Ileocecal valve-preservation ileocecostomy (IVPI) in infants with extremely short distal ileum after primary stoma.

PURPOSE: Preserving the ileocecal valve (ICV) has shown significant benefits. We present our experience with 18 infants who underwent ileocecal valve-preservation ileocecostomy (IVPI) with an extremely short distal ileum after primary ileostomy. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on IVPI cases between 2014 and 2020. Medical records were reviewed, including birth weight, age, primary diseases, length of ileus stump, surgical time and procedure, time to enteral feeding, postoperative hospital stay, and complications. RESULTS: Eighteen patients (male: female = 12:6, median birth weight 1305 (750-4000) g, median gestational age 29 + 5 (27 + 6-39 + 6) weeks) were included in the analysis. Causes of surgery included necrotizing enterocolitis (13), ileocecal intestinal atresia (1), ileum volvulus (2), meconium peritonitis (1), and secondary intestinal fistula (1). The median corrected age of ileostomy closure was 3.2 months (2.0-8.0 months). The distance from the distal ileal stoma to the ICV ranged from 0.5 to 2 cm. The median length of the residual bowel was 90 cm (50-130 cm). ICV-plasty was performed in 3 cases due to secondary ICV occlusion or stenosis. All patients resumed feeding within 6 to 11 days after surgery. The postoperative hospital stay ranged from 12 to 108 days (median: 16.5 days). Complications included incisional infections in 2 cases, anastomotic stricture and adhesive ileus in 1 case, nosocomial sepsis and septic shock in 1 case. All children showed normal growth and development during a 6-65 month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: IVPI is safe and feasible for infants with an extremely short distal ileal stump. ICV-plasty could be applicable for cases with ileocecal occlusion/stenosis.

Dysbiosis and reduced small intestinal function are required to induce intestinal insufficiency in mice.

Extensive bowel resection can lead to short bowel syndrome and intestinal failure. Resection-induced dysbiosis may be related to the specific anatomic site of resection and influences the disease progression. Although patients with end-jejunostomy are at high risk for intestinal failure, preservation of the ileocecal valve and colon counteracts this risk. The present study investigated the role of the cecum in maintaining microbial homeostasis after different types of small bowel resection. Male C57BL6/J mice were anesthetized by intraperitoneal injection of ketamine-xylazine and received extended ileocecal resection (extended ICR), limited ileocecal resection (limited ICR), or mid-small bowel resection (SBR). Stool samples were collected before surgery and between postoperative days 2-7, for 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Only extended ICR, but neither limited ICR nor SBR, induced intestinal insufficiency. α-Diversity was reduced in both ICR variants but not after SBR. All resections resulted in an increase in Proteobacteria. Pathobionts, such as Clostridia, Shigella, and Enterococcus, increased after SBR while Muribaculaceae, Lactobacillus, and Lachnospiraceae decreased. Limited ICR resulted in an increase of members of the Clostridium sensu stricto group, Terrisporobacter and Enterococcus and a decrease of Muribaculaceae. The increase of Enterococcus was even more pronounced after extended ICR while Muribaculaceae and Akkermansia were dramatically reduced. Both ICR variants caused a decrease in steroid biosynthesis and glycosaminoglycan degradation-associated pathways, suggesting altered bile acid transformation and mucus utilization.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Resection-induced dysbiosis affects disease progression in patients with short bowel syndrome. Severe dysbiosis occurs after removal of the ileocecal valve, even in the absence of short bowel conditions, and is associated with the loss of Muribaculaceae and Akkermansia and an increase of Clostridium and Enterococcus. The preservation of the cecum should be considered in surgical therapy, and dysbiosis should be targeted based on its specific anatomical signature to improve postoperative bacterial colonization.

Ileocecal valve that cannot be intubated in Crohn's disease: is this a sign of poor prognosis?

