National trends and inpatient outcomes of inflammatory bowel disease patients with concomitant chronic liver disease.

BACKGROUND: There is little information on the frequency of chronic liver disease among hospitalized patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this study, we seek to define the common etiologies contributing to chronic liver disease among IBD patients and to identify potential risk factors predictive of increased mortality in this population. METHODS: We analyzed the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 1988 to 2006 to determine the frequency of chronic liver disease among patients with IBD and to determine their in-hospital outcomes. RESULTS: From 1988 to 2006, the age-adjusted rate of chronic liver disease among hospitalized patients with IBD has increased from 4.35 per 100,000 persons in 1988-2001 to 7.45 per 100,000 persons in 2004-2006. The most common etiologies contributing to chronic liver disease among IBD patients were: primary sclerosing cholangitis, unspecified chronic hepatitis, chronic hepatitis C, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Compared to IBD patients without liver disease, there was more than a twofold higher rate of inpatient morality among IBD patients with concomitant liver disease (2.7% vs. 1.3%, p < 0.01). The multivariate analysis showed that factors predictive of inpatient mortality include age >50, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, presence of cirrhosis, malnutrition, Clostridium difficile colitis, and hospital-acquired pneumonia. CONCLUSION: There is a higher rate of inpatient mortality among patients with concomitant IBD and chronic liver disease compared to IBD alone. Early recognition and management of complications related to portal hypertension among patients with IBD and chronic liver disease is particularly important in order to reduce inpatient mortality and morbidity.

Unusual location of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST): A case report and literature review of greater omentum location.

INTRODUCTION: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) represent a unique subset of neoplasms within the digestive tract. They can manifest in various organs throughout the digestive tract, ranging from the oral cavity to the anus, with a predilection for the stomach and small intestine. A distinct subtype of GISTs, known as Extra-gastrointestinal stromal tumors (EGISTs), originate outside the typical GIST organs such as the mesentery, retroperitoneum, and occasionally the omentum. EGISTs are relatively rare, accounting for <5 % of all GIST cases. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present the case of a 30-year-old female patient who presented with an upper abdominal mass associated with anorexia, fever, and weakness. Radiographic imaging revealed a cystic mass beneath the left hypochondrium. Exploratory laparoscopy confirmed the presence of an isolated mass adherent to the gastrocolic ligament and greater omentum. Histopathological examination confirmed GIST, characterized by spindle-shaped cells with DOG1 and CD117/C-kit expression. The patient underwent successful tumor resection and was discharged home with postoperative imatinib therapy. Follow-up at 14 months showed no recurrence. DISCUSSION: The rarity of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs) in the Greater Omentum highlights diagnostic challenges and underscores the need for further research. Immunohistochemical analysis aids in diagnosis, with Ki-67 staining indicating a high-risk classification. Surgery remains the primary treatment, with potential adjuvant therapy utilizing Imatinib mesylate. CONCLUSION: Our case underscores the rare occurrence of GIST in the Greater Omentum. Despite their infrequency, EGISTs should be considered in intra-abdominal masses, emphasizing accurate diagnosis for appropriate management and the need for further research.

Incidental diagnosis of pseudomyxoma peritonei by laparoscopy: a rare case from Syria.

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a rare malignancy of the abdomen, which is usually described as a gelatinous peritoneal fluid. A 33-year-old man came to the ER complaining of recurring abdominal pain with abdominal distention for the past 3 months. Abdominal ultrasound revealed moderate amount of turbulent ascitic fluid with septations, in addition to a mass with irregular margins consisting of liquid and cysts. Abdomen and pelvis computed tomography scan showed free abdominal fluid. A decision was made for abdominal diagnostic laparoscopy with biopsies from the peritoneum, mesenteries and the gelatinous fluid. We could not investigate all the abdominal cavities and appendix due to the presence of severe adhesions and tuberculosis suspension. The pathology report indicated PMP. The patient was referred to an oncologist for chemotherapy consultation. The diagnosis can be challenging, as the symptoms and signs vary from patient to another; most cases may be asymptomatic and discovered incidentally during laparoscopy.

