The Non-Invasive Prediction of Colorectal Neoplasia (NIPCON) Study 1995-2022: A Comparison of Guaiac-Based Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) and an Anti-Adenoma Antibody, Adnab-9.

Given the need to improve the sensitivity of non-invasive methods to detect colorectal neoplasia, particularly adenomas, we compared a fecal test using a monoclonal antibody (Mab) raised against constituents of colonic adenomas designated Adnab-9 (Adenoma Antibody 9), recognizing an N-linked 87 kDa glycoprotein, to gFOBT, which is shown to reduce CRC mortality. p87 immunohistochemistry testing is significantly more sensitive (OR 3.64[CI 2.37-5.58]) than gFOBT (guaiac-based fecal occult blood test) for adenomas (<3 in number), advanced adenomas (OR 4.21[CI 2.47-7.15]), or a combination of the two (OR 3.35[CI 2.47-4.53]). p87 immunohistochemistry shows regional Paneth cell (PC) expression mainly in the right-sided colon and is significantly reduced in the ceca of African Americans (p < 0.0001). In a subset of patients, we obtained other body fluids such as urine, colonic effluent, and saliva. Urine tests (organ-specific neoantigen) showed a significant difference for advanced adenomas (p < 0.047). We conclude that fecal p87 testing is more sensitive than gFOBT and Adnab-9 and could be used to better direct the colonoscopy screening effort.

Approximately one-half of patients with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma meeting Milan criteria did not receive local tumor destructive or curative surgery in the post-MELD exception era.

BACKGROUND: Since 2002, priority Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) exception status has been given to patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who meet the Milan criteria. Since then, the number of liver transplantations performed in patients with HCC has increased, but to the authors' knowledge, few studies to date have examined the effect of MELD exception recommendations on therapy use and survival rates in a nationwide sample. The current study examines therapy use and long-term survival rates among patients with HCC tumors meeting the Milan criteria in the post-MELD exception era. METHODS: The current study is a retrospective cohort study of 2179 patients with localized HCC meeting the Milan criteria who were registered between 2004 and 2007 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. RESULTS: A total of 43% of patients did not receive any specific therapy. Overall, the 5-year relative survival rate for patients receiving only supportive care was dismal at 24% (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 21%-27%), whereas that for patients undergoing liver transplantation was 77% (95% CI, 71%-82%). Long-term survival was found to be dependent on age, race/ethnicity, and type of therapy received. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, and type of therapy received demonstrated that, compared with white patients, black patients had significantly poorer survival outcomes (hazards ratio, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.03-1.47 [P = .02]), whereas Asian/Pacific Islander patients had significantly better survival rates when compared with white patients (HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.57-0.77 [P < .001]). CONCLUSIONS: Despite having localized disease that met transplantation criteria, nearly 50% of the large nationwide cohort of patients with HCC in the current study received only supportive care and had dismal 5-year relative survival rates, especially among black patients.

Racial Disparity in HCV Demographics and Treatment Between Interferon Era (2002-2003) and Direct Acting Anti-viral Era (2019).

Introduction  Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment increased the sustained viral response (SVR) rate of patients with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and eliminated response disparities between African American (AA) and non-AA patients seen with interferon (IFN). The aim of this study was to compare 2019 HCV patients (DAA era) to patients from January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2003 (IFN era) in our predominantly AA clinic population. Methods We extracted data on 585 HCV patients seen in 2019 (DAA era) and compared them to 402 patients seen in the IFN era. Results Most HCV patients were born between 1945 and 1965, but in the DAA era more younger patients were identified. Non-AA patients in both eras were less likely to be infected with genotype 1 compared to AA (95% vs 54%, P<0.001). Fibrosis was not increased in the DAA Era as compared to the IFN era as assessed either by serum-based assays (APRI, FIB-4) or transient elastography (FibroScan) (DAA era) vs biopsy (IFN era). More patients were treated in 2019 compared to 2002-2003 (159/585=27% vs 5/402=1%). For untreated patients, subsequent treatment within one year of the initial visit was low and similar in both eras (35%). Conclusion There continues to be a need to screen patients born between 1945 and 1965 for HCV as well as to identify increasing numbers of patients below this age cohort. Even though current therapies are oral, highly effective, and can be 8-12 weeks in duration, significant numbers of patients were not treated within a year of first visit.

Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea and proton pump inhibitor therapy: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) is a major cause of morbidity and increasing health-care costs among hospitalized patients. Although exposure to antibiotics remains the most documented risk factor for CDAD, attention has recently been directed toward a plausible link with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). However, the results of studies on the association between CDAD and PPIs remain controversial. We have conducted a meta-analysis to summarize the association between PPIs and CDAD among hospitalized patients. METHODS: A systematic search of published literature on studies that investigated the association between PPIs and CDAD from 1990 to 2010 was conducted on Medline and PubMed. The identified articles were reviewed for additional references. The most adjusted risk estimates were extracted by two authors and summarized using random effects meta-analysis. We also conducted a subgroup analysis by study design. Publication bias was evaluated using the Begg and Egger tests. A sensitivity analysis using the Duval and Tweedie "trim-and-fill" method has also been performed. RESULTS: Twenty-three studies including close to 300,000 patients met the inclusion criteria. There was a 65% (summary risk estimate 1.69 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) from 1.395 to 1.974; P<0.000) increase in the incidence of CDAD among patients on PPIs. By study design, whether case-control study (17) or cohort study (6), there was still a significant increase in the incidence of CDAD among PPI users. The risk estimates were 2.31 (95% CI from 1.72 to 3.10; P<0.001) and 1.48 (95% CI from 1.25 to 1.75; P<0.001) for cohort and case-control studies, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There is sufficient evidence to suggest that PPIs increase the incidence of CDAD. Our meta-analysis shows a 65% increase in the incidence of CDAD among PPI users. We recommend that the routine use of PPIs for gastric ulcer prophylaxis should be more prudent. Establishing a guideline for the use of PPI may help in the future with the judicious use of PPIs. Further studies, preferably prospective, are needed to fully explore the association between PPIs and CDAD.

The Curious Case of a Missing Gallbladder: An Unusual Presentation of a Cholecystoduodenal Fistula.

Large gallstones could erode through gallbladder wall to nearby structures, causing fistulas, gastric outlet obstruction and gallstone ileus. They typically occur in elderly patients with comorbidities carrying therapeutic challenges. We present a case of a middle-aged woman who was thought to have symptomatic cholelithiasis. Extensive adhesions precluded safe cholecystectomy. While hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid scan and magnetic resonance imaging with cholangiopancreatography (MRI-MRCP) failed to visualize the gallbladder, computed tomography (CT) was consistent with cholecystoduodenal fistula. A very large gallstone was seen endoscopically in the duodenum, which was broken down into pieces using a large stiff snare.

Celiac Disease Patients With Coronary Artery Disease: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

Background Coronary artery disease (CAD) is associated with celiac disease (CD) with limited evidence. However, the common risk factors linking CD and CAD are still lacking in the literature. Known CAD risk factors include hypertension, hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and tobacco use. Common risk factors linking CD and CAD are poorly documented. Objective There are three objectives: Firstly, to evaluate potential demographic differences between CD patients with CAD and without CAD. Secondly, to analyze the risk factors of CAD in CD patients. Lastly, to compare CD-CAD and matched non-CD CAD to determine whether there are additional CAD risks in individuals with CD. Methods The study is a nationwide retrospective case-control study. The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was used to identify patients admitted between 2016 and 2018 with a principal or secondary diagnosis of CD. We analyzed sociodemographic and clinical risk factors of CAD in CD patients and compared the CD-CAD population with the matched non-CD CAD cohort. Results Out of 23,441 hospitalizations with CD in 2016-2018, 4244 (18%) were found to have CAD. Established CAD risk factors identified in CD patients included hypertension, hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes, and a family history of CAD. In contrast, tobacco use is not a CAD risk factor in CD patients. Female patients with CD had 55% lesser odds of CAD than male patients. The odds of CAD in CD patients with hyperlipidemia were five times higher, 1.2 times higher with essential hypertension, and two times higher with type 2 diabetes. Patients with CAD had a higher prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (9.33% CD-CAD and 8.28% non-CAD CD Vs. 7.32% non-CD CAD). Conclusions Our study confirms that, as with non-CD individuals, males and the White race are at increased CAD risk in the CD population. CD-CAD patients have a higher hyperlipidemia prevalence than non-CD CAD patients. CD patients with type 1 diabetes have an early diagnosis of CAD compared to CD patients with type 2 diabetes. Iron deficiency anemia is a statistically significant risk factor for CAD in CD patients.