BACKGROUND: In Crohn's disease (CD), the inability to intubate the ileocecal valve during colonoscopy may be associated with a poor disease prognosis. In this study, we aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of CD patients with and without ileocecal valve intubation during colonoscopy to assess its value as a prognostic parameter. METHODS: This retrospective study involved CD patients with isolated ileal involvement who underwent colonoscopy between 1993 and 2022. We compared the basic characteristics and long-term clinical outcomes of two groups of patients: those with intubated and non-intubated ileocecal valves during colonoscopy. RESULTS: Of the 155 participants, 97 (62.5%) patients' ileum could be intubated and 58 (37.5%) could not be intubated. The non-intubated group was younger at diagnosis (39 years versus 30.5 years, p = 0.002), but other baseline characteristics such as sex, smoking status, disease duration, perianal disease, and upper gastrointestinal involvements were similar. The non-intubated group had higher rates of steroid dependence (67.2% versus 46.4%; p = 0.012), biologic treatment (89.7% versus 58.8%; p < 0.001), CD-related hospitalization (81% versus 24.7%; p < 0.001), and major abdominal surgery (58.6% versus 15.5%; p < 0.001). In the logistic regression analysis, the positive predictors of successful ileum intubation were inflammatory type CD (OR: 14.821), high serum albumin level (OR: 5.919), and older age (OR: 1.069), while the negative predictors were stenosing (OR: 0.262) and penetrating (OR: 0.247) CD behavior. CONCLUSIONS: In Crohn's disease patients with isolated ileal involvement, ileocecal valve cannot be intubated during colonoscopy may indicate the severity of the disease.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for tumors involving the ileocecal valve with extension into the terminal ileum: a multicenter study from the Hiroshima GI Endoscopy Research Group.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy and safety of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for tumors extending into the terminal ileum remain obscure. We aimed to evaluate the outcomes of ESD for tumors involving the ileocecal valve (ICV) with extension into the terminal ileum. METHODS: Sixty-eight patients (40 men; mean age, 67 years) with 68 tumors involving the ICV that were resected by ESD between December 2013 and December 2018 were included and classified into Group A (21 tumors with extension into the terminal ileum) and Group B (47 tumors without extension). ESD outcomes were compared between groups. RESULTS: The clinical features of the patients and tumors were not significantly different between the groups. There were no significant differences in en bloc resection rate (95% and 94%, respectively; p = 0.79), R0 resection rate (90% and 89%, respectively; p = 0.89), procedure time (95 ± 54 min and 94 ± 69 min, respectively; p = 0.64), postoperative bleeding rate (5% and 3%, respectively; p = 0.79), intraoperative perforation rate (0% and 4%, respectively; p = 0.34), delayed perforation rate (0% and 0%, respectively), or postoperative symptomatic stenosis rate (0% and 0%, respectively) between Groups A and B. No specific factors related to the outcomes of ESD were found by subgroup analysis according to the dominance and degree of circumference of the ICV. Local recurrence was observed in 1 patient in Group A who was retreated using ESD. CONCLUSIONS: ESD for tumors involving the ICV with extension into the terminal ileum is safe and effective.

Are large ileocecal valve lesions amenable with advanced endoscopic management to avoid bowel resection?

INTRODUCTION: Mucosal lesions located at the ileocecal valve may be challenging for endoscopic intervention because of angulated anatomy and a thinner wall with narrower lumen when compared to other locations of the bowel. This study aimed to evaluate the management and outcomes of ileocecal valve lesions treated endoscopically. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with mucosal neoplasms involving the ileocecal valve managed with advanced endoscopy at a quaternary care hospital between 2011 and 2021 were included from a prospectively collected database. Patient demographics, lesion characteristics, complications, and outcomes are reported. RESULTS: From 1005 lesions, 80 patients (8%) underwent resection for neoplasms involving ileocecal valve by ESD (n = 38), hybrid ESD (n = 38), EMR (n = 2), and CELS (n = 2). The median age of the study group was 63(37-84) years, and 50% of patients were female. The median lesion size was 34 mm (5-75). The mean procedure time was 66 ± 44 min(range:18-200). The dissection was completed as piecemeal in 41(51%) patients and 35(44%) had en-bloc dissection. Seven(8%) endoscopic interventions required conversion to laparoscopic surgery due to inability to lift the mucosa(n = 4) and perforation(n = 3). No immediate bleeding occurred in the study group. Five patients had late rectal bleeding and two were admitted with post-polypectomy pain within 30 days of intervention. Pathology revealed 4(5%) adenocarcinomas, 33(41.2%) tubular adenomas, 30(37.8%) tubulovillous adenomas, and 5(6.2%) sessile serrated adenomas. Sixty-seven (84.5%) patients completed at least one follow-up colonoscopy and were followed for a median of 11(0-64) months. Six (8.9%) patients had recurrence and were managed with subsequent endoscopic removal. CONCLUSION: Advanced endoscopy can be safely and effectively performed for the management of ileocecal valve polyps with low complication and acceptable recurrence rates. Advanced endoscopy promises an alternative approach to oncologic ileocecal resection while attaining organ preservation. Our study demonstrates the impact of advanced endoscopy for the treatment of mucosal neoplasms involving ileocecal valve.

