Pattern of liver function test variations in COVID-19 infection & its clinical significance: A study from a dedicated COVID-19 tertiary care centre from India.

Background & objectives: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affects respiratory, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and other systems disease. Studies describing liver involvement and liver function test (LFT) abnormalities are sparse from our population. This study was undertaken to estimate the LFT abnormalities in patients with COVID-19 in a tertiary care set up in India. Methods: In this retrospective study conducted at a tertiary care centre in Mumbai, India, all consecutive patients with proven COVID-19 by reverse transcriptase-PCR from March 23 to October 31, 2020 were enrolled. Of the 3280 case records profiled, 1474 cases were included in the study. Clinical characteristics, biochemical parameters and outcomes were recorded. Results: Overall 681 (46%) patient had deranged LFTs. Hepatocellular type of injury was most common (93%). Patients with deranged LFTs had more probability of developing severe disease (P<0.001) and mortality (P<0.001). Advanced age (P<0.001), male gender (P<0.001), diabetes mellitus (P<0.001), lower oxygen saturation levels at admission (P<0.001), higher neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (P<0.001), history of diabetes mellitus and cirrhosiss were associated with deranged LFTs. Acute liver injury was seen in 65 (4.3%) cases on admission and 57 (3.5%) cases during hospital stay. On multivariate analysis for predicting mortality, age >60 yr serum creatinine >2 mg%, PaO2/FiO2 ratio ≤200 and raised AST >50 IU/l (OR: 2.34, CI: 1.59-3.48, P<0.001) were found to be significant. Interpretation & conclusions: In COVID-19, LFT abnormalities were common, and derangement increased as severity progressed. The presence of deranged LFT worsens the clinical outcome and predicts in-hospital mortality.

Thiopurine-induced Myelosuppression with Severe Sepsis in a Patient with Crohn's Disease: A Case Report.

Thiopurines by their glucocorticoid-sparing property help in maintaining remission for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), when glucocorticoids are reduced and withdrawn. However, due to bone marrow suppression, it cannot be used in various conditions where it is indicated. A 17-year-old patient presented with pancytopenia with neutropenic sepsis and alopecia after 3 weeks of starting azathioprine for her underlying Crohn's disease. Thiopurine S-methyltransferase (TPMT;*2, *3A, *3C) analysis resulted in a wild-type genotype, whereas homozygous Nudix hydrolase 15 (NUDT 15 C415T) variant was positive. Azathioprine was stopped immediately, and she was started on broad-spectrum antibiotics that led to some clinical improvements initially, but later on, the patient developed intestinal obstruction along with postoperative complications leading to death. In this report, we highlight a case of serious hematological toxicity associated with azathioprine use in a patient with Crohn's disease with homozygous NUDT 15 variant, thus favoring the implementation of a pharmacogenomic approach before starting azathioprine, particularly in the Asian population. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Debnath P, Nair S, Jain S, Udgirkar S, Contractor Q, Rathi P. Thiopurine-induced Myelosuppression with Severe Sepsis in a Patient with Crohn's Disease: A Case Report. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(2):228-230. PRIOR PRESENTATION OF CASE REPORT AT PROFESSIONAL MEETING: The case was presented in abstract form at the American College of Gastroenterology Annual Scientific Meeting, held at San Antonio, TX, USA 2019. INFORMED CONSENT FOR PUBLICATION OF CASE DETAILS: Obtained from patient's relatives.

Diarrhoea, Hyperpigmentation and Hamartomatous Polyposis Syndrome.

Cronkhite-Canada syndrome (CCS)is a rare non-hereditary hamartomatous polyposis syndrome of unknown aetiology. It is characterized by diffuse gastrointestinal polyps, dystrophic nail changes, alopecia, cutaneous hyperpigmentation, chronic diarrhoea, anorexia and hypogeusia. It is associated with a high incidence of gastrointestinal malignancies, mortality and morbidity. Early clinical suspicion and treatment is important. We report an elderly male with CCS who showed clinical and endoscopic improvement with long term corticosteroid therapy.