Wilkie's Syndrome following Chemotherapy: A Case Report and a Review of Literature.

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is a rare etiology of upper gastrointestinal obstruction. The measured angle between the SMA and the aorta is typically between 38 and 65° and maintained by mesenteric fat. Excessive fat loss can lead to intestinal obstruction due to an exaggerated acute angularity of the SMA, compressing the third part of the duodenum. We present a 22-year-old female with a history of aplastic anemia, status post bone-marrow transplant, who presented with intractable nausea and had confirmed SMA syndrome on CT angiography. Subsequently, the patient underwent nasogastric decompression and successful laparoscopic duodenojejunostomy.

Ipilimumab and Nivolumab-Induced Colitis in a Patient With Recurrent Metastatic Melanoma.

Ipilimumab and nivolumab are immune checkpoint inhibitors that have recently been used in the treatment of metastatic melanoma and other cancers. Immune-mediated colitis is one of their adverse events that need to be differentiated from low-grade diarrhea as one of the most common side effects. A 51-year-old woman with relapsed metastatic melanoma presented with intractable diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and generalized abdominal pain. The patient had been treated with ipilimumab and nivolumab in the past two months. The infectious workup was inconclusive. Colonoscopy demonstrated severe colitis, and biopsies were consistent with colitis. Combination chemotherapy was stopped. The patient was treated with intravenous and oral steroids, and her symptoms improved. A combination of ipilimumab and nivolumab increases the chance of immune-mediated colitis, and steroids should be started promptly to avoid complications such as bowel perforation and toxic megacolon.

Pseudodiverticulosis: a rare presentation of eosinophilic esophagitis.

Esophageal pseudodiverticulosis is a rare endoscopic finding in eosinophilic esophagitis. We report a case of a 32-year-old male who presented with dysphagia and gastroesophageal reflux disease and was found to have esophageal pseudodiveritcula along with esophageal rings. The patient was subsequently treated with endoscopic balloon dilation and a diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) with pseudodiverticulosis was made based upon the endoscopic and biopsy findings. This case provides evidence of the unusual finding of pseudodiverticulosis associated with EoE and further understanding of its pathogenesis is required.

Pembrolizumab-Induced Immune-Mediated Hepatitis and Concurrent Hepatitis B Reactivation in a Patient With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

New immuno-therapeutic agents like pembrolizumab used in cancer treatment are known to cause immune-mediated hepatitis. Most of these cases are straightforward when the onset of transaminitis correlates with the introduction of the medication. This agent causing hepatitis B reactivation has been reported only once. To have both these adverse effects occurring at the same time in a patient is uncommon and presents a clinical challenge. Our patient was a 49-year-old gentleman diagnosed with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung seven months ago. He was started on pembrolizumab, as the malignant tissue obtained during biopsy had high program death-ligand 1 (PDL1) expression. On reviewing the labs ordered during the time of cancer diagnosis, this man has evidence of chronic hepatitis B with positive hepatitis B surface antigen and positive hepatitis B core immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody. He presented with acute hepatitis, and workup showed features of hepatitis B reactivation, but the extent of reactivation was not adequate to explain the presentation, hence investigations were pursued. This led the way to the diagnosis of a combined hepatitis B reactivation and drug-induced immune hepatitis in this case. He responded promptly to the withdrawal of the agent and steroids. On follow-up, his liver function panel had significantly improved.  This case is very unique in two aspects. First, to our knowledge, there is only one case reported of pembrolizumab-induced hepatitis B reactivation. In addition, our patient also had immune-mediated hepatitis induced by pembrolizumab. It is very rare to have a combination of these two presentations to be seen in a patient at the same time. Pembrolizumab-induced immune hepatitis can coexist with hepatitis B reactivation following therapy with this agent.