Characteristics and Endoscopic Classification of Ulcerative Lesions Affecting the Ileocecal Valve.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to propose an endoscopic classification system for ulcerative lesions on the ileocecal valve and investigate its relevance to the underlying etiology. METHODS: Among the 60,325 patients who underwent colonoscopy at our hospital from January 2006 to December 2018, patients with ulcerative lesions on the ileocecal valve were included. The following data were obtained using the hospital's medical records: sex, age, clinical diagnosis, laboratory data, and endoscopic and histological findings. Patients who have ulcerative colitis and who were not evaluated by histological examination were excluded. Ulcerative lesions on the ileocecal valve were classified into 3 groups according to their endoscopic appearance: small shallow ulcerative lesions without edematous change (group A), lateral spreading shallow ulcerative lesions with edematous change (group B), and deep deformed ulcerative lesions (group C). The association between this endoscopic classification and its clinical diagnosis, clinical course, and the interobserver reliability were evaluated. RESULTS: Of 72 patients who were eligible for analysis, 18 were assigned to group A, 9 to group B, and 45 to group C. Infectious enteritis was mainly assigned to group A (group A, 12; group B, none; and group C, 6; p < 0.0001), inflammatory bowel disease was mainly assigned to group C (group A, none; group B, 5; and group C, 35; p < 0.0001), and malignant tumor was assigned to group C only. Interobserver reliability was extremely high among the 3 examining doctors (kappa value 0.7-0.8). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic classification was divided into 3 groups for ulcerative lesions on the ileocecal valve, and this system could be beneficial for presuming their clinical diagnoses.

Feasibility of endoscopic submucosal dissection for cecal tumors involving the ileocecal valve or appendiceal orifice.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Endoscopic resection of the ileocecal valve lesions (ICVL) and peri-appendiceal orifice lesions (PAOL), is challenging. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for ICVLs and PAOLs compared with other cecal lesions (OCEL). METHODS: This was a multicenter, retrospective cohort study conducted at a cancer center hospital and two community hospitals. Non-pedunculated cecal lesions that were intended to be treated by ESD followed by at least one surveillance colonoscopy were included. The main outcome was curative resection defined as en-bloc resection and R0 resection without risk factors of metastases. The secondary outcome was co lon preservation. RESULTS: A total of 206 patients with 206 cecal lesions, including 37 ICVL, 27 PAOL, and 142 OCEL, who were to be treated with ESD were included in this study. Curative resection rates were 75.7% for ICVL, 70.4% for PAOL, and 77.5% for OCEL (P = 0.67). In the multivariate analysis of predictors of curative resection, tumor size (<40 mm) (odds ratio [OR] 2.40; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 1.14-5.04; P = 0.02) and a negative non-lifting sign (OR 6.12; 95% CI, 2.55-14.60; P < 0.01) were significant. Colon preservation was achieved for 91.9% of the ICVL, 92.6% of the PAOL, and 90.8% of the OCEL (P = 0.947). CONCLUSIONS: Based on curative resection and colon preservation rates, ESD was found to be feasible for ICVL and PAOL. Large tumor size (≥ 40 mm) and positive non-lifting signs were significant factors for non-curative resection.

Prediction of Outcomes of Ultrasound-Guided Saline Enema in the Treatment of Pediatric Intussusception: A Retrospective Case-Control Study.