Factors Differentiating Acute Hepatitis B from Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Hepatitis B in Prospective-retrospective Cohort.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: It is difficult to distinguish acute hepatitis B (AVH-B) from chronic hepatitis B with an acute exacerbation (CHB-AE) in patients whose prior history of HBV infection is unknown. The present study aimed to screen laboratory parameters at presentation to discriminate between these two conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted in patients presenting clinically as AVH-B without known previous chronic hepatitis B status. Patients were divided into AVH-B and CHB-AE at end of six months follow up. Clinical and laboratory profiles were compared between these two groups at presentation. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in clinical presentation and risk factors profile in patients of both the groups. Mean age of presentation in AVH-B was 31.8 ± 14.9 years while, 47.2 ±17.3 years in CHB-AE group (p=0.005). Mean IgM anti-HBc levels were higher in AVH-B than in the CHB-AE group (p=0.001). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of IgM anti-HBc [>12.14 S/CO (Sample/Cut-off )] for diagnosis of AVH-B was 76.9%, 71.4%, 76.9% and 71.4 % respectively. Quantitative HBV DNA levels were significantly higher in CHB-AE group than in AVH-B group (p=0.015). Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of HBV DNA ( > 15390 IU/ml) for diagnosis of CHB-AE was 78.6%, 46.2%, 44% and 80% respectively. CONCLUSION: A high percentage of patients with apparent AVH-B might be cases of CHB-AE. Elderly patient (mean 47.2 years), high titers of HBV DNA (>15390 IU/ mL) and low IgM anti-HBc titer (<12.14 S/CO) favours CHB-AE over AVH-B.

Massive Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding Due to Fulminant Necrotizing Amebic Colitis: A Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenge.

Acute fulminant necrotizing amebic colitis rarely presents with massive lifethreatening lower gastrointestinal bleeding without diarrhea. Diagnosis is difficult as colonoscopy is suboptimal due to active bleeding, stool testing is often negative and a positive serology cannot confirm the diagnosis. We herein report a case of a 39-year-old male who presented with profuse bleeding per rectum, without associated significant antecedent history of fever or diarrhea. Colonoscopy was inconclusive as active bleeding obscured the vision. Computed tomography of abdomen revealed non-specific thickening of the caecum. Emergency laparotomy with right hemicolectomy and temporary ileostomy was performed. Microscopic examination of colonic mucosa revealed Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites with erythrophagocytosis suggestive of fulminant amebic colitis. Intravenous metronidazole was given subsequently and patient recovered completely. Ileocolonic anastomosis was done after closing the ileostomy three months later. This case highlights this exceedingly rare presentation of fulminant amebic colitis which poses a diagnostic challenge and can be life threatening without early surgical intervention.

Natural History and Treatment Outcomes of Severe Autoimmune Hepatitis.

GOALS: The aim of this study was to analyze the natural history and treatment outcomes of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) variants presenting with severe-AIH. BACKGROUND: Severe acute presentation is an uncommon manifestation of AIH, and it remains poorly characterized. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 101 patients with AIH from January 2011 to December 2015. Patients were classified as seropositive-AIH and seronegative-AIH. Patients with acute liver failure, acute-on-chronic liver failure, and severe acute hepatitis were defined as severe-AIH patients. Patient characteristics and treatment outcomes with follow-up until 12 months were analyzed between the different groups. RESULTS: Out of 101 cases, 24 (23.76%) had severe AIH. Of them 9 (37.5%) had severe acute hepatitis, 3 (12.5%) had acute liver failure, and 12 (50%) had acute-on-chronic liver failure. Seronegative-AIH patients presented with severe-AIH significantly more frequently compared with seropositive-AIH patients (50% vs. 20.27%, P=0.022). Severe-AIH had 50% complete responders, 25% partial responders, and 25% treatment failures. Jaundice (88.88% vs. 68.7%, P=0.048), encephalopathy (55.55% vs. 6.66%, P=0.014), and higher international normalized ratio values (2.17±0.60 vs. 1.82±0.14, P=0.038) were factors associated with nonresponse rather than the presence or absence of autoantibodies in severe-AIH. The hazard ratio for predicting remission in the non-severe AIH group as compared with the severe-AIH group was 1.502, which was statistically not significant (95% CI, 0.799-2.827; P=0.205). CONCLUSION: Approximately 24% of patients with AIH have severe-AIH. Conventional autoantibodies are often absent in severe-AIH; however, it does not alter the outcome. Immunosuppressants should be given expediently in patients with severe-AIH.