A Unique Case of Severe Hematochezia: Ruptured Pseudoaneurysm of the Superior Rectal Artery.

Visceral artery aneurysms are rare, with an incidence of 0.01%-2% based on autopsy results. Among the visceral arteries, inferior mesenteric artery aneurysms are the rarest. To our knowledge, we report the first case of acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding in a 45-year-old man, arising from a nontraumatic pseudoaneurysm of the superior rectal artery, a branch of the inferior mesenteric artery. Urgent angiography provided the diagnosis and allowed successful hemostatic intervention via endovascular coil embolization. A subsequent routine colonoscopy revealed an ulcer with central yellow-bluish bulge in the distal rectum correlating with the site of the treated pseudoaneurysm.

Vanishing bile duct syndrome arising in a patient with HIV infection sequentially treated with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and dapsone.

Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole is well known to cause intra-hepatic cholestasis which in rare instances can be prolonged and lead to vanishing bile duct syndrome. The risk regarding the potential for cross-reactivity between structurally related molecules such as dapsone and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole in causing hepatotoxicity is scarce. Herein, we report a case of vanishing bile duct syndrome following dapsone use in a patient with HIV infection and a recent history of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole-induced cholestasis. The patient had severe and protracted cholestasis during 2 years of follow-up and eventually died of liver failure.

Racial Diversity in Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Predominately African-American Population at an Urban Medical Center.

PURPOSE: Surveillance, treatment, and outcomes for African-American (AA) populations with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain under evaluated. This study evaluated demographics, surveillance, therapy, and outcomes for a predominately AA population. METHODS: The electronic medical records of a large health-care provider were used to identify 274 patients with visits for HCC between 2010 and 2017. Tumor size at diagnosis was defined by imaging with ≤ 5 cm being defined as "small." Surveillance for HCC was defined based on ultrasound (US) assessments. RESULTS: Patients were primarily AA (78%) and male (76%) with an average age at diagnosis of 62 years. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) was more likely to be a risk factor for the development of HCC in AA as compared to non-AA (92% vs 67%; p < 0.005). Surveillance rates were low (16% for AA vs 7% for non-AA). An aspartate aminotransferase platelet ratio index (APRI) value > 0.7 within 2 years of tumor diagnosis was a strong predictor for the risk of the development of HCC (86% AA vs 79 % non-AA). In this study, race was not a factor in treatment or outcomes, and most patients received tumor ablative treatment. CONCLUSION: Given the low surveillance rates and the demonstrated increased survival for patients with small tumors, ways to increase surveillance must be initiated. The results of this study demonstrate the need for physician/patient education on the importance of surveillance US. Further, this study supports routine assessment of APRI in AA patients in an effort to identify patients in whom intensive surveillance will significantly improve earlier detection of tumors.

Hepatic Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome in a Patient With Multiple Myeloma Treated With CyBorD.

Hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) is a life-threatening state generally occurring as a complication of conditioning regimens used for hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Hepatic SOS after a standard dose of chemotherapy in malignancies is rare, and there are only a few cases in pediatric literature. We report a 56-year-old man with multiple myeloma who experienced SOS after being initiated on chemotherapy including cyclophosphamide, dexamethasone, and bortezomib and who experienced a delay in treatment with defibrotide, because it is currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for only patients who develop SOS after hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

Transplant-Amenable Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Fontan Patient.

The Fontan circulation alters a patient's physiology and imparts long-term risks related to chronically elevated systemic venous pressure. An increasing number of patients with Fontan physiology are surviving into adulthood and are at risk of hepatic sequalae. The ideal timeline and method of hepatic surveillance in the Fontan population remains to be defined. In this case, the patient was diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma more than 20 years after undergoing the Fontan procedure and was a candidate for combined heart-liver transplant. That her disease progressed prior to organ availability supports the argument for hepatic surveillance in this population.