OBJECTIVES: Outcomes of ultrasound-guided saline enema include successful treatment, unsuccessful treatment, or recurrence. This study aimed to investigate the value of ultrasonic parameters of the ileocecal region during hydrostatic reduction to predict enema outcomes. METHODS: Ultrasound images of patients diagnosed with ileocolic intussusception and treated with ultrasound-guided saline enema at two different institutions between January 2019 and April 2021 were retrospectively analyzed to assess ileocecal-valve diameter (ICVD), intussusceptum thickness (IT), and the ratio of IT to ICVD (I/I). Logistic regression analysis was used to explore correlations between ICVD, IT, I/I, and patient characteristics (sex, age, symptom duration, and enema outcome). RESULTS: Of 291 patients with ileocolic intussusception (207 boys; mean ICVD, 8.6 [SD: 0.1] mm; mean IT, 26 [SD: 0.2] mm; mean I/I, 3.0 [SD: 0.01]), 268 had first successful reduction; 23, first failed reduction; 7, final failed reduction; and 41, early recurrence. Significant risk factors for failed reduction included symptom duration >24 hours (odds ratio [OR] = 10, P = .012), ICVD ≤ 8.5 mm (OR = 8, P = .01), and I/I > 3.25 (OR = 16, P < .001). Significant risk factors for early recurrence post-enema included age >1 year (OR = 10, P = .028), ICVD > 8.5 mm (OR = 4, P = .003), and I/I ≤ 2.95 (OR = 6, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: ICVD and IT measured during ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction can predict enema outcomes. The mismatch between IT and ICVD is the primary cause of poor outcomes.

Assessing immune organs on 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging for therapy monitoring of immune checkpoint inhibitors: inter-observer variability, prognostic value and evolution during the treatment course of melanoma patients.

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have significantly improved survival in advanced melanoma. There is a need for robust biomarkers to identify patients who do not respond. We analysed 14 baseline 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) metrics and their evolution to assess their correlation with patient outcome, compared with 7 established biological markers and 7 clinical variables. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective monocentric observational study of 29 patients with advanced melanoma who underwent baseline 18F-FDG PET/CT, followed by an early monitoring PET/CT (iPET) scan after 1 month of treatment and follow-up studies at 3rd (M3PET) and 6th month (M6PET). 18F-FDG uptake in immune organs (spleen, bone marrow, ileocecal valve) and derived spleen-to-liver (SLR) and bone-to-liver (BLR) ratios were reviewed by two PET readers for reproducibility analysis purposes including 14 PET variables. The most reproducible indexes were used for evaluation as predictors of overall survival (OS) in comparison with PET response using imPERCIST5, whole-body metabolic active tumour volume (WB-MATV) and biological parameters (lactate dehydrogenases (LDH), reactive protein c (CRP), white blood count (WBC), absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and derived neutrophils to lymphocyte ratio). RESULTS: Strong reproducibility's (intraclass coefficients of correlation (ICC) > 0.90) were observed for spleen anterior SUVpeak, spleen MV, spleen TLG, spleen length and BLRmean. ICC for SLRmean and ileocecal SUVmean were 0.86 and 0.65, respectively. In the 1-year OS 1 group, SLRmean tended to increase at each time point to reach a significant difference at M6-PET (p = 0.019). The same trends were observed with spleen SUVpeak anterior and spleen length. In the 1-year OS 0 group, a significative increase of spleen length was found at iPET, as compared with baseline PET (p = 0.014) and M3-PET (p = 0.0239). Univariable Kaplan-Meier survival analysis found that i%var spleen length, M3%var SLRmean, baseline LDH, i%var NLR and response at M6PET were all predictors of 1-year OS. CONCLUSIONS: SLRmean is recommended as a prognosticator in melanoma patients under immunotherapy: its increase greater than 25% at 3 months, compared with baseline, was associated with poor outcome after ICIs.

FDG-PET-CT Enterography Helps Determine Clinical Significance of Suspected Ileocecal Thickening: A Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Ileocecal thickening (ICT) on imaging could result from diverse etiologies but may also be clinically insignificant. AIM: Evaluation of role of combined 2-deoxy-2-fluorine-18-fluoro-D-glucose(18F-FDG)-positron emission tomography and computed tomographic enterography (PET-CTE) for determination of clinical significance of suspected ICT. METHODS: This prospective study enrolled consecutive patients with suspected ICT on ultrasound. Patients were evaluated with PET-CTE and colonoscopy. The patients were divided into: Group A (clinically significant diagnosis) or Group B (clinically insignificant diagnosis) and compared for various clinical and radiological findings. The two groups were compared for maximum standardized uptake values of terminal ileum, ileo-cecal valve, cecum and overall. RESULTS: Of 34 patients included (23 males, mean age: 40.44 ± 15.40 years), 12 (35.3%) had intestinal tuberculosis, 11 (32.4%) Crohn's disease, 3 (8.8%) other infections, 1 (2.9%) malignancy, 4 (11.8%) non-specific terminal ileitis while 3 (8.8%) had normal colonoscopy and histology. The maximum standardized uptake value of the ileocecal area overall (SUVmax-ICT-overall) was significantly higher in Group A (7.16 ± 4.38) when compared to Group B (3.62 ± 9.50, P = 0.003). A cut-off of 4.50 for SUVmax-ICT-overall had a sensitivity of 70.37% and a specificity of 100% for prediction of clinically significant diagnosis. Using decision tree model, the SUVmax-ICT with a cut-off of 4.75 was considered appropriate for initial decision followed by the presence of mural thickening in the next node. CONCLUSION: PET-CTE can help in discrimination of clinically significant and insignificant diagnosis. It may help guide the need for colonoscopy in patients suspected to have ICT on CT.

