Acta gastro-enterologica Belgica最新文献

Mirizzi syndrome is a rare complication of chronic gallstone disease characterised by the compression of the common bile duct due to an impacted lithiasis in the infundibulum of the gallbladder or cystic duct. In this case study, we discuss an 85-yearold patient who presented with Mirizzi syndrome associated with septic shock. She was not eligible for cholecystectomy due to her advanced age and frailty, requiring a less invasive alternative. Gallbladder drainage was initiated by endoscopic ultrasoundguided cholecystoduodenostomy with a lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS). Utilising this bulbo-cholecystic stent, SpyGlassguided electrohydraulic lithotripsy (SGEHL) was then performed, resulting in successful extraction of multiple bile stones, including a 20 mm lithiasis that was lodged in the cystic infundibulum. Subsequently, serum bilirubin levels and inflammatory markers were significantly reduced, consistent with resolution of Mirizzi syndrome. The combination of SGEHL and LAMS, designated as SLAMS, represents a novel, minimally invasive intervention for this potentially life-threatening disease.

Fibrogenesis is initially performed during tissue damage to protect the remaining tissues from the progressive death of epithelial cells, infiltration of immune and inflammatory cells, and local degrading enzymes. Inflammation can lead to excessive extracellular matrix deposition by fibroblasts and the induction of fibrosis in many organs, such as the liver. MiRNAs are small noncoding RNAs that mediate mRNA repression or destabilization, leading to translational repression. Owing to the wide range of roles of miRNAs in the development of fibrosis, especially liver fibrosis, many studies have focused on their diagnostic, regulatory, and therapeutic roles. In this study, we used medical science and general databases, including PubMed, Elsevier, Scopus, Nature, and Google Scholar, to find valid studies on the different roles of miRNAs in liver fibrosis. Because a large number of miRNAs with regulatory, diagnostic, and therapeutic roles in diseases associated with liver fibrosis have been identified and reported in this study, special attention to these elements is needed in the future of healthcare systems.

Small bowel obstruction is a relatively prevalent surgical condition, with the most common underlying cause being postoperative adhesions. However, in patients with no previous history of abdominal surgery, one needs to think more outside the box. In this case study, we have a young and athletic man who presented to the emergency department with an acute abdomen, shortly after binge eating a large amount of food. Obstruction due to food impaction, such as in our case, should always be on the differential list, especially in those without significant medical history and with binge eating pattern where uncontrolled and extreme amounts of food are eaten alternating with restrictive dieting.

Background: Bile acid malabsorption (BAM) is a common entity in patients experiencing chronic watery diarrhea. However, literature suggests that BAM is underdiagnosed and undertreated. In many countries 75SeHCAT is the gold standard for diagnosing BAM (1-5). The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the frequency of BAM using 75SeHCAT scintigraphy and the response to treatment with bile acid sequestrants.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the clinical data of 420 patients who had a 75SeHCAT scan from January 2016 to January 2023. Electronic medical records were investigated for risk factors of BAM. BAM was defined as a 75SeHCAT retention of less than 15%. Response to bile acid sequestrants was evaluated based on outpatient clinical reports.

Results: Median age at the time of 75SeHCAT test was 47 years (range 14-87). Out of 420 patients, 192 (46%) had a positive result for BAM. Cholecystectomy and ileal resection were significant predictors for BAM (p<0.001). BAM type 1 is statistically more likely to be more severe compared to type 2 (p<0.0001) and compared to type 3 (p=0.0021). In patients who fulfilled Rome IV criteria for IBS-D or functional diarrhea, 75 out of 121 (38%) tested positive for BAM. Overall, treatment with bile acid binders was effective in 76%.

Conclusions: This retrospective study of patients who underwent SeHCAT scanning confirms that about 1/3 patients presenting with therapy-resistant chronic diarrhea in secondary care suffer from BAM. Including the test in clinical management protocols of chronic diarrhea allows early and quantitative diagnosis and treatment of BAM.

Background and objectives: Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has been reported as a complication after pancreatic surgery. The aim of this study is to assess this phenomenon in a Belgian population, specifically in a period in time when less perioperative chemotherapy was given.