Most overweight and obese Indian children have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

 Background and rationale. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of pediatric liver disease in western countries. Its prevalence in Indian subcontinent is not well studied. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a school based cross sectional study we have screened overweight and obese children in the age group of 11 to 15 years for NAFLD. Ultrasonography, elevated serum transaminases, fibroscan were used for defining NAFLD. Dietary habits, blood pressure, serum lipid profile, blood counts and insulin resistance were recorded. The relation of fibrosis 4 score, pediatric NAFLD fibrosis index, aspartate transaminases to platelet ratio index (APRI) with fibroscan was evaluated. RESULTS: Out of 616 students screened 198 were overweight and obese. Hundred students and their parents gave informed consent for the further evaluation. The prevalence of NAFLD was 62% in overweight and obese children. Fatty liver was found in 50 % students on ultrasonography, liver stiffness (≥ 6.1 Kilopascals) in 23% and raised alanine transaminase in 30%. Hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance were seen in 6%, 18%, 2% and 66% students respectively. Systolic hypertension, serum triglyceride, aspartate transaminase, APRI was significantly higher in the NAFLD group. On binary logistic regression only systolic hypertension was an independent risk factor for NAFLD. CONCLUSION: In conclusion NAFLD is common in asymptomatic overweight and obese Indian children. Systolic hypertension is the only independent factor associated with NAFLD. Fibroscan has limited role for screening. We recommend screening for NAFLD in this high risk group with alanine transaminases and ultrasonography.

Metronidazole-Induced Encephalopathy in Alcoholic Liver Disease: A Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenge.

BACKGROUND: Acute encephalopathy in a patient with alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a commonly encountered emergency situation occurring most frequently due to liver failure precipitated by varying etiologies. Acute reversible cerebellar ataxia with confusion secondary to prolonged metronidazole use has been reported rarely as a cause of encephalopathy in patients with ALD. CASE REPORT: We describe a decompensated ALD patient with recurrent pyogenic cholangitis associated with hepatolithiasis who presented to the emergency department with sudden-onset cerebellar ataxia with dysarthria and mental confusion after prolonged use of metronidazole. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain was suggestive of bilateral dentate nuclei hyper intensities on T2 and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sections seen classically in metronidazole-induced encephalopathy (MIE). Decompensated liver cirrhosis resulted in decreased hepatic clearance and increased cerebrospinal fluid concentration of metronidazole leading to toxicity at a relatively low total cumulative dose of 22 g. Both the clinical symptoms and MRI brain changes were reversed at 7 days and 6 weeks, respectively, after discontinuation of metronidazole. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: A patient with ALD presenting with encephalopathy creates a diagnostic dilemma for the emergency physician regarding whether to continue metronidazole and treat for hepatic encephalopathy or to suspect for MIE and withhold the drug. Failure to timely discontinue metronidazole may worsen the associated hepatic encephalopathy in these patients. Liver cirrhosis patients have higher mean concentration of metronidazole and its metabolite in the blood, making it necessary to keep the cumulative dose of metronidazole to < 20 g in them.

Adequacy of sigmoidoscopy as compared to colonoscopy for assessment of disease activity in patients of ulcerative colitis: a prospective study.

Background/Aims: Patients of ulcerative colitis (UC) on follow-up are routinely evaluated by sigmoidoscopy. There is no prospective literature to support this practice. We assessed agreement between sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy prospectively in patients with disease extent beyond the sigmoid colon. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study at a tertiary care institute for agreement between sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy. We assessed endoscopic activity using the Mayo Endoscopic Score (MES) and Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index of Severity (UCEIS) and histological activity using the Nancy Index (NI), Robarts Histopathology Index (RHI), and Simplified Geboes Score (SGS). Results: Sigmoidoscopy showed a strong agreement with colonoscopy for MES and UCEIS with a kappa (K) of 0.96 and 0.94 respectively. The misclassification rate for MES and UCEIS was 3% and 5% respectively. Sigmoidoscopy showed perfect agreement (K = 1.00) with colonoscopy for assessment of the presence of endoscopic activity in the colon using MES ??1 as activity criteria and strong agreement (K = 0.93) using MES > 1 as activity criteria. Sigmoidoscopy showed strong agreement with colonoscopy for assessment of the presence of endoscopic activity using UCEIS (K = 0.92). Strong agreement was observed between sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy using NI (K = 0.86), RHI (K = 1.00), and SGS (K = 0.92) for the detection of histological activity. The misclassification rate for the detection of histological activity was 2%, 0%, and 1% for NI, RHI, and SGS respectively. Conclusions: Sigmoidoscopy showed strong agreement with colonoscopy for endoscopic and histologic disease activity. Sigmoidoscopy is adequate for assessment of disease activity in patients with UC during follow-up evaluation.