Ileocecal Valve Removal Reverses the Constipating Effects of Loperamide in Rats.

BACKGROUND: Previous evidence associating ileocecal valve removal (ICVR) with a reduced risk of fecal impaction of the ileocecum in cystic fibrosis indicated possible benefits from ileocecal valve loss in disorders with inhibited proximal colon transit caused by fecal dehydration and hypoperistalsis. We aimed to investigate the ability of ICVR in reversing fecal impaction in a loperamide-induced model of a similar pattern of inhibited proximal colon transit in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty pubertal Sprague-Dawley rats were rendered constipated with subcutaneous loperamide treatment (1 mg/kg/d) for 7 d. On day four, rats were allocated to groups: ICVR (n = 12), total colectomy (TC, n = 9), and sham operation (SO, n = 9). Fecal pellet number and consistency were assessed daily. On day seven, all rats were gavaged with barium. Two hours later, intestinal transit ratio (distance of barium head from the pylorus adjusted for small intestine length) and adjusted (for total intestine length) barium-to-anus distance were assessed. RESULTS: ICVR showed higher transit ratio and shorter barium-to-anus distance, that is, faster transit, than SO (P < 0.0001); differences between ICVR and TC were not significant (P > 0.06). Furthermore, ICVR and TC showed similar reduction in hard feces, compared with SO (P < 0.0001). TC showed higher diarrhea rate than ICVR (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: ICVR led to an effective, similar to TC, reversal of the constipating effects of loperamide and, unlike TC, was not associated with diarrhea. Our findings support the idea that ICVR might be beneficial in disorders with inhibited proximal colon transit resulting from fecal dehydration and hypoperistalsis, such as refractory cystic fibrosis-related intestinal obstruction. Potential clinical implications merit further study.

A novel technique of endoscopic submucosal dissection for circumferential ileocecal valve adenomas with terminal ileum involvement: the "doughnut resection" (with videos).

BACKGROUND: Ileocecal valve (ICV) lesions are difficult to resect endoscopically and patients are often referred for laparoscopic colectomy. ICV involvement has been shown to be related to technical failure and tumor recurrence after endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and represents a challenge for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Few publications have focused specifically on endoscopic management of ICV lesions. METHODS: We developed a novel ESD technique, the "doughnut resection," for circumferential ICV adenomas with terminal ileum involvement. Two circumferential mucosal incisions are performed, one in the ileum and the other in the cecum, followed by submucosal dissection of the disk of tissue between the two incisions around a guiding stent placed across the valve that helps guide the dissection as it crosses the valve orifice. The lesion is removed en bloc in the shape of a "doughnut" with two concentric assessable lateral margins. The underwater ESD technique and a gastroscope were used to facilitate the resection. RESULTS: Seven patients received the doughnut resection. The median patient age was 67 years. All patients had prior biopsy and three had prior endoscopic resection (1-6 times). The median specimen diameter was 4.5 cm (range 3-8). All resections were en bloc and R0. There was no perforation, delayed bleeding, or other clinically significant adverse events. After a median follow-up of 21 months (range 12-32), there was no tumor recurrence. CONCLUSION: The "doughnut resection" is a feasible, safe, and effective method to remove circumferential ICV lesions endoscopically even for patients with multiple prior tumor manipulations.

