 95%CI: 2.00-5.47; P < 0.0001). A similar proximal shift was observed for polyps, particularly in males (OR 1.87, 95%CI: 1.23-2.87; P < 0.0038), but also in females (OR 1.62, 95%CI: 0.96-2.73; P < 0.07). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of proximal proliferative colonic lesions seems to have increased over the last decade, particularly in males.