Determinants of Short-term Mortality in Liver Cirrhosis with Acute Kidney Injury: A Prospective Observational Study.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs in 20-50% of patients with cirrhosis and is associated with a poor prognosis. The aim of the study is to identify the baseline factors affecting mortality in these patients at 30 and 90 days. Methods: We enrolled 117 patients with cirrhosis and AKI and followed them up prospectively. Results: Distribution of International club of ascites AKI stages was: 26 (22.03%) stage 1, 59 (50%) stage 2, and 33 (28%) stage 3. Mortalities at 30 and 90 days were 27 (22.8%) and 33 (27.9%) respectively. On multivariate analysis, variables affecting mortality at 30 days were serum creatinine level>2 mg% at 48 hours after AKI development (adjusted OR 7.93, P=0.02) and leukocytosis (total leucocyte count>11000/mm3 ) at admission (adjusted OR 6.54, P=0.002). Only leukocytosis at admission was a predictor of 90 days mortality (adjusted OR 4.76, P=0.01). Though not statistically significant, patients not responding to standard medical treatment had 3 times higher mortality at 30 days, while the maximum AKI stages (2 and 3) had eight times higher mortality at 90 days. Conclusion: In cirrhosis, AKI increases short-term mortality. High serum creatinine at 48 hours affects mortality at 30 days, while leukocytosis at baseline predicts mortality at 30 and 90 days. Progression to a higher AKI stage impacts prognosis.

Predictors of Severity and Mortality in Chronic Liver Disease Patients With COVID-19 During the Second Wave of the Pandemic in India.

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection in chronic liver disease patients is associated with poor outcomes. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the predictors of severity and mortality in this group of patients during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in India. In addition, we compared cirrhotic patients with COVID-19 with cirrhotic patients from the pre-COVID-19 period. Methodology This was a single-center observational study. We included data from 50 patients with cirrhosis and COVID-19 retrospectively from the discharge/death files. A comparison group of 100 patients with cirrhosis from the pre-COVID period was also analyzed retrospectively. Results The majority of patients had predominantly respiratory symptoms, with fever being the most common symptom (85%). The most common presentation was acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF). The most common form of decompensation was jaundice followed by hepatic encephalopathy. The overall mortality in cirrhotic patients with COVID-19 was double than that in cirrhotic patients from the pre-COVID-19 period. All patients with ACLF succumbed to multiorgan failure. Diabetes was the only comorbidity that was associated with severe infection. Higher creatinine on admission and high D-dimer levels correlated with severity. D-dimer was the only parameter that correlated with severity and mortality on multivariate analysis. None of the comorbidities predicted mortality. Among various composite scores, the Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score and CURB-65 correlated with mortality. On the area under the receiver operating characteristic analysis, a D-dimer level of >1.1 mg/L was associated with mortality. Conclusions COVID-19 infection in patients with cirrhosis is associated with poor outcomes. D-dimer levels of >1.1 mg/L on admission are a simple parameter to predict mortality. CTP and CURB-65 are composite scores that correlate with mortality in this group of patients.

HEPATIC DYSFUNCTION IN MEDICAL INTENSIVE CAREUNIT PATIENTS PREDICTS POOR OUTCOME.

BACKGROUND: A large number of patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit (MICU) have abnormal liver function tests (LFT). This includes patients with critical illness with or without preexisting liver disease and patients with acute primary liver injury. There are very few studies which have investigated the spectrum of liver disease, clinical profile and outcome in patients admitted to the MICU. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the occurrence, etiology, clinical profile, laboratory profile and outcome of hepatic dysfunction in patients admitted to the MICU. To evaluate the utility of model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score on admission as a predictor of adverse short term outcome in patients with hepatic dysfunction admitted in MICU. METHODS: It was a prospective observational study, conducted from December 2017 to December 2018 in a tertiary care hospital. Two hundred and two patients admitted to the MICU with LFTs as per the inclusion criteria were analyzed and their short-term outcome at 7 days was studied in relation to various parameters. RESULTS: LFT abnormalities were present in 202/1126 (17.9%) of the patients admitted to MICU. Critical illness associated liver dysfunction was found in 172 (85.2%) patients, chronic liver disease in 11 (5.4%) patients and acute viral hepatitis in 19 (9.4%) patients. Most common symptom was fever (68.3%) followed by vomiting (48.0%). Among LFT abnormalities, elevated transaminases, raised international normalized ratio and high MELD score on admission correlated with poor short-term outcome. Requirement for inotropes and mechanical ventilation correlated with poor short-term outcome. Mortality did not differ significantly between patients with chronic liver disease, patients with acute viral hepatitis and patients with critical illness associated hepatic dysfunction. Hepatic dysfunction in MICU was associated with poor outcome and a high short-term mortality of 56.4% (114/202). CONCLUSION: Liver function abnormality is common in patients who are admitted to the MICU and its presence is an indicator of poor short-term outcome.