Methods: We performed a retrospective monocentric cohort study with 124 selected patients who underwent pancreatic surgery - pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), distal pancreatectomy (DP) or total pancreatectomy - between 2005 and 2014. Steatosis was assessed radiologically, using Hounsfield units on liver and spleen. Data on imaging, liver function, weight and other relevant parameters were gathered preoperatively as well as 2 and 6 months, 1 and 2 years after surgery.

Results: Thirty-eight (31%) out of 124 patients developed liver steatosis at least at one point in time in the two years following surgery, with a prevalence of 21.0% at 2 months, 28.6% at 6 months, 16.4% at 1 year and 20.8 % at 2 years. A statistically significant association with preoperative AST and ALT values, administration of pancreatic enzyme supplementation as a surrogate for pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) and weight loss at 2 years was detected.

Conclusion: MAFLD is seen in 31% of patients with PD or DP pancreatic resection in this retrospective analysis of a monocentric Belgian cohort. Both early and late onset of MAFLD was observed, implying that long-term follow-up is necessary. Clinical impact as well as a direct correlation with patients' weight and oral enzyme supplements needs to be further investigated.

Background: Functional constipation (FC) is a geriatric syndrome that is common in the older adult's population and can seriously affect the quality of life and may be a frequent cause of hospital visits. In this study, we planned to investigate the relationship between FC and its related factors for in older outpatients.

Patients and methods: Participants aged 65 and over who applied to the geriatrics outpatient were included in the study. The diagnosis of FC was made according to the presence of the Rome IV criteria. Frailty was screened by the using FRAIL scale, ≥ 3 a score of were evaluated as frail. Participants quality of life was evaluated by Euro-Quality of Life Visual Analog Scale (EQ-VAS).

Results: The study included 602 participants. FC prevalence was found 28.7%. In univariate analyses, FC was found related to age, having a diagnosis of depression or Parkinson diseases, frailty, urinary incontinence, sleep disorders, number of chronic diseases, and EQ-VAS. In multivariate analyses, FC was not found to be associated by the frailty while the number of chronic diseases [OR=1.212, 95%CI (1.084-1.355), p=0.001] and EQ-VAS were found to be related [OR=0.988, 95%CI (0.978-0.997), p=0.012].

Conclusion: In the results of this study, FC was not found to be associated by frailty in older outpatients but it emerged as a syndrome that should be screened frequently in patients with a high number of chronic diseases and a low general quality of life.

Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive malignancy with poor survival rates. Pancreatic surgery has improved outcomes in the last few decades, but still contains high morbidity rates. Pancreatic fistula, delayed gastric emptying, intra-abdominal infections and bleeding are well-known complications. We report a case of a 57-year old woman with a portogastric fistula complicated with high gastrointestinal bleeding and septic thrombophlebitis after pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Immune mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) are a heterogenous group of inflammatory disorders of joint, skin, and gut characterized by both shared and distinct pathological pathways. This complexity has therapeutic implications, as not all IMIDs exhibit responsiveness to available biologicals. Moreover, cases have been documented where patients undergoing biologic therapy experience paradoxical occurrences of either a new IMID or a flare-up of a previously asymptomatic one. Treatment with anti- IL-17a has been approved for ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis, but was not found effective for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This case series describes four patients with new onset IBD under treatment with an IL-17a inhibitor for a rheumatological or dermatological indication.

Statins are generally known for their lipid-lowering properties and protection against cardiovascular events. However, growing evidence suggests that statins are a promising treatment for patients with chronic liver disease. Specifically, there is data supporting their role in reducing portal pressure and having a chemopreventive effect on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Treatment options for HCC remain limited with portal hypertension (PH), thus statins could represent an inexpensive alternative, increasing survival of patients with HCC and PH. These drugs cannot be considered standard of care without a cardiac-metabolic indication to prescription in this patient group, although the potential beneficial effect should be indication for prompt use whenever considered appropriate. Our aim is to review the effects of statins on PH and on HCC, both in the pre-clinical and clinical setting in literature, discussing safety issues and limitations to the current body of evidence.