Correlation between a continent ileocecal valve and CT signs of severity in patients presenting with obstructive colonic cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To study the association of a continent ileocecal valve and the degree of severity of the CT signs in patients presenting with large bowel obstruction due to colonic cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-six patients undergoing emergency surgery for confirmed obstructive colonic cancer were included. The CT examinations were analyzed without consultation of the surgical results. For each patient, the diameter of the cecum at its widest point and that of the last ileal loop were measured. The ileocecal valve was considered incontinent when there was a distension of the last ileal loop greater than or equal to 25 mm. Below 25 mm, the ileocecal valve was considered continent. The presence of CT signs of severity of the LBO was noted, i.e., intestinal pneumatosis, absence of contrast enhancement of the large bowel wall, defect in the large bowel wall, and presence of extra-digestive air and ascites. RESULTS: Among the 66 patients included, 42 had an incontinent ileocecal valve and 24 had a continental ileocecal valve. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in the diametrical measurements of the cecum's widest point (mean diameter measured at 10.3 cm in patients with continent ileocecal valve vs 8.4 cm in patients with incontinent ileocecal valve, P = 0.0023). Patients with a continent valve had statistically higher rates of CT severity (79% vs 40%, P < 0.005). Perforation of the cecum remained rare (8%) and was only observed in patients with continent ileocecal valve in our series. CONCLUSION: Continence of the ileocecal valve appears to be statistically correlated both with cecum distension and the presence of CT signs of severity in patients with obstructive colonic cancer. As such, its presence must be retained as a risk factor for a pejorative evolution of this type of LBO and must be specified in the CT report of these patients.

Feasibility of endoscopic submucosal dissection for cecal lesions.

BACKGROUND: The treatment results of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for colorectal lesions have improved markedly, but some lesions remain difficult to treat. Hence the cecum is considered a technically challenging site for ESD. We examined the feasibility of ESD for cecal lesions. METHODS: Among a total of 708 colorectal ESD performed in our hospital between March 2006 and December 2016, 549 procedures performed after April 2012 were studied, at a time when the techniques of ESD had stabilized and the procedure was covered by health insurance in Japan. Among 549 cases, 61 were cecal lesions and 488 were noncecal lesions. The treatment outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: For cecal lesions, the en bloc resection rate was 95.1%, R0 resection rate was 91.8%, perforation rate was 0%, delayed bleeding rate was 6.6%, median diameter of resected specimen was 32 mm (16-65 mm), median time of the procedure was 44 minutes (8-140 min). The corresponding results for noncecal lesions were 97.3%, 95.5%, 0.4%, 2.7%, 30 mm (10-109 mm), and 37 min (7-225 min). No significant differences were observed and the good treatment results were seen. When the outcomes were analyzed for cecal sites considered to be particularly challenging; proximity to appendiceal orifice, the ileocecal valve, and the bottom of cecum, the treatment results were not inferior to other sites. CONCLUSIONS: ESD is safe and effective even for cecal lesions considered challenging to treat. ESD is feasible for cecal lesions.

Distribution and Neurochemistry of the Porcine Ileocaecal Valve Projecting Sensory Neurons in the Dorsal Root Ganglia and the Influence of Lipopolysaccharide from Different Serotypes of Salmonella spp. on the Chemical Coding of DRG Neurons in the Cell Cultures.

The ileocecal valve (ICV)-a sphincter muscle between small and large intestine-plays important roles in the physiology of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, but many aspects connected with the innervation of the ICV remain unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the localization and neurochemical characterization of neurons located in the dorsal root ganglia and supplying the ICV of the domestic pig. The results have shown that such neurons mainly located in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of thoracic and lumbar neuromers show the presence of substance P (SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and galanin (GAL). The second part of the experiment consisted of a study on the influence of a low dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Salmonella serotypes Enteritidis Minnesota and Typhimurium on DRG neurons. It has been shown that the LPS of these serotypes in studied doses does not change the number of DRG neurons in the cell cultures, but influences the immunoreactivity to SP and GAL. The observed changes in neurochemical characterization depend on the bacterial serotype. The results show that DRG neurons take part in the innervation of the ICV and may change their neurochemical characterization under the impact of LPS, which is probably connected with direct actions of this substance on the nervous tissue and/or its pro-inflammatory activity.

A Prospective Evaluation of Ileocecal Valve Dysfunction and Intestinal Motility Derangements in Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth.