Non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleed as first presentation of primary systemic amyloidosis - A case report.

Gastrointestinal (GI) tract manifestations of amyloid deposition include diarrhea, GI hemorrhage, steatorrhea, or constipation. Here, we report an elderly female presenting with GI hemorrhage due to gastric ulceration and 4-6 polypoidal lesions with intermittent ooze in the duodenum as a first presentation of primary systemic amyloidosis. The bleed was managed with proton-pump inhibitors and hemospray application. She received chemotherapy for multiple myeloma after stabilization. A high index of suspicion is needed to diagnose amyloidosis causing GI hemorrhage.

Effect of moderate aerobic exercises on symptoms of functional dyspepsia.

BACKGROUND: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a commonly encountered entity worldwide and is difficult to treat. Most of the treatment modalities have low-quality evidence for use, except for proton pump inhibitors. Aerobic exercise has been shown to improve the symptoms, but its direct effect on symptoms has never been studied. The objective was to study the effects of moderate aerobic exercise on symptoms of FD and to compare the effect of conventional treatment alone vs. exercise plus conventional treatment. METHODS: Out of 112 patients, 72 were randomly divided into controls (conventional treatment; n=36) and experimental (aerobic exercise for 30 min per session, 5 times a week for 6 weeks with conventional treatment; n=36) groups. Both the groups were assessed on day 1 and at the end of 6 weeks, using Glasgow Dyspepsia Severity Score (GDSS), Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-42 (DASS-42), and visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: Pre-treatment GDSS, DASS-42, and VAS in the experimental group were significantly different as compared to the post-treatment scores (p=0.00019, p=0.0002, p=0.00019, respectively). Even in the control group, pre- and post-treatment GDSS, DASS-42, and VAS scores were significantly different (p=0.00019, p=0.0002, p=0.00019, respectively). However, on the head-to-head comparison of the 2 groups, scores at the end of 6 weeks were significantly different (p< 0.05), in favor of the experimental group. CONCLUSION: Aerobic exercise as an auxiliary therapy to conventional treatment has better outcomes in the functional well-being of dyspepsia.

Primary pancreatic tuberculosis with a duodenal fistula in an immunocompetent young man.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a common disease in developing countries that can virtually affect any organ in the body. The abdomen is one of the most common sites for extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. Primary Pancreatic tuberculosis (PPTB) is rare and can be clinically elusive. It is commonly encountered in immunodeficient individuals in regions endemic for TB. However, it is extremely rare in immunocompetent individuals with very few case reports in the literature. We describe a case of PPTB in an immunocompetent young man complicated with duodenal fistula. There was complete resolution of symptoms and the fistulous tract with a significant reduction of the size of the lesion on imaging after 6 months of anti-tubercular therapy (ATT).

Screening of Family Members of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Patients can Detect Undiagnosed Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Among Them: Is There a Genetic Link?

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has multifactorial origin. Genetic and environmental factors lead to the biology of this complex disorder. In this study, we screened parents of cases with NAFLD and compared them with parents of cases without NAFLD to see its familial aggregation and the role of patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 3 (PNPLA3). METHOD: It was a cross-sectional study. Parents of probands with NAFLD and without NAFLD were screened with abdominal sonography, anthropometry, blood tests, transient elastography, and PNPLA3 polymorphism. RESULTS: We had enrolled 303 individuals: 51 probands with NAFLD, 50 probands without NAFLD, and their 202 parents. Parents of the NAFLD group had significantly higher metabolic risk factors as compared with parents of the non-NAFLD group. They had a significantly higher rate of fatty liver (P = 0.0001), mean serum aspartate aminotransferase levels (P = 0.011), mean serum alanine aminotransferase levels (P = 0.001),raised fasting and postprandial blood sugar levels, lower mean platelets (P = 0.033) and serum albumin levels (P = 0.005), and higher mean liver stiffness (P = 0.001) on transient elastography.Frequency of PNPLA3 polymorphism within NAFLD group was higher compared to the non-NAFLD group (mutant GG-13.3 vs 3.3%). Similarly, parents of NAFLD group had mutant GG in 15 % versus 5% in parents of non-NAFLD group, (P = 0.105, odds ratio 6), though it was not statistically significant but may be relevant. In this study, offsprings of parents with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis were likely to have GG homozygous allele. A NAFLD16 score based on parent's parameters was calculated to predict the probability of NAFLD occurrence in an overweight obese individual. CONCLUSION: Screening of parents of individuals with NAFLD will help in the identification of undiagnosed NAFLD cases and other metabolic risk factors among them as there is a familial aggregation of NAFLD. One can predict the occurrence of NAFLD in the next generation using the NAFLD16 score.