An inguinal hernia revealing an advanced stage gastric cancer in a young patient: A case report.

Introduction: Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most common cancer and the fourth leading cause of death. It is much more common in advanced age and it is rare among the youngest patients (under 45 years of age). Case presentation: we report an unusual presentation of advanced gastric adenocarcinoma in 39-year-old man, who presented to our hospital with inguinal hernia without obvious gastrointestinal symptoms. He had strong family history of cancer, heavy smoking habit and weight loss. The intra-operative procedure identified a cyanotic separate spermatocele which was confirmed by the urologist. During investigation we found multiple liver metastasis in abdominal CT and advanced gastric adenocarcinoma from gastric biopsy and metastasis in spermatic cord sample and peritoneum sample of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Conclusion: Although stomach adenocarcinoma is extremely rare in young patient but it should be kept in mind of physicians as a possible diagnosis if there are many risk factors.

Exposure to oral contraceptives increases the risk for development of inflammatory bowel disease: a meta-analysis of case-controlled and cohort studies.

BACKGROUND: The oral contraceptive pill (OCP) is a widely used method of contraception. There have been conflicting studies linking the use of OCPs to the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The intent of this meta-analysis is to better define the association between OCP exposure and the risk for development of IBD. METHODS: A thorough search of multiple databases, including Scopus, Cochrane, MEDLINE/PubMed, and CINAHL, and abstracts from major gastroenterology meetings was performed (October, 2016). Studies reporting the development of IBD in patients with or without previous exposure to OCP, compared with healthy controls, were included. A meta-analysis was completed using the Mantel-Haenszel model to evaluate the risk of developing IBD in the setting of previous OCP exposure. RESULTS: In a complete analysis of 20 studies, there appeared to be over a 30% increased risk for the development of IBD in patients exposed to OCP compared with patients not exposed to OCP [odds ratio (OR): 1.32, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.17-1.49, P<0.001, I=14%]. More specifically, there was a 24% higher risk for developing Crohn's disease (OR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.09-1.40, P<0.001; I=38%) and a 30% higher risk for developing ulcerative colitis (OR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.13-1.49, I=26%) in patients exposed to OCP compared with those not exposed to the medication. CONCLUSION: The use of OCP is associated with an increased risk for development of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in the genetically susceptible host. The total duration, dose of OCP exposure, and the risk for development of IBD need to be better characterized.

Antitumor necrosis factor α is more effective than conventional medical therapy for the prevention of postoperative recurrence of Crohn's disease: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: There have seen several studies evaluating the efficacy of anti-tumor necrosis factor α (anti-TNFα) compared with conventional therapy (i.e. immunomodulators, mesalamine, or placebo) at preventing postoperative Crohn's disease (CD) recurrence. The results of these studies have been variable and the magnitude by which anti-TNFα therapy alters the natural history of CD in the postoperative setting has not yet been fully defined. METHODS: A comprehensive search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases was performed (May 2014). All studies on adult patients with CD that compared anti-TNFα therapy versus conventional therapy or placebo to prevent CD recurrence were included. Meta-analysis was performed using the Mantel-Haenszel (fixed effects) model with odds ratio (OR) to assess for clinical remission. RESULTS: In the pooled analysis, there was a higher frequency of achieving clinical remission beyond 1 year from time of surgery among patients receiving anti-TNFα therapy compared with conventional therapy [OR 6.41; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.88-14.27]. There was also a significantly higher rate of achieving both endoscopic (OR 26.44; 95% CI 10.48-66.68) and histologic remission (OR 9.80; 95% CI 2.54-37.81) in the anti-TNFα therapy group compared with the conventional therapy group. CONCLUSION: Anti-TNFα therapy is more effective at preventing clinical, endoscopic, and histologic recurrence of CD beyond 1 year from time of surgery compared with conventional therapy.