Secondary angiodysplasia-associated gastrointestinal bleeding in end-stage renal disease: Results from the nationwide inpatient sample.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease is associated with angiodysplasia of gastrointestinal tract leading to increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. AIM: To determine the nationwide prevalence, trends, predictors and resource utilization of angiodysplasia-associated gastrointestinal bleeding in end-stage renal disease hospitalizations. METHODS: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database from 2009 to 2014, was utilized to conduct a retrospective study on patients with angiodysplasia associated- gastrointestinal bleeding and end-stage renal disease. Hospitalizations with end-stage renal disease were included in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database and a subset of hospitalizations with end-stage renal disease and angiodysplasia-associated gastrointestinal bleeding were identified with International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision, Clinical Modification codes for both end-stage renal disease (585.6) and Angiodysplasia (569.85, 537.83). RESULTS: The prevalence of angiodysplasia-associated gastrointestinal bleeding was 0.45% (n = 24709) among all end-stage renal disease patients (n = 5505252) that were hospitalized. Multivariate analysis indicated that the following were significant factors associated with higher odds of angiodysplasia associated-gastrointestinal bleeding in end-stage renal disease patients: an increasing trend from 2009-2014 (P < 0.01), increasing age (P < 0.0001); African American race (P = 0.0206); increasing Charlson-Deyo Comorbidity Index (P < 0.01); hypertension (P < 0.0001); and tobacco use (P < 0.0001). Diabetes mellitus (P < 0.0001) was associated with lower odds of angiodysplasia associated-gastrointestinal bleeding in end-stage renal disease patients. In comparison with urban teaching hospitals, rural and urban nonteaching hospitals were associated with decreased odds of angiodysplasia associated-gastrointestinal hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: Angiodysplasia-associated gastrointestinal bleeding in end-stage renal disease patients showed an increasing trend from 2009-2014. Advanced age, African American race, overall high comorbidities, hypertension and smoking were significant factors for angiodysplasia-associated gastrointestinal bleeding in end-stage renal disease hospitalized patients.

Zinc toxicity from massive and prolonged coin ingestion in an adult.

Acquired copper deficiency anemia is rare in humans. This report describes a 38-year-old schizophrenic man with metal pica, especially coins, who presented with symptomatic anemia. Two hundred seventy-five coins were surgically removed from the gastrointestinal tract of this patient during the course of his hospitalization. Some of the post-1981 pennies, which consist primarily of zinc, showed severe corrosion because of their prolonged contact with acidic gastric juice. The patient presented with clinical manifestations consistent with the local corrosive as well as the systemic effects of zinc intoxication. His treatment and outcome are presented. The effects of zinc intoxication on hematologic and other organ systems and on copper absorption are discussed.

Esophageal arteriovenous malformation, a rare cause of significant upper gastrointestinal bleeding: Case report and review of literature.

Gastrointestinal (GI) arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are a well-known source of bleeding with colon being the most common site, but they can also occur in rare locations like the esophagus which may present with life threatening bleeding. We report the case of a 51-year-old male with end stage renal disease (ESRD) presenting with hematemesis and acute on chronic anemia. Further investigation showed an esophageal AVM which is an unusual location and it was successfully treated with an endoscopic clip instead of argon plasma coagulation (APC) due to its challenging location and esophageal wall motion from breathing. The patient continued to be asymptomatic without any upper and lower GI bleeding during his 20 months follow up period after the endoscopic management. Review of literature showed only 10 cases of AVMs involving esophagus and the average age of presentation was 52 years with a male predominance. We also provide an overview of those cases in the discussion section below.

Fusobacterium Septicemia with Liver and Lung Abscesses Due to Diverticulitis.

The Fusobacterium species is known for its association with septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein (Lemierre's syndrome). Lemierre's syndrome is associated with septic emboli to the liver and lungs, often causing multiple abscesses. We present a unique case of Fusobacterium septicemia in which the bacteria invaded the portal vein through the gastrointestinal mucosa due to diverticulitis and spread hematogenously to the liver and lungs, causing abscesses. It was treated successfully with 6 weeks of antibiotics. Physicians should be aware of this rare pathogen and suspect its presence in severe pharyngitis or culture-negative liver abscess.