Complete hemogram: simple and cost-effective in staging and predicting outcome in acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: An important goal in management of acute pancreatitis (AP) is early prediction and recognition of disease severity. Various predictive scoring systems are in clinical use with their own limitations and there is always a quest for simple, practical, quantifiable, dynamic and readily available markers for predicting disease severity and outcome. Complete hemogram is routinely ordered in all patients with AP. In recent years red cell distribution width (RDW), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR) and platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR) have been found to be independent predictors of prognosis in various benign and malignant conditions. This prospective study evaluated complete hemogram based markers in AP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Complete hemogram analysis was done and NLR, LMR, PLR values were calculated. Development of organ failure, the need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission and interventions, development of complications (local/systemic) and 100-day mortality were assessed. RESULTS: In this study 160 subjects of AP were included. Complete hemogram analysis was performed within 24 h after admission. C­reactive protein, RDW, NLR, PLR and bedside index of severity in acute pancreatitis (BISAP) values were higher in severe AP than moderate AP group than mild AP group, while LMR values were decreased in the corresponding severe, moderate and mild AP groups (p < 0.001). The NLR performed best for prediction of ICU admission, organ failure, interventions and mortality with area under receiver operating curve (AUROC) were 0.943, 0.940, 0.902 and 0.910, respectively. CONCLUSION: Hemogram based markers are simple, objective, dynamic and readily available. They can be considered in addition to conventional multifactorial scoring systems for prediction of outcome and prognosis of AP.

Esophageal Mucosal Bridge of Unknown Etiology Causing Dysphagia in an Elderly Female: Endoscopic Management and Literature Review.

Esophageal mucosal bridge is an elastic stretchable structure, connecting across the lumen, extending either obliquely or horizontally, more commonly seen in the mid or lower esophagus. It can be either congenital or secondary (acquired). Acquired ones are secondary to reflux esophagitis, corrosive esophageal injury, drug-induced esophagitis, radiation esophagitis, Crohn's disease, Mallory-Weiss syndrome, malignant tumors, and infections like candidiasis, HSV, CMV, or tuberculosis. We present a case of an elderly female, who presented with progressive dysphagia for 3 months, more commonly to solids without any history of anorexia or weight loss. No history of corrosive ingestion, radiation exposure, or prior history of any surgical or endoscopic intervention was present. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed esophageal mucosal bridge at 20 and 25 cm from incisors and mucosal tag. Endoscopic resection was carried out successfully with hot biopsy forceps and needle knife after prophylactic application of hemoclips at two ends of each bridge, without any adverse event. Esophageal mucosal bridge, though rarely reported, should be kept in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with dysphagia. Endoscopic resection with hot biopsy forceps or needle knife seems to be effective.

Uma ponte mucosa esofágica é uma estrutura elástica que se estende obliquamente ou horizontal mente através do lúmen esofágico, sendo a sua posição mais comum no esófago médio ou distal. Pode ser congénita ou secundária (adquirida). Estas geralmente são secundárias a esofagite de refluxo, lesão corrosiva, medicamentosa, rádica, doença de Crohn, síndroma de Mallory-Weiss, tumores malignos ou por infeções como candidiase, HSV, CMV ou tuberculose. Apresentamos um caso de uma mulher idosa com disfagia progressiva com 3 meses duração, mais para sólidos, sem história de anorexia ou emagrecimento, sem história de ingestáo de caústicos, radioterapia, cirurgia ou qualquer intervenção endoscópica prévia. A endoscopia digestiva alta revelou uma ponte mucosa aos 20 e 25 cm dos incisivos e uma prega mucosa. Procedeu-se a resseção endoscópica com pinça de hot-biopsy e com needle-knife após colocação profilática de hemoclips em ambas as extremidades de cada ponte, com sucesso e sem qualquer efeito adverso. Apesar de raramente reportadas as pontes mucosa esofágicas devem ser consideradas no diagnóstico diferencial de doentes com disfagia. A resseção endoscópica com pinça de hot-biopsy ou needle-knife parece ser eficaz nestes casos.