BACKGROUND: Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is an increasingly recognized clinical syndrome; however, its etiophathogenesis is poorly understood. We hypothesized that loss of gastric acid, a delayed intestinal transit, and ileocecal valve dysfunction may contribute to the genesis of this syndrome. AIMS: Our primary aim was to assess these parameters using wireless motility capsule (WMC) testing and to correlate them with the presence or absence of SIBO. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 30 consecutive patients at a tertiary care center with suspected SIBO, diagnosed by lactulose hydrogen breath testing (LBT), and small bowel aspirate microbiology. Patients underwent WMC testing to assess ileocecal junction pressure (ICJP), small bowel transit time (SBTT), and regional gastrointestinal pH. RESULTS: Thirty patients completed testing; 15 had a positive LBT, and 11 had a positive aspirate culture. As compared with LBT-negative patients, ICJP was lower (27.8 vs. 72.7 mmHg, p = 0.027), SBTT was longer (10.0 vs. 1.1 h, p = 0.004), gastric pH was higher (3.63 vs. 2.42, p < 0.01), and small bowel pH was higher (6.96 vs. 6.61, p = 0.05). A hypotensive ICJP (<46.61 mmHg) was more prevalent in LBT-positive patients as compared with LBT-negative patients (73.3 vs. 14.29%, p = 0.003). Logistic regression models were used to assess the magnitude of each measured WMC parameter and the presence of SIBO. p values ≤0.05 were considered statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with SIBO have significantly lower ICJP, prolonged SBTT, and a higher gastrointestinal pH as compared to those without SIBO. These abnormalities may play different roles in the pathogenesis of SIBO, facilitating more targeted treatment to prevent recurrences of SIBO.

Kaleidoscopic View of Bowel Tuberculosis on Multi- Detector Computed Tomography (CT) Enterography - A Novel Technique Unfolding an Archaic Disease.

Gastrointestinal tuberculosis (GI TB) is an important manifestation of abdominal tuberculosis (TB), an extra-pulmonary form of the disease. GI TB commonly affects the small bowel but is difficult to diagnose due to the challenge of evaluating the entire length of overlapping small bowel loops with traditional diagnostic methods like Barium meal follow through, abdominal computed tomography (CT), and endoscopy. New techniques of CT/MR enteroclysis/enterography are now available which specifically image the small bowel. MDCT enterography (MDCTE) is a non-invasive, simple to perform, modified abdominal CT imaging technique permitting reasonably accurate evaluation of the small bowel lumen, wall, perienteric tissues, and solid organs within the abdomen. As GI TB can cause morphological alterations in and around the small bowel, MDCTE seems to be an attractive modality for patients suspected of abdominal or GI TB. As scarce literature is available on MDCTE on tuberculosis, we present a pictorial review on MDCTE findings in patients with GI tuberculosis proved on FNAC and clinical and/or imaging follow-up.

Diseases mimicking intussusception: diagnostic dilemma.

BACKGROUND: Intussusception is a common abdominal emergency in early childhood. The aim of this study was to describe the diseases mimicking intussusception and to discuss the causes and management of these conditions. METHODS: Seven patients who were initially diagnosed as having intussusception on abdominal ultrasonography but who had a final diagnosis of diseases other than intussusception were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Two patients with ileocolic intussusception underwent ultrasonography-guided reduction with a hydrostatic method but the ultrasonographic findings persisted. At surgery, only edematous ileocecal valve and mesenteric lymphadenopathy were observed. In three patients with Henoch-Schönlein purpura, initial abdominal ultrasonography showed intussusception. The patients with no sign of obstructive symptoms were managed conservatively with a diagnosis of intramural hemorrhage and on follow up the ultrasonographic findings of intussusception was resolved. One patient with the target sign on computed tomography and ultrasonography of the abdomen underwent ileocolic resection and end-to-end anastomosis due to a tumor in the cecum. There was no evidence of intussusception. One patient with a cyst in the right lower quadrant accompanying intussusception on ultrasonography of the abdomen underwent ultrasonography-guided reduction but the ultrasonographic findings persisted. On exploration, only cecal duplication cyst without intussusception was detected. Cecal resection including the cyst and end-to-end ileocolic anastomosis were performed. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonography, color Doppler ultrasonography, barium or hydrostatic enema and computed tomography are helpful in diagnosing intussusception, but patients with radiologic findings of intussusception should be evaluated on symptoms and clinical findings before surgical intervention. Also, other diseases mimicking intussusception should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis.